17 must-read stories for the weekend

Despite progress, tens of millions of children do not complete formal schooling. Giving the young workplace skills would boost poorer countries’ incomes by more than a quarter.

Nanotechnology slashes the costs of testing for disease and purifying water. In tackling key development challenges, hopes have been raised that this might be one technology that cuts inequality.

Argentina’s economy shrank sharply when it devalued in 2001. Former Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo believes that was a mistake, created unnecessary misery and that Greece should learn from Argentina and stick with the euro.

Don’t overestimate the power of the BRICS. They might have 40% of the world’s population but five things are holding them back.

Can a basic income for citizens increase employment? The Dutch city of Utrecht thinks it might. Some welfare recipients will get higher payments without conditions. It’s the first major test of whether a ‘basic income’ can boost job-seeking and tax receipts.

China’s stockmarket crash – temporary blip, or sign of trouble to come in the world’s second biggest economy?

Africa is the birthplace of crowd-sourcing and mobile money. Behind such ground-breaking tech lies an accelerating wave of African entrepreneurs.

Showing gender discrimination the red card. Countries with greater gender equality have better women’s football teams. Analysis based on the Global Gender Gap Report. (Vox)

Singapore has an insatiable appetite for data. And that’s good news for telecoms providers. Cites research from the Global Information Technology Report. (Bloomberg)

The rise of the city. It’s not just people moving to them – power is, too. Are we ready for the changes in governance this requires? Cites a Forum Report, The Competitiveness of Cities. (Huffington Post)

How to do more with less. Smarter use of materials, energy and water could help Australia generate an extra $26 billion a year, according to the Forum’s Circular Economy report. (The Conversation)

Six innovations transforming financial services. From crowd-funding to robo-advisors, the sector is in for a shake-up, according to the Forum’s The Future of Financial Services report. (Business Insider)

China’s stock market correction has wiped out over $2 trillion of market value. But in the long run, could China’s equity market be a great way of financing corporate investment?

The global middle class: a myth?

Machine learning will transform companies. We need to understand what it is, what it can do and what mistakes to avoid when using it.

Gloom has set in amongst some climatologists. Are we out of time?

Never mind the campaign promises. Children can tell you who will win an election just by looking at politicians’ faces.

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Author: Adrian Monck is Managing Director and head of Public Engagement at the World Economic Forum.

Image: A general view is seen of Otavio Frias Filho bridge built by construction conglomerate OAS SA in Sao Paulo December 2, 2014. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker