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John Laurenson

Episodes by John (3)

Marketplace Tech

Talking credit helps visually impaired people make transactions safely

Jun 16, 2023
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Marketplace Tech

Parent influencers in France make a living by blogging about family trips

Apr 6, 2023
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Marketplace Tech

French company hopes its low-tech, easily assembled EV will revolutionize carmaking

Jun 21, 2022
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Latest Stories (71)

Streaming giants target European market for growth and expansion

by John Laurenson
Mar 28, 2023
With growth tapering in the U.S., American streaming giants are tapping into growing European markets in countries like France.
The growth of European regional content on streaming platforms like Netflix is helping companies break into those markets.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images
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French cities are banning billboards

by John Laurenson
Mar 6, 2023
A number of French cities are going to war against street advertising which they say is ugly, anti-ecological and anti-social. 
Woman walks past advertising in the Paris subway. The French capital has cut 30% of its publicity billboards with more cuts planned for the future.
John Laurenson
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Talking credit cards help visually impaired people prevent abuse

by John Laurenson
Jan 31, 2023
Thales, a French firm, is launching a credit card that interacts with a user's smartphone to provide audio cues and transaction confirmations.
In Paris, Stephanie Khoeung tries out a new talking credit card that helps visually impaired people confirm transactions.
John Laurenson/Marketplace
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French entrepreneurs look to agriculture and forestry for the future of aviation fuel

by John Laurenson
Dec 28, 2022
One company says it can make sustainable aviation fuel using beets, sugar cane and forestry waste.
France is Europe's largest producer of sugar beets. Now, a bioenergy company there is using bacteria from the sugar to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
Thierry Zoccolan/AFP via Getty Images
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France cracks down on "dark store" meal delivery services

by John Laurenson
Dec 27, 2022
In some of Paris' neighborhoods, residents have had enough of so-called "dark stores" that offer home grocery and meal deliveries.
Scooters that make deliveries for a “dark store” in Paris are parked in a residential neighborhood. Some residents say these delivery services are noisy and have had a negative impact on their quality of life in the city.
John Laurenson
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French biogas plants recycle agricultural waste into energy for homes

by John Laurenson
Oct 20, 2022
The large metal-domed plants are popping up around the French countryside.
Methanization tanks used for biogas production in southern Paris.
Julien De Rosa/AFP via Getty Images
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Paris will charge for motorcycle parking, stirring protest from the biker community

by John Laurenson
Aug 29, 2022
The cost of street parking for a motorcycle will be about $40 a day. Officials would like to see greater use of public transportation.
Opinion polls show Parisians like the city's efforts to reduce car driving, and many support the new fees for motorbikes.
Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty Images
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Horses are again working in French vineyards

by John Laurenson
Aug 4, 2022
The animals can work land that is inaccessible to tractors, and vineyard owners say they improve the soil for grapes. But they raise costs as well.
A horse named Diva at work at Chandon de Briailles, one of many French vineyards that use horses instead of tractors.
John Laurenson
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What if the next big crop we grow is for building materials?

by John Laurenson
Jun 20, 2022
In the Netherlands, a bridge is made of flax fiber ... the same flax that produces seeds for cereal.
This 15-meter bridge in the Dutch town of Almere was made using flax fiber.
John Laurenson
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French company is recycling used face masks into useful objects

by John Laurenson
Jun 10, 2022
The company takes used and discarded symbols of the pandemic and turns them into items such as coat hangers and classroom rulers.
Plaxtil co-founder Jean-Marc Neveu with used face masks in the factory where they are transformed.
John Laurenson
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