IT’S been hailed a ‘game-changer’ when it comes to getting to sleep on hot nights.
But would you sleep on a gel pillow designed to keep your dog or cat cool in a heatwave?
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Lynsey Hope tested sleeping on a cooling mat during hot weatherCredit: Gary Stone
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Can the gadget guarantee a good night’s sleepCredit: Gary Stone
Pet cooling mats can be found at many high street stores in the UK, and whilst they are designed for animals, some people have been buying the gadgets for themselves – or nicking them from their four-legged friends.
Commenting on a TikTok video calling for people to share their ‘unhinged tips on how to stay cool’ during hot spells, one social media user wrote: “Borrowed by cat’s gel cooling mat as she’s uninterested in it and it’s a lifesaver.”
With temperatures set to hit the mid-30s in parts of the UK this week, I’m happy to give anything a go in a bid to stave off the extreme heat and get some kip.
There are lots available to buy including a Sunny Daze Cooling Dog Mat for just £5 at petsathome.com, or a slightly larger and more plush Weashume Dog Cool Gel Pad for £10.99 on amazon.
I opt for one from Chillmax costing just under £6 on Amazon, which has dozens of five-star reviews online.
When it arrives it doesn’t look much. It’s a simple blue mat filled with cooling gel.
But manufacturers claim it absorbs excess heat and dissipates it away for up to three hours, giving your skin a lovely cool feeling.
There’s no water so no refilling is necessary.
You simply pop it in the fridge and get it out when your pet needs a rest so they can lay on it and cool down.
I popped it in the fridge during the day, then laid it over my sheet when it was time for bed.
It was pretty hard to lay my entire body weight down on it as it felt icy cold. I really had to grit my teeth.
I laid on it feeling pretty uncomfortable, but after around five minutes, the initial discomfort eased, my body adjusted to the cold and I drifted off to sleep pretty quickly.
This was quite an achievement as I’ve been really tossing and turning of late due to the frequent spells of hot weather.
In fact, I think I fell asleep at least 45 minutes faster than I had on previous hot nights. It was actually quite calming too and refreshing.
The coolness wears off after a few hours and though it was soft enough to lay on, I woke up feeling a little uncomfortable.
But I just pulled it out from under me and tossed it on the floor.
The next night I tried putting it on top of my pillow case but I found the cold felt too extreme against my face.
It was a little better inside the pillow case, but still I preferred it near my body.
This funny little pet pillow has become a must-have in my bedroom now for hot nights.
Even better as it’s so small, you can easily take it away with you if you need to. No need to lug a big fan around instead.
You can also wipe it clean, making it a good gel option as most are built into the pillow and can’t be washed.
You can sit on it whilst working if you want to, though I did not find this comfortable.
But I didn’t mind using it as a foot rest on hot working days and it can also be used as a laptop cooling pad.
My kids kept stealing it saying it kept them cool so I guess I might be buying more to keep us all as cool as cucumbers.
Others have said similar pet mats are not only helpful in the heatwave but hot flushes, too.
One Amazon reviewer said it was brilliant for menopausal women, especially for the price.
You can spend £20 to £30 on a pet cooling pillow, but most of us won’t want to pay that much when the heatwave doesn’t last long in the UK.
Similar products designed for humans also tend to be more pricey.
This is wallet-friendly and effective. For less than £6 this is a real bargain. If it’s good enough for Fido, it’s good enough me.
No more sweaty nights here.
Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat
IT can be really difficult – and costly – to keep kids cool when it’s hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won’t break the budget either.
Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
Turkey’s serene Konakli is the most affordable destination for couples looking for a break, with prices averaging £421 per person for an all‑inclusive stay, according to TravelSupermarket
Konakli is the place to go for a cheap holiday(Image: Getty Images)
TravelSupermarket, a holiday comparison site, has revealed the most affordable beach destinations for couples looking to escape once the summer holidays end, with September offering great value for romantic getaways.
Alanya features prominently on the list(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Konakli sits on the Turkish Mediterranean coast and is best known for its beautiful beaches. Hospitality is by far the biggest business in the region, with 15 five‑star hotels in a town of just 18,000 people.
It’s just 20 minutes away from Alanya, which is a bustling resort packed full of restaurants, bars and holidaymakers from across the world. If Konakli begins to feel a little quiet, then a visit to Alanya is a good bet.
If Konakli doesn’t float your boat, fear not. There are plenty of other cheap all0inclusive resorts to choose from.
TravelSupermarket ranked Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife second on the list at £487 per person. Turkey’s popular Alanya resort claims third place at £493 per person, while Spain’s Costa Dorada destination Salou ranks fourth at £506 per person.
Greek destinations feature prominently with two Corfu locations making the list, alongside Zante’s Alykes which secures fifth place at £508 per person. Marrakech in Morocco offers excellent value in sixth position at £531 per person, with Corfu’s lively Kávos ranking seventh at £543 per person, followed by Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach at £557 per person in eighth place.
Steph Marinkovic, head of editorial at TravelSupermarket, shares her expert couples tips for five of the destinations below, alongside a great deal for each destination:
Konakli – £421 per person
Turkey is a great bet for couples on a budget, and serene Konakli offers the best of all worlds. There’s a quiet, sandy beach for sunbathing, the Taurus Mountain for hiking and lively Alanya – ideal for fun nights out – just 20 minutes away.”
Deal: Seven nights all‑inclusive at the 5‑star NoxInn Deluxe Hotel from £419pp
Puerto de la Cruz – £487 per person
“Puerto de la Cruz is a world away from the resorts in Tenerife’s south. Colourful streets splashed with huge murals make this north coast city a joy to explore. The black‑sand beaches and cool Lago Martiánez pools are just the cherry on top!”
Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star Melia Costa Atlantis Tenerife from £479pp
Alanya – £493 per person
“Couples can combine culture, history and plenty of opportunities for R&R in sun‑drenched Alanya. Highlights include Cleopatra Beach, Alanya Castle, and the city’s excellent range of traditional Turkish hammams and spa hotels.”
Deal: Seven nights all‑inclusive at the 4‑star Club Big Blue Suite Hotel from £465pp
Salou – £506 per person
“Salou’s three‑park PortAventura World is much quieter in September, so kids‑at‑heart can indulge their inner child without the crowds. Couples will also love the resort’s chilled‑out side – think romantic seaside strolls, spa hotels and wine tasting in ‘cava country’ close to nearby Tarragona.”
Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star H10 Salauris Palace from £440pp
Alykes, Zante – £508 per person
“Low‑key Alykes is the perfect antidote to rowdy Laganas just 30 minutes’ drive away. The village centres around a golden beach lined with loungers and relaxed bars. Paddleboard together by day, then sip cocktails as the sun sinks over the Ionian Sea.”
Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star Koukounaria Hotel & Suites from £499pp
Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on court in sweltering conditions before retiring from his Cincinnati Open third-round match with Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Rinderknech lost the first set 7-6 (7-4)but was level at 2-2 in the second before collapsing near the baseline as Canada’s Auger-Aliassime prepared to serve.
Auger-Aliassime and the umpire ran over to check on the Frenchman, before medical staff arrived on court.
The 30-year-old, who had been playing for nearly two hours, had a cooling break with ice packs on his neck and legs before declaring he was able to continue.
However, he lasted just two more games before retiring to send Auger-Aliassime through to the last 16.
Players have been struggling with the heat during the tournament, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30C.
British number two Cameron Norrie looked unwell and was often drenched in sweat during his second-round loss to veteran Roberto Bautista Agut on Sunday.
Wimbledon experienced its hottest opening day in June, with temperatures reaching 32.3C. Carlos Alcaraz’s five-set first-round win over Fabio Fognini was completed following a 15-minute pause in the deciding set, when a spectator sitting in the sun was taken ill.
SUMMER might be great for your tan but your hair – not so much.
As the heatwave rolls on, hair experts are warning that rising temperatures, sun exposure and sticky humidity could be silently wrecking your locks.
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Sam Cinkir shared his expert advice
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Your breakfast staples could be the key to preventing hair damage this summer
According to Sam Cinkir, CEO of top UK skin and hair clinic Este Medical Group, the summer months bring a cocktail of factors that can secretly sabotage your strands and lead to frizz, breakage and even bald spots.
Sam warns: “Warmer temperatures, increased exposure to the sun and higher levels of humidity can all combine to cause problems for our hair in summer.”
While we slather on SPF to protect our skin, our hair often gets forgotten and that’s when trouble starts.
The heat can dry out your strands, zap moisture from your scalp, and weaken hair follicles, making hair more prone to thinning and damage.
Humidity adds insult to injury, lifting the cuticle layer of the hair and letting in moisture, which causes swelling, frizz, and that all-too-familiar ‘triangle head’ situation.
“You might find your locks more susceptible to issues such as breakage, split ends, frizziness or even hair loss,” Sam told The Sun.
But it turns out, the real hair hero isn’t sitting on a salon shelf, it could already be in your kitchen.
Sam explains that a few simple dietary tweaks can play a big role in restoring shine, strength and scalp health during the hotter months.
He recommends focusing on foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and key nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, along with iron and zinc.
My hair’s so thin you can see my scalp but miracle £8 buy fixes it in seconds
These are all crucial for keeping the hair follicle strong, encouraging healthy growth, and locking in moisture.
And don’t forget hydration. A dry scalp is an unhappy scalp and not drinking enough water can leave both your hair and skin looking parched.
So what should you be eating?
Oily fish
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Adding oily fish into your diet could prevent shedding
Sam highlights oily fish, like mackerel, herring and tuna, as one of the top summer saviours.
These fish are packed with omega-3s, which help nourish the scalp and improve blood flow to hair follicles, key for reducing inflammation and preventing shedding.
Leafy greens
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Leafy greens are rich in Vitamin C
Leafy greens are another smart swap.
Spinach, kale and bok choy are rich in iron and vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, a protein that keeps your hair strong and structured.
Eggs
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Eggs are a source of keratin
Sam also notes that eggs are a brilliant source of keratin.
Keratin is the main protein your hair is made of and plays a big part in preventing thinning.
So it’s important to add this breakfast staple into your diet if you want to combat thinning hair.
Greek yogurt
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Greek yogurt is high in protein and B5Credit: Getty
For a tasty way to end the day, try a bowl of Greek yogurt.
Not only is it high in protein, but it also contains vitamin B5, which supports healthy hair texture and cell renewal. It even helps with dandruff by keeping the scalp nourished.
With tubs going for around £3.50 in most supermarkets, it’s a small price to pay for big results and certainly cheaper than an emergency trip to the salon.
You can also add nuts and seeds for added benefits.
Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds, are packed with biotin and healthy fats that boost keratin production and encourage growth.
So, if your hair’s looking limp, frizzy or falling out more than usual, it might not be your shampoo to blame.
The answer could be on your plate and a few simple swaps could be all it takes to save your summer strands.
Hair re-growth FAQs
Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley spoke exclusively to Fabulous.
How long does it take for hair to grow back?
Hair grows, on average, half an inch a month. You cannot speed this up.
Do rosemary oil and scalp massages work?
Oils do not promote hair growth. In terms of rosemary oil, the current trend stems from one small study carried out on 50 men in 2015. No women were involved, and the study compared the effects of 2 per cent minoxidil to Rosemary oil. 2 per cent minoxidil doesn’t do much for male pattern hair loss anyway, so the results were not very impressive. Oils do serve a purpose in conditioning hair treatments though. They help add shine and smooth the hair cuticle to lock-in moisture and improve combability. Scalp massages alone won’t cure hair loss, but it can help relax you, aid in lymphatic drainage, exfoliate and help topicals penetrate.
Are there any products or foods/vitamins you recommend someone using oreating to help with hair regrowth?
To support healthy hair regrowth, if you are experiencing hair thinning we’d recommend our Density Preserving Scalp Drops clinically proven to help slow hair loss with continued daily use within three months.
Telogen effluvium (hair shedding) due to nutritional deficiencies can often be simply treated with changes to your diet, and nutritional supplements such as our specially formulated Density Healthy Hair Complex and Density Amino Acid Booster.
Iron and Ferritin (stored iron) in red meat, dried apricots and dark, leafy greens. Vitamin B12 in animal products and fortified plant-based foods. Protein from oily fish, lean meat, cottage cheese, tofu, nuts, chickpeas, and beans.
However, there may be an underlying cause for their hair loss and rather than this being masked by using an off-the-shelf product, they should be encouraged to seek the advice of a specialist such as a Trichologist.
Aug. 2 (UPI) — Thousands of frozen hot dogs spilled across Interstate-83 in Pennsylvania, closing the busy highway in both directions after a multi-vehicle collision.
State police and four separate fire departments responded to the crash this week at an exit in Shrewsbury, Pa., the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company confirmed on Facebook.
The collision occurred around 9:10 a.m. EDT and the highway was later re-opened around 3:45 p.m.
Four people were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while several sections of the highway were damaged as a result of the collision that involved a tractor-trailer truck and two other vehicles.
The Pennsylvania State Police confirmed they are now investigating what led up to the crash.
The closure stretched for four miles along the interstate, between exits 4 and 8.
“We all came to a dead stop and I was wondering what was going on. Then I saw some emergency vehicles…and hot dogs all over the road,” witness Jake Sitcosky told WPMT-TV.
Cleanup efforts were hampered by the amount of grease left on the pavement.
Local media showed photos of destroyed cardboard boxes and hotdogs littering the road.
Queenstown is the most tranquil destination in the world, thanks to its low levels of noise and light pollution, cleanliness rating and quality of green spaces
This gorgeous spot needs to be on your radar(Image: James O’Neil via Getty Images)
If you’re seeking a holiday where tranquillity, breath aking scenery and utter relaxation are the order of the day, then one destination should be at the top of your list.
Tucked away on the other side of the globe, nestled between the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wakatipu and the majestic Southern Alps, is the New Zealand city of Queenstown. Recently crowned the most serene spot on earth by TravelBag, this enchanting city is a pristine paradise waiting to be discovered.
It offers an unspoilt environment that encourages you to truly unwind, disconnect, and immerse yourself in nature.
The travel experts analysed 26 locations to identify the most peaceful, using key indicators such as noise and light pollution, cleanliness, and the quality of green spaces, with Queenstown emerging victorious.
Queenstown scored an impressive cleanliness rating of 91.7, outshining all other destinations, and a high green space quality score of 94.4.
Queenstown has stunning scenery (Image: @ Didier Marti via Getty Images)
With relatively low traffic congestion and minimal light pollution, Queenstown is an ideal location for stargazing, reports the Express.
It’s also a fantastic destination to visit throughout the year.
During the winter months, visitors can enjoy superb ski fields and cosy eateries, while the summer sees the city transform into a sun-drenched haven boasting numerous hiking and biking trails, as well as stunning swimming spots.
For thrill-seekers, there’s bungee jumping, ziplines and paragliding.
Kayaks on Lake Wakatipu(Image: MarconiCouto via Getty Images)
And for those who prefer a more tranquil experience, there are hot pools with breathtaking views over the alps, as well as spas and wellness centres.
If you fancy visiting this stunning location and experiencing all it has to offer, bear in mind that it is somewhat off the beaten track.
A flight from the UK to Queenstown takes approximately 25 hours, but departures are available daily.
If you’re after a winter getaway, the optimal time to travel is between June and August, whereas for a summer holiday, December through to February is the best period to visit.
FASHION fans have been racing to pick up Marks & Spencer’s new summer dress that hides lumps and bumps.
The linen mini dress that shoppers have been describing as “perfect” has become an instant bestseller.
The M&S linen blend dress is flying off the shelves
M&S Linen Blend Button Through Mini Dress, £45
M&S’ Linen Blend Mini Dress has a shift silhouette that’s flattering on all body shapes, with a stylish button-down design.
The sleeveless cut is perfect for holidays and the warmer weather, while the mini length will pair well with just about any footwear.
It has a versatile design that can be dressed up or down for any occasion, so it could be teamed with sandals for an effortless daytime look, and dressed up with heels and chunky jewellery for evening occasions.
The white colourway has already sold out, but it’s still available to shop in black.
Some M&S shoppers are already raving about the linen dress.
One reviewer wrote: “I got this in store, tried it on at home and it’s stunning with a perfect fit, even my partner said it looks lovely, can’t wait for my holiday to wear it.
It’s the perfect fit and doesn’t pull around the bust, well done M&S.”
Another added: “I’ve been trying very hard to get this dress ever since I noticed it online, but I was lucky enough to find it in-store and it’s fab.
You can wear it through the day or it would look great for summer evenings.”
Linen dresses are perfect for summer as they’re light and airy to wear in the heat – making them a comfortable for choice holidays and days in the office.
The high-street Linen Midi Dress has already sold out in several sizes, so if you’re on the hunt for the perfect holiday dress, it could be worth adding to your basket soon.
Wizz Air has announced that it will suspend operations from its Abu Dhabi hub. The budget airline currently operates more than 30 routes from the Middle Eastern base.
Wizz Air said “hot and harsh” weather was causing plane difficulties (Image: aeduard via Getty Images)
Wizz Air has scrapped a number of routes as “hot and harsh” weather is damaging its planes.
On Monday, the Hungarian airline announced that it would discontinue its Abu Dhabi operations starting in August.
Ticket sales have been halted from the Middle Eastern capital to Varna from July 14, followed by Belgrade on July 19, Tirana on July 20, Kutaisi on July 29, and Sarajevo on August 31.
Six additional routes will be temporarily suspended, including Krakow (July 29–September 19), Budapest (paused until September 1), Vienna (paused until September 21), Katowice (paused until October 26), and both Astana and Samarkand (paused until November 1). Services to Sofia and Cluj have already been discontinued, Aviation Weekly reports.
The publication also notes that Pratt & Whitney GTF engine issues have led to 20% of Wizz Air’s Airbus A320neo-family fleet being grounded over the past financial year.
The budget airline currently operates more than 30 routes from its Abu Dhabi base.
Last month, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the carrier was strategically reducing operations in “hot and harsh” environments. He explained that capacity would be reallocated to lower-risk areas to help reduce operating costs and prolong engine life.
“Hot and harsh is a significant issue which we are going to address,” the CEO said. “That will not only lower operating costs and extend engine lifetime, but it will also increase productivity on sectors.”
In a statement issued this morning, the airline said three main “operational challenges over the past year” led to the decision to “suspend all locally based flight operations effective 1 September 2025”. They are:
• Engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which have impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency.
• Geopolitical volatility, which has led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as weakened consumer demand.
• Regulatory barriers, which have limited the company’s ability to access and scale in key markets.
Mr. Váradi added: “We have had a tremendous journey in the Middle East and are proud of what we have built. I thank our highly dedicated employees for their relentless efforts and commitment to developing the WIZZ brand in new and dynamic markets. However, the operating environment has changed significantly.
“Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances. We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air’s customer proposition and build shareholder value.”
Passengers with existing bookings beyond 31 August will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group.
The announcements come as Wizz extends its operations in other markets, including by adding several new routes from its UK base at Luton Airport.
From last month, Wizz Air started whisking passengers away four times weekly from Gatwick to the quaint Polish city of Wroclaw. Come the start of August, Londoners will also have the chance to jet off from the same bustling hub to the Polish capital, Warsaw, and even Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Birmingham hasn’t been left behind; the heart of the West Midlands gained thrice-weekly connections to Rome as of June, with future plans to link up with Sibiu and Suceava in Romania.
Last week Mirror Travel sat down with Yvonne Moynihan, the new managing director of the UK wing of the airline.
Monrovia Canyon Park reopened just in time for this week’s heat wave to remind us that summer is here.
This 80-acre wooded treasure was closed for a few years after it burned in the 2020 Bobcat fire and then suffered significant damage from subsequent flooding. This past week I visited the park, which reopened June 27, where I marveled at massive oak trees and spotted the first bear I’ve seen on a local trail.
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Upon entering the park, it’s easy to notice all the great work that volunteers and staff have completed to improve this cultural treasure. I appreciated the smooth paved roads leading into and through the park. I was greeted by a friendly ranger in a well-made kiosk who was happy to answer my questions about the park’s trails. And I easily found parking on a weekday (and as a bonus, under a shade tree).
The waterfall trail in Monrovia Canyon Park is shaded by several bay laurel and oak trees.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Soon, Maggie May, the official dog of The Wild, and I headed onto the waterfall trail, a moderate jaunt through the canyon that ranges in length from 1.5 to 3 miles, depending on whether you start at the nature center, cabin or ranger station.
Maggie and I took our time as we headed to the waterfall. One of us lay down in the creek — I’ll let you guess who — appreciating the lush landscape around them. I loved seeing the massive oak trees. How many wildfires have they survived? They always remind me to slow down and appreciate what’s around me, including the resilience of these ancient beauties.
I also spotted a few patches of wildflowers, including bright orange California poppies and the Matilija poppy whose fried egg appearance always makes this breakfast lover a little hungry.
A Matilija poppy, small patches of poppies, and a cliff aster grow in Monrovia Canyon Park.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The trail ends at a 30-foot waterfall that’s flowing for now. Overall, Monrovia Canyon Park reminded me, with its short concrete dams and lush canyon, of nearby Big Santa Anita Canyon, another gorgeous hiking destination with an impressive waterfall.
As Maggie and I headed out of the park, I drove slowly with my windows down, which made it easy to spot the small brown bear when it popped out of the woods just before the ranger kiosk. Bears are frequently spotted in the park, so please keep your dogs on leash. It is required, but especially important to heed given the ursine residents.
Monrovia Canyon Park requires visitors to make reservations when visiting on the weekend. Officials are waiving the parking fee for the first few weeks. Once enforced, it’ll be $5 on weekdays and $6 on weekends.
The path to the waterfall in Monrovia Canyon Park includes a few water crossings, none of which are too tricky in the summer months when the water is low.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Before we dive in further, a few reminders on trail etiquette:
Watch your speed. The trailheads for these hikes involve driving along twisting roads or through neighborhoods.
Leave no trace. Before leaving, take a moment to read the seven Leave No Trace principles. In short: Observe wildlife from a distance, stay on the trail and pack out whatever you pack in, including orange peels. And please leave the Bluetooth speakers at home.
Watch your step. It is officially rattlesnake season. Keep an eye out for our misunderstood reptilian residents!
Bring a map. Regardless of whether you take a photo of the map at the trailhead, download a map on your phone or bring a paper map, please have something with you to guide your way.
Pack more water than you think you’ll need. I am specifically talking to the hikers with a 12-ounce water bottle on a sunny day. (I will always share my extra water with you, but I hope you won’t ever need it!)
OK, now that we’ve covered that, let’s dive into three hikes near L.A. where you can cool off during or after a hike.
A 30-foot waterfall at Monrovia Canyon Park.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
1. The waterfall trail in Monrovia Canyon Park
Distance: 1.5 to 3 miles, depending on starting point Elevation gained: About 500 feet, although it will vary Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed? Yes Accessible alternative: The Legg Lake Loop at Whittier Narrows
Antonovich Trail follows Walnut Creek and includes multiple creek crossings.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
2. Antonovich Trail
Distance: 7.8 miles out and back Elevation gained: 385 feet Difficulty: On the easier end of moderate Dogs allowed? Yes Accessible alternative: Antonovich Trail; instead of entering the trail off San Dimas Avenue, where you must navigate a steep hill, start the trail from this parking area; the trail is not paved, but it is mostly flat if you head in the westerly direction from the parking lot.
Antonovich Trail is a 7.8-mile out-and-back trek along Walnut Creek, which flows gently through the canyon. The hike is heavily shaded by canopies of fig, coast live oak, eucalyptus trees and several fan palms. Besides a steep descent from the parking lot into the canyon, the route is mostly flat. This is one of my favorite trails that I discovered since I started writing The Wild last July.
As an added bonus, after your hike, you can head over to the swim beach at Puddingstone Reservoir in Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, which reopened last week after park officials replaced a transformer system.
Escondido Falls in a previous year with more rainfall.
(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)
3. Escondido Falls trail
Distance: About 3.5 miles Elevation gained: About 500 feet Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed? Yes Accessible alternative: Ann Skager Trail in Malibu Creek State Park
The 3.5-mile hike to Escondido Falls, a 150-foot multi-tiered waterfall, passes through oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub, two native landscapes with plants and trees that provide shade and ground cover — and are more adapted to wildfires than invasive plants — for hikers and the animals who live in the region. You’ll likely spot laurel sumac and buckwheat, along with several lizards darting across your path.
Even when the waterfall is only a trickle, the park itself will be a cooler spot to hike than others on this list, given its proximity to the ocean.
Like the other two hikes on this list, Escondido Canyon often offers a reprieve from an otherwise hot day.
3 things to do
Monarch butterflies land on branches at Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, Calif.
(Nic Coury / Associated Press)
1. Plant habitat for monarchs in L.A. Volunteers are needed Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Ascot Hills park nursery (4371 Multnomah St.) to develop habitat for monarchs. The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will host the event along with Monarch Mami, North East Trees and El Serenity Garden. Register at eventbrite.com.
2. Improve wetlands in Marina del Rey The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust will host a stewardship event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday where volunteers will yank invasive plants among other tasks. The organization will provide gloves and tools. Participants should bring water, close-toed shoes and sun protection. Learn more at the group’s Instagram page.
3. Get your honky tonk on near Santa Clarita Vasquez Rocks Natural Area will host a free celebration of western songs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the park. Participants are encouraged to bring their dancing boots, a picnic, camp chairs and their favorite western wear (like whatever you have left over from Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour). Food trucks and other vendors will sell food and other items. Learn more at the park’s Instagram page.
The must-read
A western bluebird perches on a charred branch of a burned tree in the aftermath of the Eaton fire in Altadena.
(Agustin Paullier / AFP via Getty Images)
Would you like an excuse to walk around outside for 10 minutes a week and, in turn, contribute to science? Times staff writer Corinne Purtill reports that Project Phoenix, a multiyear research project exploring birds’ response to wildfire, needs volunteers in California, Oregon and Washington to collect data from July through November. The data you collect — 10 minutes a week in the same location — will aid in the understanding of the effects of wildfire smoke on birds, an understudied topic. Scientists would like to understand whether birds fly to new places when air quality declines or if they’re changing in other ways when their nests get smoky. “These are the hypotheses we are hoping to test with the data we collect in 2025,” said program director Olivia Sanderfoot, a UCLA ornithologist. “The more people we have engaged, the more likely that we will have people in place to capture these impacts where they occur. It requires people power.”
I just signed up to volunteer, and can confirm it’s quite an easy process.
Happy adventuring,
P.S.
Do you have a bored teenager at home? Send them to a public garden. From now through Labor Day, teens ages 13 to 18 with valid student ID can visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Descanso Gardens, Virginia Robinson and South Coast Botanic Gardenfor free. Perhaps challenge them to take photos of plants they’ve never seen, and you can look them up together as a family at home.
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
TORONTO — Bo Bichette homered and scored the deciding run to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to their season-high eighth straight victory, 3-2 over the Angels on Sunday.
The American League East-leading Blue Jays improved to 52-38, sweeping a homestand of seven of more games for the first time since 1994 and second in franchise history.
Toronto drew even on with Bichette’s leadoff homer in the fourth inning. His 12th homer came after his error in the top of the inning loaded the bases for the Angels. Davis Schneider drove in Bichette in the sixth inning with a single down the left-field line.
Mike Trout homered for the Angels with two out in the first.
After Bichette’s homer, Toronto went ahead in the fourth on a two-out single from Joey Loperfido, who made his season debut. The Angels tied it in the fifth when Taylor Ward singled over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and three walks. Tyler Anderson (2-6) yielded three runs on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts in five-plus innings.
Reliever Ryan Burr (1-0) got the victory in his first outing of the season after dealing with a right-shoulder injury. Jeff Hoffman picked up his 22nd save.
Key moment
With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, Gausman coaxed Gustavo Campero into a 1-3 double play.
Key stat
The Blue Jays have 52 wins with six games remaining before the All-Star break. The club record for victories before the break is 53, set in 1985 and matched in 1992.
Up next
Yusei Kikuchi, who was named to the AL All-Star team on Sunday, was scheduled to start for the Angels at home Monday night against Texas. Jose Berrios (4-3) was set to start for Toronto on Monday night in Chicago against the White Sox’s Sean Burke (4-7).
Brits heading to a cluster of popular European destinations have been issued a stark health warning, as a powerful ‘heat dome’ sweeps the continent – resulting in sizzling temperatures exceeding 40C
UK holidaymakers are ignoring red alert heatwave warnings – as parts of Europe continues to sizzle out of control.
While Brits may be desperate to top up their non-existent tan, temperatures across the Mediterranean have climbed to dangerous levels – exceeding a whopping 40C in select hotspots. Last month, a record-breaking temperature of 46C was set on one Saturday afternoon in El Granado, Spain – while France issued heat warnings in 84 of its 96 mainland departments.
Italy has also been impacted by what experts are referring to as a ‘heat dome’, causing temperatures to reach a stifling 38C in the bustling city of Rome. This is the same heat that swept across Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, last week – and has even made its way over to the UK.
In Barcelona, reports recently emerged that a woman died after spending a gruelling shift outside, cleaning the streets of the Spanish city. The shocking news follows data that found around 2,168 people have died from causes attributable to the heat in Spain alone this year. As a result, experts have urged Brits to exercise caution when travelling to the following hotspots this summer:
Barcelona hit a staggering 38C on Saturday, June 28(Image: AP)
Speaking to the Telegraph, Dr Stephen Wood of Northeastern University in the US, warned that tourists are particularly ‘vulnerable’ to heat stroke and similar related illnesses due to several factors. “Travel often involves a lot of walking and sightseeing, frequently in the hottest parts of the day, without sufficient hydration or rest,” he explained.
“They may also wear clothing that isn’t ideal for the climate or skip sun protection altogether. Plus, tourists might not recognise the early signs of heat illness, or they may ignore them in the excitement of exploring a new place.”
Sizzling temperatures have also been recorded in Lisbon (pictured)(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
In contrast, locals who grew up in the Mediterranean have acclimatised to the heat much better. Many residents have been ‘shutting themselves away in dark houses’ during the intense sunny spells, rather than queuing outside for hours to enter museums and other attractions.
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Despite the warning, it seems Brits remain undeterred – with thousands of holidays being booked in July as part of last-minute deals. According to On the Beach, in the past 48 hours (from July 1) bookings to Europe increased by a staggering 23 per cent – and there was a whopping 47 per cent increase in bookings leaving within seven days after the booking was made.
If you’re travelling to the Mediterranean during the ongoing heatwave, it is advised you remain in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its hottest. “Wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter,” advises the NHS.
“Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.”
Has Europe’s heat wave put you off travelling abroad this summer? Let us know in the comments section below
Food poisoning and a runny tummy can ruin any trip, but by sticking to bottled water and being careful with fruit and salad, holidaymakers can keep travellers’ trots at bay
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The sight of a bowl of fresh cut fruit might make your mouth water, but pause before tucking in or you may regret it(Image: Getty Images)
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to summer holidays – whether you’re jetting off to the Mediterranean, road-tripping across the UK, or packing for a long-haul getaway. But one of the most important things is sometimes the first to be overlooked – your health. As a pharmacist with more than 30 years’ experience, I’ve helped countless holidaymakers caught off-guard by sunburn, food poisoning or an unexpected allergic reaction.
One in eight holidaymakers get ill abroad, according to statistics. And nearly half of us fear a medical emergency abroad. But the good news is that with a few smart, proactive steps, you can avoid most common travel ailments and keep your summer trip on track. So whether you suffer from travel sickness, struggle with jet lag, or just want to avoid the classic sunburn-blister-sore-feet trifecta, here are 10 essential summer health hacks to help you feel your best, wherever you’re headed.
How to build the ultimate travel first aid kit
You don’t need to carry half a pharmacy with you, just pack the essentials. Make sure you have plasters and antiseptic wipes, as well as antihistamines (for bites, allergies or hay fever), and rehydration salts for heat or stomach bugs. Pop a pack of paracetamol or ibuprofen in your kit, as well as anti-diarrhoeal medication like loperamide.
Don’t forget travel sickness tablets, and hydrocortisone cream for rashes or bites. If you have prescribed medications, keep them in their original boxes with your name clearly labelled. Keeping these in a bag in your hand luggage ensures you’re covered if your main suitcase goes missing.
Some simple steps around eating fruit and salad in hot countries could prevent toilet troubles(Image: Getty Images)
Avoid holiday tummy troubles
Food poisoning and traveller’s diarrhoea can ruin any trip. In many hot countries, bacteria multiply more quickly, especially in street food or undercooked meats. Stick to bottled or filtered water (including when brushing teeth) and avoid ice cubes unless you know the source. Peel fruits yourself and be cautious with salads washed in local water. Pack antidiarrhoeal tablets and rehydration salts. If symptoms last more than 48 hours, or there’s blood in the stool, seek medical help.
Beat travel sickness before it starts
Motion sickness happens when your inner ear and eyes send conflicting signals to your brain – often triggered in cars, boats or planes. Prevention is far more effective than waiting until you’re nauseous. Antihistamines such as cinnarizine or hyoscine patches are proven remedies and available over the counter. For natural alternatives, ginger capsules or acupressure wristbands may help some people. I also recommend facing forwards in a moving vehicle, avoiding reading or scrolling, and crack a window where possible.
Stay one step ahead of jet lag
There’s nothing worse than losing the first day or so of a long-awaited holiday due to jet lag. While you can’t avoid it altogether, there are some things you can do to minimise the effects. If possible, try to adjust your sleep schedule a few days before you fly. Drink plenty of water on the flight, and avoid alcohol. If it’s an overnight flight, avoid eating a heavy meal. Get some sunlight as soon as you arrive to help reset your internal body clock. Melatonin supplements may be useful for short-term sleep regulation but speak to a pharmacist first.
Stay hydrated – especially on your flight
Cabin air is dry, and dehydration not only leaves you feeling groggy but can worsen jet lag, headaches, and increase your risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Drink a glass of water every hour during your flight and avoid caffeine or alcohol, both of which dehydrate you. Consider oral rehydration salts if you’re flying long haul or suffer from conditions that make you more prone to dehydration. Pack a refillable water bottle (you can fill it after security) and use hydrating facial mists or moisturiser to combat dry skin.
If your stomach is delicate, sticking to bottled water could be the safest option abroad(Image: Getty Images)
Prevent sunburn
It’s tempting to start a holiday by spending hours in the sun lying on the beach or by the pool. But a trip away can easily be ruined by sunburn, which isn’t just painful but can increase your risk of skin cancer and can lead to sunstroke. Always use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours and immediately after swimming. Don’t forget areas like ears, feet, scalp, and the back of the neck. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest.
Protect against bites and stings
Mosquitoes, midges and other biting insects can cause allergic reactions or transmit illness depending on where you’re travelling. Use an insect repellent containing DEET, especially around sunrise and sunset. Wear loose, light-coloured clothing, and sleep under a mosquito net if needed. If you’re bitten make sure to clean the area, apply hydrocortisone cream, and take oral antihistamines to reduce swelling and itching. If the area becomes red, hot or painful – or you develop a fever – seek medical advice.
Plan ahead for pre-existing conditions
If you have a long-term condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist at least 2-4 weeks before you travel. Get any vaccinations you need and ensure you’re fit to fly, particularly for long-haul trips. Take a basic health summary or EHIC/GHIC card (for EU countries) and always declare conditions on travel insurance. If you’re flying with mobility issues, allergies or need medical equipment like oxygen or needles, inform your airline in advance. And remember – pharmacies abroad don’t always stock the same brands or doses. Being prepared gives you peace of mind.
Mind your medication in the heat
Many people don’t realise that extreme heat can reduce the effectiveness of some medications, particularly for blood pressure, thyroid conditions or diabetes. Tablets like nitroglycerin and insulin are especially sensitive and should be kept below 25°C, away from direct sunlight or car glove boxes.
For those on temperature-sensitive meds, pack a cool bag or insulated pouch, especially on day trips. Additionally, store your medication in carry-on luggage rather than checked bags, as luggage holds can get extremely hot. A travel-sized thermometer in your kit can help you keep an eye on conditions if you’re somewhere very hot.
Deborah Grayson is a pharmacist with 30 years’ experience, and a nutritional therapist. She runs Digestion With Confidence: digestionwithconfidence.co.uk
FILL YOUR FIRST AID KIT
Take steps now to make sure you have everything you need for every kind of holiday health challenge
Travel sickness tablets could help take the edge of nausea caused by flights, car journeys and boat trips
Keep your skin and your children’s well protected against the sun’s harmful rays with La Roche Posay UVMune 400 Dermo-paediatrics Invisible Spray SPF50+
July 4 (UPI) —Joey Chestnut is back as the top dog in Nathan’s annual event at Coney Island in New York, consuming 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes on Independence Day on Friday.
In ideal outdoor conditions, Chestnut, 41, of Westfield, Ind., won his 17th title in the 109th Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut didn’t compete last year because he had a sponsorship with a rival hot dog company.
Earlier Friday, Miki Sudo, 39, of Tampa, Fla., and previously New York, earned the women’s title for the 11th time, eating 33 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Last year, she broke the women’s world record with 51 franks.
Chestnut, whose nickname is “Jaws,” failed to surpass his record of 76 in 2023 though he consumed 50% more than his second-place finisher.
“Man, I wish I ate a couple more,” Chestnut said on ESPN about his performance which was his second best in 20 Nathan’s competitions. “I will be back next year.”
Early on he was on a record pace for the first three minutes, starting out with 10 after 60 seconds. After five minutes, he consumed 46.
The last minute he ate five hot dogs.
“I was nervous early on,” Chestnut said. “I was fumbling a bit. I had a pretty good rhythm. My goal was 70 to 77.”
Patrick Bertoletti, 27, of Chicago, who won the event last year, chowed down 46.5 dogs to finish second. In 2024, he consumed 58 hot dogs and buns to win the yellow mustard belt.
James Webb, 36, of Sydney, Australia, was third with 45.5.
In Chestnut’s last appearance on Coney Island, he ate 62 hot dogs.
This past July 4, Chestnut didn’t compete in the contest over his sponsorship of Impossible Foods, a producer of meatless products and a rival beef wiener brand.
Instead, he competed against a team of four soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, eating 57 hot dogs in five minutes.
Last year, Chestnut competed in Netflix’ Labor Day event at the Luxor in Las Vegas. He ate a record 83 hot dogs, beating rival Takeru Kobayashi, 46 at the time, of Japan, who consumed 67.
In 2008 in New York, Chestnut dethroned Kobayashi, who had won six titles in a row. The margin was 66-63.
Chestnut began eating at Nathan’s in 2005, finishing third with 32, then second the next year with 52.
He won his first title in 2007 when the contest lasted 12 minutes. The next year 2 minutes were shaved from the event.
Kobayashi announced his retirement from competitive eating due to health concerns.
Chestnut’s only loss since 2007 was to Matt Stonie in 2016.
He has eaten a total 1,284.5 hot dogs in 20 career appearances at the contest.
Women’s contest
Sudo said she “let the fans down a little” because she didn’t break her own record.
“For some reason, the buns felt larger today,” she added.
Sudo, who is a dental hygienist, began competing in Coney Island in 2014.
Sudo’s husband is Nick Wehry, also a competitor.
Michelle Lesco, who won in 2021 when Sudo didn’t compete because she was pregnant, was second with 22.75 hot dogs and buns. Lesco, 41, is from Tucson, Ariz.
Domenica Dee, 33, of Westchester, N.Y., finished third with 22.5.
History
In 1916, Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened a nickel hot dog stand on Coney Island with a $300 loan from two friends. It’s still there at Surf and Stillwell.
The first official contest took place in 1972 when Jason Schechter ate 14 in 3 1/2 minutes. ESPN has broadcast the event since 2004.
A separate women’s contest began in 2011. Sonya Thomas, known as the “Black Widow” and born in South Korea, became the first women’s champion.
The 2020 event took place indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contestants can dunk the buns in water. Utensils and condiments are not allowed. Vomiting, or “reversal of fortune,” results in disqualification.
NEW YORK — Famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut reclaimed his title Friday at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot-dog eating contest after after skipping last year’s gastronomic battle in New York for the coveted Mustard Belt.
Chestnut, 41, consumed 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, falling short of his record of 76 wieners and buns set on July 4, 2021. It marked the 17th win in 20 appearances for the Westfield, Indiana, eater at the internationally televised competition, which he missed in 2024 over a contract dispute.
Defending champion in the women’s division, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, won her 11th title, downing 33 dogs, besting a dozen competitors. Last year, she ate a record 51 links.
A large crowd, many wearing foam hot dog hats, braved high temperatures to witness the annual eat-a-thon, held outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, since 1972. Many show up to see Chestnut’s much-awaited return to an event he has called “a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
Chestnut bested 14 fellow competitors from across the U.S. and internationally, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England and Brazil.
Last year, Major League Eating event organizer George Shea said Chestnut would not be participating in the contest due to a contract dispute. Chestnut had struck a deal with a competing brand, the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods.
Chestnut told The Associated Press last month that he had never appeared in any commercials for the company’s vegan hot dogs and that Nathan’s is the only hot dog company he has worked with. But Chestnut acknowledged he “should have made that more clear with Nathan’s.”
Last year, Chestnut ate 57 dogs — in only five minutes — in an exhibition with soldiers, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He said that event was “amazing” and he was pleased to still have a chance to eat hot dogs — a lot of them — on July Fourth.
“I’m happy I did that, but I’m really happy to be back at Coney Island,” he said.
Last year in New York, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago gobbled up a 58 to earn the men’s title.
We’ve all eaten an extra hot dog at a Fourth of July barbecue — but only the greats can stomach 50 dogs in rapid fire.
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest brings the world’s top competitive eaters to Coney Island, N.Y., to see how many hot dogs they can eat in 10 minutes. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s competition.
Is Joey Chestnut competing?
Joey Chestnut, the competition’s most decorated eater, is returning to the Coney Island stage this year after a sponsorship conflict barred him from competing in 2024. Banned after signing a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, Chestnut got his fill competing at a different contest in El Paso, Texas. Major League Eating eventually ceded the sponsorship issue with Chestnut, who posted on X in June that he is “grateful we’ve been able to find common ground.”
Who are the eaters?
Chestnut — ranked No. 1 in the country — is the favorite to win again, boasting a Major League Eating record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Other eaters to watch are the 2024 winner and No. 2-ranked Patrick Bertoletti, No.-3 ranked eater Geoffrey Esper, No.-4 ranked eater James Webb and No.-6 ranked eater Nick Wehry.
Miki Sudo is the front-runner in the women’s competition. The reigning champ with a 10-year winning streak, Sudo will be aiming to top her personal record set in 2024 of 51 hot dogs.
When is the contest?
The 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place July 4 outside the original Nathan’s Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y. ESPN will continue its annual broadcast of the Fourth of July contest this year, with coverage beginning at 7:45 a.m. PT/10:45 a.m. ET. The main hot dog eating contest is expected to begin at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
How can I watch?
The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. It will air again on ESPN at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET, and at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This will give fans some timing options as they iron out their Fourth of July plans.
The women’s competition will air on ESPN3 at 7:45 a.m. PT/10:45 a.m. ET and will be recapped around 12 p.m. ET.
How did the contest come to be?
In 1916, Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker used a $300 loan and his wife’s secret recipe to open a nickel hot dog stand — it wasn’t until 1972 that the first hot dog eating contest began.
What was initially a lighthearted challenge has become a physically taxing sport, formalized by Major League Eating and extensive media attention. Many see the contest as emblematic of America’s obsession with spectacle and excess. Nathan’s is also not shy about its original goal of self-promotion. Every Independence Day, tens of thousands of fans flock to Coney Island with millions more watching on ESPN.
So, what’s on the table?
The winner receives the highly coveted and bejeweled Mustard Belt, a $10,000 grand prize and the esteemed champion title.
NASA tests RS-25 engine No. 20001 on Friday, at the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Test teams fired the engine for almost 500 seconds, the same amount of time RS-25 engines fire during a launch of a Space Launch System rocket on Artemis missions to the moon. Photo by NASA
June 23 (UPI) — NASA fired up a full-duration test of its new RS-25 engine that will power the Space Launch System rocket on Artemis missions to the moon, the space agency announced Monday.
NASA tested RS-25 engine No. 20001 on Friday at the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center at Bay St. Louis in Mississippi. The full-duration “hot fire” test was the first since NASA completed certification testing for new production RS-25 engines last year.
The engine, built by contractor L3Harris Technologies — formerly Aerojet Rocketdyne — was fired up for nearly eight-and-a-half minutes. That is the same amount of time it would take four RS-25 engines to launch an SLS rocket, sending astronauts aboard the Orion into orbit. The engine was also fired up to the 111% power level to test its limits.
The test was conducted by a team from NASA, L3Harris and Syncom Space Services, which is the contractor for site facilities. All RS-25 engines are being tested and proven flightworthy at NASA Stennis after the space agency completed its RS-25 certification test series in April 2024.
“The newly produced engines on future SLS rockets will maintain the high reliability and safe flight operational legacy the RS-25 is known for while enabling more affordable high-performance engines for the next era of deep space exploration,” Johnny Heflin, SLS liquid engines manager, said last year.
The RS-25 engine dates back to the 1960s, with a previous iteration of Rocketdyne from the 1970s. NASA’s first space shuttle flight used RS-25 engines to launch in April 1981.
It will take four RS-25 engines, producing a combined 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, to launch the SLS rocket for Artemis missions.
NASA is targeting the first crewed Artemis mission, Artemis II, for April 2026. It will be the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. During Artemis II, four astronauts will make a trip around the moon. Artemis III will include a lunar landing, which is currently scheduled for 2027.
CADBURY has unveiled a brand new range of limited-edition Dairy Milk chocolate bars that change colour when chilled – and they’re ideal for summer snacking.
The new Cadbury Dairy Milk Summer Edition bars and the Iced Latte flavour are hitting shelves across the UK from June 2025, wrapped in cold-activated packaging that transforms in the fridge.
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According to Cadbury’s research, more than half the nation stores their bars in the fridge, especially during the warmer monthsCredit: Alamy
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Chocoholics can expect a limited run, so fans might want to snap them up quickly once they appear in shopsCredit: Alamy
Based in Birmingham, the chocolate giant confirmed that the special packs use thermochromic technology to reveal vibrant designs – including deck chairs, umbrellas, kites, and inflatables – when cooled. It’s the first time Cadbury has launched a product like this.
“This summer, Cadbury Dairy Milk is reigniting the debate around storing chocolate in the fridge,” said Mara Popa, junior brand manager at Cadbury Dairy Milk.
“Our new Cadbury Dairy Milk Summer Editions range features cold-activated packs, reminding consumers that chocolate is a great snacking option in the warmer weather.
“Additionally, our limited-edition Cadbury Dairy Milk Iced Latte tablet is designed to excite consumers with a brand new flavour crafted for summer.
This NPD also features colour changing packaging, highlighting the chilled chocolate trend in a playful way and tapping into the debate.”
The cold-reactive wrappers aren’t just eye-catching – they’re a clever nod to how Brits really eat chocolate.
According to Cadbury’s research, more than half the nation stores their bars in the fridge, especially during the warmer months.
Despite this trend, the brand has advised fans to think twice before chilling their choc. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), a spokesperson warned that the fridge might not always be the best place.
“Chocolate should always be stored in a slightly cool, dry, dark place such as a cupboard or pantry at temperatures less than 21°C to ensure the quality isn’t compromised,” they explained.
Still, curiosity is high.
Shoppers beg Cadbury’s to bring back 2005 recipe on iconic bar – as they moan current one ‘tastes like candle wax’
A whopping 67 per cent of Brits said they’re open to trying chilled chocolate, and Cadbury is leaning into that interest with a playful summer twist.
All five bars in the Edition range will be available in major retailers nationwide and have a recommended price of £2.
However, prices may vary depending on the store.
Chocoholics can expect a limited run, so fans might want to snap them up quickly once they appear in shops.
The packaging not only changes colour, but also ties in with the look and feel of a traditional British summer – perfect for picnics, beach days, or just a cool treat at home.
The launch of the iced latte-flavoured Dairy Milk also adds to Cadbury’s growing line-up of coffee-infused treats.
The bar combines smooth milk chocolate with a creamy coffee centre and crunchy biscuit bits, designed to satisfy both choc and coffee lovers.
Cadbury has already seen success with coffee-flavoured chocolate.
The Twirl Iced Latte has popped up in B&M stores in recent weeks, earning rave reviews from fans.
Meanwhile, a collab with coffee brand Kenco gave us the chocolate-flavoured mocha – another hit among sweet-toothed sippers.
And it’s not stopping there.
From 2 June, the brand will also roll out a limited-edition Twirl White Dipped bar, combining its famous flaky layers with a coating of smooth white chocolate.
A post on Facebook teased the launch, calling it “unreal, indulgent, smooth, swirly, creamy, melty, new, and mouthwatering.”
Earlier this month, fans also spotted a new Cadbury Dairy Milk Balls pack in shops, drawing comparisons to the nostalgic Cadbury Tasters – small, round chocolate treats first launched in 1996.
With so many launches lined up and a summer full of colourful, cold-friendly packaging, Cadbury is clearly out to make this season a choc-filled celebration.
How to save money on chocolate
We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporterSam Walkerreveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
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Cadbury has already seen success with coffee-flavoured chocolateCredit: Alamy
Back in the worst pandemic days of 2020, Elizabeth Garo and Melanie Tusquellas were terrified they would lose their nightclub.
The co-owners of the Alibi — an independent music venue with space for up to 300 people in downtown Palm Springs — opened in late 2019, just before COVID-19 shut down the live music scene.
Garo was a former booker for the Regent, Echo and Echoplex in L.A. (She also opened Stories Books in Echo Park.) Tusquellas was a hospitality veteran behind Los Feliz’s El Chavo and Silver Lake’s historic Edendale restaurant. The two said they had invested hundreds of thousands into renovating and opening the Alibi.
“It’s difficult to run a small independent venue any time, and during COVID it was particularly hard,” Garo recalled in an interview. “A lot of them didn’t make it.”
Garo heard that Marc Geiger, then a WME music executive she had known and worked with for decades, and former WME board member John Fogelman had founded Save Live, a company investing in independent venues to help them survive the pandemic.
When Save Live offered to buy 51% of the Alibi and let the co-founders continue to run it, the deal “felt like such a relief,” Garo said. “It felt like a lifeline, like, ’Hey, we’re gonna make it.’”
Instead, Garo and Tusquellas claim in a 2023 lawsuit and an interview with The Times that the partnership ruined them. Their lawsuit, which seeks compensatory damages, alleges that Geiger and Fogelman negotiated the deal in bad faith, forcing them out of the company’s operations soon after the purchase. After briefly reopening in 2022, the club permanently closed later that year. A trial is set for August.
Attorneys for Save Live, which has since rebranded as Gate 52, declined to comment when reached by email.
In a cross-complaint to the suit, Geiger and Fogelman say Save Live “bent over backwards to try to resolve the parties’ differences” and call Garo and Tusquellas’ claims “salacious — and utterly false — allegations of misogyny and bad faith.”
The suit raises questions about the future of local indie music venues like the Alibi and about Save Live’s intentions. Does the firm rescue troubled venues or capitalize on their financial vulnerability?
Gate 52 now owns 13 music venues across the country, including Electric City in Buffalo, N.Y., the Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee and the Criterion in Oklahoma City. In California, the firm owns the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo and the Golden State Theatre in Monterey, and collaborates with dozens more “network venues” across the country.
The firm is a far cry from giants like Live Nation or AEG. But as a well-capitalized operation that has acquired majority stakes in struggling small venues, it has become a significant player in secondary markets.
The two-story, Spanish colonial-style building that would become the Alibi first opened as a switchboard hub for the GE Telephone Co. in the 1920s. Later, it became Georgie’s Alibi Azul, a popular gay bar and restaurant.
In 2018, Garo and Tusquellas, both wisecracking Gen X veterans of L.A. nightlife, were looking for “a swan song” for their careers, as Tusquellas described it. Garo, one of the most influential talent bookers in L.A. for decades, had been laid off from Live Nation after the mega-promoter bought local promoter Spaceland Presents.
After touring the Alibi, Garo and Tusquellas saw potential for a venue like the ones they’d built in L.A., a place to book local and global artists in a creatively adapted old building.
“We were surprised by how chic and international Palm Springs was becoming,” Tusquellas added. “Growing up in L.A., when we went to Palm Springs as kids, it was like God’s waiting room. But we were quite surprised by this scene with all these local musicians but no venues to play at.”
Alibi soft-launched with packed Pride events in fall 2019 (to avoid the summer heat), and formally opened in October. With its glazed-tile outdoor bar and emerald-hued mood lighting, the venue was a chic standout in desert nightlife.
“We had everything from ‘Dynasty’ theme parties to Modernism Week events,” Tusquellas said. “We had a goth night. There had never been a place to go for them in Palm Springs and they came out of the woodwork.”
Local musicians hoped the venue would be transformative for their scene.
“Alibi was the first place where we got a taste of the real deal,” said Spencer Stange of the band Host Family, which booked a monthly night of experimental music at Alibi. “It was the only venue I knew there that was legitimate and professional. Good bands played there and you could do a real sound check. They were so hospitable, it felt like a home base.”
Louise Minnick, a local promoter with Lesbo Expo, said Alibi was an important venue for queer women in the desert.
“Liz and Melanie went out of their way to make our events special,” Minnick said. “They offered their patio for women to have first access to watch Pride, which meant a lot to me.”
Five months later, the pandemic annihilated those plans.
Garo and Tusquellas said their company, 369 Palm Inc., was too new to access the federal patchwork of Paycheck Protection Program loans. They eventually got a grant from the National Independent Venue Assn., but it was for only $20,000. According to a slide deck cited in Save Live’s cross-complaint, the venue had $250,000 in outstanding bills from the shutdown.
“We used all our savings to pay the rent,” Tusquellas added. “We’re entrepreneurs who are not funded by big people, so we had to pay the $15,000 a month rent ourselves for a year and a half. It was really hard.”
Meanwhile, Save Live launched in 2020 with $135 million raised from venture capital firms and a clear mission: to buy majority stakes in small clubs.
“Save Live’s business model was to invest in local, independent, ‘mom and pop’ live music venues, providing critically needed financial relief and funds to renovate dated facilities to bring them back stronger than ever before,” the company says in its cross-complaint.
Save Live’s founders were well-known in L.A. entertainment. Geiger co-founded the Lollapalooza festival and led WME’s music division from 2003 until 2020. Fogelman was the former head of motion pictures at William Morris Agency and a founding board member when it merged with Endeavor to become WME. The Alibi was one of Save Live’s first venue deals.
“Being able to partner with Save Live is a dream come true,” Garo said in a 2021 announcement. The deal let the two owners “stay true to our roots knowing we have their full support. … It doesn’t hurt that we’ve known some of the people at Save Live for years — we all came up through the business together.”
“I didn’t know Marc at all, but he was very charming,” Tusquellas said. “He and Fogelman were titans of the industry. We felt that we were in very good hands. We knew what we were doing, and they knew that.”
According to the suit and cross-complaint, Garo and Tusquellas’ company, 369 Palm Inc. (with partner David Gold), agreed to sell 51% of their ownership of the Alibi’s business to Save Live for $400,000. The Alibi’s business would be co-owned under a new company, Alibi Venue Operations LLC. Garo and Tusquellas say in their suit that, under this agreement, the pair and Geiger “would have decision-making authority over the day-to-day operations.”
Garo and Tusquellas claim in their suit that 369 Palm “retained 100% ownership of [the Alibi’s] ABC liquor license” and would continue to manage the venue’s bar. Save Live agreed to provide $565,000 for renovations and expenses, according to Save Live’s cross-complaint.
Garo and Tusquellas’ suit claims that Save Live had “hatched a plan to exploit the weakness in the independent live music industry to try, by means of deception and then intimidation, to acquire The Alibi and its business without paying a fair price.”
Scott Timberlake, the Alibi building’s landlord, said he had a friendly relationship with Garo and Tusquellas. But once Save Live got involved, he said, “I was really surprised by Save Live’s ego and entitlement. When I asked to see their financial statements before taking over the lease, they lectured me about ‘Don’t you know who we are?’”
Garo and Tusquellas say in their suit that, when the venue reopened on April 1, 2022, “SL Alibi acted as if it were the sole owner.” They claim in their suit that Geiger and Fogelman contracted with an outside ticketing company, Tixr, without Garo’s consent, and that Save Live didn’t sufficiently fund day-to-day operations. Garo and Tusquellas claim in their suit that Save Live switched to its own accountant for bookkeeping and backed out of a plan to hire a general manager.
In its cross-complaint, Save Live says that “contrary to the claims in their lawsuit, Save Live did not try to take over the Venue.” Save Live says “Tusquellas and Garo had gone significantly over the pre-opening budget, resulting in … an operating budget shortfall.”
According to Save Live’s cross-complaint, private investigators discovered “a separate, undisclosed cash register used only for cash transactions … there was no record, whatsoever, of any such sales.” The cross-complaint alleges that Tusquellas “embezzled most of (if not all) of the cash sale proceeds.”
Tusquellas denied the embezzlement claims, saying all sales, including cash, were accounted for and reported as income.
Save Live says in its cross-complaint that both parties “always understood and intended for 369 to transfer” the venue’s valuable liquor license, and called Garo and Tusquellas’ refusal to do so “a ruse to get Save Live’s money.”
Garo and Tusquellas said they never sold, or intended to sell, the venue’s liquor license. “That may have been part of Save Live’s secret plan,” said 369 Palm’s lawyer, David Sergenian. “But that was never agreed to.”
On July 13, 2022, Garo and Tusquellas’ lawsuit says “Geiger and Fogelman called a meeting of the Board … as a pretense to ambush Tusquellas and Garo with false accusations. Geiger and Fogelman…falsely accus[ed] Tusquellas of embezzling funds from the company to enrich herself.”
“Fogelman aggressively threw a chair to the ground, as he raged,” the suit says. “Tusquellas and Garo were appalled by Fogelman’s shocking behavior and scared for their future, as he was threatening to ruin the business by shutting down The Alibi.”
Garo and Tusquellas’ suit claims Geiger and Fogelman ordered the venue shut down and that Garo and Tusquellas be removed from operations with their salaries cut off. The bar staff would be fired and 369 Palm’s concessionaire agreement canceled, according to the suit.
The Alibi closed on July 25, 2022. It never reopened.
The situation at the Alibi echoes the tumult surrounding the ownership of the beloved Pioneertown venue Pappy & Harriet’s. Starting in 2021, Knitting Factory Chief Executive Morgan Margolis and partners Stephen Hendel and John Chapman battled the venue’s co-partners, Joseph Moresco and Lisa Elin, about who controlled the operations at the rustic venue, where acts as big as Paul McCartney and Robert Plant have played in addition to hardscrabble desert locals. Margolis prevailed in late 2024.
Meanwhile, the new Acrisure Arena, built by mega-manager Irving Azoff and former AEG President Tim Leiweke, attracts A-list pop, rock and Latin acts to Palm Springs. The nearby Yaamava’ resort has spent millions on top talent.
“It’s great to have an influx of money and big artists at venues like Acrisure Arena that helps the Valley feel bigger. But losing small venues is detrimental and cuts away at the uniqueness of the experiences people have here,” said Kristen Dolan, executive director of the California Desert Arts Council, a nonprofit group advocating for cultural development in the Coachella Valley.
“Places like Alibi have a bigger impact than people think. The workforce here is largely in hospitality, and clubs like the Alibi are important places to start out,” Dolan said. “People were really upset when the Alibi closed, and it was heartbreaking for artists cultivating their community. The economy here is unstable right now and I hope we don’t lose more small venues like it.”
Former Alibi owners Liz Garo, left, and Melanie Tusquellas at Silver Lake’s Edendale restaurant.
(Annie Noelker / For The Times)
The post-pandemic future for such independent live venues is unsettled. Nonprofits like NIVA were effective advocates for legislation (like the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, a federal program that gave money to struggling venues) and fundraising, and concert attendance boomed once venues reopened. But inflation, reduced tourism and a volatile economy threaten to keep fans home.
“What word describes our situation right now? I would offer that one word is ‘unknown,” NIVA’s executive director Stephen Parker said at the group’s 2024 conference. “Forty years ago, independent stages were the norm, now multinational, publicly traded conglomerates are. Everyone in this room knows that competition is a misnomer and the increasing lack of it is, perhaps, our greatest threat.”
Meanwhile, Garo and Tusquellas have returned to L.A., picking up the pieces at an unexpectedly late phase of their careers. Garo will book shows at a new independent Yucca Valley venue, Mojave Gold.
Building owner Timberlake said that after months of fighting with Save Live over the venue’s debts, he accepted a settlement, and a new restaurant tenant has moved into the Alibi.
“I didn’t have the financial capability of fighting someone like Save Live,” he said. “It was just so unnecessarily negative.”
No matter how the August trial ends, Garo and Tusquellas are facing the same headwinds as the rest of the live industry. Only now, they are truly on their own.
“I have lots of ideas,” Garo said. “But that’s all kind of locked up until we get this resolved. I don’t want this to be my final chapter.”
The tourism balloon carrying 21 people went up in flames in the early hours of Saturday, crashing in the city of Praia Grande
At least eight people have been killed and 13 injured when a hot air balloon they were on caught fire and crashed in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina.
The tourism balloon carrying 21 people went up in flames in the early hours of Saturday, crashing in the city of Praia Grande on the Atlantic coast, according to Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade.
Footage shared by local news outlet G1 showed billows of smoke coming from the balloon as it plummeted dozens of metres toward the ground.
The survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, said firefighters.
“We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. We will see how it unfolds, what happened, why it happened. But the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can,” said Jorginho Mello, governor of Santa Catarina, in a video on X.
Mello said he had asked authorities to head to the municipality “to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families”.
Praia Grande is a common destination for hot-air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil’s south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as St John, whose feast day is on June 24.
Last Sunday, a balloon came down in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 other people, G1 reported.
At least eight people have died in a hot air balloon accident in Brazil, a state governor has said.
There were 21 people on board the balloon in the city of Praia Grande on Saturday morning, Governor of Santa Catarina Jorginho Mello said in a post on X.
Rescue teams attended the site of the incident to search for survivors. Mello later said 13 people had survived and eight had died.
“We are all shocked by the accident,” he added.
“Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims.
“We continue to monitor the situation.”
Praia Grande is in southern Santa Catarina and is a popular tourist destination. It is known as the “Capital of Canyons” as it has 11 canyons in its territory, including some in the Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral National Parks.
