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The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Moment brazen ‘terrorist' arsonist sparks wildfires as deadly blazes spread across Europe hitting MORE holiday hotspots
THIS is the moment a brazen arsonist starts a terrifying wildfire by fanning the flames to help them spread faster. Hundreds of dangerous and deadly fires have plagued Europe in recent weeks with dozens of holiday hotspots left ravaged. Advertisement 19 The brazen moment an arsonist starts a terrifying wildfire in Bulgaria Credit: X 19 The man, who has now been charged with terrorism, fanned the flames to make them spread faster Credit: X 19 The Bulgarian village of Ponor, near Sofia, has been widely scorched in recent days Credit: AFP 19 Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire in Ourense, Spain Credit: EPA Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria are all still reeling from the deadly fires crashing along the Mediterranean. Shocking CCTV footage from a quiet road in Bulgaria has now revealed the moment one of the 160 fires battering the country started. A 33-year-old man can be seen setting fire to several patches of grass which sit next to a pavement as he and his friend walk past. He casually walks off pretending nothing has happened as the flames begin to grow higher. Advertisement Moments later, he returns and can be seen trying to fan the flames with his hands so they spread quicker up the hill. Authorities have managed to track down the arsonist and charged him with terrorism. Several other people have been arrested over similar offences in recent days. Sabotage has become a rife issue in southern Europe since a heatwave hit earlier this month. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest In Bulgaria alone, around 90 per cent of the blazes have been caused by human error and negligence, according to Miroslav Rashkov, the head of the interior ministry. Footage has already caught several suspects across the continent. Shock moment beachgoers surrounded by smoke as raging wildfires in Italian hols hotspot CCTV in Turkey caught a man suspiciously carrying bottles filled with water before emptying them and refilling them with petrol at a gas station. The suspect was later found by police with burns on his arms and legs after a fire in the village of Kismanlar. Advertisement President He announced in a live TV broadcast: "Let us not forget that this is a war, a defence of our green homeland, against this insidious enemy." Spain and Portugal Brits have been put on high alert over wildfires tearing through the popular holiday island of Tenerife in Spain . A fire sparked in the north and has continued to spread towards busy resorts in Santiago del Teide in recent hours. Advertisement Locals have already been ordered to evacuate in the Valle de Arriba area with around 50 homes told to leave. Tenerife has been on red alert for the high risk of forest fires after the soaring temperatures hit 36 degrees. The first fire started at around 2pm on Monday. 19 Authorities in Galicia have reported around 50 hectares being impacted by the blaze Credit: EPA Advertisement 19 The Brit holiday hotspot of Tenerife was hit by the island's first major blaze of the summer on Monday Credit: x 19 Ponte da Barca in Portugal has also been hit by wildfires Credit: X Initial reports indicated that the fire was located in the area known as Partidos de Franquis - a rural site near San José de Los Llanos in El Tanque. A major operation was launched to control the fire, both by land and air, with police, firefighters, island government teams, the Civil Guard, helicopters and water-spraying planes all involved. Advertisement President of Tenerife's government, Rosa Davila said conditions were "complicated" due to the extreme heat and high winds. The Iberian Peninsula is also bracing for further issues in the coming days. Four Spanish planes joined more than 250 Portuguese firefighters battling a mountain blaze in Viana do Castelo district on the Portuguese-Spanish border. The flames were spreading in two directions and were being pulled around by strong winds, civil protection chief Marco Domingues said. Advertisement Large swaths of northern and southern Portugal are now on the highest alert for wildfires. Turkey The most deadly of the European fires have come from Turkey . At least 17 people have been killed in the apocalyptic wildfires as record-breaking 50C heat and howling winds fuel devastation across the eastern Mediterranean. The infernos have forced more than 3,500 residents to flee their homes, with vast swathes of forest reduced to ash. Advertisement Ten rescue volunteers and forestry workers lost their lives in a blaze in Eskisehir last week, while four more died outside Bursa over the weekend. Two volunteer firefighters succumbed to injuries after being pulled from an overturned water tanker. 