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Elahi to be Pak deputy
PM
US slaps sanctions on Syrian President’s kin
China, Pak hold strategic dialogue
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Indian shot dead in New Jersey
Tornado deaths hit 324; third-deadliest in US history
Call of duty keeps William, Kate away from honeymoon
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Elahi to be Pak deputy
PM
Islamabad, April 30 The plan was given the final shape during a meeting yesterday between PPP chief and President Asif Ali Zardari and PML-Q head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. Zardari accepted the PML-Q’s demand that its leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi be made Deputy Prime Minister, senior PML-Q leader Faisal Saleh Hayat told the media. The draft agreement between the two parties envisages allocation of six ministries to the PML-Q, seat adjustments for next year's election to the Senate or upper house of Parliament and for the general election in 2013. The agreement was worked out by PML-Q leaders and parliamentarian Faryal Talpur, the head of the PPP’s women’s wing and Zardari's sister. Legal experts said no Constitutional amendment would be necessary to create the post of Deputy Prime Minister. PML-Q leader Hayat, who attended last night's meeting between Zardari and former premier Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, told the media that the two parties would formally sign an agreement next week. The two parties discussed several important issues, including a long-term partnership and seat adjustments in the next election, he said. If the draft plan is implemented, the PML-Q is expected to get six ministries — health, trade and commerce, petroleum, industries, agriculture and information technology — and six ministers of state, three advisers to the Prime Minister and the post of Pakistan's representative to the UN. In a tacit acknowledgement of the move by the PPP and PML-Q to forge an alliance, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “The meeting discussed the political situation and realignment of political forces to face new challenges.” Information Minister Firdos Ashiq Awan told reporters the political situation would clear up in about three days. However, observers said that giving the post of Deputy Prime Minister to the PML-Q could curtail the powers of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The Premier has not been part of the negotiations between the two parties and reports have suggested that he is not in favour of an alliance with the PML-Q. The PPP's core group of leaders and parliamentary committee have given their consent to the alliance and authorised Zardari to finalise the deal with the PML-Q. PPP and PML-Q leaders are expected to hold another meeting tomorrow to give the final shape to the distribution of ministries between the two parties. — PTI * PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi (in pic) will hold the post in the ruling PPP and opposition PML-Q’s ‘national reconciliation govt’ *
According to observers said that giving the post of Deputy Prime Minister to the PML-Q could curtail the powers of Prime Minister Gilani *
The Premier has not been part of the negotiations between the two parties and reports have suggested that he is not in favour of an alliance
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US slaps sanctions on Syrian President’s kin
Washington, April 30 The actions by US president Barack Obama and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) came in response to the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters in Syria. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, in clashes between the Syrian security forces and demonstrators in the recent weeks, including more than 50 who died yesterday. “We call on President Assad to change course now and heed the calls of his own people,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement after Obama signed an executive order imposing sanctions on three Syrian officials, including two of Assad’s relatives, and other Syrian and Iranian government entities responsible for human rights abuses. The officials are Mahir al-Assad — brother of the Syrian President and brigade commander in the army’s 4th Armoured Division — who played a leading role in the regime’s actions in Dar'a area where protesters had been killed by security forces; Atif Najib — cousin of president Assad — who was the head of Political Security Directorate for Dar'a during March 2011 when demonstrators lost their lives; and Ali Mamluk, director of General Intelligence Directorate. In Geneva, the UNHRC passed a resolution for a mission to be sent to Syria to investigate alleged human rights violations there. — PTI
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China, Pak hold strategic dialogue
Beijing, April 30 As part of the fourth round of their strategic dialogue, Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir held talks here yesterday. Both sides had an in-depth discussion on promoting China-Pakistan strategic partnership and international and regional issues of mutual concern, China’s state run Xinhua news agency reported. The talks assumed special significance as Pakistan is working on multi-track engagements in the region with major powers, Pakistan's official APP news agency said. The talks came amid deepening US-Pak divide over the issues relating to terrorism and strategy and tactics to be adopted to contain Taliban in Afghanistan. — PTI
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Indian shot dead in New Jersey
Trenton, April 30 Arjun Reddy Dyapa (52) was shot in the chest and brought dead to Capital Health Regional Medical Centre across the pharmacy last evening. Eye witnesses said a teenage African-American with dreadlocks showed up at the counter and demanded a prescription medicine without producing valid prescription issued by a physician. Dyapa politely refused. The boy left only to return again and fired one bullet at Dyapa from his pistol from behind. — PTI
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Tornado deaths hit 324; third-deadliest in US history
Washington, April 30 Yesterday, the number of confirmed tornado-related deaths increased to 228 in Alabama; to 34 in Mississippi; and to eight in Arkansas. Aside from those three states, the twisters also left 34 dead in Tennessee, 15 in Georgia, and five in Virginia, according to state officials. That brought the total number of confirmed tornado deaths to 324 across six states. It was the deadliest set of twisters since 332 people were killed March 21, 1932 in what is known as the Deep South tornado outbreak. The giant Tri-State Tornado outbreak of March 1925 left 747 people dead. — AFP
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Call of duty keeps William, Kate away from honeymoon
London, April 30 William and Kate will spend a private weekend in Britain and take their honeymoon abroad sometime in the future, St James Palace said in a statement, a day after their spectacular wedding ceremony which dazzled some 2 billion people across the globe who watched it live on the TV. William, the newly named Duke of Cambridge, is said to go straight back to work as a full-time Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot and will be based on the Island of Anglesey in northwest Wales. Speculation had been rife about the location of their honeymoon as it was earlier said William had still two weeks off from Royal Air Force. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately,” the statement said. Earlier in the day, Kate walked out of the Buckingham Palace hand in hand with William into a waiting helicopter. The guesses for their honeymoon location ranged from a private trip to royal retreat in Scotland, wild safari in Kenya or to the quiet desert of Jordan. The destination for the honeymoon has been shrouded in secrecy, with William having reportedly not even told his new wife where they are going. — PTI
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Islamabad, April 30
Britain’s royal newlyweds have postponed their honeymoon, the location of which has been kept secret, as Prince William will be returning to his military job as a pilot.
