ASICS is giving Onitsuka Tiger greater independence as the Japanese sportswear giant moves to spin off the fast-growing brand into a standalone business structure from January 2027. The company said in a statement that its Onitsuka Tiger business will be transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary, OT GROUP Corporation, through an absorption-type company split. The move is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027, subject to the completion of the restructuring process. According to ASICS, the reorganisation comes as Onitsuka Tiger continues to experience accelerated global growth, driven by expanding international operations and rising brand recognition. Originally rooted in sports footwear, Onitsuka Tiger has spent recent years positioning itself as a luxury lifestyle brand, expanding its network of directly operated stores and strengthening its presence in fashion and lifestyle markets worldwide. Don’t miss: ASICS reimagines Beach Boys’ hit ‘Good vibrations’ to get minds and bodies moving  Through the new structure, OT GROUP will become the global headquarters overseeing the Onitsuka Tiger business. The group will manage a network of subsidiaries responsible for functions including sales, manufacturing and regional operations. The company said the shift to a more independent operating model is expected to enable faster decision-making and allow the brand to build competitiveness tailored to its unique positioning. At the same time, ASICS said the restructuring will improve governance across the broader group, increase visibility into business performance by segment and clarify management accountability. The move reflects the growing scale of Onitsuka Tiger’s operations. According to ASICS, the brand is currently sold in approximately 160 countries and regions, supported by around 190 directly operated stores globally and a workforce of about 2,800 employees. The newly established OT GROUP was incorporated in February 2026 and is led by president and CEO Ryoji Shoda. While operating independently, the company will remain fully owned by ASICS. Under its new structure, OT GROUP will continue to focus on the Onitsuka Tiger brand, guided by its philosophy of “Awaken the Senses” and its principle of “Discover the Difference”. ASICS added that the ultimate goal of the reorganisation is to further enhance Onitsuka Tiger’s brand value, support sustainable growth and strengthen the overall corporate value of the ASICS Group. The company expects the transfer agreement to be finalised in October 2026, ahead of the planned January 2027 implementation date. Over the past year, several high-growth brands have also been spun off from their parent companies as they entered new phases of expansion. In September 2025, Kraft Heinz carved itself into two independent public companies, “Global Taste Elevation Co.” and “North American Grocery Co.” through a tax-free spin-off. The move was designed to sharpen focus on brand growth and unlock fresh value across a portfolio of some of the world’s most recognisable food names. In April this year, Unilever split a part of its global foods business in a US$44.8 billion deal with spice giant McCormick, creating a new flavour-focused company while turning Unilever into a far more single‑minded beauty and home care player. Meanwhile, the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) became a standalone, publicly listed company following its planned demerger from Unilever. The separation, which was completed by mid-November 2025, saw the ice cream company’s shares traded in Amsterdam, London and New York. Related articles: Why ASICS is choosing a dog as its brand ambassador Kraft Heinz split unlocks brand potential in global growth push The Magnum Ice Cream Company plans split from Unilever, eyes global listing  source

Australia’s camper vans generally pale in comparison to its bombproof off-road camper trailers. But if there’s one name building camper vans fit to be hitched in towing tandems with the likes of the Track Tvan and Mosfab Cosmos, it’s Trakka. The Sydney-area builder has a long history of turning Volkswagen’s variably-sized vans into Outback-ready expedition machines. Now it focuses its attention on turning the T7 Transporter, VW’s newest van, into a more versatile, rugged California-style camper van with an options sheet that trumps VW’s own. And this time around, it adds a whole new twist. The all-new T7-based Trakkadu doesn’t look nearly as tough or all-terrain-ready as the T6 Trakkadu we looked at the very first time we discovered Trakka 10 years ago, but that’s okay because it can easily get there. It’s based on the 4Motion all-wheel-drive T7 with 168-hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, and any buyer who so chooses can easily add options like a suspension lift, under-body skid protection, 17-in alloy wheels shod in all-terrain rubber, and a snorkel. The bull bar that defined the entire front fascia of that 2016 Trakkadu AT is also ready for buyers to hit “select.” The new Trakkadu debuts on the Volkswagen Transporter T7Trakka The 210-in (534-cm) Volkswagen Transporter is more than long enough to fit in some form of part-time bathroom, as Westfalia has proven in the past, but Trakka doesn’t take things that