UK demands release of British fighters sentenced to death

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( June 10, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Ministers demand release of Britons sentenced to death in ‘Soviet-era show trial’ after fighting for Ukraine]( Ministers have demanded the release of two Britons sentenced to death on Thursday by pro-Russia separatists in what has been condemned as a “Soviet-era show trial”. Moscow was accused of breaching the Geneva Convention over the treatment of Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, who were captured while fighting with Ukrainian forces. They will reportedly face a firing squad after being convicted of terrorism in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic – but Britain says the pair should be treated as prisoners of war. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, condemned the court ruling, saying: “This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy” and promising to “do everything we can” to support the pair’s families. There were suggestions the men’s fate could be used by Moscow as a bargaining chip to force Britain to scale back the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.   2 / [American democracy ‘remains in danger,’ Jan 6 hearings chair warns]( Select committee chairman Bennie Thompson said ‘conspiracy to thwart the will of the people’ 3 / [Boris Johnson tells workers to accept pay cuts or UK faces 1970s–style ‘stagflation’]( Prime minister blames Ukraine war for U-turn on promise to create a high-wage economy 4 / [Care staff ‘calling in sick because they cannot afford fuel to get to work’]( Unison chief attacks government for ‘not having a plan’ to tackle cost of living crisis as cost of filling typical family car tops £100 for first time 5 / [‘Superworms’ with appetite for polystyrene could revolutionise plastic recycling, scientists say]( Beetle larvae ‘like mini recycling plants’ could reduce landfill, research suggests     The Big Question What do Boris Johnson’s new housing plans mean for low-earners and how feasible are they? The prime minister has revealed plans designed to help lower earners buy houses as part of a series of announcements aimed at easing the housing crisis and bolstering his own flagging popularity after Monday's damaging confidence vote. In a speech in Lancashire, Mr Johnson set out a pledge to extend the Right to Buy scheme for people renting from housing associations and another to allow them to use benefits to pay for mortgages, arguing that the money would be better spent helping people acquire their own property, rather than paying rent. But are his proposals practical or “totally detached from reality”, as some experts have warned? [For the full story click here >](   Watch/ [Surviving shock therapy: Trans woman reveals horrors of conversion practice](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 40 – Ukraine forces outgunned [up to 40 to one]( by Russian forces, intelligence report reveals.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “What an honour to have a private moment with our future king, who was humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy.” – Matthew Gardner shares[a photo of Prince William selling the Big Issue]( to LinkedIn.       Other stories you might like   [Man who sent racist death threat to David Lammy is 12-time Conservative election candidate](   [Britney Spears wedding dramatically interrupted as her first husband Jason Alexander crashes and police called](   [‘Baby Holly’ who vanished when her parents were murdered in 1980 is found alive 40 years later](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers John Rentoul, The Independent: [Never mind the logic: Boris Johnson’s bizarre Blackpool speech](   Other newsletters you might like [US morning headlines] US Morning Headlines Weekdays, 12pm (UK time) Written by Andrew Naughtie [Sign up]( [Climate warrior] Climate Warrior Every Wednesday, 8am (UK time) Written by climate activists [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.