diff --git a/examples/ecommerce/runner.py b/examples/ecommerce/runner.py
index bb4317e0..0a3533fc 100644
--- a/examples/ecommerce/runner.py
+++ b/examples/ecommerce/runner.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import json
 import logging
 import os
 import sys
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ async def add_messages(client: Graphiti):
             name=f'Message {i}',
             episode_body=message,
             source=EpisodeType.message,
-            reference_time=datetime.now(),
+            reference_time=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
             source_description='Shoe conversation',
         )
 
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ async def ingest_products_data(client: Graphiti):
             content=str(product),
             source_description='Allbirds products',
             source=EpisodeType.json,
-            reference_time=datetime.now(),
+            reference_time=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
         )
         for i, product in enumerate(products)
     ]
diff --git a/examples/multi_session_conversation_memory/parse_msc_messages.py b/examples/multi_session_conversation_memory/parse_msc_messages.py
index 1cb28ef8..d69879bb 100644
--- a/examples/multi_session_conversation_memory/parse_msc_messages.py
+++ b/examples/multi_session_conversation_memory/parse_msc_messages.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 """
 
 import json
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def parse_msc_messages() -> list[list[ParsedMscMessage]]:
                         ParsedMscMessage(
                             speaker_name=speakers[speaker_idx],
                             content=content,
-                            actual_timestamp=datetime.now(),
+                            actual_timestamp=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
                             group_id=str(i),
                         )
                     )
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def parse_msc_messages() -> list[list[ParsedMscMessage]]:
                     ParsedMscMessage(
                         speaker_name=speakers[speaker_idx],
                         content=content,
-                        actual_timestamp=datetime.now(),
+                        actual_timestamp=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
                         group_id=str(i),
                     )
                 )
diff --git a/examples/podcast/transcript_parser.py b/examples/podcast/transcript_parser.py
index 10595e52..2466dba0 100644
--- a/examples/podcast/transcript_parser.py
+++ b/examples/podcast/transcript_parser.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os
 import re
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from typing import List
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def parse_conversation_file(file_path: str, speakers: List[Speaker]) -> list[Par
                     break
 
     # Calculate the start time
-    now = datetime.now()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     podcast_start_time = now - last_timestamp
 
     for message in messages:
diff --git a/examples/wizard_of_oz/runner.py b/examples/wizard_of_oz/runner.py
index 9dcad74e..cc632a79 100644
--- a/examples/wizard_of_oz/runner.py
+++ b/examples/wizard_of_oz/runner.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import asyncio
 import logging
 import os
 import sys
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ async def main():
     messages = get_wizard_of_oz_messages()
     print(messages)
     print(len(messages))
-    now = datetime.now()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     # episodes: list[BulkEpisode] = [
     #     BulkEpisode(
     #         name=f'Chapter {i + 1}',
diff --git a/graphiti_core/graphiti.py b/graphiti_core/graphiti.py
index 6d3e80df..1db1a2ef 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/graphiti.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/graphiti.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 import asyncio
 import logging
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from time import time
 
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ from graphiti_core.utils.maintenance.community_operations import (
     update_community,
 )
 from graphiti_core.utils.maintenance.edge_operations import (
+    dedupe_extracted_edge,
     extract_edges,
+    resolve_edge_contradictions,
     resolve_extracted_edges,
 )
 from graphiti_core.utils.maintenance.graph_data_operations import (
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@ from graphiti_core.utils.maintenance.node_operations import (
     extract_nodes,
     resolve_extracted_nodes,
 )
+from graphiti_core.utils.maintenance.temporal_operations import get_edge_contradictions
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -312,7 +315,7 @@ class Graphiti:
             start = time()
 
             entity_edges: list[EntityEdge] = []
-            now = datetime.now()
+            now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 
             previous_episodes = await self.retrieve_episodes(
                 reference_time, last_n=3, group_ids=[group_id]
@@ -448,7 +451,6 @@ class Graphiti:
 
             episode.entity_edges = [edge.uuid for edge in entity_edges]
 
-            # Future optimization would be using batch operations to save nodes and edges
             if not self.store_raw_episode_content:
                 episode.content = ''
 
