easier

DISNEY fans could soon be able to get to Disney World much more easily thanks to a massive airport project.

A 10-year plan has been approved for Orlando International Airport (MCO), estimated to cost around $6billion (£4.5billion).

Orlando Airport is the busiest in Florida, and one of the busiest in the whole country.

And the project comes after passenger numbers have increased at the airport over the past few years, with it handling 57.2million passengers in 2024.

The expansion will focus on four main areas: customer experience, community, infrastructure and people.

By 2030, the airport hopes to add 8,000 car parking spaces, complete the construction of a new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B, complete two gate expansions and add more passenger walkways and travellators in Terminal C.

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Also by 2030, the airport would like to increase the number of small businesses working with them.

Then by 2035, the airport hopes to complete work on Terminal C.

The project will also see the terminals renamed by numbering them to make it easier for passengers.

As a part of the plans, the airport is working towards attaining a five star Skytrax rating too.

There will be one new cargo processing facility, an FAA-approved ‘vertiport’ for helicopters and restored stormwater structures, as well.

A video released showing the plans for the airport also implied that there will be facial recognition in the future, better flight information screens, smart restrooms, more shops and lounges and new play areas for families that will even have a theme park theme.

CEO of Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle, said: “This vision focuses and unites everything we do around one core purpose: delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports.

“We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate, so that every step of the journey feels seamless.”

According to Disney Tourist Blog, the “MCO badly needs modernisation and expansion, and we’re pleased to see that happening with this massive $6billion (£4.5billion) investment.

“That should greatly improve the arrival and departure experience, making for a better first and last impression with Walt Disney World guests.”

The blog added that the airport is usually very busy, with 30 minute queues.

But thanks to the new expansion, a lot of the issues should hopefully go away.

The expansion also comes after a number of new attractions have opened in Orlando, with more in the pipeline.

For example, Epic Universe at Universal Orlando opened in May of this year with a new Harry Potter land.

The £7billion land also has a ‘How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk’ land and a Super Nintendo World.

Walt Disney World is also investing $17billion (£12.7billion) over the next couple of decades, which includes a number of new rides.

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In other aviation news, a major UK airport is getting a £30million upgrade – but could mean your late flight is cancelled.

Plus, these are the best and worst airports in the UK – with regional airport coming in at number one.

Parents loved the ‘genius’ tips when they were shared online in a popular video

Family holidays offer lots of excitement, but they can also involve high levels of stress. From making sure your children have packed all their essentials to dealing with travel disruptions, it’s a busy time for parents.

Thankfully, one parent who has picked up a few helpful tips has shared a video outlining some of her favourite hacks – and social media users loved the ‘genius’ ideas. Content creator @muddlethroughmummy often shares tips and tricks with her 627k followers on TikTok, where she is known for her ‘positive parenting’ videos.

In one post, the savvy mum shared a video captioned: “Here’s 10 tips on how you can make travelling with kids that bit easier.” In her video, the parent explained: “Take your own car seat. Most airlines let you check it into oversized luggage free of charge.

“Before you travel, save the whole family’s boarding passes to your phone wallet for ease. The less you have to carry, the better. Unfortunately, most airports have now monetised the fast track for families. But if you’re travelling in peak times, it might be worth paying the £6 per head to skip the long queues.”

She continued: “Take your push chair all the way to the foot of the airplane stairs. Gates can be a bit of a walk from the lounge, and it’s great for naps whilst you wait. Designate one person to unload all technology and liquids at security, and the other one can keep an eye on the kids.

“Having your kids carry their own luggage is a great idea. Mine really enjoy having that responsibility. They like to be involved, and it makes them feel important. And travelling with hand luggage only whenever possible is a great tip, so you’re not having to wait around at the other end.

“Don’t forget your reusable water bottles to fill up once through security. And take your own snacks. If we have early flights, I do breakfast pouches with individually packed pastries and fruit. And if you’re worried your kids won’t like the airplane food, take porridge or pasta pots with you and then just ask for hot water.

“Lollipops are great for takeoff to avoid ears getting popped, or milk works if they’re still having it. I hope you found this useful!”

Viewers loved the video, and it racked up over 16,000 views. Replying to the post, one parent said: “Oh genius idea about the pasta pots, I have a very fussy 6yo and was worrying about what she would eat. Thank you!”

Someone else shared: “All tech in one bag was a game changer for us. With phones and iPad and 3 switches it was a nightmare with it all in different bags!”

YOU’VE just about got your head around how to look after one small person, and suddenly there’s another one about to be thrown into the mix.

While there’s a lot to be said for having children close in age – a playmate for life, cute matching outfits and parents who haven’t long forgotten the chore of changing nappies and nighttime feeds – caring for two under two is a daunting task.

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Sarah Campus, founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS, is a mum-of-three-under-seven, so knows a thing or two about multi-tasking toddlers and babies.

Here Sarah, who lives in London, shares her top tips for staying sane and keeping both your little ones happy – and the essential items she wouldn’t have been without.

Before baby arrives, Sarah recommends encouraging your toddler to engage in independent play. 

“Get them used to having short periods of playing alone with toys, books or safe activities,” she says. 

“This will build their confidence – and yours – as it will help your toddler then cope when you need to feed, change or settle the newborn.

“Also practice encouraging your toddler to learn to wait a short moment – tell them ‘just a minute, I’ll be right back’ – and then going on to praise them for being patient. 

“This will prepare them for times when the newborn’s needs must come first.”

Sarah also suggests getting your older child involved in simple tasks, such as helping to fetch wipes, tidying toys or choosing a story.

“This builds a sense of responsibility and reduces jealousy when you involve them in caring for the baby,” she explains. 

“Practising independent self-care skills, like encouraging your toddler to climb into their high chair on their own, eating with a spoon, or starting to tidy up their own toys also helps free you up when your hands are full.”

Sarah says establishing a consistent sleep routine with your toddler, if you haven’t already, is key to getting through that first year with two under two.

“Working towards predictable nap and bedtime patterns before the newborn comes will hopefully ensure a more rested toddler, meaning they are less likely to become overwhelmed or act up when the newborn demands your attention at odd hours and odd times,” she says.

Meeting their sibling

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You may well have found your toddler showed little interest in your bump or the prospect of their new sibling while you were pregnant – but it’s still worth trying to prepare them for the new arrival.

Sarah says: “Talk about the new baby coming early on using age-appropriate language – such as ‘the baby will need lots of cuddles and milk’ – and read picture books about becoming a big sibling.

“Involve them in preparations, too. Let your toddler help choose a blanket, toy or outfit for the baby. It gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

“Practise gentle touch by using a doll or soft toy to show how to stroke gently, hold hands or kiss the baby.”

When meeting the baby for the first time, Sarah recommends having the newborn in the cot or someone else’s arms when your toddler walks in, so you can greet them with open arms first. 

“You could even get a little present for the toddler from the newborn as it helps the toddler feel special,” she says.

Practise gentle touch by using a doll or soft toy to show how to stroke gently, hold hands or kiss the baby

Sarah Campus

From then on, try to keep routines consistent – stick to familiar meals, naps and play routines as much as possible. 

“Predictability reassures toddlers in times of change,” Sarah says. “Involve the toddler in jobs such as passing nappies, singing to the baby or choosing which outfit to wear, so that they don’t feel left out.

“Be sure to give your toddler some one-to-one time where they have your undivided attention, to make them feel secure and less likely to act up.

“Acknowledge big feelings – expect some jealousy or regressions, like wanting to be carried or using a dummy again. 

“Reassure them it’s normal and give lots of praise for ‘big sibling’ behaviour. Use praise generously – give them lots when they are gentle, patient, or helpful. Toddlers thrive on positive feedback.”

A great piece of kit for helping your toddler feel ‘involved’ and keeping them engaged, especially when caring for a newborn, is a toddler tower.

The ‘Little Hands’ tower from Baby Elegance is sturdy, stylish and brings them up to kitchen counter height – just make sure nothing harmful is in reach!

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Getting prepared

One of the biggest considerations ahead of baby’s arrival is which style of pram to opt for – with budget and practicality top of the list of priorities.

It’s worth checking out local mum groups on social media to see if anyone is selling one second-hand – but while that might be lighter on your purse, you may end up having to compromise on other elements.

With two under two, it’s likely you’ll need to think about purchasing a double buggy – or additional parts for your existing pram if it can be modified to transport two children, like the Joolz Geo 3.

Styles of double buggy vary massively, but for the first six months you’ll need one that can take a bassinet for your new arrival, and a seat for your toddler.

There are side-by-side models that offer this but they tend to be quite wide, making it tricky when it comes to fitting through doorways and getting on public transport.

A great, budget-friendly option if you’re looking to buy a brand new pram is the ickle bubba Virgo Travel System.

The Virgo Growing Family 11 Piece Pram offers a whopping 17 possible configurations to suit your growing brood, including two seat units and a carrycot, two footmuffs, two rain covers, a changing rucksack and mat, a buggy organiser and even a cup holder, all for £629.

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Once your little one is comfortable sitting up you could transition to a side-by-side buggy. The advantages of this, Sarah points out, are that both children get the same view, can see all around, and interact with each other.

Narrow models include the Mountain Buggy Duet – which Sarah recommends – and the cheaper Baby Jogger city tour 2 Double, which is just 66.5cm wide and also comes with a handy 5kg capacity storage basket.

While slightly wider, the Nuna TRVL dubl is still very lightweight and suitable for children from birth up to a generous 22kg per seat – great if you have a heavier toddler, as it will last you much longer.

It’s also travel system ready, so you can attach any PIPA series car seat to the wider seat without an adaptor.

If you’re after a lightweight single buggy for quick trips or travelling abroad, the Joolz Aer² is a no-brainer. Suitable from newborn to toddler, it’s easy to steer one-handed and folds up instantly at the touch of a button – plus it’s aeroplane compatible to fit in overhead lockers.

Sarah recommends getting a buggy board once your toddler is confident enough to use one.

“It gives the older child some independence – they can walk, but you have a back-up should they get tired,” she says. 

“This means that you can get out and be about fast and a lot smoother – you don’t need to carry or constantly encourage a tired toddler.

“They are much safer in busy areas as it keeps the older child close to you and you are in control of them, rather than them running ahead or in different directions. 

“It’s a lot cheaper and lighter than perhaps needing a full double buggy if the older child is mostly walking, or if you have three!”

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Another way of keeping your increasingly independent toddler close to you is a set of toddler reins.

A LittleLife backpack will probably be a more appealing option for your eldest as it features a detachable safety rein while also enabling them to carry their own snacks and toys, helping them feel ‘grown up’.

The Lascal BuggyBoard (available to buy from Cheeky Rascals) is your best bet, as it attaches to 99 per cent of pushchairs, prams and strollers, is anti-slip and comes in a wide range of colourful, fun designs.

Another great buggy accessory – especially if your storage basket is now suddenly taken up by another seat – is a pram organiser, which can double up as a handbag.

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The Bugaboo organiser is a stylish option (one for the Christmas wish list) as it attaches to your pram handle, keeping your essentials close by, has multiple pockets and a water-repellent design ideal for winter walks.

Sleep routine

If you’re blessed with a toddler who doesn’t wake up during the night, readjusting to interrupted sleep and unpredictable naps can prove challenging.

With two under two, it’s likely you’ll need two cots – though you may choose to have your little one in a next-to-me crib for the first five or six months.

It’s advisable to think ahead and consider investing in a cot that turns into a toddler bed, as this will save you having to buy a bigger one in a couple of years’ time. 

The ickle bubba Snowdown cot bed is a great option as it’s suitable from birth up to four years, and also features a handy integrated under-bed drawer, providing extra nursery room storage.

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A dual-screen baby monitor will enable you to keep an eye on your little ones simultaneously, without the need for multiple devices.

The Momcozy 5-Inch Dual-mode Smart Baby Monitor comes with two cameras – one for each room – and features two-way communication, so you can coax your toddler back to sleep should they be disturbed.

If a bath is part of your current bedtime routine, this is something your toddler and your baby can enjoy together. The Shnuggle bath is suitable from newborn – if your partner is around (and your bathroom is big enough) one of you can bathe the baby while the other sees to the older child in the big bath.

From six months old your youngest can join their sibling with a bath seat; the Little Smoby Baby Bath Time seat is safe and secure, with suction pads to keep it in place, and they can both enjoy the ‘activities’ on the tray.

Make sure your bath soap is newborn friendly – My Little Miracle Top To Toe Baby Hair and Body Wash comes in a family-friendly 500ml bottle with a pump, making it quick and easy to dispense, and is mild enough for delicate skin.

Slinging it

One of the items Sarah wouldn’t have been without is a sling. This gives you the option to be hands-free while your baby sleeps, meaning you can still interact with your toddler.

There are countless styles on the market – and you may well have found one that was the perfect fit first time around – but in the early days, the softer the better. 

For the comfort and security of a wrap without the faff of having to tie it, the dreamgenii SnuggleRoo Baby Carrier is a fantastic halfway house, ergonomically crafted to mimic the soothing embrace of the womb.

It’s made from 100 per cent cotton, making it super soft, but features adjustable straps and a support band, enabling you to easily adapt between carrying positions as your baby gets bigger.

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For on-the-go mums after a slightly sturdier carrier, the Carifit Core is a strong contender.

Its clever design, featuring enhanced neck support and a racer back, means babies feel lighter compared to being in other carriers.

Once you’re ready to try to get your baby into a more established nap routine, you’ll know from the first time around that creating the right sleep environment is key – though it’s not always easy with a noisy toddler in the house.

This is where a white noise machine can come in very handy.

The stylish heart-shaped Sleep Machine from Love to Dream offers all the regular features of a smart white noise machine – with a range of sounds, cry detection and the option for continuous or timed periods – and also doubles up as a night light.

The brand’s Swaddle Up suits are also a popular choice among mums, as they let your little one sleep in a natural ‘arms up’ position, reportedly increasing average nightly sleep from three hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 25 minutes!

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Sarah also recommends a SnoozeShade as this helps to create that dark environment conducive to sleep during the day. You can get them for prams or cots, and they’re made from an air-permeable mesh fabric that lets air flow freely.

You could also invest in a Rockit rocker. Motion can help soothe babies and keep them asleep for longer, so this clever device is super handy, especially if you stop off at a park for your toddler but want to keep your newborn snoozing in the pram.

Feeding

Whether your new baby is breast or formula fed, encouraging your little one to take a bottle can help lighten your load as a new mum-of-two, as it means your partner can step in to help out, especially if your toddler is demanding your attention.

If you choose to exclusively breastfeed, consider investing in a hands-free pump. The Medela Magic InBra pump – available as a single or double – offers hospital-grade performance but is virtually silent, lightweight and super discreet, allowing you to express on the go.

To make life even easier – especially if both your children are still using bottles – you could splash out on a bottle washer. 

Baby Brezza does a three-in-one machine which washes, sterilises and dries bottles and pump parts, killing 99.9 per cent of germs with natural steam.

You won’t need to think about a second high chair until your baby is around six months old, but should you want to ‘include’ your little one in mealtimes sooner, the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair offers a newborn attachment option.

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While on the pricier side, the great advantage of the Stokke chair is that it grows with your family – plus the stylish wood designs helps them look like part of the furniture of your kitchen, rather than yet another piece of garish plastic cluttering up your home.

One alternative, if you have a smaller kitchen or don’t fancy having multiple high chairs, is to get a ‘booster seat’ that attaches to an existing chair.

The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster seat is nice and lightweight while still sturdy (great for taking on holiday, to a restaurant or on a trip to the grandparents), comes with a removable serving tray, and takes up minimal storage space.

Sarah’s number one piece of advice is to be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“Lower all expectations and take each day as it comes,” she says. “Not only is it all new for your toddler, it’s new for you as well – plus your hormones will be up and down. 

“Be sure to ask for help from others. It takes some of the pressure off you and will help you with the transition, too.”

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On Monday, the artificial intelligence giant OpenAI introduced a feature that would allow users to make purchases through ChatGPT, in partnership with Etsy and Shopify. Travel experts say this will pave the way for a big change.

The way we book holidays is set to change hugely as the travel industry braces for a “massively disruptive” tech update.

On Monday, the artificial intelligence giant OpenAI introduced a feature that would allow users to make purchases through ChatGPT, in partnership with Etsy and Shopify.

“Users can now buy directly from US Etsy sellers right in chat, with over a million Shopify merchants, like Glossier, SKIMS, Spanx and Vuori, coming soon. Today, Instant Checkout supports single-item purchases. Next, we’ll add multi-item carts and expand merchants and regions,” the organisation announced.

The move is set to disrupt the online commerce world, as soon the 700 million weekly users of ChatGPT will be able to shop on the AI interface, without visiting other websites. This will hand OpenAI a huge amount of power in the world of e-commerce, and make it a lot of money through fees from sellers.

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Following the announcement, experts in the future of travel have predicted a world in which ChatGPT – or another similar large-language model – will achieve market dominance and become a ‘super-app’, serving as a portal to every part of the internet.

It will be possible to plan holidays in great detail using the AI, as many tech-savvy travellers already do. The big difference in the future will be that it’d then be possible to book the entire holiday in a minimal number of clicks, without leaving the page, the experts predicted.

Speaking at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) summit in Rome on Tuesday, Guy Johnson, an anchor with Bloomberg, said: “That is a huge shift. That is a new model. That is massively disruptive.”

Gaurav Bhatnagar, co-founder of TBO.com, predicted that the changes would be positive from the customer’s perspective. “The quality of service will improve. You will need fewer people (as a travel company). From a customer’s perspective, it will be cheaper, easier to book, and the experience will be better,” he said.

The change would be far more significant for travel companies. “It is likely that when ChatGPT gets the customer to the point when they’re going to book, it will send the holiday plan out to their clients and say ‘who is going to bid for this?’ My guess is that ChatGPT wants to replace Amazon, Booking.com, to become the super app,”Mr Bhatnagar continued.

Paolo Benanti, president of the AI Commission for Information and a member of the UN Advisory Board on AI, was similarly boosterish. He said: “You would expect that an AI agent could arrange more accurately than a human can.”

The prospect of an AI revolution in travel has been brewing for a number of years. At last year’s WTTC summit, similar predictions were made about how large language models could be used to generate personalised travel itineraries for holidaymakers.

“Challenges that must be overcome by travel and tourism businesses include a shortage of AI-skilled workers, limited AI infrastructure, and the absence of a formal ‘AI strategy’ in many business plans. Travel and tourism businesses are urged to embrace AI as a strategic priority, investing heavily in talent to foster collaboration between humans and AI,” a statement from the WTTC read.

During the first months of the rollout of ChatGPT, the Mirror embarked on a mystery road trip arranged by the software and discovered some of the strong points and pitfalls of relying on a bot for advice and direction.

Not to brag, but I’ve always suspected that my love of financial planning may be unrivaled. While my husband believes it’s a sickness, I’ve always enjoyed putting together a household budget (even when the money was not flowing). And, as I recently confessed to a friend, I’m really into retirement planning.

That’s probably why mySocialSecurity has become one of my most visited sites. It didn’t feel like my birthday or anything. Still, I did feel a little jolt of excitement upon learning the Social Security Administration (SSA) just added new features to its mySocialSecurity site.

Decades ago, when I first started planning for a retirement that felt a millennium away, I’d search the house for our latest Social Security statements, grab a notebook, pen, and calculator, and find a comfortable place to calculate. I probably could have learned two foreign languages and how to play the cello in the time I spent grappling with all the “what ifs.”

That was pre-internet, and I didn’t have the information needed to create a long-term retirement plan that approached reality. But then, a bunch of geniuses contributed to the invention of the internet, and by 2012, the SSA had launched mySocialSecurity. While it was helpful back then, it’s become a masterful tool for anyone serious about retirement planning.

Image source: Getty Images.

Latest additions

The mySocialSecurity site has always offered helpful tools, but the SSA is upping its game with these new additions:

Retirement calculator

The retirement calculator lets you compare month-by-month benefit estimates for ages 62 through 70. If you’re thinking about retiring at age 63 years and 6 months, it will take mere seconds for the calculator to indicate your monthly benefit at 63 years and 6 months. The best thing about the retirement calculator is how it takes the fantasy out of retirement planning by helping you decide when you can realistically afford to retire.

Age-based fact sheet

The age-based fact sheet explains the relationship between your birth year and full retirement age. It spells out when you’ll reach full retirement age (FRA), the age at which you’re entitled to 100% of your Social Security benefits. It also shows what happens if you claim benefits at age 62 instead and how much your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced. Finally, the age-based fact sheet allows you to see how much your monthly benefit amount will increase if you delay claiming benefits past your FRA, up to age 70.

Earnings-based fact sheet

This fact sheet addresses how working while receiving Social Security benefits will impact your payments. While there’s no impact if you collect Social Security after FRA, this is where you’d visit to learn how much the SSA will deduct from your benefits if you continue to work before FRA kicks in.

Benefit verification letter

The benefit verification letter spells out which benefits you currently receive. Whether you want it for your records or to provide proof of benefits to a third party, you can access the letter simply by logging into the site.

Form SSA-1099

So you’ll never lose track of how much you’ve received in Social Security benefits, the SSA provides easy access to your SSA-1099, a tax form that reports your annual benefits. This information helps determine if your benefits are taxable and how much to report on your federal tax return.

Check your claim status

Whether you’ve filed for Medicare for the first time or you’re ready to collect Social Security, your claim status provides up-to-date information regarding where your claim stands.

Request a replacement card

If you’ve ever lost your Social Security card, you may have experienced a moment of panic, wondering what to do. I’ve never actually misplaced mine, mostly because I’m afraid my parents will rise from the grave to remind me how important it is to protect it. Mom and Dad might have taken it a little easier on me if they knew how easy the SSA would make it to replace a card.

Planning for retirement

Here’s how mySocialSecurity makes retirement planning less labor-intensive for me. I suspect you’ll find even more interesting ways to use it.

• Budget coordination: The personalized retirement benefit estimate clarifies how much I expect to receive at each age. I use that information to coordinate with other savings and investments to develop a retirement plan that will fit our budget.
• Earnings history: There’s a feature showing how much income I’ve claimed since my first job. I use it to double-check that SSA got my income right after I file taxes. Given that my Social Security benefits are calculated based on that earnings history, it’s important to know they got it right.
• Connect with the SSA: I can use the site to contact the SSA and update my personal information. One day, when I’m collecting Social Security, I’ll be able to use it to view direct deposit information, check out special notices, and ensure the appointed representative payee is who I want it to be (the person who will manage my benefits if I’m incapable of doing so).

I understand that retirement planning may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, I compare it to taking a moment to stop midway through a cross-country trip, just to see where I am and how much farther I have to go.

Investors in the Polkadot (DOT -3.88%) cryptocurrency have been craving game-changing news for a while now. The crypto market is having a great summer overall with fantastic returns on leading names like Bitcoin (BTC -0.57%), Ethereum (ETH -1.18%), and Solana (SOL -0.89%). But nobody told Bitcoin where the party was happening. As of Sept. 12, it gained less than 5% over the last 6 months:

Polkadot Price data by YCharts

Forget the chart for a moment, though. App builders, not price charts, ultimately drive durable value in most cryptocurrencies, and especially the developer-friendly Polkadot. And I have good news: Polkadot is readying two builder-centric platform upgrades that could change the trajectory of this lagging cryptocurrency. Say hello to the JAM scaling upgrade and a ready-to-code DevContainer.

Here’s what changed — and why it could matter for DOT investors.

Header JAM: Faster blocks, flexible projects, and elastic scaling

The chain-spanning connector package known as Polkadot is about to get a massive makeover. The incoming technical changes are so powerful, Polkadot’s backers in the Web3 Foundation call it “Polkadot 3.0.”

I could get all up in the nerdy weeds with the changes, built around the Join Accumulate Machine (JAM) upgrade. Trust me, I’m tempted to go there. But you’re not here for that geekery, so let’s keep it simple: Polkadot is about to get much faster, more flexible, and easier to use.

The global network of computing nodes that validate Polkadot transactions and execute code in its smart contracts is already one of the fastest blockchains on the market. JAM will multiply the computing power of this platform by 10, by some estimates. Polkadot co-founder Gavin Wood calls it “a supercomputer on the blockchain,” with easy and instant access to exactly the number-crunching resources your app needs.

Gone are the unpredictable auctions for computing time, in comes a new project funding system. Parachains are still a thing, and existing Polkadot projects will be fully compatible with the new JAM core. It’s just going to be much easier to get your hands on the right resources at the right time. There’s a price list now; just pay for your computing power and you’re good to go. Easy as Polkadot pie.

Image source: Polkadot.

DevContainer: One-command setup makes it easy to get involved

The new DevContainer feature may not feel as important, but anything that attracts more developers to the Polkadot platform should also be good for the tightly integrated cryptocurrency in the long run.

The Polkadot Smart Contracts DevContainer does exactly that, at least in theory. Getting started as a Polkadot developer has never been easier. Traditional setups of a new development system can be a slow and frustrating process. Now, the manual setup and configuration is replaced by one command and lots of automation.

I can’t promise that this system will be popular with new or existing Polkadot app builders, but it sounds pretty good to my (non-developer) ears. Instant setup and then you’re dealing with the power-packed JAM system — where do I sign up?

Why this matters for DOT holders (and what to watch)

The DevContainer package is already available and JAM should take over as the main Polkadot engine before the end of 2025. These helpful upgrades coincide with rising interest in Web3 apps, giving more control to app users and less of it to massive social network corporations.

Polkadot’s chart has actually been lagging behind other cryptocurrencies for years:

Polkadot Price data by YCharts

And it’s kind of funny. Using Polkadot in an app project, you can connect to many other cryptocurrencies and move data, monetary assets, or code from one blockchain to another. If Web3 is the blockchain-based foundation of the next internet epoch, then Polkadot is the digital glue that holds it together.

Will people actually use it?

JAM replaces clunky auctions with pay-as-you-go capacity, and the DevContainer gets builders going in minutes. If people show up, it could turn into a real block party for DOT holders as usage drives demand.

I think it’s time to connect the DOTs between better tech and investor value. Polkadot has been struggling in the shadows for too long, letting the likes of Ethereum and Solana have all the headline-inspiring fun. That could change when JAM rolls out.

I don’t expect a sudden spike in DOT prices, but a lucrative rise over time as developers and app users (i.e., pretty much everybody) adopt this technology in real-world smartphone apps and cloud platforms.

Renowned Irish actress Fiona Shaw stars in Hot Milk, an adaptation of Deborah Levy’s 2016 novel, as a mother with a mysterious illness, who is taken to a seaside Spanish town in search of a cure

The distinguished Irish actress and TV Bafta laureate, Fiona Shaw, speaks about her immersion in her latest character, Rose, a mother beleaguered by an enigmatic illness, in the movie adaptation of Deborah Levy‘s critically acclaimed 2016 novel ‘Hot Milk’.

