>> a very warm welcome indeed to the journal here. these are our top stories at this hour. talking again. putin calls barack obama to discuss the ukraine crisis. nato has a new head as the alliance seeks to come to terms with the newly assertive russia. and moving into second with a victory over berlin. >> well, russia appears to be working to ease tensions in the

crisis in and around ukraine. with foreign minister lavrov saying his country has no intention of sending its armed forces into ukraine. that comment came after russian president putin suggested that the international community could examine joint steps as he put it to calm the situation in ukraine. the proposal came when the russian leader phoned u.s. president barack obama whose currently on a visit to saudi arabia. >> president barack obama met saudi arabia's king for the third time before receiving a phone call from his russian counterpart vladmir putin. the white house said that putin had called to discuss a u.s. proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the ukraine crisis. obama reportedly suggested that moscow respond in writing. the country's foreign ministers have already spoken on the phone to discuss further

contacts. the developments come as u.s. fears were mounting that russia might be preparing to invade eastern ukraine following its annesmation of crimea. >> you've seen a range of troops massing along that border under the guise of military exercises but these are not what russia would normally be doing. and it may simply be an effort to intimidate ukraine or it may be that they've got additional plans. >> the u.s. has made it clear such an invasion would be unacceptable. >> there will be further consequences that will hurt russia even more and further isolate them diplomatically economically or military. >> on friday putin praised the russian's military's actions in crimea. they ordered ukrainian troops

who wished to serve in kiev to surrender and leave the peninsula. >> meanwhile, ukrainian opposition leader says he will not be standing in the upcoming presidential election. he says he is backing olgarg poll shenchingo against tim shinchingo in the poll on may 5. the former boxing champion was one of the leading figures who led to the overthrow ofian cove yitch. in afghanistan, taliban militants have hit the commission in kabul with just six days to go before a new president to be elected. police say the insurgents opened fire on the compound with rocket propelled grenades and machine guns near the perimeter wall. no casualties were reported. it was the second attack on

officers of the election commission in just a week. >> it's as the search for malaysia airlines continues, a number of ships have been closing in on a new search area. they include an australian vessel carrying a device which could be used to help locate the plane's flight recorders. >> the aircraft spent hours over the indian ocean before returning to base near perth. crews have been reporting sightings of object which is may be from the missing plane. >> there were visuals from five aircraft of debris in the ocean. unfortunately, despite the presence of some six vessels, in and around the new search area, we have not yet been able to recover any debris. so that path continues. >> the search area has been

shifted further north on the basis of a new analysis of radar and satellite data. several chinese vessels are taking part in the mission and more are on their way. the area is vast. three weeks in and no wreckage has yet been positively identified. >> miracles do happen. remote or otherwise. that is the hope that the family members want me to convey to the not only the mall asian government but to the world at large. >> some relatives say they will not give up hope until there's physical proof that the plane crashed. >> the relationship between berlin and beijing has never been close. that at least is the message from german and chinese leaders after meetings here in berlin on friday. the two countries have agreed to intensify business cooperation and they've agreed to disagree on human rights.

>> it's a partnership that's paying off. under the eyes of the president and chancellor, germany and china signed 18 economic agreements. berlin remains beijing's most important trading partner in the eu. deal was signed between the banks. for germany's financial capital to become europe's trading center for china's you juan currency. and the two countries plan to cooperate in other areas, too, in the future. such as environmental and security policy. the relationship between the two countries has never been closer, the leaders say. today we talk about the fact that political trust also develops through having things in common and by breaking new ground. we are also able to share ifferent opinions.

for example, on human rights. a topic addressed by the german president earlier on friday. and she was able to experience freedom of express as demonstrators asked for freedom for tibet. in china such a protest would be illegal. he sticks with noninterference of the internal affairs in other states. it's a principle which also applies to the crimen crisis. >> we support the efforts by the international community to diffuse the situation and take an open attitude to all concepts which serve to calm the situation and to bring about a political solution. >> carefully chosen words from the chinese premier who is keen not to burn bridges with east or west. >> now, we have already talked about tensions in and around ukraine.

