Kota - Kota Besar Ini Menanti Anda Menghabiskan Malam Pergantian Tahun Baru 2023

Tahun baru 2023 ada di depan mata. Sudah punya rencana mau pergi merayakan tahun baru kemana? Kalau belum ini tempat di kota - kota Besar yang layak untuk menghabiskan malam pergantian tahun baru.

1. JAKARTA

• Jakarta Pusat akan ada car free night yang diberlakukan di sepanjang Sudirman – Thamrin. Sepanjang ruas jalan akan ada panggung hiburan dan bazar kuliner 34 provinsi.



• Jakarta Utara, penyelenggaraan tahun baru digelar di dua tempat yakni Ancol dan Danau Sunter. Di Ancol, empat titik lokasi perayaan yakni di Pantai Carnaval, Pasar Seni, Taman Lumba-lumba, dan Pantai Lagoon. Pantai Carnaval akan menghadirkan pagelaran musik.



• Jakarta Barat, penyelenggaraan tahun baru dilaksanakan di halaman Kantor Wali Kota Jakarta Barat. Di Jakarta Timur, perayaan digelar di Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII).



• Jakarta Selatan, perayaan malam tahun baru biasanya dilaksanakan di Perkampungan Budaya Betawi (PBB) Setu Babakan, Jagakarsa.



• Kepulauan Seribu, perayaan dipusatkan di depan Kantor Bupati Kepulauan Seribu atau Plaza Kabupaten di Pulau Pramuka.

2. BANDUNG

• Lapangan Gasibu
  
  Salah satu tempat untuk menghabiskan malam tahun baru bersama teman maupun keluarga wisata di Bandung adalah Lapangan Gasibu. Inilah Tempat Wisata yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru di Bandung.
  
  Lapangan Gasibu memang sudah menjadi pusat perayaan malam puncak tahun baru di Bandung setiap tahunnya.
  
  Lokasi Lapangan yang strategis dan ukuran lapangan yang luas menjadi lokasi terbaik untuk menghabiskan malam tahun baru. Setiap tahunnya akan ada acara yang digelar di sana.
  
  Lapangan ini akan sangat ramai saat malam pergantian tahun. Jika kamu ingin mengunjunginya dengan teman atau keluarga, kamu akan terhibur dengan penampilan atau live musik dari beberapa kalangan artis dan juga ada kembang api.



• Bukit Bintang
  
  Berikutnya Tempat Wisata yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru di Bandung adalah salah satu lokasi wisata di mana pengunjung yang datang bisa menghabiskan malam sambil menikmati pemandangan kota Bandung dari ketinggian.
  
  Tentunya suasana di sana akan sangat keren saat malam tiba. Tempat ini juga kerap kali dijadikan malam pergantian tahun yang keren bagi warga sekitar Bandung.
  
  Dari sana bisa dilihat pesta kembang api dari seluruh penjuru Bandung. Suasana yang sejuk juga akan memberikan kenangan tersendiri bagi pengunjung yang datang.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kembang api malam tahun baruan juga bisa dilihat dari ketinggian, sehingga kota Bandung akan terlihat menawan di malam hari.



• Tebing Keraton
  
  Sama halnya dengan Bukit Bintang, Tebing Keraton juga merupakan salah satu tempat wisata yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru di perbukitan kota Bandung yang cocok untuk dijadikan tempat menghabiskan malam pergantian tahun.
  
  Tebing Keraton yang berada di ketinggian 1.200 meter di atas permukaan laut ini akan membuat wisatawan yang berkunjung bisa menikmati suasana malam di alam terbuka yang penuh dengan keindahan.
  
  Saat pesta kembang api terjadi, tentunya akan bisa dilihat dari atas Tebing Keraton dan hal ini akan membuat suasana menjadi lebih meriah, namun tetap dekat dengan alam.



• Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat Jawa Barat
  
  Tempat Wisata yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru di Bandung selanjutnya adalah Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat.
  
  Jika ingin menikmati malam tahun baru di Bandung yang dekat dan berada di pusat kota, maka lokasi ini menjadi salah satu alternatif yang terbaik. Datanglah ke Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat Jawa Barat.
  
  Lokasinya tidak jauh dari Gedung Sate dan juga sudah cukup lama menjadi lokasi menghabiskan waktu pergantian tahun di Bandung.
  
  Setiap tahunnya, monumen ini dipenuhi oleh warga yang ingin menghabiskan waktu bersama keluarga dan teman-teman. Monumen ini sendiri sudah ada sejak tahun 1995.
  
  Monumen ini berada di pelataran yang luas yaitu kurang lebih 72.000 meter persegi. Maka dari itu lokasi ini cocok untuk tahun baruan.








• Alun-alun Bandung
  
  Alun-alun selalu memiliki daya tarik tersendiri bagi warga kota untuk berkumpul bersama setiap ada perayaan besar. Sehingga menjadi jujugan tempat wisata yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru.
  
  Di alun-alun akan Bandung akan ada banyak orang berdatangan untuk menikmati suasana tahun baru.
  
  Selain itu, biasanya juga akan ada pesta kembang api yang meriah dan juga menarik perhatian warga sekitar.
  
  Alun-alun Bandung ini berada di pusat kota Bandung dan begitu ramai setiap malam tahun baru.
  
  Saat malam tahun baru biasanya ada ruas jalan yang ditutup untuk mengatur lalu lintas. Namun tetap saja kawasan tersebut akan macet.



• Lapangan Tegallega
  
  Terakhir, tempat wisata yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru selain alun-alun, adalah kawasan lapangan Tegallega. Lapangan tegallega cocok menjadi tempat tahun baru di Bandung yang berada di tengah kota.
  
  Lokasinya juga tidak jauh dari alun-alun sehingga warga akan memadati lokasi tersebut. Lapangan ini sering dijadikan lokasi untuk pertunjukan kembang api.
  
  Selain itu, ada juga beberapa acara yang bisa menghibur warga Bandung yang datang, seperti acara konser atau live music.
  
  Jika berencara berkunjung ke Bandung saat malam tahun baru, lokasi ini bisa dijadikan andalan. Apalagi jika malas untuk menuju pinggiran kota Bandung.

3. SURABAYA

• Tanjung Perak merupakan tempat pelabuhan kapal. Saat malam Tahun Baru, lokasi ini berubah menjadi menarik untuk menyaksikan pesta kembang api. Kalian dapat menikmati kemeriahan pesta kembang api dari kapal pesiar yang sedang bersandar di Tanjung Perak.



• Jembatan Suramadu merupakan jembatan yang menghubungkan Surabaya dengan Madura. Malam hari, pemadangan di jembatan Suramadu ini menampilkan deretan lampu yang indah. Jembatan Suramadu cocok buat merayakan malam tahun baru 2023 nanti.



• Objek wisata Air Mancur Menari di Kenjeran sudah menjadi populer di kalangan masyarakat Surabaya. Lokasi Air Mancur Menari ini tak jauh dari Pantai Kenjeran dan juga Theme Park Surabaya. Kalian bisa menikmati uniknya air mancur menari lantaran dilengkapi dengan permainan lampu yang mengikuti alunan musik.



• Air Mancur Kenjeran, kalian juga bisa menghabiskan malam tahun baru di Pantai Kenjeran. Lokasi pantai ini berada sekitar 9 km dari pusat Kota Surabaya. Kalian bisa menghabiskan malam Tahun baru dengan menyaksikan keindahan pantai. Biasanya waktu malam Tahun Baru, para wisatawan menggelar pesta kembang api di pantai ini. Selain itu, kalian juga bisa menikmati pemandangan sunrise di pagi harinya.

4. MALANG

• Alun - alun Malang. Lokasi alun-alun yang cukup strategis berada dipusat kota Malang dan mudah dijangkau, Area alun-alun yang luas dikelilingi pepohonan dan bunga ditaman tentu sangat nyaman untuk menikmati Liburan Tahun Baru 2022 – 2023. Apalagi tidak jauh dari alun-alun terdapat Pusat Perbelanjaan Ramayana, sambil liburan tak lupa membeli oleh-oleh (membawa buah tangan) untuk saudara.



• Pantai Selatan atau Pantai Malang Selatan disinilah para pecandu vitamin sea berkumpul dan merayakan tahun baru 2023. Suasananya tentu berbeda dengan hari biasa, apalagi saat malam hari berada dipantai. Ditemani ombak tenang & teman seperjuangan didekat, cocok sekali untuk tempat merenung akan kejadian di tahun 2022 sambil menyusun rencana di tahun 2023 yang akan datang.



• Taman Tugu Balai Kota Malang atau disekitar Kota Baru seringkali ada event digelar (musik, pengajian). tidak menutup kemungkinan lokasi ini menjadi salah satu titik peluncuran kembang api. Untuk kamu yang ingin merayakan tahun baru di tugu balai kota, disarankan untuk berangkat lebih awal. Untuk meminimalisir terjebak kemacetan yang biasanya terjadi menjelang detik detik pergantian tahun. Jangan meremehkan suasana jalanan soekarno-hatta pada saat momen tahun baru, karena apa? Disinilah surga bagi para pecinta kuliner, aneka macam konsep cafe berjajar, tempat nongkrong santai juga menantimu. Bisa dipastikan menjelang tahun baru 2023 akan dipadat warga lokal maupun wisatawan luar kota yang akan merayakan momen pergantian tahun 2022-2023.



• Alun-alun Batu tempatnya sangat cocok bila ingin melihat pesta kembang api, karena lokasi cukup strategis berada diketinggian, Sambil menunggu detik-detik pergantian tahun kamu bisa menikmati wahana yang tersedia di Alun-Alun Batu. Fasilitas disana juga cukup lengkap seperti restoran, masjid, toilet dan fasilitas penunjang lainya.

5. MEDAN

• Merdeka Walk selalu menjadi pusat hiburan masyarakat Kota Medan. Menjelang tahun baru, akan banyak rentetan acara yang digelar di pusat kota ini. Hampir semua masyarakat berbondong menuju lokasi ini sampai rela melalui macetnya jalur lalu lintas dari segala arah karena akan adanya pesta kembang api menjelang pukul 00.00 WIB. Beragam pasangan muda-mudi memenuhi lokasi, para ibu dan bapak yang memiliki anak-anak kecil juga memadati kawasan ini untuk menikmati keindahan pesta kembang api. Iringan musik yang riuh juga kerap kali menambah semangat masyarakat, disambut dengan suara-suara terompet khas tahun baru yang terdengar ke seluruh jalan.



• Pesta Pantai di Pantai Cermin. Pantai yang merupakan salah satu tujuan wisata masyarakat Sumatera Utara khususnya Kota Medan ini juga memiliki ritual sendiri dalam merayakan tahun baru. Biasanya, di area tepi pantai ini diselenggarakan festival musik dari beragam genre yang digelar namun didominasi oleh beberapa DJ lokal yang meramaikan tahun baru. Mayoritas peserta di kawasan pantai ini adalah muda-mudi Kota Medan yang senang dengan adanya acara music ditambah suasana pantai yang menyegarkan.

6. JOGYAKARTA

• Malioboro dengan tampilan baru yang lebih modern namun tetap memiliki unsur budaya, akan jadi tempat yang menarik untuk menghabiskan malam.
  
  Kembang Api biasanya di titik Nol Kilometer, jadi untuk menikmatinya datanglah lebih awal ke Malioboro, karena jika sudah terlalu larut malam, dijamin deh tidak bisa masuk karena padat pengunjung.








• Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran yang merupakan salah satu tempat paling seru untuk menikmati kembang api dari atas.
  
  Lanscape kota Jogja saat malam hari akan terlihat sangat indah dari Puncak Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran, apalagi ditambah adanya pesta kembang api yang akan terlihat di berbagai sudut kota Jogja.



• Puncak Gunung Api Purba tempat ini seperti mengundang untuk diwajibkan menginap atau ngecamp, disini kita tidak memerlukan itu. Karena di Bukit Bintang ini kita cukup duduk santai di beberapa warung yang menyediakan view istimewa.



• Tugu Pal Putih Yogyakarta juga pasti sangat seru lho. Biasanya disini sangat ramai akan pengunjung yang sekedar nongkrong atau kulineran disekitar Tugu Yogyakarta yang notabene buka sampai pagi.



• Angkringan, menikmati malam tahun baru tidak melulu tentang kembang api, kita bisa ngobrol seru bareng teman atau saudara yang liburan di Jogja.



• Alun-alun kidul tentu masuk kedalam 10 tempat paling asik untuk menyambut tahun baru 2023.
  
  Disini kita bisa kulineran dipinggir alun-alun. Banyak sekali pilihan kuliner disini, mulai dari angkringan, wedang ronde, jagung bakar sampai cilok lengkap deh.

Nah, itu dia berbagai daftar tempat yang cocok untuk merayakan tahun baru 2023. Kamu bisa memilih salah satunya dengan mempersiapkan diri lebih dini, agar tidak kena macet. Semoga bermanfaat.

'Bom topan siklon' Arctic mengancam perjalanan liburan bagi jutaan orang Amerika

Seorang pengendara sepeda berjalan di sepanjang Halsted Street selama cuaca dingin saat fenomena cuaca yang dikenal sebagai topan bom menghantam Upper Midwest, di Chicago, Illinois, AS 22 Desember 2022. REUTERS/Matt Marton

Massa udara laut Arctic yang sangat dingin mencengkeram hamparan luas Amerika Serikat pada Kamis menjelang apa yang bisa menjadi salah satu Hari Natal terdingin dalam catatan, karena badai musim dingin yang menjulang mengancam akan membatalkan rencana perjalanan bagi jutaan orang. orang Amerika.

Menjelang liburan akhir pekan, badai yang akan datang diperkirakan akan membawa kondisi badai salju ke wilayah Great Lakes, hujan setinggi 2 inci (5 cm) diikuti dengan pembekuan kilat di Pantai Timur, hembusan angin 60 mil/jam (100 mil/jam. kph) dan dingin extreem sejauh selatan perbatasan Meksiko.

Saat badai mulai terbentuk di Great Lakes pada hari Kamis, fenomena cuaca yang dikenal sebagai topan bom kemungkinan besar akan berkembang dari sistem "tekanan rendah yang semakin dalam dengan cepat", kata Layanan Cuaca Nasional (NWS).

Topan tersebut dapat menurunkan hujan salju setebal setengah inci (1,25 cm) per jam dan angin menderu dengan kecepatan hingga 60 mph (97 kph) dari Upper Midwest ke pedalaman Northeast, menghasilkan kondisi badai salju dan jarak pandang mendekati nol.

Dikombinasikan dengan cuaca dingin Arktik, faktor angin dingin serendah 40 derajat di bawah nol Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celcius) diperkirakan terjadi di Dataran Tinggi, Pegunungan Rocky utara, dan Great Basin, kata NWS. Paparan kondisi seperti itu tanpa perlindungan yang memadai dapat menyebabkan radang dingin dalam beberapa menit.

Listrik padam kemungkinan besar, dan badai diperkirakan akan membuat perjalanan menjadi genting atau tidak mungkin pada waktu-waktu tertentu.

Dingin yang ekstrem menimbulkan bahaya khusus bagi ternak di wilayah padat peternakan. Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N), produsen daging terkemuka di negara itu berdasarkan penjualan, mengatakan telah mengurangi operasi untuk melindungi karyawan dan hewan.

"Ini berbahaya dan mengancam," kata Presiden Joe Biden di Gedung Putih, mendesak orang Amerika yang memiliki rencana perjalanan untuk tidak menunda dan berangkat pada Kamis. "Ini tidak seperti hari salju, ketika kamu masih kecil, ini adalah hal yang serius."

Lebih dari setengah dari 48 negara bagian Bawah, dari negara bagian Washington hingga Florida, berada di bawah peringatan cuaca musim dingin, termasuk peringatan angin dingin yang memengaruhi sekitar 200 juta orang, kata dinas cuaca.

Bagian dari Atlantic Tengah dan daratan dapat melihat cuaca Hari Natal mendekati rekor terdingin, menurut NWS.

Merkuri diperkirakan turun hingga 15 derajat Fahrenheit (minus 9 Celcius) di Philadelphia pada hari Minggu, mendekati level terendah sebelumnya dari tahun 1943, sementara Kota Sioux, Iowa, dapat mencapai minus 14F (minus 26C), melampaui rekor dari tahun 1980-an.

NATAL 'PUTIH'

Bagian depan badai dapat membawa lebih dari satu kaki (30 cm) salju ke beberapa daerah saat bergerak ke arah timur dari Dataran dan Great Lakes, kata ahli meteorologi layanan cuaca Ashton Cook. Badai salju diperkirakan terjadi dari Illinois hingga Indiana, dan dapat menghasilkan kondisi mati lampu.

American Automobile Association memperkirakan 112,7 juta orang berencana melakukan perjalanan sejauh 50 mil (80 km) atau lebih dari rumah antara 23 Desember dan 2 Januari, naik 3,6 juta pelancong selama tahun lalu dan mendekati jumlah sebelum pandemi.

Lebih dari 4.500 penerbangan AS yang dijadwalkan pada Kamis dan Jumat telah dibatalkan, dengan dua bandara utama di Chicago mencatat lebih dari 1.200 pembatalan, menurut layanan pelacakan penerbangan FlightAware.

Penumpang tiba untuk penerbangan mereka dalam badai salju saat pembatalan penerbangan meningkat selama cuaca dingin saat fenomena cuaca yang dikenal sebagai siklon bom menghantam Upper Midwest, di Bandara Internasional Midway di Chicago, Illinois, AS, 22 Desember 2022. REUTERS/Matt Marton

"Mereka merusak Natal," Nadia Dickens, 42, seorang pekerja perusahaan manajemen di Gallatin Tennessee, mengatakan pada hari Kamis setelah penerbangannya dari Nashville dibatalkan.

Dia menuju Corpus Christi, Texas, untuk pertemuan keluarga Hari Natal di mana dia berharap untuk membuat tamale dengan neneknya yang berusia 94 tahun. Dickens memesan penerbangan lain ke Austin, Texas, setelah seorang kerabat menawarkan untuk menempuh perjalanan empat jam untuk membawanya ke reuni keluarga, tetapi dia tetap pesimis.

"Kita akan mendapatkan satu inci salju dalam semalam dan cuacanya mengerikan di semua tempat," katanya.

Massa udara dingin yang pertama kali menyelimuti negara bagian utara mendorong ke selatan melalui Oklahoma tengah dan Texas barat laut, tempat merkuri turun hingga satu digit pada hari Kamis.

Ratusan orang Texas tewas pada Februari 2021 setelah jaringan listrik negara bagian itu mati di tengah badai musim dingin, menyebabkan jutaan orang tanpa listrik. Dewan Keandalan Listrik Texas (ERCOT), yang sejak itu bekerja untuk melindungi jaringannya, "mengharapkan pembangkitan yang cukup untuk memenuhi perkiraan permintaan saat ini," kata juru bicara Christy Penders.

Suhu di Dataran Selatan dan Tenggara bisa tetap di bawah titik beku, lebih rendah 30 derajat dari biasanya, selama beberapa hari, prediksi NWS.

Greg Carbin, kepala operasi prakiraan cuaca di NWS Weather Prediction Center di Maryland, mengatakan suhu beku atau di bawah titik beku akan membelah Florida tengah, dengan suhu sekitar 25 derajat di bawah normal.

Pengemudi di lembah Ohio dan Tennessee diperingatkan bahwa jalan basah dapat langsung membeku saat suhu turun.

NWS juga memperingatkan hujan beku di beberapa bagian Oregon dan Washington di Barat Laut, tempat badai terpisah terbentuk pada hari Kamis.

Georgia pada hari Rabu bergabung dengan Carolina Utara dan Kentucky dalam menyatakan keadaan darurat. Suhu di Georgia utara diperkirakan mencapai 10F (minus 12C) dengan angin dingin di bawah nol.

"Kami memperkirakan cuaca yang belum pernah kami lihat dalam satu dekade atau lebih," kata Gubernur Georgia Brian Kemp dalam jumpa pers.

Brandon Mattis, 24, mengatakan penerbangannya dari New York City ke Atlanta dibatalkan pada hari Kamis karena badai yang akan datang, membuatnya "bingung" di Bandara LaGuardia di Queens.

Mattis mengatakan dia mencari rute alternatif dan bahkan mempertimbangkan untuk naik bus selama 21 jam ke Atlanta.

"Anything we can do just to get there, we're going to do," he said.

Alexander Darchiev hopes US is wise enough to avoid direct confrontation With Russia

Russian Ambassador to Canada Alexander Darchiev speaks with Evan Solomon on CTV's Question Period, 2017.

Moscow hopes that Washington will show enough prudence to prevent the situation from escalating to the point of a direct confrontation, Alexander Darchiev, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North American Department, has told TASS in an interview.

"One can only hope that Washington will heed the voice of reason and does not let the situation escalate to the point of a direct confrontation between Russia and the United States. Otherwise, severed diplomatic ties will become a reality, with all due consequences," the Russian diplomat said.

Darchiyev stressed that it was the United States who "started to spin the flywheel of destroying bilateral relations."

"Washington opted to self-isolate from Moscow, but is now trying to shift the blame, as if someone else brought those relations to the point of no return, not the current administration," he said. "We are not seeking to sever them completely, but we will not tolerate malicious provocations that leave us with no other choice.".

North Korea rejects claims of alleged arms supplies to Russia — Yonhap

The Foreign Ministry of North Korea rejected claims of alleged arms supplies to Russia, South Korea’s Yonhap​​​​ news agency reported citing the ministry’s statement.

"The Japanese media's false report that the DPRK offered munitions to Russia is the most absurd red herring, which is not worth any comment or interpretation," Yonhap quoted a ministry spokesman as saying in an English-language statement, published by the state-run news agency KCNA.

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby claimed on Thursday that North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia’s Wagner private military company and was planning new supplies. UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing later in the day that the global organization had no information about alleged arms deliveries from North Korea.

Russia stressed on numerous occasions that its armed forces have no need to buy weapons from abroad for the special military operation in Ukraine, since the country's defense industry is coping with its tasks.

We will unite the people and ‘crack’ Patriot missiles: what Putin told reporters

Russia seeks to end the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible but Kiev needs to realize that a diplomatic solution is inevitable, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Thursday.

He also slammed the supply of US-made Patriot missiles to Kiev as an attempt to prolong the conflict and added that Russia had lived through the year "quite steadily." TASS has collected the key remarks that Putin made.

The year’s results

Perfect situations exist only on paper but Russia made it through the year "quite steadily." The current situation does not prevent the country from implementing its plans for the future. All goals will undoubtedly be achieved.

The special military operation was a forced measure.

The Russian economy is performing better than many G-20 countries and there are no troubling indicators.

On State of the Nation Address

The president will deliver his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly early next year: "I won’t give you any dates but we will definitely do it next year."

The rapidly changing situation, which makes it difficult to speak about specific things, is one of the reasons why there was no address this year. The key points that could have made it into the address were touched upon in other speeches.

On US role in Ukraine situation

Putin noted that Washington has long been involved in processes in post-Soviet countries and has long sought to divide the Russian World.

Russia was being "led around by the nose" in terms of resolving the situation in Ukraine since 2014 and Moscow’s opponents achieved their goal, to a certain extent, dividing the two countries' people and setting them against each other. Moscow failed there. "No one wants the Russian people to unite.... But we will try to achieve this and we will succeed."

On Patriot supplies to Kiev

The Patriot missile systems that the US has promised to provide to Ukraine are quite old systems and don’t work the way Russia’s S-300 systems do. An antidote to them will be found and "we will crack Patriot missiles, too." "It is nothing but an attempt to prolong the conflict, that’s all."

On the possible protraction of conflict

Russia does not want to escalate the conflict in Ukraine but seeks to end the war that broke out there in 2014. The sooner the conflict ends, the better. A rise in military activities will lead to unnecessary losses.

On Western and Russian defense industries

Western countries aren’t about to run out of their resources but the stockpiles of weapons left over from the Soviet era are definitely running low. It will not be easy for Ukraine to shift to NATO weapons.

Russia is using its stock of weapons but the Ukrainian military-industrial complex is "if not completely zeroed out, then rapidly moving in that direction."

Russia is capable of increasing weapons production but the authorities don’t plan to do that at the expense of other sectors of the economy.

On diplomatic solution to Ukraine issue

Moscow has never refused to hold talks with Kiev and it was the Ukrainian leadership that barred itself from negotiating. All conflicts end diplomatically and the sooner the Ukrainian authorities realize this, the better.

On meeting with ‘business captains’ There was no traditional meeting with Russia’s ‘business captains’ ahead of the holiday season due to the epidemiological situation. However, the president maintains contact with key entrepreneurs.

On response to price caps

A decree on Moscow’s response to the price cap on Russian oil will be signed "on Monday or Tuesday." The price cap itself won’t harm Russia but it paves the way for the destruction of the global economy.

The European Union’s move to cap gas prices will also lead to nothing good. If the decision affects Gazprom’s contracts, the need will arise to think about whether it is worth it to implement them.

On Nord Stream explosions The explosions that hit the Nord Stream gas pipelines were acts of state terrorism as no individuals could have done that. Those who are interested in continuing the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine are behind the terrorist attack.

On plans for New Year’s Eve

The head of state will try to celebrate the New Year with his family members.

Festival Malam Tahun Baru Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin Ditutup, Pemprov DKI Siapkan 40 Kantong Parkir

Pesta kembang api di Bundaran HI. ©2020 Merdeka.com

Pada acara Festival Malam Tahun Baru 2023 nanti Jalan Sudirman - Thamrin akan ditutup dan Pemprov DKI Jakarta menyiapkan 40 kantong tempat parkir saat malam pergantian tahun.

Kepala Dinas Perhubungan DKI Jakarta Syafrin Liputo mengatakan, 40 kantong parkir tersebut disiapkan sampai Jalan Jenderal Sudirman dan Jalan MH Thamrin kembali dibuka.

"Bagi para pengunjung festival, dapat menggunakan fasilitas parkir di 40 lokasi dan dibuka sampai batas waktu penutupan Jalan MH Thamrin dan Jalan Jenderal Sudirman," kata Syafrin dalam keterangan resmi, pada hari Kamis, 22/12/2022.

Ke-40 kantong parkir itu, yakni di Pelataran Parkir IRTI Monas, TPE Sabang, Kantor Pertamina Pusat, Komplek Wisma Nusantara dan Hotel Nikko, Wisma Mandiri, Hotel Sari Pan Pacific, Jakarta Teater/Sky Line Building, Sarinah Thamrin dan Gedung Jaya.

Lahan parkir juga tersedia di Four Points/Menara Topas, Plaza Sinar Mas Land, Gedung Plaza Permata, Gedung Wisma Kosgoro, Pullman Hotel, Hotel Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, Gedung Parkir Taman Menteng, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Gedung The City Tower dan di Gedung Wisma 46.

Kemudian di Wisma 46 Out Door Parking, Gedung BNI, Gedung Arthaloka Indonesia, Menara Taspen, Wisma Keiai, Gedung Prince Center Building lantai XV ruangan 1501, Menara Aetra, Gedung Midplaza dan Hotel Le Meridien Jakarta.

Ada pula di Intiland Tower, Gedung BRI 1 Sudirman, Gedung BRI 2 Jakarta, The Park Lane Hotel, Gedung Wisma GKBI, Mall FX Sudirman, Ratu Plaza, Plaza Senayan hingga di Gelora Bung Karno.

Ke-40 kantong parkir ini mempunyai daya tampung total 32.060 mobil, sebanyak 25.397 motor dan 262 bus maupun truk.

Meski demikian, Syafrin mengimbau bagi masyarakat yang hendak menuju lokasi Festival Malam Tahun Baru 2023 di Sudirman-Thamrin, untuk menggunakan berbagai transportasi publik yang rencananya akan dioperasikan hingga pukul 02.00 WIB.

"Masyarakat yang akan menuju lokasi kegiatan diimbau untuk menggunakan moda transportasi angkutan umum yang juga dilakukan pengaturan operasional," tutur Syafrin.

Untuk pengaturan TransJakarta, Syafrin menjelaskan, bagi Koridor 1 Relasi Blok M-Kota, akan dioperasionalkan sampai pukul 01.00 WIB, tergantung situasi, dengan berbagai rekayasa jalur, yakni:

1. Dari arah Selatan hanya melayani sampai Halte TransJakarta Polda, kemudian belok kiri ke Jalan Gatot Subroto sampai Kota.



2. Dari arah Utara hanya melayani sampai Halte TransJakarta Harmoni, kemudian belok kanan ke Jalan Suryopranoto sampai Blok M.

"Sementara untuk operasi MRT, LRT, dan KRL, operasionalnya akan berlangsung sampai dengan pukul 02.00 WIB," ucap Syafrin menambahkan.

Dengan adanya Festival Malam Tahun Baru 2023, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman dan Jalan MH Thamrin akan diberlakukan malam bebas kendaraan (car free night) atau penutupan total terkecuali kendaraan darurat.

Selain itu, 22 akses masuk ke Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin juga dilakukan penutupan terkait dengan kegiatan festival yang akan ada tujuh panggung pertunjukan tersebut.

Puluhan kantong parkir ini diharapkan bisa mengakomodasi kebutuhan warga yang hendak merayakan malam tahun baru.

Meski begitu, Dishub mengimbau masyarakat menggunakan transportasi umum untuk menuju kawasan Sudirman-Thamrin.

Putin: Patriot Deliveries to Ukraine Will Prolong Conflict, Won't Alter Its Outcome

©AFP 2022 / KIM JAE-HWAN

Coinciding with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $1.85 billion package of new arms assistance, including a Patriot missile system. Moscow has repeatedly warned Western powers of the consequences of weapons assistance to Kiev.

The delivery of a battery of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine will prolong the Ukrainian security crisis, but cannot alter its outcome, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

"Our adversaries proceed from the idea that this is supposedly a defensive weapon. Alright, we'll keep that in mind. And an antidote can always be found," Putin said, speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Russian State Council on Thursday. The president assured that the Patriot deliveries will be "in vain," and would "just prolong the conflict, that's all."

As for the combat characteristics of the Patriot missile system, Putin said it was "a rather old system that does not work like, say, our S-300."

The US promised to send a battery of Patriot missile systems to Kiev as part of a fresh package of aid which includes $1 billion worth of weaponry taken directly from the US military's own stocks. A battery of Patriots consists of six launchers and support equipment, including phased array radar, optional radar antenna masts, optional diesel generators, and an engagement control/operations center.

Putin also touched on a number of other issues, reiterating that Russia had been "fooled" in the mid-to-late 2010s by trying to resolve the slow-burning Ukrainian crisis via the Minsk Agreements, and stating that the goals of Russia's military operation in Ukraine included defending Donbass and pro-Russian Ukrainians in Ukraine proper

"Our goal isn't to further whip up the Ukrainian conflict, but on the contrary, to bring this war to an end. We are striving in this direction and will continue to do so," Putin said. "All armed conflicts end one way or another with some kind of negotiations on the diplomatic track. Russia never refused negotiations with Ukraine, it was Kiev that prohibited itself from dialog."

"Nevertheless, sooner or later, of course, parties in a state of conflict will sit down and come to an agreement. The sooner this realization comes to those opposing us, the better," Putin said.

The crisis is forcing Moscow to spend its reserves of weaponry, but these are incomparably larger than those that Kiev has at its disposal, Putin said. "I won't give figures here on say, how many shells we spend per day. These are big numbers. But the difference between us and...the Ukrainian military-industrial complex - is that if it has not been completely expended, it is approaching that point. Soon nothing will be left of their base."

Kiev's Western patrons also face problems in delivering fresh stocks of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, Putin said.

"I think the resources of the United States and NATO countries are not yet at the state of exhaustion. The thing is, Ukraine is receiving weapons from the countries of the former Warsaw Pact, mostly Soviet-made, and these really are close to exhaustion. Of these deliveries we have knocked out virtually everything," Putin said.

The West can now proceed with the delivery of their own weapons systems to Ukraine, but it is not easy to make the switch to the alternative, new standard, Putin said. The US, for example, "are now saying that they can put a Patriot [in Ukraine]. Okay, let them do it. We will crack the Patriot [like a nut] too, and something will need to be installed in its place, new systems need to be developed - this is a complex and lengthy process."

In the meantime, the Russian military will be preparing, will train new personnel, and ensure adequate stocks of spare parts and repair capabilities, Putin said

Finally, amid renewed interest in US media in who blew up the Nord Stream pipelines, Putin commented on the issue, saying the act of terror was carried out by those who would like to see Russian gas to Europe flowing only through Ukraine.

What's Behind US Media's Sudden Recognition That Russia Didn't Blow up Nord Stream Pipelines?

The Washington Post broke on December 21 that even though Western leaders were quick to accuse Moscow of blowing up the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines, after months of investigation no evidence has been found to back the allegation, according to 23 diplomatic and intelligence officials in nine Western countries.

"The recent disclosure by The Washington Post that there is no evidence Russia is behind the Nord Stream pipeline blasts is yet another example of the flimsy information war the West is desperately and recklessly waging against Russia, but at the same time losing," Scott Bennett, former US Army psychological warfare officer and US State Department counterterrorism analyst, told Sputnik.

"Essentially the West – specifically the United Kingdom and the United States – had been fanatical in their blaming of Russia for the blasts, relying on a group of useful idiot puppets like Senator Marco Rubio (Florida), Mitt Romney, and others who routinely make unsubstantiated claims and emotionally flatulent and incendiary accusations against Russia," the former counterterrorism expert continued.

The newspaper went on by saying that some European officials did not think that Russia was responsible for the explosions; and even those with inside knowledge of the ongoing investigation "don’t conclusively tie Russia to the attack." For their part, US intelligence analysts have not intercepted anything from the Russian side indicating that Moscow was involved in the incident, according to the media.

On top of that, Moscow had little to gain from destroying pipelines that carried Russian natural gas to Western Europe and generating billions in annual revenue, the media admitted, citing European "skeptics

So, who is the culprit? Judging from the article, the Europeans believe that the sabotage attack was conducted by "a state-level actor"; still, the list of suspects isn't limited only to states that have manned submarines or deep-sea demolitions expertise.

Furthermore, the newspaper cited Western officials as expressing regret that so many world leaders rushed to blame Moscow without considering other state and non-state actors, "that might have the capability and the motive to conduct the attack."

It is also assumed in the article that it's quite probable that the explosions may never be definitively attributed. Obviously, European officials feel bad about it, lamenting the fact that "whoever did it may get away with it," the newspaper concluded.

Who is the Culprit & Who Benefits?

Bennet does not agree that it's impossible to attribute blame for the sabotage attack. There are a number of state actors who were clearly interested in cutting Russia's gas supplies to Europe, according to him.

"It is highly unlikely that any communication will be allowed to surface in Europe that identifies the true terrorists that destroyed the pipelines – which most intelligence experts assess was done by the United Kingdom and the United States in order to keep Germany in the American orbit of influence," he said.

Even before the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, the US exerted pressure on the EU, urging the Old Continent to stop buying Russian hydrocarbons. Eventually, on February 22, 2022, Berlin froze the Gazprom-led Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with Russia.

After the beginning of the spec op, the US and UK imposed an energy embargo, with the EU following suit. The Western sanctions spree limited Russia's ability to maintain and repair its gas equipment, which led to disruptions of supplies via the Nord Stream pipelines.

Nonetheless, Germany never abandoned the idea of resuming buying gas through both Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 (with a capacity of 110 billion cubic meters, or 3.9 trillion cubic feet) once Russo-Ukrainian tensions reduced. The EU's energy ban against Russia backfired on Germany, which has long benefitted from Russia's natural gas supplies. Before the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, 55% of gas consumed in Germany was imported from Russia.

Bennett noted that prior to the winter season, "Germany had been remarking about the need to re-engage with Russia, and even seeking to end the sanctions out of their own self-preservation." He suggested that the CIA and NSA – US federal agencies who constantly monitor the communications of European politicians – "determined that Germany was pulling away and needed to be reminded of their enslavement to the United States." As a result, three out of four pipelines were destroyed on September 26, 2022.

Remarkably, just moments after the sabotage, then-UK Prime Minister Liz Truss allegedly sent a mysterious "It’s done" iPhone message to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The latter's reaction to the attack was also remarkable: the US secretary of state dubbed the incident "a tremendous opportunity" for the EU "to once and for all remove the dependence on Russian energy." It appears that the destruction of the pipelines provided a "tremendous opportunity" for the US as well, since the EU doubled down on buying American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to substitute Russia's hydrocarbon supplies.

At the time, a number of American public figures and media pundits, including Fox News host Tucker Carlson, retired US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor, Columbia Professor Jeffrey Sachs, and Ron Unz, voiced the assumption that Washington could somehow have been involved in the infamous attack.

For instance, Sachs cited several reasons to back his assumption: first, "direct radar evidence that US military helicopters that are normally based in Gdansk were circling over this area"; second, Biden's threat earlier this year that "one way or another, (the US is) going to end Nord Stream"; third, the "remarkable statement" by Blinken.

Meanwhile, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden launched separate investigations into the suspected sabotage, with German media reporting trust issues between the three EU nations. Neither of them, however, engaged with Russia's specialists, under the pretext that Moscow was the "likely culprit" behind the blasts.

Nonetheless, the Russian Ministry of Defense conducted its own investigation into the incident and came to the conclusion that the UK Royal Navy had taken part in the planning and executing the sabotage.

What's Behind the Explosive Article's Release?

It's still unclear, however, why The Washington Post decided to return to the issue in late December 2022. "One of the reasons for the release of this article (and others that may follow) is the recognition by the collective West of the obvious defeat of Ukraine by Russia in the conflict," suggested Bennett.

"Additionally, the European Union is currently experiencing serious protests and potential revolutionary movements in their own nations in protest to the high cost of energy and the backfire effect of the American sanctions war against Russia which has only ended up harming the European and American economy and consumer."

The former US counter-terrorism specialist believes that European leaders are scrambling to prepare for alternative plans of action when Ukraine ultimately falls.

Another reason, according to Bennett, might also be the recent embarrassment of the European Union over the corruption scandal involving EU officials. Two weeks ago, Belgian prosecutors charged four people with money laundering, corruption, and participating in a criminal organization in Brussels. It is alleged that a Middle Eastern state actor sought to influence EU policy by bribing European Parliament officials.

"This has helped to define the EU as hypocrites and eroded their credibility and integrity in the eyes of the world, and so their continuing participation in the American-British propaganda of the Nord Stream pipelines being blown up by Russia was essentially defeated and dead," suggested Bennett.

Whatever the real reason might be, it appears that divisions are growing within the Western camp amid a simmering energy crunch and looming recession. Major EU states do not conceal their irritation with Washington's high LNG prices and protectionist Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which are hitting European industries and crippling the economy. For its part, Washington is expressing concerns about the EU's latest carbon border tax and gas price capping mechanism, which may backfire on American producers.

"This admission by Europe that Russia is not responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline may be the first step in Europe departing from the life of economic prostitution it has suffered under the United States, and seeking to return to a relationship with Russia, reminiscent of a returning 'Prodigal Son,'" Bennett concluded.

Russia-China Joint Naval Exercises Response to US Aggressive Capacity Build-Up: Moscow

The joint naval exercises, air patrols and other drill of Russia and China are a response to the aggressive build-up of US military potential in the region, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said on Thursday.

"Russian-Chinese maritime and air patrols in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as exercises and drills have become the practical implementation of the strategic partnership with China. The purpose of such actions is to increase the combat coherence of the troops and forces of the two countries and the ability to withstand new challenges and threats," Gerasimov told a briefing of foreign military attaches.

The Russian official underscored that neither Russia, nor China are planning to create any alliances and new dividing lines in the region, but the joint drills are a simply a natural reaction to the actions of the US.

Speaking about Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Valery Gerasimov said that not all mechanisms of the New START operate after the COVID restrictions, and sanctions on any military contacts also complicate the situation.

"Currently, only the START Treaty has been preserved from the entire set of arms control instruments. However, after the COVID restrictions, not all the mechanisms of this agreement operate as it was intended before the signing of the agreements. Sanction restrictions, thoughtlessly imposed by European countries on any military contacts, have also been adding to problems," Gerasimov said.

According to the defense ministry official, the actual collapse of the arms control system established in previous decades was the result of Western actions.