LIVE UPDATES - Russian forces Wipe Out Three US-made Radars in Ukraine Operation, Top Brass Reports

©Russian Defence Ministry/TASS

Russian forces destroyed three US-made counter-battery radars of the Ukrainian army over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Tuesday.

"Three US-manufactured AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radars were obliterated in areas near the settlements of Shandrigolovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Orekhov in the Zaporozhye Region and Belozyorka in the Kherson Region," the spokesman said.

In the past 24 hours, operational/tactical and army aviation aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian group of forces struck 95 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and equipment in 107 areas, the general specified.

Battles in Kupyansk direction

Russian forces struck Ukrainian manpower and equipment in the Kupyansk area, eliminating 80 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, units and artillery of the western battlegroup struck the enemy manpower and equipment in areas near the settlements of Dvurechnaya and Timkovka in the Kharkov Region, Novosyolovskoye and Stelmakhovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic in their active operations," the spokesman said.

Russian forces eliminated as many as 80 Ukrainian personnel, three armored combat vehicles and a D-20 howitzer in that area in the past 24 hours, the general specified.

Battles in Krasny Liman direction

Russian artillery and heavy flamethrower systems struck Ukrainian army units in the Krasny Liman area, eliminating roughly 95 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Krasny Liman direction, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the battlegroup Center struck the Ukrainian army units near the settlements of Nevskoye in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Yampolovka and Grigorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.

The strikes eliminated as many as 95 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, and also D-20 and D-30 howitzers, the general specified.

Battles in Donetsk direction

Russian forces destroyed roughly 160 Ukrainian troops in their advance in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Donetsk direction, as many as 160 Ukrainian personnel, three armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed as a result of active operations by units of the southern battlegroup, air strikes and artillery fire," the spokesman said.

Battles in southern Donetsk, Zaporozhye directions

Russian forces destroyed about 30 Ukrainian troops in the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

In the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, operational/tactical and army aviation aircraft and artillery of the battlegroup East inflicted damage on the Ukrainian army units in areas near the settlements of Ugledar and Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Preobrazhenka in the Zaporozhye Region, the spokesman specified.

"The enemy’s losses amounted to over 30 Ukrainian personnel, two pickup trucks and also a D-30 howitzer," the general said.

Battles in Kherson direction

Russian forces destroyed over 40 Ukrainian troops, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers and a US-made M777 artillery gun in the Kherson area in the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kherson direction, over 40 Ukrainian personnel, three motor vehicles, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, and also a US-manufactured M777 artillery system were destroyed as a result of damage inflicted on the enemy by firepower," the spokesman said.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukrainian Su-25 attack plane

Russian combat aircraft shot down a Ukrainian Su-25 ground attack plane in an aerial battle in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 plane near the community of Nikanorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.

Russian air defenses intercept three US-made HIMARS rockets

Russian air defense forces destroyed 31 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and intercepted three rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the past 24 hours, air defense capabilities destroyed 31 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Tokarevka in the Kharkov Region, Krasnorechenskoye, Chervonopopovka, Novovodyanoye, Kremennaya, Ploshchanka, Voyevodovka, Rubezhnoye and Baranikovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Zelyony Gai, Urozhainoye, Blagodatnoye, Vladimirovka, Yevgenovka and Staromlinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Ulyanovka and Pologi in the Zaporozhye Region, Novaya Zburyevka and Krynki in the Kherson Region," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian air defense systems "intercepted three rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system," the general said.

Russian forces destroy over 3,500 military drones in Ukraine operation

Russian forces have destroyed over 3,500 Ukrainian combat drones since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.

"In all, the following targets have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation: 403 aircraft, 223 helicopters, 3,502 unmanned aerial vehicles, 414 surface-to-air missile systems, 8,363 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,070 multiple rocket launchers, 4,403 field artillery guns and mortars and 9,039 special military motor vehicles," the general specified.

Seorang Polisi Diseruduk Mobil Fortuner, Pelaku Tak Terima Ditegur Langgar Lalu Lintas

Video Viral kelakuan tidak terpuji pengendara mobil Fortuner terhadap petugas kepolisian yang mengatur lalu lintas. Pengendara Fortuner tetap melajukan mobilnya, meski telah dihalau oleh petugas kepolisian di lampu merah di kawasan Rawa Buaya, Jakarta Barat.

Video yang diunggah akun Instagram @jakartabarat24jam, memperlihatkan seorang polisi lalu lintas sedang berada di depan mobil tersebut untuk mengadang, namun pegendara malah menyeruduk polisi tersebut.

