Your morning briefing: What you should know for Friday, February 15

Jason Collie15 February 2019

Islamic State 'bride' could be blocked from returning to UK by Home Secretary

The teenager who ran away to join Islamic State could be blocked from returning to Britain , Home Secretary Sajid Javid has warned.

Shamima Begum, who is now 19 and heavily pregnant, is staying in a refugee camp in Syria but is pleading to be able to live with her baby in the UK.

But Mr Javid said those who had joined Isis were full of hate for Britain and he would not hesitate to prevent their return.

Begum’s case has divided opinion. A former MI6 chief believes should be given a chance if “we are to stand by our values", but the brother of executed British aid worker Alan Henning said she have her passport removed.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Javid said: "We must remember that those who left Britain to join Daesh were full of hate for our country.

"My message is clear - if you have supported terrorist organisations abroad I will not hesitate to prevent your return. If you do manage to return you should be ready to be questioned, investigated and potentially prosecuted."

Ms Begum was one of three schoolgirls, along with Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase, from Bethnal Green Academy who left the UK in February 2015.

Anger as Brexiteers help Government loss over Brexit vote

Angry Tory loyalists have turned on the party's Brexiteers after Theresa May's plans for leaving the EU suffered another humiliating Commons defeat .

Downing Street insisted the Prime Minister would continue with her negotiating strategy, with ministers dismissing Thursday's vote as no more than a hiccup.

However there was fury among some Conservative MPs after a last-minute announcement by the pro-Brexit European Research Group it had taken a collective decision to abstain.

The ERG was unhappy last night’s motion covered an non-binding amendment rejecting a no-deal break with the EU.

With some Remainers also failing to vote, and five Tory MPs voting with the opposition, the Government fell to a 303 to 258 vote defeat.

Pupils to go on strike over climate change

Thousands of youngsters are expected to go on strike from school today as part of a global youth action over climate change.

Youth Strike 4 Climate organisers say strikes are taking place in 60 towns and cities from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands over what they call a lack of Government leadership on climate change.

But school leaders and Education Secretary Damian Hinds have warned students they should not miss lessons to take part in the strikes.

The movement has already seen school strikes in Australia and European countries including Belgium.

Trump may declare national emergency after border wall row

Donald Trump may declare a national emergency to pay for his wall on the border with Mexico.

Congress has approved a border security compromise to avert a second government shutdown but at 1.4 billion dollars it falls well short of the 5.7 billion dollars the President says he needs.

The White House said Mr Trump would take executive action allowing him to siphon billions from other federal coffers, a move condemned as a gross abuse of power by critics.

'How I survived mountain lion attack'

A runner has revealed how he survived an attack by a mountain lion and was left needing just 28 stitches in Colorado.

Travis Kauffman said he was running along a trail when the mountain lion lunged at him from behind, locked its teeth on his wrist and clawed at his face and arms.

The 31-year-old said he wrestled it to the ground and jammed his foot on its neck to suffocate it.

The ordeal won him a reputation for toughness and bravery but the 11-stone Mr Kauffman said, quote, "The story is bigger than my puny form."

On this day...

1564: Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer and mathematician, was born in Pisa

1842: The first adhesive stamp was used in the USA by the City Despatch Post, a private concern later acquired by the government for 1,200 dollars

1882: The first shipment of frozen meat left New Zealand for England

1901: The first British Parliament of the 20th century opened with a new member for Oldham - Winston Churchill

1913: Sir Barry Jackson opened the first repertory theatre, in Birmingham

1942: Singapore surrendered to Japan. "A heavy and far-reaching military defeat," said Churchill of the loss of the fortress

1965: Nat King Cole, US singer and pianist, died of cancer

1971: Britain changed over to decimal coinage on Decimal Day

1981: Football League games were played on a Sunday for the first time

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