Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere. 

Today

  • Alarm over children conceived in winter
  • Sturgeon: Union as economic haven argument ‘bust’
  • Smith promises to block Brexit talks
  • Traingate rattles on as Corbyn and Branson clash 

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, health correspondent Helen Puttick reports on research showing children conceived during the winter months are more likely to suffer from learning disabilities such as autism and dyslexia. Lower levels of sunlight leading to a Vitamin D shortage in pregnant mothers is thought to be to blame. 

“UK can’t offer us security” is the headline in The National as it reports on FM Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that Scotland’s Brexit bill could hit `£11 billion. 

The Sun, Times and Scotsman say the FM hinted that plans for a second referendum will be published within a fortnight. 

The Mail leads on the death of a Scots soldier during a live-firing exercise in Otterburn, Northumberland. 

The Herald: Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Hannah Rodger says Glasgow schools have been told to tighten up security after inspectors were able to walk in to several without being asked for ID. 

Elsewhere, Traingate gathers speed. “Rail company accuses Corbyn of dishonesty” says the Times; “Corbyn’s rail stunt hits the buffers” declares the Telegraph; but the Guardian says the Labour leader has fended off the “Branson attack”. 

The FT says UK house sales are holding steady after the Brexit vote, but the commercial market is suffering. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

1. What’s the story? The Gers figures are out today. 

2. We’re talking football? Political football. The Government Expenditure and Revenue Service (Gers) figures show the difference between what Scotland raises in tax and what it spends.

3. Ah, the Mr Micawber equation: annual income twenty pounds, etc. How is Scotland doing? According to 2014-15 figures, it’s in the red by £15 billion, largely as a result of the falling oil price. 

4. Sure to lead to lively debate in Holyrood chamber today? It would if parliament was in session. The figures used to be published in March, but the timetable has been changed so that it will be the end of summer from now on. 

5. So all quiet on the political front? More like Hogmanay, complete with fireworks. Expect the Conservatives to point out that public spending per person in Scotland is higher than the UK average and that this proves the benefit of staying in the Union. The SNP, meanwhile, will argue that when it comes to running deficits, the UK is in the red to the tune of £69 billion and if Scotland was independent it would have more control over its earning potential. Read the story here. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“The Scottish Church had its faults prior to the rise of the SNP. But it has now become a useful ally for those who want to destabilise Scotland, and in doing so, has put the interests of its own flock in jeopardy.”

Composer Sir James MacMillan, above, on the relationship between the Scottish Catholic Church and the SNP.  Sir James said the Catholic community “have been played for useful fools by Salmond et al”. The Spectator, Coffee House blog. 

The Herald:

"Over the past year we received several customer complaints regarding Scottish flags on strawberries in England.”

Tesco explains why it has replaced the Saltire with the Union flag on its Scottish-grown fruit, prompting more customer complaints, this time from Scots. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The Herald:

“Strawberries from Scotland are just the best strawberries, that’s why we should eat them – not because of the flag that happens to be on their packaging.”

FM Nicola Sturgeon weighs in to the great berry/flag debate. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Herald:

“We have to take issue with the idea that Mr Corbyn wasn't able to be seated on the service, as this clearly wasn't the case.”

A Virgin Trains spokesman after footage emerged of the Labour leader walking past empty, unreserved seats on the London-Newcastle service. He was later pictured sitting on the floor complaining about “ram-packed” carriages. A Corbyn spokesman disputed Virgin’s claims. Virgin Trains/PA Wire

The Herald:

£34.9 million

What 26-year-old movie star Jennifer Lawrence’s pay packet contained last year, making her the world’s highest paid actress. Ian West/PA Wire

How’s your health, Hillary? The Democrat contender responds to Republican insinuations about her health by, what else, opening a jar of pickles on late-night television show Jimmy Kimmel Live. YouTube

The Herald:

“I have only once taken the train to London and I was in the carriage when two people started making quite strong allegations and suggestions.”

Dominic Chappell, the man who bought BHS from Phillip Green for £1, tells a court why he should not have his driving licence suspended for doing 63mph in a 40 zone. The court banned him for six months. PA/PA Wire

The Herald:

“Andy was the flag-bearer and spoke to all of the team before the opening ceremony, spoke really eloquently about being part of Team GB and the importance of everybody doing everything they could to replicate London.”

Team GB chef de mission Mark England praises the Wimbledon champ and Olympic double gold medallist as the athletes arrived home from Rio. PA Wire

The Herald:

"Fox News masquerades as defender of traditional family values, but behind the scenes, it operates like a sex-fuelled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency, and misogyny.”

As alleged in a lawsuit filed in New York by broadcaster Andrea Tantaros. Fox News told USA Today it does not comment on pending litigation. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Herald:

"Why are you a misogynist?”

"I'm not. I'm a feminist.”

It all kicks off as Labour leadership contender Owen Smith answers criticism from Mumsnet users after saying he wanted to "smash" Theresa May "back on her heels”. Mr Smith said he was disappointed in his use of “clumsy language”. Asked the now trademark Mumsnet biscuit question, Mr Smith said his favourite was a Garibaldi. “You've got to like a biccy named after a revolutionary”. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Meet Duke, a nine-year-old Great Pyrenees elected for a second term as mayor of Cormorant.

Just to show political balance, cat news from Downing Street courtesy of @PoliticalPics

Thanks for reading - see you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat