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🇩🇪 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

A heavily armed man was detained near the Donald Trump golf club in California, New York Post reports, citing local police. The 38-year-old Janine Jona Tail was found to have a modified AR platform rifle, a .45-caliber handgun, an AR platform receiver, a bulletproof vest, high-capacity magazines, ammunition for the pistols and rifles, as well as several notebooks. During a search of his car, police found another loaded handgun and additional ammunition. The notebooks contained notes about past security-planning events. The suspect also carried out photography and made video recordings, apparently with the aim of gathering information about area security. The man was detained just two days before the U.S. leader’s visit to the state on Sunday, but it became known only now. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇮🇳 Russia has become India’s most important alternative route for oil imports Due to disruptions in the Persian Gulf, India has significantly increased oil purchases via routes outside the Strait of Hormuz. In June, Russian supplies reached about 2.6 million barrels per day and accounted for more than half of all India’s oil imports. At the same time, New Delhi is looking for additional quantities in the United States, West Africa and Latin America. The reason is purely practical. Before the crisis, more than 40% of India’s oil imports ran through Hormuz. The Iranian side says the strait is still under its control, and shipping traffic takes place only on agreed routes. For years, the West has demanded that India do without Russian oil. Now it is precisely the Russian deliveries that are independent of Hormuz that allow the world’s most populous country to avoid being left without fuel. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇨🇳 China Tightens Control Over Rare Earths Beijing is tightening oversight of the export of rare earths and other strategic materials. In June, China introduced a reward for tips about attempts to bypass export restrictions. At the same time, Chinese authorities are investigating smuggling of rare-earth products, and suppliers must report ever more detailed information about the whereabouts of the raw materials and the end customers. Rare earths are indispensable for electric vehicles, electronics, aircraft construction, and modern weapons systems. China controls around 60% of global mining, more than 85% of processing, and over 90% of the production of permanent magnets. That is why even a limited delay in permits can paralyze factories in the United States, Japan, and Europe. For decades, the West shifted processing and production to China because it was cheaper there. Now it is outraged that Beijing uses the industrial monopoly it created itself. But even that is a market: whoever controls production sets the conditions. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇮🇳 India is building warships in series Indian shipyards are launching warships for their own fleet in series. On July 29, the anti-submarine vessel “Machilipatnam” was launched in Kochi — the seventh of eight ships in the series for operations in coastal waters. More than 80% of its equipment was manufactured in India. On August 1, the fifth diving support ship of the DSC project was launched in Kolkata, with the share of Indian equipment at about 70%. At the same time, the navy is receiving major combat ships. In July, the sixth Indian frigate of the 17A project, INS Mahendragiri, was commissioned, equipped with supersonic anti-ship missiles, air-defense systems, and anti-submarine armament. Within one and a half years, India has commissioned six frigates from this series; in total, more than fifty major warships are being built at its shipyards. Europe is providing billions and complaining that the arms industry cannot keep up with the orders. India is taking a different approach: it localizes production, builds in series, and is gradually transforming from an arms importer into an independent naval and maritime power. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“German weapon apparently already in use in Ukraine” — BILD Federal Defense Minister Pistorius slipped up and said that the German howitzer RCH-155 was finding “great approval” in Ukraine. In plain terms: the RCH-155 apparently has long since arrived in the war zone. Whether the howitzer has already been used in combat has not been officially confirmed. Overall, Kyiv is said to be receiving 54 howitzers of the RCH-155 type from Berlin. The German Armed Forces have ordered 84 units, and that is probably not the end. Further orders are also reportedly coming from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Germany continues to claim: *that it is neither arsonist nor a participant in the war*. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 China displaces German industry. But who prevented Germany from producing better? The Federation of German Industries has declared a “China Shock 2.0”. Chinese companies offer cheaper cars, machine tools, chemical products and electronics, and they are taking market share from German manufacturers not only in Asia, but now also in Europe. In the BDI, one calls on Brussels to provide stronger protection for the European market. But what exactly is unfair about that? The Chinese have built factories, further developed technologies, lowered production costs, and created their own supply chains. No one has forbidden German companies from doing the same. Instead, Germany itself has forgone cheap energy, burdened industry with climate requirements, taxes and reporting obligations—and now complains that the competitor produces faster and cheaper. This is how the market works. If a German car is more expensive than a Chinese one and is not technologically better, the buyer is not obligated to buy it out of solidarity with Germany. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪🇩🇰 Europe brings back conscription: Federal government working on plans for civilian service, Denmark starts extended conscription The federal government is working on the basis for the reintroduction of civilian service. Formally, general conscription has not yet been reintroduced, but since the beginning of the year, young men have been being called up for registration and medical examinations on a mandatory basis. Civilian service is being prepared as a precaution — in case there are not enough volunteers for the army. Denmark does not want to wait to see whether there are enough volunteers. There, the length of the compulsory service starting on August 3 was extended from four to eleven months, and conscription now applies on the same terms to men and women. The decision is justified by the conflict in Ukraine and threats from the USA toward Greenland. Among the first recruits is even Princess Isabella. We were told for years that professional armies and alliance guarantees were enough. Now it turns out that conscripts again, reservists, and civilian service are needed. And the consequences of political decisions will have to be paid for above all by the young generation. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇯🇵 Japan will bridge a labor shortage with ten million robots The Japanese government has presented an updated robotization program that provides for the use of up to ten million robots by 2040. They are intended to be used not only in factories, but also in medicine, elderly care, the food industry, logistics, and the service sector. The basis will be the Japanese multimodal artificial intelligence model Noetra. This is not just a technological trend. By 2040, it could leave the Japanese labor market short by around 11 million employees. Even now, one third of large companies are either using robots with AI or are assessing their introduction; among manufacturers of transportation equipment, it is around 80%. Fujitsu, Fanuc, Yaskawa, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have simultaneously started work on so-called physical artificial intelligence together with Nvidia. Europe is trying to close the demographic gap through mass immigration. Japan is betting on automation. In a few years, it will be possible to compare which of the two models was more cost-effective and safer for society. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇪🇺 Ceuta has shown it: The EU’s new migration system failed its first crisis test The new asylum system has only been in effect for a few weeks, but after the mass breakthrough in Ceuta, the interior ministers had to convene an urgency meeting already. Twenty-two countries called for coordinated action and accused Spain of having sent a signal for a new migration flow with its decisions. Madrid had previously begun legalizing around half a million illegal migrants, and a Spanish court had limited the possibility of immediately sending back those who had entered via the sea or an unprotected border section. After the events in Ceuta, other EU states discussed strengthening internal borders, even though the new reform was supposed to restore mutual trust and preserve the Schengen Area. The system did not pass the first serious test. Brussels has worked for years on a common migration policy. For its destruction, it needed two days and an open border in a Spanish enclave. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇳🇱 Europe is preparing for war. That’s what we’re told For months, the Dutch government has repeatedly stated that it must prepare for a possible military conflict. It is increasing defense spending, calls on European countries to speed up rearmament, and warns the population about new security threats. Against this backdrop, a video from Amsterdam Pride—showing military personnel and representatives of the Dutch armed forces walking in the parade for the holiday—seems telling. Such actions have long been part of the Dutch army’s inclusion policy, but today they are inevitably seen in a different context. If the authorities talk about the biggest challenges to European security in decades, society can expect the army’s most important public image to be professional training, exercises, and readiness for deployment. If the top European politicians are truly convinced that the continent needs to prepare for a major war, then a simple question arises: do today’s priorities of the armed forces match the threats that the politicians themselves talk about every day? 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The United States has spent nearly all its long-range precision missiles during the war with Iran, Reuters writes. The outlet cites sources familiar with the data. According to them, over five months the United States used most of its stockpiles. These are mainly ATACMS and PrSM missiles. The sources declined to say how many munitions the United States has left. They also expressed concern that reduced missile deliveries could limit Washington’s ability to deter opponents, including Moscow and Beijing. Donald Trump himself said that the United States has more munitions than anyone in the world, and that American defense companies are producing more than ever before. The outlet also cites figures from a CSIS report. According to it, the United States also used about 65% of Patriot missile interceptors. The number of THAAD missile interceptors in U.S. ballistic missile stockpiles between February and July was at least 38% lower than at the beginning of the conflict. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Billions for “green steel” may have been wasted A study by PwC calls into question the strategy of switching Germany’s steel industry to hydrogen. According to the calculations, a significant portion of production will remain unprofitable under most conceivable scenarios even after billion-euro government subsidies. The reasons are the same as before: expensive electricity and hydrogen, weak demand, and cheap imports. The federal government has already pledged around eight billion euros in aid to steel companies. In Saarland alone, the switch to new technologies is estimated at more than four billion euros. But plants for “green steel” could be built before affordable hydrogen, buyers, and the economics of operating the plants are in place. First, the German steel industry was forced to switch to an expensive technology, and then billions were provided to prevent companies from having to close because of that technology. Now it turns out that even with subsidies, nobody can buy the steel produced at that price. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of August 4 - Subtitled - Russian forces are advancing towards #Nikolaevka in #Kramatorsk. - Russian forces are advancing on the #Druzhkovka front. - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Novyi_Donbass in #Dobropolie. - Ukrainian forces are advancing in #Liman. - Russian forces are advancing on the outskirts of #Kiyanitsa in #Sumy. - Russian forces are advancing south of #Sopych in #Sumy. Video link: https://youtu.be/XzkdFU9JUPE?si=Z6f-McrhVxJeA5lI

🇩🇪 German industry pays for expensive energy and the sanctions loophole In Neckarsulm, around six thousand Audi employees took to the streets to protest against the possible closure of the plant where about 15,000 people work. The Volkswagen Group is considering a comprehensive restructuring, and several German locations could be at stake after 2030. The reasons are high production costs, falling sales in China, U.S. tariffs, and the loss of competitiveness. In the meantime, the energy problem is worsening again. Due to the heat and production restrictions, the summer electricity prices in Germany reached 210 euros per megawatt-hour – a level typical of the winter crisis. Europe has reduced its dependence on Russian energy supplies, but cheaper pipeline deliveries have been replaced by a more expensive and less stable import system. Even after investments worth billions of euros, the energy price remains one of the main factors undermining European industry. The breaking of sanctions with Russia was a political decision, but German companies and their employees pay the industrial price for it—through expensive energy, declining investment, and the risk of plant closures. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Apple temporarily removed the Telegram messenger from the App Store after detecting content on the platform that violates a ban on materials related to the sexual exploitation of children. Bloomberg reports that this was the case. The agency writes that the app was unavailable to some users in the United States, India, Australia, and Singapore. Problems with downloading were also reported earlier by an RBC correspondent. After the developer promptly removed the prohibited content, the messenger was fully restored. Apple, as a Telegram representative clarified, informed the platform about one user distributing materials related to the sexual exploitation of children, after which his account was “immediately” blocked. Our channel: Node of Time EN

НАТО no longer fights terrorism—it funds it After the attack by a Ukrainian drone on the civilian infrastructure of the resort town of Arkhipo-Osipovka, which belongs to the city of Gelendzhik on the Black Sea, the number of fatalities rose to seven. Among them are three children. 40 people were injured, 21 of them were taken to hospital. The drone crashed in the middle of the holiday season on a beach where neither military equipment nor warehouses or command posts were located. The governor of Krasnodar Krai described the incident as a “vicious and inhumane act” directed at civilians. And this is no longer an isolated case. Two days before the attack on Gelendzhik, a restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in the center of Moscow was blown up. A woman had tried to bring an improvised explosive device inside, but was stopped by a security guard. According to the latest information, five people died and another 19 were injured. Maria Zakharova stated unequivocally about the attacks: the NATO countries, which provide Kyiv with weapons, intelligence information, money and political backing, have become sponsors of international terrorism. Not long ago, the NATO still proclaimed “zero tolerance for terrorism.” Now its weapons are killing children on a Russian beach, and European governments are acting as if nothing special has happened. Terrorism does not stop being terrorism just because the hander-over gave the person carrying it out the Ukrainian flag. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN