Until recently, there had been relatively little discussion of what the rapid growth of digital labor platforms meant for the nature of work and the employment relationship. But an important recent report provides answers to many questions – and raises several more that policymakers and regulators need to address. One of the most significant socioeconomic changes accelerated by Covid-19 must surely be the rise of digital labor platforms. Of course, platform-based employment had already been growing exponentially before the pandemic. But the combination of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, and the consequent greater reliance on remote work, has dramatically increased both…

The fall of Chadian President Idris Deby on Monday to the bullets of rebels marked a frightening dimension not only to the instability of his poor country, but also insecurity in the countries of the Sahel including Nigeria. Deby had not even given an acceptance speech after his sixth election as president before he visited troops battling the rebels in the northern part of the country. He had made in the past similar appearances in the battlefield to boost the morale of the soldiers; but yesterday’s was to be his last as he died in battle. Not a few have…