Top story: Johnson to ask G7 to consider Russia sanctions
Good morning and welcome to the Guardian morning briefing. This is Martin Farrer with the top stories.
Boris Johnson will try to persuade his G7 counterparts at talks in Italy today to consider sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin does not abandon Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. It comes as Downing Street revealed last night that Theresa May and Donald Trump had spoken about the Syria situation and agreed that there was a “window of opportunity” to put pressure on Putin.
In more high stakes diplomacy, North Korea has denounced the Trump administration’s decision to deploy a naval battle group to the waters off the Korean peninsula, warning that it is “ready for war”.
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Medicine breakthrough – Campaigners are celebrating after the Scottish Medicines Consortium said that a treatment for people exposed to contracting HIV would be made free on the NHS. Activists say the ruling will put pressure on the authorities in England to end delays in providing the same medication despite two major court rulings.
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‘A heap of ashes’ – A huge fire has gutted the Grande-Synthe migrant camp in Dunkirk, leaving at least 10 people injured. The blaze reduced much of the camp to “a heap of ashes”, French authorities said, and followed fights between Afghan and Kurdish people earlier in the day.
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Boarding bother – A passenger has been forcibly removed from an overbooked United Airlines flight in Chicago. Video posted on social media shows police dragging the screaming man along the aisle of the Louisville-bound plane. United boss Carlos Munoz called the “re-accommodation” of the man “upsetting”.
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Monk fails the challenge – The eagerly awaited final of University Challenge ended in defeat for Wolfson College, Cambridge, and their unlikely heartthrob star Eric Monkman, losing out to Balliol College, Oxford. And is case you were wondering how you might have got on against the Monk, here are some starters for 10 to test your knowledge.
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And finally – Spare a thought for Australian news presenter Natasha Exelby, who has been taken off air by the ABC after she she missed her cue and was seen fiddling absent-mindedly with a pen. Her horrified reaction has gone viral, forcing bosses to give her a break.
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Lunchtime read: ‘It helped mentally ill people to come out’
Michael Douglas has revealed the fascinating story behind the making of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which he co-produced in the days before becoming a household acting name. He describes the dramas over persuading Miloš Forman to direct the film, how major studios all turned down the finished film – which went on to win the Oscars for best picture, director, actor, actress and screenplay, and also the film’s impact on mental health.
Sport
Arsenal supporters turned on Arsène Wenger and his players labelling them “not fit to wear the shirt” after the club’s chances of finishing in the top four were dealt a potentially critical blow with a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. But Wenger will continue to rage against the dying light, writes David Hytner. The publication of a report into claims of bullying within the Great Britain team has been postponed again until May but progress is being made. And Sergio García managed to win back the hearts of American fans with his Masters victory, despite his status as a Ryder Cup rival and his tetchy relationship with Tiger Woods, writes Ewan Murray.
Business
Air strikes in Syria and gunboat diplomacy off the Korean peninsula are continuing to be bad for business on Asian markets, with stocks down today in Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong. But in Australia, things are looking up. The ASX200 gained 0.5% and is closing in on pre-Lehman highs.
The pound is buying $1.24 and €1.17.
The papers
Slightly different takes in the press about Theresa May’s policy towards Syria. The Times says she has backed Donald Trump’s plan to impose more sanctions on Russia unless it moderates its support for Bashar al-Assad. The Sun, meanwhile, says that the cabinet is split over further airstrikes with May unwilling to rile Vladimir Putin. “Theresa won’t Putin the boot,” it puns. The Telegraph has yet another line, saying that Trump’s son says dad won’t be bullied by Putin.
The Guardian splashes with Scotland leading the way on the HIV drug while the FT has more on the pay cuts for Barclays chief executive Jes Staley over his pursuit of a whistleblower. And if the PM can drag herself away from world affairs, she will read in the Mail that 539 council chief executives (aka “fat cats”) are paid more than her.
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