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Ukraine's DTEK plans to upgrade infrastructure to switch from coal
Maxim Timchenko, the CEO of Ukraine's biggest private power and coal company DTEK, said that it plans to upgrade its infrastructure to switch from coal to natural gas and nuclear energy in order to?phase out? its coal use by 2035. The global progress in phasing-out carbon-intensive coal is uneven. While many countries hesitate to invest in the energy transition, Ukraine was forced by Russia's conflict to upgrade its infrastructure. Timchenko stated that about 80% equipment at the coal-fired stations in Ukraine was damaged or destroyed last winter by Russian attacks. DTEK has announced its plans for energy transition to reach net zero emissions by the year 2050. According to the "energy strategy" of Ukraine, coal production should be phased-out by 2035. We are planning to reach 2035," Timchenko stated. DTEK and GE Vernova signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which took place in the Polish Baltic Port of Gdansk last Friday. Both companies plan to collaborate to build a combined-cycle gas-turbine 650 megawatts at DTEK’s Burshtyn Power Plant site in Western Ukraine. The current design is to run on coal. The project budget is EUR 900 million ($1.02 Billion), and the commercial launch date is 2032. WIND AND SMALL MINIMAL NUCLEAR REACTORS DTEK also works on renewables in addition to the conversion of coal infrastructure. Timchenko stated that the company hoped construction would begin next year on a 650 MW project in central Poltava. Timchenko, speaking in Gdansk said that investing in small modular reactors would be a step beyond the gas technology and renewables. "I believe it will be our next step, bringing in more new technologies for nuclear power and nuclear generation. "It's likely to happen after 2030, and not now," he said. In the short term, the company is focused on the risks of Russian attacks destroying more infrastructure and the need to ensure energy supply during the harsh winter. DTEK has stated that it will repair any damage caused by Russia. Timchenko stated that the cost of repair will be EUR300 million. Half of this amount will come from DTEK funds and half from partners. D.Trading has been expanding its liquefied-gas trading business over the past few years. It is betting that LNG will be a key player after Europe stopped purchasing pipeline gas from Russia. Timchenko stated that the company will import its first cargo of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in December 2024. It wants to become a "visible" player in Europe. He said that the company aims to import six to 12 cargoes per year (or up to one to 1.2 billion cubic metres) in the next year to two years. He said that DTEK is in discussions about importing via Poland, but did not elaborate.
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Ukraine strikes Russian energy sites - What was hit?
In recent months, Ukraine intensified its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The war is now in its fifth year. Fuel shortages are worsened by drone attacks in Russia. People have reported rising prices and long lines at filling stations in most regions. Here is a list of recent attacks, starting with the newest. NORSI NORSI - Russia's fourth largest oil refinery owned by Lukoil, halted operations on Wednesday after a Ukrainian drone strike, which is likely to worsen fuel shortages across the country, according to two industry sources. NORSI is the second largest producer of gasoline in Russia. It can process up to 16 million metric tonnes of oil each year or about 320,000 barrels a day. ORENBURG The Ukrainian military announced on Wednesday that it had hit the Orenburg gas plant. This facility has a processing capacity of 45 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year. MOSCOW The Moscow oil refinery has halted its operations following a drone attack by Ukraine on 16 June, according to two industry sources. On June 18, another drone attack caused damage to processing units, and multiple fires were started across the site. The Kapotnya district in the south-east of the capital has a capacity of 11?million tonnes of oil per year. TANECO Tatneft Russian's TANECO refinery halted its operations on June 12 after a drone strike. TANECO, one of Russia's technologically most advanced refineries, is equipped with hydrocracking units, catalytic?cracking units, and delayed coking. According to data from the industry, TANECO will process 17.0 millions tons of crude oil by 2024. It will produce 2.7 million tonnes of motor gasoline, 8.5million tons of diesel fuel, and 1.3million?tons petroleum coke. KUIBYSHEV Rosneft’s Kuibyshev refinery stopped processing after a drone strike on June 10. According to industry sources, the Kuibyshev Refinery will process 4.7 million metric tons of crude oil in 2024. That's 94,400 barrels per day. It will produce 0.8 million metric tons of gasoline and 1.3 millions metric tons of fuel. YAROSLAVL According to Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian refinery at Yaroslavl on 25 May, located about 700 km (435 mi) from the Ukrainian frontier. The refinery can process 15 million metric tonnes per year or about 300,000 barrels a day. SYZRAN The Ukrainian military and President Zelenskiy announced on May 21, that Ukrainian drones had struck Rosneft's Syzran oil refinery, which is owned by Russia. Two industry sources confirmed that the refinery stopped operations after an attack damaged "a primary processing unit". The oil refinery had been suspended following drone attacks on April 18, The refinery can process 8.5 million tonnes per year or 170,000 barrels a day. According to industry sources, in 2024 it will process 4.3 million?tons crude oil into 800,000 tonnes of gasoline, 1,5 million tons diesel, and 700,000 tonnes of fuel oil. TUAPSE Ukraine attacked a Russian oil refinery at the Black Sea port Tuapse, the Ukrainian general staff announced on May 27. Officials said that a drone attack on April 28 caused a major oil refinery fire. The facility, which exports the majority of its products, had to stop operations. The plant has a capacity of 12 million tons per annum, or about 240,000 barrels a day. It produces naphtha as well as diesel, fuel oil, and vacuum gasoil. PORTS/TANKERS Local authorities reported that a drone had attacked a loading complex in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on June 8th. Authorities in Krasnodar said that a fire started at the southern Russian Port of?Temryuk following a drone attack by Ukraine. Mikhail Yevrayev, the governor of Russia's Yaroslavl Region, said that fuel storage facilities also caught fire on May 29 following an attack by a drone from Ukraine in the region. On May 3, Ukraine attacked Russia’s ports in the Baltic and Black seas. This included the Primorsk Port, oil tanks and military vessels. (Reporting and Editing by Joe Bavier, Andrew Heavens, and Andrew Heavens).
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Maguire: How to monitor the stress on European power systems during heatwaves
Scores of European cities are experiencing record-breaking temperatures, which is causing a surge in cooling system demand and forcing utilities to reduce power production. Electricity grids in the region are already struggling to cope with rising demand from data centers, electric vehicles and heat pumps. This is how to track the impact of the heatwave on Europe's electricity systems. Prices and generation mix are constantly changing as a result. PRICE SIGNALS Day-ahead prices and intraday price ranges are available on many of Europe's biggest power markets. These provide valuable clues about expected system conditions and can reveal multiple things at once. Demand is expected to continue to be strong, while the supply will remain tight. The so-called merit order system can reveal the power source that is setting the marginal prices for production in key markets by analyzing the rise in power prices. On most European electricity markets, the most costly power source to meet demand determines the price of the "whole market". This is usually gas-fired power plants, but it can also be nuclear, hydro, and coal power systems. Day-ahead high prices can indicate which technology sets the marginal price on which market and what fuel and carbon cost will be fed through each system when power firms adjust output to balance market demands. Subscribers of market data providers like LSEG can track energy prices for power applications. Websites such as EUenergy.live or electricitymaps.com provide more recent data about prices and generation mix. Power FLOWs Imports and Exports play a major role in the European power market, with countries like France and Norway being large suppliers of electricity to their neighboring countries. LSEG, for example, offers subscribers real-time information on power trading across borders, and the International Energy Agency provides tools that measure the direction of the trade between key nations. A sudden outage in a key exporter nation can have far-reaching effects throughout Europe. It can also trigger a rise in prices in the region if large exporters are unable to supply for long periods. OPERATOR ALERTS Grid operator notices that inform market participants about potential network problems must be kept up to date by power market trackers. Heat-related problems can include voltage control issues. These occur when air conditioner demand peaks and supply through critical infrastructure, such as transmission lines, drops. Grid operators can also send alerts that call for a reduction in consumption by key users, or during certain time periods. This is a way to monitor the health of important networks. The main French operator of nuclear plants has issued a warning this week that the high temperatures are reducing the amount of river water available to cool their reactors. This is forcing them to cut back on production. This week, the United Kingdom's grid operator issued a very rare notice about electricity margins. It warned that there may be fewer supplies than usual as demand for total system power increases. The extreme heat warnings that are in effect for the remainder of this week across Europe (including the UK), will put additional strain on the regional power grids, which can affect traders, utilities, and businesses. The signals are there for those who pay attention: rising prices, changing?power flows and generation mixes as well as alerts from grid operators. The author is a columnist and his opinions are expressed here. You like this column? Open Interest (ROI) is your new essential source of global financial commentary. Follow ROI on LinkedIn, X and X. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast daily on Apple, Spotify or the app. Subscribe to the Morning Bid podcast and hear journalists discussing the latest news in finance and markets 7 days a weeks.
