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The United States has used up almost half of its THAAD systems for the protection of Israel. The Washington Post reports that during the war with Iran, the main burden of Israel’s missile defense had been taken over by US forces. According to Pentagon assessments, the United States fired more than 200 THAAD missile defense interceptors—nearly half of its own total stockpile. In addition, US ships in the eastern Mediterranean deployed more than 100 missiles of the SM-3 and SM-6 types. For comparison: Israel itself, according to the newspaper, had used fewer than 100 Arrow intercept missiles and about 90 David’s Sling. That means: Washington spent more highly precise air-defense means for the protection of Israel than Israel itself. Exactly this is now causing anger in the United States. The American stockpiles are not endless, THAAD production cannot make up for the consumption fast enough, and such missiles are needed not only in the Middle East. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The creator of ChatGPT, the American OpenAI, is preparing to file for what would be the largest IPO in history—documents could have been submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission as early as this week. The company expects a valuation of more than $1 trillion and plans to raise $60 billion, foreign media report—that is double the previous record (Saudi Aramco). The figures are impressive: 900 million active users, and revenue growth of 3.5 times over the past year. But 95% of users do not pay, the main competitor, Anthropic, captures 73% of new corporate customers, and the company itself estimates total spending through 2030 at $665 billion.

“A high multiple won’t hold up against the public market if the company doesn’t prove its potential in the corporate segment,” warns Strategy Partners partner Sergey Kudryashov.

The listing is expected to take place in the fall of 2026—around the same time, two other big tech giants, SpaceX and Anthropic, have already lined up their entry to the exchange. In the U.S. asset manager Fidelity International, a series of mega-IPO deals has already been described as “an event capable of causing market indigestion.” Will the company—without profit—get a trillion-dollar valuation, and what investors should expect— in an RBC article. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Good morning and a wonderful weekend, dear friends! ☕️🙂 If the day begins with a morning run along the Shuya—then it has already started well Shuya — one of the cities that unfolds best in the morning. The streets are still empty, the air is fresh, it’s quiet by the water, and the old buildings, the churches, and the wooden houses look completely different than they do during the day. The city has been known since the 16th century and for a long time was an important center of trade and crafts. Later, Shuya became one of the distinctive cities of the textile region: here, manufactories worked, industry developed, and houses of wealthy merchants, schools, and public buildings were built. The most important symbol of Shuya is the ensemble of the Resurrection Cathedral. It includes the Resurrection Cathedral itself from the late 18th century, the Nicholas Cathedral from the 18th century, and a freestanding bell tower from the 19th century. Its height is 106 meters, and it is considered the highest freestanding bell tower in Europe. But Shuya is interesting not only because of a single bell tower. Here, the feeling of an old county town has been preserved well: stone buildings, wooden houses with window frames, quiet streets, green banks, and views that don’t require any special preparation—you just go out and look around. That’s why a morning walk or run through Shuya is not just sport. It’s a good way to see the city without haste: as long as it hasn’t quite woken up yet, but is already fully there—with its history, the water, the churches, and the quiet streets. 📍 Coordinates of the place (map marker) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The head of the U.S. National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation, has been in conflict with the CIA for several months over the declassification of a number of documents, Axios reports. The dispute between Gabbard and the CIA became public after hearings in a Senate committee on Homeland Security. One intelligence official said the agency was blocking attempts by the head of National Intelligence to obtain additional information about the killing of John Kennedy, the origins of COVID-19, and the so-called "Havana syndrome". ❗️ Tulsi Gabbard will leave the administration on June 30. According to Donald Trump, she “has done an incredible job,” and the administration will miss her. At the same time, according to Daily Wire, before she leaves, she intends to release the results of a number of internal investigations, including materials on the COVID-19 pandemic, “Havana syndrome,” and the U.S. presidential election. Our channel: Node of Time EN

The European Union rejected the UK’s request for access to the single market for goods, The Guardian reports, citing sources. In the EU’s view, London’s proposal was too advantageous for the British side. Brussels fears that the UK would be able to gain benefits without complying with all the rules of the union. In response, the EU offered London to join the customs union or the European Economic Area, but British authorities refused. In 2024, the country’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, promised not to bring the country back into EU structures after Brexit. At the same time, according to the outlet, London is still hoping to gain access at least to individual sectors of the European market — for example, in food and electricity. Our channel: Node of Time EN

