🤯 Did you know the global metaverse market could hit nearly $42 billion globally by 2026?

🌎 From tech giants to pop stars and entire cities, more are racing to embrace these virtual worlds.

Here are 5 major players emerging in the metaverse. 🧵 ImageImageImage
🏗 The builders

Firms like @Meta and @Microsoft are doing the groundwork to build the metaverse and develop the tech underpinning it.

🎮 They’re joined by video game platform @Roblox which said it aims to help users create their own vast virtual places. news.trust.org/item/202112211… ImageImage
👗 The designers

👟 @Nike bought virtual sneaker company RTFKT and built a new digital world "NIKELAND".

@BALENCIAGA teamed up with #Fortnite to bring the brand’s clothing and 'fit sets' into the game.

@VANS_66 has even created a virtual skateboarding playground for fans. 🛹 ImageImageImage
🤩 The celebrities

🎤 Pop superstar @ArianaGrande performed for a digital audience in @FortniteGame's metaverse.

Meanwhile, @SnoopDogg is building his own "Snoopverse" allowing paying users to attend exclusive gigs and parties, and even buy property.
🛠️ The engineers

✈️ @Boeing has vowed to create its next airplane in the metaverse.

Mechanics would don headsets to build virtual 3D jet models, run simulations and streamline design processes.

But critics say earlier pledges have brought mixed results. news.trust.org/item/202112211… Image
🏙️ The governments

🇧🇧 Barbados will open what could be the world's first metaverse embassy in the platform @decentraland.

🇰🇷 Seoul city aims to create a virtual city hall by 2023 where citizens can meet avatars of public officials and file complaints. 👇
news.trust.org/item/202111251… ImageImage
🔴 Is joining a metaverse a good idea?

From virtual goods like #NFTs to AI-powered avatars, some tech experts are warning that fast-growing virtual worlds are pushing our digital rights into uncharted territory.
news.trust.org/item/202111231… Image
🤔 Are you planning to experiment with the metaverse?

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More from @TRF_Stories

7 Dec
🇺🇸 In the U.S., a new war is emerging in classrooms.

🚫 Texas recently banned teaching critical race theory, an academic concept examining how race and racism has shaped society in America.

But it’s not the only state outlawing CRT. Here's what's happening across the nation. 🧵
🔴 Texas

💬 @GovAbbott's Senate Bill 3 came into effect last week. The measure says teachers can't discuss how one race is "inherently superior" or that someone is responsible for past actions of their race.

Students should also not feel "distress on account of... race or sex.”
🔴 Arizona

🚫 In June, a similar law was signed by governor @DougDucey banning teachers from “instruction that presents any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity, or sex.”

Schools that violate HB 2898 face a fine of up to $5,000. news.trust.org/item/202110011…
Read 9 tweets
6 Dec
♀️ How much does it cost to 'become a virgin' in Egypt?

🇪🇬 For some women, surgery to repair torn hymens can cost thousands.

⭕️ That's why more brides are turning to cheaper ways to 'prove' virginity and avoid being shamed - or even killed.

But this can also lead to tragedy.🧵
♀️ Hymens can be damaged through sports or car accidents.

🇪🇬 But in some conservative societies, an 'intact' hymen is still seen as confirming virginity.

♀️ For women getting married in rural Egypt, 'proving’ they haven't had sex can be the difference between life and death.
🇪🇬A torn hymen can lead to shaming by relatives or future in-laws.

♀️ In worst cases, it can motivate so-called ‘honour killings’.

⭕️ A hymenoplasty is often seen as the best procedure - but access is difficult and healthcare services are limited.
news.trust.org/item/202112052…
Read 9 tweets
29 Nov
🚨 The #OmicronVariant could spread COVID-19 faster than ever.

🗣️ Scientists have linked it to vaccine inequity, with Africa being the least immunised continent partly due to vaccine hoarding by rich nations.

Will Omicron convince them to change? We answer the key questions. 🧵
🤔 Who now needs vaccines the most?

💰 While wealthy countries are rolling out third vaccines, less than 6% of people in low-income nations have had even one dose.

💉 An estimated 11 billion doses are needed to give everyone in the world two jabs.

news.trust.org/item/202109211…
⭕️ How many people in the UK have had at least one shot?
Read 10 tweets
13 Oct
🪙 10 years ago, Afghan entrepreneur @RoyaMahboob started paying her all-female staff in #bitcoin.

🇦🇫 It helped some of them to leave the country when the Taliban took power.

But she isn’t alone. Here's why Afghans are embracing #crypto. 👇
news.trust.org/item/202110102…
1⃣ Failing banking system

🔴 In a country where most people don’t have bank accounts, many turned to #cryptocurrency to send and receive cash safely.

💱 It was also a way for women to gain financial independence.
2⃣ Currency dive

🏦 Crypto is becoming increasingly popular for those in conflict zones or in nations with weak governance, according to tech experts.

🇻🇪 In Venezuela, people have bought essentials with #dogecoin after the nation's currency went into freefall.
Read 7 tweets
11 Oct
🌏 President @JoeBiden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation of #IndigenousPeoplesDay2021 for today.

🔴 Around the world, Indigenous communities are still fighting for their rights and their land to be respected.

Here are some of the challenges they face. 🧵👇
🇺🇸 United States

🗳️ Native Americans living in rural areas feared they couldn't cast their votes during the 2020 Presidential elections.

🔴 "It seems like they look at us as though we're not important enough to help," said Navajo voter Colleen Benally.
news.trust.org/item/202010161…
🇿🇦 South Africa

🏗️ Amazon's new HQ in Africa is set to be a $300m development.

🔴 But it will also be built on historical South African Indigenous land.

✍️ Thousands have signed a petition opposing the plans, saying “it has archeological value”.
news.trust.org/item/202108091…
Read 8 tweets
11 Oct
⚡️ Lebanon’s national electricity grid went entirely offline for 24 hours over the weekend, for the second time in two months.

🇱🇧 Earlier today, a fuel storage tank in southern Lebanon exploded.

This is how the power crisis is devastating communities.👇
news.trust.org/item/202108201…
⛽️ Power cuts are hitting poorer and more vulnerable families the hardest.

🔌 Many can’t afford to pay for private generator networks which switch on when the state grid fails.

⚡️ Others in remote areas are forced to cope for days without electricity. news.trust.org/item/202109071…
🗣️ Mental health services have also been affected.

🔴 A lack of power means crucial online therapy sessions cannot go ahead, leaving distressed patients in the dark.
news.trust.org/item/202110081…
Read 5 tweets

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