News

TopNews. 25th January
Anti-Putin protests in Russia
More than 2,500 people were arrested in different cities in Russia.  There were 40 thousand people in the centre of Moscow.  Protests even in Yakutsk where the temperature was minus 30 degrees. Why?  Novalny (leader of the opposition) was arrested when he went back to Russia after poison.  He asked people to protest.  Also, there was a new video of a huge palace in the country made for Putin and his friends.  It has an underground ice hockey rink, a theatre and spa.  The protests are against corruption and to free Novalny.
Problem with words in the USA
Here’s an issue for BSL.  US Government now bans the use of ‘mother’, ‘father’, ‘daughter, ‘brother’ and other words which have gender labels.  This is because of the increase in transgender people – where they may change their sex.  Official documents have to say “parent”, “partner” “child” and “sibling”.  OK …so?  BSL sign for parent is usually based on MOTHER-FATHER … so needs to change?  And need a new sign for SIBLING – not based on boy or girl.  This is not just about the words, as Transgender is a big discussion across the world.
Planes with passengers but no pilots
In future, passengers in planes powered by hydrogen .. but with no pilot.  UK Government has given £1.8 million to help set up Project Heart – small planes from special airfields to travel around the UK.  They use satellite to guide them.  There is no pollution   By 2025, there will be one pilot and a computer; by 2030 there will just be the computer.
Burns Night!  25^th January.  It’s easy.  Get a haggis, potatoes and swede.  Oven cook the haggis, slowly. Boil potatoes and Swede (remove their jackets first).  Add butter, mash the potatoes and swede. Bring out the haggis on a platter.  Cut it open with a big knife.  Sign the poem… ”Fair fa’ yer honest sonsie face ….”  Share out the haggis and mashed potato and swede.  Have lots to drink – usually whisky and do some Scottish dancing.  Great, for the pandemic.