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

Front pages

The Herald:

Exclusive: In The Herald, education correspondent Andrew Denholm reveals that a twinning policy to link underperforming schools with more successful ones is to receive no new money. 

“Playing hardball on Brexit” is the headline in the National, which reports the First Minister’s insistence she is “not bluffing” on indyref2. 

The FT says UK taxpayers are facing a £24 billion bill for North Sea oil and gasfield decommissioning. The paper says the projections, double what the Treasury previously thought, “raise further questions over the viability of an independent Scotland”. 

The Mail says 10,000 British owners of VW vehicles are to demand £3000 compensation each over the emissions scandal. 

The Herald: Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Catriona Stewart is given a sneak peek at some of Glasgow’s refurbished schools, which the council claims are as good as private ones. 

The Record says it has unmasked “the hate-filled Scots racist whose vile rants have made him an internet sensation”. His name is Colin and he is an unemployed ex-student living with his dad in Linlithgow. 

The Guardian and Telegraph report on Boris Johnson’s trip to the US as his boss, Theresa May, calls president-elect Trump’s comments about women “unacceptable”. See Afore Ye Go.

The Sun says the number of violent crimes in Scotland is 68,482, far in excess of the official tally of 6,775.

The Times and Express report on the reappearance of the Queen after a cold. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley maintains a poker face on hearing no new funding is to be given to a flagship schools twinning policy. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story?

Barring a cash rescue, the pro-Indy website Bella Caledonia is to close. 

Bio?

Launched 2007 by by writers Mike Small and Kevin Williamson, website artwork by Alasdair Gray whose novel, Poor Things, gave the site its name. Credited by Sunday Herald columnist Angela Haggerty as being among the websites that were “key in making the case for independence”. 7,159 people registered to receive blog posts. Reliant on donations and fundraising events. No advertising. Contributors have included writers Irvine Welsh, John Aberdein and Alan Bissett. 

What happened?

Visitors to the site last night were greeted with the message:

“Thanks to everyone for their support over the years, to the board members and writers who gave their time and to everybody who supported us financially and who took part in the debate. Couldn’t quite manage to do it.”

A statement issued later said: 

“The Advisory Board of Bella Caledonia confirms we are going to have to make the decision to close, unless an urgent fundraising appeal can be met. Mike Small has advised that despite his commitment to Bella, he will have to step down as editor as the position is too financially precarious and he is actively seeking other work. The Board is looking at other funding models and is appealing for urgent help to finance the magazine in a more permanent way in a year when a second independence referendum is very likely to be called.”

Reaction? Support from some surprising quarters, at least initially.  

Such as? Scottish Conservatives leader, Ruth Davidson, who tweeted her support, only to later withdraw it.

Afore Ye Go

The Herald: GettyImages-532203434.jpg

“She wanted the title but she’s not facing up to the responsibilities. To turn up so infrequently gives the House of Lords a bad name.”

Gap Group boss Douglas Anderson on hearing that Baroness Mone has been in the Lords for 7 out of 86 working days in the current 2016-17 session. Mail on Sunday.  Justin Tallis, WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Herald:

"We are leaving. We are coming out. We are not going to be a member of the EU any longer.”

Mrs May on suggestions the UK could “keep bits” of EU membership. BBC Andrew Marr. On Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mrs May called Donald Trump's comments about groping women "unacceptable". Earlier, he had tweeted how much he was looking forward to a visit from the UK PM next month.

The Washington Post's Mark Berman raises an eyebrow.

Now a Tory MP tries out a "rebuild Hadrian's wall" joke for size.

The Herald:

“He is an idiot but has become Minister of Foreign Affairs without any responsibilities.”

Shai Masot, political officer at the Israeli Embassy in London, is covertly filmed talking about Boris Johnson. Masot said he would like to “take down” Johnson's deputy, Alan Duncan, above, for his criticism of Israel. Israel apologised and the civil servant in conversation with Masot, Maria Strizzolo, resigned. Mail on Sunday. Johnny Green/PA Wire

The Herald:

“Bill and Hillary Clinton will attend Trump's inauguration. I think that's very nice that she's being a gracious loser. And if you count the popular vote, a gracious winner.”

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Mrs Clinton polled almost three million more votes than her opponent but lost in the electoral college. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Herald:

“The ceremony is a little long, someone’s crying because he’s hungry. That’s the way it is. You mothers, go ahead and breastfeed, without fear. Just like the Virgin Mary nursed Jesus.”

The Pope gives public backing to public breastfeeding as he baptises 28 children at the Sistine Chapel. Franco Origlia/Getty Images

The Herald:

“We have to remind ourselves we’re on the same team. Vladimir Putin’s not on our team.”

President Obama on Donald Trump’s pro-Putin statements. ABC This Week. Ma Ping, Pool/Getty Images

Piers Morgan reckons his fellow GMB presenter is starting a dynasty.

Further woes on BBC Breakfast, this time over the wrong guest.

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