US politics live updates: Donald Trump’s impeachment trial begins as Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin speak on phone

Good morning

Hey there everyone!

Peter Marsh here, ready to guide you through another day of US politics.

It’s the early afternoon in America, but there has been plenty happening today — executive orders, phone calls with world leaders, senate confirmations and the first steps (and votes!) in the second impeachment trial on Donald Trump.

Let’s take a deep breath and belt this blog out, shall we?