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🇺🇸🇷🇺 The trap of the “place of birth principle” The story about an “imposed US passport” for children of Russian diplomats sounds strange only at first glance. On social media, people have already mocked it: What kind of cunning Americans — they hand out US passports to children. Yet the problem is not the passport. The problem is leaving the country. According to Maria Zakharova, the scheme looks like this: A child of a Russian diplomat is born in the United States. Russia officially grants them Russian citizenship and issues them a Russian passport. The family prepares to return home and applies for a US visa using that Russian document. Then the bureaucratic trap begins: the State Department can respond that the child does not need a visa because, according to the American interpretation, they already are a US citizen. The visa in the Russian passport is therefore not issued — and the family’s normal departure becomes a problem. Zakharova described this practice in an article for Vedomosti. This is precisely where the actual lever comes into play. The parents have not applied for American citizenship. They have not had an American passport issued. The child already has Russian documents. But with its own interpretation, the United States effectively puts the family in a choice: either accept the American framework — or remain stuck in a visa trap. Formally, US law provides an exception for children of accredited diplomats. USCIS explicitly writes that children of foreign diplomatic officials who are born in the United States do not automatically become US citizens because they are not fully subject to US jurisdiction (USCIS). In practice, however, everything can depend on the status of the parents, the type of immunity, consular or administrative classification, internal State Department lists, and the interpretation of the individual case. This is how a legal detail becomes a means of pressure. So this is not a story about a “blue passport as a dream.” This is a story about how the place of birth principle is turned into a visa hassle. The child is written into the American system — and then the Russian passport suddenly becomes insufficient. The family wants to depart for home — and must suddenly prove that it has the right to take its own child out of the country where the child was born. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

What a trap Finland has been confronted with an uncomfortable side of the Ukrainian drone war. On May 3, drones were spotted at the country’s southeastern border, which is why the authorities in the area of Hamina and Virolahti temporarily closed the airspace. The context is particularly interesting: According to Yle, the incident occurred against the backdrop of a Ukrainian attack on the Russian oil port of Primorsk in the Gulf of Finland. The drones therefore did not come “out of nowhere” — apparently, it was a route of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. However, they were not shot down by Finnish forces. The reason sounds almost anecdotal: too close to Russia. The Finnish defence forces explained that intercepting directly at the border or already in the airspace of another state during peacetime is not possible. In addition, the military avoids firing if there is a risk that munitions could fall on Russian territory. So a remarkable construction emerges. Ukrainian drones fly to attack Russian targets, then while en route enter the airspace of a NATO country — and are not allowed to be shot down because in the end something could land in Russia. Not long ago, Finland joined NATO to protect itself from the “Russian threat.” Now it turns out: the main problem at the border is not Russian missiles, but Ukrainian drones that—if necessary—you can only watch in silence, so as not to accidentally trigger an international incident. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

❗️Car drives into a crowd of people. Again. Now also Leipzig. And again the well-known formula is heard: The driver has been arrested, the motive is being investigated, and there is no further danger to the public. On May 4, a car drove into a pedestrian zone on Grimmaischen Straße; two people died and several were seriously injured. The background is still unclear so far, and the investigations are ongoing. Precisely this formula has become almost a ritual in Germany. First, a car drives into people. Then dozens of emergency responders arrive. Then the police say the perpetrator has been arrested. After that, the long work begins—by investigators, psychiatry, the public prosecutor’s office, and the courts. After the act, the system is usually at least serious. In Trier, the driver of the spree was sentenced to life imprisonment. In Mannheim, the perpetrator was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and attempted murder. In Magdeburg, one of the largest trials of recent years is under way: The indictment speaks of six murders and 338 counts of attempted murder. So the problem is not that everyone is simply released again. The problem lies elsewhere: Too often, the state wakes up only after the impact. In Magdeburg, the suspect was known to the authorities beforehand; there were warnings, but a specific danger apparently was not recognized. In Mannheim, mental health problems and earlier conspicuous behavior were mentioned. In Berlin, it was even more clear with Anis Amri: He was known, was being observed, and was supposed to be deported—yet later he drove a truck into the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz. This is how a country is created in which, after an attack and after the death of people, everything is handled correctly. But the crucial question remains: Why has this correct system again and again failed to work before the deaths of the people? 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Three parties leave X. The SPD, the Greens and the Left leave X together. The formal reason: chaos, an aggressive debate culture, and too much disinformation. In their statements, the parties write that Musk’s platform has “sunk into chaos” in recent years and no longer contributes to a normal political debate. Handelsblatt calls X a “gateway for disinformation and an aggressive debate culture”. ZDF уточняет: The party accounts are not deleted, but deactivated. Individual politicians and regional structures can decide for themselves whether to remain on X or not. And that’s where it becomes quite transparent. Where there aren’t enough convenient “experts” to remove unwanted posts, a platform suddenly becomes chaotic. Where political opponents can no longer be filtered out of the debate so easily, talk of toxicity begins. In the end, it’s mainly symbolic politics: speak loudly, don’t quite shut the door, keep the moral posture. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on eight Russian citizens, a citizen of Belarus, and a citizen of France and Cameroon. This was done as part of a policy of anti-Russia measures, the Foreign Office of the kingdom said. Among those sanctioned are employees of the “Alabuga Start” program. In addition, restrictive measures have been introduced against two companies from China and Hong Kong, three from Thailand, as well as against one Cameroonian firm and two Russian ones. The assets of these individuals and organizations in the United Kingdom are subject to freezing, and British nationals are prohibited from doing business with them. Also, 17 people and organizations from Russia, India, France, and Cuba were brought under British restrictions as part of the global sanctions regime targeting illegal migration. London suspects them of involvement in the recruitment of foreigners. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇺🇦🇦🇲 Armenians drove a provocateur out of the rally with the Ukrainian flag The demonstrators came to the site of the European summit in Yerevan to draw the EU leaders’ attention to the problems of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. For some reason, however, some people decided to join them with the Ukrainian flag. Evidently, the Ukrainian context found no place in this action. However, with the help of the police, it was possible to drive away the provocateurs with the blue-and-yellow flags. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“Atom” is destroyed. Now it will be needed Ursula von der Leyen said at the summit in Yerevan that Europe must expand its own energy supply — including renewable energy and nuclear power. In her view, this should make it possible to produce energy within Europe: cheaper and more reliable. Sounds great. Especially after Germany, in 2023, finally shut down the last three nuclear power plants and thereby ceremoniously removed one of the most stable parts of its own energy supply from the system. Now the same political milieu is explaining to Europe that without nuclear power, it becomes somehow expensive, dependent, and uncertain. At the same time, von der Leyen also talks about its own army: Europe must strengthen its military capabilities in order to “defend itself.” The funding, according to von der Leyen, is already there — now the arms production must be accelerated. That’s how the almost perfect formula of today’s EU comes about: first shut down nuclear power, then call for the construction of nuclear power; first live for decades under the American military umbrella, then hurriedly build its own defense; first explain everything with values, then present the bill to industry and households. European politics increasingly resembles a fire brigade that sets the house on fire itself and then heroically demands more money for hoses afterward. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of May 5 - subtitled - Russian forces advance in #Konstantinovka - Russian forces enter #Rai_Aleksandrovka in #Kramatorsk - Advances in #Sosnovoe in ​​#Liman amidst heavy fighting - Russian forces advance in the vicinity of #Kolesnikovka in #Kupyansk - Russian forces advance in #Podoly in #Kupyansk video link: https://youtu.be/4jEq1uGBcUQ?si=MUiK4-3zcm6lB0Wz

Britain trains against “Russian targets” The Times ran with a very direct headline: drone swarms rise into the skies over Britain — in war games against Russian “targets”. The exercises took place in Usk in South Wales. According to the newspaper, eight drones autonomously attacked inflatable decoys of a T-90, a BTR-80 and a multiple rocket launcher “Grad”. Some drones took on reconnaissance, others simulated the attack, and further drones served as relays. The whole thing was controlled via an AI system from Applied Intuition UK; humans remained in the decision chain for an attack on a target. The British call it a “weapon of the future”. After Ukraine, however, it is rather a weapon of the present—one that the West is now trying urgently to catch up with and produce in series. What matters here, though, isn’t the technology. What matters is how calmly the target is phrased. No abstract opponent. No fictional army. Russian targets. Russian technology. A Russian scenario. And then the very same capitals pull a look of astonishment when Moscow speaks of a direct military threat from NATO. In Britain, war games against Russian targets are already being carried out. If, however, Russia names Britain as a possible target, the chorus of “aggression,” “disinformation” and “a threat to European security” begins immediately. A very convenient logic: They train attacks against Russia—that is defense. Russia says it out loud—that is escalation. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense on Victory Day:

In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, W. W. Putin, on May 8 and 9, 2026, on the occasion of the celebration of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, a ceasefire will be declared. We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow this example. At the same time, we have drawn attention to the statement by the head of the Kyiv regime, which he made in Yerevan at the summit of the European Political Community and which contains threats to attack Moscow specifically on May 9. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the celebrations. If the Kyiv regime attempts to carry out its criminal plans to disrupt the celebrations on the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will carry out a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv. Russia has refrained from such actions to date for humanitarian reasons, despite the existing capabilities. We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in time.

