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 on yesterday’s “feisty” talks in Downing Street. Exclusive: On the wing, Daniel Sanderson, political correspondent, reveals that Scottish Government officials are drawing up plans for a public sector body to bid for Scotland’s rail franchise. 

“Don’t drive us off Brexit cliff” is the headline in The National over a picture of FM Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Brexit minister Michael Russell leaving Downing Street. 

The Herald: The Evening Times, Mail, Record, and Express picture the scene in Knightswood, Glasgow, where two police officers were seriously injured in a hit and run. The incident is being treated as attempted murder. 

The Guardian says one in four councils in England are refusing to accept refugee children from Calais. 

The Times reports the UK Government is to back down on plans to make newspapers pay all court costs in libel cases. 

Heathrow expansion opponent (and Foreign Secretary) Boris Johnson will make a speech today confirming his stance, says the Telegraph, just hours after the UK Government is expected to back the plan. 

Attitudes towards Chinese investment are hardening in the west, reports the FT, with $40 billion of acquisitions blocked since mid-2015.

Camley’s Cartoon

The Herald:

Camley looks at the push-pull forces surrounding Brexit. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

The Herald:

What’s the story? 

Theresa May's Government has backed the building of a third runway at Heathrow. 

What was the alterative?

Expanding Gatwick. 

I thought David Cameron rejected Heathrow expansion six years ago? No ifs, no buts?  

Let us not go into the comings and goings in the Heathrow debate or we will be here till Ne’erday. Enough to say it is game on again, albeit a very slow game - it will be at least another year before the Commons votes. 

Where stands Scotland? 

The Scottish Government has backed Heathrow, saying it will lead to more jobs in Scotland (16,000 said Economy Secretary Keith Brown) and a greater number of flights for holidaymakers and business flyers.

So all clear for lift-off?

Hardly. Two prominent members of Theresa May’s Cabinet, Education Secretary Justine Greening and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson are against the moves, with the latter pledging to lie down in front of the bulldozers if the £18 billion build at Heathrow goes ahead. A more immediate worry for a PM with a whippet-like majority is the threat of Zac Goldsmith, the Tory MP for Richmond Park in south west London, to trigger a by-election if Heathrow is chosen. All in, the turbulence over Heathrow could be as big a headache for Theresa May as FM Nicola Sturgeon's insistence on a bespoke Brexit deal. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"I can't undermine something that doesn't exist.” 

FM Nicola Sturgeon after “a frank exchange of views” with Theresa May in Downing Street. Number Ten had earlier warned the leaders of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales not to “undermine” a UK approach to Brexit. 

The Herald: Principal of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea

"There is a large amount of uncertainty and when you run different models it ranges from bad, to awful, to catastrophic.”

In evidence the Scottish Affairs Committee, Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, principal of Edinburgh University, describes what he sees as the potential impact of Brexit on higher education if it does not get a “special deal”. Above, author Ian Rankin opens a redevelopment of the university’s main Library in 2009. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The latest edition of the New Yorker

The Herald:

Following Gary, Tank Commander’s interviews with Scottish politicians, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will make a cameo appearance in the new series of Citizen Khan when it begins next month, it was announced yesterday. Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Labour MP Helen Goodman tries to make a point about light pollution and the sex lives of birds during questions to the Communities and Local Government Secretary, only to have a fit of the giggles. Courtesy of the BBC's Esther Webber. 

And so the Ukip leadership race continues.

The Herald:

"Look, I know I'm a white, privileged actor but I also have a profile and a lot of attention on me and I gladly shine the spotlight on those who need that attention and not me.”

Benedict Cumberbatch expresses his concern over what is happening with child refugees as the ‘Jungle’ camp in Calais is dismantled. LBC. Above, with Tilda Swinton at the LA premiere of their new film, Doctor Strange. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

The Herald:

"Ken Loach has long been one of the great bores of our time.”

Charles Moore, Margaret Thatcher's biographer, clearly won't be rushing to see Loach's latest, I, Daniel Blake. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

One to keep for the grandkids?

And one for Dad's Army fans.

The Herald:

"This verdict is a defeat for freedom of expression.”

Campaigner Peter Tatchell on an Appeal Court ruling that found against a Christian bakery which refused to make a pro same-sex marriage cake. Mr Tatchell said he disagreed with Ashers Bakery in Belfast but argued that gay bakers could now theoretically be compelled to bake cakes carrying homophobic slogans. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

Wildlife news from Downing Street

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