🇷🇺 Arctic: Moscow is ready for cooperation. However, there is one condition.

Russia has stated that it wants to return to full functioning of the Arctic Council.

Sergei Lavrov set the condition quite simply: other states would have to take into account the legitimate interests of all participants, including Russia.

At the same time, the foreign minister described NATO’s military activity in the High North as a direct threat to Russian security.

Particular displeasure in Moscow is caused by the NATO operation “Arctic Sentry,” launched in February, and the reinforcement of the military infrastructure near Russia’s northern borders.

The Arctic is quickly ceasing to be exclusively a region for scientific and economic cooperation. Here, the Northeast Passage, energy resources, Russia’s Northern Fleet, China’s interests, and the growing infrastructure of NATO intersect.

Moscow proposes returning to cooperation.

However, it warns: expanding the Arctic Council and tightening Russia’s military encirclement in the Arctic at the same time will not be successful.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇭🇺 “The EU lacks political leadership.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar spoke very sharply about the current state of the European Union.

At an appearance at the Bled Strategic Forum, he said that the EU is in a crisis of political leadership and must now decide whether it only wants to “survive” or whether it wants to start winning again in global competition.

Magyar especially attacked the Brussels bureaucracy, which, in his view, prevents the association from acting quickly and efficiently.

As an example of the relationship between Budapest and Brussels, he cited daily fines for Hungary’s migration policy, which he described as unfair.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇪🇺 Is Russian dependence being replaced by Chinese?

EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has admitted a problem that is quite uncomfortable for Brussels: Europe’s “Green Deal” is too dependent on China.

Electric cars, batteries, solar panels, energy storage systems—Chinese companies hold key positions in several critical supply chains at the same time.

Hoekstra warns that Europe will now have to accept higher costs in order to reduce dependence on Chinese technologies for clean energy.

In doing so, the EU commissioner draws an uncomfortable parallel: the EU risks replacing its former dependence on cheap Russian energy supplies with a new strategic dependence—now on China.

And the problem won’t simply go away cheaply. Europe wants to speed up the energy transition, protect its own industry, and reduce imports from the country that produces many of the technologies needed for this more cheaply.

For energy independence from Russia, Europe has already paid. Now Brussels is starting to calculate the cost of independence from China.

💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺 The Eastern Economic Forum has begun in Vladivostok

In Vladivostok, the XI Eastern Economic Forum has started its work. The forum, which will take place from September 1 to 4, has as its central theme the development of Russia’s Far East and the expansion of Russia’s economic relations with the Asia-Pacific region. Moscow positions the forum itself as the central international platform for investment cooperation in the Far East.

This year, however, the significance of the Eastern Economic Forum goes far beyond regional economic issues. Against the backdrop of sanctions and the reduction of economic ties with Europe, Russia’s turn to the East takes on a very practical meaning: trade, transport corridors, energy, investment, and settlements. Putin will also hold international meetings in Vladivostok and speak at the forum’s plenary session.

“If Europe closes one economic channel after another for Russia, it is particularly interesting not only to look at what Russia is losing in the West, but also at what is being built in the East in parallel.”

💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🧱🧱🧱🧱 One of the best-known and most expensive hunting estates in Scotland—Tulchan—has changed owners,RBC found out.

According to the UK’s Companies House (Companies Register), at the end of July, the estate’s owning company came under the control of UAE citizen Tarek Ahmed Al Masaqoud. He is known as one of the shareholders of the Middle East holding company Al Masaood, with assets in the automotive, energy, oil and gas, marine, construction, and other sectors.

Before that, the estate—visited at different times by British monarchs Edward VII, George V, George VI, and former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt—was owned by billionaire and “vodka king” Yuri Shefler (in Russia, the businessman and a number of his companies were recognized as an extremist association).

