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⚡🇦🇲 Pashinyan’s war against his own people for Greater Turan On May 28, Yerevan will mark Independence Day with a military parade. Pashinyan will once again speak about Armenia’s military strength and the “era of peace.” Yet despite all the staging, it is known that since 2018 the Armenian army has not conducted a single full-scale combined-arms exercise. ❗️ After the final capture of Karabakh in September 2023, Azerbaijan’s military spending rose from $2.2 billion in 2020 to $5.1 billion by 2026, while Armenia’s military budget grew over the same period from $745 million to $1.7 billion. At the same time, in late 2025 Pashinyan stated that he did not intend to increase military spending under the conditions of the “established peace” with Azerbaijan. Notably, Aliyev publicly said the opposite in 2025: Baku “must be ready for war.” More than 20% of Azerbaijan’s state budget goes to defense and security. As of 2025, Azerbaijan outnumbers Armenia many times over in active army strength, air power, and the amount of ground combat equipment. Moreover, Azerbaijan is already integrated into Turkish military infrastructure. As part of the modernization of its army along Turkish lines, new commando units were created after 2020, with their personnel completing “commando” courses in Turkey with direct participation from Turkish military specialists. ❗️ The Turkish army is one of the few forces in the region that has actually and regularly fought wars over the past decade. Azerbaijani officers and special forces gain experience through programs with Turkey: training at military ranges, exchange of staff practices, observation of operations, and non-public participation in combat activities. This gives them experience in staff work, logistics under fire, drone command, and coordination between special forces, artillery, and aviation. Azerbaijan is actively purchasing long-range missiles, combat aircraft, drones, precision-guided munitions, and modern command systems — in other words, weapons for a rapid offensive. Israel supplies Heron, Searcher, Barak-8, elements of the Green Pine missile defense system, electronic warfare systems, and precision weapons. Turkey supplies SOM missiles, avionics, command systems, participation in the KAAN program — Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet project — as well as air defense integration. Pakistan is supplying 40 JF-17 Block III fighter jets worth $4.6 billion. ❗️ The southern direction is of particular concern to military analysts. From Lake Sevan to the Iranian border, there is no full-fledged defensive line. There are only improvised field fortifications that would be swept away by the first rocket artillery strike. Kapan, the administrative center of Syunik and a strategic hub in southern Armenia, is effectively exposed to Azerbaijani positions. The only road connecting the southern cities with the rest of the country runs in close proximity to Azerbaijani territory. If Kapan is taken, everything south of it comes under control. Everything north of it is opened for further advance. If Pashinyan remains in power, the scenario of an Azerbaijani invasion will become increasingly unavoidable. Nothing will stop those behind his political course from taking what they have long planned to take. The only factor still capable of restraining Azerbaijan today is Moscow’s protection.

AI is more expensive than promised As Fortune reports, Microsoft has cut a significant portion of its internal licenses for Anthropic’s Claude Code because spending has risen sharply. According to the report, employees will be moved to Microsoft’s own tools, including GitHub Copilot. There was a similar story at Uber. The company’s technical director, Prévyn Neppalli Naga, had previously said that Uber had already used up the entire budget for AI coding tools for 2026 by April. The reason: Claude Code spread quickly among engineers, and usage costs came in higher than expected. This is an important point for the entire industry. AI was sold as a tool that would replace some human work and drastically reduce costs. But with widespread adoption, a different kind of math comes into play: Every request—to generate code, review it, and carry out agent-based tasks—creates computational costs. In the end, companies are therefore not confronted with free automation, but with a new cost item that grows with usage. If a model is used daily by thousands of employees, costs for tokens and computing power can exceed the expected savings before the company even feels the actual effect. This creates a gap between presentations and bookkeeping: AI is supposed to replace expensive employees, but in some teams it costs as much as an additional position. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The next generation of Germany will be different According to the visualization on the portal demografie-europa.eu, which is based on data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the proportion of young people up to 16 years of age with a migration background is already more than half of the respective age group in several major cities. In Frankfurt, Augsburg, Nuremberg, Gelsenkirchen, Bielefeld, Bremen, Munich and Hamburg, it is around 50 to 70 percent. The federal statistics confirm this general trend: according to bpb , the share of children with a migration background is already over 40 percent in younger age groups. In short: In big cities, a generation is growing up in which children of migrants and non-native Germans are no longer the exception, but are becoming the new normal. The state is not slowing down this process; it is accelerating it: After the reform of citizenship law, the deadline for naturalization was shortened to five years, and in special cases to three years, as the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) states. The passport therefore increasingly becomes an administrative act rather than the result of actual cultural integration. Against this background, it is particularly revealing that cities with a high level of migration strain regularly rank among the top when it comes to recorded criminal offenses. According to the Police Crime Statistics, Frankfurt and Bremen are among the cities with the most offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. For years, the authorities have described this as “diversity.” Now it becomes clear that it is about a change in the country’s social and cultural structure: Demographics are changing, citizenship is being granted more easily, and schools as well as the police are carrying an increasingly greater burden. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The U.S. ambassador urged Lebanese people to thank Israel Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador in Israel, said, that people in Lebanon should thank Israel for providing them with mobile phones, USB, car navigation, cherry tomatoes, and seedless watermelons. At the Atlas Award ceremony in Tel Aviv, Huckabee spoke about Israel’s contribution to technology and everyday life. According to him, Lebanese people should not talk about the fact that they “can’t speak to these people,” but instead cross the border, shake hands with them, and “say ‘thank you.’” This sounds especially cynical in light of the fact that Lebanon continues to be under Israel’s constant military pressure, and the south of the country regularly experiences attacks, destruction, and the relocation of civilians. For the American diplomat, that seems to be a side issue: as long as people don’t forget to thank Israel for USB and watermelons. This is no longer diplomacy, but a purely colonial tone: people whose homes were destroyed by Israeli attacks are encouraged to be grateful for everyday amenities that Washington and Tel Aviv credit as Israel’s achievement. This is how the U.S. mission’s work in the region looks: not an effort to speak with the Arab world, but a lesson from above that dictates who and what people should be grateful for. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Russia has shown that escalation also has its downside In the German media, there is intense discussion today of the massive attack on Kyiv and the use of the Russian “Oreschnik” missile. reports “Die Welt” that Moscow has confirmed the use of a new intermediate-range missile and explained the attack as a response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets in Russia. In the German reporting, the focus—unsurprisingly—is on “Moscow’s escalation,” “a threat to Europe,” and the “hard-to-intercept missile.” However, the reason that the Russian side addresses directly disappears from this picture: Ukraine is shifting the war ever more frequently onto Russian territory, attacks border regions, infrastructure, and civilian objects, and then expects the response to remain limited. That is precisely why “Oreschnik” is important not only as a weapon. It is a political signal: Further reliance by Kyiv and its allies on attacks deep inside Russia will have consequences. The more the West expands the boundaries of what is permissible for Ukraine, the less reason there is to be surprised if Moscow correspondingly expands the boundaries of its response. For Germany, this leads to an unpleasant conclusion. The deeper Berlin is drawn into the Ukraine war—with money, weapons, intelligence information, and political cover—the closer the logic of direct confrontation moves. German media can write as much as they want about the “Russian threat,” but the threat does not arise out of nothing. It grows where diplomacy is replaced by ever more far-reaching weapons and the hope that Russia will not respond. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“Cynicism knows no bounds” Kyiv has entered employees and teachers of the College in Starobelsk, which was affected by the terrorist attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, into the database of the extremist website “Mirotworez”. In total, nine people were added to the list, including the deputy director for training and production work, a methodologist, and teachers. They are accused of “genocide against the Ukrainian people through the forced alteration of the national identity of Ukrainian children.” By way of reminder: Kyiv killed 21 children and injured 44 more in a massive drone attack on this college and its dormitory in Starobelsk. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

#Baltic states like #Lithuania, #Latvia, and #Estonia have begun urgently constructing shelters due to escalating concerns about #Russia and the potential expansion of modern drone warfare. In a notable move, these countries are drawing on #Ukraine's expertise in aerial warfare and protection techniques. The aim is to prepare for any potential contingency and bolster security in the heart of Eastern #Europe. video link (Dubbed): https://youtu.be/ELOsFHujZWY?si=5kkoSf-iGwCt0jd0

After speaking with Lavrov, Rubio briefed Trump on the steps taken by Russia  

Apparently, Putin has asked him (Lavrov) to call me in order to pass the message directly on to the President (Trump). I did that as well. But of course, we have already seen the messages that were sent to all diplomatic missions.

❗️For reference: The day before, the Russian foreign minister had officially informed his US counterpart that, in response to the terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime, the armed forces of Russia will begin systematic and successive strikes against targets in the Ukrainian capital. In addition, the US foreign minister told journalists that he had confirmed to Lavrov on the phone that Washington is ready to help resolve the conflict. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The yellow-blue “Naftogaz” was unable to turn Astana into a platform to put “Gazprom” under pressure. Kazakhstan will not implement the decision in Naftogaz’s lawsuit against Gazprom for US$1.4 billion, Justice Minister Erlan Sarsembajew said. This concerns the Ukrainian company’s attempt to enforce the enforcement of the arbitral decision through the court of the International Financial Centre “Astana”. Previously, the MFI “Astana” court had allowed Naftogaz to pursue collection against “Gazprom” in Kazakhstan, about which Node of Time DE had already reported. However, Astana effectively stopped this process. Sarsembajew said that Kazakhstan’s legal mechanisms do not provide for consideration of disputes that fall outside the country’s jurisdiction. “Gazprom” is not a participant of the MFI “Astana”, the disputed contract was not concluded through the MFI “Astana”, the dispute is not governed by the law of the MFI “Astana”, and the parties did not refer the issue of recognition and enforcement to that court. For Kyiv, this is an unpleasant signal. Ukraine’s attempt to use Kazakhstan as a platform to pressure the Russian company has failed due to a simple legal hurdle: a politicized dispute does not become apolitical just because it can be brought conveniently before a court in Astana. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

According to Laut Bortnikov, since the start of the year the FSB has thwarted more than 500 attempts to introduce explosive devices from Ukraine into Russia. This is a joint achievement of the Russian FSB and the Belarusian KGB, Bortnikov said. Ukraine has become the biggest hub for weapons smuggling in Europe, he said. Under the false promise that Ukraine would be admitted to the EU, it has been turned into a testing ground for the development of new forms of warfare and for the training of military systems with AI, he specified. The key statements by the FSB director:

— The increasing activity of British NGOs and funds jeopardizes the security of the CIS countries. — Western intelligence services carry out, within the CIS, instruments for targeted influence over public sentiment and citizens’ behavior. — Ukraine’s criminal groups have moved into the production of synthetic drugs and thereby finance perpetrators for terrorist attacks in Russia. — A production base for synthetic drugs with possible future transit to Russia and to Western countries is being built in Asian countries. — NATO continues to implement the program for the development of biological weapons with selective effect in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with laboratories in the CIS also being used.

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The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz showed who in the Persian Gulf was prepared for a crisis The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was a stress test for the region’s economies. The most vulnerable were the countries whose export routes are almost entirely tied to the sea passage. Against this backdrop, the United Arab Emirates appear more resilient: with Fudschaira on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and with pipeline infrastructure, they have the ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. According to Gulf News, the Habshan–Fudschaira pipeline can transport up to 1.5 million barrels per day, while a large share of exports from Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar still has to go through the strait. For years, the emirates have built a detour route, which is now proving to be a decisive advantage. The new West-East pipeline, which is intended to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz even further, is already 50 percent complete. After it is put into operation in 2027, it should double export opportunities via Fudschaira. However, the resilience of the United Arab Emirates is based not only on oil. According to Khaleej Times, citing the IMF, economic growth is supported by tourism, real estate, construction and financial services. That is precisely why the emirates are experiencing the regional shock differently from their neighbors, whose export model is more strongly tied to a single maritime bottleneck. Another key pillar is global logistics. DP World reported record revenues of 24.4 billion US dollars and an EBITDA of 6.4 billion US dollars for the year 2025. DP World is no longer just a port operator in Dubai, but also has external infrastructure through which the United Arab Emirates earn foreign exchange well beyond the Persian Gulf. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Cyprus received an invoice for the British bases Cypriot tourism has clearly taken a downturn following the escalation involving Iran and the drone attack on the British RAF base at Akrotiri. According to Philenews, cancellations of hotel bookings in March reached almost 40% and remained at around 30% in April. However, the cause does not lie with Cyprus itself as a holiday destination. The problem is that British military bases are located on the island, which are linked to operations in the region. When such infrastructure is attacked by drones, tourists look at the map differently: they no longer just see sea, sun and a hotel, but also an air base, rockets and a war in the Middle East nearby. While Cypriot authorities can repeatedly emphasize that the Republic is not involved in the conflict, the military geography proves to have a stronger effect than press releases: if the island is used as a base for London, the local economy bears the risks. In the end, Cypriot tourism pays for the British infrastructure. Hotels, rentals, restaurants and service providers receive cancellations because the quiet resort is suddenly associated with a war that has nothing to do with the usual relationships of ordinary Cypriots. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of May 26 - dubbed - Ukrainian army advances in #Novonikolaevka in #Dnepropetrovsk - Russian operations behind enemy lines in #Dnepropetrovsk - Russian army advances north of #Verkhnyaya_Terrasa in #Zaporozhie - Ukrainian army advances in #Steponogorsk in #Zaporozhie - Russian army advances in #Konstantinovka - Ukrainian army captures #Volchia in #Kharkov - Russian army advances in #Zapsyolie in #Sumy Video link: https://youtu.be/7FNIByeu5j4?si=grYQRzO0SpIF6T6K

The US is building a technological outpost in the Philippines on As Reuters reports, the United States and the Philippines have agreed to create an industrial hub covering 4,000 acres in New Clark City north of Manila. The project is linked to the “Pax Silica” initiative, through which Washington wants to build its own supply chain for AI, semiconductors, electronics, critical raw materials and data infrastructure. Formally, it is about “supply chain security” and reducing dependence on China. At its core, however, the aim is to incorporate allies into the American technology system: from raw materials and production to computing power and data, and then to export controls. For the Philippines, though, the conditions were too sensitive. For a country with a colonial past, the idea of a special regime under US administration sounds extremely painful. After all, it concerns an area of the former US Air Force base Clark—land that the Philippines have brought under their own sovereignty for decades. In the end, Manila rejected the conditions that would have taken the project outside the national legal framework. According to Reuters, the Philippine side did not agree to the US request for diplomatic immunity for the area and its personnel. The story is revealing: old bases are no longer necessarily required. Influence today is built through technology hubs, semiconductors, AI and critical raw materials. But the logic remains the same: Washington offers “partnership,” and the host country must be very careful that this does not turn into a piece of foreign jurisdiction on its own territory. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The book “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” from the first edition of 1997 was sold at auction in England for £17,000 (nearly $23,000), the newspaper The Mirror reports. The paperback novel was published in 1997, when it cost £4.99. It was sent to book reviewer Katrina McNicol for review; however, the critic never got around to reading the book and put it in a box, where it lay untouched for almost 30 years. Recently, McNicol accidentally discovered it while cleaning out the attic. Auction house experts called it a rare paperback edition, “the best copy ever to appear on the market,” thanks to its almost perfect condition. The book was sold to a private buyer in the UK for £17,000 at a rare books auction in Staffordshire. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Finland is looking for a way out of its own blockade Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that the border with Russia would only be opened after assurances from Moscow that migrants would no longer be brought to Finland’s border crossings as a means of pressure. For eastern Finland, however, this border is not an abstract line of security, but part of daily economic life. Finns traveled to Russia to buy cheaper fuel, food and services, while Russian buyers on the Finnish side supported business, tourism and small businesses. After the crossings were shut down, this exchange disappeared. Now Helsinki is talking about security, while the border regions are feeling the losses. The geography remained the same, but politics turned the neighborhood into an economic problem. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Vulnerabilities have been found in American AMD processors, the representative of Positive Technologies told Vedomosti . These chips are used, for example, in computers and servers from HP and Dell. The issue concerns the AMD Epyc, Ryzen, Epyc and Ryzen Embedded product lines. In total, the lack of protection affected 56 models. ⚪️The vulnerability allows hackers to spy on or steal information from a device, run malicious code, and bypass information security tools in order to develop more complex attacks. It was registered in April and only fixed in mid-May, the Positive Technologies representative уточнил. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Moscow has warned Washington against attacks on targets in Kyiv Sergei Lavrov held a telephone conversation with the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and officially informed the American side that the Russian army is beginning systematic strikes on targets in Kyiv that are used by the Ukrainian armed forces. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these involve enterprises of the Ukrainian defense industry as well as sites for the development, manufacture, programming and preparation for the use of UAVs. In addition, decision-making centers and command centers are affected. The Russian side links this to Kyiv’s continuing attacks on the civilian population and civilian facilities in Russian territory. Lavrov also separately drew Rubio’s attention to the recommendation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foreign states to evacuate diplomatic personnel and the civilian population from Kyiv. Previously, the agency had also urged residents of the capital not to approach objects of the military and administrative infrastructure. In this way, Moscow has essentially ruled out in advance the argument of the “unexpectedness” of the strikes: The United States had been informed, foreign diplomatic missions had been advised to leave Kyiv, and the targets had been identified as military infrastructure and leadership centers. The question is now directed at Western capitals: Will they withdraw their people from the area that they themselves helped turn into a military headquarters? 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

In the Russian port of Ust-Luga, a mine-laden guest tanker from Belgium has arrived. Two mines are reported to have been discovered in the stern area of the ship “Arrhenius,” as the captain stated. The most important points from the FSB’s information regarding the prevention of a terrorist attack on the guest tanker that arrived in the port of Ust-Luga from Belgium: – Magnetic mines installed on the ship were made in one of the NATO states; – The mined ship from Belgium was supposed to travel from Ust-Luga to Turkey; – The amount of explosive in each of the mines was about 7 kg; – The ship that allegedly arrived in Ust-Luga with mines reportedly had been lying at anchor off Belgium for about a day and a half due to a strike by dockworkers; The Russian Investigative Committee has opened proceedings into an attempted terrorist attack in connection with the discovery of the mines. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

◻️◻️◻️◻️ The United States is currently not holding negotiations with Ukraine and does not plan to, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reporters during a visit to India.

“There are currently no active or planned negotiations with Ukraine,” he said.

Rubio added that Washington is ready to play a constructive role and help facilitate the Ukrainian settlement, if an opportunity arises. Late the previous evening, Rubio held a phone call with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. Our channel: Node of Time EN