Facebook’s Crypto Wallet and Saudi Arabia’s Identity Crisis: Inside tw:in’s January Newsletter

Every month our global spotters network, tw:in, sends out a newsletter highlighting the most thought-provoking innovations shared by the community. Like what you see? Join tw:in to access hundreds more bright ideas, and to share on-the-ground findings of your own. Here are the top innovations shared on tw:in this month. Enjoy!


 

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1. 🇫🇷 France is the first country to test sound radars for vehicles to lower noise pollution

The government of France has installed eight sound radars in built-up areas across the country in a bid to crackdown on noise pollution – especially motorists who mechanically enhance their vehicles to appear louder. Drivers who exceed a certain threshold while passing through the designated zones will be fined up to EUR 135 for their transgression. 

 

Here’s what Bruna Boucinha, tw:in’s Community Lead, has to say: 

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"Noise pollution affects millions of people on a daily basis and to see an influential government like France adopting measures to address this issue is move in the right direction. Can brands in other countries get ahead of the curve by introducing similar initiatives which, quite simply, make life better for consumers?"

 

 

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2. 🇫🇷 Carrefour will exchange old mobile phones for grocery vouchers 

Carrefour’s collection points will be managed by phone recycling service ecoATM and electronics restoration company Back Market will take care of reselling the used phones.

 

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3. 🇦🇪 Saudi Arabia turns disused oil rig into theme park 

As part of widespread efforts to shift public perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a petroleum-reliant economy, the kingdom is looking to build out its tourism offering with a floating theme park.

 

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4. 🇧🇷 Natura launches regenerative line of beauty products

The Brazilian brand’s planet-friendly collection has been six years in the making. Not only are the products made from vegan formulas, but they come in plastic-free packaging too.

 

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5. 🇬🇹 Facebook introduces crypto wallet trial in Guatemala

Facebook introduced a small pilot of its Novi digital wallet in the US and Guatemala allowing users to send and receive money instantly using the Paxos stablecoin.

 

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6. 🇩🇪 Germany-based AI service to tackle bureaucratic inequality

Whether it’s a letter from an accountant or an overly complicated bank statement, ABC uses AI to instantly translate complex jargon into easy-to-understand language. Users simply scan text with their phones and a common-sense translation pops up.

 

 

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