Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed concern that Russian forces are preparing “a new stage of terror” that could include the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. “Today the occupiers issued a new statement, which testifies to their preparation for a new stage of terror against Ukraine and our defenders,” Zelensky said on Tuesday. “One of the spokespersons of the occupiers stated that they could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol. “We take it as seriously as we can.” Ukrainian authorities on Monday claimed that Russia had shot down a drone carrying a toxic substance in the southern port city, but the report has not been confirmed. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said work was under way to verify the allegation, adding: “Any use of such weapons would be a tough escalation in this conflict and we will keep [Vladimir] “Putin and his regime must be held accountable.” The comments came as the mayor of Mariupol said more than 10,000 civilians had been killed so far in the Russian siege of the city. In an interview with the Associated Press, Vadym Boychenko said the death toll could rise to more than 20,000, with weeks of attacks and deprivation leaving the bodies of Mariupol people “rotten in the streets”. Amid signs of a possible large-scale Russian military offensive in eastern Ukraine, intelligence and Iraqi militias told the Guardian that the Kremlin was receiving ammunition and military equipment from Iraq for its war effort. You can read our guide at a glance about the Russian invasion or follow all the latest developments on our liveblog. “Rank hypocrisy” – Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of “ranking hypocrisy” and questioned the ability of over-rich politicians to relate to the public, as No. 10 came under pressure to reveal whether other ministers had used plans to evade taxes. In an interview with the Guardian amid controversy over Sunak’s wife’s tax status, Starmer said having a husband who was not at home would create a “very obvious conflict of interest” for any cabinet minister. He called on the prime minister to make it clear that no other cabinet ministers had taken advantage of the off-site regime, used tax havens or benefited from offshore trusts. Sunak referred himself to the ministerial adviser for research and his wife, Aksata Merti, said last week that he would pay all UK taxes on foreign earnings in the future. Health Minister Sajid Javid also admitted on Sunday that he had been a non-host for six years while a banker before becoming an MP. Khan convicted – MPs have expressed outrage over comments made by Conservative MP Crispin Blunt about the guilty verdict in the Imran Ahmad Khan trial for sexual assault. Blunt, a Reigate MP since 1997 and chairman of the pan-party LGBT + parliamentary group, said he was convinced Khan was innocent and that the trial “was nothing short of an international scandal”. Kahn, a Wakefield MP, was expelled from the Conservative Party with “immediate effect” a few hours after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. “I am utterly disappointed and saddened by the horrific judicial injustice that has befallen my friend and colleague Imran Ahmad Khan,” Blunt said in a statement. Three MPs have since resigned from the APPG – Scottish National Party MPs Stewart McDonald and Joanna Cherry and Labor MP Chris Bryant. Khan was already sitting as an independent MP after the suspension of the conservative whip before his trial and may be able to continue in the role for some time, while he will appeal against the verdict. The company representing Khan, Janes Solicitors, said it had maintained its innocence and would “appeal as soon as possible”. Take painkillers – Nearly one in six people worldwide have a headache every day, with about half of them experiencing migraines, researchers have found. Headache disorders can be painful and debilitating and have a myriad of causes, from anxiety to overuse of medications such as painkillers. Now a large-scale review has shown how common such situations are. The results, published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, suggest that more than half of the world’s population – 52% – has an active headache disorder, commonly described as experiencing some type of headache over the past year. Wild swimming – Part of the Thames is to gain bathing status for the first time, in an effort to ensure the water becomes safe and clean for swimming. Part of the Wolvercote Mill Stream in Port Meadow, Oxford, an area popular with wild swimmers, will be just the second section of water to be officially designated as bathing water from next month. Last year, a section of the Wharfe River in Ilkley, Yorkshire became the first river in England to be bathed in hopes of forcing water companies to stop dumping sewage at the scenic site. Campaigns have called for more rivers to be swam across England. Photo: Matt Smith / Alamy
Today’s Focus podcast: Who decides on the future of Channel 4?
Critics of the Conservative Party say the station’s best years are behind it and privatization is the answer. But what would be lost in the process? Today at Focus
The future of Channel 4
Sorry your browser does not support audio – but you can download it here and listen https://audio.guim.co.uk/2020/05/05-61553-gnl.fw.200505.jf.ch7DW.mp3
Read at noon: Can treatment treat climate stress?
“It would get to the point where I would freeze,” said Natasha James, who underwent treatment to cope with her anxiety about climate change. Photo: Peter Flude / The Guardian People are increasingly seeking help to deal with feelings of fear, helplessness and guilt in the midst of the climate crisis. But can therapists make a difference and is seeking treatment just a form of denial?
Sport
Rory McIlroy has been frustrated several times when he came out on Washington Road via Magnolia Lane who is entitled to enjoy a sense of harmony after leaving Augusta National this year. Tiger Woods ranked playing four rounds at Augusta as one of his greatest achievements and confirmed he will be at St Andrews. New allegations have been made about the incident that contributed to the omission of Mike Brown and Ben Te’o from Eddie Jones’s team in view of the Rugby World Cup 2019 and effectively ended the international careers of both players. Mercedes team leader Toto Wolff has issued a scathing assessment of former Formula One racing director Michael Masi, whose actions were decisive in denying Lewis Hamilton a possible eighth championship last season. Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez has died in a training accident at the age of 17, the International Olympic Committee has announced. England captain Leah Williamson has described Northern Ireland as a “serious contender” for the Lions World Cup qualifier in Windsor Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Business
Retail sales growth in the UK slowed last month as fears of rising cost of living led to the biggest drop in consumer confidence since the 2008 financial crisis, according to industry figures. The UK retail consortium reported total sales up 3.1% in March from the same month last year, significantly lower than the 6.7% increase in February and the 12-month average growth rate of 10.3% . The pound buys $ 1,302 and $ 1,197.
The papers
Photo: Guardian The war in Ukraine fills many headlines. The Metro has “The last stop” in its report on the besieged city of Mariupol. “Putin’s Plan to Resettle Ukrainians Revealed” The Guardian precedes his interview with Keir Starmer: “Sunak a tax evasion” irrelevant “, Starmer says” is the title. The Mail has an “Emergency Offer to Avoid Easter Airport Chaos,” and the Times has a “Summer Travel Warning for Passengers.” The Telegraph reports that “general practitioners have been told to work late to avoid A&E chaos”. The Mirror is leading the way in the cost of living crisis with the title “We will not put our heating back on”. Express has “rescue package requests for millions facing £ 1,000 account increases”. The Sun headline is “We’ll cut your fingers off”, claiming that a gang threatened to torture former footballer Ashley Cole.
Register
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