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After an attack on a ship, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is slowed
Ship tracking data revealed that fewer vessels traversed the Strait of Hormuz Friday than they did earlier in the week. This was hours after an Iranian-operated vessel fired on a Taiwanese ship. U.N.'shipping 'agency temporarily suspended its voluntary scheme for evacuating hundreds of stranded vessels and thousands of seafarers out of the Gulf, after the ship was damaged by the attack near the Omani side. Nevertheless, data from LSEG's and MarineTraffic's ship tracking showed that at least four oil tankers, including three very large crude carrier ships, each of which can carry a maximum 2 million barrels, had entered the Gulf on Friday to?load up oil. Separate shipping data revealed that two supertankers loaded Iranian oil into the strait, and a tanker with 2,000,000 barrels of crude oil exited via the Omani side. This was confirmed by an analysis of Kpler. After months of disruption due to the Iran conflict, oil buyers hoped that a ceasefire agreement was reached between Washington and Tehran. On Friday, crude prices fell by over 3%, setting the stage for steep weekly losses, as supply concerns eased. Meanwhile, top exporter Saudi Arabia resumed loadings into the Gulf, opening the door for more oil supply. Prior to the start of the conflict, there were an average of 125 ships sailing each day. Taiwan's Evergreen Marine reported on Friday that its ship had been hit by an "unknown item" near Oman after U.S. officials said on Thursday that Iran fired on the vessel. The attack has slowed down the plans for ships to be evacuated and transits to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. However, some transits are still expected, according to Jakob Larsen. He added: "The situation highlights the importance of clear and unambiguous agreements between U.S.A. and Iran in regards to a resumed maritime traffic through the Strait." Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy?minister of foreign affairs, said that coordination with Tehran was necessary to ensure safe passage through strait. Analysis from Kpler reveals that tanker traffic, including crude oil, oil 'products, and chemical tanks, increased to 13 transits in both directions on Friday, compared with 24 on 'Thursday, and 27 on a Wednesday. This is the highest number since the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. A separate analysis by?AXSMarine revealed that 62 transits were recorded on June 24 in both directions, including dry bulk vessels, the highest number of transits since the conflict began. AXSMarine reported this week that the total traffic on June 24 was 53% higher than the previous year's same-day count. AXSMarine said that "Traffic is still not normalized to its full extent." (Reporting and editing by Jonathan Saul, Florence Tan and Alexander Smith).
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China Eastern Airlines will buy 25 Airbus A330 Neo jets worth $9.4 billion
China Eastern Airlines announced on Friday that it will purchase '25 A330 Neo jets from Airbus at a catalogue price of $9.35 billion. The Chinese carrier is expanding its widebody fleet in order to service more international routes. China Eastern said that it would deliver the aircraft in batches between 2029 and 2033 in a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The two companies had signed a purchase agreement earlier in the day in Shanghai. The filing stated that the transaction would be used to upgrade and replace the existing aircraft models and supplement the company's?future transportation capacity. The A330neo, an improved fuel-efficient version Airbus A330 long haul jet featuring high aspect-ratio wings with improved aerodynamics. The Trent 7000 engines are powered by Rolls-Royce. China Eastern stated that its 'latest deal' would be funded by a combination of its own capital and bank loans as well as bond issuances and other financial instruments. The?phased?payment structure? was not expected to impact its cash flow and operations. The 'Shanghai-based carrier said that the widebody aircraft?would be deployed primarily from Shanghai Pudong Airport in order to increase flight frequencies and expand intercontinental routes, strengthening the hub's role as a transfer centre for long haul routes.
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ROI-Hormuz oil shock echoes 1973 embargo lessons: Bousso
The Strait of Hormuz is now open to oil and gas, but the 100-day closure of this vital waterway could be the turning point in the global energy market. Arab oil embargo 1973, which was a similar supply shock, provides clues as to where we may be heading. The latest Middle East Crisis tested the limits of the modern energy system. It has evolved in recent decades to a highly connected global market, held together by thousands trading houses, complex pricing systems, and thousands of tankers. The system was remarkably flexible during the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran that began on February 28. The rapid shifts in demand and supply patterns have mitigated what was previously considered to be a "doomsday scenario": the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway is where?nearly? a fifth of world oil and gas are typically transported. This shock was not without pain, especially in Asia which relies on Middle East oil and gas for 60% of their imports. Market adaptations made during the crisis, such as the depletion of energy stocks and China's reduction in imports, were not sustainable. The global energy markets bought time. The global energy markets could have reached a critical point had the Strait not reopened at that time, when inventories were dangerously low. The calamity could have been avoided, but the Hormuz Crisis has forced nations to rethink energy strategies. Do we need to expect a drastic reduction in the use of fossil fuels? The comparison of today's crisis with the Arab oil embargo shows that the future will be much more complex, but that it could mark the end of oil. BLACK GOLD John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil in 1870, and thus began the modern era of oil. Oil consumption grew from almost nothing in 1900 to more than 100 million barrels a day in the 2020s. Control of the "black gold", as global consumption grew throughout the century, and new oil frontiers were created, especially in the Middle East - became a source for friction between Western powers, and the producing nations. This led to countless wars, coups, and conflicts. After the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries placed an oil embargo against the U.S. This quadrupled the oil price almost overnight and triggered a global inflation. Great Reshuffle The impact of the embargo was wide-ranging. It first pushed governments and companies to reduce fuel consumption. As Washington imposed fuel efficiency standards, U.S. motorists shifted to smaller and more efficient Japanese vehicles. European automakers promoted diesel engines and heavy industries moved away from fuel oils to coal and gas. Western countries, in general, accelerated the development domestic oil and gas resources, especially offshore basins. It reduced their dependence on imports while also reducing the energy intensity of economies. In 1974, the crisis led to the creation of the International Energy Agency to coordinate global responses in the event of major oil disruptions. This included the management of newly-created national strategic petroleum reserve. In the end, fossil fuels were not abandoned, but used more carefully. NEW?ENERGY STRATEGY : DIVERSIFY AND BUY LOCAL Fast-forward to 2026 and a similar change appears to be taking place. There are more affordable alternatives to fossil-fuels available today than in the 1970s. This could reduce oil and gas consumption. Asia, which was most affected by the closure of the Gulf, responded with drastic measures. These included four-day work weeks, mandatory policies to work from home, and restrictions on car and air travel. Energy shortages forced some industries to reduce their capacity. These were only temporary measures that would be reversed when oil flow returned to normal. It is structural changes which will determine the future of the fastest growing energy market in the world. Asian economies have focused for years on finding the cheapest sources of energy to fuel growth. Hormuz taught us that energy security is more important than anything else, including price. In order to achieve this, India and Pakistan are now investing in their domestic oil reserves. They will follow IEA member countries and China. India, Pakistan, and Japan are among the major energy-importing nations that want to reduce their dependence on oil and gas. They do this by investing in renewables, nuclear, and even coal. In South Korea,?a major industrial and petrochemical powerhouse?President Lee Jae Myung called for efforts to explore alternate supply chains, pursue long-term industrial restructuring, and move towards a "plastic free economy" as part of key national projects in April. Europe was not as badly affected by the Iran Crisis, but it has experienced two major energy supply crises in less than five years. Europe had to replace the sanctioned energy supply after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Gas prices rose and countries implemented energy-saving measures, causing a painful contraction in consumption. Chemicals, glass, and steel industries also suffered as the high cost of fuel made them uncompetitive on a global scale. The European gas market dropped by more than 20% between 2021-2023, and it has barely recovered since. Renewables are now a larger part of Europe's energy mix. This trend is likely to be accelerated by the latest'shock. Capital has already started to follow these new global energy priorities. Despite the Middle East conflict's destabilising effects, global energy investments are expected to reach $3.4 billion this year. This is up 5% compared to 2025. This money is mainly spent on alternatives to oil, gas and system reliability. This suggests that the shift away from oil, even if it is only marginally increasing, has gained traction. According to the IEA, electric vehicle sales soared in the first three months of 2026. They increased by 30% in Europe, by 75% in Latin America, and by 80% in Asia Pacific. Solar trade flows also tell a similar story. Chinese panel exports to Africa have risen by 120% and to Southeast Asia, they've jumped 150%. In Africa, 15 nations reported solar imports exceeding $400 million dollars in the first quarter, compared to $650 million by 2025. The policy agenda is increasingly focusing on energy efficiency. The global spending on this topic is already around $350 billion a year. And the scope of such policies continues to expand. According to the IEA, approximately 20 countries announced new efficiency'measures as a direct response to Hormuz. It is not true that oil and natural gas will soon be replaced as the mainstays of the global energy system. The oil industry is still deeply rooted in transportation, agriculture, and construction. Meanwhile, the gas industry has been boosted by an increase in electricity demand, fueled by air conditioning, industrial expansion, and AI data centers. It's all about the direction. The direction of fossil fuel usage was always up and to the left for most of the 20th century. The Hormuz Crisis may change this. You like this column? Open Interest (ROI) is your new essential source of global financial commentary. Follow ROI on LinkedIn and X. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast daily on Apple, Spotify or the app. Subscribe to the Morning Bid podcast and hear journalists discussing the latest news in finance and markets seven days a weeks.
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Taiwan's Evergreen claims ship struck by unknown object near Oman
Evergreen Marine, a Taiwanese firm, said that a ship owned by the company was hit by an unidentified object near Oman but has since safely left the Strait of 'Hormuz. The company made a statement at the Taiwan Stock Exchange, stating that the starboard-side of the Ever Lovely's bridge, which is owned by a Singapore subsidiary, had been hit by an unidentified object just 3.6 nautical miles off Oman, Khawr Naiwah. Damage was discovered around the bridge window after an initial inspection. The crew, vessel, and cargo are safe, the report said. The company stated that the main engine and navigation instruments were 'operating normally', and there were no issues with seaworthiness. The ship followed the route recommended by the British Navy agency UKMTO when passing through the Strait. UKMTO announced on Thursday that "a cargo ship" had reported an attack while it was attempting to pass through Strait of Hormuz near the Omani coast. In a 'press release' issued on Friday, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore stated that they were aware of the damage that was sustained by the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely at 1000 SGT Thursday and that they would be in constant contact with the management company of the vessel. It also said that it was 'deeply concerned' about the incident. The incident was described as "unprovoked and unjustified, and a violation of international law". (Reporting and editing by Thomas Derpinghaus and Aidan Lewis; Reporting by Ben Blanchard)
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New Zealand's Capital, Wellington, is hit by a storm that cancels hundreds of flights
The storm that hit central New Zealand Friday knocked out power for 'thousands' of homes, caused flooding, and triggered landslides. MetService, the national?weather forecaster, issued multiple severe weather alerts as a system of low pressure swept across Canada. The warning was issued after wind speeds?exceeding?150 kph were recorded in some parts of the country over night. The?storm caused 200 flights to be cancelled in and out of Wellington. The airport said that "most flights into and out of Wellington Airport today have been cancelled, and most but not all scheduled flights tonight have also 'been cancelled". The winds are expected to calm tomorrow, which should allow for flights to resume. Air New Zealand has confirmed that it has cancelled all flights into and out of the capital as well as flights departing from New Plymouth Airport. The airline stated that "services will resume only when it is safe for them to do so." Wellington?Electricity reported 4,000 customers without power, and warned that 'further outages could occur' as the wind speeds peak in the evening. The utility reported that it had restored power to 3,000 customers earlier. On its website, it said that "it?may take several days to restore power?to all customers". Emergency services responded to reports of landslides and flooded roads in Lower Hutt (northeast of Wellington). (Reporting and editing by Christopher Cushing in Sydney)
SPECIAL RELEASE-The Charlie Kirk Purge: How 600 Americans suffered in a pro Trump crackdown
Lauren Vaughn is a kindergarten assistant from South Carolina. When she saw that Charlie Kirk, a right-wing influential, had been shot during an event in Utah. She opened Facebook and typed a quote by Kirk.
Kirk, in 2023, said that gun deaths were "unfortunate" but "worth it," if they protected "the Second Amendment, to protect our God-given Rights." Vaughn then added, "Thoughts, and prayers."
Vaughn is a 37-year old Christian who has made missionary trips in Guatemala. She said that her request for prayer was genuine. She said that she hoped Kirk's words, in context with the shooting, would prompt her friends to pray.
Rethinking their opposition to gun controls
She thought, "Maybe they will now listen."
Vaughn was fired a few days later. Vaughn was among more than 600 Americans who were terminated, suspended, investigated or disciplined for their comments regarding Kirk's assassination on September 10, according to an analysis of court documents, public statements, reports from local media and interviews with 20 people who had been fired or otherwise disciplined.
Some people were fired for celebrating or mocking Kirk’s death. At least 15 people received discipline for invoking "karma," "divine justice," or variations of "Good riddance"; nine other people were disciplined for saying "Good riddance." One poster said, "One down and plenty more to go."
Some, such as Vaughn say that they simply criticised Kirk's political views.
At least one academic in the pro-Kirk group was placed on administrative leave for threatening to "hunt" down those who celebrated the assassination.
The most comprehensive account of the backlash to Kirk's critics to date, this report traces how local Republican legislators and other influencers mobilized in support of Donald Trump's movement. This story outlines the pro-Trump retaliation machinery that is reshaping American politics. It details its size and tactics, from public humiliation to social media shaming.
Pressure
on employers
Threats to defund institutions. Previous reports have documented how
Trump has purge the federal government
Employees he deems to be opponents of his agenda
Law firms are being targeted for a crackdown
People in the crosshairs of the administration need to be defended.
Sometimes, Americans lose their jobs for speaking out during heated political moments. In 2020, 22 academics lost their jobs.
George Floyd is murdered
According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (a group that advocates for free speech), a Minneapolis officer has fired more than 160 people, many for making comments that were deemed offensive. According to Palestine Legal, a group that protects civil rights for American supporters of Palestinian cause, in 2024, after the outbreak of the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict, more than 160 individuals were fired because of their pro-Palestinian activism.
It is notable that Trump, JD Vance, and other government officials have publicly backed the backlash against comments made about Kirk's shooting. This is a dramatic change for Republicans who, for years, have criticized the left's "cancel-culture" -- the exclusion or punishment of people whose opinions were deemed unacceptable.
The supporters of the firings claim that freedom of expression does not mean freedom from consequences. Doctors, lawyers and teachers should all have high standards of conduct.
They said that emergency workers in positions of trust by the public are not included.
Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, said in a statement: "President Trump, and the entire Administration, will not hesitate to tell the truth. For years, radical leftists slandered political opponents as Nazis or Fascists. This has inspired left-wing violence. It must stop." She continued: "No one understands the dangers associated with political violence better than President Trump", after he survived his two assassination efforts.
Turning Point USA (the youth movement Kirk founded) said in a press release that it supports the right to freedom of speech. "This includes the right of private employers to decide when an employee has crossed a line and deserves to be terminated." The organization cautioned, however, that while celebrating Kirk's death is "evil and unqualified behavior," respectfully disagreeing to his ideas, values, or statements is every American’s right.
Vaughn filed a federal lawsuit on September 18 seeking her reinstatement. She submitted a
Letter
Vaughn filed a lawsuit against the Spartanburg County school district after it received a letter from its superintendent describing her remarks as 'inflammatory, unprofessional and inappropriate.' The district responded by saying Vaughn was unable to prove the allegations.
s post "a
"Pared to endorse Mr. Kirk’s murder or to indicate that it was ‘worth' his losing his life to defend Americans' constitutional rights."
The district has declined to comment further.
Social media campaigns have been used to punish offenders. They circulate screenshots, names, and phone numbers of employers and messages such as "Internet, do what you want." What follows is usually hundreds of angry and threatening messages. In interviews, several people who were targeted claimed that they received a flood of phone calls. One person recalled getting a phone call every minute of the day. At least two people said that the harassment was so severe they were planning to sell their home.
Julie Strebe lost her job as a sheriff deputy in Salem Missouri after she posted comments about the shooting on Facebook, including: "Empathy isn't owed to oppressors." Later, she said that she viewed Kirk, who she described as an oppressor, because he used his platform to rally white conservative Christians around "racists, sexists, and hateful views."
Strebe says she has installed five cameras in her home to monitor her and her family. She also fuels her vehicle only at night, so as not to disturb her neighbors. Salem is a small town, and moving would mean leaving extended families. But she says the city has become too hostile for her to stay. In an interview, she stated: "I don't think I can ever let down my guard." The Dent County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on Strebe's previous employer.
Many Republican officials are in favor of the punitive campaigns. Some have
Proposed extraordinary measures
The U.S. government has banned those who are deemed to have revelled in Kirk's murder from using social media. The U.S.
State Department revoked visas
The agency has said that six foreigners are "
"We celebrated the horrendous murder of Charlie Kirk."
On September 15, Vice-President JD Vance called on his listeners in a special podcast episode of Kirk to punish those who celebrate Kirk's demise.
Vance said, "Call out their employer, hell, even call them." Vance's Office pointed out comments made by the vice president earlier this year, in which he said: "Where I draw the lines is encouraging violence against politicians."
Academics have compared this backlash with the "Red Scare," an anti-Communist purge which peaked in 1950, when government officials, union leaders, and Hollywood stars were accused of Communist connections. In a climate that was characterized by fear, thousands were investigated. This influenced American politics and culture over a period of a decade. Landon Storrs is a history professor at the University of Iowa. He said that there are "very troubling parallels".
The crackdown has caused concern among several prominent Republicans, particularly after the Federal Communications Commission publicly pressured ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's talk show following his monologue where he implied that Kirk Kirk's killer was a member of the political right. The police have not fully revealed the results of their investigation on Tyler Robinson or his motives. Robinson has not entered a guilty plea to the murder charges and other charges brought against him.
Ted Cruz, a Republican senator, warned in his podcast that allowing the government to decide "what speech is acceptable and what is not" creates a dangerous precedent. He said that while it might be nice to silence voices such as Kimmel, "we will regret it when it is used to quiet down every conservative in America." His spokesperson declined any further comments.
'MASSIVE PURGE THESE EVIL PSYCHOS
Kirk's critics were punished almost immediately.
Right-wing influencers mobilized about 30 minutes after Trump announced that Kirk was dead. Chaya Raichik of the popular Libs of TikTok posted "THIS Is War" on X before highlighting a Massachusetts Teacher who wrote: "Just a Reminder, We're Not Offering Sympathy."
By the end of the night, Libs of TikTok published or reposted 37 professional details, often accompanied with commentary like "absolutely vile," Your tax dollars pay her salaries," or "Would he teach your kids?"
The next day, Libs from TikTok wrote: "It is actually frightening how many of these people are teachers and doctors." We need to purge these evil psychos, who are out to kill us all for having different political views.
Libs of TikTok, in the week following the shooting, shared the profiles and names of at least 134 individuals accused of celebrating violence and mocking Kirk’s memory. They frequently tagged Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The influencer has posted information about disciplinary measures taken against government employees.
"BREAKING! This Marine was Fired," Libs of TikTok wrote on September 12th, a day after calling a Marine Corps Captain out. According to a screenshot shared by the influencer, the officer responded to Kirk's passing with an emoji showing clinking beer cups. The captain refused to comment on the post. Libs of TikTok reported similar disciplinary action against an Army Reserve officer, and an Army Colonel who commented on the death via social media.
The Pentagon and Justice Department released
The following are some statements that may be helpful:
They condemned the celebrations surrounding Kirk's death, but didn't address questions regarding their relationship with Libs from TikTok.
Scott Presler, a right-wing influencer, began to post screenshots of Kirk's comments.
On September 10, he instructed his followers to take a screenshot of every single person who was celebrating. He told his followers on September 10: "You can bet that we will make these people infamous." Presler then shared on X posts about 70 people who commented on the murder, writing in one message, "Almost everyone we posted about - who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination - has been fired." Presler did not respond to comments.
The wave of shootings was a catharsis for many right-wingers who were outraged at the celebrations of the left.
Matt Walsh, a right-wing podcaster who discussed the firings, told his listeners that it was good for them to be humiliated. They would have to live with their consequences the rest of the time. Walsh replied by email: "F**k off."
Video blogger and recovery coach on YouTube
JD Delay expresses glee
He read out the names of those people who lost their jobs because of their remarks.
"I'm having a good time!" He shouted and raised his hands, expressing excitement. Delay said that he believed in "accountability" and "consequences", and that "if publicly saying abhorrent words and getting fired from your work, I will laugh at you."
Sometimes the punishment campaign veered from its original course. In at least five instances, people were wrongly blaming for the comments of others. Another case.
A website that created a blacklist
After receiving tens and thousands of dollars worth of cryptocurrency donations, the website "Expose Charlie's Killers" disappeared. The site's creators could not be identified or contacted for comment.
Online influencers claimed to have received tips from people who wanted Kirk's critics fired. Was unable to verify these figures. Presler, Libs on TikTok, and other right-wing personalities have publicly urged tippers to be patient while they work through the large volume of submissions.
Presler, who wrote "Can't stay up with you all" on X September 12, said: Post your submissions and I will go through them as soon as I can.
The post received more than 2,700 responses a day later.
It is possible that the number of people who were punished for criticizing Kirk was undercounted. Many government and private organizations have not publicly announced terminations or suspensions.
The people who were punished represented at least 45 different states, and a wide range of professions, including doctors, nurses, and police officers, as well as soldiers, pilots, and other professionals.
An Office Depot employee in Michigan was fired for refusing to print Kirk's memorial poster. A Starbucks barista in Ohio lost her job when she was accused of writing a message against Kirk on a mint tea cup.
The barista and Office Depot employee's identities were not known. Office Depot and Kroger, the grocery chain that operates the Ohio Starbucks, condemned the anti Kirk incidents and said that the people involved are no longer employees.
The requests to 21 federal agencies, including Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and the Defense Department, for the number or suspensions or dismissals related to the Kirk murder were either ignored, or declined. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's deputy chief of staff responded to the inquiry on social media by accusing the office of trying "to generate sympathy for the ghouls that celebrate his death."
EDUCATORS ARE ONE OF THE MAIN TARGETS
Teachers, university administrators and academics were the most commonly punished for criticizing Kirk. In the days after the assassination more than 350 education workers, including 50 senior university administrators and academics, three high-school principals, two cheerleading coach and a theology teacher, were either fired, suspended, or investigated.
It is possible that educators are at the forefront of the backlash due to a number of factors. Teachers, as the people tasked with molding young minds, have been portrayed by conservatives for years as ideologues whose goal is to push their students to the left. Teachers' status as taxpayer funded employees made any perceived political commentary particularly explosive.
Six teachers have also spoken out in interviews and public statements. They cited their concern about the prevalence of gun violence in schools across the country, and their anger towards those like Kirk who advocated for widespread access to guns.
Vaughn, a South Carolina kindergarten assistant said she was thinking about this when she posted Kirk's 2023 comment on Facebook, dismissing fatal shootings as a price to be paid to protect gun rights. She said that, like other teachers in the United States, she practiced active shooter drills regularly at her elementary school. She saw the fear on her 5-year-olds faces as they learned to hide from a armed gunman.
She told a friend on Facebook that the day Kirk was killed, she had "no satisfaction" with the murder. She said: "Just heartbreak and hope for anyone and everyone affected by gun violence, and that one day enough will be enough." Later, she told a friend that her message was motivated by concern for children.
Right-wing influencers circulated screenshots of the posts. The original posts may have been deleted, or made private. The Virginia teacher has been suspended, and the Texas internship terminated. Both could not be reached for comment.
Some private employers cited a violation of their company values or safety issues as the reason for terminating employees. The corporations that were caught up in this backlash had a number of reasons for their actions. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian stated in a press release that some employees' statements were "starkly in contrast" with the company's core values and violated the social media policy. United Airlines said it has "zero tolerance" for any form of politically motivated violence.
Some of the Kirk critics, who had taken pains to condemn this shooting, were also fired or suspended after Republican legislators got involved.
Joshua Bregy shared a Facebook post by another user in the wake of Kirk Kirk's death. The post read: "Nobody should be shot down. Not a child, not an influential, not a political figure -- no one. Will I allow others to turn a flawed person whose words have caused significant damage into a martyr? Not a chance."
Clemson Republicans reposted a part of the message in which they called him "ANOTHER LEFTIST PROFESSOR" and demanded his dismissal. Right-wing influencers amplified the post, and Republican state legislators threatened to defund Bregy's public university if he wasn't fired.
Clemson first pledged, in a statement on September 12, to "stand firm on the principles the U.S. Constitution including the protection for free speech."
Clemson fired Bregy after the South Carolina House Speaker and Senate President sent a letter demanding "immediate and appropriate action" from Clemson trustees. Bregy’s Facebook post "was blatantly unprofessional," and "seriously detrimental to the university," Clemson said.
In a letter, Bregy was informed that he had been fired.
Bregy is
Clemson filed a reinstatement petition in federal court in South Carolina. Allen Chaney, his lawyer, said that the academic would still be in the same position "but for the aggressive and coercive tactics used by elected officials in South Carolina."
Clemson's State House Speaker Murrell Smith, and Senate President Thomas Alexander have not responded to requests for comments. Clemson is yet to respond to Bregy’s lawsuit.
At least six times, Republican officials threatened to deny taxpayer funding to universities and schools if Kirk's critics were not fired.
Chaney, the legal director for the South Carolina chapter American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said that the threats of defunding Clemson, and other universities, crossed a constitutional boundary. He said that the government cannot police speech through third-party pressure. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously last year that government officials could not use their authority to "attempt coerce" third parties to punish or suppress speech they don't like.
Paul McGreal, constitutional law professor and Kirk critic at Creighton University Law School (Nebraska), said that the threats of defunding schools who refuse to fire Kirk's critics are "stunning". Government officials threaten speakers with punishment if they don't agree with their views. They are violating the core First Amendment rights."
KIRK HONORED AS '13TH DELIGIOUS' OF CHRIST
Many Republicans have portrayed Kirk as a saintly champion for free speech since Kirk's murder. Evangelicals have compared him to Saint Stephen who is revered as Christianity’s first martyr. One Republican lawmaker said that Kirk would have been the "13th disciple" if he had lived in Biblical time. When he awarded Kirk the posthumous award, Trump compared him to ancient Greek philosopher Socrates and slain president Abraham Lincoln.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
Kirk's legacy, however, is complex. Kirk gained notoriety for his debates with college students, as part of Turning Point. Kirk advocated criminalizing expressions - like pornography -- that conflicted with Christian beliefs. Kirk backed Trump when Black footballers began kneeling in protest against police brutality during the National Anthem. Later, the White House said that Trump was making a declaration and not a proposal.
Kirk denigrated minorities repeatedly, calling transgenders an "abomination", warning against "prowling Blacks in cities", accusing wealthy Jews for inciting "hatred towards Whites", and declaring Islam to be incompatible with Western civilisation. He dismissed Pope Francis as being a Marxist.
Kirk's hagiography upset some of those who spoke against him after his death.
Kimberly Hunt said, "I felt compelled in an interview to remind people of who he was, and what he represented." Kimberly Hunt is a human resource worker from Arizona. She posted a video with the caption "Save your tears, not for him."
Hunt, in the video, cited Kirk’s history of using derogatory words about transgenders and Muslims before saying that his children were "better off without him". Hunt was promptly fired. Her employer, a construction company in Arizona, has not responded to requests for comments.
Hunt said she was aware that her words were harsh, but stood by them. She said that they were Kirk's position in a discussion last year, where he stated that if Kirk had a daughter of 10 years old who was impregnated by rape "the baby would have been delivered."
Many voices have been silenced by the retaliation. Many people who made anti-Kirk remarks have now deleted or locked their account. In interviews, others said they were pushing back.
Hunt has raised over $88,000 through a GoFundMe page titled "Doxxed - Fired - But Not Silenced". She plans to use the funds to continue her education, to become a content producer, and to keep calling people like Kirk out.
She said, "It has definitely emboldened me."
State and federal court documents show that at least 19 lawsuits were filed against employers who punished Kirk Critics. At least two plaintiffs were successful, including a South Dakota academic who was able to get his teaching job.
Karen Leader, associate professor at Florida Atlantic University took to social media to protest the narrative that Kirk was "a shining example for youth, and a noncontroversial person who wanted an open and civil dialog," she said. Anyone who works in higher education understands that it is not as simple as that.
She pointed out that Turning Point gained prominence because of its Professor Watchlist. This site encouraged students to report professors for holding "radical-left" views or supporting terrorism.
Kirk described the Watchlist not as a blacklist, but rather a tool for raising awareness. In interviews, on social media and in public forums, those who were listed said that the Watchlist encouraged harassment and intimidation. A Turning Point reporter in 2023 was accused of assaulting a professor from Arizona who was on the Watchlist, after confronting him about his sexuality on camera and pushing him to the floor. The reporter was sentenced to a diversionary program after he admitted to harassing, assaulting and disorderly behavior. Turning Point's cameraman confessed to harassing the reporter in this case.
Leader started posting Kirk's previous statements on X starting September 10. She deleted the post after admitting that she had made an error by accusing Kirk incorrectly of using an ethnic slur. She said that she stood by the rest of her posts, including one in which Kirk claimed that Black Americans had been "better" under Jim Crow.
Leader stated, "I never encouraged violence in any way." "I was sharing the evidence."
Jordan Chamberlain is a former employee of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. She shared screenshots from several posts by Leader and asked her university if they approved the content. Libs from TikTok posted Leader's faculty photo. The president of the university announced that she was placed on administrative leave. The university's president announced that she had been placed on administrative leave.
menacing messages followed
The caller stated in a voicemail that was reviewed by us: "We are coming to get you." Karen Leader, you know where to find us. As soon as we know your address, we'll come to you. Leader hasn't left her apartment in years.
According to a police document, she reported the threats made to Boca Raton Police, who referred the matter to campus police officers. Florida Atlantic University Police said that their report couldn't be released due to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Florida Atlantic University confirmed that Leader was among three academics on leave while investigations were underway. The university declined to comment further. Chamberlain did not return an email asking for comment.
Leader replied, "I don't really know if my career has ended or not." But my life has changed." Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington, Jana Winter and Courtney Rozen, in Los Angeles, and Isaac Vargas, in Washington. Jason Szep, Linda So and Jason Szep edited the story.
(source: Reuters)