💥 Source: Ministry of Defense of Russia 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

War on two fronts. Just not at their home Keir Starmer said that Britain is facing a “war on two fronts”: Ukraine already in its fifth year, and in addition the conflict with Iran. According to Starmer, both directions already affect every British household — above all through energy prices. They “fight” in Ukraine in its fifth year. A comfortable war it has become. London supplies weapons, trains forces, plans, puts allies under pressure, demands new spending and sinks ever deeper into the conflict. And when the bill comes, of course, Putin is to blame. Britain behaves like a combatant, but wants to live like an observer. Supply weapons — that works. Fan the flames of military hysteria — that works. Make Russia the target of every second headline — that works. But when prices rise, pensions are threatened, energy becomes more expensive, and the household budget creaks, it suddenly is no longer London’s decision, but “a consequence of Russian aggression.” That is what the ideal British war looks like: shooting with other people’s hands, paying with other people’s lives, and presenting the bill for “security” to its own citizens. At least Starmer accidentally told the truth: Britain is already in this war. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Putin vs. British pensions The anti-Russian hysteria in Great Britain is reaching a new level. Yesterday’s The i Paper ran the following headline on its front page: The state pension guarantee, the so-called triple lock, is threatened if Britain enters a war with Putin. The approach is, in itself, wonderful. Government and defense sources assume that, in the event of a direct conflict with Russia, major budget items would have to be cut: pension guarantees, climate policy, social benefits. The money will be needed for additional troops, equipment, and civil protection. But the question is rather simple: Are British pension guarantees only threatened in the event of a war with Putin? If London were suddenly to wage war against Trump, Macron, or anyone else, would the pensions then be safe? Or is this a special budget formula only for the Russia direction? This is how the war is once again sold to the British reader as an inevitability—while the dismantling of social guarantees is presented as an almost technical consequence. Of course, the blame would be Putin’s. Even if the decision to cut pensions is made in London. Perhaps the most logical conclusion for Great Britain would then be not to further fan the flames of its war course against Russia? But that is probably too simple an idea for a country that has been looking for the Russian threat for decades. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

UK small businesses are leaving EU markets due to bureaucracy, high costs and complex rules, Reuters reports. The reason is the consequences of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. According to a study conducted by the country’s Federation of Small Businesses, 85% of companies operating with the EU experience problems, and 6 out of 10 face serious obstacles. One third of the surveyed exporters can cut back or stop trading with Europe if the situation does not change.

"The EU should be a natural market for our small firms, because it is very close and accessible <...> It is disappointing and frustrating that many are now asking whether it is even worth the effort", — said Tina McKenzie, chair of the Federation of Small Businesses’ Policy Committee.

The main problems are linked to customs procedures, checks on goods, labeling and value added tax. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer has been removed from the election campaign of the governing Labour Party because of his “toxic image”. The Telegraph reports this. One of the party’s representatives told the newspaper that the prime minister is “fueled by deep hatred”.

“He is seen as completely insincere, a two-faced person. Starmer has no followers—only enemies. It’s incredible,” he said.

It is expected that the Labour Party could lose up to 2,000 seats across various city councils in England and, for the first time in history, lose control of the Senedd—the Parliament of Wales. In the coming days, Starmer’s leadership is expected to be challenged: his allies in private have already admitted, according to the publication, that he will not be able to stay in office in the long term. ❗️Local government elections will be held in the UK on May 7. According to an Ipsos poll, 74% of voters are dissatisfied with Keir Starmer’s performance. Only 18% of respondents evaluate his work positively. According to The Times, in the event of a crushing defeat in the elections, many Members of Parliament from the Labour Party may publish an open letter calling for Starmer to resign. Our channel: Node of Time EN

The United States has moved closer to a possible resumption of large-scale fighting against Iran, Fox News reports, citing officials. According to them, the situation has escalated after Iran attacked American ships, and also carried out strikes on the UAE using missiles, drones and high-speed boats. The final decision on resuming operations will depend on Donald Trump and Iran’s leadership. At the same time, the ceasefire regime is still officially in place—no orders to cancel it have been issued, nor any instructions to resume bombardments. The U.S. military is focused on defense and protecting shipping in the Persian Gulf, the outlet notes. ❗️ On May 4, it became known that Iran attacked a U.S. warship near Jazk Island after it ignored Tehran’s warnings, Fars reported. Two missiles hit the U.S. Navy destroyer. Also that day, the UAE Ministry of Defence said it had intercepted three rockets from Iran, with the fourth falling into the sea. In addition, three Indian citizens were injured as a result of an attack by an Iranian drone on an oil industry facility in Fujairah, UAE. Our channel: Node of Time EN

