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

Today

06.00 BBC Today headlines 

Rail passengers in England face disruption … Post Office workers to strike next week; 300 offices affected … UN Sec-Gen alarmed at reports of atrocities against civilians in Aleppo … Unite chief and Corbyn ally Len McCluskey to face challenge for job … Ex-Soviet leader Gorbachev accuses West of plotting to oust Putin … Donald Trump to announce Sec of State pick … Scientists say climate change has caused severe decline in world’s largest herd of reindeer. 

07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines

Final date set for compensation claims for those affected by baby ashes scandal in Aberdeen ... Man arrested after bodies found in Dundee flat ... Syrian forces close to taking Aleppo ... Ten years on from Farepak collapse experts say nothing to prevent same happening ... Lords EU committee says Government should set out gameplan on Brexit ... Post strike ... Scots pilot who helped sink Bismarck dies ... Class size figures due. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley minds the gap in the row over Queensberry Crossing pay rates. Read the story here. 

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, UK political correspondent Kate Devlin reports on a think tank urging the Finance Secretary to close the “growth gap” between Scotland and rUK. 

Exclusive: The National highlights the case of a disabled man who has been asked to fill out a 42-page form to prove he needs help - despite previously being promised support for life. 

The Guardian leads on Aleppo, with one besieged resident telling the paper: “This is a final distress call to the world.”

The Telegraph and Mail splash on the planned postal strike next week, with warnings of card and gift delivery delayed.  

The Herald:

Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Stacey Mullen says police in Glasgow will be wearing body cameras to deter and catch shoplifters during the festive season.  

The Record, Sun and Express lead on the search for missing Inverkip woman Margaret Fleming, last seen in public 17 years ago. 

The Times says health chiefs came under pressure from the Scottish Government over a cancer patient refused a particular drug, while the Telegraph reports that a breast cancer drug approved in England has been rejected for use in Scotland. 

The FT announces its Person of the Year - Donald Trump. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? Donald Trump is today expected to officially name Rex Tillerson as his Secretary of State. 

Brief bio? From Texas, BSc civil engineering, production engineer, then into management, worked all over the world.

I’m sniffing oil here? Correct. Rex W Tillerson is chairman and chief executive of oil giant Exxon Mobil. His appointment follows a number of other high profile, billionaire/millionaire picks by the President-elect. This one, however, could prove to be particularly controversial. 

Why? Mr Tillerson made his name doing business in Russia, and as such has close links to Putin. The Russian president even awarded him the “Order of Friendship” in 2013.  Russia, not to mention Exxon Mobil, has a lot to gain from a thawing of relations between the US and Russia. As the New York Times reports today: “[The company] has billions of dollars in deals that can go forward only if the United States lifts sanctions against Russia.” 

Any other concerns? Eyebrows have also been raised at appointing a businessman with such close ties to Russia at a time when the CIA is accusing the country of meddling in the US election to help Mr Trump win. Former Republican contender Marco Rubio has been among the first to raise an eyebrow:

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“She is the well-mannered yet rampant lioness and we are her lucky cubs.”

Actor, singer and SNP supporter Alan Cumming interviews Nicola Sturgeon. Ms Sturgeon also said she was "tempted" by the notion of putting up SNP candidates in England because support was so strong there. "Our London branch is booming," she told Cumming. Big Issue. Carl Court/Getty Images. Twitter was of course delighted:

The Herald:

“I'm fond of Nicky but it is a great pity she said that.”

Tory MP Nicholas Soames on Nicky Morgan’s criticism of PM Theresa May for wearing a £895 pair of leather trousers. Ms Morgan was subsequently told she was not welcome at a Downing Street meeting of soft Brexiteers, including Sir Nicholas. Jack Taylor/Getty Images.

The Tory MP for Newbury writes.

From the FT's Janan Ganesh

The Herald:

"I just wanted to try something that will help pet owners in need. The enthusiasm of the school and generosity has completely astonished me.”

Final year veterinary student Jamie-Leigh Thompson on her idea to provide backpacks filled with warm winter clothes, first aid materials, basic toiletries, food items and pet supplies for homeless people and their pets in the capital during the festive season. Some 62 backpacks have been donated by Royal Canin and filled with donations from the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Herald:

"Any foreign breach of our cyber security measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts. The Russians are not our friends.”

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, above, announces that Congress will investigate a CIA finding that Russia interfered in the presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump. The president-elect called the report “ridiculous”. Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

The Herald:

“There is a trend of Trump appointing people to head things they’re against. I’m looking forward to Surgeon General Joe Camel.”

Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images.

The Herald: I’M A CELEBRITY: MP Nadine Dorries has caused controversy by appearing in the hit ITV show

“Europhile fanatics in the Tory Party are a bunch of nutcases and leftover hardcore of the Cameron/Osborne fan club.”

But tell us what you really think, Tory MP Nadine Dorries.

Tis the season of goodwill to all breakfast TV presenters as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sends a card to Good Morning Britain.

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