Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
In The Herald, political correspondent Kate Devlin hears from UK Government insiders about the chances of Westminster agreeing to a second Scottish independence referendum.
The Mail says Donald Trump is set to visit Scotland during his state visit to the UK. The trip has been put back to October, when parliament is in recess, the paper says.
“May plans to trigger Brexit in two weeks” predicts the Telegraph.
“Yet another broken vow” is the headline in The National as it reports on Theresa May’s refusal to guarantee devolution of fishing and farming powers post-Brexit.
The Guardian reports Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell saying a Labour Government would force those earning more than £1million a year to publish their tax returns.
The Times says President Trump’s upbeat speech to Congress resulted in record stock market highs.
Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Catriona Stewart reports on how libraries in Glasgow have been helping locals.
Camley’s cartoon
As a man is seen cycling down the middle of the M8, Camley sees a Londoner heading into trouble on another road.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story?
The SNP/London mayor stushie over alleged racism has taken a turn for the farcical.
Remind me of the row?
Deep breath. In a Daily Record article before his speech to the Scottish Labour conference, London mayor Sadiq Khan appeared to suggest a link between nationalism and racism. He later rowed back on this, while Jeremy Corbyn and Kezia Dugdale likewise said Mr Khan was saying no such thing. Then another article, this time on the Guardian website and written by a Scottish PhD student, backed Mr Khan and re-ignited the row. Which brings us to the strange tale of the cryptic crossword clues.
Explain?
Guardian crossword number 27,133 on March 1 included two clues: 12 across, eight letters, “Ruling nationalist’s way to encourage progress”. Answer: “Sturgeon”. Then there was 14 across: “Carmen is close to perfect for discriminating fellow”. Answer: “Racist”. When these two clues lined up, as seen below, it was a very unfortunate juxtaposition. Cue a wave of complaints to the Guardian.
Cock-up or conspiracy?
The Guardian told Times reporter Will Humphries: "12 across and 14 across...are simply positioned next to each other and entirely unrelated."
Perhaps everyone should just calm down now?
Or try The Herald's crosswords. The cryptic one will drive you mad with its fiendish complexity but at least it won't offend.
Afore Ye Go
"I do take into account Mr Keen's previous good record and the fact that he admitted his guilt at the outset.”
Advocate General for Scotland Richard Keen QC is fined £1000 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after admitting to failing to secure a shotgun. Victoria Jones/PA Wire.
Oprah Winfrey is reconsidering a run for the US presidency after the victory of that other non-politician, Donald Trump. The revelation came in an interview with financier David Rubenstein for his Bloomberg Television show, which premiered this week. Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File
Authorities in Madrid impound a bus used by campaigners against teaching children about transgender people. Mayor Manuela Carmena said police seized the bus to prevent a hate crime. AP Photo/Paul White
£147
The new cost of a TV licence fee, up from £145.50, as announced by the Government yesterday. The rise comes in a week when a collection agency commissioned by the BBC was accused of targeting vulnerable people. Joe Giddens/PA Wire
A day after May announces she is giving up crisps for lent, Walkers says it is closing a UK crisp factory. How many bags was she eating!?
— Kylie MacLellan (@kyliemaclellan) March 1, 2017
“Vice President Mike Pence (above left) tweeted his support for Israel, but accidentally used an emoji of the Nicaraguan flag instead of the Israeli flag. The White House says there’s a perfectly good reason why he did it: Nobody knows what they’re doing.”
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Jim Lo Scalzo - Pool/Getty Images
"I should say for clarity to members of this House that I am not in a position to know whether or not you took a shower this morning.”
Theresa May to the Speaker, John Bercow, after an MP said she was sure he would not use shower gel containing environmentally harmful microbeads. Above, Mrs May welcoming the new Tory MP for Copeland to the Commons. Jack Taylor/Getty Images).
Ah, the joys of being a woman TV presenter. But Sky News' Kay Burley gives as good as she gets.
Thanks for reading. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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