Against the vivid setting of a sun-drenched Spanish summer, the plot unfolds as Rose and her daughter Sofia, portrayed by ‘Sex Education’ star Emma Mackey, journey to Almeria’s picturesque seaside town seeking healing from a quirky local remedy man.

Rose’s life is dominated by an immobilising ailment, confining her to a wheelchair and riddled with unrelenting pain, rendering her utterly reliant on Sofia for even the simplest tasks such as venturing outside or fetching a drink. A growing sense of exasperation seeps into Sofia’s character who pins her hopes on the exotic clinic to rejuvenate her mum’s vigour, thus liberating her own aspirations for autonomy and independence.

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Shaw, celebrated for her portrayal of Carolyn Martens in the hit series ‘Killing Eve’, lauded her youthful co-star Emma Mackey, age 29, for crafting their characters’ poignant relationship amidst strenuous circumstances. “I had the easier job – it’s much easier to play the selfish person,” Fiona Shaw candidly admits.

“Emma had to decide, in each scene, how she would cope with her mother’s behaviour – but the mother just continues on. She isn’t thinking about the effects, and that’s the problem,” Shaw adds.

She says: “They’re not two people at loggerheads. I don’t think the mother is at odds at all. She adores her daughter, wishes she wouldn’t visit her father, and wants her to focus on her studies.

“She can’t see that she’s the reason none of those things can happen properly. And that blindness is a nightmare for the other person – but Emma had to carry that. We would laugh about it, but she had to play the scenes. I just had to play Rose – she had to play the reception.”

As Sofia’s story unfolds, her fascination with the adventurous Ingrid, portrayed by Phantom Thread star Vicky Krieps, leads her to break free from her mother’s overbearing influence. Yet, as Sofia steps into her own, her mother’s inability to cope with this change brings to light unsettling truths about Rose’s condition.

In her preparation for the role, Shaw delved into the complexities of psychosomatic disorders, where mental stress manifests physically, and consulted individuals who deal with such conditions. “We spoke to people with the syndrome – this tendency to not have any physiological reason why you can’t walk, but you can’t walk,” Shaw shared.

“This syndrome comes with pain and with a twitch. I really concentrated on trying to get the stuckness of the person – and I was helped a lot by using a wheelchair.”

The film Hot Milk marks Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s first venture as a director at 57, and she fondly referred to Shaw and Mackey as “an inseparable couple” during filming. Renowned screenwriter Lenkiewicz, known for hits like Ida and Disobedience, described taking the reins as director for such a woman-centric narrative as “one of the most incredible experiences” of her life.

The eagerly anticipated ‘Hot Milk’ hits UK and Ireland cinemas on Friday, July 4.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas this year has been the center of the nation’s largest measles outbreak in more than two decades, as a mostly eradicated disease has sickened more than 700 in the state, sent dozens to hospitals and led to the death of two children who were unvaccinated.

But even as the outbreak slows, a bill approved by state lawmakers and sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott would make it significantly easier for parents to enroll their children in school without standard vaccinations for diseases such as measles, whooping cough, polio and hepatitis A and B.

Supporters say the bill streamlines an already legal exemption process that allows families to avoid vaccines for reasons of conscience, religious beliefs or medical reasons. It would let them download the required forms from a website instead of contacting state health officials and waiting for one to come in the mail.

The bill does not change which vaccines are required. However, critics say easing the exemption process opens a door to further outbreaks with potentially deadly results.

“If this bill becomes law, Texas is likely to see more illness, more death and higher health care costs for families and business,” Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer for Texas-based nonprofit Immunization Project, told state senators before the bill won final approval.

“The outbreak (in Texas) is not a coincidence. It is the canary in the coal mine screaming at the top of its lungs,” she said.

The exemption bill — as well as other bills passed by the Texas House on lawsuits against vaccine makers and removing immunization restrictions on organ transplants — are a snapshot of efforts across dozens of conservative states to question vaccines or roll back requirements.

At the national level, this wave has been buoyed by still-lingering pushback from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Trump administration’s embrace of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was one of the nation’s leading anti-vaccine advocates before being appointed secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

The most recent federal data shows U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have dipped since the pandemic — 92.7% in the 2023-24 school year compared to 95% before COVID-19 — and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high. And last week, the “Make America Healthy Again” federal report on the nation’s health and wellness questioned the necessity of vaccine mandates for schoolkids.

The national Association of Immunization Managers, an organization of state and local immunization officials, has been tracking nearly 600 vaccine-related bills across the country in 2025, and the majority would not be considered pro-vaccine, said Brent Ewig, the group’s the group’s chief policy officer.

“We saw a spike in vaccine-related bills during the pandemic. The last few years it had been tapering off. With recent actions at the federal level, there has been a spike again,” Ewig said.

The Texas measles outbreak and vaccine requirements

Measles has been considered eliminated from the United States since 2000. The Texas outbreak started in late January in West Texas’ Mennonite communities that have been resistant to vaccines and distrustful of government intervention, and the highly contagious virus quickly jumped to other places with low vaccination rates.

Like many states, Texas requires children to obtain vaccines to protect against 11 diseases to attend public and private schools and child care centers. The state’s vaccination rates for the 2023-24 school year ranged between 93.78% for chicken pox to 95.78% for hepatitis B.

But parents can obtain exemptions for religious or personal reasons, or if a doctor determines it would not be safe because of a medical condition.

Exemption rates in Texas have been rising for nearly two decades, with a dramatic spike over the last five years. According to the Texas Department of Health Services, the agency received exemption requests for nearly 153,000 students in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, up from 136,000 the previous year and nearly double the 77,000 requested in 2019.

Texas’ vaccine rollback

The bill on vaccine exemption paperwork would make it easier for parents to obtain the needed form by letting them download it to a computer or smartphone. The current system where parents ask state health officials to mail a paper copy to their home can sometimes take weeks. The form would still need to be notarized before it is turned in to a school and a student is enrolled.

Advocates say the changes would help parents thread the bureaucratic process and get their children enrolled in school quicker.

“This bill is not about whether vaccines are good or bad, it’s about government efficiency and keeping kids in schools,” said Jackie Schlegal, founder of Texans for Medical Freedom, which advocates for “vaccine freedom of choice.”

Critics argue that simplifying the exemption form process makes it too easy for unvaccinated kids to enroll in a school, endangering the health of other kids and families.

“For years Texas has struck a delicate balance of parents’ right and public health and safety,” Lakshmanan said. “This bill is more than just a form … We can support parents without putting other families at risk.”

Still waiting for a Senate vote is a bill that would allow vaccine makers who advertise in Texas to be sued if their vaccine causes a person to be injured. That bill has been opposed by the Texas Association of Manufacturers.

The author of that bill is first-term state Rep. Shelley Luther, who was briefly jailed in 2020 for opening her Dallas salon in violation of governor’s emergency order during the pandemic. Abbott quickly weakened his enforcement of coronavirus safeguards and a court ordered her released.

Vertuno writes for the Associated Press.

BRITS heading to Europe could soon find it much easier thanks to new plans allowing holidaymakers to use airport e-gates.

Since the UK left the EU, British tourists have faced huge queues at the airport across Europe after being forced to use the standard passport gates.

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However, the UK government has revealed plans of a deal that would allow UK holidaymakers to use the much faster e-gates when visiting Europe.

The talks, part of the UK-EU summit taking place today, suggest Brits would join other EU tourists in the shorter queues, The Guardian reports.

EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said he backed the potential rule change.

He told Sky News: “I would love to see you being able to go through the border more quickly in that way.

“That’s certainly something we’ve been pushing with the EU and I think that will be something that will be very helpful to British people.

“I think we can all agree that not being stuck in queues and having more time to spend, whether it’s on holiday or work trips, having more time to do what you want, would be a very sensible objective.”

Plans to allow Brits to use e-gates in European countries were put forward back in 2023 by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak although never came into fruition.

Last summer, some Brits even missed their flights when travelling through Spain due to long passport queues while waiting to get them stamped.

Another Brit wrote on Tripadvisor: “My lunchtime arrival at Oslo left me with an hour and a half wait to get through manual passport control.”

Another agreed: “The queue was horrendous, people couldn’t even get into the passport hall. Took just over 90 minutes to get through.”

However, the new rules could cause problems with passport stamping, which is still required from Brits entering and exiting Europe.

This is because of the new rules which only allow Brits to visit for 90 days in an 180 day period.

Anyone without an outgoing stamp could be mistakenly seen to have overstayed in Europe and even be banned from entering – which happened to a British tourist in Majorca back in 2022.

But it comes ahead of the constantly-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) which will scrap the need for passport stamping entirely.

First announced in 2016, it finally hopes to be rolled out from October this year.

Instead of manual passport stamping, new biometric checks will take place instead.

And next year will see the roll out of the ETIAS – a visa waiver that Brits will need to visit Europe.

Costing around €7 and lasting three years, it will be similar to the current ESTA Brits need when visiting the US.

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