far. Instead, it offers buyers multiple portable toilet options for easy carry-along, options that include a cassette toilet and waterless separating toilets. As for showering, Trakkadu offers a rather elegant-looking outdoor system with side mount and rainfall shower head. Buyers can also add a Stiebel Eltron 10-L water heater to deliver some steam. Buyers can add both a portable toilet and an outdoor shower system as options Trakka The lack of an indoor bathroom should actually prove an advantage to some buyers because it saves space for a highly roomy and flexible floor plan. Trakka improves upon its earlier Trakkadu design with three floor-integrated L-tracks that run farther forward in the cabin, ending inches behind the front seats. A large, breezy interior with space to walkTrakka Those extended tracks enable more positional adjustability for the three-seat rear bench, which easily slides forward for travel and dining and backward for more legroom and open central cabin space at camp. And because those rails are L-track, users should be able to use them to secure other gear, like bicycles or cargo boxes. Trakka also offers an extra passenger seat for mounting in front of the rear bench, turning five-seater into six-seater. Those L-tracks improve upon the classic VW California-style side kitchen/folding bench-bed layout, and Trakka further builds upon the paradigm with a long, well-equipped galley that stretches from A-pillar to C-pillar. It outfits the cook station with a portable dual-ring induction cooktop, covered sink with extra-tall faucet, and countertop offering plenty of space to work. Below the counter, the 90-L door fridge/freezer keeps chilled foods accessible and the cabinets keep cookware organized and at the ready. The kitchen includes the 90-L fridge, a dual-place induction cooktop, a sink with flush lid and a dedicated worktop spaceTrakka A second floor plan comes built on a Transporter with dual sliding doors. Trakka shortens the front-end of the kitchen and positions the fridge facing forward for access from both outside and inside. Whichever kitchen block you choose, it gives way to a full-height rear wardrobe at the back of the van. There, campers can store clothes, towels and other supplies essential to life at camp and on the road. The very rear of that wardrobe console features a separate section with a tall, slim split cabinet facing rearward. Accessed through the tailgate, the top cabinet provides shelf space for soap, shampoo and other hygiene products, while the bottom area houses the shower sprayer hookup and controls. Trakka has developed a new light, airy pop-up roof for the T7 Trakkadu, constructing the hard top from an aluminum-fiberglass composite designed for sleek aerodynamics and light, rugged performance. The roof features 390 watts of neatly integrated, form-fitting solar panels, which buyers can upgrade to 650 W. It opens at the push of a button with an electric lift system and comes with panoramic 270-degree mesh for amplified ventilation. That mesh can also close behind fabric covers, which occupants of the optional 76 x 47-in1(92 x 120-cm) roof bed will want to do in chillier, wetter weather. The roof is also built to carry large gear like bicycles and kayaks. The new roof is designed to be more convenient, lighter, sleeker and airier Trakka Trakka keeps the new Trakkadu powered up in the most distant, dusty shadows of the Outback with a new 48-V off-grid electrical architecture founded atop a 2-kWh lithium battery pack that can be upgraded up to 5 kWh. That pack charges from the aforementioned 390-W roof-mounted solar array, and there’s also the option to add a freestanding 400-W solar panel. The Trakkadu carries 60 liters of fresh water and 30 liters of gray. Living area heating and air conditioning are available optionally. The rear bench folds down to create the 76 x 47-in double bed; an optional roof bed makes the Trakkadu a four-sleeper Trakka The all-new Volkswagen-based Trakkadu starts at AU$161,000 (approx. US$112,725), and the new twist is that the camper is available for the first time on a Ford Transit Custom, now the Transporter’s cross-badge sibling. Folks who don’t mind swapping the VW grille badge out for a blue oval will even save some money, as the all-wheel-drive Trakkadu based on Ford’s Transit Custom Trail starts at AU$148,400 (US$103,925). Trakka also plans a two-wheel-drive Ford Transit Custom variant starting at AU$142,900 (US$100,050). Trakka has not yet released photos of the Ford Transit Custom Trakkadu, so all photos show the VW T7 variant. Watch it in action in the quick 2.5-min intro clip below. The rear bench folds down to create the 76 x 47-in double bed; an optional roof bed

Wimbledon is leaning into the contrast between elegance and elite competition in its latest global campaign, unveiling a new trailer ahead of the 139th staging of The Championships. Created with lead creative agency VCCP, the campaign, titled “Where beauty meets the battle”, is the second instalment of Wimbledon’s “There is only one Wimbledon” brand platform, which debuted last year. The integrated campaign aims to reinforce the tournament’s distinctive positioning as a sporting spectacle where tradition, heritage and natural beauty sit alongside the intensity of world-class competition. Don’t miss: Alex Eala’s Wimbledon debut comes with Nike’s sampaguita tribute  At the heart of the campaign is a 60-second hero film that follows the perspective of a Holly Blue butterfly, a familiar sight around the grounds of The All England Lawn Tennis Club. The film juxtaposes the tranquillity of Wimbledon’s iconic setting with the explosive athleticism of players competing on court. The creative was inspired by a real-life moment involving former French tennis player Henri Leconte during Wimbledon in 1986. Recalling the incident, Leconte said a butterfly landed at his feet as he prepared to serve. Rather than shooing it away, he picked it up and carried it towards the crowd, prompting cheers from spectators as it flew into the stands. The campaign trailer is narrated by former British tennis player and broadcaster Annabel Croft, who describes Wimbledon as “tennis in an English garden”, highlighting the contrast between the sport’s most intense moments and the beauty of its surroundings. Meanwhile, wheelchair tennis champion Alfie Hewett, who appears in the campaign, said Wimbledon remains a special venue where the desire to win is unmatched. Hewett added that it was particularly meaningful to be involved in the campaign as wheelchair tennis celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. According to Usama Al-Qassab, marketing and comercial director at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, the latest instalment of the platform was designed to celebrate what makes Wimbledon unique in the eyes of fans around the world. “Creating this second instalment of ‘There Is Only One Wimbledon’ gave us the opportunity to celebrate what makes Wimbledon truly unique. Revered around the world not only for the pinnacle of performance, alongside excellence and tradition, but also for the exhilarating emotion and intensity that can only be brought by the world’s best players in full flight,” said Al-Qassab. “Our 2026 film tells that story beautifully to our fans all around the world. A legacy of tennis gladiators, battling for victory, in the ultimate arena of Centre Court and all its beauty,” he added.  The campaign will roll out globally in the lead-up to The Championships, which runs from 29 June to 12 July 2026.  The latest campaign builds on Wimbledon’s broader efforts to extend its storytelling beyond the court. During last year’s tournament, the All England Lawn Tennis Club rolled out the second instalment of its “Overheard at Wimbledon” video series, which transformed snippets of real-life conversations from around the grounds into social-first content. The series featured fans, volunteers, staff and personalities including England cricketer Dani Gibson, David Beckham and Stanley Tucci, capturing light-hearted exchanges about match predictions, people-watching and Wimbledon traditions. The content also offered subtle visibility for partners including American Express, Slazenger, Lanson, Lacoste and Marks & Spencer, while a special off-site episode took the concept into local businesses and retirement homes across London. Together with its latest brand campaign, the initiative reflects Wimbledon’s ongoing efforts to keep the nearly 150-year-old tournament culturally relevant for social-first audiences while reinforcing its position as more than just a sporting event. Related articles:  Australian Open crowds surge as Nine locks in Wimbledon in long-term tennis rights play  How Nike’s sampaguita tribute sparks conversation beyond Philippine tennis  UNIQLO nets tennis star Emma Raducanu as global brand ambassador  source

I admit, I’m usually more drawn to rugged pickups and 4×4 SUVs than most other four-wheeled machines. But every now and then, along comes a hatchback that gets me drooling. Toyota’s latest GRMN Corolla hot hatch just got me reaching for a towel. GRMN, or Gazoo Racing Meister of Nürburgring, is a designation reserved for the most extreme GR models, such as the GRMN Yaris, which is exclusive to Japan. These cars undergo extensive development in motorsports, often with Akio Toyoda – better known as Morizo – behind the wheel. As Morizo has famously said, “If it’s going to bear the GRMN name, it needs to be a car that can duly handle the Nürburgring.” As a result, the GRMN has been honed through extensive testing at the legendary German circuit. We’ve seen the GR Corolla before, of course. While the GRMN is based on the same platform, it delivers more torque while shedding weight. And get this: it’s only being offered with a six-speed manual transmission. Right then, let’s start with what we know. It gets front side spoilers, five-position adjustable rear wing, hood duct, and fender ductsToyota Two seats. That’s it. Like the 2023 GR Corolla Morizo Edition, the GRMN comes without rear seats. Best leave the kids at home. Next up, carbon fiber. Lots of it. The hood, front fenders, front side spoilers, and rear wing are all made from the lightweight material. Those changes help the GRMN shed about 66 lb (30 kg) compared to the standard GR Corolla, bringing curb weight down to roughly 3,200 lb (1,451 kg). Lessons learned on the racetrack clearly influenced the new GRMN trim. That’s evident in aerodynamic features like the front side spoilers, five-position adjustable rear wing, hood duct, and fender ducts. Toyota says these components draw directly from its experience campaigning the hydrogen-powered GR Corolla in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series. The upgrades aren’t purely aerodynamic. Toyota also quotes a torque increase of 7 lb-ft (9.5 Nm), raising output from 295 to 302 lb-ft (400 to 409 Nm). To help maintain peak performance during extended high-speed driving, the GRMN is also fitted with an intercooler sprayer to keep intake temperatures under control. Otherwise, the engine remains the same G16E-GTS 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder found in the GR Corolla. You’ll find black and red Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather insideToyota The suspension receives new shocks and springs, along with inverted MacPherson struts – a setup rarely seen on mass-market road cars. In a conventional arrangement, the strut body is mounted to the chassis while the shaft connects to the wheel assembly. Toyota reverses that setup here to provide greater rigidity and better resistance to flex under cornering and braking loads. It’s the sort of hardware you’d normally expect to find on rally cars and dedicated road-racing machines. The tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s, a more aggressive version of the Pilot Sport 5 rubber fitted to the standard GR Corolla. They’re wrapped around 18 x 8.5-inch matte bronze BBS forged aluminum wheels with “Toyota Gazoo Racing” etched into the rim. Braking comes courtesy of four-piston front calipers clamping 14-inch rotors, while two-piston rear calipers grip 11.7-inch discs at the back. Inside, you’ll find black-and-red Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather covering the semi-bucket sport seats. A GRMN serial-number plate sits between the drive-mode selector and the shifter on the center console, while the door trims and shift knob receive sporty red aluminum accents. The 18×8.5-inch matte bronze BBS forged aluminum rims read “Toyota Gazoo Racing”Toyota Elsewhere, Toyota has added flocking to the instrument panel and A-pillar trim to reduce windshield glare. You also get Morizo’s signature on the dashboard as a reminder of the car’s development pedigree. The GRMN Corolla will be built exclusively at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant in Japan. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect it to land somewhere around the US$55,000 mark. Production will be limited, with the car expected to be offered primarily in Japan, North America, and Australia. For now, it’s on display at the Fuji Motorsports Forest Welcome Center through June 28. Source: Toyota source

In a world that rarely slows down, ZUS Coffee is leaning into a sentiment many young adults know all too well— that nobody really has everything figured out. The brand has launched its latest regional campaign, “ZUS BUDDY: Work in progress”, a concept built around the idea that growth is ongoing, adulthood is messy, and everyone is still figuring things out along the way. At its core, the campaign reflects a shared reality among today’s working generation, where balancing responsibilities, expectations and personal goals often comes with an invisible mental load. “There is a shared experience in how we figure things out as they go, whether in our personal or professional lives. We recognise that growth is never linear, and, in many ways, we believe this reflects the journey our customers are on,” said Venon Tian, group chief operating officer of ZUS Coffee. “At ZUS Coffee, we are constantly evolving, learning, and building alongside the communities we serve, and ZUS BUDDY: Work in Progress reflects that shared experience,” he added.  As part of the campaign, ZUS Coffee has introduced the “Kinda adult meal”, a Malaysia-exclusive menu set that playfully reframes the idea of kids’ meals for grown-ups. Don’t miss: ZUS Coffee serves up a reality check for tired working adults Each set comes with a drink, a food item, and an exclusive “ZUS BUDDY: Work in progress” collectible figurine, blending food, fandom and emotional storytelling into a single experience. The concept taps into the humour and relatability of “adulting”, positioning everyday coffee breaks as small moments of comfort in an otherwise fast-moving routine. Expanding beyond Malaysia, the new collectible series has rolled out across Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei and Thailand from 3 June 2026. The collection features characters inspired by familiar working life archetypes, including Blue Buddy, Pinky Boo, Frappe Fren, Bean Boss, Choco Chipster and Porta Pal, each depicted in different “work modes” that mirror modern routines and moods. Adding an element of surprise, the series also introduces two secret characters, Zen Cha and Mama Puff, designed to deepen engagement among collectors and fans. A separate Grab-exclusive character, Grab Buddy, is also available for orders placed via the GrabFood app. The collectibles are included with purchases of ZUS Handcrafted Drinks, excluding frappes, with campaign details and availability varying by market. At its heart, the campaign positions ZUS Coffee not just as a beverage brand, but as a daily companion through the ups and downs of modern life. Through “ZUS BUDDY: Work in progress”, the brand frames growth not as a destination, but as something that unfolds one coffee break at a time. ZUS Coffee first introduced the regional “Work in progress” campaign at the end of May, reminding consumers that progress is still progress, even if life does not always feel that way. With the launch came the release of a short film “Work in progress”, which follows two children, Adam and Amelia, navigating the realities of corporate life. Set in an office environment, the pair are thrown into familiar adult situations that reflect burnout, pressure and quiet frustration. Amelia is seen presenting a report at a board meeting to colleagues who dismiss her findings, before later staying back past 6pm to meet a midnight deadline set by her boss. Meanwhile, Adam works under the watchful eye of an overbearing colleague determined to ensure he stays productive. While co-workers discuss KPIs in the pantry, Adam quietly sips a ZUS Coffee while counting down the minutes until he can leave the office. Related articles: Why ZUS Coffee is opening its universe to Butterbear, after a year of ZUS BuddyAre you Jason? ZUS pulls off bold April Fool’s “internal email” prank ZUS and Mixue spark bazaar debate, but where does social sentiment lean?  source

Ramon Sun, University of Florida/The Conversation People with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who took the common supplement glucosamine were 25% more likely to die within five years than those who didn’t. That’s the key finding of a new study that my colleagues and I published in the journal Nature Metabolism. Glucosamine is a sugar molecule that’s sold over the counter as a remedy for joint pain and arthritis. More than 40 million Americans take it each year. We found that glucosamine also affected people in the earliest stage of memory loss, a condition called mild cognitive impairment. People in this early stage of dementia who were taking glucosamine were 25% more likely to progress to full AD. Our analysis of patients with AD was based on anonymized medical records from the University of Florida Health system. We included 24,000 patients with dementia and 41,000 with mild cognitive impairment, comparing people who took glucosamine with those who didn’t. We then conducted experiments in mice engineered to have Alzheimer’s-like symptoms to identify the potential mechanism behind how glucosamine may affect the brain. We found that blocking the enzyme that makes sugars like glucosamine improved dementia symptoms in mice. In contrast, feeding those same mice glucosamine made memory loss worse. Healthy mice given the same supplement showed no effect. Why it matters The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies glucosamine as a dietary supplement, not a prescription drug. As a result, anyone can buy it over the counter without seeing a doctor. Glucosamine is an amino sugar. Composed of glucose and an amino acid called glutamine, these molecules are used by the body to build new cells. Because glucosamine is not considered an essential nutrient, glucosamine deficiency is not a recognized condition. However, people take the supplement based on anecdotal reports that it improves joint health, especially in the knees. For more than a decade, my team and I at the University of Florida have studied how the brain uses and processes sugar and what goes wrong with that chemistry in people who have AD. A lesser-known problem associated with AD is that brain cells and proteins build up extra sugar coatings. Brain cells and proteins normally carry short chains of sugar on their surface called N-glycans. These sugars guide a newly made protein into its three-dimensional shape and help it attach to other proteins it works with. But in people with AD, the chains pile up where they don’t belong. The proteins underneath them start to fail, leading to memory loss and cell death. This condition is called hyperglycosylation. Given that about 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older live with AD, we estimated that many were also taking glucosamine for joint health. We hypothesized that this sugar amine may be contributing to cognitive decline. Earlier studies have linked glucosamine supplements to a lower dementia risk in cognitively healthy adults. Our findings do not contradict those reports but qualify them. While glucosamine appears safe and potentially protective for a healthy brain, it may be harmful for a brain that is already experiencing cognitive decline. What still isn’t known Since our study was based on patient records rather than a controlled experiment in people, it cannot show that glucosamine causes faster cognitive decline – only that there’s an association. Answering this question would require a study that randomly administers glucosamine to some patients and not to others. But if glucosamine may increase the risk of dementia, giving patients this supplement would be unethical. In addition, we do not yet know whether the apparent harm glucosamine has on the brains of people with memory problems depends on the dose, the brand of the supplement, or how long people take it. We also do not know whether this finding applies to other forms of dementia. What’s next One way to test whether glucosamine directly causes cognitive decline would be a clinical trial on patients who took the supplement and then discontinued it. About 8% of dementia patients in our database fall into that category. We hope to follow them for several years to see whether stopping the supplement slows their cognitive decline. We are also screening compounds that block the N-glycan molecule and reduce the buildup of sugars on brain cells to see whether this might slow or reverse AD. Finally, we plan to explore whether other supplements that the body breaks down in similar ways to glucosamine carry comparable risks for brains experiencing cognitive decline. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. Ramon Sun, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. source

Sea’s Shopee is reportedly cutting hundreds of developer jobs globally, becoming the latest technology company to reduce headcount as businesses increasingly invest in artificial intelligence and reshape their operations around the technology. According to a Bloomberg report, the job reductions began this week and affect approximately 8% of Shopee’s developer workforce worldwide. The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, said the cuts impact roles including quality assurance, with the possibility of further reductions to come. The report noted that it remains unclear whether the layoffs are directly linked to Sea’s artificial intelligence initiatives. However, the move comes amid growing global discussions about AI’s impact on employment and whether some companies are using AI-related narratives to justify workforce reductions. Don’t miss: Shopee regional marketing head departs  A Sea spokesperson quoted by Bloomberg said that the company regularly reviews and adjusts its staffing needs, and decisions are always made after careful considerations. They added that they were committed to providing support to affected colleagues during this period.  The latest cuts place Shopee alongside a growing list of technology firms reassessing their workforce strategies as AI adoption accelerates. Companies including Block and Oracle have also faced scrutiny over layoffs announced while simultaneously increasing investments in artificial intelligence technologies, according to the report. The shift follows years of aggressive hiring across the technology sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, when surging online activity and digital adoption prompted companies to rapidly expand their teams. For Sea, the restructuring comes as the Singapore-headquartered company pursues a more AI-focused growth strategy. The group, which operates eCommerce platform Shopee and gaming business Garena, has been making broader organisational changes following comments by CEO Forrest Li that the company could potentially achieve a trillion-dollar market capitalisation by doubling down on artificial intelligence initiatives. Increasingly, many firms are exploring ways to streamline operations as concerns grow that AI could reduce reliance on traditional software development and enterprise IT services. Shopee is not alone in pursuing such ambitions. Rival technology giants, including Alibaba Group, have also ramped up investments in AI as competition intensifies across their core businesses. Just in April this year, Sea Limited established an artificial intelligence centre of excellence (AI CoE) in Singapore, as it looks to deepen its AI capabilities and accelerate its push towards becoming an AI-native company. Organised around Sea’s technology-first approach, the AI CoE will focus on advancing foundational AI capabilities, scaling deployment of AI solutions, and developing AI-native talent and operating models. Over the next three years, the AI CoE is expected to create demand for at least 100 roles in research, engineering, and product development. Back in 2023, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE reported that Shopee laid off about 200 employees in Indonesia. Staff affected were within a customer service team in Indonesia and are made up of a mixture of full-time and contract staff. The decision was made at the time to improve the company’s efficiency and is unrelated to the layoffs that happened last year where there were multiple rounds of layoffs conducted towards the end of 2022 in Singapore, Indonesia and China. Related articles: Shopee’s Sea rebrands SeaMoney to Monee Shopee to adjust services in Indonesia following antitrust law violation Shopee terminates staff in Indonesian office, says no other SEA markets in tandem  source

Etiqa Insurance Singapore is taking its message of everyday preparedness to the streets with a new experiential campaign designed to encourage Singaporeans to reflect on their readiness across mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Titled “When life spins, stay ready”, the out-of-home activation aims to spark conversations around preparedness by challenging the idea that readiness is only necessary during major life events or crises. Instead, the campaign positions preparedness as something built through everyday habits and decisions. Rolling out across selected high-traffic locations in Singapore from June, the activation invites members of the public to take part in a short quiz covering three pillars: mind, body and money. Don’t miss: Income Insurance brings joy and protection to street ice cream vendors Participants who answer at least four out of six questions correctly will qualify for a spin-and-win opportunity, with up to 4,000 prizes available for redemption, subject to campaign terms and verification. The questions are designed to prompt reflection on everyday behaviours. Under the ‘mind’ pillar, participants are asked about how they manage stress and prioritise rest. The ‘body’ pillar focuses on physical habits such as movement and hydration, while the ‘money’ pillar explores budgeting and saving behaviours that can help individuals better prepare for unexpected situations. According to Etiqa, the activation is intended to make conversations around readiness more accessible and relatable, while reinforcing the insurer’s commitment to helping customers navigate life with greater confidence. It also serves as a lead-up to the upcoming Etiqa “Life preparedness” survey, set to be released in the second half of 2026. Conducted by Kantar, the study will examine how Singaporeans approach preparedness across financial security, physical wellbeing and mental resilience. “Readiness is only about preparing for the unexpected but is also about the everyday habits and decisions that help people feel more confident about what lies ahead,” said Claudia Soh, acting CEO of Etiqa Insurance Singapore. She added, “Through ‘When life spins, stay ready’, we hope to inspire Singaporeans to adopt readiness as a lifelong mindset — one that empowers them to face life with greater assurance and resilience.” The latest activation builds on Etiqa’s broader efforts to position readiness as a lifelong mindset rather than a response to crisis. Last year, Etiqa Insurance Singapore launched its “Live ready with you” brand campaign, which focused on how preparation, protection and partnership can help Singaporeans navigate life’s unexpected turns. Building on the insurer’s long-running “With you” narrative, the campaign shifted the focus towards readiness and the confidence it can provide when life does not go according to plan. Through a cinematic brand film comprising five vignettes, Etiqa spotlighted real-life moments ranging from a sudden health scare and a surprise proposal to a father balancing work and family responsibilities, a grandmother passing down her legacy, and a traveller losing his way. Related articles:  Etiqa Insurance ignites the spirit of adventure in new brand film  Etiqa Insurance takes to new TEL stations with interactive game and vibrant displays  Income Insurance’s angsty stress ball returns in unhinged sequel campaign  source

LinkedIn is expanding its advertising business with the launch of ‘Creator Marketplace’ and ‘BrandWorks’, as the platform looks to capture more spend from B2B marketers investing in creator-led content. The move comes as B2B brands place more emphasis on credibility and peer influence. According to LinkedIn’s “2026 global B2B marketing outlook”, 77% of B2B marketers said buyers need to know and trust a brand before they are willing to engage with it. Creator Marketplace allows marketers to search for creators based on topics and areas of expertise. It also provides information such as audience demographics, content performance and brand fit.  Don’t miss: Thought leadership works, but where’s the real power in B2B influence? Furthermore, brands will also be able to identify organic and sponsored creator content that mentions their company and amplify those posts.  For creators, the marketplace provides a way to make their profiles discoverable to brands, showcase selected content and manage partnership requests. Additionally, LinkedIn has introduced BrandWorks, a dedicated team focused on brand strategy, content, creative and events for selected advertisers on the platform. The unit’s remit includes audience analysis, content development, creative adaptation for LinkedIn’s feed, and access to platform-specific advertising formats such as creator collaborations, BrandLink integrations, LinkedIn News sponsorships and events. The launches come as LinkedIn continues to build out its advertising products beyond traditional sponsored posts. Its research found that 83% of marketers believe credibility is becoming more important than traditional brand messaging, while 70% said buyers increasingly rely on peer voices and subject matter experts over brand-produced content. Creator Marketplace is currently in alpha testing, with creator discovery available to select brands and creators in North America for English-language content. Organic content discovery and self-service BrandLink capabilities are available globally. ‘BrandWorks’ is available globally for selected managed customers. In a video announcing the launch, Alex Josephson, vice president at LinkedIn, said marketers are increasingly asking how to identify relevant B2B creators and experts to work with. LinkedIn’s latest creator-focused push builds on its broader efforts to strengthen marketing capabilities on the platform. Last year, the company expanded its video advertising offerings with the launch of First Impression Ads, Reserved Ads and enhanced Connected TV (CTV) placements, aimed at helping B2B marketers capture attention and drive business outcomes. The announcement came as LinkedIn pointed to growing demand for video content and creator partnerships among marketers competing for increasingly fragmented audience attention. Related articles: LinkedIn gets real about work, one awkward moment at a time    Love, Bonito and LinkedIn tackle career questions women hesitate to ask  LinkedIn picks new global creative agency    source

