We are much more concerned about the activities. No blocking off Ukrainian naval basis by sinking petrol boats into the waterways, and essentially establishing operational control the Crimea.

 

The US is watching bridges and border crossing along Ukraine's border with Russia for possible troop movements elsewhere. Earlier today, there were reports of a standoff from the Ukrainian military base in Crimea. Armed men believed to be Russian troops reportedly approach the gates of the base in the ? of ?. Orders reported that Crimea's pro-Russia premier set on Ukrainian TV that they know attempts to attack.

 

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is offering advice to the US on how to deal with the Russian situation on the ? Ukraine. NPR's Sophie ?  reports Berlusconi is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest alliances in the west.

 

Italian media report that ? in the US embassy in Rome this week, Berlusconi told the embassador John Phillips it would be an error to isolate Russia. ? statements, he suggests the United States involve Kremlin in negotiations. Berlusconi has been barred from the Italian Parliament following a tax conviction last summer, but he remains leader of his Central Right Party. 4 years ago, Wikileaks revealed that the ? US embassador ? suspected Putin had obtained Berlusconi's political support through lucrative energy deals.

 

Sophie ?, NPR News, Rome.

 

The pace of job creation accelerated in February according to the government's monthly employment report that despite a continue drag from winter storms, but as NPR's John ? reports, the unemployment rate take up slightly.

 

175,000 jobs were added to the economy last month, more than economists had expected, but there's a little doubt to whether it negatively affected the job market. The government survey of households concludes there are more than 600,000 Americans have missed work because of the weather, double the average for February. Better than expected job growth despite the bad weather suggests the underlying economy may have more strengths in many thought even in uptaken the unemployment rate to 6.7% could be a good sign. The riot is due to more than a quarter million people swallowing the ranks of the labor force. Many likely re-entering because they now have more confidence they'll find a job. 

 

John ?, NPR News, Washington.

 

President Obama says too many high students miss out millions of dollars in federal student aid. He is pushing a new initiative to change this fall. 

 

On Wallstreet, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 30 points on the midday at 6452, but now index is down 15 points to close at 4336. This is NPR News in Washington.