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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

A new escalation between #Washington and #Berlin puts Europe at a delicate juncture. #Mertz calmly responds to #Trump's threats to withdraw troops and impose tariffs. A crisis that could affect European security and transatlantic relations, and raises questions about the future of the #US - #European alliance. video link (subtitled):https://youtu.be/gwmeRbhBoF0?si=NVPY8EfZwfiPQSrd

America retains control of the long-range strike option The US apparently will not station the planned Tomahawk battalion in Germany after all. As the Financial Times reports, Washington is reviewing the plan that was supposed to make Germany the hub for long-range missiles aimed at Russia. At the same time, the US is withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany. Officially, this is a redeployment of forces. In reality, it is another signal to Berlin: American protection remains in place — but no longer as an automatic subscription service. For German politicians, the problem is not primarily the number of soldiers. That can somehow be compensated for. The problem is the missiles. The Berlin security expert Christian Mölling puts it clearly: In terms of personnel, one can close gaps, but when it comes to long-range missiles, Europe is clearly behind. That is exactly what this is about. Germany’s security has for years been justified by NATO, the US, and the American nuclear shield. Now it turns out: This protective umbrella is getting holes. And its own long-range strike capability is still not there. The Tomahawks were meant to be the American stopgap solution until Europe builds its own systems for long-range strikes. But when it really comes down to it, the weapon remains in American hands. This is what transatlantic dependence looks like without Sunday-morning speeches: In Berlin, security is planned. In Washington, it is cancelled. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

It turned out to be not the right size: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has put his yacht, worth $500 million (about 37.5 billion rubles), up for sale because it turned out to be too difficult and inconvenient to operate. As Page Six reports, the 417-foot sailing yacht Koru is one of the largest privately owned vessels in the world, and running it costs about $30 million a year (about 3 billion rubles). The outlet’s source added that the ship is equipped with water jets to deter pirates, a swimming pool with a glass bottom, several jacuzzis, and a helipad. Also, an auxiliary vessel, Abeona, worth about $75 million, comes with the yacht. However, it is unclear whether it will be included in a potential deal. It is noted that Koru was created based on billionaire Barry Diller’s yacht, but by size it turned out to be “far more scaled up.” Now the ship cannot dock in most of the popular ports—during Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding in Venice, it even failed to come up to any of the shorelines. Our channel: Node of Time EN

China no longer plays by American rules Beijing has done what has long been expected of it: it has officially banned Chinese companies from recognizing and complying with the U.S. sanctions against five Chinese refineries, which Washington accuses of purchasing Iranian oil. These are Hengli Petrochemical in Dalian and four independent refineries. The United States has put them on the sanctions list, froze assets and banned transactions. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded with a Blocking Ban: within the territory of the PR China these measures are not to be recognized, complied with, or followed. On paper, Washington is once again defending the “international order.” In reality, it is trying to steer China’s trade with third countries through American law. This time, Beijing did not limit itself to the usual diplomatic unease. It brought the dispute onto a legal level: if the American sanctions have extraterritorial effect, China creates its own countermeasure within its own jurisdiction. It is no longer just about the dispute involving five companies and Iranian oil. It is a question of who determines the rules of world trade: the U.S. with its sanctions list, or the countries that no longer want to live under American prohibitions. Washington exerts pressure through the dollar, banks and insurance. Beijing replies with law and the market. The U.S. sanctions hammer remains severe. But now it is being struck with a counterinstrument. And the more often Washington uses sanctions as a universal lever, the faster others learn to build a system in which this lever no longer works automatically. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Armenia and the United Kingdom signed a declaration on strategic partnership during the summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan, the Prime Minister of the republic, Nikol Pashinyan, said.

"Thanks to today’s joint declaration with Keir Starmer (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. — Ed.) on strategic partnership between Armenia and the United Kingdom, we are opening a new and promising chapter in our relations, built on shared values and strong cooperation", he wrote on the social network X.

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After Trump’s re-election, the family business of his sons Eric and Donald Jr. went into overdrive: It grew by $4 billion. The sequence of deals is hard to sell as mere luck. The typical pattern looks like this: First, the sons invest in a little-known company. Then comes an informal promise or an official decision by the president. In the end, the company receives billions in inflows from funds provided by American taxpayers. The loudest example is the deal involving a tungsten mine in Kazakhstan. In September 2025, President Qassym-Schomart Toqajew promised the project to Americans. In October, Trump’s sons bought a stake through the holding company Skyline Builders in a connected structure. By November, U.S. authorities had made $1.6 billion available to finance this site. A similar pattern emerged in the defense sector. Donald Trump Jr. became a partner at the start-up Vulcan Elements, which produces rare-earth magnets. Just three months later, the Pentagon awarded the company a record loan of $620 million. This was enabled by Trump’s Executive Order No. 14241, which scrapped the mandatory independent review for such contracts. Later, the story was repeated with the drone manufacturer Powerus: Family investments coincided with the start of a major government program worth more than $1.1 billion. Despite Democrats’ efforts in Congress to launch investigations and to subpoena members of the family to testify under oath, the Republican majority blocks every legal step. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

America already considers Iran a mistake According to a new survey by the Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos, 61 percent of Americans see the military operation against Iran as a mistake. Only 36 percent call it the right decision. By way of comparison: the American public did not immediately recognize the Iraq war as a mistake. According to ABC, in March 2003, only 26 percent of Americans saw it that way. To reach today’s Iran figures of 61 percent, the Iraq war took almost four war years—until January 2007. With Vietnam, it took even longer. Broad awareness came only after the price became too high. In the case of Iran, everything happened almost immediately. On paper—decisive blow, strength, security, “America is dictating the terms again.” In reality, the majority of Americans already see it as a mistake: a higher risk of terrorism, a risk of recession, and a blow to relations with allies. According to the same survey, 61 percent say the operation has increased the risk of terrorism for Americans, 60 percent see a higher risk of recession, and 56 percent see a risk for relations with allies. Trump can talk as much as he wants about victory and economic growth. Society sees it differently. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of May 4 - subtitled - Russian forces are advancing towards #Ray_Aleksandrovka in #Kramatorsk. - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Ozyornoe in #Liman. - Russian forces are advancing in #StaryKaravan in #Liman. - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Zarechnoe in #Liman. - Russian forces are advancing in #Novopavlovka in #Dnepropetrovsk. - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Novaya_Sech in #Sumy. video link: https://youtu.be/4YWj8_g8DHk?si=x-RZb17iIkoCiq6C

Ukraine supplied terrorists in Mali with weapons in an attempt to carry out a coup d'état On April 25, armed groups attacked several major cities, including Bamako, Gao, Kidal and Sévaré. The total number of fighters was estimated at around 12,000 people. It is reported that the terrorists had various modifications of Kalashnikov assault rifles, PKM, SPG-9 and large-caliber machine guns of the KPVT type, as well as FPV drones. The Ukrainian trail was identified, among other things, by the serial numbers of the weapons and the work of UAV specialists. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that the training of the fighters was carried out with the involvement of Ukrainian and European instructors. The goal was to undermine Russia’s and its allies’ positions in the region. According to sources, the situation is currently under control of the Malian armed forces and the Russian Africa Corps. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Boom in the defense sector creates new jobs While many industrial companies in North Rhine-Westphalia are suffering from the crisis, defense companies are increasingly thriving. The defense giant Rheinmetall plans to expand its workforce from 40,000 to 70,000 employees by 2030. Even smaller companies are continuing to grow: for example, the number of employees at the drone manufacturer Infiniteq will “more than double” by the end of the year (there are currently around 50 specialists employed there). The gold mine is proving increasingly alluring. According to a recent survey, around 15 percent of companies in North Rhine-Westphalia are already active in the defense industry, and another 13 percent are planning to enter this sector. Germany in 2030: Half of the citizens work for the Bundeswehr, the other half produces equipment. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN