Kratom Earth

 Russia and Ukraine agreed Wednesday to extend a deal allowing grain exports across the Black Sea, a rare example of cooperation as the war rages and one of Kyiv’s valuable Patriot anti-missile systems was confirmed to be damaged.

The grain deal was welcomed by the United Nations and United States, though both called for more certainty over the exports as Russia has threatened to end the pact, which is crucial to global food security.

The agreement came as Ukraine’s foreign minister met China’s special envoy in Kyiv, and insisted that the war-torn country would not accept any peace plan that relied on giving up territory.

China, a close ally of Moscow, has not publicly condemned Russia’s invasion, and envoy Li Hui sought to promote Beijing-led negotiations to resolve the conflict.

In his meeting with Li, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed “Ukraine does not accept any proposals that would involve the loss of its territories or the freezing of the conflict”, his ministry said.

Since Russia invaded, Western arms — mostly from the United States — have poured into Ukraine, including Patriot systems to help shield against relentless missile strikes targeting civilians and infrastructure.

One of only two Patriot systems confirmed to be in Ukraine was damaged by an unspecified projectile landing nearby, US officials confirmed Wednesday, though they said it was still functioning.

The Russian defense ministry said Tuesday that its forces had struck a Patriot system in Kyiv with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile, but the claim was not confirmed.

Ukraine’s air defenses have played a key role in protecting the country from strikes and preventing Moscow’s forces from gaining control of the skies.

But as Russia faced increasing setbacks on the ground, it began air attacks that have disrupted electricity, water and heat to millions of people.

– Key Ukrainian ports –

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, which has a central role in the grain deal, announced the two-month extension, saying Russia had agreed not to block ships from leaving two Ukrainian ports.

“These agreements matter for global food security; Ukrainian and Russian products feed the world,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

“I hope we will reach a comprehensive agreement to improve, expand and extend the initiative.”

Russia has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the deal, which was meant to expire on May 18, and again on Wednesday denounced “disparities” in how it is implemented.

Kyiv has accused Russia of effectively still blocking its ships by refusing to register them and conducting lengthy inspections.

“It’s a good thing that (the deal) has been extended,” said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. “Unfortunately, Russia continues even in a moment of extension to rhetorically hold it hostage in various ways.”

On the ground, fighting continued for control of the eastern town of Bakhmut.

Ukraine is seeking to take back territory occupied by Russian forces in the wake of the February 2022 invasion and also areas seized by Russia in 2014.

The battle for Bakhmut has turned into the longest standoff of the war. Ukraine is now saying it is advancing in the area, retaking Russian positions in Bakhmut’s suburbs.

In a sign of the conflict’s toll on Russia’s economy, the statistics agency Rosstat said Wednesday that the country’s gross domestic product shrank by 1.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

The economy was weighed down by another wave of Western sanctions, including a ban by the European Union on Russian petroleum products, on top of an oil price cap agreed with the G7 and Australia.

And in Iceland, a meeting of European leaders agreed to establish a “register of damages” to record the destruction wrought by Russia.

Created by the 46-nation Council of Europe, it sets up a record ahead of possible prosecutions of Russian leaders, laying the groundwork for potential compensation.

 The government today postponed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations scheduled for tomorrow under all educational boards due to very cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’, which has already made landfall in the south-eastern coastline.

“SSC and equivalent exams of all education boards scheduled for tomorrow have been postponed as the exams were supposed to be held following a single question,” said a press release signed by Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee President Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar.

Earlier, on Saturday, SSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for today (May 14) and tomorrow (May 15) under six education boards- Chattogram, Barishal, Cumilla, Jashore, Madrasah and Technical – were postponed, considering the potential impacts of cyclone ‘Mocha’.

Fresh dates for the postponed examinations will be notified later, the release added.

The exams will continue as per the routine from May 16.

 Casinos have always been a popular topic in film, with their glitz, glamour, and intrigue providing an ideal setting for compelling storylines. From classic movies like Casino and The Sting to modern blockbusters like Ocean’s Eleven and 21, the casino influence on film is undeniable. You have timeless titles from back in the day that have influenced modern movies and TV shows.

Most casinos are online nowadays and they cater to the needs of visitors with a variety of slots, table games and live-dealer titles. Some of them happen to offer sections dedicated to sports, and there are online platforms that cover sports events exclusively. For example, some platforms as you will see here cover such sites available in the US. The main thing about these sites is to enjoy them reposnibly.

The Impact on Film Environment

One of the primary ways that casinos influence film is through their portrayal as a high-stakes, high-risk environment. Whether it’s a game of poker or a roulette wheel, casinos are often depicted as places where fortunes are won and lost in a matter of seconds. This makes for a thrilling storyline, as viewers are on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next.

Great Characters

Another way that casinos influence film is through the characters that inhabit them. From mob bosses to con artists to high-rolling gamblers, casinos are home to a range of intriguing and complex characters that make for great storytelling. These characters often have their agendas and motivations, which can lead to unexpected plot twists and turns.

Common Themes in Casino Films

The casino influence on film can also be seen in the themes that often emerge in casino movies. One such theme is the idea of the big score, where a group of characters comes together to pull off a daring heist or scam. This theme can be seen in movies like Ocean’s Eleven, where a group of criminals plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos in one night.

Another common theme in casino movies is the idea of redemption. Characters who have made mistakes or fallen on hard times often turn to the casino as a way to try and turn their fortunes around. This can be seen in movies like The Gambler, where a college professor with a gambling addiction risks everything in an attempt to pay off his debts.

The Visual Impact

One of the most significant ways that casinos influence film is through their visual impact. The bright lights, neon signs, and luxurious interiors of casinos provide a visually stunning backdrop for any movie. Filmmakers often use this to their advantage, creating elaborate set pieces and action sequences that take advantage of the casino’s unique atmosphere.

The Dark Side of Casinos

Despite the glamour and excitement of casinos, however, many films also explore the darker side of gambling. This can be seen in movies like Casino, which explores the corrupt underbelly of the Las Vegas casino industry. In this movie, the casino is portrayed as a place of danger and violence, where greed and corruption rule.

Overall, the casino’s influence on film is a significant one, with casinos providing an ideal setting for compelling storylines and unforgettable characters.

 US President Joe Biden on Wednesday offered fresh criticism of Russia’s suspension of a key nuclear treaty, but stressed there was no indication Moscow was moving closer to actually using an atomic weapon.

“It’s a big mistake to do that, not very responsible,” Biden told ABC News in an interview in Poland, expanding on brief comments he made before meeting NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and eastern European leaders in Warsaw.

“But I don’t read into that that he’s thinking of using nuclear weapons or anything like that,” the US president added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced the suspension of Moscow’s participation in the New START arms treaty during a state of the nation address — a decision that was approved by Russian lawmakers on Wednesday.

The 2010 deal, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the two rival nuclear powers, commits them to limiting their stockpile of nuclear warheads.

Putin’s treaty announcement was met with widespread international condemnation, though Russia’s foreign ministry later said Moscow would continue to comply with the treaty’s restrictions in a “responsible” way until it expires in February 2026.

Biden told ABC News he was “confident that we’ll be able to work it out,” without elaborating.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s decision “deeply unfortunate and irresponsible” but said Washington was still willing to talk about the issue.

 More than 530 people have been killed this 

year in gang violence in Haiti, the United Nations said Tuesday, with many 
killed by snipers shooting victims at random.

The UN human rights office said it was concerned that extreme violence was 
spiralling out of control in Haiti.

“Clashes between gangs are becoming more violent and more frequent, as they 
try to expand their territorial control throughout the capital and other 
regions by targeting people living in areas controlled by rivals,” 
spokeswoman Marta Hurtado said.

This year, up to March 15, “531 people were killed, 300 injured and 277 
kidnapped in gang-related incidents that took place mainly in the capital, 
Port-au-Prince,” she told reporters in Geneva.

In the first two weeks of March alone, gang clashes left at least 208 dead, 
164 injured and 101 kidnapped, Hurtado said.

“Most of the victims were killed or injured by snipers who were reportedly 
randomly shooting at people in their homes or on the streets,” she added.

Students and teachers have been hit by stray bullets, and kidnappings of 
parents and pupils in the vicinity of schools has surged, forcing many to 
close.

Without the protective school environment, “many children have been forcibly 
recruited by armed gangs”, Hurtado said.

– Thousands displaced –

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, has been gripped by a worsening 
political and economic crisis since the July 2021 assassination of president 
Jovenel Moise, and gangs now control more than half the country’s territory.

The chronic instability and violence have sent food prices surging, and half 
the population does not have enough to eat, Hurtado said.

At least 160,000 people have been displaced and are living in precarious 
circumstances, with a quarter living in makeshift settlements with limited 
access to basic sanitation, she added.

“Sexual violence is also used by gangs against women and girls to terrorise, 
subjugate and punish the population,” Hurtado said, with gangs using sexual 
violence against abducted girls to pressure families into paying a ransom.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk has urged the Haitian authorities to 
address the security situation immediately, by bolstering the police and 
reforming the judicial system.

“To break the cycle of violence, corruption and impunity, all those 
responsible, including those providing support and finance to the gangs, must 
be prosecuted and tried according to the rule of law,” Hurtado said. 

“We also call on the international community to urgently consider the 
deployment of a time-bound, specialised support force,” she added.

 Former US President Donald Trump said he expects to be “arrested” on Tuesday over hush money allegedly paid to a porn star before the 2016 election, calling on his supporters to protest.

Citing a “leak” from the Manhattan district attorney’s office, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday morning: “Leading Republican candidate & former President of the United States of America will be arrested on Tuesday of next week. Protest, take our nation back!”

The investigation centers on $130,000 paid weeks before the 2016 polls to stop Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, from going public about an affair she says she had with Trump years earlier.

Prosecutors are weighing whether to charge Trump in the case.

If the Manhattan district attorney were to indict Trump, the 76-year-old would become the first former president to be charged with a crime.

Trump’s lawyer told CNBC on Friday evening that his client would surrender to face criminal charges if he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury.

Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels.

In his post, written in capital letters, Trump referred to “illegal leaks from a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorneys office.”

 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the Qatar University students to be the change-makers being remained focus on vision having the mentality to embrace the new and future.

“Lead by example and be the change-maker,” she said while addressing a session with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the students of Qatar University on theme titled “Bangladesh: a development model: Learning from Sheikh Hasina.” 

The Premier, who is now on a three-day official visit to Doha to attend the Qatar Economic Forum-2023, told the students, “To represent a value, remaining focused on your vision and make concrete plans to realize your vision.”

She also said: “Trust your people and team. Invoke your maternal spirit, and embrace the new and the future.”

During her long speech, Sheikh Hasina gave a brief description of the struggle of achieving Bangladesh’s independence under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and advancing the country towards transforming it into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041. 

“We want to build a knowledge-based, SMART Bangladesh. In SMART Bangladesh, there will be a smart government, a smart economy, a smart population, a smart society, and smart manpower,” she said.

The Prime Minister said the people will be made skilled in using digital devices so that they can contribute to the fourth industrial revolution. 

She went on saying that the purpose of Smart Bangladesh is to keep pace with the changing world and use digital devices in all areas of education, health, agriculture, industrial production, business, and trade.

“To achieve the goals, we are setting up digital labs in all educational institutions, from primary to higher education. Computer training and incubation centers and hi-tech parks are being established throughout the country,” Sheikh Hasina said. 

Skilled manpower is being built through training in artificial intelligence, she said, adding that they have passed an act to establish a nanotechnology institution.

The use of digital devices or technology has created vast employment opportunities for women in our society, the premier said.

“Today’s Bangladesh is a changed Bangladesh. It is dubbed as a role model for development. Hunger, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and etc are vanishing fast,” she said 

The Prime Minister said their hard-earned development in the country is not a miracle. 

“It is the collective work of our men and women. I have only tried to guide them in the desired direction,” she continued.

Sheikh Hasina said, however, it was not an easy journey to reach today’s position as she have had to undergo huge ordeals and persecution throughout her life. 

“My father had to spend nearly one-fourth of his life in prison. We, the children, had been deprived of his love and affection. Within three and a half years of independence, the founder of the country, my father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated along with 18 of our family members, including my mother, three brothers, two sisters-in-law, and an uncle,” she continued.

Sheikh Hasina said her youngest brother was only ten years old at the time. 

“My sister and I survived being abroad on that day. My sister and I had to lead a refugee life for six years,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she returned home in 1981, when her party Awami League made her its president. 

“I came home with a pledge to materialize my father’s dream of a poverty-, hunger, and illiteracy-free, prosperous Bangladesh,” she said.

On return, Sheikh Hasina said she launched a movement for establishing the rights to food and vote. I was interned time and again. 

“At least 19 attempts were made on my life, the gravest one being in August 2004 when a dozen Arges grenades were hurled at me to kill me. I survived, but 22 of my party workers and leaders were killed and several hundred wounded,” she said. 

Braving all odds, Sheikh Hasina said she continued her struggle only to change the fates of her countrymen. 

“I shall continue to do so as long as I live, Insha’Allah. My dream is to turn our delta into a land of prosperity once again,” she pledged.

Following Bangabandhu’s assassination, she said Bangladesh went under military and quasi-military rule for the subsequent 21 years, and the fates of the people had not changed much.

“My party, the Awami League, got elected to office in 1996 after a long struggle of 21 years, and I was made Prime Minister for the first time. In five years, we managed to build a solid foundation for Bangladesh’s socio-economic transformation,” she said. 

The premier said they handed over power through peaceful means in 2001, and then followed another dark period of killings, terrorism, corruption, and military interventions.

She said their party got re-elected to office in December 2008, and since then for two more consecutive terms.“In the last fourteen and a half years, we got Bangladesh ready for what my father had wished for-a happy and prosperous ‘Golden Bangladesh,” she said. 

In 2015, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh became a lower middle-income country, and they envision it becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2031 and a high-income one by 2041.

“Meanwhile, we have been qualified to graduate to a developing country by 2026 from the LDC category,” she said.

The Prime Minister said since the assumed office, their priority has been to alleviate the conditions of the poor and marginalized sections of society.

Bangladesh has made impressive progress in almost all socio-economic fields, she said.

“Bangladesh is now the world’s 35th largest economy, with a GDP of USD 460.75 billion,” Sheikh Hasina said. 

The headcount poverty rate was 41.5 percent in 2005-06, while the current poverty rate has come down to 18.7 percent and the extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent, she continued.

The premier said that Bangladesh’s economy grew at an average of 6.5 percent over the past one and a half decades, and before the pandemic struck, it grew at 8.15 percent in the 2018-19 fiscal year.

“We have made impressive gains in food security, free and affordable housing, community healthcare, compulsory primary education, women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, digital services, access to electricity, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation,” she said.

After a decade’s efforts that include make education free up to 12th grade by her government, she said, “We now rank the highest in South Asia in reducing gender disparity.”

Due to her government’s initiatives, she said “We are among the world’s top ten nations for women’s political empowerment.”

Bangladesh is perhaps the only country where the Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Parliament, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, and Deputy Leader of the House are all women, she said.

“We have 33 percent reserved seats for our women in the local government bodies,” Sheikh Hasina continued.

 The Prime Minister said she has introduced a scheme named Ashrayan 
(Shelter) through which semi-pucca houses are being built and distributed among landless and homeless people at free of cost. 

“The total number of landless and homeless families in the country is 885 thousand and 622. So far, we have built and distributed houses among 555 thousand and 228 families,” she said. 

Not only that, but arrangements for their livelihoods have been made through income-generating training and providing them with interest-free loans, she added.

The villages of Bangladesh are being turned into towns by reaching urban facilities in every nook and cranny of the country, she said.