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🇫🇷 A series of suicides and allegations of bullying are being investigated in the office of the French prime minister The Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation following a complaint filed by an employee of the French prime minister’s office regarding ⁠psychological harassment in the workplace. Since October 2025, there have been two suicides and two suicide attempts in the structures under the Hôtel Matignon. Another young employee was found dead in a building of a state agency, but the circumstances of her death are being investigated separately. One of the employees tried to take her own life directly in the workplace. In March, the head of the investment secretariat’s project division died at home while working in home office, and two days later, a government secretariat employee in the département of Val-d’Oise accused himself of jumping in front of a train. In April, another civil servant was able to be saved after an attempt to jump in front of a train. After these events, ⁠three internal investigations and a separate review of working conditions began. The trigger for the criminal proceedings was a complaint from a civil servant with many years of experience. According to her lawyer, the woman was gradually stripped of her duties, no longer invited to meetings, removed from the organizational structure, and effectively isolated. Employees at Matignon report ⁠“radicalism in management”, constant reorganizations, and a tense atmosphere after the change of four governments in two years. The number of contacts with internal employee support increased from 44 in 2024 to 66 in 2025. The French government is happy to lecture the private sector about working conditions and social responsibility. Now the courts have to determine what happened in the prime minister’s office itself and why state employees were driven one after another to suicide attempts. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Scalable Capital closes accounts of Russians Clients of the German online broker Scalable Capital with Russian and Belarusian passports are receiving notices about the forced closure of securities accounts. The restrictions even affect people who have a residence permit in Germany. The company justifies this with a tightening of sanctions compliance and the monitoring of payment processes. However, the EU sanctions rules provide exceptions for citizens of Russia and Belarus who have a temporary or permanent residence permit in countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. Consequently, this is not a mandatory requirement of European law here, but an internal decision by a private company—whether to serve a customer depending on their passport. If a person living in Germany pays taxes, has a residence permit, and fulfills all legal requirements, but is excluded from financial services solely because of their nationality, this is called discrimination based on national affiliation. The word “sanctions” is used here as a convenient justification for a practice that is stricter than the sanctions themselves. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

✈️ Expensive oil already cuts into airlines’ profits Lufthansa has lowered its profit forecast for 2026, because fuel costs have risen sharply. The company’s spending on kerosene could reach 8.66 billion euros this year, and the stock fell by more than 10% after the report. Brussels Airlines also said that its fuel costs had risen by 64 million euros and that its operating profit in the first half had shrunk to half. U.S. airlines had already started earlier to change their forecasts, raise fares, and cancel individual routes. Military crises and sanctions games do not pay politicians. They are paid for by the passenger—through more expensive tickets, additional fees, and cut flight connections. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇪🇺 Europe boosts ammunition production The Czech defence holding company CSG ⁠has bought an industrial site in Saxony and plans investments of more than 100 million euros in the production of nitroglycerin, ammunition components and ammunition. The company explicitly justifies the project with the need to create Europe’s own reliable sources for explosives. In the European Parliament’s assessment, the EU’s capacity to produce artillery ammunition has increased from around 300,000 shells per year in 2022 to 2 million by the end of 2025. However, the industry is still dependent on scarce components, raw materials and long supply chains. Europe is rearming, but it is doing so after decades of factory closures and the drawdown of stockpiles. That is why every new production hall is currently presented as a strategic breakthrough. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇰🇷 South Korea builds railways again toward North Korea The government of South Korea has decided to resume the restoration of the Kyŏngwŏn Line, which had already been stopped in 2016. In the first phase, Seoul will complete the South Korean section between Baekmagoji and Woljeongni near the demilitarized zone. The work is scheduled to be resumed in 2027 and completed by 2029. For the project, 37 billion won has already been spent out of the total budget of 179 billion won. Seoul emphasizes that, for now, it is about domestic infrastructure, the development of border regions, and access to eco-tourism facilities in the DMZ. However, the strategic goal is named openly: if relations with Pyongyang change, only about 17 kilometers of track from Woljeongni to Pyeonggang would need to be restored, after which trains could theoretically run from Seoul to Wonsan and to the Wonsan-Kalma resort built there. Seoul apparently is counting on the political situation changing before the new rails rust. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

