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

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle reports that after the Supreme Court’s Brexit ruling the stage is set for a showdown between PM Theresa May and FM Nicola Sturgeon when the Joint Ministerial Committee meets in London on Monday. 

The National uses Ms Sturgeon’s reaction to the Brexit ruling - that it showed promises of consultation were “not worth the paper they are written on” - over a mock-up of the famous Trainspotting poster, this one featuring the FM, Jeremy Corbyn, David Davis, Theresa May and Patrick Harvie. 

“A slapdown for Sturgeon over Brexit” is the Mail’s take on the story. The paper says scores of MPs, including the SNP’s 54, are planning to frustrate the passage of the Article 50 Bill. 

The Telegraph highlights Brexit Secretary David Davis’s assertion in the Commons yesterday that there would be “no going back” on the EU referendum result. 

The FT says Downing Street hopes to have parliamentary approval to trigger Article 50 by mid-March. 

The Herald:

The Evening Times focuses on the new parking charges ahead at Glasgow Airport. 

The Guardian says Donald Trump’s decision to approve oil pipelines has met with condemnation from Native Americans and environmentalists. 

The Times reports that NHS Grampian is cancelling operations due to a staffing crisis. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley finds some far from good housekeeping going on in Downing Street.  

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? The countdown has started towards the launch of Timeline, BBC Scotland new weekly current affairs show. 

ETA? 7.30pm-8pm, tomorrow, BBC2, live, with anchors Shereen Nanjiani and Glenn Campbell.

What to expect? The programme bills itself as providing “thought-provoking stories and analysis from across Scotland”. As for tomorrow night’s launch, BBC Scotland says that as with all live shows content can change right up to transmission, but interviews with Sir David Attenborough and Judy Murray are part of the mix. As you can see from a sneak peek of the set below, they will be using a screen in the studio (far left), suggesting comments from viewers via social media will feature, and there is lots of space for "discos" (discussions) so expect talking heads. 

The Herald:

Pressure? What some will see as the show’s predecessor, BBC Scotland 2016, pulled in just 30,000 viewers, consistently losing the ratings battle against Scotland Tonight, which averages 85,000 in the 10.35pm slot. The new show will be up against EastEnders, Tonight’s “Keep, Chuck, or Clean”, and Channel 4 News on the main channels. But ratings will be just one pressure point. 

Meaning? The BBC has yet to make its much anticipated announcement on whether there will be a Scottish Six. Launch a Six, and all eyes will be on that. Fail to launch, and the heat is on Timeline to show that the BBC is upping its game on the coverage of Scottish current affairs. Also, STV is getting ready to launch its new nightly news show at 7pm featuring Scottish and international news.

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"He believes what he believes based on the information he was provided.”

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on President Trump’s unproven claim that he lost the popular vote because 3-5 million people living in the US illegally cast ballots. Asked if the president would set up an investigation, Spicer said: "Anything is possible.”

The Herald:

"Ewan McGregor’s perfectly entitled to have an opinion. Unfortunately, what democracy doesn’t entitle him to do is ban or punish others if their political opinions happen to differ from his. That’s the behavior reserved for dictators like Kim Jong Un in North Korea."

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan continues his war of words with Trainspotting star Ewan McGregor, who pulled out of appearing on the show because of Morgan's criticism of the Women's March. It was a one-sided battle, however, as one tweeter noted:

McGregor picked up some high-profile supporters, including Sir Patrick Stewart:

The Herald:

@mcgregor_ewan YOU are more than welcome on my show - Robert Carlyle is on with me. Xxx”

And Lorraine Kelly tried to poach the Trainspotting star. Tim P Whitby/Getty Images

The Herald:

Meryl Streep, dubbed “over-rated” by Donald Trump after she made a speech criticising him, yesterday became the first star to be nominated for 20 Oscars - this time for her lead role in Florence Foster Jenkins. Ian West/PA Wire.

The Herald:

“I think she will like it - she seems to have a good sense of humour.”

Impersonator Tracey Ullman on a new character in her eponymous TV show – FM Nicola Sturgeon. 

The Herald:

“I am not saying I would discount David Beckham for any episode of Desert Island discs, but for the 75th anniversary I think they could raise the pitch.”

Tory MP Sir Bill Cash, who would much prefer a Nobel winner, author, or some such. The Beckham-Kirsty Young meeting airs this Sunday. Mail

As if to prove that to get ahead in politics, you need to get a puppy. Thanks to the NYT's Matt Flegenheimer.

A tweet from the Russian Embassy or a still from a new BBC adaptation of a John le Carre? Hard to tell... 

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat