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The fastest way to turn public sentiment in your favour might just be pulling off the sort of engineering marvel the world has never seen before and casually making history — because the internet cannot stop talking about <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> and his “chopsticks”.<br /><br />In case you don’t know what we’re talking about, <keyword id="19905255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpaceX" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SpaceX" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SpaceX">SpaceX</keyword> recently “caught” its massive, 15-storey tall <keyword id="23544091" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Super-Heavy-rocket" source="keywords">Super Heavy rocket</keyword> Booster as it approached Earth using mechanical arms — the <keyword id="20215700" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chopsticks" source="keywords">chopsticks</keyword> in question. After its launch in Texas, the booster returned to pad just 7 minutes later and neatly fell into the tower’s arms.<div type="twitter" handle="shaunmmaguire" handlename="shaunmmaguire" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1845444890764644694"></div>These massive mechanical arms on the launch tower were designed to catch the <keyword id="23533141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rocket-booster" source="keywords">rocket booster</keyword> mid-air as it returned to the launch pad, rather than letting it crash into the ground or splash into the ocean. Might we add, this was a test flight that was a part of Elon Musk’s efforts to make the Starship system fully reusable and they got it right in the first try!<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Starship rocket, which flew to more than 130 miles in altitude, also successfully completed a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean. SpaceX intends on finding ways to make that reusable as well. And as Elon himself said, this is an important step towards making <keyword id="23544092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="multiplanetary-travel" source="keywords">multiplanetary travel</keyword> possible — something the man’s been talking about for years.<div type="twitter" handle="elonmusk" handlename="elonmusk" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1845463518671466934"></div>But as mind-numbingly cool as this entire event was, how exactly do these chopsticks tie into the multiplanetary transport goal — and also potentially alter the course of human history?<br /><h2>Boosting reusability and good ol’ cost-cutting</h2>Sending a rocket to space and having it come back usually means that it's going to splash down in water or worse — hard-land. Traditionally, rockets are either destroyed after use or land in the ocean, requiring complex recovery operations. By catching the rocket more gently using the chopstick manoeuvre, the rocket booster experiences less damage and can be refurbished and reused more quickly and with fewer repairs.<br /><br />This brings us to the other important barrier in making interplanetary travel a thing: how insanely expensive it is. SpaceX's goal is to make space travel affordable and efficient by reusing rockets instead of discarding them after each launch. Fully <keyword id="23532644" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reusable-rockets" source="keywords">reusable rockets</keyword> drastically reduce the costs of launching payloads into space, making regular <keyword id="20018231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-missions" source="keywords">space missions</keyword> more feasible. By catching and reusing the massive Super Heavy boosters, SpaceX can slash the costs associated with building new rockets for every mission.<br /><br />Not to mention, it would also help cut costs if we didn’t need to go fetch the booster back from remote landing sites.<br /><h2>More efficient and frequent launches!</h2>Apart from the cost aspect of it, the ability to catch and reuse these massive boosters directly at the launch site means SpaceX can streamline the whole launch process as it eliminates the need to transport the boosters back. Reusability also means that SpaceX can shorten the time between launches, allowing for more frequent spaceflights. This would also save time and resources, making space missions more practical and sustainable for the long haul.<br /><br />This means the company can launch more often, potentially sending supplies, habitats, and crew to the Moon or Mars on a regular basis. For humanity to survive and thrive on another planet, we’ll need a reliable and consistent flow of resources. The "Chopsticks" help create a logistical system where rockets can be prepped and launched frequently, something critical for long-term colonisation.<br /><h2>Scaling up for deep space missions</h2>The Super Heavy booster that the "Chopsticks" caught isn’t just any rocket — it’s the most powerful ever built. Starship, the spacecraft designed to ride atop this booster, is intended to carry massive payloads, including people and cargo, on interplanetary missions. The ability to catch and reuse such a large rocket is a technical leap that will make future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond more feasible. <br /><br />However, safely recovering and reusing these enormous boosters is a technical challenge that SpaceX needs to master if it hopes to send frequent missions to Mars. With each test flight, SpaceX refines the technology that will one day send astronauts to colonise other planets. And by developing this technology, SpaceX is paving the way for the continuous, cost-effective supply chain necessary to support human colonies on other planets.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113162328" title="Elon Musk: SpaceX to launch first Starships to Mars in two years" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

3 ways SpaceX’s “chopsticks” tie into making multiplanetary transport possible!

Amid the severe pollution gripping the national capital, <keyword id="19948557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-metro" source="keywords">Delhi Metro</keyword> recorded its highest-ever daily ridership on November 18, with a staggering 78.67 lakh passenger journeys, according to official data. This figure exceeded the previous high of 77.49 lakh passengers on August 20 of this year, the data said. <br /><br />On November 18, the Yellow Line, which connects Millennium City Centre in Gurugram to Samaypur Badli in Delhi, saw the highest passenger traffic, with a record 20.99 lakh commuters. <br /><br />The Blue Line followed closely with 20.80 lakh passengers, while the Red Line recorded 8.56 lakh commuters, 8.15 lakh in Pink Line and 7.93 lakh in Violet Line. <br /><br />The Magenta Line saw 6.19 lakh passengers, followed by the Green Line with 4.12 lakh commuters, 81,985 in Airport Line, 57,701 in Rapid Metro, and 50,128, in the Grey Line, as per the data. <br /><br />Thick grey haze continued to choke Delhi for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, with pollution levels remaining alarmingly high at 488 in the 'severe plus' category. <br /><br />To encourage more people to use the metro in this scenario, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is running 60 extra trips on weekdays, offering more capacity than usual, an official statement said. <br /><br />The DMRC has recorded its 25 highest passenger journeys since August this year, the statement added. <br /><br />It emphasised that the more people opt for the metro over private vehicles, the greater the reduction in vehicular emissions, which will help improve the air quality of the city and its surrounding areas. <br /><br />In addition, the DMRC has introduced several measures to make travel more convenient for passengers, the statement read. <br /><br />These include the ability to book single or multiple journey tickets through various digital platforms, allowing passengers to plan their journeys anytime and anywhere without the need to stand in queues at the station. <br /><br />Furthermore, partnerships with organisations such as IRCTC, NCRTC, ITPO, and others have made it easier for people to not only travel by metro but also access interconnected travel options, along with various offers and events, all with seamless ease, the statement said. <br /><br />The DMRC also stated that it is one of the most <keyword id="24050954" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmentally-friendly-transport" source="keywords">environmentally friendly transport</keyword> options and the first metro system in the world to be registered for carbon credits with the United Nations for its environmental measures.

Severe pollution pushes Delhi Metro to record its highest-ever daily ridership on November 18

Artificial Intelligence in Transportation

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia has received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran, NATO countries confirmed on Tuesday.</li><li>The US said Russia used a vessel called the Port Olya-3 to transport the missiles.</li></ul><p>A cargo ship suspected of transporting ballistic missiles from Iran was seen at a port in Russia last week, according to newly released satellite imagery.</p><p>The US and its European allies confirmed Tuesday that Russia has received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran and is likely to use them to attack Ukraine within the coming weeks, calling the development a major escalation in the war.</p><p>Moscow received its first shipments of missiles in early September and used a Russian-flagged vessel called the Port Olya-3 to transport the weapons from Iran, the US Treasury Department said.</p><p>Satellite imagery recently captured by Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider shows <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/11/europe/russia-iran-ballistic-missiles-satellite-intl/index.html">what has been identified</a> as Olya-3 at Port Olya on September 4. The port is located along the Caspian Sea in southwestern Russia's Astrakhan region.</p><p>Several days earlier, in late August, Olya-3 was docked at the Iranian port of Amirabad, in the opposite corner of the Caspian Sea, publicly available ship tracking data shows.</p><div type="image" title="A satellite image of a port, where multiple cargo vessels can be seen." height="1444" width="2214" msid="113270601" hostid="261" sizebytes="398644"></div><div type="image" title="A satellite image of a port, where multiple cargo vessels can be seen." height="1446" width="2098" msid="113270603" hostid="261" sizebytes="338320"></div><p>Sky News <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://news.sky.com/story/russian-ship-captured-in-satellite-image-delivering-ballistic-missiles-from-iran-13212835">first reported</a> the newly available satellite imagery on Wednesday.</p><p>Olya-3 regularly transits the Caspian Sea to move cargo between Iran and Russia, according to the Treasury Department, which <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2570">announced sanctions on the vessel</a> as part of widespread measures targeting Tehran and its assets in response to the missile transfers.</p><p>US officials said dozens of Russian military personnel trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 missiles that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ballistic-missiles-iran-greater-flexibility-ukraine-us-warns-2024-9">Tehran has now delivered to Moscow</a>. These short-range ballistic missiles have satellite guidance and a maximum range of around 75 miles.</p><p>The missiles can be equipped with a 330-pound warhead, posing a deadly threat to Ukrainian military positions and civilian infrastructure.</p><p>It's unclear exactly how many missiles Russia received, although the Treasury Department said Moscow and Tehran signed an agreement in late 2023 for the supply of hundreds of missiles.</p><p>John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said that Russia could use the new Iranian missiles on closer-range targets in Ukraine while saving its own ballistic missiles to strike deeper.</p><div type="image" title="A missile launch, with fire erupting from the back and smoke filling the area." height="1125" width="2000" msid="113270600" hostid="261" sizebytes="63018"></div><p>The Biden administration has long warned of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-russia-defense-ties-worry-us-but-tehran-doubts-moscow-2023-7">deepening military ties</a> between Russia and Iran. Kirby said Tuesday that Moscow has shared space-related information and much-sought-after nuclear technology with Tehran.</p><p>The British, French, and German governments called the delivery an "escalation by both Iran and Russia" and "a direct threat to European security."</p><p>"This is a further escalation of Iran's military support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and will see Iranian missiles reaching European soil, increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people," the countries said in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/e3/2675032?pk_campaign=newsletter_Press_release_2024_09_10&amp;pk_kwd=link_E3+Foreign+Ministers%E2%80%99+Statement+on+Iranian+transfers+of+Ballistic+Missiles+to+Russia">joint statement</a>.</p><p>The delivery of Fath-360 missiles marks the latest weapons transfer from abroad to Russia as it continues to depend on other pariah states like Iran and North Korea for military assistance to help sustain its war machine in Ukraine.</p><p>Iran has also supplied Russia with one-way attack drones, while North Korea has given Moscow ballistic missiles and artillery. Western countries, including the US, have condemned these transactions as destabilizing and escalatory.</p><p>Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Tuesday that it's likely the recent transfer of missiles between Iran and Russia won't be a "one-time good deal," noting that Moscow could seek additional munitions in the future.</p>

Satellite images show the Russian cargo ship that transported ballistic missiles from Iran

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia is still using blacklisted ships to transport its oil, per Bloomberg data. </li><li>The nation loaded at least 17 cargoes of oil and oil products onto ships sanctioned by the West.</li></ul><p>Russia is leaning more heavily on crude tankers that have been blacklisted from the West in a sign Moscow is still finding ways to skirt Western restrictions on its oil trade.</p><p>Since April, Russian ports have loaded at least 17 cargoes of oil and oil products onto ships that have already been restricted by the West, according to Bloomberg ship tracking data.</p><p>Moscow appears to have ramped up its use of sanctioned vessels over the last several months. A dozen sanctioned ships were known to load Russian crude and crude products in August and September, up from just one sanctioned ship recorded in April, the outlet reported.</p><p>Many of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-sanction-oil-tankers-shadow-fleet-crude-exports-price-cap-2024-2">Russia's sanctioned oil tankers were idle</a> after they were placed under trade restrictions, but some seemed to have operated under the radar and have recently started to show up on digital tracking systems, Bloomberg reported.</p><p>The Bratsk and Belgorod, for instance, two ships sanctioned by the West, had fallen off the map during their first trip after they had been sanctioned. But both reappeared this month after docking and unloading their cargoes in China, the outlet said.</p><p>Another 20 sanctioned tankers are known to be idling near Russia's coasts or anchored at Russian ports, the report added.</p><p>Putin has openly brushed off Western sanctions on its oil trade, calling the Western ban and $60 price cap on its crude "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/vladimir-putin-russian-oil-price-cap-eu-ban-production-cut-2022-12">stupid</a>" shortly after those measures were implemented. But even the nation's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-west-secondary-sanctions-hitting-oil-exports-payments-revenue-2024-3">central bankers have admitted</a> that sanctions are crimping its oil business, with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russian-energy-revenue-crude-oil-prices-gas-exports-sanctions-ukraine-2024-1">Russia's energy revenues dropping</a> by nearly a quarter last year.</p><p>Falling crude prices also appear to be hitting Russia's oil trade. In the first week of September, Moscow <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-economy-oil-war-revenue-crude-prices-opec-production-cut-2024-9">pulled just $1.44 billion from its oil exports</a>, the lowest crude revenue recorded since January, Bloomberg previously reported.</p>

Sanctioned tankers are back to transporting Russian oil in a blow to the West's efforts to restrict crude flows

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My family recently visited <keyword id="20054308" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ireland" source="keywords">Ireland</keyword> to celebrate my son's third birthday.</li><li>It's the perfect country to visit with a toddler.</li></ul>Many families dream of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-go-in-europe-travel-planner-favorite-destinations-2024-10">traveling around Europe</a> because it's a great continent for kids. I've been to every country in Europe (except Russia), and in my opinion, one of these countries provides the ideal destination for toddlers: Ireland. I recently went with my own 3-year-old, and we had an amazing time.<br /><br />As soon as our ferry docked in Dublin, my son seemed amazed. My partner and I organized the trip to celebrate his third birthday, and I shouldn't have been surprised he was enjoying himself, as nowhere is quite as magical as Ireland.<br /><br />    <div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland's son running on a beach in Ireland." height="1536" width="2048" msid="114281848" hostid="261"></div><h2>The coast acts as a wonderful base for a family trip</h2>An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-under-the-radar-places-in-ireland-2022-4">ideal way to see Ireland</a> as a family is to stay in a cottage or caravan near the coast, which can act as your base for exploring the surrounding areas by car, bike, or <keyword id="19919009" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-transport" source="keywords">public transport</keyword>. This was what we decided to do and was a great choice; Ireland's roads are quieter than much of the rest of Europe, as it is sparsely populated, aside from its main cities. Even though you should take the usual precautions, it felt safe and people are very welcoming, especially to children.<br /><br />If you want to learn about Ireland's tangible history without the kids getting bored, there are so many beautifully preserved castles and estates with sprawling gardens to get lost in. The famous <keyword id="23623420" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Blarney-Castle" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Blarney Castle" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Blarney Castle">Blarney Castle</keyword> (home of the Blarney stone) is especially intriguing with a rock close, a poison garden, and a waterfall all hidden around its vast grounds.<br /><br />My son enjoyed playing hide-and-seek among the vast avenues adorned with sculptures and giant plants. There is also the John F. Kennedy Arboretum, a huge parkland and tree collection dedicated to the former president.<br /><br />    <div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland's son running in a marsh in Ireland, the sky is cloudy and blue." height="2213" width="2950" msid="114281854" hostid="261"></div><h2>Public transportation is great in Ireland, and wildlife is everywhere</h2>There are many ways to explore Ireland with its excellent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taking-public-transportation-solo-backpacking-europe-2023-9">public transport system</a>, which includes buses, trams, ferries, boats, and trains that little ones will love riding. If you want to extend your overland trip, you can take ferries from the east and southern coasts of Ireland to France, England, Wales, and the Isle of Man to avoid the hassle of flying. You might even see a dolphin or a whale in the Irish Sea if you're lucky.<br /><br />Seals also haul out on the beaches and rocks along the coast, so it's fun to try to spot them. My son loved visiting the Seal Rescue Center in County Wexford, where we saw baby seals being nursed back to health. The abundance of countryside means that there is wildlife everywhere, including seabirds, deer, and otters.<br /><br /><h2>It's not hard to get food for even the pickiest eaters</h2>It also means that there are plenty of farms, so it's easy to find fresh local produce wherever you go. While my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/your-kids-may-not-grow-out-of-picky-eaters-study-2020-5">toddler is a picky eater</a>, the basics in Ireland, like bread, butter, and meat, are all delicious, and he loved the sandwiches and stews.<br /><br />As sustainability is also important there, many towns and cities have zero-waste stores and discounts for people who bring their own coffee cups. Much like any parent with a young child, I'm trying to leave a better world for him, which was much easier to do in Ireland than most places I've visited.<br /><br /><h2>There's just something magical about the country</h2>While these are all reasons enough to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/long-flight-with-toddlers-snacks-entertainment-2024-2">visit Ireland with a toddler</a>, perhaps the best incentive is the mythology behind this emerald isle. From fairies to leprechauns, there is a tale to capture the imagination of every child. The books about mermaids were a particular hit with mine.<br /><br />Museums, visitor centers, and gift shops often sell storybooks, postcards, toys, and trinkets that bring these legends to life in a way that children can bring home with them. There are so many waterfalls, toadstools, coves, and fairy pools to discover all around the country that even as an adult, I believe the stories to be true.<br /><br /><em>Correction: October 16, 2024</em><strong><em> </em></strong><em>— An earlier version of this story misstated where the ferries depart from. They are available on the east and southern coasts, not the west coast.</em><br />

I've traveled to 86 countries and Ireland is the best place I've visited to bring a toddler on vacation

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Transportation

<keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword>’s <keyword id="6396317" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hyperloop" source="Orion">hyperloop</keyword> has been rubberbanding between revolutionary and a literal pipe dream since the SpaceX founder popularised the concept over a decade ago. However, many companies have diligently kept at it, with one recently hitting a major milestone. Let’s look at the breakthrough that marks an important step in developing this high-speed <keyword id="34991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="transportation" source="Orion">transportation</keyword> system that could reshape future travel.<br /><h2>But first, what is the hyperloop?</h2>The hyperloop is a proposed transportation system in which passenger pods would travel through vacuum-sealed tubes at extremely high speeds — estimated to run at over a 1000 kilometres an hour! Introducing the concept in 2012, Musk envisioned a transportation solution where pods would use magnetic levitation and air bearings to travel at remarkable speeds with minimal air resistance. The low-pressure environment within the tubes would make the system highly energy efficient while slashing travel times between major cities.<br /><br />Though Musk initiated the idea, his direct involvement in hyperloop development has been sporadic. Instead, he opened the technology to the world, encouraging companies and universities to take the idea forward. Over the years, various organisations have attempted to make the hyperloop a reality.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113196061" title="Elon Musk may be world&amp;#39;s first trillionaire by 2027, Adani to touch the mark by 2028, Ambani in 2033: Report" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>What happened in the new test?</h2>The latest breakthrough comes from a September 2024 test by <keyword id="23112501" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hardt-hyperloop" source="keywords">Hardt Hyperloop</keyword> in the Netherlands. In this test, the capsule was successfully levitated and propelled inside a 420-metre-long tube using magnetic fields and a depressurised environment. The vehicle reached a modest speed of about 30 kmph in this initial test over 100 metres, while the goal is to eventually achieve speeds of 700 kmph.<br /><br />"The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together," explains Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. The company aims to implement passenger operations by 2030, though the technology still faces challenges like high infrastructure costs.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113178707" title="Not everyone is impressed by Elon Musk&amp;#39;s shiny new AI supercomputer" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>International hyperloop advances and India’s stance</h2><keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword> has also made strides in hyperloop technology. In 2023, China’s maglev hyperloop capsule reportedly reached speeds of 623 kilometres per hour in a controlled environment. With China’s rapid pace of technological development and infrastructure expansion, it has positioned itself as a strong competitor in the global race to perfect hyperloop technology.<br /><br />Several countries beyond China are also advancing hyperloop research. In the United States, the <keyword id="3356943" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyperloop-one" source="Orion">Hyperloop One</keyword> conducted a manned test in 2020, reaching speeds of over 160 kmph. The pod even had two daring passengers — Virgin Hyperloop’s co-founder Josh Giegel and Head of Passenger Experience Sara Luchian. Unfortunately, the company has now shut down, despite being one of the most promising and well-funded hyperloop startups since the introduction of the concept.<br /><br />However, if you’re waiting for the futuristic tech to arrive in India, you’re going to have to wait quite a while longer. Expressing a cautious stance on hyperloop development, NITI Aayog member V. K. Saraswat explained that India is unlikely to see hyperloop trains anytime soon due to the high infrastructure costs and uncertain feasibility for mass transport applications. As per Saraswat, the tech is still at a “low level of maturity”.<br /><br />While the hyperloop has long been touted as a revolutionary transit system, its path to reality has been slow and uncertain. The technology still faces major obstacles, including high costs, regulatory hurdles, and the challenge of building extensive tube networks across countries. However, the recent successful tests, coupled with China’s progress, offer hope that this ambitious project might eventually come to fruition.<br />

Remember Musk's hyperloop? A European company has just completed its first vehicle test for the next-gen mobility tech!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I've been traveling internationally since I was a teenager.</li><li>Since then, I've been to 86 countries and have learned how to travel on a budget.</li></ul><p>As a teenager who lived in a small town, I became obsessed with travel, collecting piles of books written by authors who'd traversed the globe under their own steam. I vowed to do the same and got a job at a bookshop to pay for it. There's nothing like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/overworked-years-until-child-realized-work-doesnt-care-2024-7">working all hours</a> to make you appreciate money, and I vowed not to waste a cent when I did get to see the world.</p><p>After a trip to watch wildlife in Tanzania at 18, I caught the travel bug in a big way which made me even more motivated to save as much cash as possible for future trips. Now, 20 years later, I've <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-beautiful-places-to-visit-from-expert-2024-6">visited 86 countries</a> on a shoestring budget.</p><p>While independent backpacking conjures up images of having to sacrifice various experiences, it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, there have been many occasions when I've stood next to other tourists and looked at exactly the same thing, only I've paid much less to be there than them.</p><div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland wearing a blue shirt and sunglasses." height="1069" width="1600" msid="114082091" hostid="261" sizebytes="179216"></div><h2 id="15b02c8b-5155-4fca-9080-d64c4d6ace53">Stay in a homestay and book with them directly</h2><p>One way I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-ways-to-save-money-on-vacations-travel-points-miles">save money</a> is by booking directly with local businesses instead of through booking services. For example, when I went on a trip to the Kinabatangan River in Borneo to see wildlife like pygmy elephants and orangutans, I found the direct contact details online for a homestay.</p><p>The owner had a boat, and he took us out three times a day to see Malaysia's wildlife over the two days we stayed there. While my partner and I watched the incredible elephants, the other boats arrived, with tourists paying $900 to be there, compared to the $130 that we paid for two nights, all of our meals, and four boat trips. (I noted the names of the companies to find the price online afterward, and I was shocked at the difference.) It feels more ethical, too, as our money went straight to people living by the river instead of a tour company based elsewhere.</p><div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland sitting on the edge of a dock staring at the water drinking a beer." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114082081" hostid="261" sizebytes="588144"></div><h2 id="f49e7ccb-1f02-4965-b2fd-122a2a708c4f">Embrace public transportation</h2><p>While some travelers turn their noses up at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taking-public-transportation-solo-backpacking-europe-2023-9">public transport</a>, it's a great way to meet people, and it becomes a part of the experience. Places like Chile and Argentina have great long-distance bus services, and some even have attendants who dish out cheese and ham sandwiches.</p><p>It helps to embrace <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-public-transportation-new-york-city-ferry-opinion-2023-8">multiple types of transport</a>, too, especially in smaller countries. Hopping from one kind of transportation to another allowed us to reach places we wouldn't be able to see if we'd just stuck to one. In Tunisia, my partner and I took trains, buses, and shared taxis all around the country to see everything from ancient ruins in Carthage to flamingos in the ocean.</p><div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland standing on a bridge overlooking water." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114082082" hostid="261" sizebytes="941530"></div><h2 id="0053d5da-6d3b-49c9-9726-03bc65f91a49">Rent a moped and travel on your own steam</h2><p>Another great way to see numerous sights in one day is by renting a moped to drive yourself. This is particularly great for countries in South and Southeast Asia, as a small vehicle can help you get around the heavy traffic in their busy cities.</p><p>However, if this is your plan, make sure to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-cost-price-driver-license-comparison-2018-9">convert your driver's license into an international one</a>; otherwise, you might get pulled over and fined by the police.</p><h2 id="4fed5d99-15f4-4ca6-83dd-d308b0a36578">Check to see if you can take your own transportation through national parks</h2><p>If you love wildlife and want to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-worst-national-parks-usa-from-man-visited-each-one-2024-4">explore national parks</a> on your own, research whether you can avoid paying for a tour by taking your own transportation through the park. Some national parks allow you to register on their booking system to avoid paying commission to an agent.</p><p>In places like Baku National Park in Borneo, you can get your own boat without taking an official tour. You also don't even need to walk very far into the park to see wildlife, as so many animals just hang out by the office.</p><div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland sitting in an innertube floating down a river." height="2320" width="3088" msid="114082078" hostid="261" sizebytes="298494"></div><h2 id="c7909fc2-b4d6-4814-8747-63f965fdb142">Book tours once you're in the country</h2><p>Sometimes, you may have to take a tour as it is the only way to see a certain place you're interested in. If that is the case, make sure to book the tours while you're in the country, as it will save you money. I did this in The Gambia, and it was much cheaper than the ones offered by the airline. The money also went to a local company and local causes instead of a corporation.</p><p>Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you need to deny yourself an occasional splurge, and I set a little aside so that I can treat myself on each vacation. Usually, I eat street food, which I love, or buy food from supermarkets, but if a bar or restaurant is particularly special, I try to visit. In Singapore, for example, I went to the Raffles Hotel to try one of its famous <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cocktails-around-the-world-2019-3">Singapore Sling cocktails</a>, an experience you can't recreate elsewhere. Budgeting can be hard work, so we all deserve a little treat!</p>

I've been to 86 countries and learned to travel on a budget. I book tours once I'm in the country and embrace public transportation.

Sustainable Transportation Alternatives

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-move-family-kids-to-dubai-similarities-to-america-2024-8">moved my family of five</a> from Connecticut to Switzerland in 2016.</li><li>We were welcomed into our new community with open arms, and it's so easy to get around.</li></ul>In 2016, my family was eager for change.<br /><br />We were having a hard time finding an <keyword id="23304879" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inclusive-school" source="keywords">inclusive school</keyword> for my 9-year-old <keyword id="23304878" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="neurodivergent-son" source="keywords">neurodivergent son</keyword>, who was depressed from years of bullying and exclusion.<br /><br />On TV, politicians also continued to fight to keep assault rifles legal in homes <b>four years</b> after the mass shooting of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a short drive from my house.<br /><br />Just before the presidential election, my husband's employer offered him an opportunity to move to Switzerland.<br /><br />At first, the move felt too wild to consider. But as political tensions in the US continued to rise, we only felt more depressed and isolated.<br /><br />Families and friends fought over how the country should be run, and we still had no school for our son. By the end of the year, my husband took the offer and we officially decided to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mistakes-i-made-switzerland-first-time-airbnb-restaurants-buses-2024-7">move abroad</a>.<br /><br /><h2><strong>We folded seamlessly into our interconnected Swiss community</strong></h2>  <div type="image" title="amy's daughter walking along the water in switzerland" height="3024" width="4032" msid="113637041" hostid="261"></div>Because of my husband's job, we quickly obtained resident permits to live in Switzerland and acquired health insurance. I also found an international school that was willing to work with our son.<br /><br />When we arrived in our hilly Swiss neighborhood a mile from Lake Zurich, it felt like we were welcomed with open arms — especially by local expats.<br /><br />All around me were families from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America who were also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/typical-immigrant-united-states-jobs-construction-food-services-florida-california-2024-4">new immigrants</a>. When I got lost in parking lots, tunnels, and tiny streets and constantly misinterpreted cultural signals, I expected to be scolded, but I wasn't.  <br /><br />Our international community offered helpful tips and advice. On the days I was hopeless at learning German, couldn't unlock a grocery cart, or failed to interpret labels on cereal boxes, someone was there to help.<br /><br />Though our backgrounds and beliefs varied widely, we united in our general awe of our new, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-beautiful-places-to-visit-from-expert-2024-6">beautiful country</a>. Most of us had no family nearby, so we became each other's people.<br /><br /><h2><strong>Many aspects of life are just easier here</strong></h2>In our suburban Connecticut neighborhood, there were no sidewalks, accessible bike paths, or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-public-transportation-new-york-city-ferry-opinion-2023-8">public-transportation</a><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-public-transportation-new-york-city-ferry-opinion-2023-8"> options</a>, so we had to drive everywhere.<br /><br />Having the freedom to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/car-free-in-the-suburbs-happier-healthier-2024-3">get around without a car</a> in Switzerland has been life-altering for us. It eases our days and helps us stay connected to the beautiful nature around us.<br /><br />Here, most people stroll down long wanderwegs<em> </em>(paved trails) lined with trees and primroses on their way from home, school, or the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-vs-target-grocery-shopping-which-is-better-review-2024-9">grocery store</a>. If walkers need to rest, there are red benches perched beside fields full of happy cows.<br /><br />We can swim, walk dogs, run, and hike pretty much anywhere on pristinely maintained paths. And if we're traveling a little farther, the local <keyword id="20415868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-transportation" source="keywords">public transportation</keyword> is clean, safe, and convenient. Bus stops and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/traveling-with-kids-first-amtrak-train-new-york-worth-it-2024-5">train stations</a> sit on most corners.<br /><br />Beyond being physically connected here, there's a communal responsibility for people of all ages. That means it's even pretty <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tips-keep-children-safe-disney-world-2024-8">safe for my children</a> to get around by themselves.<br /><br />Independence is highly valued. I often see young kids — usually wearing bright-orange lapels so others know they're traveling alone — walking along sidewalks or hopping onto public transit to get to school.<br /><br /><h2><strong>As the US continues to deal with extreme political divides, we're staying abroad</strong></h2>  <div type="image" title="amy's kids looking at a field of cows" height="3024" width="4032" msid="113637035" hostid="261"></div>The US will always have a special place in my heart. But, for now, it's not somewhere I want my family to call home.<br /><br />Earlier this year — almost eight years after <keyword id="23304877" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moving-to-Switzerland" source="keywords">moving to Switzerland</keyword> — I returned to the US to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weekend-trip-new-york-city-on-budget-not-worth-it-2023-12">stay in Manhattan</a> with my youngest daughter. It was strange to be back; I felt like a foreigner.<br /><br />I had fun showing her our homeland, playing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-rent-out-my-pickleball-court-to-strangers-made-money-2024-9">pickleball in Central Park</a>, visiting writer friends, touring artists' studios, listening to live jazz, and feeling nostalgia for the version of America that's been inaccessible to me for a long time.<br /><br />But then, I stumbled upon a wall of barricades in front of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue — people were furiously shouting at each other about contrasting political views right on the street.<br /><br />Sadly, that scene was the only reminder I needed of why I left in the first place.<br /><br /><em>Correction: September 24, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated when the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting happened. In 2016, it had been four years since the shooting, not five.</em><br />

I moved my family from the US to Switzerland 8 years ago. The difference in our quality of life is astounding.     

9 simple tips to reduce your carbon footprint during vacations

The <keyword id="20163832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="society-of-indian-automobile" source="keywords">Society of Indian Automobile</keyword> Manufacturers (<keyword id="108827" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="siam" source="Orion">SIAM</keyword>) and big auto players have hailed the Cabinet decision of PM e-DRIVE schemes aimed at promoting electric mobility across the country.<br /><br />The Rs 10,900 crore scheme will support 2,479,000 electric 2-wheelers, 316,000 electric 3-wheelers and 14,028 electric buses, along with 88,500 <keyword id="186291" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ev" source="Orion">EV</keyword> charging sites.<br /><br />Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd &amp; Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, expressed strong support for the government's forward-thinking initiative.<br /><br />Chandra said, "This forward-thinking initiative reflects the Government's unwavering support for <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s transition to electric mobility, fostering innovation and investment within the sector. We believe this scheme will not only enhance the growth of the EV ecosystem but also strengthen India's leadership in the global movement towards environmental sustainability."<br /><br />Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO &amp; MD, Mahindra Group also commended government's efforts, specifically highlighting the comprehensive nature of the PM e-DRIVE scheme.<br /><br />Shah said, "We applause the government for launching the PM e-drive scheme. With continued focused support on 2Ws, 3Ws, e-buses and thoughtful addition of e-ambulances, the scheme will drive higher EV penetration in the country."<br /><br />M&amp;M noted that schemes like <keyword id="21028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fame" source="Orion">FAME</keyword> and <keyword id="48070" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emps" source="Orion">EMPS</keyword> have already driven penetration of electric three-wheelers in India.<br /><br />"Investments laid out for fast charging infrastructure for all segments will help in increasing consumer confidence for faster adoption of EVs. FAME and EMPS have helped in 20 per cent e-3W penetration in the country. With PM e-drive, we foresee India becoming the first country to achieve 100 per cent electrification in this segment by 2030", he added.<br /><br />The Union Cabinet, on Wednesday, cleared the 'PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-DRIVE) Scheme,' with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years.<br /><br />It includes Rs 3,679 crore in subsidies and demand incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging electric vehicles.<br /><br />It is expected to support the deployment of 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses, providing a significant push to India's EV ecosystem.<br /><br />A critical aspect of the scheme is the introduction of e-vouchers for EV buyers. At the time of purchase, an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher will be generated, which will enable buyers to avail of demand incentives.<br /><br />Additionally, the scheme allocates Rs 500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances, marking a new initiative to integrate electric vehicles into essential public services.<br /><br />Another Rs 4,391 crore has been earmarked for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses, with a demand aggregation process led by CESL in nine major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Intercity and interstate e-buses will also be supported in consultation with states.<br /><br />Furthermore, Rs 500 crore has been set aside to incentivize the adoption of e-trucks, a critical move given that trucks are one of the largest contributors to air pollution.<br /><br />The scheme encourages those with a scrapping certificate from <keyword id="19897457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-road-transport" source="keywords">Ministry of Road Transport</keyword> and Highways-approved (MoRTH) vehicle scrapping centres to participate in this transition.<br /><br />With an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore, the scheme will support the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for four-wheelers, 1,800 fast chargers for e-buses, and 48,400 fast chargers for two- and three-wheelers.<br /><br />These chargers will be installed in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways, making long-distance EV travel more viable.<br />

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