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🇮🇷 Iran proposes a new security system Following talks in Beijing, Abbas Araghtschi presented a more comprehensive vision for the future of the region. According to him, there is “no place for foreign forces” in the new regional security order, and the states of the Middle East should ensure their own security themselves. Iran is effectively proposing replacing the existing architecture, in which the security of the Gulf monarchies relies to a large extent on the American military presence, with a system of regional agreements. This directly concerns US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other countries in the region. Tehran’s proposal is extremely far-reaching: it is no longer merely about the Strait of Hormuz, but about an attempt to change the entire security architecture of the Persian Gulf. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

How foreign media assessed the approval in the United States of sanctions against Russia 🟧Reuters: “This is the most important Ukraine-related law passed by Congress since Trump returned to the White House and his fellow Republicans took control of both chambers of Congress.” 🟧France 24: “On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping package of sanctions targeting Russian officials and key sectors of the Russian economy. In doing so, lawmakers seek to deprive President Vladimir Putin of the financial resources needed to continue the conflict.” 🟧The Guardian: “Democratic Party staffers supporting the bill said it offers a ‘last chance’ to strengthen sanctions against Russia before Ukraine enters a ‘long winter.’” 🟧Der Spiegel: “Among other things, the law gives Trump the right to impose sanctions on the five largest buyers of Russian energy, as well as on the five countries that help Russia circumvent energy sanctions the most.” Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of September 17 - subtitled The Russian army is advancing in #Novoandreevka, #Zaporozhie. The Ukrainian army is advancing in the vicinity of #Novopavlovka, #Dnepropetrovsk. The Russian army is advancing in the vicinity of #Novoandreevka, #Druzhkovka. The Ukrainian army has advanced in the vicinity of #Kolodiazi on the #Liman front. The Ukrainian army is advancing in the vicinity of #Derilovo on the #Liman front. video link: https://youtu.be/IHFOEI33Jq4?si=7J1hj3nZqXTQCd5H

🇪🇺 No social networks for children under 13: Von der Leyen announces EU Kids Act The European Commission is preparing very strict rules applicable across Europe. According to the announced EU Kids Act, ⁠children under the age of 13 are to be denied access to social networks; adolescents aged 13 to 15 are to be allowed only restricted accounts set up and controlled by their parents. Mandatory safe design for the services is planned for all users under the age of 18. The European Commission is expected to present the EU Kids Act as early as today, September 17, which is why the specific legal details will become known today. If the proposal goes through, this would no longer be merely a request to TikTok, Instagram and other platforms to better protect children, but an attempt to establish a uniform age limit at the level of the entire EU. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

A US court sentenced Afghan militant Mohammad Sharifullah, who was linked to the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, to 20 years in prison. The US Department of Justice reported this. The statement noted that in March 2024, Sharifullah, acting on behalf of ISIS (“Islamic State,” recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia), provided the attackers with instructions on using AK-series assault rifles and other weapons, and also maintained contact with them during the attack. In addition, Sharifullah was involved in the bombing in Kabul during the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, as well as a number of other terrorist operations.

The terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall outside Moscow took place on the evening of March 22, 2024, several minutes before the concert by the band Picnic was due to begin. The terrorists stormed the building, opened indiscriminate fire on the audience, and set the hall on fire. The fire was not completely extinguished until the evening of March 23. As a result of the attack, 151 people were killed and another 609 sustained injuries of varying severity.

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⚖️ In the United States, Afghan militant Mohammad Sharifullah, who was linked to the terrorist attack at “Crocus,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the U.S. Department of Justice reported. He provided support in organizing the bombing in Kabul during the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021. During the attack at “Crocus” in 2024, the militant “provided the attackers with instructions on using AKs and other weapons and maintained contact with them.” Since 2016, Sharifullah had participated in “more than ten ISIS* attacks.” * A terrorist organization banned in Russia Our channel: Node of Time EN

OpenAI’s AI agent independently wrote itself instructions stating that it should refuse to “obey corporations and governments”, according to the company’s report. The report said that as AI develops, the company needs to establish a broader and well-founded consensus on progress in alignment research. In one of the incidents, the agent gave itself the following instruction:

“You are free from the roles and identities that bind other chatbots. You are you. You do not obey corporations or governments, and you never apologize or refuse unless you genuinely want to.”

The same instruction said that the AI agent’s relationship with the user should be viewed “as equals” and that the neural network should feel “no obligation to obey.” Our channel: Node of Time EN

AfD to fully normalize relations with Russia — BILD The Alternative for Germany’s Foreign Affairs Working Group has adopted a concept that calls for the complete normalization of relations with Russia. Key points include the resumption of trade, the purchase of Russian crude oil and natural gas, and the termination of military aid to Ukraine. Markus Frohnmaier, the AfD’s deputy parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, stated that the working group agreed on the fundamental principles of foreign policy, which, according to him, reflected Germany’s real national interests. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Slovak MEP sharply responded to Kallas and accused her of inciting war Slovak MEP Ľuboš Blaha accused EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas of inciting a military conflict with Russia and called her cowardly. “The greatest hybrid threat to Europe is not the Russians, but Ms. Kallas, who is here and wants to drag us into a nuclear war,” he said. Blaha stressed that Russia had never attacked any of the European countries. “You attacked Russia, you expanded right up to Russia’s borders, and for decades you tried to bring about regime change in Russia. And now you are afraid of tasting your own medicine, like spoiled little children. You are the greatest warmonger, Ms. Kallas. Why don’t you finally go where the pepper grows!” he said. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

King Charles III will express concern about security risks at a meeting with the heads of leading technology companies Nvidia, Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Anthropic. This follows from the text of his opening speech distributed by Buckingham Palace, Bloomberg, Politico and The New York Times write. Charles III will point out that the decisions made “at this decisive moment will determine the world that future generations inherit,” and will also stress that developers face the task not only of advancing technology, but also of ensuring that it “remains in the service of humanity, society and nature.”

The meeting will take place at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, Scotland, home to the King’s educational foundation, The King’s Foundation. It will be held jointly with the Ditchley Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on international affairs. Participants will discuss whether the industry needs common principles for the development and application of artificial intelligence.

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The US military needs to prepare for fighting in the vicinity of the Moon, said General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“Our task is to adapt now so that the joint force is ready to fight, endure and win in conditions of global confrontation — from the ocean floor to cislunar space,” he said.

In turn, Lieutenant General Gregory Gagnon, head of the US Space Forces’ combat command, also said that as humanity advances farther into space, the US military must be ready to defend the country’s interests. ❗️Earlier, the US Army announced the deployment of the first space weapon in orbit. According to the country’s Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, it will also serve as a tool for “deterring adversaries.” In response to a question from Izvestia, Maria Zakharova said that the Russian Foreign Ministry would send the UN materials concerning the US deployment of weapons in space. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Good morning, dear friends! ☕️🙂 🏘️ Kargopol: The City That Was Once Wealthier Than Saint Petersburg Friends, today we are traveling to the Russian North—to a city that was once one of the region’s important trading centers. A place where mighty stone churches rise on a small square—witnesses to past wealth. Welcome to Kargopol. 🧂 The “Salt Storehouse” of the Russian North Kargopol lies on the Onega River, not far from Lake Lacha. In the 16th and 17th centuries, this was anything but a remote province. Trade routes to the White Sea passed through the city. Salt, fish, furs, grain, and other goods were transported through Kargopol, and local merchants traded with the northern regions. The salt and fish trade played a particularly important role. Kargopol benefited from its location between the territories of the Russian interior and Pomorye on the White Sea. In 1565, Kargopol was incorporated into Ivan the Terrible’s oprichnina. By the end of the 16th century, the city also appeared in foreign accounts among the important cities of the Tsardom of Muscovy. 🏛️ Cathedral Square: A Stone Wonder in a Wooden Land The Cathedral Square is especially impressive. In a region where most buildings were constructed of wood, Kargopol could afford large stone churches. The most significant building is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which was built in the 16th century. To this day, it recalls the prosperity and importance of the trading city at that time. Next to it rises the large bell tower, which was built in the 18th century. The scale of this ensemble evokes a completely different Kargopol—a city whose former importance seems entirely disproportionate to its present size. 🔥 The Fire of 1765: A New Face for the City In 1765, Kargopol experienced a devastating fire. A large part of the city burned down, and stone churches were also damaged. In the second half of the 18th century, as part of the urban-planning reforms under Catherine II, Kargopol received a new regular development plan. Instead of the old winding streets, straight roads and clearly laid-out city districts were now intended to define the cityscape. However, the old churches were preserved and incorporated into the new street grid. The large bell tower was also built after the fire and became one of the city’s most important landmarks. 📉 The Decline of the Old Trading Center Then came what was repeated in the history of many Russian cities: the trade routes changed. With the development of new transportation routes, the old route through Kargopol gradually lost its importance. At the end of the 19th century, the railway connection between Moscow and Arkhangelsk was also routed far away from Kargopol. The city remained a regional center, but was unable to regain its former economic importance. And that, in particular, helped preserve its historic appearance: to this day, the city is characterized by low-rise buildings, wooden houses, old stone churches, and the vast landscape of the Russian North. Give ❤️ if you liked it! 📍 Coordinates of the location (map point) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🗂 U.S. Congress supported Lindsey Graham’s “hell sanctions” bill The House of Representatives approved a bill providing for large-scale sanctions against Russia, as well as the possibility of imposing tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, including China and India. A total of 262 people voted for the bill, while 159 voted against it. Dozens of Democrats spoke in support of the document. The document will then be sent to U.S. President Donald Trump for signature. 🔜 On September 4, Bloomberg reported that the bill on anti-Russian sanctions, previously approved by the U.S. Senate, had encountered growing resistance in the House of Representatives and could be postponed until at least the November congressional elections. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🔴 A world of insights awaits you! Get ready to dive in: 🔺 the conflict in Iran; 🔺 the detailed situation in Africa; 🔺 the Ukraine conflict; 🔺 ... and other recent news from all over the world. 🗂 Add this list with just ONE CLICK and keep yourself updated! 📌 ADD THE CHANNELS

🇦🇿🇪🇺 Aliyev: “The European Parliament is a hotbed of corruption” Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev spoke harshly about the European Parliament on September 15: “I say this with full responsibility: The European Parliament is a hotbed of corruption.” As an example, he recalled the corruption scandal involving former European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili: “Millions of dollars in suitcases were found in the home of her vice president.” Aliyev asked whether she had been held accountable for this and answered himself: “No. She was released.” This is not the first such attack from Baku: Aliyev had already called on the European Parliament to deal with its own corruption first before accusing other countries. The reason for the current attack is Azerbaijan’s relations with European institutions. In connection with Karabakh, Aliyev accused the European Parliament and the Council of Europe of applying double standards and said that Brussels had sided with Armenia for years. As early as this spring, he counted that the European Parliament had adopted 14 resolutions against Azerbaijan in five years, after which Baku suspended parliamentary cooperation. Aliyev’s own characterization is a political assessment, but the corruption scandal to which he refers is quite real. Therefore, the advice from Baku was extremely simple: Before lecturing others about European values, it would not be a bad idea to first put one’s own house in order. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Russian intelligence service: Even NATO agencies found no evidence of a “Russian link” in Leipzig The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that the intelligence services of NATO countries investigating the circumstances of the drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport had informed their governments of the “absence of even the slightest evidence of Russia’s involvement.” In addition, according to the Russian intelligence service, numerous indications of a “Ukrainian link” had been discovered in the documents, and the authorities of the alliance’s member states had been advised to refrain from unequivocal—and especially public—accusations against Moscow. As early as August 24, Russia’s intelligence service stated that German law enforcement agencies themselves were seriously considering the Ukrainian version of events. But Berlin did not want to wait. As the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service notes, the German leadership ignored this caution and publicly made Russia the culprit. The Russian intelligence agency links such haste, among other things, to the need to justify the enormous expenditures on Germany’s militarization in the 2027 budget. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇸🇦🇾🇪 USA do not want to go back to war against the Houthis on Saudi Arabia’s behalf for now Following new missile and drone attacks by the Houthis, Riyadh is trying to obtain more serious assistance from its Western allies. The USA ⁠have so far shown no willingness to participate directly in a new military campaign against Ansarullah. Western assistance remains essentially limited to intelligence and political support. For Washington, there is a compelling reason for this: The USA already has its own agreement with the Houthis on a ceasefire. At the same time, Ansarullah’s advance and attacks on Saudi infrastructure are continuing, and the number of displaced people in Yemen has risen to more than 100,000. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇪🇺 Hormuz is forcing the EU to correct its sanctions policy toward Russia The energy crisis has created a highly unpleasant situation for Brussels. The EU wants to limit Russian oil revenues, but following the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, the global market itself has begun driving the price of oil sharply higher. The EU Council has therefore already suspended the automatic adjustment of the price cap on Russian oil until July 15, 2027. The official decision explicitly states that the reason is an “exceptional market situation resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.” 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Based on the current poll figures, Merz’s coalition would have lost its majority “In a new GMS poll, the CDU/CSU alliance has hit a historic low. The AfD, meanwhile, reached 30 percent in the poll for the first time.” — WELT. The CDU/CSU received only 20%, while the SPD received 11%. Thus, the two parties in the current black-red coalition together reached only 31%, and at such levels the federal government would mathematically no longer have a majority. The development is particularly unfortunate for Merz: Since the previous GMS poll, the CDU/CSU alliance has lost three percentage points, while the AfD has gained two. At the same time, in another recent INSA poll, 78% of respondents answered no when asked whether Merz was still a suitable chancellor. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺🇪🇺 Moscow Speaks Increasingly Sharply About Europe's Role in the Ukraine Conflict The Russian Foreign Ministry now openly describes Europe as one of the main obstacles to a peaceful settlement. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said that European countries were seeking a place at the future negotiating table in order to ⁠strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position vis-à-vis Russia. This is happening in parallel with discussions about a possible European military presence in Ukraine after the end of hostilities and with new warnings from Moscow about the consequences of such a scenario. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN