Investigating allegations of russian interference in the president ial election. Its understood Jeff Sessions was also questioned about whether the trump team colluded with russia, and then tried to impede the russia inquiry. And the Washington Post is reporting that special Counsel Robert Mueller is seeking to interview the president , as well. The bbcs david willis is following events in washington. You are absolutely right that indeed Thejustice Department confirming today thatJeff Sessions, the attorney general, was interviewed by Robert Muellers team, investigating alleged collusion between the Trump Campaign and russia. That interview taking place last week. The interview with the special counsel, Robert Muellers team, was conducted its been reported in the presence of Jeff Sessions lawyer. It makes Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, the first member of the trump cabinet to be interviewed by Robert Muellers team and that team as well as investigating allegations of collusion be
Noise and heat than suction will be hoovered up from the shops, under new eu rules. Good morning. Its friday, 1st september. Im annita mcvey. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. We will have more on that gas story shortly. At first. The International Trade secretary has said the uk must not allow itself to be blackmailed by the European Union over the cost of leaving. Speaking in japan, where he and theresa may have been discussing future trading relations, liam fox said businesses have become impatient with the slow progress of the brexit negotiations. Theres a problem if that continues, in that were moving much closer to our exit date before european businesses have an idea of what that trading relationship will look like. And i think that there is an impatience from those beyond the commission, ie the stakeholders in the european economy, to try to get some progress on that. Would you characterise their position as blackmailing the uk . Well, its clear that they are. They have the issues
The king of thailand is presiding over buddhist funeral rituals for his late father, King Bhumibol adulyadej who died a year ago after seven decades on the throne. The funeral urn was blessed by monks at the grand palace in bangkok ahead of a series of elaborate processions. Andrew plant reports. A funeral procession on a scale rarely seen before. A chance for tens of thousands of thai will to say a final farewell to the only motorbike most of them have ever lived under. Monarch. The body of the former king kept since his death in october last year in the throne hall of the royal palace. After ruling for more than 70 years this is the beginning of a finaljourney, transported towards a spectacular golden crematorium representing heaven, taking more than a year to build, here, his body will be cremated. This procession will last much of the day. His body will be carried atop a huge wooden chariot pulled by 222 soldiers, and led by his son, the new king, and members of the royal family, h
Spain is in a state of constitutional turmoil, with the countrys Prime Minister, mariano rajoy, announcing that hes dissolving catalonias parliament and calling snap Regional Elections. It follows a vote by the Catalan Parliament to declare independence from spain. Mr rajoy said the unprecedented imposition of direct rule was essential to restore normality. Hes also sacked catalonias separatist leader, carles puigdemont, and his cabinet. Crowds have remained in central barcelona late into the night, in a defiant show of support for independence. Our first report is from our europe editor katya adler, whos in barcelona. Si, si, si. One by one the yes votes were counted, celebrated, relished by this delirious Pro Independence crowd. As they watched the Catalan Parliament finally after weeks, some here say years, of waiting, vote on separation from spain. We want the republic. Do you believe it will happen today . Yes. It has to be today. And today it was. All around here catala ns are si
Spanish government has stripped the authorities of their powers and taken charge of its government. The crackdown began after the region declared independence on friday. Spains deputy prime minister, here she is, says shes tape over from the former catalan president who was sacked on friday. The Central Government says new elections will be held in december. Earlier the sacked separatist leader called for democratic opposition to direct rule from madrid. Heres our correspondent James Reynolds who is in barcelona. This is the first full day of direct rule from madrid and no ones yet sure quite what to make of it. Catalan organisations have told people here to carry on as normal. Right here, its hard to tell that anything has changed one way or another. Local Catalan Police officers still guard this, the catalan political headquarters, and separatist leaders who have technically been sacked by madrid are now trying to work out their next move. The catalan leader, carles puigdemont, featu