A week ago, BBC published a story titled, ‘What it’s like to live in the world’s smartest cities for 2025’. It featured five top cities across the globe where residents rely on cutting-edge technology and innovation to conduct their daily affairs. From self-driving buses to AI-controlled traffic lights to buildings that manage their own energy use, residents of those cities enjoy “smart living”.
In one hotel in the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area in Japan, guests automatically check themselves in and enjoy the services of robotic staff. Guests also get to enjoy “smart beds” that adjust the temperature for optimal sleep.
.fade-out-overlay {
position: absolute;
top: -80px;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 60px;
z-index: 1;
background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0), rgba(255, 255, 255, 1));
}
.paywall-container {
position: relative;
max-width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 25px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
background-color: #ffffff;
}
.paywall-header {
font-size: 24px;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 15px;
color: #333333;
text-align: center;
}
.price-highlight {
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #d40511;
margin: 15px 0;
text-align: center;
}
.subscribe-button-green {
width: 70%;
padding: 12px;
background-color: #EE193A !important;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 23px;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
margin-bottom: 20px;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
text-decoration: none;
text-align: center;
}
.subscribe-button-green:hover {
background-color: #b0030e;
}
.features-list {
margin: 20px 0;
padding-left: 20px;
list-style: none;
}
.features-list li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
position: relative;
padding-left: 25px;
}
.features-list li:before {
content: “✓”;
color: #d40511;
position: absolute;
left: 0;
font-weight: bold;
}
.countdown {
display: flex;
gap: 15px;
justify-content: center;
margin: 20px auto;
text-align: center;
}
.countdown div {
background: #f5f5f5;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 6px;
min-width: 60px;
}
.countdown .num {
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #d40511;
}
.countdown .label {
font-size: 12px;
color: #555;
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.subscribe-button-green {
width: 100% !important;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
}
Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access
Unlock the Truth Now 》
Unlimited access to all premium content
Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
Mobile-optimized reading experience
Weekly Newsletters
MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Login
Already a subscriber? Log in
`;
} else {
teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;
}
activeEl.innerHTML = “”;
paywallEl.style.display = “block”;
} else if (now >= saleStart && now <= saleEnd) { paywallEl.style.display = "none"; var diffToEnd = saleEnd - now; var totalSeconds = Math.floor(diffToEnd / 1000); var days = Math.floor(totalSeconds / (24 * 3600)); var hours = Math.floor((totalSeconds % (24 * 3600)) / 3600); var minutes = Math.floor((totalSeconds % 3600) / 60); var seconds = totalSeconds % 60; activeEl.innerHTML = `
Offer ends in…
${days}Days
${String(hours).padStart(2,’0′)}Hours
${String(minutes).padStart(2,’0′)}Minutes
${String(seconds).padStart(2,’0′)}Seconds
Subscribe Now & Save
`;
} else {
teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;
activeEl.innerHTML = “”;
paywallEl.style.display = “block”;
}
}
function formatTime(ms) {
let totalSeconds = Math.floor(ms / 1000);
const days = Math.floor(totalSeconds / (3600 * 24));
totalSeconds %= 3600 * 24;
const hours = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 3600);
totalSeconds %= 3600;
const minutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
const seconds = totalSeconds % 60;
return `${days}d ${hours}h ${minutes}m ${seconds}s`;
}
updateFlashSale();
setInterval(updateFlashSale, 1000);
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
By Henry Ochieng’

