Germany is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its const fusion constitution, a document that changed the country. Breaking with the nations 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. In 1993 it was transforme
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 crimeas 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 pronouncements made in brussels y
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, im stephanie sy. Ukraine is in the middle of a tug of war between russia and western allies but a symbolic vote is threatening to redale 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 peoples 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 the situation in ukra
And a senior official in Chinas Communist Party says there will be no leniency for terrorists after a stabbing spree last week at a Railway Station. The u. N. Security council has held an emergency meeting to discuss the ukrainian crisis. It remains sharply divided over the crimean governments plan to secede from ukraine. The meeting came after local government officials announced plans to hold a referendum on secession from ukraine. It set the poll for march 16th. Russian forces have effectively taken control of ukraines autonomous republic of crimea. U. N. Deputy secretary jan eleison joined from ukraine. He had called for meaningful dialogue among all key parties to help ease the crisis. After the meeting britains u. N. Ambassador expressed strong concern. Clearly, such a referendum would be illegal under article 73 of the ukrainian constitution, and it would also be deeply destabilizing. But russias u. N. Envoy rejected the concerns. They made this decision, and, of course, our aut
Those are the top stories we will be covering for you. Also on the program, a look at how the press is covering the crisis in ukraine. Plus, time to talk french politics. Municipal elections are around the corner with the president suffering from dismal poll ratings, we ask which way french voters will go. But first, there will be no war between russia and ukraine according to the speaker of russias upper parliament. He called the complete nonsense. The Federation Council says it will support the results of crimeas upcoming referendum. In just nine days, the region will decide whether or not to join russia. Escalationthursdays of events in the Crimean Parliament when the Crimean Parliament voted to do that. The move has been criticized be ukrainian and international officials. To discuss this, im joined by leila. We have been focusing on reaction from washington from brussels. They are not the only ones closely following the situation. How our regional countries reacting . The Foreign