@@ -511,7 +513,7 @@ class Graphiti:
         """
         try:
             start = time()
-            now = datetime.now()
+            now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 
             episodes = [
                 EpisodicNode(
@@ -760,3 +762,36 @@ class Graphiti:
         communities = await get_communities_by_nodes(self.driver, nodes)
 
         return SearchResults(edges=edges, nodes=nodes, communities=communities)
+
+    async def add_triplet(self, source_node: EntityNode, edge: EntityEdge, target_node: EntityNode):
+        if source_node.name_embedding is None:
+            await source_node.generate_name_embedding(self.embedder)
+        if target_node.name_embedding is None:
+            await target_node.generate_name_embedding(self.embedder)
+        if edge.fact_embedding is None:
+            await edge.generate_embedding(self.embedder)
+
+        resolved_nodes, _ = await resolve_extracted_nodes(
+            self.llm_client,
+            [source_node, target_node],
+            [
+                await get_relevant_nodes([source_node], self.driver),
+                await get_relevant_nodes([target_node], self.driver),
+            ],
+        )
+
+        related_edges = await get_relevant_edges(
+            self.driver,
+            [edge],
+            source_node_uuid=resolved_nodes[0].uuid,
+            target_node_uuid=resolved_nodes[1].uuid,
+        )
+
+        resolved_edge = await dedupe_extracted_edge(self.llm_client, edge, related_edges)
+
+        contradicting_edges = await get_edge_contradictions(self.llm_client, edge, related_edges)
+        invalidated_edges = resolve_edge_contradictions(resolved_edge, contradicting_edges)
+
+        await add_nodes_and_edges_bulk(
+            self.driver, [], [], resolved_nodes, [resolved_edge] + invalidated_edges
+        )
diff --git a/graphiti_core/models/edges/edge_db_queries.py b/graphiti_core/models/edges/edge_db_queries.py
index 814cbf0a..49567731 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/models/edges/edge_db_queries.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/models/edges/edge_db_queries.py
@@ -1,3 +1,19 @@
+"""
+Copyright 2024, Zep Software, Inc.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+"""
+
 EPISODIC_EDGE_SAVE = """
         MATCH (episode:Episodic {uuid: $episode_uuid}) 
         MATCH (node:Entity {uuid: $entity_uuid}) 
diff --git a/graphiti_core/models/nodes/node_db_queries.py b/graphiti_core/models/nodes/node_db_queries.py
index 0577ecea..9010532b 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/models/nodes/node_db_queries.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/models/nodes/node_db_queries.py
@@ -1,3 +1,19 @@
+"""
+Copyright 2024, Zep Software, Inc.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+"""
+
 EPISODIC_NODE_SAVE = """
         MERGE (n:Episodic {uuid: $uuid})
         SET n = {uuid: $uuid, name: $name, group_id: $group_id, source_description: $source_description, source: $source, content: $content, 
diff --git a/graphiti_core/nodes.py b/graphiti_core/nodes.py
index 01f79be2..41f76920 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/nodes.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/nodes.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from enum import Enum
 from time import time
 from typing import Any
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class Node(BaseModel, ABC):
     name: str = Field(description='name of the node')
     group_id: str = Field(description='partition of the graph')
     labels: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
-    created_at: datetime = Field(default_factory=lambda: datetime.now())
+    created_at: datetime = Field(default_factory=lambda: datetime.now(timezone.utc))
 
     @abstractmethod
     async def save(self, driver: AsyncDriver): ...
diff --git a/graphiti_core/utils/bulk_utils.py b/graphiti_core/utils/bulk_utils.py
index a1f28272..d57dc6bd 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/utils/bulk_utils.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/utils/bulk_utils.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import asyncio
 import logging
 import typing
 from collections import defaultdict
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from math import ceil
 
 from neo4j import AsyncDriver, AsyncManagedTransaction
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ async def extract_edge_dates_bulk(
         edge.valid_at = valid_at
         edge.invalid_at = invalid_at
         if edge.invalid_at:
-            edge.expired_at = datetime.now()
+            edge.expired_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 
     return edges
 
diff --git a/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/community_operations.py b/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/community_operations.py
index 2a779377..897b7d7d 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/community_operations.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/community_operations.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import asyncio
 import logging
 from collections import defaultdict
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 from neo4j import AsyncDriver
 from pydantic import BaseModel
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ async def build_community(
 
     summary = summaries[0]
     name = await generate_summary_description(llm_client, summary)
-    now = datetime.now()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     community_node = CommunityNode(
         name=name,
         group_id=community_cluster[0].group_id,
diff --git a/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/edge_operations.py b/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/edge_operations.py
index a7f43f78..15ec7951 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/edge_operations.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/edge_operations.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 import asyncio
 import logging
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from time import time
 from typing import List
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ async def extract_edges(
                 group_id=group_id,
                 fact=edge_data['fact'],
                 episodes=[episode.uuid],
-                created_at=datetime.now(),
+                created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
                 valid_at=None,
                 invalid_at=None,
             )
@@ -205,39 +205,9 @@ async def resolve_extracted_edges(
     return resolved_edges, invalidated_edges
 
 
-async def resolve_extracted_edge(
-    llm_client: LLMClient,
-    extracted_edge: EntityEdge,
-    related_edges: list[EntityEdge],
-    existing_edges: list[EntityEdge],
-    current_episode: EpisodicNode,
-    previous_episodes: list[EpisodicNode],
-) -> tuple[EntityEdge, list[EntityEdge]]:
-    resolved_edge, (valid_at, invalid_at), invalidation_candidates = await asyncio.gather(
-        dedupe_extracted_edge(llm_client, extracted_edge, related_edges),
-        extract_edge_dates(llm_client, extracted_edge, current_episode, previous_episodes),
-        get_edge_contradictions(llm_client, extracted_edge, existing_edges),
-    )
-
-    now = datetime.now()
-
-    resolved_edge.valid_at = valid_at if valid_at is not None else resolved_edge.valid_at
-    resolved_edge.invalid_at = invalid_at if invalid_at is not None else resolved_edge.invalid_at
-    if invalid_at is not None and resolved_edge.expired_at is None:
-        resolved_edge.expired_at = now
-
-    # Determine if the new_edge needs to be expired
-    if resolved_edge.expired_at is None:
-        invalidation_candidates.sort(key=lambda c: (c.valid_at is None, c.valid_at))
-        for candidate in invalidation_candidates:
-            if (
-                candidate.valid_at is not None and resolved_edge.valid_at is not None
-            ) and candidate.valid_at > resolved_edge.valid_at:
-                # Expire new edge since we have information about more recent events
-                resolved_edge.invalid_at = candidate.valid_at
-                resolved_edge.expired_at = now
-                break
-
+def resolve_edge_contradictions(
+    resolved_edge: EntityEdge, invalidation_candidates: list[EntityEdge]
+) -> list[EntityEdge]:
     # Determine which contradictory edges need to be expired
     invalidated_edges: list[EntityEdge] = []
     for edge in invalidation_candidates:
@@ -259,9 +229,50 @@ async def resolve_extracted_edge(
             and edge.valid_at < resolved_edge.valid_at
         ):
             edge.invalid_at = resolved_edge.valid_at
-            edge.expired_at = edge.expired_at if edge.expired_at is not None else now
+            edge.expired_at = (
+                edge.expired_at if edge.expired_at is not None else datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+            )
             invalidated_edges.append(edge)
 
+    return invalidated_edges
+
+
+async def resolve_extracted_edge(
+    llm_client: LLMClient,
+    extracted_edge: EntityEdge,
+    related_edges: list[EntityEdge],
+    existing_edges: list[EntityEdge],
+    current_episode: EpisodicNode,
+    previous_episodes: list[EpisodicNode],
+) -> tuple[EntityEdge, list[EntityEdge]]:
+    resolved_edge, (valid_at, invalid_at), invalidation_candidates = await asyncio.gather(
+        dedupe_extracted_edge(llm_client, extracted_edge, related_edges),
+        extract_edge_dates(llm_client, extracted_edge, current_episode, previous_episodes),
+        get_edge_contradictions(llm_client, extracted_edge, existing_edges),
+    )
+
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+
+    resolved_edge.valid_at = valid_at if valid_at is not None else resolved_edge.valid_at
+    resolved_edge.invalid_at = invalid_at if invalid_at is not None else resolved_edge.invalid_at
+    if invalid_at is not None and resolved_edge.expired_at is None:
+        resolved_edge.expired_at = now
+
+    # Determine if the new_edge needs to be expired
+    if resolved_edge.expired_at is None:
+        invalidation_candidates.sort(key=lambda c: (c.valid_at is None, c.valid_at))
+        for candidate in invalidation_candidates:
+            if (
+                candidate.valid_at is not None and resolved_edge.valid_at is not None
+            ) and candidate.valid_at > resolved_edge.valid_at:
+                # Expire new edge since we have information about more recent events
+                resolved_edge.invalid_at = candidate.valid_at
+                resolved_edge.expired_at = now
+                break
+
+    # Determine which contradictory edges need to be expired
+    invalidated_edges = resolve_edge_contradictions(resolved_edge, invalidation_candidates)
+
     return resolved_edge, invalidated_edges
 
 
diff --git a/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/node_operations.py b/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/node_operations.py
index 07302e2e..dd940f07 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/node_operations.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/utils/maintenance/node_operations.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 
 import asyncio
 import logging
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from time import time
 from typing import Any
 