19 Ten rescue volunteers and forestry workers lost their lives in a blaze in Eskisehir Credit: Getty 19 A terrifying trail of flames seen in a forested area in Bursa, Turkey Credit: Getty Advertisement 19 Another worker died at the scene and a firefighter suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday. Turkey's forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli confirmed that crews battled at least 44 separate fires on Sunday alone, declaring the western provinces of Izmir and Bilecik disaster areas. Firefighters have battled more than 600 blazes in the past week, with over 1,900 emergency responders drafted in to help save trapped residents. Advertisement According to forecasts, the temperatures will remain fiery this week with 45C to 50C heat expected in southeast Turkey. Greece Holidaymakers are also being urged to take caution when travelling in Greece this month. A week-long heatwave peaking at 45C has sparked multiple wildfires, forcing mass evacuations near Athens and across the islands of Crete and Evia. A huge blaze scorched a northern suburb of the Greek capital over the weekend, with 115 firefighters and 24 vehicles deployed on Evia, backed by six planes and seven helicopters. Advertisement Some 1,500 people were 19 Smoke and flame rise as firefighting teams respond from the air and on the ground to a forest fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens Credit: Getty 19 Firefighters try to extinguish flames as a wildfire burns on the island of Kythira, Greece Credit: Reuters 19 Thousands of civilians have been evacuated due to the fires Credit: Getty Advertisement The night sky turned orange as the burning blazes left a trail of destruction on the popular island. Evacuations were ordered at three sites outside the port of Ierapetra on the island's south coast, authorities said. Homes were reportedly damaged as flames swept through hillside forests, fanned by strong winds. Wildfires, many of them destructive, Advertisement Greece sits n an area dubbed "a wildfire hotspot", with blazes common during hot and dry summers. Cyprus Meanwhile, Cyprus is still battling what officials have branded its worst wildfires "for 50 years". A massive wildfire killed two people as it ripped through forests outside Cyprus's second city of Limassol. With temperatures soaring to 44C, dozens of homes have been destroyed in the Troodos mountains. Advertisement Brit couple 19 The wildfire-burned land in the mountain of Limassol at Souni village in Limassol, Cyprus Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 19 Smoke fills the air as a forest fire rages near the Cypriot village of Omodos Credit: AFP 19 Advertisement Ben told The Sun: 'We lost everything that day, there's nothing left. 'We had fish tanks in the house and there was absolutely nothing left of what was in the water except melted glass on the floor.' Two people were found dead in a burnt-out car as more than 70 houses were reduced to rubble. Italy Meanwhile, in Sardinia, Italy, tourists were sent running for their lives when flames ripped right down to the beach at Punta Molentis on the island's southeast coast. Advertisement Sunbathers abandoned their towels and spades as thick black smoke engulfed the shoreline. The coast guard evacuated 102 people by sea, while helicopters hovered overhead during the dramatic operation. Some 200 cars and a kiosk were torched as the blaze tore through the Sarrabus area — described by local media as a 'jewel' now reduced to cinders. Read more on the Irish Sun Footage showed burnt-out vehicles after flames ravaged the parking area, leaving many stranded. Advertisement Fire crews deployed two Canadair firefighting planes, a helicopter, regional aircraft, and even an Italian Air Force vehicle to contain the inferno as winds fanned the flames. 19 The recent fires ravaged the provinces of Palermo and Trapani Credit: Splash 19 Residential areas in between the town of Grisi, near the city of Palermo on the island of Sicily, were badly affected Credit: Getty 19 Advertisement
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Pat Spillane reveals drastic decision Kerry made after semi-final win that shows All-Ireland dedication
PAT Spillane has told of how the Kerry panel opted not to celebrate their semi-final win over Tyrone as their focus is entirely on lifting Sam Maguire. They 2 Spillane won EIGHT All-Ireland medals in his playing days 2 Seán O'Shea stepped up against Armagh in the quarter-finals to ease the scoring burden on David Clifford Clearly, no reasonably-minded person would begrudge them toasting making it back to the showpiece game with a few drinks. Yet despite that, the panel en masse turned down the opportunity to go on a night out that evening as their eyes remain fixated on the biggest prize. Appearing on He stated: "They were told that they could have a drink. None of them did. Read More On GAA "They said 'no, two weeks to go, we will have a drink after the All-Ireland final'. That's what it's all about now." The eight-time All-Ireland winner He's been doing the rounds that is, and while on He argued: "Donegal's running game is a hard game to sustain for 70 minutes. Most read in GAA Football "Zonal defence is a weakness. There's space to be exploited there by a kicking team. "The first half against Monaghan showed that as Monaghan switched the play from one side to the other. They'd an overload and took them on one-on-one and were very impressive. Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration "So zonal marking, running in transition and Michael Murphy - no different from David Clifford - if he's contained (Kerry can win). "The new rules suit Kerry, Croke Park suits them as a heads up kicking team." He also added that his "hesitant vote for Kerry" was partly down to the weather forecast being good for Sunday with dry conditions further helping their prospects. However, based off latest Met Eireann predictions, we're in for a rainy The two counties did of course contest the 2014 decider with McGuinness saying this week that One instant improvement this time around will be that The Kerry county board have confirmed that Jack O'Connor's charges will line out in their alternative dark blue kit whilst Donegal Following on from the
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chinese firms urged to deepen Asean roots as US cracks down on transshipments
Beijing should encourage its firms to deepen integration with Southeast Asian economies instead of using the region as a transshipment route to the US, according to a senior regional economist – as Washington threatens the export-reliant region with high tariffs. Transshipments drew attention earlier this month after the US announced tariffs on imports from Vietnam and 23 other trading partners. US President Donald Trump warned that imports diverted through Vietnam would face a 40 per cent tariff – double the 20 per cent levy on goods made in the Southeast Asian nation. 'Of course, [Southeast Asian authorities] would check the country of origin for products,' said Dong He, chief economist at the Singapore-based Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), on Tuesday, adding that some already have agreements with the US to do so. Chinese officials should also 'encourage their firms to become more deeply ingrained or integrated with local economies' in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), He said. While the Chinese government seeks to protect its exports, businesses should have the autonomy to make long-term decisions about their role in local economies, which would also protect them from unpredictable tariff rates, he added. Imports from China face an average tariff rate of 42 per cent, according to Morgan Stanley estimates, while other Asian countries face rates of 25 to 40 per cent starting August 1. Since the US launched a trade war against China in 2018, Beijing has stepped up trade and investment with Asean countries. The goods trade between China and the bloc reached US$982.34 billion last year, up 7.8 per cent from 2023, customs data showed – consolidating the bloc as China's top trade partner. Vietnam, in particular, has drawn attention due to an influx of Chinese investment in its factories since Trump's first term – though it remains unclear exactly how Trump's transshipment clause will work in practice. Before Trump took office in January, officials in Malaysia and Thailand said they would not permit transshipments to the US. On Tuesday, the White House announced it had agreed a trade deal with Indonesia that would see the US reduce its proposed tariff rate to 19 per cent in return for Indonesia eliminating tariff barriers on a 'full range' of US industrial and food products. A similar deal has also been struck with the Philippines. Meanwhile, Trump said on his Truth Social account that his government had reached a separate deal with Japan to cut US tariffs to 15 per cent in exchange for Japan opening its market to more American products and investing US$550 billion in the US. Some Asian countries are also eyeing China's yuan currency as a partial 'backup' to the US dollar in case the dollar underperforms or becomes unreliable, as 'low' yuan interest rates could enhance its role as an 'important funding currency', He said. China has made progress in addressing 'legacy issues' in its economy this year, including property market woes and local government debt, the economist said. That headway gives it more space to develop sectors such as 'advanced services', he added. On Wednesday, AMRO's Regional Economic Outlook forecast China's growth at 4.5 per cent for this year and 4.1 per cent for 2026 – lower than April predictions of 4.8 per cent and 4.7 per cent, respectively. The Asian Development Bank, however, on Wednesday held China's 2025 growth forecast at 4.7 per cent and its forecast for next year at 4.3 per cent, unchanged from April projections. AMRO said the Asean+3 region – Southeast Asia plus China, Japan and South Korea – was projected to grow by 3.8 per cent in 2025 and 3.6 per cent in 2026, down from earlier forecasts of 4.2 per cent and 4.1 per cent, partly due to 'evolving US tariff measures'. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Domestic demand will remain key driver of Malaysia's economic growth: Amro
SINGAPORE: Malaysia's economy continues to demonstrate resilience in 2025, underpinned by strong domestic demand, robust investment activity and favourable labour market conditions, despite pressures from global trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) chief economist Dong He stated that if the United States' reciprocal tariffs take effect from Aug 1 at the current rate of 25%, Malaysia's gross domestic product growth could fall from 5.1% in 2024 to 4.2% in 2025, and further to 3.8% in 2026. 'This reflects the direct impact on Malaysia's exports to the US, the indirect effects through intermediate goods sent to other countries destined for the US, and the broader slowdown in global trade growth. Nonetheless, domestic demand will remain the key driver of growth,' he told Bernama. He noted that front-loaded exports had supported economic momentum earlier in the year. At the same time, key sectors such as information and communication technology and manufacturing remain active, bolstered by data centre investments and industrial diversification. However, the outlook for the second half of the year and beyond remains clouded by external headwinds, particularly the outcome of ongoing US trade negotiations. To maintain momentum, He said Malaysia's policy priorities should include sustained diplomatic engagement with the US on trade issues, diversification of export markets, and greater emphasis on the services sector, which is typically less exposed to protectionist measures. He added that accelerating structural reforms remains essential, especially through the implementation of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap. 'Regionally, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) could emerge as a strategic advantage, catalysing cross-border investment and innovation. 'US tariffs could enhance the JS-SEZ's appeal, particularly if Singapore faces much lower tariffs than countries like Vietnam and Mexico,' He said. He added that the strong commitment to collaboration demonstrated by both the Singaporean and Malaysian governments boosts confidence in the zone's prospects, particularly in a volatile global environment shaped by rising protectionism. 'Together, the zone's economic value proposition and political backing can attract foreign investors looking to establish a base in Asean,' He said. He noted that for the JS-SEZ to succeed, several challenges must be tackled, including cross-border movement of people and goods, infrastructure in southern Johor, wage gaps, labour shortages, and policy continuity, among others. 'If successful, the JS-SEZ can serve as a blueprint for future regional integration initiatives. For example, it could inspire similar cross-border economic zones between Thailand and Laos or Vietnam and Cambodia,' he said. – Bernama
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm delighted with win' says Ireland's newest millionaire as he collects life-changing prize
IRELAND's newest millionaire has told how he plans to "pursue some business interests" after collecting his life-changing Daily Million prize. The long-time player who always believed his day would come, wasted no time in making his way to National Lottery HQ in 1 Dunnes Stores Kyle Shopping Centre in Portlaoise celebrate the win And he kept the winning ticket safely tucked away in his wallet since the draw. Speaking to the He said: 'I am delighted with this win. I'm looking forward to being able to share the win with my family. "I have a strong work ethic so my goal is to be sensible with the win, pursue some business interests, but also enjoy more time for myself and with my family." MOST READ IN MONEY Yesterday, Kyle Shopping Centre in Portlaoise was revealed as the shop where the winning ticket was sold. The winning numbers were: 9, 20, 25, 33, 37, 39 and the bonus was 29. Store Manager Dunnes Stores Kyle Shopping Centre, Ken Cullen, said on Tuesday: "It's an incredible moment for our shop and for Portlaoise. "We're absolutely delighted to have played a part in such a life-changing event. Most read in Money "There's a real buzz around the place, and we're so proud that someone in our community has won this amazing prize. National Lottery spokesperson, Darragh O'Dwyer added: 'We're absolutely thrilled to confirm that Friday's Daily Million top prize ticket worth an incredible €1,000,000 was sold at Dunnes Stores Kyle Shopping Centre in Portlaoise! Penneys 'Lotto Lovelies' collect huge cheque at National Lottery HQ "We're encouraging everyone who bought a ticket at the store to check it carefully - you could be Ireland's newest millionaire!" Meanwhile, another player is celebrating after The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on 13th July from XL, Laurel Park, Newcastle, Galway, Co. The winning numbers in last night's Lotto draw were: 3, 5, 6, 23, 41, 42 and the bonus was 12. While there was no winner of the National Lottery spokesperson, Darragh O'Dwyer, said: 'What a fantastic night for one player in Galway who has claimed a life-changing €314,850 after matching 5 numbers and the bonus in last night's main Lotto draw. "If you bought your ticket in Galway, now's the time to double-check, you could be Ireland's newest big winner.' And another player is celebrating after The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on 13th July from XL, Laurel Park, Newcastle, Galway, Co. The winning numbers in last night's Lotto draw were: 3, 5, 6, 23, 41, 42 and the bonus was 12. While there was no winner of the
