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 continues the paper’s Beyond Brexit series, reporting on a study that looks at how satisfied, or otherwise, people are with the way the British economy works. 

The FT says the UK faces a £100 billion bill for Brexit within five years.  

“Dark Lord” is the headline in The National. Inspired by reports that Nigel Farage could be in line for a peerage, the paper mocks him up as Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars. 

The Mail says experts are urging employers to tackle Scotland’s obesity problems by pointing out to staff they are fat. 

The Herald: The Evening Times has the latest on a fatal shooting in Glasgow, with the Sun and Record also leading on the death of 26-year-old Euan Johnston. 

The Times leads on FM Nicola Sturgeon’s determination to forge ahead with plans to devolve money and power to head teachers, despite council opposition. 

The Telegraph says Ms Sturgeon’s preferred “Norway option” on Brexit, disclosed to MSPs yesterday, was dismissed as not a “desirable option” in a report three years ago. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley turns the microscope on fears that Brexit could mean fewer EU researchers working in the UK.  

FFS: Five in five seconds

The Herald:

What’s the story? Hillary Clinton has made her first public appearance since losing the election. Her headline message: don’t give up. 

A tough gig? “Coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” she told a children’s charity event in Washington DC. “There have been a few times this past week when all I wanted to do was curl up with a good book and never leave the house again.”

Emotions high? Very, particularly when she spoke about her mother, Dorothy Rodham, who was abandoned by her parents then neglected by her grandparents, eventually going out to work as a maid at the age of 14. Clinton, the winner of the popular vote by one million, said she imagined meeting the young Dorothy.  “I dream of going up to her and sitting next to her and taking her in my arms and saying: ‘You will survive. You will have a family of your own. Three children. And as hard as it might be to imagine, your daughter will grow up to be a United States Senator, represent our country as Secretary of State and win more than 62 million votes for president of the United States.”

A retirement speech? Did not sound like it. “As long as any child in America lives in poverty,” said Clinton, “as long as any child in America lives in fear, as long as any child, not just here but in the world, faces these challenges, there is work to do."

Anything on Trump? Name not mentioned. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"I'm not for a minute saying there wouldn't be challenges associated with this.”

FM Nicola Sturgeon, speaking to the Scottish Parliament's conveners' group, says she is considering a Norway-style model for keeping Scotland in the single market, which would entail making a financial contribution to the EU and allowing the free movement of people. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Herald: Murdo Fraser

"Academics have warned again that this proposal would be the worst of all worlds, trapping Scotland in an EU-wide pact over which we would have no influence, and cutting us off from our biggest and nearest market in the rest of the UK.”

Scottish Conservatives finance spokesman Murdo Fraser 

The Herald:

"That the Parliament notes with concern Mondelez International's recent decision to widen the gaps between the segments of the iconic Swiss chocolate bar, Toblerone, in the UK … [and] believes that this is emblematic of the devastating consequences that Brexit could bring.”

A Holyrood motion, placed by SNP MSP Colin Beattie, on changes to the shape of Toblerones. Charlotte Ball/PA Wire

"Even the most sweet-toothed of Scottish taxpayers must be wondering if this is the best use of parliamentary time, some might even say Mr Beattie is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.”

A Labour source responds. It costs £5-£6 to submit a parliamentary motion.

The Herald:

"This Saturday in Blackpool I am doing a jive. I’ve discovered I am coming down on a rope, not fired out of a cannon."

Ed Balls looks ahead to this Saturday's Strictly. Be afraid. Be very afraid. BBC R4 Today. 

The Herald:

"I said 'Maybe we're going to lose some Prosecco, you're going to lose some fish and chips exports. The difference is I'm going to lose (exports) to one country, you to 27’. Putting things on this level is a bit insulting.”

Italian economic development minister Carlo Calenda responds to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s suggestion that the EU would want to give the UK access to the single market because Brits drank a lot of fizzy wine. Bloomberg TV. Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for NYCWFF.

The Herald:

"I say to the president-elect: look across to women, make equality a priority, it is the only way forward. The train is leaving the station, be on it or be under it.”

U2 rock star Bono, Glamour magazine’s “woman of the year” has some advice for Donald Trump. Above, with IMF chief Christine Lagarde. Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Glamour

The Herald:

"Can the Prime Minister confirm or deny if there have been any official conversations at any level regarding giving Nigel Farage a peerage?”

SNP MP George Kerevan at PMQs. Mrs May avoided answering directly, saying that “such matters are normally never discussed in public”. Yana Paskova/Getty Images

The Herald:

“Donald Trump’s children are helping him transition to the White House. Right now 10-year-old Barron Trump is interviewing the next head of the National Security Agency.”

Conan O’Brien. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

ITV News' Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith is happy in his work as Leonardo DiCaprio gets set to visit Edinburgh today.

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