Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Care watchdog sounds alarm over children’s services
- Sturgeon in U-turn over ministerial aides
- Campaigners slate EU vote and praise indyref
- Scottish Labour sets out alternative legislative stall
Front pages
In The Herald, social affairs correspondent Stephen Naysmith reports on a Care Inspectorate review which finds that weaknesses in children’s services continue to persist in Scotland.
“It’s yet another Labour Owen goal” is the headline in The National as it reports that the Labour leadership contender believes Kezia Dugdale is doing a “terrific job”.
The Mail, Scotsman, Telegraph and Times report that a new drug to halt Alzheimer’s will be trialled across the UK. Scientist quoted in the Times have called it a "game changer".
Exclusive: Louise Houston in the Evening Times says a Glasgow priest has dividing his parish by preaching about independence.
The FT says the Home Office is trialling a new online system to cope with an expected surge in permanent residence applications after the Brexit vote.
The Telegraph says PM Theresa May has pledged to control immigration after Brexit.
The Guardian says a third of Africa’s elephants have been lost to poachers in the last seven years.
FFS: Five in five seconds
1. What’s the story? Donald Trump has given a showpiece speech on immigration.
2. After his diplomatic foray to Mexico, was it a triumph of peace, love and understanding? Dream on. The candidate was not for pivoting. The wall is still in his plans, and Mexico, according to The Donald, will still be paying for it. “We will build a great wall along the southern border and Mexico will pay for the wall, 100%. They don’t know it yet, but they’re going to pay for it.” This was later contradicted by President Enrique Peña Nieto, who said he made it clear Mexico would not pay for any wall.
3. So the trip to Mexico went badly? On the contrary. Trump praised the “wonderful, wonderful” Mexican president President Enrique Peña Nieto in Mexico City in his speech; the optics were great (Trump looking presidential); and protesters did not get near.
4. Anything else in speech? The 72-minute address in Phoenix, Arizona, was policy-heavy for a Trump speech, with the Republican nominee presenting a ten-point plan that included 5000 more border guards, “zero tolerance for criminal aliens”, “extreme vetting” of immigrants, and the deportation of illegal immigrants.
5. The Clinton camp’s response? Unimpressed. “It certainly takes more than trying to make up for a year of insults and insinuations by dropping in on our neighbours for a few hours and then flying home again,” said Hillary Clinton. But the speech played well to his supporters in what is a key state for the Republicans.
Afore Ye Go
"From [today], a pop-up will appear when you go to play something, asking you to select if you have a TV licence, as you'll need one to watch live, catch-up and on-demand programmes on iPlayer.”
A BBC spokesman outlines the new rules for watching shows on iPlayer. It is unclear how the new rules will be enforced, as no plans to ask viewers to enter licence fee details on iPlayer have been revealed. Nick Ansell/PA Wire
“Dire”
The Electoral Reform Society’s description of the EU referendum campaign. The ERS criticised the negative tone of both Leave and Remain and said voters felt ill-informed. Geoff Caddock - WPA Pool/Getty Images
"Corbyn. Is. Not. Dumbledore.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling is tiring of Jeremy Corbyn supporters comparing the Labour leader to her famous character. The author, who spent the day fending off Twitter attacks from Corbynites, linked the tweet to an article stating that Mr Corbyn was paid up to £20,000 for appearances on the Iranian news channel Press TV which was banned in Britain for its part in filming the detention and torture of a journalist. Twitter. Yui Mok/PA Wire
"I presented programmes in which I was able to raise a number of human rights issues. I did that and the money I was paid - which wasn't an enormous amount - went to my constituency office.”
Jeremy Corbyn defends his appearance on Press TV. Pink News. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
After Rowling's ruling on Corbyn, I have found Owen Smith is *not* Harry Potter pic.twitter.com/OruU4I9NNX
— Asa Bennett (@asabenn) August 31, 2016
“I have listened carefully to the case made by those calling for change, and so the updated guidelines I am publishing today will remove even the perception of any conflict of interest in the role of Parliamentary Liaison Officers.”
FM Nicola Sturgeon updates the Ministerial Code after it emerged that some SNP MSPs appointed as PLOs also sit on the committee covering the same policy area as the minister for whom they work. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
"Leopard McLeopardface”
What one of the twin leopard cubs born at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire will NOT be named after a zoo spokeswoman said there would be a public vote on shortlisted names only. Earlier this year, a public vote resulted in "Boaty McBoatface" becoming the most popular name for a new polar research ship. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
A woman who says she's a Christian has written to me to say that any death threats I receive are my fault for riling people by being gay.
— Chris Bryant MP (@RhonddaBryant) August 31, 2016
“There is an elegance to writing code that I miss. The code always does what you want – and people don’t."
Facebook founder and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, visiting tech entrepreneurs in Lagos. CNN. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
We're raising our mugs in solidarit-tea with Helen & others who've experienced domestic abuse @TheArchers #FreeHelen pic.twitter.com/5LUV5XIgUX
— Harper's Bazaar UK (@BazaarUK) August 31, 2016
The soap trial of the century starts on Sunday.
“Apple next week is expected to unveil the iPhone 7. ‘How's the camera?’ asked Anthony Weiner.”
Late Night with Seth Myers on the former New York Congressman’s sexting woes. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
"Frankly the Irish government should turn around - they shouldn't even appeal the decision - they should just write a letter to Europe and tell them politely to f**k off.”
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary suggests how the Irish government might respond to the £11 billion back taxes bill presented to Apple by the EU. The commission claimed Apple paid just 1% tax on its European profits in 2003 and said its arrangement with the Irish government is illegal under state aid rules. Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
"What a day! We've just filmed the red carpet entrance for Saturday's Strictly launch. I have never been more out of my 'comfort zone' - good grief!”
Former Labour MP Ed Balls is getting very excited about his TV dance show debut. Chris Jackson/Getty Images.
"We apologise if this dialogue has caused offence.”
A spokeswoman for Coronation Street after a character, Eva, turned up to Audrey’s salon to have her hair coloured, saying "I have more roots than Kunta Kinte. No idea who that is, by the way, just something my mum used to say.” Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
"Seeing the American airlines landing routinely around the island will drive a sense of openness, integration and normality. That has a huge psychological impact.”
Richard Feinberg, author of Open For Business: Building The New Cuban Economy, as the first commercial flight between the US and Cuba in more than a half century landed in Santa Clara. AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa
“Kim Jong Un reportedly threw a huge outdoor dance party to celebrate the successful test of North Korea's ballistic missile. Residents described the party as fun, exciting, and mandatory.”
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Above, a protest in Seoul. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Oh damn, it's been done. https://t.co/uGXfszSMKI
— David Mitchell (@RealDMitchell) August 31, 2016
Ah, those curly mullet days of John Nicolson, broadcaster turned SNP MP.
Thanks for reading - see you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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