Bahkan, bodi mobilnya sedikit menyenggol petugas di tengah kepadatan lalu lintas. Tak lama kemudian, petugas dari Dinas Perhubungan dan polisi lain menghampiri.

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A post shared by JAKBAR 24 JAM (@jakartabarat24jam)

Terlihat salah satu polisi berbicara kepada pengendara mobil tersebut melalui jendela mobil. Peristiwa ini dibenarkan oleh Kasat Lantas Polres Jakarta Barat Kompol Maulana Karepesina.

"Ya, pengendara melanggar rambu dan ditegur sama anggota. Namun kendaraannya tetap melaju," kata Maulana saat dikonfirmasi, hari Selasa, 21/03/2023.

Maulana menyebutkan, bahwa kejadian tersebut terjadi pada Senin (20/3/2023) sekitar pukul 17.00 WIB.

Pengendara Fortuner yang belum diketahui identitasnya itu menggunakan jalur tambahan di ruas jalan menuju Tol Rawa Buaya.

"Pengendara salah, kejadiannya kemarin. Itu anggota pengaturan jalan menuju Tol Rawa Buaya, dan belokan kanan itu harusnya terpakai dua jalur tapi pengendara ambil jalur tambahan ketiga," papar Maulana.

Mobil yang digunakan bukan merupakan mobil dinas. Atas peristiwa tersebut, Maulana memastikan bahwa anggota polisi yang berada di lokasi tidak mengalami luka di tubuhnya.

"Petugas tidak apa-apa, pengendara tetap jalan tidak ada masalah," jelas Maulana.

Artikel ini telah tayang di Kompas.com dengan judul "Ditegur karena Langgar Lalu Lintas, Pengendara Fortuner Malah "Seruduk" Polisi di Jalan Rawa Buaya Jakbar"

Putin-Xi Meeting Could Herald End of 'Dollar Hegemony' and US Domination

©Sputnik/Sergey Karpuhin/Go to the mediabank

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow for in-depth talks with Vladimir Putin has provoked angry responses from Washington and Europe. Hong Kong-based political and financial analyst Angelo Giuliano explains why the summit can be seen as a threat to Western hegemony.

Closer economic ties Russia and China could spell the end of the dollar's primacy in trade and even US imperialist hegemony.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday for three days of talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The meeting had already provoked a flurry of angry statements and political diversions, including the International Criminal Court's attempt to accuse Putin of child abduction and Washington's rejection of Beijing's blueprint for peace in Ukraine.

Washington's Downfall?

Angelo Giuliano told Sputnik that ever-deepening cooperation between the two Eurasian giants had "far reaching consequences for the 'collective West'." "China and Russia are very complementary," Giuliano explained. "Russia has the natural resources that China is lacking and China has a very large industrial/manufacturing base and financial strength."

Crucially, China can help Russia bypass sanctions imposed by Western countries following the launch of the military operation in Ukraine.

Moreover, "Both countries are preparing for a possible wider confrontation with the collective West," Giuliano stressed. "Both countries are already in a de-facto alliance."

The agenda for the summit is likely to include building a new international money transfer mechanism, independent from the Western SWIFT system that Russia is now locked out of. The analyst said that could eventually be based on a new currency controlled the BRICS development bank, based on a basket of the member states' currencies and backed by gold reserves.

That could herald the end of US dominance of the financial system and the privileged position of its currency in international trade.

"The end of the dollar hegemony would initiate the downfall of the US, the end of the exorbitant privilege to print the global currency, to constantly finance trade deficit by issuing US debt which not meant to be repaid, a de-facto 'Ponzi scheme'," Giuliano said. "This would mean the end of lavish US lifestyle at the expanse of the Global South."

A new international financial system, in competition with the US-based 'Bretton-Woods' institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), could be opened up to any country which wants to join, the expert said.

Its selling point would be "a much more democratic system without the veto vote applied in the US controlled World Bank and IMF," Giuliano said. "Many countries have shown interest and the shift could be gradual."

More and more Western leaders are describing Beijing in terms such as "systemic challenge" or even an "opponent," and new data shows China's manufacturing sector is now bigger than the US and European union combined. "China is already leading in 37 out 44 technologies, the West is definitely seeing this as a challenge in the long run," Giuliano pointed out. "But it is just unavoidable as China has a much larger population and has 10 times more STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) graduates than the US."

Chris Devonshire-Ellis, Chairman of Dezan Shira & Associates with a thirty-year investment and business career in China, Russia and Asia, wrote that Russia and China are likely to strengthen military as well as economic cooperation.