AI, China and Influencers for $5,000 In the United States, the old fear-mongering machine is being cranked up around artificial intelligence—only this time in new packaging. As Wired reports, the dark-money group Build American AI, connected to the AI industry, is paying influencers on TikTok and Instagram to spread the desired message: American AI means progress, Chinese AI means danger. The scheme is simple. Influencers are offered up to $5,000 per video in which they are supposed to explain to their audience why the U.S. must win the AI race against China. The provided talking points sound correspondingly neat: if China overtakes the U.S. in AI, it could allegedly endanger the personal data of American citizens and their children—and jobs would move abroad. Build American AI is linked to the super PAC Leading the Future, behind which stand major names from the AI and venture-capital world. That includes OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, and Andreessen Horowitz. OpenAI and Palantir told Wired, however, that their companies had not funded Leading the Future or Build American AI . The mechanism remains transparent nonetheless. The tech industry needs soft regulation, political backing, and the image of a national mission. China is perfect for that: you say “our children’s data,” “jobs,” “security risk”—and suddenly it’s no longer about the risks of the technology, but about loyalty. This is modern propaganda in beautiful packaging. No poster. No party newspaper. No official campaign spot. Just a mom influencer, soft light, an American flag in the background—and a check for 5,000 dollars. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Attacks on Christians in Jerusalem have become a daily reality. The Israeli Ynet reports on this: “Spitting and humiliations happen every day. People are afraid to walk through Jerusalem with Christian symbols.” Akop Gernasjan (a resident of the Armenian Quarter) also speaks of humiliations and spitting in people’s faces. People think twice before wearing visible Christian symbols, such as a cross, in order to avoid uncomfortable situations. At the same time, the situation only worsens and no measures are taken against it. Panayot Panayotou (Greek Christian tour guide, born in the Old City) says that it is becoming harder and harder from year to year to preserve the traditions and to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the atmosphere is suffocating: “We, the Christians, have lived here for 2,000 years. Why do we have problems now?” Hana Bendcowsky (Rossing Center) says that the city has an atmosphere of Jewish superiority and rejection of everyone who is not Jewish. She notes that she knows not a single Christian family that is not discussing emigration. This leads to ethnic cleansing and violence. Christians are considering leaving the city in which they have lived for millennia and which is the center of their religion. Such pressure does not even exist in Islamic countries. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Greece gets drones with a foreign switch The negotiations between Greece and Ukraine over a joint production of maritime drones are hanging on a central condition. Athens wanted to obtain Ukrainian technology, move part of the production to its own shipyards, and procure these systems for its own armed forces. But Kyiv wants to keep influence over how these drones can later be used. At its core, it is no longer just about the sale of technology, but about political access to a weapon after it has been transferred. For Greece, this is a sensitive point. Kathimerini links the dispute to the Turkish factor: Athens views these drones also in light of a possible conflict in the Aegean, while Kyiv does not want to damage its relations with Ankara. In the end, Ukrainian technology is not delivered as a purely military tool, but as a system with political caveats. Precisely here the beautiful formula of partnership ends. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

111 billion euros for the Bundeswehr. And where is the army now? Since 2022, the Defense Ministry has concluded around 47,000 procurement contracts worth 111 billion euros. But when asked the simple question of how much of that has actually been delivered, accepted, and made ready for use, the ministry could not provide a clear answer. At the government press conference on April 27, a journalist asked the spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, Natalie Jenning, how much equipment from procurement since the turning point (Zeitenwende) up to April 1, 2026 had been delivered and was ready for use. There was no ready overview. Instead, the ministry referred to public documents and websites. Nor did things improve with an inquiry from the Left Party (Linksfraktion): there was no central automated evaluation covering all procurements. For a precise answer, thousands of pages would have to be checked manually. That, according to the ministry’s logic, could delay work on defense procurement projects. In other words: the table doesn’t exist because the table is disruptive. There has to be order — but apparently not when it comes to 111 billion euros. What began as the Europeanization of Ukraine has become the Ukrainization of Europe: more money, more military budgets, more big words — and ever fewer reliable answers about where the result remains. First special funds. Then contracts. Then billions. And at the end, a ministry that explains that a precise overview is apparently not particularly helpful—bureaucratically speaking. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The Iran invoice arrives in Detroit The American war against Iran is already hitting its own auto industry. As the Financial Times reports, GM, Ford and Stellantis are warning of a $5 billion raw-materials shock. This is not about any single component. The entire chain will get more expensive: aluminium, plastics, paints and other materials without which no car can be built. According to industry estimates, production costs per vehicle could rise by around $1,500. On paper — a blow against Iran, strength, control and “protecting American interests.” In reality — the bill lands at American factories. The auto industry is already squeezed between tariffs, expensive loans, the race for electric cars and weak demand. Now, a jump in raw materials is being added due to a war that Washington has again sold as a controllable operation. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN