Deadline for new Ukrainian government extended to Thursday

The Ukrainian interim authorities said Tuesday that the deadline for the formation of a national unity government has been postponed until Thursday. Parliament Speaker Aleksandr Turchynov, who had promised to announce new cabinet members on Tuesday, called on lawmakers to work "around the clock" to accelerate the establishment of the executive body. Turchynov, who received temporary presidential power following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych Saturday, said the new government would focus on the country's economic recovery and European integration. The parliament now running the country recently dismissed several members of the former cabinet as "inefficient" and allegedly "involved in the deadly crackdown" during the anti-government protests. Rallies began last November to back the country's European integration after the government eschewed an expected EU deal in favor of closer ties with Russia. Clashes escalated in violence last Tuesday, leaving at least 82 people dead and hundreds of others injured.