Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
Exclusive: The Herald launches its new series, Beyond Brexit, with an exclusive from chief reporter David Leask on proposals to allow Scots to continue living and working in the EU.
The National reports on a warning that Scotland’s budget faces a £3.3bn real terms cut by the end of the decade unless the UK government ditches austerity.
The Mail highlights the case of Lauri Love, the 31-year-old former Glasgow Uni student with Asperger syndrome who is to be extradited to the US to face hacking charges.
The Evening Times greets the news that Dippy the Diplodocus is heading from London to the Kelvingrove Museum in 2019.
The Times has a leaked memo prepared for the Cabinet Office which paints a picture of a civil service close to being overwhelmed by Brexit planning, with 500 plus projects on the go.
The FT reports that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to revive the term “comrade” for general use, apparently unaware it has been adopted by the gay community.
The Guardian says there is a growing backlash against the appointment of Steve Bannon, executive chair of the right-wing Breitbart News, as Donald Trump’s strategy chief. See Afore Ye Go, below.
The Telegraph has been told by an aide to Nigel Farage that Donald Trump will consult the Ukip leader about any policy proposals for the UK before he speaks to Theresa May.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley lets it all hang out on the matter of Scottish passports.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story? Barack Obama is on a farewell tour, his last major overseas trip before leaving office next January.
50 cities, 100 dates? Just Greece, Germany, and Peru in seven days.
Aim? Reassurance. His main message to Europe is that president-elect Donald Trump, despite what he said on the campaign trail about Nato countries being freeloaders, is right behind the defence alliance. Speaking at a White House press conference last night before getting on Air Force One, Mr Obama said Mr Trump had "expressed a great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships”.
Why Greece? Between economic breakdown and the refugee crisis, Greece has been at the epicentre of global developments during the Obama presidency. It is also, of course, the birthplace of democracy, the importance of which the president was due to speak about at the Acropolis in Athens this morning.
But he won’t? Reports suggest that has been called off due to security concerns.
Afore Ye Go
Knew I'd come across Breitbart before. They attack moderates & progressives - cursory look at website shows strong Islamophobic tendencies pic.twitter.com/NiMJCLxT47
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) 14 November 2016
Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf on the appointment of Steve Bannon, executive chairman of Breitbart News, as Donald Trump's strategy chief.
“There must be no sugarcoating the reality that a white nationalist has been named chief strategist for the Trump administration.”
Nancy Pelosi, US House minority leader. Guardian. Alex Wong/Getty Images
“Despite extended debate among permanent secretaries, no common strategy has emerged.”
A leaked consultants’ report, prepared for the Cabinet Office, on Whitehall’s readiness to start Brexit negotiations. Times
"The president-elect talked about enjoying the same relationship Reagan and Thatcher did. I don't remember there being any third person in that relationship.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman, asked to comment on reports of Ukip interim leader Nigel Farage being a go-between for Team Trump and Team May. Nigel Farage/PA Wire
"It just amazes me that those ghastly little apparatchiks that work in Downing Street put out statements like this. It just goes to show they are not really interested in the country or the national interest, they are more concerned about petty party politics and trying to keep me out of everything.”
Nigel Farage responds. LBC Radio.
No. just no. pic.twitter.com/ufKjHnl2zE
— Ian Rankin (@Beathhigh) November 14, 2016
Crime writer Ian Rankin is not amused at a Team Farage selfie and Sex Pistols comparison in New York.
"We should regard it as a moment for opportunity.”
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, at a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels, takes a glass brimming over approach to the Trump victory.
“The Simpsons” responded to their President Trump prediction https://t.co/1hlLcERUUG pic.twitter.com/zgoZeGOpiJ
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) November 14, 2016
I'll be asking @LeaskyHT about these companies when he gives evidence at #Westminster tomorrow. https://t.co/NYxIpDDIuZ
— Roger Mullin MP (@RogMull) November 14, 2016
Our man Leask is at Westminster today.
1.2C (2.16F)
The amount global temperatures rose above pre-industrial levels, putting 2016 on course to be the hottest year ever recorded globally. World Meteorological Organisation. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Fighting breaks out in Ukraine's parliament ... again pic.twitter.com/dX4XNv9h2T
— ITV News (@itvnews) November 14, 2016
At least it's never like that at Holyrood...
“Some analysts say a Donald Trump presidency could cripple the future of legalised marijuana. And to make matters worse, once it’s crippled, Trump will make fun of it.”
Conan O’Brien. Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
"Blackpool is like his Wembley so I think getting to Blackpool itself is a triumph.”
Yvette Cooper MP, wife of Strictly star, and former MP, Ed Balls. Jay Brooks/BBC/PA Wire
Little-known fact: While not organising village events, Lynda is also a professional hostage negotiator #thearchers https://t.co/LJVTGJNk3v
— The Archers (@BBCTheArchers) November 14, 2016
It's panto time at The Archers (oh yes it is, etc) and Lynda is doing her usual diplomatic best to persuade villagers to get involved.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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