What the papers say – February 18
Runaway schoolgirl Shamima Begum features on several front pages again on Monday.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the teenager has appealed for public sympathy following the birth of her son.
The Daily Telegraph: ‘Show me some sympathy’ #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/tu6fJJT1mp
— Helena Lee (@BBCHelenaLee) February 17, 2019
The Daily Mirror says Ms Begum told of “good times” as a jihadi bride and spoke fondly of joining Islamic State in an interview with Sky News.
Tomorrow's front page: Jihadi bride says 'I had a good time' #tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/DLysMoxXgwpic.twitter.com/IFbo9zrSmI
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) February 17, 2019
The Sun takes a firm stance on the 19-year-old’s plea for sympathy.
Tomorrow's front page: Teenage jihadi bride begs for public sympathy and a return to Britain after giving birth to an IS fighter's son https://t.co/lmKTXaWnFIpic.twitter.com/EMq5bYA07w
— The Sun (@TheSun) February 17, 2019
And the Metro reports that Ms Begum said she was “just a housewife” during her time with IS.
Meanwhile, The Times, which had tracked Ms Begum down, claims another teenager who was caught as she headed to Syria was never prosecuted despite police finding extremist material.
The Times 18/2/2019Gabriella Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 4, daughter of Nazanin, who is imprisoned in Iran. She wears a beret knitted by her Mum in prison, and has lived in Tehran with family since 2016. Photo : Catherine Philp for The Times.#thetimes#tomorrowspaperstoday@thetimespic.twitter.com/EKP1x1unkV
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) February 17, 2019
In other news, the i reports universities are facing a funding black hole, and says a minister admitted institutions would be worse off because of rising pension costs.
i: Universities face funding black hole #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/eSaxTlE4pw
— Helena Lee (@BBCHelenaLee) February 17, 2019
The Guardian leads on the report by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee which calls for Facebook to be subject to statutory regulation.
Guardian front page, Monday 18 February 2019: MPs call for tough new powers to curb Facebook’s ‘digital gangsters’ pic.twitter.com/sCVnJRBolx
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 17, 2019
Health matters make the front of the Daily Express, which says a new heart pill to treat the most common form of arthritis could soon be available for millions of Britons.
Tomorrow's Daily Express front page: – New pill to halt agony of arthritis – Jihadi bride gives birth and says: 'I deserve sympathy' – Dolly back on 9 to 5 duty pic.twitter.com/X71ZHRZem7
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) February 17, 2019
The Daily Mail reports that Britain’s biggest online betting firm gives cash rebates to big losers to keep them gambling.
Monday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/nHXjLiDlT2
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) February 17, 2019
And the Daily Star claims February will be the hottest since records began.