International

World News. 2^nd February
Major Snowstorm in East Coast USA
A snowstorm hit East Coast cities New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia. Up to 60cm (20 ins) snow and gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph) are creating blinding snow. New York has a State of Emergency. All schools have closed and vaccines postponed. All flights are cancelled. Just think of the panic our little snowfall caused last week!
Myanmar crisis– President arrested
The army in Myanmar (Burma) have seized power and detained Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s first female President. They are keeping her in house arrest with no communication.  She won a landslide election last November. People are saying their democracy is lost.
The armed forces controlled the country until 2011. Aung San Suu Kyi was educated in England.  She brought in democratic reforms. Her English husband died in 1999.
Second Impeachment Trial
The impeachment trial of Trump starts on 8^th February. “Incitement of insurrection” is the charge.  But can a President be impeached when he is no longer the President?  The Democrats have rushed the process.  They need 17 Republican senators to vote to convict Trump.  This is because of the rules in the Senate say they need a two-thirds majority.   Now the Republicans (The Grand Old Party GOP) are going to defend Trump. Will they have to postpone the process? We can only gasp in amazement at American politics and feel fortunate at the UK Parliamentary process.    ASL Inauguration
You saw Captain Andrea Hall of the City of Albany Fire Department gave the Pledge of Allegiance using ASL at the Inauguration. The first time history.  Her parents are Deaf and use ASL. She wanted to address the pledge direct to them and to the President and the nation through the beautiful language ASL.