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ async def extract_nodes(
             group_id=episode.group_id,
             labels=node_data['labels'],
             summary=node_data['summary'],
-            created_at=datetime.now(),
+            created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
         )
         new_nodes.append(new_node)
         logger.debug(f'Created new node: {new_node.name} (UUID: {new_node.uuid})')
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index bf7582cf..119e7e50 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "graphiti-core"
-version = "0.3.21"
+version = "0.4.0"
 description = "A temporal graph building library"
 authors = [
     "Paul Paliychuk <paul@getzep.com>",
diff --git a/server/graph_service/routers/retrieve.py b/server/graph_service/routers/retrieve.py
index 733766e4..4f699810 100644
--- a/server/graph_service/routers/retrieve.py
+++ b/server/graph_service/routers/retrieve.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, status
 
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ async def get_entity_edge(uuid: str, graphiti: ZepGraphitiDep):
 @router.get('/episodes/{group_id}', status_code=status.HTTP_200_OK)
 async def get_episodes(group_id: str, last_n: int, graphiti: ZepGraphitiDep):
     episodes = await graphiti.retrieve_episodes(
-        group_ids=[group_id], last_n=last_n, reference_time=datetime.now()
+        group_ids=[group_id], last_n=last_n, reference_time=datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     )
     return episodes
 
diff --git a/tests/test_graphiti_int.py b/tests/test_graphiti_int.py
index f7296f39..5c4ce04c 100644
--- a/tests/test_graphiti_int.py
+++ b/tests/test_graphiti_int.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import asyncio
 import logging
 import os
 import sys
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 import pytest
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -66,7 +66,39 @@ def setup_logging():
 async def test_graphiti_init():
     logger = setup_logging()
     graphiti = Graphiti(NEO4J_URI, NEO4j_USER, NEO4j_PASSWORD)
-    episodes = await graphiti.retrieve_episodes(datetime.now(), group_ids=None)
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+
+    alice_node = EntityNode(
+        name='Alice',
+        labels=[],
+        created_at=now,
+        summary='Alice summary',
+        group_id='test',
+    )
+
+    bob_node = EntityNode(
+        name='Bob',
+        labels=[],
+        created_at=now,
+        summary='Bob summary',
+        group_id='test',
+    )
+
+    entity_edge = EntityEdge(
+        source_node_uuid=alice_node.uuid,
+        target_node_uuid=bob_node.uuid,
+        created_at=now,
+        name='likes',
+        fact='Alice likes Bob',
+        episodes=[],
+        expired_at=now,
+        valid_at=now,
+        group_id='test',
+    )
+
+    await graphiti.add_triplet(alice_node, entity_edge, bob_node)
+
+    episodes = await graphiti.retrieve_episodes(datetime.now(timezone.utc), group_ids=None)
     episode_uuids = [episode.uuid for episode in episodes]
 
     results = await graphiti._search(
@@ -92,7 +124,7 @@ async def test_graph_integration():
     embedder = client.embedder
     driver = client.driver
 
-    now = datetime.now()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
     episode = EpisodicNode(
         name='test_episode',
         labels=[],
diff --git a/tests/utils/maintenance/test_edge_operations.py b/tests/utils/maintenance/test_edge_operations.py
index 67fcfc5e..97873dfa 100644
--- a/tests/utils/maintenance/test_edge_operations.py
+++ b/tests/utils/maintenance/test_edge_operations.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
 
 import pytest
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def mock_extracted_edge():
         group_id='group_1',
         fact='Test fact',
         episodes=['episode_1'],
-        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
         valid_at=None,
         invalid_at=None,
     )
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ def mock_related_edges():
             group_id='group_1',
             fact='Related fact',
             episodes=['episode_2'],
-            created_at=datetime.now() - timedelta(days=1),
-            valid_at=datetime.now() - timedelta(days=1),
+            created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=1),
+            valid_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=1),
             invalid_at=None,
         )
     ]
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ def mock_existing_edges():
             group_id='group_1',
             fact='Existing fact',
             episodes=['episode_3'],
-            created_at=datetime.now() - timedelta(days=2),
-            valid_at=datetime.now() - timedelta(days=2),
+            created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=2),
+            valid_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=2),
             invalid_at=None,
         )
     ]
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def mock_current_episode():
     return EpisodicNode(
         uuid='episode_1',
         content='Current episode content',
-        valid_at=datetime.now(),
+        valid_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
         name='Current Episode',
         group_id='group_1',
         source='message',
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def mock_previous_episodes():
         EpisodicNode(
             uuid='episode_2',
             content='Previous episode content',
-            valid_at=datetime.now() - timedelta(days=1),
+            valid_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=1),
             name='Previous Episode',
             group_id='group_1',
             source='message',
@@ -144,8 +144,8 @@ async def test_resolve_extracted_edge_with_dates(
     mock_previous_episodes,
     monkeypatch: MonkeyPatch,
 ):
-    valid_at = datetime.now() - timedelta(days=1)
-    invalid_at = datetime.now() + timedelta(days=1)
+    valid_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=1)
+    invalid_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc) + timedelta(days=1)
 
     # Mock the function calls
     dedupe_mock = AsyncMock(return_value=mock_extracted_edge)
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ async def test_resolve_extracted_edge_with_invalidation(
     mock_previous_episodes,
     monkeypatch: MonkeyPatch,
 ):
-    valid_at = datetime.now() - timedelta(days=1)
+    valid_at = datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=1)
     mock_extracted_edge.valid_at = valid_at
 
     invalidation_candidate = EntityEdge(
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ async def test_resolve_extracted_edge_with_invalidation(
         group_id='group_1',
         fact='Invalidation candidate fact',
         episodes=['episode_4'],
-        created_at=datetime.now(),
-        valid_at=datetime.now() - timedelta(days=2),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
+        valid_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=2),
         invalid_at=None,
     )
 
diff --git a/tests/utils/maintenance/test_temporal_operations_int.py b/tests/utils/maintenance/test_temporal_operations_int.py
index 98ae5d0c..9f34e4a6 100644
--- a/tests/utils/maintenance/test_temporal_operations_int.py
+++ b/tests/utils/maintenance/test_temporal_operations_int.py
@@ -15,11 +15,10 @@ limitations under the License.
 """
 
 import os
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 
 import pytest
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
-from pytz import UTC
 
 from graphiti_core.edges import EntityEdge
 from graphiti_core.llm_client import LLMConfig, OpenAIClient
@@ -43,7 +42,7 @@ def setup_llm_client():
 
 
 def create_test_data():
-    now = datetime.now()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 
     # Create edges
     existing_edge = EntityEdge(
@@ -132,7 +131,7 @@ async def test_get_edge_contradictions_multiple_existing():
 
 # Helper function to create more complex test data
 def create_complex_test_data():
-    now = datetime.now()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 
     # Create nodes
     node1 = EntityNode(uuid='1', name='Alice', labels=['Person'], created_at=now, group_id='1')
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ async def test_invalidate_edges_complex():
         name='DISLIKES',
         fact='Alice dislikes Bob',
         group_id='1',
-        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
     )
 
     invalidated_edges = await get_edge_contradictions(setup_llm_client(), new_edge, existing_edges)
@@ -214,7 +213,7 @@ async def test_get_edge_contradictions_temporal_update():
         name='LEFT_JOB',
         fact='Bob no longer works at at Company XYZ',
         group_id='1',
-        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
     )
 
     invalidated_edges = await get_edge_contradictions(setup_llm_client(), new_edge, existing_edges)
@@ -236,7 +235,7 @@ async def test_get_edge_contradictions_no_effect():
         name='APPLIED_TO',
         fact='Charlie applied to Company XYZ',
         group_id='1',
-        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
     )
 
     invalidated_edges = await get_edge_contradictions(setup_llm_client(), new_edge, existing_edges)
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@ async def test_invalidate_edges_partial_update():
         name='CHANGED_POSITION',
         fact='Bob changed his position at Company XYZ',
         group_id='1',
-        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
     )
 
     invalidated_edges = await get_edge_contradictions(setup_llm_client(), new_edge, existing_edges)
@@ -266,7 +265,7 @@ async def test_invalidate_edges_partial_update():
 
 
 def create_data_for_temporal_extraction() -> tuple[EpisodicNode, list[EpisodicNode]]:
-    now = datetime.now(UTC)
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
 
     previous_episodes = [
         EpisodicNode(
@@ -315,7 +314,7 @@ async def test_extract_edge_dates():
         name='LEFT_JOB',
         fact='Bob no longer works at Company XYZ',
         group_id='1',
-        created_at=datetime.now(UTC),
+        created_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
     )
 
     valid_at, invalid_at = await extract_edge_dates(