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, Social Affairs Correspondent Stephen Naysmith speaks to Dominic Notarangelo, the former head of Citizens Advice Scotland, after a damning report on the way the organisation, which receives £7.5m a year in public money, operates. 

The National pictures a determined-looking First Minister with the headline “Sturgeon means business” over a £100m fund to boost economic confidence. 

But the Times says Ms Sturgeon has been accused by critics of “smoke and mirror” tactics because the money comes from last year’s underspend. “SNP’s Brexit spending con” is the Express’s take. 

The Herald: In the Evening Times, Stacey Mullen talks to the step-sister of missing Dalmuir man William McKenna, last seen on July 19. 

“A law unto themselves” is the headline in the Mail as it details the second jobs of Scots police officers. Some 1439 are working in farming, joinery, beauty therapy, teaching, and other sectors says the paper. 

The Telegraph pictures British tennis player Gabriella Taylor, 18, as it reveals police are investigating allegations she was poisoned while competing at Wimbledon. 

The Guardian highlights accusations from Vladmir Putin that Ukraine is plotting terror attacks in Crimea. Ukraine said Russia was being deliberately provocative. 

The FT reports that Australia has had its first online census hacked. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

From Camley with love as Russia opens a news agency in Edinburgh. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

1. What’s the story? Labour is back in court in London today, the second time in a week, with party officials appealing against a decision to allow new members to vote in the leadership contest. 

2. Who said they couldn’t vote? The party’s ruling National Executive Committee decided that only those who had been members for at least six months by July 12 could cast a ballot.

3. What was wrong with allowing a thousand democratic flowers to bloom? That would be 125,000 new flowers, sorry, members, many of whom are thought to be Corbyn backers. If they get the vote, Corbyn’s victory against rival Owen Smith MP is assured.  

4. Do I detect a whiff of Trotskyist entryism going on here? Deputy leader Tom Watson believes so. He said there were some “old hands twisting young arms” in a bid to take over the party from within. The leader’s office duly accused him of being patronising and deploying “conspiracy theories”. He has now written to complain. 

5. Remind me what happened to Trotsky? Fled from Stalin, made it to Mexico, only to be assassinated on the orders of Uncle Joe in 1940. Or to quote The Stranglers, a popular beat combo m’lud, he got an ice pick that made his ears burn. On a more mundane note, if the party loses the appeal, the party’s Scots general secretary, Iain McNicol, will come under pressure, with one Labour source telling PA: "Having spent nearly a quarter million pounds on this legal case and staking his professional reputation on the outcome, if he loses today then he simply can't stay in post."

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"Despite the newly-found empathy and goodwill there undoubtedly now is for Scotland in European capitals, the EU has already made it clear that there will not be separate negotiations with Scotland until after the UK/EU Brexit deal is done; and that this position won't change even if there is a Yes vote in a second independence referendum prior to the completion of the Brexit negotiations.”

Former SNP minister Alex Neil throws in the towel on Scotland’s chances of staying EU member after Brexit. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

First cats, now ducks, it's a jungle at Westminster

And Larry the Number 10 cat has been offered a job.

The Herald:

"Donald Trump makes death threats because he's a pathetic coward who can't handle the fact that he's losing to a girl.”

Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts on Donald Trump's gun remarks. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images

Today's furore. Do keep up.

The Herald:

“You are a bit of a **** yourself.” 

Judge Patricia Lynch QC responds in kind after being verbally attacked by a man she jailed for 18 months for racially abusing a woman and her two children. 

Ex-chancellor George Osborne resurfaces.

BuzzFeed's Jim Waterson turns a Brass Eye on the silly season for news.

The Herald:

“I'd really like to go to some of those Momentum rallies with Jeremy.”

Labour leadership contender Owen Smith reckons he should have access to Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters. Sweet. ITV News. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images.

Who says the left are lacking in humour?

The Herald:

“The Government cannot be neutral in this struggle. They urgently need to back the rail companies in any ways that they can.”

Former Labour advisor John McTernan, above with Tony Blair, attacks the “Luddite” RMT union over the Southern Rail strike. Telegraph. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Sign of the times (1)

Sign of the times (2)

More body politics from Rio

Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat