SCHUEBEREFOUER - This year’s Schueberfouer is making a comeback next Wednesday, the 23 August until the 11 September. An impressive 211 fairground vendors will be present at the 681st edition of the fair. And of course, you will find rollercoasters, a ghost train, refreshment stands, games rooms and other stalls to put your skills to the test. There are some new attractions - you’ll need a strong heart to take on the Airwolf and Gladiator. There are also two new rides for children. And some old faces will reappear after a long absence, such as the Nasa Rotor and the Shake & Roll. Organisers say the rides and catering prices will remain ‘reasonable’ this year and should remain pretty similar to those of 2022.
MIRABELLE FESTIVAL - If you want a different kind of fair, the 73rd edition of the Fêtes de la Mirabelle starts this weekend. The festivities kick off today in downtown Metz, and close on the waterfront on the weekend of August 26-27, with fireworks and a water parade. The festival which features concerts, shows and markets, centres around the mirabelle – a local plum which is sweet, yellow and is known for being full of flavour.
TENERIFE WILDFIRE - The huge wildfire ravaging the Spanish holiday island of Tenerife that has burnt through more than 2,600 hectares of land is the “most complex” blaze to hit the Canary Islands in four decades according to the regional government. More than 7500 people have been evacuated or ordered to stay indoors while over 250 firefighters backed by 17 aerial resources, have been drafted to tackle the fire. Troops from the Military Emergency Unit have also been mobilised. There was no immediate reports of flights being affected.
HAWAII FIRE - Maui’s emergency management chief has quit, a day after defending his agency’s failure to activate its alarm system in last week’s deadly wildfire. Herman Andaya has come under criticism for not activating the island-wide network as fast-moving flames bore down on the city of Lahaina with survivors saying they had no warning of the blaze. Many of those who were killed are believed to have been trapped in their homes or caught in their cars as they made a desperate last-minute bid to escape.
UKRAINE FIGHTER JETS - The United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as soon as pilot training is completed. This was confirmed by a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Washington. Ukraine has requested the fighter jets several times in order to be better prepared against Russian airstrikes.
HURRICANE HILARY - Tropical Storm Hilary has strengthened into a hurricane and is expected to further intensify before hitting Mexico’s southwest coast over the weekend. Hilary was packing maximum sustained winds of about 165 kilometres last night and meteorologists are warning that it is likely to become a major hurricane.
BRITNEY DIVORCE - Britney Spears and her model husband Sam Asghari are heading for a divorce after 14 months of marriage -- the latest personal crisis for the troubled pop star. The couple was married about a year after a California judge dissolved a controversial conservatorship that had barred Britney from handling her own life and finances, a legal arrangement many fans considered exploitative.
RUGBY - England captain Owen Farrell has been left out of the squad to play Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match, as World Rugby said it would appeal the decision to overturn his red card. World Rugby’s announcement yesterday cast a shadow over Farrell’s involvement at the upcoming World Cup in France, which starts next month. Farrell was sent off during England’s warm-up win at Twickenham last weekend when the recently introduced ‘bunker’ review system upgraded an initial yellow card to red, after he made contact with a shoulder-led tackle to the head of Taine Basham.
FOOTBALL - The Women’s World Cup that has broken records on and off the pitch will reach a suitable climax on Sunday when England or Spain are crowned champions for the first time. About 75,000 fans will pack Stadium Australia in Sydney for the final of a World Cup that began with 32 teams and saw many of the favourites fall early. Germany bowed out in the group phase together with Brazil, Italy and Olympic champions Canada, then holders the United States followed them out the trapdoor in the last 16 -- their earliest exit ever.
It’s a good start to the weekend, weather-wise. Although we’ll have yet another misty start, the fog should clear up by the afternoon and give way to some tasty sun and heat. Morning temperatures of 16-18°C will soar towards 27-30°C.
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