NPR美国国家公共电台 NPR 2014-03-08

President Obama has signed an executive order today that could clear the way for further sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing¹ situation in Ukraine, a plan for the imposition of a broad range of sanctions if need be. President appeared in a briefing in the White House press room today after signing the order, saying any future discussion over the future of Ukraine should include the legitimate² government of the country. 

In 2014, we are ro* on the days when orders can be rerun over the heads of democratic leaders. 

President spoke³ for about an hour today with Russian President Vladmir Putin, emphasizing that Russia's actions are in violation⁴ of Ukraine sovereignty and called for a diplomatic solution to situation there, when he's also saying international monitor should be allowed inside the country.

 

 

Senators blocked a bill that would've stripped senior military personnel their authority to prosecute⁵ rapes⁶ and other serious offences within their ranks, the 55-45 vote short of the 60 votes the measure would've required to move forward. Pentagon leadership have vigorously opposed the measure maintaining military leaders that should have more authority over the men and women they supervise, not less. Backers of the bill contend that far-reaching changes are needed to curb⁷ what's been a recent rush of sexual assaults inside the military.

 

 

Boeing plans to shift about 68,000 non-union employees away from its defined-benefit pension plan. It actually goes some member station KPLU in Seattle, explains the move comes after union ice machines that expect some of these changes. 

The change affects more than 1/3 of Boeing's workforce⁸. Starting at 2016, the company will make contributions into a 401(k) retirement⁹ plan instead of into the pension. Workers will still get pension benefits they've already accrued¹⁰. * of Warton School at the University of Pennsylvania says Boeing faces a big pension obligation that's not completely founded.