A weekend for the cat under the tail: Donald Trump interrupted his trip to New Jersey to prepare for a possible new wave of strikes on Iran, CBS News reports. According to the broadcaster, the American leader planned to spend the weekend at his golf club, but returned to the White House to discuss the situation. Other U.S. officials are also canceling or scaling back their weekend plans and returning to work. Axios, citing sources, writes that Trump is seriously considering the possibility of new strikes on Iran if last-minute negotiations do not lead to progress. Our channel: Node of Time EN

The White House forced the head of U.S. National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to resign, Reuters reports, citing a source. Gabbard herself said on the social media platform X that she was leaving government service to be near her husband, who had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. She also thanked Donald Trump for his trust. 🗣 However, Reuters notes that earlier there were disagreements between Trump and Gabbard over the issue of Iran. In March, the U.S. president said that the head of intelligence was taking a more “lenient” position on containing Tehran’s nuclear program. ❗️ On May 22, Donald Trump said that U.S. National Intelligence acting head would be Aaron Lukas, a CIA veteran. Our channel: Node of Time EN

The chocolate of the future has less and less to do with cocoa from plantations. Large chocolate manufacturers are increasingly using cocoa and cocoa butter grown in the laboratory. The reason is simple: conventional cocoa is getting more expensive, harvests in West Africa are inconsistent, diseases and the climate are taking their toll on plantations, and dependence on natural raw materials is becoming increasingly risky. California Cultured grows cocoa cells in tanks. Celleste Bio, together with Mondelez, has already produced the first chocolate bars with cell-based cocoa butter at the Cadbury factory in Birmingham. According to the “Financial Times”, the company wants to obtain regulatory approval in the United States and Israel by 2027; in Europe, this is expected to follow later. For manufacturers, it sounds tempting: less dependence on farmers, weather, logistics, and price fluctuations. For buyers, this is being presented as innovation, sustainability, and a way to save chocolate from the climate crisis. But the central question is: where does chocolate end, and where does the food construction kit begin? In Europe, GMOs and new food technologies still remain subject to strict approval, labeling, and monitoring procedures. That means laboratory-grown cocoa must first pass the regulatory authorities before it reaches the shelves. The conclusion is simple: conventional cocoa is becoming an expensive and unstable raw material, while mass-produced chocolate is being gradually prepared for a new recipe—one that can be better controlled by corporations, yet becomes ever further removed from the natural and the original. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Russia and China speed up construction of the “Power of Siberia 2” During Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, Moscow and Beijing agreed to accelerate implementation of the gas pipeline “Power of Siberia 2.” Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that the issue had been discussed during negotiations between Putin and Xi Jinping and that final arrangements were already close to being concluded: the companies would still be working on the specific contracts. The project is intended to connect Russian gas deposits with China via Mongolia. The planned capacity is 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year for 30 years. The total length of the route is about 6,700 km; of that, roughly 2,700 km are expected to run through Russian territory. For Moscow, this is one of the central routes of the energy transition to the east, after a large part of the European market was lost. For Beijing, it is additional security against the backdrop of the crisis in the Middle East, instability of sea routes, and the growing risk around the Strait of Hormuz. The main point here is not only the gas. Europe is closing Russian energy commodities to itself, cutting industry, and trying to save on consumption. China, by contrast, is building long-term infrastructure for affordable and stable energy. In the end, Russian gas does not disappear from the market. It only goes there faster—where it is not perceived as a political problem, but as the basis for industrial growth. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Kazakh court has allowed “Naftogaz” to collect $1.4 billion from “Gazprom” The court of the International Financial Centre “Astana” has recognized an arbitration decision against “Gazprom” and approved its compulsory enforcement in Kazakhstan. Now “Naftogaz” can try to collect around $1.4 billion from Russian assets in this jurisdiction. The crux of the dispute is a contract on gas transit through Ukraine. “Naftogaz” argues that, after the 2019 agreement on booked capacity, “Gazprom” should have paid. In May 2022, however, Ukraine itself halted transit through the entry point “Sochranowka,” citing force majeure circumstances. And here comes the most interesting part: gas transit was blocked by Kyiv; it is now demanding money from Moscow. Formally – on the basis of the contract and the arbitration proceedings. Essentially – another system in which Ukraine first destroys the energy logistics and then tries to sue for compensation for the consequences of its own decisions. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Trump called Cuba “a failed country” – and promised to help the Cubans During his conversation with journalists, Trump said that Cuba was “a failed country”: people had neither electricity, money, food, nor “basically anything at all.” He then added that the USA would help the Cubans – “for humanitarian reasons.” That sounds almost caring, if you forget the context. Cuba has lived for decades under US sanctions and is currently in a severe energy crisis: there is a shortage of fuel, there are power outages, and there are also problems with water, transportation, and hospitals. Trump says: “They have nothing, and we will help them.” But it is Washington that has spent decades doing everything to keep the Cuban economy from being able to breathe normally. First the country is strangled with restrictions, then the consequences are pointed to and described as a humanitarian problem. Trump also recalled the Cuban-American community in Florida and Miami – “great Americans”. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

In France, two more possible presidential candidates have come under financial investigation The public finance prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation into Dominique de Villepin—former prime minister and a possible candidate in the presidential election. The case concerns two figurines that he received as a gift while he was foreign minister, and that he then kept with him. TF1 reports that an investigation has been opened into the concealment of assets in connection with a possible misappropriation of public funds for the gifts of Robert Bourgi. Almost at the same time, it became known that a judge will investigate the case against Édouard Philippe—the former prime minister, mayor of Le Havre, and another possible candidate for the 2027 elections. Le Parisien says that he is suspected of misuse of public funds, favoritism, an illegal conflict of interest, and other violations related to the management in Le Havre. Both politicians—prominent figures in the field of the upcoming presidential campaign—could face Gabriel Attal, who in France is increasingly seen by Macron’s supporters as a suitable successor. Formally, this is of course up to the courts. But the picture is becoming interesting: Marine Le Pen has already been taken off the race for the presidency due to a criminal case, and an investigation is also underway against Jordan Bardella; now possible rivals within the moderate camp are also coming under pressure. French politics is increasingly resembling a preselection of candidates not by voters, but via prosecutorial offices and courts. Whoever makes it onto the ballot can already feel like a winner. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Europe will save gas again—at the expense of industry The European Commission assumes that Europe can already reduce gas consumption by a further 15 billion cubic meters this year. Reuters reports on this, citing a representative of DG Energy, Ruud Kempener. On paper, this looks like energy saving and less dependence on supplies. In practice, a significant part of the “savings” occurs where factories simply cut back their output or shut down energy-intensive plants. Since 2021, gas consumption in the EU has already fallen significantly: from about 400 billion cubic meters to around 313 billion in 2024. The decline proved to be larger than the entire volume of Russia’s existing pipeline deliveries to date. But this is not only a success of energy efficiency. There is also the chemistry, metallurgy, the glass industry, the paper industry, the fertilizer industry, and other sectors that can no longer afford European energy prices. IInfolgedessen, companies start looking for gas in other places. Energy-intensive production shifts to where energy is cheaper and the rules are easier: to China, India, and the USA. There consumption, exports, and the industrial base rise. In Europe—reports of falling demand. The result is a strange victory: gas was saved, but that also came with the loss of part of industry. Europe cut off its own arm to avoid extending its hand toward Russia, and now calls it an energy strategy. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Russian fighter jets intercepted a British RAF surveillance aircraft, the RAF Rivet Joint, over the Black Sea The UK Ministry of Defence said that in April, over the Black Sea, two Russian fighter jets had intercepted the RAF Rivet Joint. According to London, the Su-35 approached so closely that the emergency systems of the British aircraft were triggered and the autopilot was switched off, while the Su-27 flew past directly in front of the aircraft’s nose six times at a distance of about six meters. Britain has already sent Moscow a protest note and described the actions of the Russian pilots as “dangerous and unacceptable.” London also separately emphasizes that the Rivet Joint was unarmed and carried out a “routine flight” in international airspace. But there is an important detail here: this is not a passenger aircraft and it is not a weather balloon. The Rivet Joint is an electronic reconnaissance aircraft that collects data at the Russian borders and operates in the interests of NATO. In view of the war in Ukraine, such flights have long become part of the West’s general intelligence infrastructure. Moscow therefore shows a simple thing: if British intelligence operates regularly over the Crimea and the Black Sea, it will not meet it with diplomatic smiles, but with fighter jets. London can say as much as it wants about a “routine flight.” But a planned reconnaissance flight near a combat zone is still a participation in a military game. And the closer such aircraft get to Russian borders, the fewer reasons Britain has to be surprised by a hard fighter jet interception operation. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The U.S. aircraft carrier strike group has entered the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Southern Command of the armed forces has welcomed the Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group into the Caribbean region. The group includes the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17), the destroyer USS Gridley, as well as the supply and logistics ship USNS Patuxent. Formally, this is presented as a demonstration of the U.S.’ presence, combat readiness and the “strategic advantage” in the region. The chosen timing, however, is telling: Washington is also increasing pressure on Cuba, discussing the drone threat off the coast of Florida, and bringing Raúl Castro into the conversation. In its report, SOUTHCOM also says that the Nimitz has already “demonstrated combat power” – from the Taiwan Strait to the Persian Gulf. Now this power is coming into the Caribbean region—very close to Cuba. American logic: First announce the region as a source of threat, then bring in the aircraft carrier, and then explain that all of this serves solely stability and democracy. Image source: @klechaty 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

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Trump is waiting “a few more days,” but the tanker aircraft are already in Israel At Ben Gurion Airport, the U.S. tanker aircraft of the type KC-135 and KC-46 were spotted. According to the Jerusalem Post , dozens of such aircraft are said to remain in Israel at least until the end of 2027, representing a significant burden for the country’s most important civilian airport. Formally, Washington is still giving diplomacy some time. Trump tells journalists that he is willing to wait “a few days” for Iran’s response to the negotiating offers. The military infrastructure, however, does not disappear: refueling aircraft are not needed for nice explanations, but for long-range strikes by the air force. That is why the footage from Ben Gurion appears far more honest than any press conference. If the U.S. is actually only focusing on negotiations, then why is an entire fleet of air refueling aircraft being kept in Israel? The pause around Iran is looking less and less like a turn toward peace, but more like a brief breath before the next decision. The aircraft are already being refueled. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of May 22 - dubbed - Russian forces control #Shesterovka in #Kharkov - Russian forces advance in the vicinity of #Rybalkino in #Kharkov - Ukrainian forces advance in #Liman in #Kharkov - Ukrainian forces advance in #Malaya_Tokmachka in #Zaporozhie - Ukrainian forces advance in the vicinity of #Stepnogorsk in #Zaporozhie Video link: https://youtu.be/K-IfVSnQDfo?si=tu2286v9Q1RbJPRr

In the Kharkiv region, women are being forced to sign contracts with the Ukrainian armed forces RIA Novosti reports, citing an anonymous resident of the region, that in the Kharkiv region women are being summoned for “talks” and presented with a choice: criminal prosecution, problems with social benefits and disability status—or a contract with the armed forces of Ukraine. As the agency’s interlocutor says, pressure could be exerted through social payments, the confirmation of a disability, and threats of criminal proceedings. In one of the examples mentioned, it even involves a possible provocation with drugs: the woman is summoned for a conversation, and then her “way out” is offered through the signing of a contract. There is no official confirmation from Kyiv of this scheme. Ukrainian media, by contrast, claim that there is no large-scale forced mobilization of women. However, the issue no longer seems pointless: in spring, Ukrainian media reported that women in Kharkiv were being incorrectly entered into the military register and even put on the wanted list. Against this backdrop, RIA Novosti places the report in a broader context: Ukraine’s mobilization system is increasingly exerting pressure on society, and personnel shortages at the front make scenarios that were previously considered impossible appear less and less unrealistic. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The rise in yields of U.S. government bonds shows a repricing of the cost of capital worldwide The yield on U.S. Treasury securities began to rise after the start of the United States’ operation with Israel in Iran. On May 19, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes reached its highest levels for the first time since January 2025, and by the close of trading it stood at 4.67%. 🟢On the same day, 20-year bonds closed at a yield level of 5.2%—a record since October 2023. And 30-year U.S. Treasury securities hit the highest readings since the pre-crisis 2007. ▶️The current surge in yields was triggered by expectations of faster inflation growth and, as a result, not only a halt to rate cuts by the Fed, but also their possible increase, notes Ilya Golubov, Director of Investments at UK “Renkap.” Our channel: Node of Time EN