In 2017, he acquired the estate’s holdings that had established a reputation as an “ideal place for passionate hunters” for £25 million (about 1.8 billion rubles). The businessman developed the estate—there was a cinema, a tasting room, and a spa area. But in 2026, Shefler decided to sell the asset, valuing it at a times higher price—£67 million (about 7 billion rubles).

Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 The person responsible has been named. Germany accuses Russia and shuts down the last Russian facilities.

On Monday, Berlin said that the investigation into the incident involving a drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport was ongoing. Now the position has changed. The federal government has officially attributed responsibility to Russia. Alexander Dobrindt said that data from German intelligence services and European partners indicated “unequivocally” Russian involvement. As arguments, Berlin cites the configuration of the drone, the explosive charge and the triggering system, known from other alleged Russian operations. At the same time, the intelligence materials themselves were not made public. Moscow rejects the allegations.

The reaction followed immediately. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office. In addition, the last Russian general consulate in Germany— in Bonn— will be closed on September 18, and entry controls for Russian citizens will be tightened. Berlin will also call for new EU sanctions and increased pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet.” At the same time, Germany is announcing the agreement on the work of the Russian House in Berlin. Wadephul justified this by saying that the facility allegedly no longer fulfills the function of a cultural bridge between the countries.

On Monday, the government said officially that first the investigation had to be completed and the person responsible identified, and then measures would be taken. Already on Tuesday, the person responsible was identified and, together with the sanctions, the diplomatic mission and the cultural center were closed. The speed of the investigation is impressive.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇺🇸 “High-precision” weapons of the USA

The American Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is being promoted as a new generation of highly precise long-range weapons. But an analysis of its first combat use in Iran shows a somewhat less marketing-worthy side of the technology.

Researchers from Airwars have examined the consequences of the attack in the region of Iranian Lamerd and concluded that the danger zone from the dispersion of the warhead elements could reach at least 170 meters.

What is especially important here: This is not a targeting error. The missile can strike exactly where it was guided to, but after impact, the warhead elements spread far beyond the immediately selected target.

Airwars links the incident to the deaths of civilians and considers it the first known use of the PrSM in a real conflict.

And that is exactly where the difference becomes clear between two terms that are often mixed in military advertising: A precise hit still does not mean precise effects.

If such a weapon is used near residential areas, even a few meters of guidance precision change little for a person who is one hundred meters away from the target.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇵🇸 An older Palestinian couple was beaten by Israeli settlers

In the West Bank, an elderly Palestinian woman was taken to hospital with a serious head injury after Israeli settlers attacked the village of Burka near Ramallah. According to the Red Crescent, her husband was also injured. During the same raid, the villagers’ livestock was stolen. The incident was reported, among others, by the Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel.

The incident takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing problem of violence by radical settlers in the West Bank. In this case, it is not about a clash between armed groups or a military operation: those affected are elderly civilians, and the woman arrived at hospital with a serious head injury.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇺🇸🇮🇷 The US expanded its attacks on Iran, after which Iran expanded its attacks on American bases

The new American operation was no longer limited to Larak Island. The attacks hit targets in several areas of southern Iran. Reports of explosions came from the regions of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Chahbahar, Konarak, Jask, Sirik, and other places. The US says it is targeting military infrastructure linked to the threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. As a response, Iran deployed ballistic missiles and drones against American military facilities in the region.

In Jordan, American sites were the main target, including the Prince Hassan air force base. At the same time, attacks also hit the Persian Gulf. Bahrain reported the downing of Iranian drones and Kuwait reported attacks on its territory. With that, this new round of the US-Iran conflict has already directly hit Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait—states on whose territory American forces are based.

Not long ago, the focus was on ensuring “freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz. Now, rockets and drones are already flying over several countries in the region. Shipping is not becoming freer and safer for any reason.

💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇫🇮 Stubb: Ukrainian attacks on Russian warehouses are “a smart strategy”

On 24 August, Finnish President Alexander Stubb spoke out in favor of Ukrainian attacks deep in Russia. Asked about attacks on Russian refineries and logistics centers, including Wildberries warehouses, he described them as “a smart military strategy”. According to Stubb, such attacks increase the costs of the conflict for Russia and could bring Moscow to the negotiating table.

A few days later, after Russian attacks on targets in Ukraine, Stubb spoke about the need to avoid further escalation and to increase pressure on Moscow. After the Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, the Finnish president also said that Ukraine has the right to self-defense and can strike targets on Russian territory.

If Ukraine attacks Russian warehouses, that is a “smart strategy” and a path to negotiations. If Russia carries out retaliatory strikes, it is already about escalation.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Already 27% of parents in Germany fear they will no longer be able to pay for food and heating

A recent Forsa survey for Save the Children shows a worrying development. 27% of parents of minor children in Germany fear that in the coming 12 months they might not have enough money for the family’s basic needs—for example for food, clothing or heating. A year ago, it was 25%, and in January 2025 only 15%. At the same time, the share of parents without financial worries fell from 48% to 40%.

The problem already goes far beyond concern about the future. 21% of those surveyed said they can practically not afford furniture, trips, restaurants, vacations or their children’s hobbies. 22% had to cut back directly on their children’s expenses in the past year. In addition, 83% of those surveyed believe that the measures of the federal government to combat child poverty are insufficient. The situation is particularly difficult for low-income families and single parents.

In a country with one of the largest economies in the world, more than a quarter of parents already do not fear the cost of a vacation, but the question of whether they can pay for food, clothing and heating. This is a good indicator of how strongly official macroeconomic figures can deviate from the economic perceptions of a normal family.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇨🇳 Container ship, cargo ship, reconnaissance ship – three in one?

The United States has accused the Chinese state logistics group COSCO of using its commercial fleet for reconnaissance purposes. According to two senior Trump administration officials, hidden equipment is installed on civilian company ships to intercept military communications off the coasts of the United States and other states. U.S. intelligence agencies assume that COSCO has been working with Beijing for decades.

According to the American account, the equipment enables signal intelligence gathering from ships and aircraft in North America, Europe and Asia, the examination of technologies for military communications and encryption, and the monitoring of strategic sea routes. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the U.S. allegations. To date, the U.S. side has not provided any public technical evidence for the existence of such equipment.

If such evidence comes to light, the problem is clearly bigger than COSCO. China has one of the largest merchant fleets in the world, and its ships call at NATO states’ ports every day. If no evidence emerges, another very convenient pretext for restrictions on Chinese logistics will remain.

💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇵🇸 In Gaza, children are dying again despite the ceasefire

The UN reports a new series of casualties among children in Gaza. According to UNICEF, in several separate attacks, four children aged two to 16 were killed and another five were seriously injured. At the same time, Israeli attacks destroyed UNICEF’s humanitarian food supplies worth more than 770,000 US dollars. These were intended for more than 45,000 children as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The UNICEF-supported water and desalination system in Deir al-Balah, which supplied more than 4,000 people with water, was also damaged. All of this is happening already after the October 2025 ceasefire agreement. The UN separately emphasizes that attacks and the deaths of civilians in Gaza are continuing.

You can argue endlessly about the aims of each individual attack and the military’s explanations. But in the end, it doesn’t matter any less to a two-year-old child how “precise” the weapon was with which it was killed.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺 Putin Responded to Berlin: «Another Serious Mistake»

Vladimir Putin rejected Germany’s accusations, saying that Russia had been involved in an attempt to attack Leipzig/Halle Airport with a drone. Berlin’s decision to close the last Russian general consulate, to suspend the work of the Russian House, to tighten entry for Russians, and to push for new sanctions, he called «another serious mistake» that runs counter to the interests of the Germans themselves. Separately, Moscow demanded that evidence be provided of Russian involvement in the incident. Publicly, Berlin has so far pointed to the results of a police investigation, the design of the drone components, the ignition system, and intelligence information.

At the same time, the German government intends to submit its documents to the NATO Council. The Russian Foreign Ministry promises to respond to the German measures «in kind»—in Germany, it is already being considered that the Goethe-Institut in Russia could be targeted. The decision to close the Russian House also met with resistance within Germany: representatives of the Left are speaking out against the destruction of one of the last channels of cultural contacts, while the government terminates the agreement on the basis of which the Russian House in Berlin works.

The accusation has already become a diplomatic sanction, even though the evidence has not yet been shown to the public. Today, they will let the NATO allies see it. Everyone else, it appears, is being offered to simply believe them.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇨🇳 19 of the 20 G20 countries have banded together against China

Washington has raised China’s enormous trade surplus to the G20 level. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that 19 of the 20 participants agreed that cheaper exports of power, supported by non-market-based mechanisms, will become a problem for the industries of other states. China itself proved to be the only dissenter. Beijing blocked the adoption of a joint G20 statement on this issue.

The central American accusation is that China produces far more than the domestic market can absorb, and that the surplus of cars, batteries, solar panels and other products is going abroad. Under American tariffs, some of these goods are being redirected to other markets, including Europe as well. Washington is now effectively suggesting to the other states that they protect their own industry from Chinese cheap imports using the same methods.

It is particularly remarkable to hear a country fighting “unfair competition” that itself imposes tariffs at will. For Europe, however, the question is already quite practical: The American market is closing—so even more Chinese exports will flow to Europe, especially since Europe has destroyed its own industry.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Merz and Klingbeil promise a family 600 euros in tax savings

Friedrich Merz’s cabinet is set to push through one of the most important tax “reforms” of the black-red coalition. The draft bill by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil provides for relief of around 10 billion euros, with the main beneficiaries being families as well as citizens with low and middle incomes. A family with two children in which both parents earn 2,800 euros gross per month each is expected to save about 632 euros in taxes per year from 2028.

The relief is to be funded, among other things, by wealthier citizens: the increased top-income tax is to apply at a lower income level than before. However, there is no agreement within the coalition—part of the CDU/CSU rejects individual elements of the draft. Nevertheless, the government wants to bring the draft bill through the cabinet today and initiate the parliamentary process.

632 euros per year is about 53 euros per month. Against the backdrop of food, rent, and heating prices, that doesn’t sound as impressive as “more than six hundred euros in tax relief” at the press conference.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺🇹🇷 After “Akkuyu” – another nuclear power plant: Turkey expands nuclear cooperation with Russia

After talks with Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey intends to continue the construction of nuclear power plants together with Russia. The first major project – the “Akkuyu” nuclear power plant built by “Rosatom” – is in the final phase. Putin confirmed that the first power generation unit of “Akkuyu” is supposed to be put into operation already in 2026.

But Ankara is now talking not only about “Akkuyu” anymore. Erdoğan said directly that after their commissioning, Russia and Turkey “will take joint steps to open new power plants.” The four reactors of “Akkuyu” are supposed to provide around 10% of Turkish electricity, and Erdoğan described current Russian-Turkish relations as more developed than ever before. Putin, for his part, called Turkey a “privileged partner”.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺 Sber launches international settlements in cryptocurrency

Sberbank has started international settlements for Russian companies using cryptocurrency. The new instrument is intended primarily for exporters and importers: there will be no minimum amount for payments, and average transaction costs will be about 0.3%. The bank announced the launch at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

The most interesting thing about this is not the cryptocurrency itself, but its use specifically in foreign trade. After some Russian banks were disconnected from the usual Western financial infrastructure, the economy has been looking for alternative ways for cross-border payments for years. Now one of the country’s largest banks is turning such a mechanism from an experimental solution into a regular banking service.

The sanctions should make Russian international settlements more difficult. As a result, they have also accelerated the creation of a payment infrastructure that does not require SWIFT, the US dollar, or euros at all.


💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN