France is offering its services to mediate the Ukrainian crisis is mere grandstanding amid the difficulties Europe is experiencing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters.
"Knowing what is going on in Europe now, it (the desire to mediate - TASS) is probably a desire to make itself the center of attention, a desire to show how active you are and how you need to be supported," he pointed out.
Lavrov recalled French President Emmanuel Macron's recent contradictory statements about his intention to supply the Kiev regime with long-range missiles to continue the war with Russia, while at the same time displaying readiness to play the role of a mediator and call Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
"If someone wants to make a contribution to the search for a settlement, they do not use a microphone," the top Russian diplomat said. "It is done through the appropriate channels," he added.
"Everyone knows this. For what purpose public, boisterous statements are made on one issue or another: that we will be a mediator, that we will give some long-range missiles to be fired on Russian territory - it is very difficult for me to see anything rational in these statements," Lavrov said.
In this regard, Lavrov pointed to the fact that "France has already been a mediator." "Mr. Macron's predecessor, Mr. [Francois] Hollande, was a mediator, a guarantor of the Minsk agreements, and then last year he suddenly said with pride.
'We didn't want to fulfill anything there. We had to buy time to pump Ukraine with weapons against Russia,'" Lavrov recalled the former French president's words, noting that the Minsk agreements had been endorsed by the UN Security Council.
"So when Macron says, 'Let's give [Ukraine] long-range missiles,' it's the same thing Hollande said when he was a mediator," the top diplomat summarized.
Russia, South Africa have good outlook for diversified cooperation — Lavrov
"The presidents identified - and will keep doing so - ways of further developing our relations in all areas and in the economy, investment, high technology, science, education, sports and military-technical cooperation," the top Russian diplomat said.
Russia and South Africa have a good outlook for cooperation in various areas, including economic and military-technical cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told the media.
He is certain that relations between Moscow and Pretoria are "excellent and on the rise."
Lavrov recalled that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had visited Russia twice this year.
"On both occasions, bilateral talks [with Russian President Vladimir Putin] took place. They were frank, useful and keynoted by trust. The presidents identified - and will keep doing so - ways of further developing our relations in all areas and in the economy, investment, high technology, science, education, sports and military-technical cooperation," Lavrov said.
He emphasized that Moscow appreciated the strong memories all leading politicians in South Africa retained about the role of the Soviet Union in the fight against Apartheid.
"We have a very solid historical and political foundation. On this basis we are now paying ever more attention to the areas of material cooperation that I have mentioned. We have very good prospects. I have no doubts about this," Lavrov said.
"Startup4industry bertujuan untuk menyebarkan implementasi transformasi digital agar daya saing, nilai tambah, serta efisiensi di sektor industri semakin meningkat"
Direktur Jenderal Industri Kecil, Menengah, dan Aneka (IKMA) Kementerian Perindustrian Reni Yanita. ANTARA/HO-Kementerian Perindustrian
Kementerian Perindustrian (Kemenperin) terus berupaya mengakselerasi transformasi digital di industri manufaktur dengan menghubungkan startup dan industri di program "Startup4ndustry".
"Program Startup4ndustry menjadi jurus Kemenperin untuk dapat menyiapkan tech startup Indonesia sebagai penyedia teknologi bagi industri dan masyarakat," kata Direktur Jenderal Industri Kecil, Menengah, dan Aneka (IKMA) Kemenperin Reni Yanita dalam keterangan di Jakarta, Kamis.
Program Startup4industry berperan penting sebagai hub atau penghubung bagi industri dan startup untuk berbagi sumber daya, seperti akses untuk manufaktur mass production, akses pembiayaan, basis data permasalahan industri, akses kompetisi implementasi teknologi, akses ke pasar yang lebih luas, hingga menuju go global.
"Startup4industry bertujuan untuk menyebarkan implementasi transformasi digital agar daya saing, nilai tambah, serta efisiensi di sektor industri semakin meningkat," katanya.
Kemenperin telah membuka pendaftaran program Startup for Industry pada 14 Maret-31 Mei 2023. Kompetisi tahun ini yang merupakan gelaran keenam kalinya, akan mengusung tema "Inspiring Industry Transformation".
Tercatat sebanyak 1.115 startup telah berpartisipasi dan melalui proses seleksi administrasi, video, pitching matchmaking. Dari proses tersebut, terpilih 111 finalis serta 100 hubungan bisnis antara startup dan industri.
Nantinya, terdapat 20 finalis pilihan yang akan melaksanakan proyek implementasi selama tiga bulan di 20 mitra dari sektor IKM, dengan pengawasan dan bimbingan dari tim Startup4industry untuk memenuhi target key performance indicator (KPI) yang telah ditetapkan.
"Setelah para finalis terpilih, startup teknologi akan mengimplementasikan beberapa solusi teknologi, seperti automation, industrial internet of things, digitalisasi proses bisnis, artificial intelligence, green industry, teknologi imersif, advanced digital marketing dan traceability," sebutnya.
Dalam program ini, Ditjen IKMA Kemenperin telah menyalurkan pendanaan sebesar Rp3 miliar untuk membiayai 58 proyek implementasi dalam periode tahun 2018-2023, sekaligus pemberian penghargaan kepada para startup pemenang saat program berakhir.
"Ke depannya, Startup4industry memiliki visi melahirkan kisah-kisah sukses pelaksanaan transformasi teknologi secara nyata, yang dapat menginspirasi para pelaku industri melakukan perubahan yang sama untuk ekspansi dan keberlanjutan usahanya," imbuh Reni.
Kemenperin turut berpartisipasi pada event pameran Indonesia 4.0 Conference & Expo untuk dapat mempromosikan program S4I dengan menggandeng Asosiasi Start Up For Industry Indonesia (Starfindo).
One man drowned and dramatic bolts of lightning struck Makkah as the city was lashed by thunderstorms overnight on Tuesday and early on Wednesday.
Mohammed Al-Twaim, a teacher at Mina Elementary School, lost his life trying to escape from his car after it was engulfed by floodwater.
As pilgrims tried to circumambulate the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, lightning hit the landmark Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel, illuminating the night sky. The storm brought gale force winds exceeding 80 kph and 45 millimetres of rain within 24 hours, said National Center for Meteorology spokesman Hussein Al-Qahtani.
Pilgrims outside the mosque were toppled over by the wind, which sent crowd barriers sliding across the rain-slicked floor. “The scene was very scary,” said Makkah resident Mohammed, who was grocery shopping at the height of the storm. “Everything happened within a few minutes, when it started raining in a crazy way.”
The floods at street due to heavy rains in Mecca, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 (22.08.2023)
Al-Qahtani said the Mecca neighbourhood of al-Kakiyyah recorded 45 millimetres (1.8 inches) of rain within 24 hours.
Videos online also showed mild flooding in some neighbourhoods of Mecca, forcing citizens to take shelter and stop cars.
Conditions appeared similar to a 2015 storm that felled a crane at the Grand Mosque, or the Masjid al-Haram, the mosque enclosing the vicinity of the Kaaba, killing more than 100 people and injuring hundreds more.
Saudi authorities reported no casualties or significant incidents as a result of Tuesday’s storms.
Flash flooding had mostly dissipated by Wednesday morning, according to residents, but the situation could still prove risky.
Another resident, Abu Mayyada, was out buying cigarettes and petrol when “everything went black in front of me” as the worst of the storm hit, he said. “Suddenly I lost control over the vehicle. I couldn’t see anything so I started listening to the Qur’an on the radio. I didn’t understand what was happening.”
The Makkah governorate said schools would remain closed, with classes conducted on an e-learning platform “in the interest of everyone's safety.”
The meteorology center warned of further storms in the Makkah region and elsewhere in western Saudi Arabia.
— المتحدث الرسمي للمركز الوطني للأرصاد (@spokespncm) August 22, 2023
Translation : Official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology: The downward winds that hit the holy capital exceeded 80km/h, and al-Kakiyyah recorded the highest amount of rain at 45mm, while the chances of rain remain moderate overall, God willing.
Moreover, the Mecca regional government said on the X platform that schools would be closed in parts of Mecca on Wednesday, with classes to be held on an e-learning platform “in the interest of everyone’s safety”.
Mecca resident Abu Mayyada told the AFP news agency he was out buying cigarettes and petrol when “everything went black in front of me” as the worst of the storm hit.
“Suddenly I lost control of the vehicle. I couldn’t see anything so I started listening to the Quran on the radio. I didn’t understand what was happening,” he said.
Mecca resident Mohammed, who like other residents asked to remain anonymous, told AFP that scenes around the Grand Mosque were very scary.
“Everything happened within a few minutes when it started raining in a crazy way,” he said.
Another resident, Yusuf, said August usually brought strong winds to Mecca but that Tuesday’s storm was “the worst” he could remember.
Russian forces conducted offensive operations and improved their tactical position in the Kupyansk area over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Wednesday.
"In the Kupyansk direction, assault teams of the western battlegroup conducted offensive operations in the assigned areas of responsibility and improved their tactical position," the spokesman said.
Russian forces eliminate 170 Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk area over past day
Russian forces repelled four Ukrainian army attacks in the Kupyansk area, eliminating roughly 170 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"The Ukrainian army’s losses totaled 170 personnel, a tank, five armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, a US-made M777 artillery system and a D-20 howitzer," the spokesman said.
In the past 24 hours, Russian forces supported by aircraft, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems repulsed four attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 67th mechanized, 68th jaeger, 25th airborne and 95th air assault brigades near Sinkovka in the Kharkov Region, Novoyegorovka and Novosyolovskoye in the Lugansk People’s Republic, the general reported.
Russian forces eliminate 60 Ukrainian troops in Krasny Liman area over past day
Russian forces eliminated roughly 60 Ukrainian troops in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Krasny Liman direction, units of the battlegroup Center using air strikes, artillery and heavy flamethrower fires repulsed two attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 21st mechanized brigade and 5th National Guard brigade in areas near the settlements of Yampolovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
The enemy’s losses in the Krasny Liman direction over the past 24 hours amounted to "60 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, two pickup trucks and a D-30 howitzer," the general reported.
Russian forces repulse three Ukrainian attacks in Donetsk area over past day
Russian forces repulsed three Ukrainian army attacks in the Donetsk area, destroying roughly 180 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Donetsk direction, units of the southern battlegroup, air strikes and artillery fire repelled three attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army near the settlements of Nevelskoye, Mayorsk and Kurdyumovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The Ukrainian army’s losses totaled 180 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, three motor vehicles, an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery gun, a Gvozdika motorized artillery system, a D-20 howitzer and a D-30 howitzer," the spokesman said.
Ukraine’s army suffers 145 losses in south Donetsk area in past day
Russian forces struck Ukrainian army units in the south Donetsk area, killing and wounding about 145 enemy troops and destroying a tank and a howitzer over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the south Donetsk direction, aircraft and artillery of the battlegroup East struck amassed enemy manpower and hardware in areas near the settlements of Staromayorskoye and Urozhainoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The enemy’s losses totaled as many as 145 Ukrainian personnel killed and wounded, a tank, three motor vehicles and a US-made M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer," the spokesman said.
Near the settlement of Rovnopol in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces neutralized two Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups, the general reported.
Russian forces thwart four Ukrainian attacks in Zaporozhye area over past day
Russian forces repulsed four Ukrainian army attacks in the Zaporozhye area, destroying about 80 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Zaporozhye direction, four attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 65th mechanized brigade were repulsed by the skilled operations of units from the Russian battlegroup, air strikes and artillery fire near the settlements of Rabotino in the Zaporozhye Region," the spokesman said.
During the last 24-hour period, Russian forces destroyed "as many as 80 Ukrainian personnel, four motor vehicles, a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery gun, a German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 motorized artillery system, a D-30 gun, three US-made M119 howitzers and a US-manufactured AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar station," the general reported.
Russian forces destroy 20 Ukrainian troops in Kherson area over past day
Russian forces destroyed about 20 Ukrainian troops in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Kherson direction, as many as 20 Ukrainian personnel, three motor vehicles and a Gvozdika motorized artillery system were destroyed as a result of damage inflicted by combined firepower," the spokesman said.
Russian air defenses destroy 18 Ukrainian combat drones over past day
Russian air defense forces intercepted a rocket of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and destroyed 18 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Air defense capabilities intercepted a rocket of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. In addition, they destroyed 18 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near the settlements of Shipilovka, Privolye and Makeyevka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Berestovoye and Kurdyumovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Chistopolye, Lyubimovka, Mirnoye and Inzhenernoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the spokesman said.
Russian forces wipe out two Ukrainian army brigades’ command posts in DPR
Russian forces destroyed command posts of two Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Near the settlements of Serebryanka and Dronovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, two command posts of the Ukrainian army’s 67th mechanized and 81st air mobile brigades were destroyed," the spokesman said.
During the last 24-hour period, operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces inflicted damage on Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in 143 areas, the general reported.
Russian forces also destroyed a P-18 air defense radar of the Ukrainian army in the area of the city of Zaporozhye, he said.
In all, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 462 Ukrainian warplanes, 246 combat helicopters, 5,970 unmanned aerial vehicles, 431 surface-to-air missile systems, 11,457 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,144 multiple rocket launchers, 6,011 field artillery guns and mortars and 12,390 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the audience of the 15th BRICS summit, highlighting the most crucial issues of global policy and economic cooperation.
The BRICS countries have taken a firm stance on the global arena and protect the interests of the majority of world states, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Our five countries have taken a firm stance on the international arena and represent a reputable entity," Putin said at a plenary session at a BRICS summit in South Africa.
The authority of the organization is constantly being strengthened because its goals meets the aspirations of the main part of the international community — the "so-called world majority," Putin added.
BRICS countries support the formation of a multipolar world order, based on the rule of international law along with the right of self-determination for all peoples, the president said, adding that the five BRICS countries oppose hegemony and the policy of neocolonialism.
On Ukrainian Crisis and Special Military Operation
Russia's actions in Ukraine are meant to put an end to the war that was unleashed against civilians by Kiev and supported by the West, Vladimir Putin said in his address.
"Russia has decided to support people who are fighting for their culture, for their traditions and their language, their future. Our actions in Ukraine are guided by only one thing — to put an end to the war that was unleashed by the West and their satellites in Ukraine against the people living in Donbass," Putin said at a plenary session at a BRICS summit in South Africa.
On Development Path for BRICS
Vladimir Putin said it is high time to establish permanent commission on transport within BRICS framework, which will work on logistics.
"An important priority for the BRICS interaction is the creation of new sustainable and safe transport routes ... We believe that the time has come to establish a permanent transport commission within the framework of BRICS, which would deal not only with the North-South project, but also, on a broader scale, with the development of logistics and transport corridors," Putin stressed.
Russia also looks forward to intensifying cooperation between the BRICS countries in the field of research, the president said, adding that Moscow is ready to share technologies.
He stressed that BRICS countries must expand settlements in national currencies and enhance cooperation between banks.
"We will contribute to the further comprehensive implementation of the BRICS economic partnership strategy until 2025 and the development of new long-term guidelines. Among them, we see a need in increasing the role of our states in the international monetary and financial system, the development of interbank cooperation, the expansion of the use of national currencies and the deepening of cooperation between tax, customs, and antimonopoly authorities," Putin said at a plenary session at the BRICS summit in South Africa.
On Women’s Role in Economy and Politics
Russia supports holding a separate ministerial meeting of BRICS member states on women, whose role in the economy and politics of countries should increase, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
"We totally support the proposal by our South African colleagues on organizing a separate ministerial meeting on women, whose role in the political, economic and social life should undoubtedly expand," Putin said.
On Next Year BRICS Summit
Russia will chair BRICS next year and will host the summit of the leaders in the city of Kazan in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
"Next year, the BRICS chairmanship will be passed to Russia... We are planning about 200 political, economic and social events, which will be hosted in a dozen Russian cities. At the same time, we plan to hold the BRICS summit in October 2024 in Kazan," Putin said at a plenary session at a BRICS summit in South Africa.
Specific dates will be agreed through diplomatic channels, the president added.
Putin also invited the BRICS countries to take part in the international cultural forum, which is scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg on November 16-18, as the event could become a platform for dialogue about the future of culture in the world.
Meski di beberapa wilayah di kabupaten Bogor masih ada gerimis dan hujan ringan. Namun, hujan tersebut tidak bisa membuat kekeringan di beberapa wilayah teratasi.
Bahkan, kekeringan di Kabupaten Bogor semakin meluas. Awalnya yang kekeringan hanya 12 kecamatan, saat ini bertambah.
Data dari BPBD Kabupaten Bogor mencatat, hingga 8 Agustus 2023 kekeringan meluas ke 19 kecamatan.
Kepala Bidang Pencegahan dan Kesiapsiagaan BPBD Kabupaten Bogor, Agus Suyatna memaparkan 12 kecamatan yang terdampak kekeringan itu yakni, Cijeruk, Jasinga, nanggung, Jonggol, Cibungbulang, Cisarua, Rancabungur, Tenjo, Sukajaya, Leuwisadeng, Citeureup dan Babakan Madang.
Tahun ini, kekeringan yang masuk kategori ekstrem untuk pertama kalinya melanda kawasan Puncak Bogor yaitu di Kecamatan Cisarua.
"Betul, daerah pegunungan seperti Cisarua biasanya mengandalkan air dari mata air. Karena sekarang musim kemarau, debit air dari mata air di sana pun menurun (kering)," ujar Plt Kasie Logistik BPBD Kabupaten Bogor, Cecep Dais saat dihubungi media Kompas.com, hari Rabu, 22/08/2023.
Aris mengatakan, adapun untuk jumlah jiwa yang terdampak secara keseluruhan mencapai 103.567 jiwa tersebar di 64 desa atau kelurahan.
Seiring dengan itu, permintaan bantuan air bersih pun terus meningkat hingga saat ini.
BPBD Kabupaten Bogor masih terus berupaya memasok atau menyalurkan air bersih dengan mobil tangki ke rumah warga.
Sejauh ini, kata dia, semua permohonan air bersih sedang diupayakan untuk dipenuhi.
Cecep menyebutkan, telah mengirimkan total air bersih sebanyak 1.035.000 liter.
"Sampai saat ini sudah 1.035.000 air yang disalurkan sejak tanggal 3 Mei sampai kemarin 22 Agustus 2023," ungkapnya.
Pendistribusian bantuan air dilakukan guna meringankan derita setiap warga. Mereka menggunakan air tersebut untuk kebutuhan dasar seperti mandi, masak, dan mencuci.
Karena masifnya permintaan air akibat kekeringan tersebut, Pemkab Bogor melalui BPBD mengeluarkan surat edaran siaga darurat bencana kekeringan.
Cecep mengatakan, butuh dukungan dari pihak lain agar untuk menyalurkan air bersih hingga Oktober.
Sebagai langkah antisipasi, para kades, camat agar memaksimalkan sumber daya, sarana prasarana serta pembiayaan yang tersedia untuk penanganan kekeringan di tiap wilayahnya.
"Sementara pengiriman air dari BPBD tetap berlanjut. semoga juga dapat dibantu dari dinas teknis, lembaga dan organisasi lain serta pihak dunia usaha agar turut serta membantu dalam penangan krisis air bersih untuk masyarakat di Kabupaten Bogor," jelas Cecep.
