18 must-read stories for the weekend

Do extroverts make the most effective leaders? Conventional wisdom says yes. New research suggests what you really need is happy people at the top.

The belief that unbridled capitalism causes poverty is widespread. Pope Francis is one critic. But a leading economist believes the reverse is true.

China’s service sector is still growing fast. That reflects a rebalancing towards consumption and is cause for optimism over the country’s long-term outlook.

The UN is the best bargain on the planet. But it needs more money, better governance and greater expertise to fulfill its real promise, argues Jeffrey Sachs.

Neurotechnology has stalled, even as demand from an ageing population soars. Could more entrepreneurship help us understand the brain?

The Shanghai-based New Development Bank is no rival to the IMF and World Bank, says its vice-president. But it will change the face of global finance.

Cut up your credit card – these innovative payment solutions will make it redundant.

Weak growth and low-cost pressures are two reasons why the Federal Reserve shouldn’t raise U.S. interest rates. Renewed fragility in emerging markets makes a third.

The Duluth Complex sits on trillions of dollars of copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold, and irreplaceable supplies of water. Is the development worth the threat? Cites the Global Risk Report. (Al Jazeera America)

How much is your personal data worth? As far back as 2011, the Forum designated data “a new asset class”. Only now are innovators coming up with ways for customers to monetize that asset. (Politico)

Africa’s economic awakening is chronicled by a Young Global Leader. (Forbes)

Training tomorrow’s industry leaders. Tata Consultancy Services will fund a new technology centre at Carnegie Mellon University. The collaboration was born at a Forum meeting. (Bloomberg)

A young nonprofit founder and social innovator adds to the Shapers’ global network of hubs. (Portland Press Herald)

When economies mature they tend to slow down. Did this 2011 paper predict the lower growth behind China’s stock market swings?

Relieving disasters, or relieving consciences? Assessing the real impact of disaster relief.

Life off Mars. The impersonal qualities of an entrepreneurial visionary.

How much should you charge someone to live in your house? There’s an algorithm for that.

Death is optional. It’s a technical problem, and those are the ones we can solve, Yuval Harari tells Daniel Kahneman.

To keep up with the Agenda subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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

Image: A woman walks at the Bund in front of the financial district of Pudong in Shanghai March 5, 2015. REUTERS/Aly Song