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

Front pagesThe Herald:

Exclusive: In The Herald, political correspondent Kate Devlin reports on a new poll for the paper showing 64% of Scots want to keep using sterling if the country votes for independence. 

Exclusive: The National hears from a student activist from Iran about her treatment during five years of imprisonment. 

“Send obese children to fat camps” is the headline in the Mail, reporting a call from health officials to MSPs. 

The Herald: The Evening Times has full coverage of Celtic’s cup victory in its sports pullout, plus a souvenir poster. 

The Sun launches a “Smiles at Christmas” charity campaign to help children in need. 

The Guardian reports from Havana as the mourning period for Fidel Castro enters its third day. “Castro divided world opinion in death as sharply as he had in life,” says the FT.

The Telegraph is one of several papers to feature Ed Balls leaving Strictly, with Judith Woods writing: “Not since a reviled Michael Portillo slunk out of Westminster, boarded a trans-European train and reinvented himself as an amiable travel companion has any parliamentarian been so successfully rehabilitated.”

The Times reports Francois Fillon’s victory in the French presidential primary under the headline, “Thatcherite victor vows sharp shock for France.” See Afore Ye Go, below. 

The Record says just £4 million out of £20 million proceeds of crime has been recovered. 

“Pensions shock for millions” is the splash in the Express, with the paper saying some 30 million people could have to work till 70 before getting the state pension. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? They’re re-running the US election.

What? Unofficially, that is. At the behest of the Green Party, a recount in Wisconsin has been initiated - the first presidential recount in state history. The Greens want the same done in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Now the Clinton team are backing the moves. 

Why these three states? Wisconsin on its own would not have been enough to take Clinton over the 270 electoral college votes required, but add other two and she’s there.

The Trump response? He was back on Twitter last night, denouncing the recount push, and saying that if all the people who voted “illegally” were discounted, he would have won the popular vote as well. As it stands, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by more than two million.

Likely? Mmmm....  Marc Elias of the Clinton campaign said last week that they had been looking over the results and speaking to experts. While their work had not so far “resulted in evidence of manipulation of results” they would take part in any efforts to get an accurate vote tally. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley gives an approving toot of the horn to news that Brexit could cut insurance costs for women drivers. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“I will take up an unusual challenge for France - to tell the truth and to completely change its software.”

Former PM Francois Fillon becomes the French conservative presidential candidate. Dubbed “France’s Thatcher” for his dislike of union power, the centre-right candidate’s main opponent looks likely to be the far-right National Front’s Marine Le Pen, above. 

The Herald:

"It has been much more than I ever thought it would be …"

A breathless Ed Balls is booted off Strictly by the judges amid speculation about how he will use his new found popularity. On what lay ahead, the former MP dubbed :the people’s champion by judge Len Goodman said: "I don't know at all and that's great - I have no idea.” In the Guardian this morning, Mark Lawson writes: “Balls is surely too much of a politician not to have wondered if Strictly can do for him what something like The Apprentice has done for Trump.”

The Herald:

“When they told him he would need 26 distilleries to make a blend he soon dropped that idea.”

Former trade minister Brian Wilson, one of the few British politicians to meet Fidel Castro, recalls being told by the dictator that he had sent spies to Scotland to learn how to make whisky. BBC Today. Jorge Rey/Getty Images

The Herald:

“While a controversial figure, both Mr Castro’s supporters and detractors recognised his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for "el Comandante’."

Justin Trudeau, the PM of Canada, above centre with Prince William earlier this year, pays tribute to the late Cuban leader, only for Twitter to mock. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a similar backlash for praising Castro's 'heroism'. Chris Jackson

The Herald:

“Behind every great man there is a tireless mum … and it is time the nation recognised the incredible Judy Murray. A damehood ‘for services to British tennis and pushy mothers’ is long overdue. 

Columnist Rachel Johnson, Mail on Sunday. Dan Mullan/Getty Images.

The Herald:

“Larry fights, he is pretty feisty. The dachshund is pretty small and I am not at all sure if it really came to a punch up who would come off best.' 

A friend of Philip Hammond explains why the Chancellor is having to keep his Welsh terrier and his dachshund secured upstairs while Larry is roaming. Telegraph. Hammond did not fare too well himself yesterday, with Alan Johnson, former Labour Home Secretary, saying: “He is the type of person who lights up a room when he leaves.” Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

The Herald:

"He's good at accessories too, particularly good at choosing handbags and bracelets for presents, and good at flowers.”

Theresa May says her husband, Philip, above, has a good eye for fashion. Sunday Times. Ian West/PA Wire

The Herald:

“Dump Tower”

What the president-elect’s building was renamed on Google Maps for some hours, till Google was alerted. USA Today. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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