
Bulgaria to Press Ahead With Gas Grid Expansion, Minister Says
Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov cited growing demand for natural gas as Bulgaria aims to lock in agreements with grid operators for the so-called Vertical Gas Corridor. That route expands transit capacity for liquefied natural gas flowing through terminals in Greece northward to Ukraine and Moldova, with volumes meeting demand as far as Hungary and Slovakia.

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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Cincinnati police chief under scrutiny for mass brawl was accused by cops of anti-white discrimination, using ‘race-based quota system': suit
Embattled Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge was being sued by four high-ranking officers claiming she discriminated against white lieutenants while doling out promotions and assignments using a 'race-based quota system.' The lawsuit, filed in May, resurfaced as Theetge faces scrutiny amid her department's investigation into the high-profile vicious street beatdown of a defenseless white woman in the Ohio city last weekend. Capt. Robert Wilson and Lieutenants Patrick Caton, Gerald Hodges and Andrew Mitchell claimed in the suit that the police chief bypassed them for positions they deserved — and instead gave minority and female lieutenants preferential treatment, Newsweek reported. 'These assignments, which offer significant professional and financial benefits, have been disproportionately awarded to non-white and/or female officers, often disregarding merit, qualifications, or legitimate business needs,' the lawsuit claimed, local Fox19 reported. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge is accused in a lawsuit of discriminating against white male officers. City of Cincinnati 'The public deserves a police department that upholds equal treatment under the law, and we trust the judicial process will deliver a just outcome.' Theetge was allegedly 'personally involved in the assignment decisions' and used a 'race-based quota system' to promote minorities and women to career-enhancing positions, the suit states. Coveted 'preferred-assignments' were doled out to 79% of minority lieutenants and 89% of female lieutenants in 2023 — but just 44% of white male Lieutenants were given the assignment, the lawsuit claimed. The officers are seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief in the ongoing civil case that names Theetge and the city of Cincinnati as defendants. Theetge is currently embroiled in another racially-tinged controversy as cops in the Queen City continue their investigation into the wild brawl — which went viral when footage emerged showing a group of black suspects beating two white victims. Theetge at a press conference addressing the racially tinged brawl on Cincinnati streets last week. FOX19 NOW | Cincinnati Critics have called out the police department for not moving quickly enough to arrest the suspects, with Vice President JD Vance, a former Ohio senator, urging cops to 'throw their asses in prison.' 'The cops in Cincinnati, the law enforcement, you gotta prosecute people. We've had way too much lawlessness on the streets of great American cities,' Vance said during a speech on July 28, two days after the beatdown. 'The only way to destroy that street violence is to take the thugs who engaged in that violence and throw their ass in prison.' He further stated that police officers in Ohio needed to be more emboldened to address crime. A Russian woman identified as 'Holly' was sucker-punched by a man in the disturbing attack that elicited 'ooos' from a crowd of onlookers, some of whom filmed on their phones instead of coming to her aid. When one man did come to her aid, he was savagely beaten, too. Only one person at the scene called 911 during the brutal episode. A fourth person, Dominique Kittle, 37, was arrested in connection to the attack on Friday, nearly a week after the shocking incident. Three other alleged attackers — Jermaine Matthews, 39; Montianez Merriweather, 34; and Dekyra Vernon, 24 — were arrested earlier last week. Two more suspects, who have not been publicly identified, are being tracked down by a fugitive task force, authorities said.

Epoch Times
3 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Germany Announces First Patriot Defense Transfers to Ukraine Under New NATO Framework
Last month, President Donald Trump announced a new framework to ensure other Western nations cover the costs to transfer more military aid to Ukraine. A Patriot air defense system launcher, operated by the Ukrainian Air Forces, is seen on the ground amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, on Aug. 4, 2024. A Patriot air defense system launcher, operated by the Ukrainian Air Forces, is seen on the ground amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, on Aug. 4, 2024. Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo/Reuters Ukraine is set to receive two Patriot air defense systems under a new NATO arms transfer framework, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Aug. 1. The announcement is occurring just weeks after President Donald Trump outlined a framework for Western allies to transfer some of their current weapons systems to Ukraine and then purchase replacements from the United States, ensuring the United States is compensated for future military support for Ukraine. Pistorius said in a statement that Germany would make the first arms transfer to Ukraine under this framework, shipping two Patriot systems to Ukraine and additional system components in the next two to three months. Story continues below advertisement 'In return, an agreement has been reached with the U.S. Department of Defense that Germany will be the first nation to receive newly produced, latest-generation Patriot systems at an accelerated pace. The financing will be provided by Germany,' Pistorius said. The MIM-104 Patriot air defense system is currently employed throughout the NATO alliance and is capable of intercepting a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and some ballistic missiles. Ukraine's base of international supporters have already provided the country with Patriot systems and a variety of other air defense capabilities throughout its more than three-year conflict with Russia. Ukrainian officials have called for more air defense support in recent months, as Russian forces have frequently relied on barrages of missiles and explosive-laden drones. Pistorius said his country is 'by far Ukraine's strongest supporter in the field of air defense.' Story continues below advertisement The United States has been among those nations to provide Patriot systems to Ukraine, but until recently has had no guarantee of reimbursement for the support. Trump has routinely called for the United States to receive some form of compensation for the support it has provided Ukraine since Russian forces marched on the country in February 2022. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte celebrated the latest announcement. 'This is great news and I welcome Germany's leadership!' Rutte wrote in an X post on Aug. 1. 'This will help ensure Ukraine is able to defend its skies, protect its people, and deter Russian aggression.' The announcement for the new Patriot transfer came the same week Trump cut down a deadline for Russia to reach a cease-fire deal with Ukraine, from Sept. 2 to Aug. 8. Trump has threatened to impose new financial pressure on Russia's economy should it miss that deadline, including new sanctions and tariffs potentially targeting countries with which Russia trades.

Epoch Times
3 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Beijing Pays Influencers in Africa to Spread Anti-US Messaging
By | Updated: JOHANNESBURG—Chinese and Russian agents are paying social media influencers in Africa to spread anti-U.S. messages worldwide, with the Trump administration being a top target, media experts say. Their research reveals that many influencers who use the TikTok platform are earning hundreds to thousands of dollars per month by disseminating misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda that benefits Beijing and Moscow. AD