Peugeot has launched its first ever electric GTi with an image of the new car alongside a 40-year-old Peugeot GTi. Not many new car launches would be so brazenly retro. Aren’t EVs bought by forward-looking motorists rather than lovers of the past? Using an image of its own 205 GTi from the 1980s, Peugeot seems to be trying to revive the concept of a ‘hot hatch,’ a special sporty version of a standard small family hatchback. You don’t hear the phrase much today because there’s a perception that electric power and modern technology have destroyed the need. They’re all darned fast anyway. Back in the last century, when even some ancient New Atlas writers were hot-blooded young things, a Peugeot GTi 1.9 was one of the stars of that genre. It was cool: a fast, light, affordable mini-rocket that handled beautifully. The new all-electric hot-hatch gets a makeover including sportier stance and tweaked bodywork plus sexier wheelsPeugeot A generation later, Peugeot is unveiling its new E-208 GTi at Le Mans, with three showcase models in red, white and blue to emphasize their Frenchness. But have its designers and engineers worked as much on the concept as its marketeers? Let’s look at the new car in detail. The electric GTi was revealed as a concept at Le Mans last year and this is the finished production-ready version – ready for showrooms. And it seems pretty similar to last year’s concept. It’s the brand’s first GTi since the hot version of the 308 was retired in 2021. With the benefit of full plug-in electric power, the E-208 GTi is also Peugeot’s most powerful GTi yet. The single front-mounted electric motor creates 278 bhp and a 0-62-mph (100-km/h) time of 5.7sec. Top speed is reported to be 112 mph (180 km/h). As is the way with global car makers now, this new pokey Pug is built on a common Stellantis group platform. It uses the 280-hp (207-kW) electric motor found in the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima, Afla Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce, Lancia Ypsilon HF plus the upcoming Vauxhall/Opel Corsa GSe. Like them, the E-208 gets a mechanical limited-slip differential to handle the extra power and increase cornering agility. The E-208 GTi is the brand’s first electric GTi and is faster than any Peugeot GTi beforePeugeot Nevertheless, the GTi is a significant beefing up of the standard E-208. It has 124 bhp more power and gains sporty handling extras like bespoke hydraulic suspension bump stops, rear anti-roll bar and tuned steering. It looks and handles better by being lowered 1.18 in (30 mm) and widened – by 1.06 in (27 mm) for the rear track and 2.2 in (56 mm) for the front. The makeover includes a rear spoiler and diffuser, sportier front lip and special 18-inch alloys, vaguely reminiscent of the 205 GTi’s. These are fitted with track-focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber. The new car gets motorsport levels of stopping power too: 355-mm front disc brakes and red four-piston calipers. Inside, the red carpet trim and seat belts are a more recognizable retro touch. Its 54-kWh battery is reckoned good for up to 217 miles (~350 km) on the WLTP cycle, and the GTi supports up to 100-kW DC rapid charging, allowing a 20% to 80% top-up in approximately 30 minutes. Official pricing for the Peugeot E-208 GTi hasn’t been announced at the time of writing this but estimates for the UK are between £35,000 and £40,000 (or up to US$53,421 by direct conversion). Lavish use of red and black trim inside conjure up retro styling cues from classic Peugeot GTis of the pastPeugeot So are hot hatches coming back? The Peugeot E-208 GTi is not the first electric GTi. That title was won by Volkswagen, which announced an ID.Polo GTI a few weeks ago. The Peugeot has a lot more power and is faster though. In fact, among front-wheel-drive electric hatches, the Peugeot E-208 GTi will be the most powerful, out-muscling the Mini JCW Electric and the Alpine A290. Comparing the E-208 GTi with the original 205, it clearly trades the lightweight agility of its 1,760-lb (800-kg) ancestor for instant torque and a lower center of gravity. It may weigh around double its forefather, but it’s a lot faster. It’s clear Peugeot has positioned the new GTi not just as a styling pack but as a dedicated performance model. It turns out the car was developed with hefty input from Peugeot Sport division as a demonstration that hot-hatch driving excitement can thrive in the electric era. Yes, speed has become cheap. A standard electric family SUV can match the straight-line pace of a 1990s supercar. But to remain meaningful, a hot-hatch needs to offer a different sensory and mechanical experience. The new E-208 GTi shows a hot hatch can be defined by style, stance and chassis engagement… not just its 0-60 mph time. Source: Stellantis source