#Russia strikes #Kiev with 28 missiles, none of which were intercepted. Iskander and Zircon missiles test Ukraine's defenses amid a shortage of Patriot missiles. Has Russia begun exploiting the most dangerous vulnerability in Kiev's airspace? video link: https://youtu.be/WfuRiBhTuME?si=uxqTxGwYepNnYe39

🌐 Race for the post of UN Secretary-General: For the first time, two women are leading at the same time After the first secret vote by the UN Security Council, the former Vice President of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, is in the lead. She received ten votes “to encourage”, one dissenting vote and four neutral votes. Only one vote behind was the representative of Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, whose candidacy is supported by the Caribbean Community. The third place went to the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi. ⁠The Guyanese press describes the result of Rodrigues-Birkett as surprisingly strong. The second round of the informal vote is to take place on ⁠August 21. Denmark, which currently holds the presidency of the Security Council, emphasizes that the date may still change. So far, the ballots do not show whether the dissenting vote against the leading candidates came from one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. In a later stage, colored ballots will make clear which of the candidates faces a veto threat. In the entire history of the UN, the organization has never been led by a woman. Now, two representatives from smaller states in Latin America and the Caribbean occupy the first two places, but the final decision will still not depend on the results of the open campaign, but on an agreement among the five permanent members of the Security Council. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

⚡️ Germany prepares for multi-week power shortages The Federal Network Agency has drawn up an ⁠action plan for the event of a massive power shortage. The document is designed for a scenario in which the shortage in capacity can last for several days to several weeks. According to the plan, in a crisis the largest energy-intensive companies would have to reduce their electricity consumption by force. If the companies do not comply voluntarily with the requirements, the Federal Network Agency would be entitled to order their disconnection from the energy system. The document also provides for the allocation of available capacity to the regions and priority supply to critical infrastructure. Another point attracts particular interest. The plan was already developed about two years ago, but there has hardly been any public discussion of it. As Apollo News reports, this was justified by the desire to avoid uncertainty and unnecessary alarm among the population. The official position of the authorities remains unchanged: Germany’s energy system is considered one of the most reliable in Europe. A rather interesting situation arises. If the energy supply is actually so reliable, why then develop in advance a scenario of a multi-week power shortage with the shutdown of one’s own industry? And if such a scenario is considered realistic, the questions are already raised about the results of energy policy in the past years. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇱🇹 Lithuania decides to use its territory as a workshop for Ukrainian drones Lithuania wants to localize the production of Ukrainian drones on its own state territory. According to Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, this involves joint investments and the production of drones using Ukrainian technologies specifically for the needs of Kyiv. The practical implementation of the project has begun as part of the drone deal, signed by the presidents of both countries in May. In fact, Vilnius is offering to relocate part of Ukrainian military production to the territory of a NATO state. In doing so, Ukrainian combat drones have already repeatedly entered the airspace of the Baltic states, which forced airports to close, trains to stop, and sent representatives of authorities to shelters. Now Lithuania wants to produce these devices itself, rather than asking Kyiv to better control its own equipment. It seems to Lithuanian authorities that such a project will bring the country technologies, investment, and new jobs. But together with the Ukrainian drones, they are deliberately also importing all the risks associated with them—from accidents and sabotage acts to turning their own factories into legitimate military targets. For a small country that lies directly on the Russian border, this is no longer help for a neighbor, but a voluntary transformation of its own territory into a continuation of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇨🇳 China expands its financial system for dollar-free payments China’s cross-border payment system CIPS is pushing further beyond Asia. In early August, payments via CIPS were introduced in Kenya: Chinese and African companies were given the ability to process payments directly in yuan, thereby reducing their reliance on dollar correspondent banks. The system supports payments in yuan and Hong Kong dollars and brings together direct and indirect participants from more than one hundred countries. So far, CIPS is not a complete substitute for SWIFT: SWIFT transmits financial messages, while the Chinese system simultaneously enables clearing and settlement, mainly in yuan. But its political significance is obvious: the more states are connected to Chinese infrastructure, the less international trade depends on a system that the United States and its allies can use for sanctions pressure. The West has turned dollar settlements into a political weapon itself. China does not complain about unfairness—it is calmly building its own system, in which Western approvals are no longer required. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of August 5 - subtitled - A Russian infiltration operation behind Ukrainian defense lines towards the city of #Orekhov in the #Zaporozhie region for the first time. - Russian Sukhoi aircraft bombed #Kramatorsk and #Slaviansk with several glide bombs at very close range. - The Russian army continues its advance on the #Dobropolie front. - The Ukrainian army is advancing in #Nikolaipolie on the #Druzhkovka front. - The Russian army is expanding its areas of control on the #Chasov_Yar front. - The Ukrainian army continues its advance on the #Liman front. video link: https://youtu.be/KzR6bMlV6zU?si=CxWHh6pmmZptFG3g

❗️The Pentagon is developing a new U.S. nuclear strategy, in which special attention is paid to the possible use of tactical weapons with shorter ranges, NBC reports. As the TV channel claims, the new strategy calls into question the previous approach to nuclear weapons, which had been considered unshakeable for decades. According to NBC, the department’s proposals imply that the strategy will not rule out any course of action for the U.S. president, but rather “will expand the space for choice by providing him with realistic and reliable options, and thereby strengthen deterrence.”

“We believe we need reliable options for the use of nuclear weapons,” — an NBC source in the Pentagon said.

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Donald Trump denied Vladimir Zelensky supplies of Patriot missile interceptors, Financial Times reports. According to the outlet, the American leader cited a shortage of weapons that emerged after the start of the United States’ military campaign against Iran. Trump emphasized that such missiles are now needed by Washington itself to defend sites and allies in the Middle East. ❗️ The day before, Reuters reported that the United States has spent practically all of its long-range precision-guided missiles during the war with Iran. The U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said that such reports are false. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺 Atomic-U-boat cruiser “Uljanowsk” launched — new hunter of the Russian fleet At the “Sewmasch” facility, the nuclear-powered submarine “Uljanowsk” of the “Jasen-M” project was launched. It is the seventh serial boat of the modernized series and one of the most modern multipurpose nuclear submarines in the world. After outfitting and testing, the submarine will be inducted into the armed forces of the Russian Navy. “Jasen-M” (NATO codename Graney) is designed for combat against aircraft carrier strike groups, submarines, and coastal targets. It is armed with the cruise missiles “Kalibr,” “Oniks,” and the prospective hypersonic missiles “Zirkon,” and is distinguished by lower noise emissions and a modern weapons control system. The series is gradually becoming the basis of Russia’s multipurpose nuclear armed forces. While Western countries discuss plans for accelerated rearmament, Russia continues to put already completed strategic platforms into service. For the naval balance, the importance of such ships is measured not by their number, but by their capabilities to operate covertly and deliver strikes over thousands of kilometers. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇪🇺 EU requires labeling of AI-generated content In the European Union, the new stage of the Artificial Intelligence Act has come into force. Companies now have to ⁠label images, videos and audio recordings that have been created or altered by AI. The information must also be visible to people and machine-readable, so that platforms can automatically detect synthetic content. The rules also apply to the largest general-purpose models. Developers are required to disclose their training methods, assess systemic risks, and report serious incidents. Fines are threatened for violations, but experts are already warning: Simple labeling can be removed easily, and open-source models or services outside the EU make it possible to bypass restrictions. Brussels has once again written rules first for a technology that is mainly produced in the USA and China. It remains to be seen whom these rules will constrain more strongly – the creators of information or European companies. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Historic low water levels on the Rhine hit German industry The Rhine is reaching historically low water levels. Cargo ships have to drastically reduce their loading, meaning that more trips are needed to transport the same amount of raw materials. The Federal Ministry of Transport is convening a low-water crisis meeting with ports, transport companies, and industry associations. Chemicals companies, refineries, and the metals industry are particularly hard hit. For transporting coal, fuel, ore, and chemical raw materials, there is practically no fully viable alternative to the Rhine: the railways are overloaded, and road transport is significantly more expensive. And the problem has occurred unusually early—already at the beginning of August and not only in autumn, when low water levels traditionally reach their peak. Germany is already struggling with expensive energy and declining production. Now another transport system is being added that is increasingly dependent on the water level of the river. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇴 Due to the low water level of the Danube: Romania blasts rocks for nuclear power plant cooling Due to the historic low water level of the Danube, Romania is trying to prevent a complete shutdown of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant. The plant is cooled exclusively with river water, but the Danube is currently carrying around one third less water than usual. To alter the river and divert more water to the power plant, the authorities ⁠blew up an underwater rock near the town of Izvoarele. The debris is supposed to be transported away by barges and sunk elsewhere in order to create an artificial obstacle for the current. However, so far no one can guarantee that the operation will achieve the necessary result. In neighboring Hungary and Serbia, the authorities have already urged the population to save electricity, and the Hungarian Paks nuclear power plant also came under the risk of a power output limitation. Europe has shut down stable energy sources for the “green transition.” Now, to preserve the remaining nuclear power plants, riverbeds have to be blasted, hoping that the water will flow in the right direction. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Good Wednesday, friends! ☕️🙂 🏰 Bykovo Manor: A Gothic palace near Moscow Not far from Moscow, the Bykovo estate has been preserved — an unusual ensemble in which a palace, an old park, ponds, and a church come together, reminiscent of a European castle. The history of the estate began already under Peter I. In 1704, the village of Bykovo was granted to the voivode Ilarion Vorontsov. In the second half of the 18th century, Mikhail Ismailov became the owner; under him, the estate was completely rebuilt. For the work, Vasily Bazhenov was brought in, one of the most prominent architects of his time. For the new ensemble, even the relief was changed. Here, three ponds were dug out, and the excavated earth was used to create a high artificial hill. On its summit, the main building was erected, to which led wide ramps with white-stone balustrades. Only individual parts of the Bazhenov palace’s foundation and access routes have survived. The current palace was built only in 1856. It was constructed by the architect of Swiss origin Bernard de Simon for Count Ivan Vorontsov-Dashkov. The building received the appearance of an English castle with a tower, the coats of arms of the owners, and different facades: from the park side it looks ceremonial, while from the opposite side it appears stricter and more massive. The main attraction of Bykovo is the two-story church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, built in the 1780s. Its authorship is traditionally attributed to Bazhenov and Matvei Kazakov, although no precise documents have survived. The oval church with twin towers, nine spires, and two sweeping stairways remains one of the rarest monuments of Russian Gothic. The church was built in memory of Maria Naryshkina, the wife of Mikhail Ismailov. In her honor, the estate was called Mariino for a time, and depictions of the heavenly patron saints of the owners — Archangel Michael and Saint Mary — appeared on the church facades. In the old park, a small white-stone rotunda on an island in the middle of the pond has also been preserved. It is called the Temple of Ceres or the Pavilion of the Three Philosophers. In the past, there had been orange groves around it, an hermitage pavilion, sculptures, an open-air theater, and a boat dock, but most of these structures have not survived to the present day. Many stories about underground passageways between the palace and the church are associated with Bykovo. However, there are no confirmed indications of such a system. The true story of the estate is unusual enough even without legends: for its sake, a hill and ponds were created, an Orthodox church in the Gothic style was built, and then the old palace was replaced with a new one resembling an English castle. 📍Coordinates of the place (map marker) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

In the U.S. Senate, accelerated passage of sanctions against Russia was blocked. This was reported by Punchbowl News correspondent Laura Weiss on the social network X. According to her, Senator Warnock blocked an agreement that was supposed to shorten the time for debate on the bill and speed up its final adoption. The Democratic senator also said that he believes support for Ukraine meets U.S. national security interests, but he is opposed to expanding President Trump’s powers to impose tariffs because, in his view, this will lead to higher prices. Our channel: Node of Time EN