From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speer.The situation in Ukraine is apparently showing no sign of improvingand its affects have gotten substantially worse since a brief truce was announced late yesterday.At least 100 people are now dead in bloody skirmishes between police and protestorswith Ukraine television showing a scene a protestor being gunned down.Latest carny shows apparently neither heads of opposition nor the country's president Viktor Yanukovych are in control there.Meanwhile, US and European diplomats are expressing shock and outrage over the violence.NPR' Michele Kelemen reportsthe Europe Union is threatening some targeting sanctions to try to press the government to negotiate with the opposition.The European Union is preparing to freeze the assets of Ukraine offices believed to be responsible to the violenceand bar them from traveling to Europe.The EU's top diplomat Catherine Ashton saidshe is coordinating it with the European foreign minister, now in Kiev,trying to promote a dialogue between the government and the opposition."It's absolutely clear that this violence is completely unacceptable to stop immediately,and any further escalation should be avoided."The White House is also expressing outrage of the images of Ukraine security forces firing automatic weapons on protestors.The US is urging the military to stay out of the fight.Michele Kelemen, NPR News, Washington.Oregon Attorney general said she won't defend the state against the federal lawsuit challenging the same-sex marriage ban.Ruling in the case could come this spring.
