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A recent <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/535/1/L18/7760380">study</a> has revealed an unexpected consequence of the global lockdowns imposed in 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19: a measurable cooling of the <keyword id="19899207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moon" source="keywords">Moon</keyword>'s surface. Indian researchers from the <keyword id="20178202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Physical-Research-Laboratory" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Physical Research Laboratory" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Physical Research Laboratory">Physical Research Laboratory</keyword> (PRL) analysed night-time temperatures at six different locations on the Moon's near side between 2017 and 2023. Using data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, they discovered a consistent temperature drop of 8-10 Kelvin during the strictest lockdown period of April-May 2020 compared to previous years. For instance, the coldest temperature was recorded in 2020, with a value of 96.2 K at one location. In contrast, post-lockdown years like 2021 and 2022 saw a gradual warming trend as human activity resumed. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111772552" title="Newly discovered Moon caves could shelter astronauts as they set up lunar bases!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The researchers posit that this unusual cooling can be attributed to a reduction in Earth's outgoing radiation during the lockdowns. As human activity slowed down, <keyword id="20107362" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="greenhouse-gas-emissions" source="keywords">greenhouse gas emissions</keyword> and aerosols decreased significantly. This meant less heat was trapped and re-emitted by Earth's atmosphere, resulting in a measurable decrease in the radiation reaching the Moon. Further, the Moon's surface acts as an amplifier of Earth's radiation signature. And this unique global event provided a rare opportunity to observe how changes in human activity on Earth can affect our nearest celestial neighbour. While the study presents a compelling correlation, the authors acknowledge that more data is needed to definitively establish the link between Earth's radiation changes and <keyword id="23366659" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lunar-surface-temperatures" source="keywords">lunar surface temperatures</keyword>. They suggest that future Moon-based observatories could play a crucial role in studying Earth's climate and environmental shifts. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112222991" title="Scientists want to send our endangered species to the Moon to “save” them" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This unexpected finding highlights the interconnectedness of our solar system and the far-reaching impacts of human activities on our planet. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>, understanding these subtle interactions between Earth and the Moon can provide valuable insights into our planet's complex systems. (With inputs from TOI)

The Covid lockdowns did WHAT to the Moon?!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A pair of scissors went missing from a store at New Chitose Airport on Saturday, local media reported.</li><li>Passengers had to go through security checks again, disrupting hundreds of flights.</li></ul>Hundreds of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/it-outage-travel-chaos-passenger-experience-airports-gas-stations-trains-2024-7">flights were disrupted</a> on Saturday after a pair of scissors went missing at a Japanese airport, local media reported.The incident occurred at New Chitose Airport in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hokkaido-japan-is-lonely-planets-best-destination-in-asia-2016-7">Hokkaido</a>, the country's second-busiest airport for passengers last year, according to government <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003173907">statistics</a>.Japanese broadcaster <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sapporo-news/20240819/7000069180.html">NHK</a> reported that security checks were suspended for about two hours after scissors went missing from a store in the departure lounge.In a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/ANA_flight_info/status/1824688005711626713">post</a> on X, the Japanese airline ANA warned customers that flights could be suddenly delayed due to security checks at the airport.Passengers who had already been through security had to go through checks again — causing huge queues, according to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9d7gg2599o">BBC</a>.Both reports said 36 flights were canceled, and 201 were delayed.The disruption was made worse because many travelers were flying home after Obon, a Japanese holiday.Two days after the incident, Hokkaido Airports announced that the scissors had been discovered — in the same store that they went missing from, per national newspaper <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nikkansports.com/general/nikkan/news/202408200000041.html">Nikkan Sports</a>.According to NHK, the airport operator delayed the announcement because it needed time to confirm that the found scissors were indeed the same pair."We recognize that this occurred as a result of insufficient storage and management systems at the store," Hokkaido Airports said, per the BBC. "We are aware that this is also an incident that could be linked to hijacking or terrorism, and will once again work to ensure thorough management awareness."The BBC report added that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has asked Hokkaido Airports to investigate the cause.New Chitose Airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside Japanese working hours.

Japan's 2nd-busiest airport was put on lockdown after a pair of scissors went missing from a store, where they were later found again

<ul><li>Out of a total of 1,642 RERA-registered <keyword id="6623491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="residential-projects" source="Orion">residential projects</keyword> initiated in the top 7 cities between H2 2017 to 2018, 86% have reached completion. </li><li>In 2022, a total of over 4.02 lakh homes were successfully completed across the top 7 cities, marking the highest annual completions since 2017. </li><li>Lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages collectively delayed projects, impacting developers of all sizes. </li></ul>The <keyword id="6354553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate" source="Orion">Real Estate</keyword> Regulatory Act (<keyword id="114913" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rera" source="Orion">RERA</keyword>) was introduced in 2016-17 with the primary objective of addressing a longstanding issue in the real estate sector – the plight of homebuyers who often found themselves entangled in delayed or abandoned housing projects. The act was enacted to establish a regulatory framework that would provide a safety net for homebuyers, ensuring their interests were safeguarded throughout the homebuying process. The objective of RERA has been achieved to a large extent with the latest data by ANAROCK Research indicating that a substantial 86% of residential projects launched during the post-RERA period from the second half of 2017 and the entirety of 2018 have been successfully completed. This data specifically focuses on projects from these two years, as most housing developments are typically completed within a span of five years, barring exceptions such as large townships. Out of a total of 1,642 RERA-registered residential projects initiated in the top 7 cities during this 1.5-year timeframe, 1,409 have reached completion, despite facing considerable challenges such as the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 <keyword id="43587" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic" source="Orion">pandemic</keyword> and the supply chain disruptions resulting from the conflict in Europe between Russia and Ukraine. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="4" style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#8ea9db;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Housing Project Completion Trends in Top 7 Cities </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#8ea9db;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">City </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#8ea9db;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total Projects Launched in H2 2017 &amp; 2018 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#8ea9db;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total Housing Projects Completed as on date </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#8ea9db;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">% Share Completed </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bengaluru </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">172 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">147 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">85% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chennai </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">119 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">107 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">90% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hyderabad </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">110 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">81 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">74% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Kolkata </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">83 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">58 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">MMR </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">679 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">602 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">89% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">NCR </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">86 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">64 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">74% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pune </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">393 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">350 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">89% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Grand Total </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,642 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,409 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">86% </td></tr></tbody></table> Source: ANAROCK Research Says Anuj Puri, chairman, ANAROCK Group, "When it comes to ensuring timely delivery of residential real estate projects, RERA has delivered resoundingly wherever it has been fully deployed. The overall <keyword id="10548889" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="completion-rate" source="Orion">completion rate</keyword> of 86% across the top 7 cities in the 1.5 following RERA implementation is remarkable, especially considering the market circumstances prior to its deployment." <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Chennai has the highest completion rate while Kolkata lags behind" comment="subhead" text="Chennai has the highest completion rate while Kolkata lags behind">Chennai has the highest completion rate while Kolkata lags behind</cmsannotation> Starting from the second half of 2017, there has been a strong commitment to delivering projects at all costs, primarily led by India's top developers. In 2022, a staggering total of over 4.02 lakh homes were successfully completed across the top 7 cities, marking the highest annual completions since 2017. Chennai stands out with the highest project completion rate at 90%, while Kolkata trails behind with a completion rate of 70%. Notably, Chennai currently has the lowest available housing stock among the top 7 cities, with approximately 28,300 units available for sale. This disparity can be attributed to the delayed implementation of RERA in Kolkata, which wasn't enforced until late 2022. Additionally, when compared to other major cities, the real estate activity in Kolkata has remained relatively subdued, further contributing to its lower completion rate. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Reasons why some housing projects were not completed on time" comment="subhead" text="Reasons why some housing projects were not completed on time">Reasons why some housing projects were not completed on time</cmsannotation> Incomplete projects in urban areas can be attributed to a multitude of factors. Large-scale developments inherently require extended timelines, contributing to their incomplete status. Conversely, smaller developers often grapple with liquidity challenges and regulatory hurdles. Escalating input costs due to inflation worsen the situation, favouring financially robust developers who can keep progress on track. Additionally, the construction sector has been significantly hampered by the pandemic's far-reaching effects. Lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages have collectively delayed projects, impacting developers of all sizes.

Residential projects launched post-RERA show much better completion rate

<ul><li>Dhara Tanna, Senior Vice President, <keyword id="2963907" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fitternity">Fitternity</keyword> writes the <keyword id="987203" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="fitness-industry">fitness industry</keyword> hit a major roadblock due to the outbreak of COVID-19. </li><li>She lists down a few present trends that will become the way of the fitness and <keyword id="1014054" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="wellness-industry">wellness industry</keyword> post the lockdown period. </li></ul>When we look back on the journey of the fitness and wellness industry in India, it can be observed largely as a scattered, fragmented sector which was probably waiting to be organized. Advent of technological innovation and digitization is evolving the industry into a systematic marketplace built on consumer centricity. This positive up-growth is observed both globally as well as in India. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, the fitness industry hit a major roadblock. With the government's mandatory directive of nationwide lockdown and people practicing social distancing, the fitness industry that was largely dependent on the on-ground gyms and fitness studios saw a shift to digital platforms. Various players in the fitness industry adapted their services onto digital platforms in order to provide seamless customer experience. Live streaming of fitness sessions, <keyword id="9653384" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="virtual-personal-training">virtual personal training</keyword>, consultations by nutritionists, mental health experts through online social and communication platforms have seen a rise like never before. Hence, making the virtual way of accessing fitness the new normal and a subsidiary to the on-ground fitness services. The present trends indicate certain unique features that will become the way of the fitness and wellness industry post the lockdown period: <ol><li>Hybrid Business Models and Cross Pollination Of Services:</li></ol>While the virtual fitness services would still exist, the re-opening of gyms/fitness studios will leave multiple avenues for fitness enthusiasts to have access to. The consumer mindset has also accepted the virtual way of working out, strongly pointing to the emergence of a hybrid business model - where the fitness industry witnesses more consumption, both virtually and offline. Existing fitness and wellness businesses are also expected to get creative and venture across multiple mediums for better outreach and retention of consumers. For the gyms/fitness studios that resume on-ground operations, they will continue services both online and offline. The virtual offerings are also expected to evolve with services being more personalized for the consumers (personal training, consultation with nutritionists, online therapy etc.) and hence providing overall wellness at their fingertips. 2. Shift Back To Physical: For a gym/fitness studio to reopen timely efforts for the sanitization of gyms/studios, installing proper hand sanitiser dispensers, spacing the equipment, having safety rules and protocols in place would be a must. Workout sessions would have to be performed in small/intimate groups. Fitness platforms will also be utilizing tools where they would monitor the capacity of gym/fitness centres. Pre-booking of workout slots along with ensuring an safety SOP (Standard Operating Protocol) is being implemented, would also play a huge role in building trust amongst the consumers. 3. Holistic Wellness Will Be A Priority: Not just physical fitness, but nutrition, mental wellness and spiritual training has already become a prime focus for individuals and will continue to do so, post lockdown. In an attempt to achieve overall health and overcome the stress incurred due to our tense surroundings, consumers and service providers have found the need to focus on holistic health and are redefining fitness to become more wellness oriented. 4. Business Avenue for Budding Entrepreneurs: The fitness industry has also presented a business avenue to many young &amp; budding entrepreneurs and trainers. With consumers focusing on better health and lifestyle, the demand for quality fitness service offerings is as high and will continue to be so. Thus, presenting a chance for businesses in this segment to flourish. In the times to come, the change in the industry’s functioning and progression, not just locally but also globally would be interesting to witness and be a part of. The stalwarts of the fitness industry are also coming together to work towards identifying problem areas and bring about improvements that would benefit the industry. These positive developments are hoped to forever change the customer- service provider equation in the industry and stand as a precedent to quality consumer centric service.

Evolution of the fitness industry post the lockdown period

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Over 2,400 celebrities flocked to Cameo amid the SAG-AFTRA strike.</li><li>It's the largest boost to the platform since the lockdowns in 2020.</li></ul>Short-video request app Cameo has seen over 2,400 celebrities starting or reactivating their accounts since the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-sag-aftra-actors-wga-writers-unions-strike-hollywood">actors' strike</a> began in July, the company's CEO <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/27/business/cameo-actors-strike/index.html">told CNN on Sunday</a>.This latest influx of celebrities to the platform in July <a href="https://dnyuz.com/2023/08/02/striking-actors-are-turning-to-cameo-for-extra-cash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marks a 137% increase</a> from June and represents the largest growth in celebrity sign-ups on the platform since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Steven Galanis."You just assume that they're making all this money, they're rich and famous, but the vast majority of them just aren't," Galanis told CNN, adding that Cameo was a way for some to "bridge the gap." Cameo is an app where users can <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/gifts/what-is-cameo">pay celebrities to make personalized short clips</a>. Celebrities set their own rates, and requests can range from lighthearted birthday wishes to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/cameo-app-hire-celebrities-to-deliver-personal-messages-c2090cce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asking a star to break up with your partner for you</a>.The Screen Actors Guild, or SAG strike — has gone on for over a month now — means that the guild's over 160,000 actors are now <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-sag-aftra-actors-wga-writers-unions-strike-hollywood">withholding their labor from Hollywood companies</a>, barring them from acting or promoting their shows.Before the strike, the SAG and Cameo <a href="https://www.sagaftra.org/cameo-business-x-sag-aftra">inked a new deal</a> for actors to count their earnings from "Cameo for Business," personalized marketing video clips made by celebrities for companies, towards health and pension benefits. Fran Drescher, "The Nanny" actress and the president of the Screen Actors Guild, was one of the performers who restarted their Cameo accounts since the strike began and <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=60bbb1856052eb854c23bd2bd50f9fa360f67015a7eb9edefd6570a3ae6bb48d&amp;postID=64ec29363b1480ff6c0c4da9&amp;postSlug=hollywood-strikes-cameo-app-biggest-boost-celebrities-since-covid-19-2023-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cameo.com%2Ffrandrescher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is charging $1,500 for a personalized video</a>. A message from the actress costs $20.Other stars who recently joined or restarted their accounts on the platform include "Who's the Boss?" actress Alyssa Milano, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=33d081f24d288bb81c418edf12d0e12203d4f7b32fabba830441f8908a813d48&amp;postID=64ec29363b1480ff6c0c4da9&amp;postSlug=hollywood-strikes-cameo-app-biggest-boost-celebrities-since-covid-19-2023-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cameo.com%2Falyssa_milano">who is charging $300 for personalized videos</a>, and "American Horror Story" actor Cheyenne Jackson, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/style/sag-aftra-strike-cameo.html">who briefly reactivated his account</a> before deleting it for undisclosed reasons.Milano told the New York Times that Cameo "is a great way to supplement some income during this idle time," while "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Fred Stoller told CNN that requests on the app were "Postmates money."During the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, actors like <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=ef40581fa7b9b55266449902107fa4433bb9dec95a14e440113569f0580726a5&amp;postID=64ec29363b1480ff6c0c4da9&amp;postSlug=hollywood-strikes-cameo-app-biggest-boost-celebrities-since-covid-19-2023-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cameo.com%2Felijahwood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood</a> also joined the platform, charging $340 for a personalized video.At the time, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cameo-new-funding-billion-valuation-2021-3">the company had raised $100 million in funding at a valuation of $1 billion</a>.Cameo wasn't the lone beneficiary of the shift to lockdown lifestyles during the pandemic. Other industry giants, from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-zoom-2020-unprecedented-pandemic-growth-executives-new-challenges-2021-5">video conferencing tool Zoom</a> to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gig-economy-trends-workers-delivery-ride-hailing-apps-uber-doordash-2023-7">food delivery company DoorDash</a>, rode the same wave.Yet, the post-pandemic landscape hasn't been all rosy for the company. Despite the recent influx of celebrities, Cameo has grappled with layoffs, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=a3b71ebb1f9ca2bbad884124367fe1cd2a21b093731fcc62619afb971e16a91f&amp;postID=64ec29363b1480ff6c0c4da9&amp;postSlug=hollywood-strikes-cameo-app-biggest-boost-celebrities-since-covid-19-2023-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theinformation.com%2Farticles%2Fcameo-cuts-staff-to-fewer-than-50-after-financial-stumble" target="_blank" rel="noopener">axing 80 of its workforce in July</a> and leaving the company with less than 50 employees, the Information reported. The company previously axed 87 jobs in 2022.Galanis said at the time Cameo <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/04/cameo-layoff-unicorn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hired too many workers too quickly</a> to "support both fan and talent demand during the pandemic lockdowns."Cameo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, sent outside regular business hours.

The SAG-AFTRA strike is the best thing to happen to Cameo, the short-video app where celebs get paid to make clips for fans, since the lockdowns

<ul><li>Demand for bigger homes has seen a spurt in the <keyword id="9208211" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="post-covid" source="Orion">post-Covid</keyword> era. </li><li>In fact, 77% of the NRIs are looking to buy bigger homes, while 23% want 4 BHK homes. </li><li>Housing sector has seen a 15-20% increase in demand by <keyword id="11904949" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nri" source="Orion">NRI</keyword> in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021.</li></ul>Many non-resident Indians (NRIs) are looking to come back to their motherland keeping in mind the ongoing economic situation due to the Russia-Ukraine war and thus, are actively searching for housing properties in India. "Despite the worst of Covid-19 now in the past, NRIs have clearly not forgotten the uncertainties associated with living in a foreign country during a major pandemic. Securing homes in India became, and remains, a priority for Indians everywhere,” said <keyword id="266974" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="prashant-thakur" source="Orion">Prashant Thakur</keyword>, Sr. Director &amp; Head of Research, ANAROCK Group. In fact, 77% of the NRIs are looking to buy bigger homes, while 23% want 4 BHK homes and 54% want to buy 3 BHK properties, according to CII-ANAROCK Consumer Sentiment Survey. The survey got 55,000 responses from NRIs, out of which 7% were currently stationed in the US, Canada, Gulf, Europe, and various Asian countries. Demand for bigger homes has seen a spurt in the post-Covid era. “While schools and offices have reopened, the desire for extra living space remains undiminished. Many of the large IT companies and IT-driven startups now operate on a hybrid work model,” says the report. Notably, more NRIs prefer investing in Indian real estate over stocks, mutual funds, gold, and fixed deposits. Another reason why NRIs prefer bigger homes is the favourable exchange rate. The percentage of NRIs looking for 2 BHK properties has declined from 40% in 2019 (pre-Covid) to 22% in 2022 (post-Covid). "As per <keyword id="7746659" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="anarock-research" source="Orion">ANAROCK Research</keyword>, the Jan-Sep period of 2022 saw approx. 2.73 lakh homes sold in the top 7 cities," said Thakur. The real estate market has overall witnessed a gradual recovery after successive Covid-19 lockdowns. The demand further boosted during the festive season despite higher interest rates and biting inflation. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bengaluru remains as one of the top choices" comment="subhead" text="Bengaluru remains as one of the top choices"><keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword> remains as one of the top choices</cmsannotation> Bengaluru has been one of the top three choices among NRIs to invest in the housing sector before, during and after the Covid pandemic. Other than Bengaluru, Hyderabad and NCR are the top choices for the NRIs this year. At least 60% of the respondents agreed to be looking for properties in Hyderabad, 20% were eyeing the NCR region and 18% were preferring Bengaluru. Last year, Bengaluru, Pune and Chennai were the top picks for most NRIs. While 63% of the respondents want premium properties priced between ₹90 lakhs to ₹1.5 crore, 59% NRIs preferred luxury properties priced between ₹1.5 - 2.5 crore. Overall investment in the Indian housing by NRIs has ballooned from 55% in the pre-Covid year (2019) to 71% this year. "On an average, NRIs account for 10-15% of homes sold in any given quarter,” Thakur added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/canada-facing-labour-shortage-what-does-it-mean-for-indian-immigrants/slidelist/95251236.cms">Canada facing labour shortage — what does it mean for Indian immigrants</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/reliance-capital-bidders-flag-off-multiple-legal-issues-involving-rs-20000-crore-liability/articleshow/95248934.cms">Reliance Capital bidders flag off multiple legal issues involving Rs 20,000 crore liability</a>

More NRIs are keen to buy bigger homes in the country, says report

China's zero-Covid policy led to an abrupt shutdown of Disneyland in <keyword id="6368000" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="shanghai" source="Orion">Shanghai</keyword>. As per The Hollywood Reporter, The Walt Disney Co.'s flagship Disney resort closed its doors on Monday, with all guests at the time of the announcement required to stay inside the park until they could present a negative test result. Several images and videos went viral in which the guests are seen running to the locked gates of the theme park in hopes of escape. A notice posted to Shanghai Disney's official social media accounts Monday said that the sprawling theme park and surrounding facilities would be shut until further notice. The theme park reopened in June after being closed for 101 days during the city's brutal lockdown this spring. "We apologize for the inconvenience and will provide refunds or exchanges for all guests impacted during this period," Disney said in a statement. "We will notify guests as soon as we have a confirmed date to resume operations." Shanghai has amassed 97 cases of COVID in the past 28 days, and 64,282 cases total, with 595 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Across China, there have been 178,178 cases and 212 deaths in the past month, <keyword id="108492" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="new-york-post" source="Orion">New York Post</keyword> reported. Last month the country's ruling Communist Party and its leader <keyword id="191809" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="xi-jinping" source="Orion">Xi Jinping</keyword> signalled that there would be no easing up of the zero-Covid policy, calling it a "people's war to stop the spread of the virus". Across the country, around 200 lockdowns have been implemented in recent days - the majority of these affecting communities that have been marked as high or medium risk. Residents in different areas are subject to different rules, depending on whether they are in a low, medium or high-risk zone. Recently, droves of migrant workers attempted to flee the lockdown situation and return to their hometowns. Visuals shared online indicate that workers at <keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword>'s largest assembly site in Zhengzhou broke out of the facilities to escape the 'zero-COVID' lockdown. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/twitter-bosses-entitled-to-usd-122-million-in-golden-parachute-payouts/articleshow/95224235.cms">Twitter bosses entitled to USD 122 million in 'golden parachute' payouts</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/pakistans-forex-reserves-are-close-to-nil-says-local-newspaper-dawn/articleshow/95224526.cms">Pakistan's forex reserves are close to nil, says local newspaper Dawn</a>

China's zero-Covid policy: Shanghai's Disneyland closed with visitors stuck inside

<ul><li>Online shopping will continue to boom even after the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword> pandemic comes to an end.</li><li>Shoppers will be more conscious of retailers' sanitation, health and safety practices.</li><li>Online shopping may accelerate but customers want timely delivery, compensation for cancellation and the option to make digital payments.</li></ul>India is under lockdown and most people, especially those in urban areas, are now <keyword id="78371" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="shopping-online">shopping online</keyword>. That’s unlikely to change and may even increase once the lockdown regulations are relaxed according to a Capgemini report. Their analysis shows that the appetite for online shopping is set to increase by nearly 20% in the next six to nine months, but that shift won’t be without its terms and conditions. Even though more people will be shopping online, most of them want certain assurances to be in place — including the promise of timely delivery, compensation in case an order is cancelled, sanitary or contactless transactions, and higher integration of online payment platforms. However, for every action, there’s normally an equal and an opposite reaction. In this case, offline stores will be taking a hit if they can’t adapt. In the post-COVID world, only 46% of people will be looking to shop at physical stores as compared to 56% before the Coronavirus pandemic hit, according to the report. On-time deliveries and flexible timings — an opportunity for delivery platforms Capgemini’s analysis shows that over 70% of Indian consumers want the promise of timely delivery. Where an order does get cancelled, they want assurances that they will be adequately compensated. This is a huge opportunity for delivery platforms to partner with grocery chains — something that Zomato and Swiggy are already doing. Their fluid workforce even allows them to deal with fluctuations in demand and supply. Even Domino’s is taking a crack at it by partnering with ITC to deliver essential goods. Aside from the assurance of delivery, consumers also want to have the option to choose when they want their stuff delivered. They will prefer to shop from whichever retailer is giving them the option to choose from different flexible delivery timings — convenience is key. The other facet of convenience is the option to pay through whichever payment gateway is most accessible. While some choose to pay using Paytm, others want Google Pay. But the central crux is that online payment has to be an option for nearly 80% of Indians. Cash and ATMs have been flagged for being potential ways to contract the coronavirus, which is why going cashless has become more important than ever before. Sanitation will take centre stage Nearly 90% of the people surveyed by Capgemini said that they will be more cautious about issues of cleanliness, health and safety even once the lockdown is over. And, they want to see their service providers exercise the same level of caution. Three-fourths of Indians will choose to shop from retailers who adopt safety practices in their stores, especially since most of them plan to increase their shopping of groceries and household supplies in the coming six to nine months. Everyone, grocery stores and consumers alike, will be facing a cash crunch. Capgemini estimates that most people will be looking to cut down on their luxury and discretionary spending. ‘Dark stores’ is a way for businesses to survive Since physical stores are facing a lot of uncertainty due to the pandemic, ‘going dark’ might be one way to survive. ‘Dark stores’ are retail outposts that stock all the necessary goods, but their sole purpose is to fulfil online orders — not open up their doors to offline customers. For larger grocery chains, using dark stores can be a way to meet their online requirements while also ensuring that their in-store customers aren’t disrupted. For stores to remain open, it will be crucial to ensure that the social distancing norms are built into their layout. Crowded and narrow grocery aisles won’t cut it anymore as people look to avoid congestion. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/ola-driver-fund-report-card-ride-hailing-app-claims-to-have-helped-9000-drivers-and-delivered-650000-kgs-of-essential-supplies/articleshow/75399459.cms">Ola Driver Fund report card: Ride-hailing app claims to have helped 9,000 drivers and delivered 650,000 kgs of essential supplies</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/lockdown-retailers-witness-spike-in-sale-of-private-labels-as-supply-lines-disrupted/articleshow/75390422.cms">Lockdown: Retailers witness spike in sale of private labels as supply lines disrupted</a>

Shopping online will boom in the post COVID world — but not without its terms and conditions

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Highland Park students planned a walkout for gun control that was interrupted by concerns a student brought a gun.</li><li>The walkout was in response to last year's July 4th parade massacre and the Nashville shooting last week.</li></ul>Highland Park High School students planned a walkout demanding gun control today, but the demonstrations were quickly interrupted by reports of a possible gun on campus. The walkout was planned for 10:14am, the same time that the Highland Park July 4th parade shooting started just nine months before.According to a letter from District 113 Superintendent Bruce Law <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/highland-park-high-school-nashville-students-walk-out-parade-shooting-shooter/13083492/">obtained by ABC7 Chicago</a>, the district received an anonymous tip shortly after the walkout started that a student allegedly had a gun. The school went into lockdown, and the city released a <a href="https://www.cityhpil.com/alert_detail.php">statement</a> alerting neighbors that there was a "heavy police presence" on campus in light of "a report of a student potentially in possession of a gun at school."A video posted by ABC7 Chicago's Christian Piekos showed police active on campus. According to an <a href="https://www.cityhpil.com/alert_detail.php">update</a> from Highland Park Police, the scene was declared safe later that morning. "No shots were fired. The scene has been secured and law enforcement has confirmed that there is no credible reason to continue the lockdown at Highland Park High School," the update read. The police added: "Five students have been taken into custody. No further information is available at this time."Highland Park Police and Highland Park High School did not respond to Insider's request for further comment. A video posted by ABC7 Chicago's Christian Piekos showed students released from the campus to their parents shortly after the lockdown was lifted. Seven people were killed and dozens injured during the <a href="https://www.insider.com/live-updates-highland-park-parade-mass-shooting-fourth-of-july-2022-7#illinois-state-police-director-defends-approving-the-highland-park-shooting-suspects-gun-permit">Highland Park mass shooting</a> last year. The incident occured during a July 4th parade. Some survivors described the terror of the shooting, including a mother hiding in <a href="https://www.insider.com/survivor-describes-fleeing-highland-park-shooting-hiding-in-elevator-2022-7">elevator</a> for an hour with her children and a father hiding his son in a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/father-hid-son-dumpster-away-from-highland-park-mass-shooter-2022-7">dumpster</a> to protect him.

Highland Park students walked out to demand gun control. Minutes later, the high school went on lockdown.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The bad news just keeps coming for China's ailing economy.</li><li>Exports tanked 12% in June, according to data released Thursday.</li></ul>China's plan for a swift post-pandemic revival looks likely to be scuppered by a growing number of red flags, including <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-deflation-prices-falling-us-inflation-global-economic-crash-recession-2023-7">deflation</a> and sputtering growth.Beijing finally curtailed three years of harsh zero-COVID lockdowns late last year, but its economy has subsequently run into significant turbulence that's sparking alarm across the world.Taken alone, headline figures still suggest robust growth, with the country's Gross Domestic Product likely to rise 7.3% in the second quarter, according to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/chinas-q2-gdp-seen-rising-73-yy-low-base-recovery-fades-2023-07-13/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters poll</a>.But because that's a year-on-year comparison, the bar for expansion is still low. In July 2022, the government was still taking a zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19, limiting the country's economic output.There are other signs that China's economic reboot is faltering, too:<ul><li>Factory activity is shrinking, according to the manufacturing <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/chinas-factory-activity-falls-faster-than-expected-weak-demand-pmi-2023-05-31/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Purchasing Managers' Index</a>, which has shown output contracting three months in a row.</li><li>Data released Thursday also showed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-june-trade-data-imports-exports-2023-7">exports falling 12.4%</a> from a year ago, badly underperforming economists' expectations. Making goods and then sending them abroad is a huge engine for Chinese growth.</li><li>Earlier this week, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-deflation-prices-falling-us-inflation-global-economic-crash-recession-2023-7">China also announced that its inflation rate was 0%</a> – meaning it's now teetering on the edge of deflation. That could mean people start to spend less, holding off on buying things with the expectation that they'll soon become cheaper.</li><li>Foreign direct investment in China has also dried up, with spending from outside China dropping by $20 billion, or a sixth, year-on-year, per data from the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/xi-china-economy-capital-investment-3439d31a?mod=hp_lead_pos7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wall Street Journal</a>.</li></ul>It's a growing list of concerns that makes grim reading for Beijing, whose dreams of a smooth revival have quickly turned nightmarish.

China's dream of a smooth post-pandemic economic recovery has already turned into a nightmare

Mumbai, Apr 14 () The 19-day extension of the lockdown on Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led analysts to flag concerns over its economic impact, with some estimating a GDP contraction of 1 per cent in FY21 as well. Ratings agency Icra said there is a possibility of the GDP contracting by 1 per cent in the just started fiscal year 2020-21, while Japanese brokerage Nomura said it will de-grow by 0.5 per cent for 2020. British peer Barclays said GDP will be stagnant with zero growth for the calendar year. The government had unveiled a Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package right after announcing the national lockdown last month, but analysts have been near-unanimous in calling it insufficient. Some also said less than half of the package was actually new, as a majority of the relief was already announced in the Budget. Barclays said the extension of the lockdown will have an incremental USD 114.4 billion impact on the economy, taking the total value of the pain to USD 234.4 billion because of the 40-day lockdown. Reflecting the same, Icra said there are chances of a contraction of up to 15 per cent in the GDP during the ongoing April-June quarter, which will result in the fiscal growth coming in between 1 per cent to (-) 1 per cent. "The size of the GDP shrinkage would be contingent on the extent to which a graded resumption in activities is permitted in some areas post-April 20th and the magnitude by which government spending is stepped up to cushion the blow from the lockdown," the ratings agency said. Nomura said there is a need for another round of stimulus. "The next tranche is likely to be aimed at cash-flow challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and other hard-hit industries," the Japanese brokerage said. It said the central government's fiscal deficit will widen to 5.1 per cent of GDP in FY21, well above the 3.5 per cent Budget target. It also expects another 0.75 per cent in rate cuts along with further unconventional measures to boost liquidity and reduce credit risk premia from the RBI. In his address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged that the poor are facing difficulties because of the lockdown but said continuing with the measures was necessary to contain the spread of the COVID-19 infections. He also said that starting April 20, there will be a relaxation in the lockdown in select spots which are unaffected by the virus. AA ABMABM

You Searched For "post lockdown" and got 11 results

The Covid lockdowns did WHAT to the Moon?!

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The SAG-AFTRA strike is the best thing to happen to Cameo, the short-video app where celebs get paid to make clips for fans, since the lockdowns

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More NRIs are keen to buy bigger homes in the country, says report

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China's zero-Covid policy: Shanghai's Disneyland closed with visitors stuck inside

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Shopping online will boom in the post COVID world — but not without its terms and conditions

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Highland Park students walked out to demand gun control. Minutes later, the high school went on lockdown.

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China's dream of a smooth post-pandemic economic recovery has already turned into a nightmare

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Analysts flag growth concerns post lockdown extension

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