tension that is have put nato's military alliance on alert. so it's perhaps not the ideal time for the 28 nation block to be appointed a new leader but that is precisely what nato is doing. the new secretary general is the former norweigian prime minister. now, accepting the post he said the alliance must maintain sufficient military spending in light of a nato with increasing military capacity. >> sophisticated internationally experienced intelligence and straightforward. these are just some of the qualities top diplomats attribute to former norweigian prime minister. just hours after his nomination as nato chief, he appeared before the press in oslo. first message defense spending needs to be increased. >> we can only be a staunch political alliance as long as we have strong military capacities. that's the idea of nato being

both political and military alliance. >> he was prime minister of norway for ten years. during this time he had to deal with the collective trauma that followed the rampage and he will have difficult tasks to face again in his new position. >> i believe it is strongly that what we are seeing in ukraine just reminds us of how important nato is. and that's the idea of nato's collected attempts, is just becomes even more important when we see how russia is using force to change borders in europe. >> he takes office on october 1st. one of his most urgent tasks will be to work on the changing relationship between nato and russia. >> before we move on to our sports roundup including the latest action, a quick look at some of the other stories making news around the world. >> in the egyptian capital cairo five people were killed

on friday. demonstrating against the former general for the presidency as head of the army he led a coup against the islamist president morsi nine months ago. in california a magnitude 5 earth quake has shaken los angeles, the epicenter about 30 kilometers southeast of downtown. the damage was minor and there have been no reports of injuries. a second ruling against turkish ban on twitter the court said an account that criticized the prime minister must be reinen stated. another ruled the ban must be lifted. both twitter and you tube were blocked after he took offense that allegations against him were published this. dozens of same-sex couples

across england and wales have tied the knot after historic law passed. many couples exchanged vows just as the clock struck midnight before being pronounced husband and husband or wife and wife. in formula one motor racing, the driver louis hamilton has secured his second poll. but the court in malaysia. hamilton record it had fastest time in a qualifying session cut short by heavy rain and accidents. he also started the poll in the melbourne grand prix. , and l be joined by fekel rossberg and ricardo. well, mercedes say they have solid the engine misfire which saw hamilton withdraw early in that race.

his teammate rossberg benefited from the problem to secure victory in the season opener. mersdeeze being seen as favorites and there's a time to have a look at hamilton's team mates who currently heads the drivers' rankings. >> the german driver, didn't give his opponents a chance in the first race of the season. he drove flawlessly and dominated from start to finish. >> he isn't just a candidate for the world championship. for me he is the candidate for the title. he's the clear favorite. rossberg is a very intelligent driver and he can adapt very well to changing events. >> like all formula drive cars, his mergsdeeze is a car bine engine the german company has spent years developing. it can absorb breaking energy

and heat as electrical power. >> the engine will decide everything in this new carriage in formula one. the engines are different when it comes to driveability, fuel consumption and in output. >> mercedes wasn't the only strong performer in australia. a company provides engines to other teams such as mcclairen and williams and they both did surprisingly well too. >> whoever wins the title will have to beat mercedes first. >> if mercedes can sort out the reliability issues with the engine, that's going to be tough to do. >> now, just over two hours to go to kickoff in this afternoon's action. and yesterday evening, shouter had a great opportunity to go second in the table behind munich. to do so they needed victory at

home to help berlin. >> they entered the match in fighting spirits determined to clinch second place in the championships. nigerian in a bassi net it had first goal seemlessly in the first 16 minutes. and the second half kicked off in similar style just 29 seconds into playoff as they et up a second goal. they battled on but the final hope is dashed when the referee disadallowed the header. the champion's league qualifications. finally, in an unusual turn of events the best two tennis players in the world have made it through to sunday's final in the sony open in miami without even hitting a ball. number one ra fail nadal got through when his opponent withdrew through illness hours

before number two novak joke vitch got through when his opponent withdrew with a groin injury. also easy for them. more sports and news at the top. >> crimea has decided the peninsula is now part of russia. i've come to find out what that means for ordinary crimeaens and how their day-to-day life has been affected by the risis. it's monday morning. anten is applying for a passport, a new russian passport. the 28-year-old is one of the first to do so. he tells me that all he needs

to apply is his birth certificate, a copy of his current passport and 200 russian rubles. i ask him if he has the money. well, i do he says. and the taxi driver is doing great business with all the media in crimea at the moment. i asked him about the russian anexation. crimea is now part of russia, he says. for me as an ordinary entrepreneur that means paying my taxes to russia. i've already paid taxes for this quarter to ukraine. i've heard i should get those back. i sure hope so. but first i need a photo for my ew passport. the former palace of consha is now a business center. they're also doing a roaring trade at the moment. come through, says the woman.

don't crowd. everyone will get their turn. i feel like i'm back stage at a talent show. but instead of seeking 15 minutes of fame, these people want a new eye dentedty. some in the queue ask how long the application period will be open. one month? they're making each other crazy with rumors. there are no russian rubles to be seen here. for the most, at least business is still done in ukrainian urrency. >> other than that it's no different says the cash shir. he signs, the paper and so on. after a 20-minute wait it's anton's turn. he's taken the first step towards getting a russian passport. the white blue and red of the

russian flag are now everywhere in crimea. for the 340,000 inhabit nths of the crimeaen capital, the colors stand for a new beginning and new opportunities. most locals think that union with russia will give them the chance of a bretter life both economically and personally. the government says it wants to fight corruption on the peninsula. it promises happiness and rosperity in a new crimea. but there are people who don't believe those promises. the next day i visit a family of ethnic tatars.

this is grandmother and her grandchildren. this is grandfather. she welcomes us. one of the grandchildren makes sweet turkish coffee for us. >> they make up 14% of the population. they're the origin inhabitants of the peninsula. stalin had them deported during the second world war. in the 1990s many families returned with old wounds and new hopes. those hopes have now faded again. >> we have always been treated badly. for 300 years. now this russian comes along and wants to hurt us again. they live over there as if it is still under stalin.

i don't want to hear about russia. i would rather die than become russian. this is my homeland. we've lived in crimea for so long. where are we supposed to go? others may go to ukraine but not us. we don't know anyone there. hopefully they'll leave us in peace here. because they voted against becoming part of russia in the referendum, crimea's tatar's now fear rep cushions. now they only exist in old folk songs.

in the evening i leave and head toward the sea. even in soviet times it was a popular tourist destination. the scenery around the town is beautiful. he climate is subtropical. the beaches are peaceful. until now, tourism was the main source of income for the region despite how run down some parts of the town are. it's a nice day. and the cafes on the streets are filling up. i hope lots of russians start coming here says this woman. ukrainians won't come any more. they should. i've got nothing against them.

we've been promised a lot says this man, perhaps too much. let's wait and see. the two dozen private hotels and rest homes in the town are ow set to be nationalized. >> i'm a russian says this man, a real crimeaen russians and i'm happy the region belongs to us again. athere's nothing been done here. nothing. people believe things can only get better. and they're happy about their new momede homeland. i want to speak to those people who are no longer welcome in crimea. the ukrainian military. i managed to speak to the captain of one of the ships that doesn't want to surneder. the commander says he and the

50 sailors up to him won't give themselves up to the russians without a fight even though he knows there's no hope of victory. we'll never be the first ones to fight he says but if we have to we'll shoot back. the ship became a symbol of resistance to russia. the crew held out for two weeks. they kept their courage up with fighting song likes this one osted on the internet. the sailors told me that if they are to lose, at least they won't be traitors. their homeland is ukraine and lways will be. but then, on the evening of the 25th of march things change ery quickly.

the next morning i meet with the ukrainian officer the head of the press office. it's a role he wants to keep but not in crimea. on the road we spot russian transport vehicles carrying away ukrainian tanks. russia now has the peninsula ompletely under its control. he says it's time for him to leave crimea but he tells me it's not that simple. we still haven't been ordered to leave. aside from that i'll probably have to go to ukraine without my family. my daughter is just finishing school. my wife is look after the kids. my mother is sick.

i can't just up and leave. i never thought that our family would be split up and that i would have to cope with these problems in my homeland. back on lennon square, a few dozen protestors are calling on russia to anex more parts of southeastern ukraine. the demonstration is organized by the political party russian unity. anton doesn't think anything of those plans. now, the taxi driver just needs to wait. in the evening i meet some of his friends. they're all excited about the changes that are happening but they have concerns, too. like anton they're self-employed and looking forward to new business

opportunities that could come their way through russia. my ukrainian partners are still working with me. but they won't for long. i have to try to make contacts in russia whether i want to or not. the whole world is probably shocked about what's happened in crimea. nobody can fathom how it was even possible how putin managed it. it was absolute genius. i'm happy. ukrainians should resign themselves to the fact that crimea is russian. and we'll get on with life in our new homeland. russia is the land of opportunities like every other country in the world. as for me if things don't work out here i'm going to siberia. i could earn money there. why not? i could go wherever i feel happy. >> then she shouts, welcome to the russian federation.

they want to drink to the future. and they have no doubts about the legalty of russia's take flute music]imea.s4ç!gd

♪ captioning and audio description provided by the u.s. department of education. well, what's happening today is that i've invited ram dass and huston smith for lunch. and ram dass is a really good friend of mine. we got to know each other a few years ago. and huston smith i really don't know at all, so that's extra fun. and these two guys have known each other since the '60s. and i want to ask them about when they met, so no