Regional security will be high on the agenda, with the 22-year-old Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) set to be "enhanced" and expanded to include such countries as Belarus, Bahrain, the Maldives, Myanmar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"This will give the SCO regional coverage over the complete Eurasian land mass to the borders of Eastern Europe, as well as include significant gains in the Middle East and South-East Asia," Devonshire-Ellis wrote. "This is likely to be seen as the world ‘beyond the West’ within a new Cold War and has specific ramifications in the energy and trade sectors."

He predicted the West would dub the expanding SCO a ‘threat to NATO’ and use it to justify a military build-up in Europe and prolonging the conflict in Ukraine.

But "Russia and to some extent China view NATO as the initial problem as it has expanded eastwards," Devonshire-Ellis pointed out, and the SCO will become "the security front line between the two."

The rejection of China's 12-point peace plan for Ukraine by Washington and Brussels shows how the West's rhetoric on the conflict has become "shrill, increasingly prone to conspiracy theories and misinformation, and warmongering."

"The danger here is that the rest of the world has a vested interest in this conflict too, essential supply chains have been disrupted in both food and energy and have created real stress factors in multiple developing nations," Devonshire-Ellis warned.

He explained that Beijing's interest in peace stemmed from Ukraine's membership of its 'Belt and Road' initiative to secure trade routes to Europe and Africa. China has provided loans to improve Ukraine's ports, roads, and rail infrastructure. It is also the country's biggest trade partner, the source of 14.4 per cent of Ukraine's imports and buying 15.3 per cent of its exports.

Russia, China contribute to strengthening multipolar world, says Putin

The relations between Moscow and Beijing contribute to strengthening the multipolar world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday.

"As a whole, our interaction on the international scene undoubtedly contributes to strengthening the fundamental principles of the world order and the multipolar system," the Russian leader stressed.

Both countries have a lot of issues to discuss in the sphere of economic interaction as well, Putin said.

"Tomorrow we will be able to talk about that with the participation of our partners and counterparts. Today I am glad that you have deemed it possible to find time and come in the evening to talk calmly on all the issues of interest for us in an informal and friendly atmosphere," the Russian president said.

"You are welcome," Putin said, greeting his Chinese counterpart.

Putin and Xi Jinping will hold their basic talks on March 21 with the participation of delegations from both countries.

Barricades Unloaded Outside Manhattan Court Amid Protest Concern Over Potential Trump indictment

New York City braces for Trump indictment after ex-president urges protests

Manhattan Court, New York City

Government workers unloaded barricades outside of the Manhattan Criminal Court with all media waiting for a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump in relation to a hush-money probe, Sputnik Correspondent reported on Monday.

American and foreign journalist gathered to report on any action prior to Trump’s announced indictment for Tuesday. Barricades are waiting to be put in place and so far only leaning against the walls.

The local New York City Police Department (NYPD) has strengthened its forces with a couple of officers waiting around. It is unclear yet when and whether the trial will happen. Trump’s main witness Robert Costello, however, is supposed to be already inside of the court - walking in through a second entrance.

Costello is an attorney and once a legal adviser to Trump attorney Michael Cohen.

©AP Photo / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez

There are also plans to coordinate the work of various agencies to prevent security breaches, including Michael Magliano, the chief of public safety for the courts, will meet the NYPD and Secret Service at One Police Plaza on Monday afternoon to discuss security.

Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers, told British media that officials need to discuss how to bring Trump and his lawyers into the courthouse safely.

"We’re going to have to close off the street around the courthouse so somebody doesn’t put a car there with a bomb," Quirk said. "How are you going to get Trump to the building, how are you going to get him into the building and court, how are you going to get him out safely? There’s going to be people, protesters in the street."

Quirk pointed out that the alleged leaks from the office of New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg have made things much more complicated and said it might be worth moving the hearings online.

In an email to staff on Saturday - reported by several outlets - Bragg assured staffers he was making appropriate efforts to ensure their safety.

"We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York," he wrote. "Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday declined to comment on the reported indictment and impending arrest of the former US president, citing the ongoing investigation by Manhattan prosecutors.

"It’s an ongoing investigation. We do not comment on any ongoing investigations from here," Jean-Pierre said during the Monday briefing.

On Saturday, Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that he expected to be arrested on March 21, and called on his supporters to protest. Trump criticized a "corrupt and highly political" Manhattan District Attorney's Office for trying to arrest him based on "old and fully debunked" charges. US media reported that an unnamed Trump spokesperson said the former commander-in-chief believed Bragg "hates him."

Trump's possible arrest is connected to the alleged 2016 hush payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payments were reportedly issued in a bid to prevent her from disclosing an alleged 2006 sexual affair with Trump, who has repeatedly denied all accusations.

Emas tembus 2.000 dolar karena kekhawatiran perbankan global berlanjut

Emas tembus 2.000 dolar karena kekhawatiran perbankan global berlanjut Petugas menunjukkan emas Antam di Butik Antam Pulo Gadung, Jakarta, Selasa (14/3/2023). Harga emas PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) Tbk. mengalami kenaikan menjadi Rp1,064 juta per gram pada Selasa (14/3) dari harga Senin (13/3) Rp1,054 juta per gram dan harga akhir pekan lalu berada di level Rp1,049 juta per gram karena sejalan dengan penguatan harga emas dunia. ANTARA FOTO/Aditya Pradana Putra/tom. (ANTARA FOTO/ADITYA PRADANA PUTRA)

Harga emas menguat pada akhir perdagangan Senin (Selasa pagi WIB), setelah menembus level psikologis 2.000 dolar AS dan memperpanjang keuntungan untuk sesi kedua berturut-turut karena kekhawatiran atas penularan krisis sektor perbankan global berlanjut.

Kontrak emas paling aktif untuk pengiriman April di divisi Comex New York Exchange, terangkat 9,30 dolar AS atau 0,47 persen menjadi ditutup pada 1.982,80 dolar AS per ounce, setelah diperdagangkan menyentuh level tertinggi sesi di 2.014,90 dolar AS dan terendah di 1.970,00 dolar AS.

Emas berjangka melonjak 50,50 dolar AS atau 2,63 persen menjadi 1.973,50 dolar AS pada hari Jumat, 17/03/2023, setelah jatuh 8,30 dolar AS atau 0,43 persen menjadi 1.923,00 dolar AS pada hari Kamis, 16/03/2023, dan terkerek 20,40 dolar AS atau 1,07 persen menjadi 1.931,30 dolar AS pada hari Rabu, 15/03/2023.

Emas sempat menembus di atas 2.000 dolar AS karena pengambilalihan Credit Suisse oleh UBS memicu kekhawatiran tentang lebih banyak kejatuhan sektor perbankan, mendorong permintaan safe-haven yang sangat besar untuk emas.

Harga emas telah bergerak naik cepat sejak krisis perbankan AS meletus lebih dari seminggu yang lalu dengan pengambilalihan dua pemberi pinjaman menengah, Silicon Valley Bank dan Signature Bank, oleh Federal Deposit Insurance Corp karena deposan menarik miliaran dolar dari mereka setelah takut tentang solvabilitas mereka.

Silicon Valley kemudian mengajukan perlindungan kebangkrutan. Bank ketiga, First Republic Bank juga mengarungi masalah meskipun menerima suntikan tunai sebesar 30 miliar dolar AS dari konsorsium bank-bank AS.

Krisis perbankan telah menyebar ke Eropa, dengan Credit Suisse Group, salah satu nama terkemuka di perbankan investasi global, harus mencari bantuan dari bank sentral Swiss.

Beberapa serbuan investor menuju aset-aset safe-haven mereda pada Senin (20/3/2023) setelah bank investasi Swiss UBS mengatakan akan membeli rekan yang terlilit kesulitan likuiditas Credit Suisse dan JPMorgan tampaknya membuat kemajuan dalam menyelamatkan First Republic.

"Emas mempertahankan momentum bullish-nya meskipun turun 45 dolar AS dari tertinggi intraday 2.010 dolar AS karena harga menunjukkan ketahanan yang diperhitungkan dari terendah 1.965 dolar AS," kata Sunil Kumar Dixit, kepala ahli strategi teknis di SKCharting.com.

Investor sekarang sedang menunggu hasil pertemuan Komite Pasar Terbuka Federal (FOMC) pada hari Rabu, 22/03/2023.

Uji bullish emas berikutnya mungkin datang pada hari Rabu, 22/03/2023) dan mungkin bukan dari keputusan suku bunga Fed, tetapi apa yang Powell dan rekannya katakan tentang jalur kenaikan suku bunga ke depan, kata Craig Erlam, analis di platform perdagangan daring OANDA.

Jatuhnya indeks dolar AS juga mendukung emas. Dolar melemah pada hari Senin, 20/03/2023), karena para pedagang dengan hati-hati mempertimbangkan pengambilalihan Credit Suisse oleh raksasa perbankan Swiss UBS dengan indeks dolar, yang mengukur greenback terhadap enam mata uang utama lainnya, turun 0,42 persen menjadi 103,2828.

Logam mulia lainnya, perak untuk pengiriman Mei terdongkrak 18,40 sen atau 0,82 persen, menjadi ditutup pada 22,646 dolar AS per ounce. Platinum untuk pengiriman April bertambah 18,20 dolar AS atau 1,86 persen, menjadi menetap di 996,80 dolar AS per ounce.

Menteri Israel mengatakan 'tidak ada yang namanya' orang Palestina

FOTO FILE. Bezalel Smotrich.
©Getty Images/NurPhoto/Gili Yaari

Tidak ada yang namanya sejarah atau budaya Palestina, dan tidak ada yang namanya rakyat Palestina, klaim Menteri Keuangan Israel Bezalel Smotrich. Menteri, yang ditugasi administrasi Tepi Barat yang diduduki, membuat pernyataan yang menghasut pada hari Minggu saat berkunjung ke Perancis.

Smotrich berbicara pada acara peringatan untuk memperingati Jacques Kupfer, seorang Zionis terkemuka dan aktivis Partai Likud sayap kanan, yang meninggal pada tahun 2021. Disebut peta 'Israel Raya' yang tampaknya mencakup Tepi Barat, Yerusalem Timur, Gaza dan Yordania, rekaman acara tersebut, yang dibagikan secara luas secara online, yang diperlihatkan

Rakyat Palestina adalah penemuan yang berusia kurang dari 100 tahun.

Smotrich, seorang pemukim di Tepi Barat yang diduduki sendiri, juga mengaku sebagai orang Palestina sejati, sambil menggambarkan mendiang kakeknya sebagai "generasi ke-13 Yerusalem" dan "Palestina sejati".

Pernyataan kontroversial itu memicu kemarahan para pejabat Palestina, yang mengutuk mereka sebagai "rasis" dan "ekstrimis". Kementerian Luar Negeri Palestina mengutuk penyangkalan Smotrich atas keberadaan warga Palestina, dengan menyatakan bahwa pernyataan seperti itu “memupuk lingkungan yang memicu ekstremisme dan terorisme Yahudi terhadap rakyat kami.”

Ini adalah kontroversi besar kedua yang telah dipicu oleh Smotrich, yang terkenal dengan sikap Zionis garis kerasnya dan pernyataan anti-Palestina yang berulang-ulang, bulan ini.

Di awal bulan, menteri menyerukan untuk "memusnahkan" kota Palestina Huwara, yang menyaksikan kerusuhan oleh pemukim Israel setelah penembakan dua pemukim oleh seorang pria bersenjata Palestina. Kerusuhan itu merenggut nyawa setidaknya satu warga Palestina di Huwara.

Pernyataan tersebut mendapat kecaman luas, mendorong menteri untuk mundur dan mengklaim dia "tidak bermaksud bahwa kota Huwara harus dihancurkan," tetapi bahwa Israel harus "bertindak dengan cara yang ditargetkan terhadap teroris dan pendukung terorisme."

Kementerian Luar Negeri Yordania mengatakan bahwa penampilan Smotrich dengan ikon tersebut adalah "tindakan menghasut yang sembrono dan pelanggaran norma internasional dan perjanjian damai" antara kedua negara.

Ahmed Abu Zaid, juru bicara Kementerian Luar Negeri Mesir, mengatakan pernyataan menteri Israel itu "menyangkal fakta sejarah dan geografi ... (dan) merusak upaya yang ditujukan untuk mencapai ketenangan antara pihak Palestina dan Israel."

Kementerian Luar Negeri Israel pada Senin malam merilis sebuah pernyataan yang menegaskan bahwa mereka berkomitmen pada perjanjian perdamaian tahun 1994 negara tersebut.

"Tidak ada perubahan dalam posisi Negara Israel, yang mengakui integritas teritorial Kerajaan Hashemite," kata pernyataan itu.

Perdana Menteri Palestina Mohammad Shtayyeh mengatakan pernyataan Smotrich adalah "bukti konklusif dari ideologi ekstrimis, Zionis rasis yang mengatur partai-partai pemerintah Israel saat ini."

Seorang pemimpin pemukim sayap kanan yang menentang negara Palestina, Smotrich memiliki sejarah pernyataan ofensif terhadap Palestina. Bulan lalu, dia menyerukan kota Palestina Hawara di Tepi Barat untuk "dihapus" setelah pemukim Yahudi radikal mengamuk di kota itu sebagai tanggapan atas serangan penembakan yang menewaskan dua warga Israel. Smotrich kemudian meminta maaf setelah keributan internasional.