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Focuses on the decision of France President Jacques Chirac to set aside a youth-labor law that ignited weeks of strikes and street protests.

Reports that dire economic conditions in Germany are forcing the government to rethink the paternalistic role of the state in the economic life of the country. Profile of Renate Franke, who received jobless benefits after she quit her job at an electronic company due to personal and emotional issues; Second recession within the past three years in Germany; Observation that Germany's social-welfare system is no longer affordable ; Spending on social issues in Germany at 30% of gross domestic product; Proposal by the government of reducing unemployment benefits, opening the public health-care system to private insurers, and cutting subsidies and easing laws that protect workers from being fired; Acknowledgement by Germans that there is a need for reform in the country; Efforts of unions to adapt to the changing times.

This article reports on a new U.S. tax law that raises costs for U.S. citizens working outside of the United States. The article discusses U.S. expatriates in countries where housing costs are high and taxes are low, including Russia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The new laws may affect the decision of U.S. expatriate workers to come home.