TTP announces not to extend ceasefire

PESHAWAR: The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has announced that the 40-day long ceasefire will not be extended.

In a statement TTP spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid said the government did not give a satisfactory response to the Taliban’s 40-day ceasefire and 50 of their detained members were killed during this period.

The TTP spokesman said the decision to not extend the ceasefire was taken by the Taliban shura. Shahidullah Shahid added if the government takes any serious step, the TTP will respond.

According to Shahidullah Shahid the dialogue process with the government would continue.

The TTP had declared a month-long ceasefire on March 1, 2014 during the dialogue process with the government. Later the ceasefire was extended for ten days which expired on April 10, 2014.

Speaking to Geo News Taliban Committee member, Professor Ibrahim said the decision to not extend the ceasefire would not impact the dialogue process. "We will continue our efforts in trying to extend the ceasefire."

Professor Ibrahim said reservations of the TTP had been communicated to the government.

Senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said Taliban are skeptical of the government’s seriousness in holding talks and they accused secret agencies of creating rifts among the TTP ranks.

He said Taliban leaders saw hidden hands of Pakistan’s security agencies in recent deadly clashes between the Sheheryar Mehsud and Khan Said Sajna groups of the terror outfit.

“Taliban say government agencies tried to install Khan Said Sajna as TTP chief after the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud,” Hamir Mir told Geo News.

He said that the Taliban were also unhappy over government’s unwillingness to free their prisoners.

 

TTP announces not to extend ceasefire

PESHAWAR: The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has announced that the 40-day long ceasefire will not be extended.

In a statement TTP spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid said the government did not give a satisfactory response to the Taliban’s 40-day ceasefire and 50 of their detained members were killed during this period.

The TTP spokesman said the decision to not extend the ceasefire was taken by the Taliban shura. Shahidullah Shahid added if the government takes any serious step, the TTP will respond.

According to Shahidullah Shahid the dialogue process with the government would continue.

The TTP had declared a month-long ceasefire on March 1, 2014 during the dialogue process with the government. Later the ceasefire was extended for ten days which expired on April 10, 2014.

Speaking to Geo News Taliban Committee member, Professor Ibrahim said the decision to not extend the ceasefire would not impact the dialogue process. "We will continue our efforts in trying to extend the ceasefire."

Professor Ibrahim said reservations of the TTP had been communicated to the government.

Senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said Taliban are skeptical of the government’s seriousness in holding talks and they accused secret agencies of creating rifts among the TTP ranks.

He said Taliban leaders saw hidden hands of Pakistan’s security agencies in recent deadly clashes between the Sheheryar Mehsud and Khan Said Sajna groups of the terror outfit.

“Taliban say government agencies tried to install Khan Said Sajna as TTP chief after the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud,” Hamir Mir told Geo News.

He said that the Taliban were also unhappy over government’s unwillingness to free their prisoners.

 

SSLC exam: Record 95.47 pass percentage

Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 4,42,678 students qualified for the higher studies in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination held in the state for the academic year 2013-14 in March. 

Out of the total 4,42,678 students who qualified for higher studies, 2,22,868 were boys, State Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb told reporters while announcing the result here on Wednesday . 

Total pass percentage stood at a record 95.47 per cent, registering an increase of 1.3 per cent than last year.  

934 schools posted 100 per cent success in the exam. 14,802 students have earned A+ for all the subjects.There was no moderation in marks, the minister added while thanking all who took part in the evaluation process.

Kannur came first in success rate while Palakkad sealed the bottom place. In revenue districts, Kaduthuruthy came first and Palakkad is at the last spot.

This time, results have been processed at a record speed, coming just 25 days after the completion of exams.

Including the state and Lakshadweep, 4,60,319 students had written the exam and about 13,000 teachers took part in the valuation process in about 54 camps. While the valuations were completed in April, results are to be uploaded directly to websites.

Last year, the results were published on April 24 and this time, the results are being published earlier because of the continuous holidays in the state.


For results, log on to: 
www.manoramaonline.com/advt/Specials/SSLC2014/index.htm

SSLC exam: Record 95.47 pass percentage

Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 4,42,678 students qualified for the higher studies in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination held in the state for the academic year 2013-14 in March. 

Out of the total 4,42,678 students who qualified for higher studies, 2,22,868 were boys, State Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb told reporters while announcing the result here on Wednesday . 

Total pass percentage stood at a record 95.47 per cent, registering an increase of 1.3 per cent than last year.  

934 schools posted 100 per cent success in the exam. 14,802 students have earned A+ for all the subjects.There was no moderation in marks, the minister added while thanking all who took part in the evaluation process.

Kannur came first in success rate while Palakkad sealed the bottom place. In revenue districts, Kaduthuruthy came first and Palakkad is at the last spot.

This time, results have been processed at a record speed, coming just 25 days after the completion of exams.

Including the state and Lakshadweep, 4,60,319 students had written the exam and about 13,000 teachers took part in the valuation process in about 54 camps. While the valuations were completed in April, results are to be uploaded directly to websites.

Last year, the results were published on April 24 and this time, the results are being published earlier because of the continuous holidays in the state.


For results, log on to: 
www.manoramaonline.com/advt/Specials/SSLC2014/index.htm

Suraj Venjaramoodu best actor, 'Ship of Theseus' best film at National film awards

New Delhi: Anand Gandhi's debut film 'Ship of
Theseus' was today named the best feature film while Milkha
Singh's biopic 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' was declared the best
popular film providing wholesome entertainment at the 61st
National Film Awards.

The best actor award was shared by 'Shahid' actor Rajkumar
Rao and Suraj Venjaramoodu for Malayalam film 'Perariyathavar'
while Hansal Mehta was named the best director for 'Shahid',
again a biopic on slain lawyer-activist Shahid Azmi.

Geetanjali Thapa was named the best actress for Hindi film
'Liar's Dice'. Saurabh Shukla was declared the best supporting
actor for court-room drama 'Jolly LLB' which was also named
the best Hindi film.

The best supporting actress award is shared by Amruta
Subhas and Aida El-Kashef for Astu (Marathi) and 'Ship of
Theseus' (English-Hindi).

Indira Gandhi Award for best debut film will go to Marathi
director Nagraj Manjule for his critically acclaimed 'Fandry'.

Nargis Dutt Award for best feature film on National
Integration will be given to Balu Mahendra directed Tamil film
'Thalaimuraigal'.

An 11-member jury, headed by noted directed Saeed Akhtar
Mirza announced the awards today.

The National Film Awards along with Dada Saheb Phalke
honour, which will go to lyricist-director Gulzar this year,
are likely to be given by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 3.

Suraj Venjaramoodu best actor, 'Ship of Theseus' best film at National film awards

New Delhi: Anand Gandhi's debut film 'Ship of
Theseus' was today named the best feature film while Milkha
Singh's biopic 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' was declared the best
popular film providing wholesome entertainment at the 61st
National Film Awards.

The best actor award was shared by 'Shahid' actor Rajkumar
Rao and Suraj Venjaramoodu for Malayalam film 'Perariyathavar'
while Hansal Mehta was named the best director for 'Shahid',
again a biopic on slain lawyer-activist Shahid Azmi.

Geetanjali Thapa was named the best actress for Hindi film
'Liar's Dice'. Saurabh Shukla was declared the best supporting
actor for court-room drama 'Jolly LLB' which was also named
the best Hindi film.

The best supporting actress award is shared by Amruta
Subhas and Aida El-Kashef for Astu (Marathi) and 'Ship of
Theseus' (English-Hindi).

Indira Gandhi Award for best debut film will go to Marathi
director Nagraj Manjule for his critically acclaimed 'Fandry'.

Nargis Dutt Award for best feature film on National
Integration will be given to Balu Mahendra directed Tamil film
'Thalaimuraigal'.

An 11-member jury, headed by noted directed Saeed Akhtar
Mirza announced the awards today.

The National Film Awards along with Dada Saheb Phalke
honour, which will go to lyricist-director Gulzar this year,
are likely to be given by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 3.

Modest exercise strengthens immunity in kidney patients

London: Small amount of regular exercise induces a systemic anti-inflammatory environment in the body and enhances immunity of kidney disease patients, a study finds.

'Exercise exerts anti-inflammatory effects in patients with kidney disease and may in this way reduce their high risk for heart disease,' said Joao Viana from Loughborough University in Britain.

Heart disease and infection are major complications and the leading causes of death in patients with chronic kidney disease.

In an acute exercise study conducted in 15 kidney disease patients, 30 minutes of walking improved the responsiveness of immune cells called neutrophils to a bacterial challenge in the post-exercise period.

It also induced a systemic anti-inflammatory environment in the body, said the study.

Six months of regular walking reduced immune cell activation and markers of systemic inflammation in 20 patients, compared to another 20 patients who did not increase their usual activity levels over the same period of time, the researchers said.

The study is scheduled to be published in the forthcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

Modest exercise strengthens immunity in kidney patients

London: Small amount of regular exercise induces a systemic anti-inflammatory environment in the body and enhances immunity of kidney disease patients, a study finds.

'Exercise exerts anti-inflammatory effects in patients with kidney disease and may in this way reduce their high risk for heart disease,' said Joao Viana from Loughborough University in Britain.

Heart disease and infection are major complications and the leading causes of death in patients with chronic kidney disease.

In an acute exercise study conducted in 15 kidney disease patients, 30 minutes of walking improved the responsiveness of immune cells called neutrophils to a bacterial challenge in the post-exercise period.

It also induced a systemic anti-inflammatory environment in the body, said the study.

Six months of regular walking reduced immune cell activation and markers of systemic inflammation in 20 patients, compared to another 20 patients who did not increase their usual activity levels over the same period of time, the researchers said.

The study is scheduled to be published in the forthcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

Rescue underway after ferry carrying 470 sends distress signal

Seoul: A passenger ferry carrying about 470 people was listing badly off South Korea's southwest coast and had sent a distress signal, a Korean coast guard official said on Wednesday, and a rescue mission was underway.

Korean television news reports said the ferry was sinking and that many of the passengers on board were students on the way to Jeju island, about 100 km (60 miles) off the coast, on school trips.

Those reports could not be confirmed immediately by the coast guard.

The coast guard official, speaking from Mokpo city on the southwest coast, said a rescue operation had been launched but could provide no further details. YTN television said 100 passengers had already been rescued.

The ferry, which also carries cars and trucks, has a capacity of about 900 people.

A passenger on board told YTN television a rescue helicopter had reached the vessel. The unidentified passenger, who sounded calm, said those on board were in their cabins but were having trouble keeping their balance.

The reason for the ship's difficulties was not immediately clear. Heavy fog had set in overnight in the area, leading to cancellations of many passenger ferry services to islands.

However, news reports said visibility in the area was fair.
Reuters

Rescue underway after ferry carrying 470 sends distress signal

Seoul: A passenger ferry carrying about 470 people was listing badly off South Korea's southwest coast and had sent a distress signal, a Korean coast guard official said on Wednesday, and a rescue mission was underway.

Korean television news reports said the ferry was sinking and that many of the passengers on board were students on the way to Jeju island, about 100 km (60 miles) off the coast, on school trips.

Those reports could not be confirmed immediately by the coast guard.

The coast guard official, speaking from Mokpo city on the southwest coast, said a rescue operation had been launched but could provide no further details. YTN television said 100 passengers had already been rescued.

The ferry, which also carries cars and trucks, has a capacity of about 900 people.

A passenger on board told YTN television a rescue helicopter had reached the vessel. The unidentified passenger, who sounded calm, said those on board were in their cabins but were having trouble keeping their balance.

The reason for the ship's difficulties was not immediately clear. Heavy fog had set in overnight in the area, leading to cancellations of many passenger ferry services to islands.

However, news reports said visibility in the area was fair.
Reuters