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Delhi continued to battle with air pollution for the 10th consecutive day post-Diwali as a dense layer of smog blanketed parts of the national capital on Sunday. Several parts of the national capital recorded very poor air quality levels on Sunday morning as per the data issued by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India). Today morning, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 351, Bawana 383, CRRI Mathura Road 323, Dwarka Sector 8 at 341, IGI Airport at 326, ITO 328, Lodhi Road 319, Mundka at 358, Najafgarh at 341, New Moti Bagh at 394, Okhla phase-2 at 339, RK Puram at 368, and Wazirpur at 366, as per SAFAR-India data. As of 5 pm on November 10, Delhi's AQI stood at 334, with Anand Vihar at 353, Dilshad Garden at 262, and Jahangirpuri at 377. For tomorrow, AQI in adjoining cities of Noida and Gurugram is forecasted to be at 208.92 and 77.51, respectively. Multiple visuals from Delhi's Kartavya Path showed the area surrounding India Gate engulfed by a layer of smog. The AQI in the area was recorded at 357 as of 7 am. High-rise buildings were also covered in smog in the Kalindi Kunj and surrounding locality, as the AQI was recorded as 323 in the area. An AQI is considered "poor" between '200 and 300', "very poor" at '301 and 400', "severe" at '401-450," and 450 and above is "severe plus." As the air pollution levels in the national capital reach "very poor," doctors say that even people with no history of respiratory diseases are suffering from breathing issues. Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant for Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, told ANI that apart from the regular patients, those who haven't had any respiratory issues in the past are showing up with symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and having increasing difficulties breathing. As it is, respiratory illnesses in the national capital are estimated to have shot up by around 15-20%. The Apollo doctor further suggested that the government close the schools for children as they remain vulnerable. Whenever the pollution levels have gone beyond a certain limit, the government has opted to close the schools, Dr. Modi said. "For the last few years, we have been seeing that the government has taken action. Whenever this pollution level has gone beyond a certain limit, they have opted to close the schools. This is important because children are from a vulnerable group. As adults, we are masked and can protect ourselves better, but children usually are not that effectively taking these measures. Secondly, their lungs are still in developing stages, so they are bound to have more harm due to this pollution," the doctor told ANI. Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com, notes that while most standard health plans in India cover pollution-related ailments, it is always advised to also go for an OPD plan along with a health insurance plan to cover consultations, medications, and diagnostic tests that may be required frequently due to pollution. "Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and some other parts of India have shot up post Diwali. Effects of this are very evident in the form of sore throats and breathing problems, among others. This can also result in respiratory ailments and chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pneumonia, and severe cases of respiratory or bronchial obstruction. Health insurance becomes critical to cover such expenses. Most policies typically cover emergency hospitalization for respiratory issues like asthma or COPD exacerbations requiring ICU or critical care," he adds.

Layer of smog covers Delhi as air quality remains 'very poor'. Here's why you need an insurance cover for this

Doctors in India are grappling to diagnose and treat unexplained and persistent symptoms of <keyword id="9814327" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="long-covid" source="Orion">long Covid</keyword> patients due to limited guidelines, whereas researchers have flagged inadequate studies on the condition. With the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword> declaring an end to <keyword id="19896627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid" source="keywords">Covid</keyword> as a global <keyword id="416511" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-emergency" source="Orion">health emergency</keyword> in May last year, focused efforts are underway around the world to estimate the burden of long Covid among the population. The condition refers to the set of lingering symptoms affecting varied body parts and persisting well beyond the acute Covid infection period, including cough, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, brain fog and difficulty in focusing. The viral disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While studies have suggested that about a third of those moderately or severely infected are likely to suffer from long Covid, region-wise though, incidence could vary. A study by researchers, including those from <keyword id="19988007" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harvard-medical-school" source="keywords">Harvard Medical School</keyword>, US, estimated that 31 % of the once-infected people in North America, 44% in Europe, and 51% in Asia, have long Covid, which is "challenging the healthcare system, but there are limited guidelines for its treatment". It was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases in September. In India, however, studies on long Covid are few and far between. One such study by Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, conducted from May 2022 to March 2023 on 553 patients who had recovered from Covid, found that about 45% had lingering symptoms, persistent fatigue and dry cough being the most common. "There is limited exploratory research on the long Covid syndrome with scarce data on long-term outcomes," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Cureus in May this year. Understanding the long-term effects of the virus is important for developing management strategies, optimising healthcare delivery, and providing support to recovered Covid patients in the community, they said. Dr Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, said, "Looking at the current state of long Covid studies in India, it is too premature to say that we understand the condition well enough to know how to diagnose or treat it." Animesh Samanta, assistant professor at School of Natural Sciences in <keyword id="19897094" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shiv-nadar-university" source="keywords">Shiv Nadar University</keyword>, Greater Noida, said, "While studies in India highlight the growing recognition of neurological complications in long Covid patients, more focused research on neuroinflammation is needed." Doctors, too, have reported a rise in patients complaining of symptoms that they did not have pre-Covid. "People who never had <keyword id="6465125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="asthma" source="Orion">asthma</keyword> in the past, post-Covid, with every viral infection, they get a long cough, shortness of breath and wheezing, which require the use of <keyword id="31257" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inhalers" source="Orion">inhalers</keyword> or nebuliser," senior consultant Dr Neetu Jain, who runs a post-Covid care clinic at Pushpawati Singhania Hospital and Research Institute, New Delhi, said. Dr Arun Garg, chairman, Neurology and Neurosciences, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram, said he was noticing a spike in stroke cases among young patients not suffering from known risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. "Similarly, we are seeing more cases of encephalopathy (swelling of the brain) without reason and having a confused state of mind following one or two days of fever. Their MRI scans show no changes. These patients have increased significantly after Covid," he said. In the absence of medical guidelines to diagnose long Covid, doctors are having to resort to broad, non-specific tests and questionnaires to gauge a patient's 'quality of life'. Studies have shown that the fatigue experienced in long Covid is similar to that in cancer patients, with a quality of life similar to patients of Parkinson's disease. "We really do not have any test to diagnose long Covid, even though it is definitely a clinical diagnosis. We diagnose long Covid for people who had at least moderate to severe infection, following which they could never regain the quality of life pre-Covid. Checking for inflammatory markers like C-reactive proteins (CRP) can support the diagnosis," Dr Jain said. "Other than routine blood tests that measure inflammation, we do antibody tests to look for direct markers. In many of these patients, we are finding rare antibodies which are very new to us and were not there pre-Covid," Dr Garg said. Inflammation persisting despite recovery from acute Covid infection is thought to lie at the heart of long Covid. However, tests to measure this specific immune response are lacking, even as researchers have been working in this direction worldwide. One such effort comes from Shiv Nadar University, where a team led by Samanta has developed a fluorescent probe capable of detecting inflammation in brain cells that can arise due to Covid infection. The probe measures nitric oxide levels in brain cells, especially in human microglia cells, where increased NO levels are linked to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Microglia are immune cells in the brain that fight disease and help maintain brain health. Lysosomes within microglia, which help clear foreign disease-causing agents like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, produce nitric oxide as part of an immune response to infection. The probe detects nitric oxide produced in lysosomes in response to infection and thereby allows for a measurement of inflammation levels. This examination method can provide "qualitative information on infection status", said Samanta, corresponding author on the study published in the journal Analytical Chemistry in American Chemical Society. He explained that patients with pre-existing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disorder) could exhibit prolonged neuroinflammation and loss of brain cells following Covid infection. While the probe has shown efficacy in cell cultures, animal studies would need to be done, before testing it in humans, Samanta said. Looking at the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, the study by Harvard Medical School had found that 587 clinical studies were conducted on long Covid, of which about 53% (312) were testing potential treatments. Most of these were found to be conducted in the US (58), followed by India (55) and Spain (20). The trials looked at interventions including physical exercise, psychotherapy, and pharmacological ones such as paxlovid and fluvoxamine. However, "to date, only 11 of these 312 studies have published their results that were not confirmative," the researchers wrote. The team called for studies to look into sleep disorders which were rarely included in the registered clinical studies. Further, interventions targeting the biological processes responsible for long Covid are needed but currently lacking, they said.

Doctors struggle to treat long Covid patients in India; researchers point to inadequate studies

<keyword id="19941210" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kangana-Ranaut" source="keywords">Kangana Ranaut</keyword>’s much-anticipated film Emergency, a biographical drama centered on former Prime Minister <keyword id="19913949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi" source="keywords">Indira Gandhi</keyword>, has been delayed due to a certification battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Initially slated for a September 6 release, the film has faced hurdles as the CBFC's revising committee suggested certain cuts before issuing a certificate. The <keyword id="19905533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bombay-High-Court" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bombay High Court" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Bombay High Court">Bombay High Court</keyword> is now involved, with further hearings scheduled, raising questions about when the film will finally hit theatres. <h2>The battle for certification</h2>On Thursday, the CBFC told the Bombay High Court that a certificate would be issued to Emergency only if the recommended cuts were made. Ranaut, who directed, co-produced, and stars as Indira Gandhi in the film, had accused the CBFC of intentionally delaying the film's release by withholding certification. She suggested that the delay was politically motivated, especially given the upcoming elections in states like Haryana. The film's co-producer, <keyword id="20068359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zee-Entertainment" source="keywords">Zee Entertainment</keyword> Enterprises, took the matter to court, seeking a directive for the CBFC to issue the required certificate. The division bench of Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla expressed frustration with the CBFC’s indecision. In a previous hearing, the court had remarked that the censor board cannot sit on a fence and has to take its decision one way or the other as it would otherwise amount to curtailing the freedom of speech and expression. In response to the court’s directive, CBFC’s counsel Abhinav Chandrachud explained, “The committee has suggested some cuts before a certificate can be issued and the movie can be released.” Senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani, representing Zee Entertainment, requested more time to decide whether these cuts could be accepted, with the court now awaiting a final decision in the next hearing scheduled for September 30. The delay in certification stems partly from objections raised by some <keyword id="23262146" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sikh-organisations" source="keywords">Sikh organisations</keyword>, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, accusing the film of misrepresenting their community and historical facts. This controversy has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the film’s release, as sensitive portrayals of political and historical events often attract close scrutiny in India. <h2><keyword id="23323607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="political-motivations" source="keywords">Political motivations</keyword></h2>The controversy has led to speculation about political motivations, with Zee Entertainment alleging that the certificate was being withheld due to the upcoming elections in Haryana. This claim has raised eyebrows, given that Kangana Ranaut has been a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is herself a BJP MP. The court even wondered aloud why the ruling party would take issue with the film. Emergency was expected to be a major release, particularly due to its portrayal of one of the most significant and controversial periods in Indian political history — the 1975-1977 Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. However, the film’s release is now dependent on the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings and whether Kangana Ranaut and Zee Entertainment are willing to comply with the CBFC’s suggested edits. The CBFC’s recommended cuts have not been publicly disclosed, leaving many wondering what specific elements of the film are in dispute. With the next court hearing scheduled for September 30, it remains to be seen whether Emergency will make its way to theatres soon or face further delays. (With inputs from PTI)

What will it take for Kangana Ranaut’s 'Emergency' to finally hit theatres?

A week or two of cold and cough can make you conjure up some pretty odd conspiracy theories. The freshest one that I cooked up this week is that 'Big Tissue' wishes to keep everyone sick, and therefore they collaborate with 'The Scientists' to keep them from making a cure. After all, the world witnessed researchers demonstrate incredible and hasty success in combating <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, and yet, the <keyword id="20237676" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="common-cold" source="keywords">common cold</keyword> remains an seemingly elusive target. But far from being an actual conspiracy, there are several real reasons why we haven’t yet cracked the code to curing the cold, despite decades of research. So grab your tissues, folks, and let's get into them. <h2><keyword id="23387393" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viral-diversity" source="keywords">Viral diversity</keyword></h2>One major hurdle in curing the common cold is the sheer diversity of viruses involved. Over 200 viruses can cause cold symptoms, with <keyword id="23387392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rhinoviruses" source="keywords">rhinoviruses</keyword> responsible for up to 75% of cases. Rhinoviruses alone consist of more than 160 known strains. This viral diversity makes it extremely difficult to develop a universal vaccine or treatment. Unlike SARS-CoV-2, which has one main spike protein target, cold viruses come in a dizzying array of structures and behaviours, requiring a vast array of medical solutions. In contrast, when COVID-19 emerged, researchers focused primarily on one virus and one major target — its spike protein. That focus allowed for the rapid development of <keyword id="19953288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccines" source="keywords">vaccines</keyword> using mRNA technology, like those from Pfizer and Moderna. For the common cold, a similar solution isn’t feasible due to the multiple viral families involved. <h2><keyword id="20862236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutations" source="keywords">Mutations</keyword> and adaptations</h2>Another issue is how quickly cold viruses mutate. Rhinoviruses, for example, are known for their high mutation rates. This rapid evolution allows them to evade the immune system, which is why even if you’ve had a cold before, you're not immune to future infections from different strains. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113757960" title="Healthcare in India faces massive strain as costs rise by 14% annually; most expenses paid out-of-pocket" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This rapid mutation is akin to how COVID-19 has evolved into variants, but with cold viruses, it happens on an even greater scale. Scientists fear that if they developed a vaccine, new strains would quickly render it ineffective, much like how seasonal flu vaccines must be reformulated annually. <h2>Mildness of the illness</h2>Ironically, one reason the common cold hasn’t been cured is because it’s too mild to warrant massive investment. Most people recover from a cold without medical intervention. While cold symptoms are annoying — runny nose, sore throat, cough — they rarely escalate into serious illness. As a result, pharmaceutical companies and governments have little financial incentive to pour billions into research for a disease that poses no significant threat to public health. COVID-19, on the other hand, caused severe illness and death on a global scale, spurring massive investment from both the public and private sectors. Governments and companies alike invested heavily in research and fast-tracked vaccines, which led to solutions much quicker than we’ve seen for colds. <h2>Complex, complex immune system</h2>The immune system’s response to cold viruses is also a significant factor. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to cold viruses over a lifetime results in limited immunity. For instance, research from Harvard points out that even though the body produces antibodies after a cold, the <keyword id="20082133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="immune-response" source="keywords">immune response</keyword> isn't strong enough to prevent future infections from slightly different strains. This is in stark contrast to diseases like measles, where one infection can result in lifelong immunity. COVID-19 benefitted from its novelty. The immune system had never encountered SARS-CoV-2 before, making it easier to target with vaccines that produce a strong and specific immune response. Here’s an additional fun fact: because there are SO many different strains of common cold-causing viruses, research says that it is unlikely that you will be infected with the same strain of common cold twice throughout your life! <h2>Attempts to develop treatments</h2>There have been attempts to develop treatments for the common cold. Some researchers have targeted the way viruses enter and replicate in human cells. For example, a 2018 study explored inhibiting the protein that cold viruses use to replicate, showing some promise in early trials. However, most of these treatments are in the experimental phase, and none have been widely successful yet. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113284254" title="Gastro problems could heighten Parkinson&amp;#39;s disease risk by 76%, study finds" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In recent years, attention has shifted towards using broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that can target multiple viruses at once, similar to how some antibiotics work against a range of bacteria. However, this approach has yet to yield a major breakthrough. The idea of a universal cure for the common cold remains distant, but advances in genetic research and vaccine technology offer some hope. For example, CRISPR technology may allow scientists to edit out the genetic components that cold viruses rely on to replicate. Additionally, the mRNA technology used for COVID-19 vaccines has opened new possibilities for antiviral treatments, although these applications are still in early stages. Research continues, but for now, humanity may have to continue battling sniffles and coughs the old-fashioned way: with rest, fluids, and time.

How did we manage to deal with COVID-19 so quickly, but the common cold still remains a persisting problem?

“We expect women to work like they don’t have children / domestic responsibilities. And we expect them to raise kids and tend to the home like they don’t have a <keyword id="19920980" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="career" source="keywords">career</keyword>.” This statement resonates deeply with many mothers, echoing across social media platforms, parenting forums, and communities. It is incredibly sad to acknowledge that this is a sentiment shared by countless mothers who find themselves caught between the demands of work and home. This is also how I felt 11 years ago. On this Mother’s Day, I wanted to revisit some such challenges that seem overwhelming at times and I myself faced as a <keyword id="21624352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="working-mother" source="keywords">working mother</keyword>. In this article, I won't hesitate from laying bare the challenges of being a working mother. At times, my words may push the boundaries of what's deemed acceptable for print, perhaps even sounding like a rant. But it's crucial to acknowledge and validate these struggles. Being a mother is challenging, and having a career is demanding. Combining these two roles means signing up for one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Some of the common challenges most working mothers face are : 1.Inconvenient time management: Being a mom is a full-time responsibility. It is a 24X7 job. It is also a role that requires the highest level of surrender physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Having a career requires full time commitment to work. It requires you to keep marching forward as the goal posts keeps shifting. Imagine existing in this state on an everyday basis! Intelligently planning schedules, adhering to timelines, factoring in childcare emergencies and unforeseen developments at work require precision akin to six sigma. Oh, and don’t forget the events! The birthday parties, the company off-site, the client visit and the school annual day – these are no less than an hurdles race we’re running whilst holding a life in our hands. 2.Coping with emotional demands: A working mother is almost always torn between the various emotional demands that come with being an individual who would like to raise a beautiful child whilst building a respectable body of work. There's always the lingering "mommy guilt" of missing out on precious moments and "not being around enough". And then there's an inner voice tugging at her heart, urging her not to lose sight of her career goals. 3.Burden of judgement: From next-door neighbors to relatives, and sometimes even family members to colleagues, peers, and superiors - everyone seems to view working mothers with a preconceived notion that they are set up for failure. No matter how hard she tries, her best is never enough. There is often very little acceptance and a lot more judgment. 4.Lack of <keyword id="20006960" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="support-system" source="keywords">support system</keyword>: The Indian family system is not designed to support working women. It often glorifies women as "domestic goddesses" and sees them primarily as caretakers. There are exceptions of course – some families genuinely nurture the individual and her dreams while some depend on the women financially and therefore make space for her work while. 5.Unconscious bias and microaggression - Working mothers often experience a lack of support both in the workplace and at home. Many also encounter discrimination and bias in professional settings. This can take the form of being overlooked for promotions or job opportunities, as well as facing negative stereotypes or assumptions about their dedication to their work due to their parental responsibilities. The snide remarks, the judgmental stare, the condescending tone or simply the lack of empathy – the list goes on. The list doesn’t end here. Working mothers face numerous challenges as they strive to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. From societal expectations to workplace biases, the hurdles can sometimes seem insurmountable. However, by building strong support networks, negotiating for flexibility, and challenging stereotypes, working mothers can overcome these challenges and achieve success in both their careers and their personal lives. My advice to working mothers, is to enlist as much help as possible. Outsource tasks that do not require a personal touch. Define boundaries at home and work, and reinforce what can or cannot be expected of you. Seek mentors and build allies at work. Most importantly, work on your ‘self’ – carve out ‘me-time’ and indulge in self-care. Doesn’t have to mean a spa, it could be cuppa and a book or meeting an old friend. The reality is that there's no such thing as a perfect balance. It's all about finding what works for your family and your career and making compromises when needed. Lastly, be nice to yourself. Remember, you’re doing the best you can. Every mother is the best mother in the world. Chetna Israni is Co-Founder and Director of Morning Star Brandcom. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the author/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The article has been partly edited for length and clarity.

OPINION: Balancing act or pure jugglery — navigating professional challenges as a working mother

We’ve all been there: waiting anxiously as your <keyword id="20544300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-delivery-app" source="keywords">food delivery app</keyword> teases you with the promise that your order will arrive "in 20 minutes." You watch in despair as the driver appears to be stuck in some alternate universe, making you wonder if your meal is actually taking a detour through a black hole. Worse yet, the order arrives with half your items missing, or, horror of horrors, your curry has decided to bathe the entire delivery bag. And when you try to reach out for some help? You're met with a <keyword id="19896299" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chatbot" source="keywords">chatbot</keyword> that’s more interested in looping you through pre-programmed responses than connecting you with a real human. As usual, redditors are here for your rescue. Very recently, a Reddit user took to a Bengaluru sub to share a “hack” to help those who were struggling with food delivery apps and wanted the “premium experience” without paying more for it. As per the redditor, the key is to choose <keyword id="20635241" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="cash-on-delivery" source="keywords">cash on delivery</keyword> while placing your order on <keyword id="19901323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zomato" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> or <keyword id="19896956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swiggy" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Swiggy" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Swiggy">Swiggy</keyword>. They went on to claim that the app would then prioritise your order over even gold customers. Further, their chatbots are more likely to connect you to a human if the delivery is delayed beyond a point or if there’s any other issue with your order. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112865820" title="The new &amp;quot;Zomato for Enterprise&amp;quot; will directly bill your company for business-related food orders" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>“The user experience remains exactly the same — once the order is delivered you can pay via any UPI app or wallet or saved card through the app but you never again have to worry about being Zomato’s starving hostage,” u/steve7evans <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bangalore/s/YokaI9aYfC" id="docs-internal-guid-b04dfa38-7fff-1b3e-b0be-47598d49afdf">wrote</a>. Many users shared their bad experiences with the delivery apps and <keyword id="19925749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customer-support" source="keywords">customer support</keyword>. While some agreed that they got the order faster than usual after opting for <keyword id="21690601" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cod" source="keywords">COD</keyword>, some felt that the experience is rather subjective. “I'm always able to connect with an agent. And I am always offered a refund generally when I complain. But I only complain in case of a genuine issue. Maybe because I don't abuse their system?” read one of the comments on the thread. However, this hack isn’t about cheating the system or stiffing hard-working delivery partners. The OP clarifies that this is about ensuring that you get the level of service you deserve, minus the unnecessary hassles. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111758782" title="Zomato and Swiggy increase platform fee by 20% – food deliveries to get costlier" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

The “ultimate Zomato and Swiggy hack” might be opting for COD while placing your order, claim redditors!

Sydney, Aug 15 (The Conversation): The <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organization" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organization" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organization">World Health Organization</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) has declared <keyword id="20965747" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mpox" source="keywords">mpox</keyword> a public health emergency of international concern, after rising cases in the <keyword id="22796094" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo" source="keywords">Democratic Republic of the Congo</keyword> and the potential for further spread. This now triggers a coordinated international response to an extraordinary event and the mobilisation of resources, such as vaccines and diagnostic testing, to curb the spread of this infectious disease. But WHO has not declared mpox a <keyword id="19913581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic" source="keywords">pandemic</keyword>. Rather, the measures it has triggered are designed to prevent it from becoming one. <h2>What triggered this latest alert?</h2> Mpox, once known as monkeypox, is a viral infection closely related to <keyword id="22362924" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smallpox" source="keywords">smallpox</keyword>. Initial symptoms include a fever, headache, swelling of the lymph nodes and muscle ache. A typical rash follows, mainly on the face, hands and feet. The spread of mpox through certain African countries led the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to declare earlier this week mpox a public health emergency of continental security. This is the first time the organisation has issued such an alert since it was established in 2017. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa has been particularly worrying for more than a year. There are two types or clades of mpox. Clade II, which originates in west Africa, is less severe. It has a fatality rate of up to 1 per cent (in other words, roughly one in 100 are expected to die from it). But clade I, from central Africa, has a fatality rate of up to 10 per cent (up to one in ten die). This compares to a 0.7 per cent fatality rate for the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is seeing large epidemics of the more deadly clade I mpox. Mpox is endemic in some parts of central and west Africa, where the virus exists in animals and can spread to humans. Outbreaks have been increasing, with more human-to-human spread, since 2017. This is partly due to very low levels of immunity to the mpox virus, which is related to the virus that causes smallpox. Mass vaccination against smallpox ceased more than 40 years ago globally, resulting in minimal immunity in populations today against mpox. The WHO designation announced this week relates to the clade I. Not only does this have a higher fatality rate, it has new mutations that enhance spread between people. These changes, and the global lack of immunity to mpox, makes the world's population vulnerable to the virus. <h2>There are two different epidemics</h2> In 2022, an epidemic of mpox swept through non-endemic countries, including beyond Africa. This was a variant of clade II originating from Nigeria, called clade IIb. This was sexually transmitted, predominantly affecting men who have sex with men, and had a low fatality rate. That epidemic peaked in 2022, with vaccines made available to people at risk in high-income countries, but there has been an uptick in 2024. At the same time, large clade I epidemics were occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but with far less attention. Vaccines were not available there, even in 2023, when there were 14,626 cases and 654 deaths. Mortality was 4.5 per cent, and higher in children. In fact, most cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been children. This means most transmission there is non-sexual and is likely to have occurred through close contact or respiratory aerosols. However, in 2023 an <keyword id="20877025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="outbreak" source="keywords">outbreak</keyword> in a non-endemic part of the country, South Kivu in the east, appeared to be by sexual transmission, indicating more than one epidemic and different transmission modes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By mid-2024, there were already more cases in the country than all of 2023 - more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. Testing capacity is low in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, most cases are not confirmed by lab testing, and the data we have are from a small sample of genomic sequences from the Kamituga region of South Kivu. This show mutations to the clade I virus around September 2023, to a variant termed clade Ib, which is more readily transmissible between people. We do not have much data to compare these viruses with the viruses causing cases in the rest of the country. <h2>Mpox is spreading internationally</h2> In the past month, the virus has spread to countries that share a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Rwanda and Burundi. It has also spread to other east African countries, such as Kenya and Uganda. None of these countries have had mpox cases previously. In an interconnected, mobile world, cases may spread to other continents, as mpox did in 2018 from Nigeria to the United Kingdom and other countries. A few travel-related cases between 2018 and 2019 may have led to the large multi-country 2022 clade IIb epidemic. <h2>We have vaccines, but not where they are needed</h2> As the mpox virus and smallpox viruses are related (they are both orthopoxviruses), smallpox vaccines offer protection against mpox. These vaccines were used to control the 2022 clade IIb epidemic. However, most of the world has never been vaccinated, and has no immunity to mpox. The newer <keyword id="19959412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine" source="keywords">vaccine</keyword> (called Jynneos in some countries and Imvamune or Imvanex in others) is effective. However, supplies are limited, and vaccine is scarce in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. WHO's declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern will help mobilise vaccines to where they are needed. The Africa Centres for Disease Control had already begun negotiations to secure 2,00,000 doses of vaccine, which is a fraction of what is required to control the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. <h2>What happens now?</h2> Ultimately, a serious epidemic anywhere in the world is a concern for all of us, as it can spread globally through travel, as we saw with the COVID pandemic. Controlling it at the source is the best measure, and WHO's latest declaration will help mobilise the required resources. Surveillance for spread of this more serious version of mpox is also essential, bearing in mind that many countries do not have the capacity for widespread testing. So we'll have to rely on "suspected cases", based on a clinical definition, to keep track of the epidemic. Open-source epidemic intelligence - such as using AI to monitor trends in rash and fever illness - can also be used as an early warning system in countries with weak health systems or delayed reporting of cases. A further complication is that 20-30 per cent of people with mpox may simultaneously have chickenpox, an unrelated infection that also causes a rash. So an initial diagnosis of chickenpox (which is easier to test for) does not rule out mpox. Effective communication and tackling push-back against public health measures and disinformation is also key. We saw how important this was during the COVID pandemic. Now, WHO will coordinate the global mpox response, focusing on equity in disease prevention and access to diagnostics and vaccines. It is up to individual countries to do their best to comply with the International Health Regulations, and the protocols for how such a global emergency are managed.

WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency. What happens next?

In 2007, <keyword id="21532126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brian-chesky" source="keywords">Brian Chesky</keyword> and Joe Gebbia, two hustlers in San Francisco, were struggling to pay their rent. To make ends meet, they devised a creative solution: renting out air mattresses in their living room to travellers. This simple yet innovative idea, dubbed "Air Bed &amp; Breakfast," aimed to offer affordable lodging options by leveraging the unused space in people's homes. It created a new industry in itself and made <keyword id="19900375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AirBnB" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AirBnB" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AirBnB">AirBnB</keyword> a startup worth dozens of Billions. But it did create a dilemma for travellers! As the service quality tends to vary quite a lot based on the location and the host, how can you be sure that your stay will be comfortable? <h2>A monsoon staycation in <keyword id="19895061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="goa" source="keywords">Goa</keyword></h2>In mid-August, my friend and I planned a week-long budget staycation in Goa to relish the monsoons and enjoy the hospitality of this tourist paradise of India. But the very first day, the long and arduous bus travel from Goa’s Dabolim airport to our AirBnB in Palolem wringed out every bit of our zeal for adventure from our bodies. It was dark, raining cats and dogs and we could not see a thing on our two-wheeler journey from the bus stop to our AirBnB. Only our strong desire to find a mattress (hopefully dry) to rest our weary backs on got us to our destination. It was 10 PM when we reached our homestay and it was still raining, giving us a real taste of the Goan monsoon we were so eager to experience. The caretaker was nowhere to be found, but our host assured us via WhatsApp that all had been taken care of and that we just needed to get the keys from the security guard stationed outside the gated community. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112809655" title="Hosts have ruined Airbnb with excessive fees, high demands, and bad customer service, travel experts say" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Struggles at the Goa AirBnB </h2>Soaked to our bones and shivering, we were quick to follow his bidding. As the key turned in the door, I was already thrumming with excitement at the prospect of a hot bath and warm blankets. However, as we stepped inside, the musty scents of mould and rotting wood hit our nostrils. Still optimistic, we warily ventured inside, reassuring each other that the room just needed a little bit of airing out. Peak monsoon was still in its last vestiges and the place had been closed for a long time, it was only normal for the place to smell musty, we comforted each other. But once we’d taken care of our sodden selves and equally sodden luggage, we got a closer look at our accommodation — the one we had booked after much deliberation and thoroughly going through the reviews. The place didn’t just reek of mould, the black stuff was everywhere and the smell wasn’t going anywhere. One asthmatic looked to the other, knowing that staying here for the entire duration of our trip was out of the question. Amongst them, the socially awkward one told the people-pleasey one to speak with the host and inform him of what was going on. When we texted our “superhost”, he offered to shift us to another property he owned in the same building. But lo and behold, that flat was just as bad, if not worse. We finally made the tough call of possibly upsetting our host and asking for a refund so we could find another property. Simultaneously speaking with him and AirBnB <keyword id="19925749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customer-support" source="keywords">customer support</keyword>, we shared why we couldn’t continue our stay there and attached a bunch of pictures — clearly displaying the mould and dust. The response was pleasantly surprising! <h2>Experience with the customer service</h2>The customer service executive immediately agreed to cancel our reservation and our host agreed to refund all of our money as well. In the meantime, we were panicking about finding another accommodation in the short window of time we had. Every passing moment felt like we were inching closer to a night stranded in the storm. Our refund was guaranteed, but there was a twist! The hosting platform said that it would need about 2 weeks to process our refund. And since we were overly confident about our meticulous planning, we didn’t have enough cash to book a whole other property without the refund. We communicated the same to our hosting partner’s customer service and they turned out to be empathetic to our situation. After much back and forth, mostly to get a better understanding of our situation, and which location we wanted to shift to, we finally went to bed at the same property, hoping for amicable resolution in the morning. Within a few hours, the AirBnB asked for our preferences for relocation. We also spoke with our potential new host to make sure their place was mould-free. Soon, customer service got back to us saying that they had reserved the new accommodation for the rest of our week-long trip and also gave us a “one-time courtesy” coupon for the same amount that the new place would cost us. It slowly dawned on us that this meant that our stay would be practically free! All the hopelessness from starting the trip full of rain and rot turned into glee and we wasted no time packing up our bags and riding off to our new destination — which turned out to be much cleaner, mould-free and in a much better location! <h2>Takeaway</h2>Our main takeaway from the whole experience was that you cannot research a place enough! When looking at reviews, firstly make sure that there are enough of them, and then ensure that they’re recent. Read between the lines and ask your potential host very specific questions. Most importantly, document any issues that you’re having immediately because Airbnb generally sides with the guest if there’s clear evidence, as per reports. Have a few alternative listings saved in case something goes wrong, especially during peak travel times or in popular locations and keep some extra funds handy for emergencies, like needing to book a hotel for a night while sorting out an issue with Airbnb or the host. This way, you can possibly skirt past the problems we faced during our stay and increase your chances of having a positive homestay experience! <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112495578" title="Airbnb&amp;#39;s struggles go beyond people spending less. They&amp;#39;re losing some travelers to hotels." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

An AirBnB property almost ruined our Goa staycation, but customer support saved the day with another free accommodation!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US deployed its <keyword id="23312251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mid-Range-Capability" source="keywords">Mid-Range Capability</keyword>, or <keyword id="23312252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Typhon" source="keywords">Typhon</keyword>, system to the Pacific earlier this year.</li><li><keyword id="19894886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="keywords">China</keyword> has expressed frustration with its deployment in the <keyword id="19941735" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Philippines" source="keywords">Philippines</keyword> and possible plans for Japan.</li></ul>China has been up in arms over a new <keyword id="23311373" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="US-missile-system" source="keywords">US missile system</keyword> that showed up in the <keyword id="19909557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indo-Pacific" source="keywords">Indo-Pacific</keyword> earlier this year, with government officials in Beijing complaining about the weapon repeatedly, including twice in the past week alone. The US military deployed its Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system to the Philippines in April, and US military officials have expressed interest in deploying it in Japan. The MRC is a versatile new ground-based missile system that is capable of firing the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-aircraft-spotted-sm6-missile-newly-tested-in-combat-2024-7"> Standard Missile 6 (SM-6)</a> and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-submarines-getting-ship-killer-missile-able-to-counter-china-2023-12"> Tomahawk Land Attack Missile System</a>. Developed for the US Army, the system is intended to fill a key gap in the US arsenal, but it's raising concerns as the US military begins deploying land-based intermediate-range missiles once barred by a now-defunct arms-control treaty. The US military deployed the missile system overseas for the first time in April, putting it in the Philippines amid a joint exercise between the two militaries. It was characterized as a "landmark deployment" marking "a significant milestone for the new capability while enhancing interoperability, readiness, and defense capabilities in coordination" with the Philippines, US Army Pacific<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usarpac.army.mil/Our-Story/Our-News/Article-Display/Article/3740807/"> said</a> at the time. While the new weapon wasn't fired during the exercise, its presence in the region irked China, which demanded the system be removed. <div type="image" title="Navy USS Savannah SM-6 containerized missile" height="1080" width="1920" msid="113644413" hostid="261"></div>Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said in August that his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-got-dramatic-over-us-missile-system-in-pacific-ally-2024-8"> expressed concern over Typhon</a> while the two talked at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Laos a month earlier. Manalo said China made the situation "very dramatic" despite reassurances. Earlier this month, the US said it had no plans to remove MRC from the Philippines, which also isn't in a rush to see it go. The move angered Beijing further. "China has made clear our opposition more than once," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202409/t20240919_11493204.html"> said</a> last Thursday during a regular press conference. He added that "the deployment is a move to turn back the wheel of history. It gravely threatens regional countries' security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region." The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-china-missile-problem-getting-worse-2024-5">Chinese military's Rocket Force</a> notably maintains a substantial missile arsenal that includes medium- and intermediate-range systems that put US assets and bases in the region at risk, leading the US to rethink its assets and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. China's MRC woes may not be limited to the Philippines, which has expressed interest in acquiring its own mid-range weapons and training on the American weapon. Deploying the MRC in Japan is apparently on the table, too. At a Defense News conference on September 4, the secretary of the US Army, Christine Wormuth, said the US and Japan had discussed placing a Typhon there. Lin<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202409/t20240918_11492497.html"> said</a> during a press briefing last Wednesday that the US was "hellbent" on its military investment in the Pacific region, noting that putting Typhon in Japan "will heighten arms race, exacerbate regional tensions, threaten peace and security in this region, and disrupt global strategic balance and stability." Lin said that China has urged the US to abandon its plans. <div type="image" title="A Tomahawk land attack missile in flight" height="3571" width="2551" msid="113644415" hostid="261"></div>During the Trump administration, in response to serious allegations of Russian violations, the US officially withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty — which banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. Since 2019, the door has been wide open for the development and deployment of these weapons. US allegations that Russia violated the treaty prompted Moscow to resign from the agreement. Russia is said to have violated the Cold War-era arms-control pact by developing and fielding the SSC-8/9M729 missile system. Arms-control experts have said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's violation of the INF Treaty and subsequent US developments would likely have a snowball effect. Not only are new missiles showing up in the Pacific, but there are plans for Europe as well. The US and some of its NATO allies formally announced in July they were pushing ahead with plans to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-europe-long-range-weapons-bring-back-cold-war-danger-2024-7"> develop and field new long-range strike options in Europe</a> after seeing the value of such weapons in the war in Ukraine. Some experts suggested that this emerging arms race<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-allies-to-develop-long-range-missiles-fill-critical-gap-2024-7"> reflects one of the most dangerous aspects of the Cold War</a>. Correction: September 25, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misspelled the surname of the secretary of the US Army. She's Christine Wormuth, not Christine Warmouth.

A new US missile system that showed up in the Pacific this year keeps making China more and more unhappy

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="20851936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ukrainian-drones" source="keywords">Ukrainian drones</keyword> won't need operators in as little as six months, a Ukrainian commander said.</li><li>Artificial intelligence-enabled drones are being rapidly developed, tested, and deployed.</li></ul>In just a matter of months, Ukraine may no longer need pilots for its drone force, a special drone unit commander said recently. The expected shift towards autonomous and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-allies-look-to-ai-for-help-with-naval-operations-2023-12">artificial intelligence-enabled systems</a> would mark an important development in the continued <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-russia-locked-cat-and-mouse-game-drone-production-official-2024-6">drone arms race between Russia and Ukraine</a>. In as little as six months, Ukraine's drone force could shift to <keyword id="20233903" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-systems" source="keywords">AI systems</keyword>, <keyword id="23328745" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Robert-Brovdi" source="keywords">Robert Brovdi</keyword>, the founder and commander of the "<keyword id="23328746" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Madyar-Birds" source="keywords">Madyar Birds</keyword>" special drone unit, said in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOzLRul3o3A">a conversation with The Economist</a> earlier this month. He said the unmanned aerial vehicles will be "pilotless completely without any operators." He talked about the ongoing development and testing of hundreds of AI systems, explaining that soldiers will only need to launch the aircraft. From there, the drone "will decide on its own where to go and how to hit the target." Brovdi added that the weapons will be able to tell friends from foes. It's unclear to which systems Brovdi is referring, although various Ukrainian and Western companies have been working on autonomous capabilities for drones. One Ukrainian company's AI drones have already been used on the battlefield to carry out <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/10/17/ukraines-ai-drones-seek-and-attack-russian-forces-without-human-oversight/">autonomous strikes</a> on Russian forces. But many of the drones on the battlefield, be they cheap first-person-view drones or higher-end systems, still use human operators. Brovdi said that the Ukrainian soldiers who have been at the forefront of employing unmanned systems in the war have garnered years of experience and will be able to help train NATO militaries in <keyword id="20675065" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="drone-warfare" source="keywords">drone warfare</keyword>. Brovdi said that "this will become an element of our practical gratitude for your assistance in our fight for our freedom and for our country and for our families," referencing the ongoing support for Ukraine from its Western partners. <div type="image" title="US Army drones at a military base in Poland." height="1414" width="2121" msid="113642773" hostid="261"></div>Brovdi's comments highlight the continued development of various drone capabilities amid the war in Ukraine. Drones have become a defining element of the war, as has the resulting arms race. Both sides in this conflict are using unmanned systems en masse and developing new countermeasures. As FPV drones emerged as a serious threat, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-electronic-warfare-shows-us-needs-for-future-wars-2024-5">extensive electronic warfare</a> was employed to counter them. Tethered drones connected to the operator by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russias-unjammable-wired-drones-arent-end-all-game-changer-2024-8">fiber optic cables</a> were then used to defeat jamming. Autonomous, AI-driven drones would also be immune. Drones have drastically changed what the modern battlefield looks like and pushed Western armies such as the US to further prioritize the development of unmanned systems and options for eliminating them in combat. <div type="image" title="A missile explodes in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike on October 8, 2023." height="4373" width="6550" msid="113642774" hostid="261"></div>Discussions about AI in drones and other weapons systems have been ongoing in recent years. Earlier this year, the Pentagon <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stricter-ai-rules-fears-pentagon-building-killer-robots-in-basement-2024-1" target="_blank">updated its directive on autonomy in weapons systems</a>, a move the deputy secretary of defense, Kathleen Hicks, attributed to "the dramatic advances in technology happening all around us." Militaries like the US have been thinking bigger when it comes to AI, including <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-militarys-ai-fighter-jet-pilot-making-dramatic-advances-officer-2024-6">autonomous fighter jets</a>, warships, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-drone-boats-deadly-weapons-first-time-middle-east-2023-11">more</a>. But with the rise of AI comes a range of concerns about letting autonomous systems make kill decisions. Earlier this year, reports of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-using-ai-gaza-targets-terrifying-glimpse-at-future-war-2024-4">Israel using AI to locate and target Hamas operatives</a> raised a number of concerns about how to keep the human in the loop. The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-could-shape-future-of-war-starting-with-wargaming-experts-2024-2">AI race in militaries</a> has also led to international disputes about whether to impose regulations on how to develop and use AI weapons. Some major players, such as the US, Russia, and Israel have argued there's no need for new international regulations on such capabilities. Others, however, argue that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/future-of-warfare-is-catastrophic-and-robotic-former-general-says-2023-5">rules need to be put in place</a> sooner rather than later. Correction: September 26, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misspelled the surname of the US deputy secretary of defense. She's Kathleen Hicks, not Kathleen Kicks.

Ukrainian unit commander predicts drone warfare will be truly unmanned in a matter of months and won't need human pilots

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Baltimore bridge collapse is indicative of the country's struggling infrastructure.</li><li>Approaches to the bridge's rebuilding could help improve other construction projects.</li></ul>A key feature is missing over the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The water still glistens, and cargo ships still pass by on their way in and out of the port. But the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/doj-lawsuit-baltimore-francis-scott-key-bridge-ship-crash-2024-9">Francis Scott Key Bridge</a>, which had spanned the river since 1977, is no longer there.In March, a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-we-know-dali-francis-scott-crash-collapse-maryland-bridge-2024-3">container ship</a> crashed into one of the bridge's piers. The bridge <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/francis-scott-key-bridge-no-chance-against-large-impact-experts-2024-3">collapsed</a>, killing six people. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/baltimore-bridge-collapse-response-timing-mayday-call-saved-lives-2024-3">Rescue efforts</a> began immediately, and local authorities sprang into action to keep commerce and traffic flowing.Now, six months out, the conversation has shifted from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wes-moore-interview-baltimore-port-key-bridge-collapse-supply-chains-2024-4">recovery</a> to rebuilding. The Maryland Transportation Authority board <a target="_blank" href="https://mdta.maryland.gov/blog-category/mdta-news-releases/mdta-board-approves-progressive-design-build-contract-francis">approved a $73 million phase-one contract</a> with Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., a firm with a long history of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kiewit.com/markets/transportation/bridges/">bridge projects</a>. The rebuild is expected to begin next year, with the replacement bridge scheduled to open in fall 2028.James Harkness, the chief engineer for the Maryland Transportation Authority, told Business Insider the phase-one contract was one of the biggest milestones to date on the bridge-rebuilding project."We are beginning to meet the new team, get acquainted, and start design concepts in earnest," Harkness said.As the project gets underway, insights are emerging on how to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge to best future-proof the roadway for supporting local transportation and global supply chains. Baltimore project teams could draw from US bridge projects in the recent past and consider new risks in today's society.<h2 id="fcb7f918-af82-424b-8798-edfb2bc63ccf">Lessons from bridge to bridge</h2>Baltimore and other bridge tragedies over the years have raised alarms on infrastructure nationwide. For decades, "our nation has sunk into <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/baltimore-bridge-fracture-critical-vulnerable-collapse-2024-3">ignoring the status of its bridges</a>," with maintenance falling by the wayside, said Barry LePatner, a construction attorney, the founder of LePatner &amp; Associates, and the author of "Too Big to Fall: America's Failing Infrastructure and the Way Forward."In its 2021 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers said that about 46,000 of the country's bridges, or 7.5%, were in <a target="_blank" href="https://infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/bridges-infrastructure/">poor condition</a> and that 42% of bridges were at least 50 years old.The impact of deteriorating infrastructure extends beyond the initial damage from a collapse, reverberating to surrounding communities. In Baltimore, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-fedex-deliveries-baltimore-could-be-impacted-by-bridge-collapse-2024-3">businesses on either side of the bridge took a hit</a> as traffic was redirected to the city's tunnels and other roads.<div type="image" title="Police car blocking off an entrance to the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland." height="2187" width="3281" msid="113607063" hostid="261" sizebytes="590462"></div>"If there's a diner on either side of the bridge that collapsed, those diners don't have any business," LePatner said, adding that local businesses and communities could face millions of dollars in "economic harm," depending on how long repairs and reconstruction took.The Baltimore bridge collapse reminded many in the industry of a 1980 tragedy in Tampa, Florida, where a freighter struck the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2024/03/28/sunshine-skyway-baltimore-bridge-collapse-dolphins-barriers/">Sunshine Skyway Bridge</a>, causing it to collapse. The incident prompted US government officials to publish requirements for new structures in the 1990s, including the addition of fenders to help bridges withstand a ship collision. But older bridges were grandfathered in."There are many changes since the late '60s, early '70s when Key Bridge was permitted and designed, so we're going to be meeting or exceeding all of the current standards for the new bridge," Harkness said.The Federal Highway Administration classified the Baltimore bridge, along with thousands of others in the US, as "fracture-critical." This term describes bridges with nonredundant components or connections, meaning the structures rely on individual parts to support them."That means if one piece breaks, the entire bridge goes down," LePatner said.LePatner pointed to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge as a standout example, which replaced the Tappan Zee Bridge, north of New York City, in 2018. The Tappan Zee, built in the '50s, was also fracture-critical and at risk of collapsing.While the bridge isn't near a seaport like the Key Bridge, the new Cuomo bridge was "built with all the redundancies," LePatner said, adding: "It's state of the art."<h2 id="45e9f35a-a748-432f-9497-71eec2ed98fd">An era of new risk</h2>Some experts view the original construction of Baltimore's Key Bridge in the '70s as well done for its time. Vessel traffic was less frequent, and cargo ships were smaller and lighter. Standards didn't require bridges to account for the risk of ship collision, said Michael Shields, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore."The risk to major bridges today is very different than it was in the 1970s," Shields said.It wasn't until 2016, when an expansion of the Panama Canal opened, that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-increasing-size-of-container-ships-collapsed-baltimore-bridge-2024-3">megaships</a> started to transit the waterways. The newer ships are about 235 feet longer than the older ones, and they can carry <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aapa-ports.org/files/Panamax%20vs%20Post-Panamax%20comparison%20article.pdf">12,000 shipping containers</a>, making them significantly heavier than older vessels transporting 4,500 containers."Nobody ever envisioned the size of the ships today," said Bill Doyle, the CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America and a former executive director of the Port of Baltimore. "The size and the mass and the weight of that ship — it's taking something down" if it collides with a bridge, he added.The change to ships, along with growth in global trade and e-commerce, has driven an increase in cargo tonnage at many US ports, including the Port of Baltimore.Before the bridge collapse, Baltimore's tonnage hovered around <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://opendata.maryland.gov/Transportation/Maryland-Port-Administration-General-Cargo/2ir4-626w/data_preview">700,000 container tons a month</a>, Maryland's Open Data Portal found. Before the Panama Canal expansion, the figures were closer to 500,000. Shields said his research indicated that the Key Bridge was among "the most heavily trafficked bridges for extremely large ships in the US."<h2 id="20eccb2d-ce52-4ab8-8aa0-f8ac93407689">Building for the future</h2>Experts expect the Baltimore rebuild team to consider the risk of ship collision, the construction of redundancies, and ongoing maintenance.With large, heavy cargo ships going under the bridge, LePatner predicts the eventual Key Bridge may be supported from one end of the ground to the other across the waterway, instead of with piers. That way, in the event of a ship collision, there may be damage but not an entire collapse.Doyle hopes to see a holistic approach that focuses on the bridge's engineering and design, as well as the operations of ships passing beneath it. That includes using tugboats to guide massive ships. Doyle said he suspected if tugboats had helped guide the ship in and out of the Port of Baltimore on the day of the crash, the collision may not have happened.Shields advised doing an assessment of ship-collision risk ahead of the Baltimore rebuild and for future bridge projects. Across the US, "we don't currently have a good enough understanding of the risks to make informed decisions about what protections are appropriate for a given bridge — new or existing," Shields said.As the project gets underway, the lessons learned in conducting risk assessments and designing the bridge could serve as a guide for rebuilding other parts of America's infrastructure."Everyone is watching this project," Harkness said. "It's of national and international interest."

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