germany is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its const fusion constitution, a document that changed the country. breaking with the nation s nazi past and playing the foundations for a modern democracy. a celebration was held, but it was not all congratulation. the main speech included sharp criticism of german asylum laws. more in a moment with our correspondent. first, this report. the german constitution of 1949 was more concise than many user manuals. but in the 65 years since it was approved, it has undergone many revisions. as the german parliament gathered to mark the anniversary, the changes came under criticism, especially from the guest of honor, a writer who is the son of iranian immigrants. it seemed that germany established a permanent openness with its constitution, but now it is precisely that constitution that shuts out those people who most rely on that openness, the politically persecuted. they enjoy the right to asylum, a wonderful sentence.
back and it could cause drought and famine. but first there are divisions within ukraine and across the world on how best to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in crimea. members of crimea s parliament voted to join russia and hold a referendum on march the 16th and the city of sevastopol also decided to join russia and the ukrainian prime minister condemned decisions that he says he says are illegal and without involvement. and american president barack obama has asset freezes inte hind the military intervention in ukraine. the proposed referendum would violate the ukraine constitution and violate international law. any discussion about the future of ukraine must include the government of ukraine, in 2014 we are beyond the days that borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders. a. paul is in sevastopol and is live. attitudes do seem to be hardening more than deescalating at the moment. it is and although the international community pronouncemen
for the white house. all agree that people should not be using marijuana and driving. reporter: a new roll for police in colorado trying to spot motorists driving under the influence of pot. good morning and welcome to al jazeera america, i m stephanie sy. ukraine is in the middle of a tug of war between russia and western allies but a symbolic vote is threatening to re-dale a diplomatic resolution and in crimea they voted to reunite with russia. next week voters there will decide whether to do so in a referendum and russia says it will support the people s decision. the sus slapped a visa ban on officials and president obama followed with an order laying ground work for sanctions and eu suspended visa talks with moscow and threatened to impose travel bands and freeze assets and cancel a summit with russia. for the second time in a week president obama and putin spoken the phone and mr. obama urging there putin to hold direct talks with ukraine and we have coverage on t
woodruff: good evening, i m judy woodruff. also ahead this friday, mark shields and michael gerson analyze the week s news. plus, our science correspondent, miles o brien, after reporting from japan inside the crippled fukushima nuclear plant, suffered a life-threatening injury in the philippines and his left arm was amputated. tonight, he discusses living, working, and coping, after what happened. i really like to ride my bike, i like to fly airplanes and i want to get back to shooting video. these are my three o criteria. they re, like, no problem, we have attachments for all of that. woodruff: some of the stories we re covering on tonight s pbs woodruff: those are just some of the stories we re covering on tonight s pbs newshour. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and. friends of the newshour. this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you
eastern europe and the balkans. woodruff: good evening, i m judy woodruff. also ahead this friday, mark shields and michael gerson analyze the week s news. plus, our science correspondent, miles o brien, after reporting from japan inside the crippled fukushima nuclear plant, suffered a life-threatening injury in the philippines and his left arm was amputated. tonight, he discusses living, working, and coping, after what happened. i really like to ride my bike, i like to fly airplanes and i want to get back to shooting video. these are my three o criteria. they re, like, no problem, we have attachments for all of that. woodruff: some of the stories we re covering on tonight s pbs woodruff: those are just some of the stories we re covering on tonight s pbs newshour. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and. friends of the newshour. this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your p