Hello and welcome to bbc news. The Spanish Government has defended its decision to send thousands of extra Police Officers to the region of catalonia to try and stop an independence referendum from taking place. Catalonias devolved government has called on schools across the region to open so they can be used as polling stations on sunday. But in a bbc interview, the Spanish Governments official spokesman insisted any vote would be illegal and cannot take place. Our correspondent tom burridge reports from madrid and barcelona. Relations between spain s Central Government here in madrid and catalonias devolved government broke down years ago but the deadlock between the two has reached critical moment. A referendum on independence plant in catalonia is perhaps the biggest political crisis spain has seen in more than 30 yea rs. Spain has seen in more than 30 years. I believe that in catalonia buries the majority of people who wa nt to buries the majority of people who want to be lacked t
Next, another story that doesnt seem to be going away the alleged russian hacking or influencing of last years us president ial elections. More news in the times after twitter shuts down 200 russian linked twitter accounts. And finally we all love ikea stores for their daim cake and meatballs, billy bookshelves and house plants but when you get the flatpack furniture back home its a slightly different story. That might be why the Swedish Company has just bought oddjob site task rabbit a sign of their push into providing services. Ican i can never understand the instructions. We will go to that. In the future you not need to. With me is bill blain, a strategist at mint partners. Starting with that story in the new york times, holding the vote on cata la n york times, holding the vote on catalan separation . This is fascinating. Something the Spanish Government has tried to do for yea rs, to government has tried to do for years, to dampen the demand in catalonia for independence. You hav
Worries are stopping them doing theirjob properly because of sleepless nights and days off sick. And its notjust affecting those on lower incomes. In sport, its one step closer to a cup final for manchester united. They beat hull city 2 0 in the first leg of the League Cup Semi final. And this is the incredible trick shot which has caused a sensation on social media. Its two minutes long and you really dont want to miss it. And carol has the weather. We are starting off with a very windy day. Windy for all day for most of us. Storms locally and severe gales for some. Sunshine further south but tomorrow, parts of the south will also have sleet and snow. Good morning. First, our main story. Barack obama has delivered his Farewell Address as us president , telling the American People he believes the country is in a better, stronger place than when he was first elected eight years ago. In an emotional speech in chicago, he thanked his wife michelle as well as his family and staff and said
Before the last decade of the 19th century, the diverse landscapes of Salisbury, Massachusetts, stood at the crossroads of change. Known for its industrial prowess on a global scale, Salisbury