Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
In The Herald, political correspondent Daniel Sanderson reports on a defeat for the Scottish Government over proposed closures and downgrades of local NHS services.
“Steel’s back” declares The National as Dalzell plate mill is officially reopened.
“4 in 5 have a heart older than they are” due to obesity and lack of exercise, reports the Mail.
Stacey Mullen in the Evening Times reports on Glasgow’s answer to reality TV show The Only Way is Essex.
The Times, Scotsman and Express report on the new study linking common painkillers to a higher risk of heart problems.
The Telegraph continues its investigations into English football, alleging that Barnsley’s assistant manager Tommy Wright took £5000 from a fake Far Eastern firm.
The FT notes the end of an era as Blackberry, whose phones were dubbed “Crackberries”, is to stop making its own handsets.
The Record reports that a third SNP MP, Dundee West MP Chris Law, is being investigated over financial dealings.
The Sun says Jeremy Corbyn praised an enterprise project in Glasgow as evidence a Labour council could fight back against cuts - but the project's start up costs, £1.67 million, come from Westminster, the paper found.
Camley’s Cartoon
Everyone’s a winner as the Dalzell steel mill rolls back into action and Scotland’s athletes come home.
FFS: Five in five seconds
1. What’s the story? After his war of words with Hillary Clinton on television, Donald Trump is going toe to toe with Alicia Machado.
2. Who is she? Alicia Machado is the former Miss Universe cited by Clinton in the TV debate as she took the Republican nominee to task on his attitudes to women. Clinton said he had dubbed the Venezuelan, now an American citizen, "Miss Piggy”. Ms Machado, below, now campaigns for Clinton.
3. What does Donald say? “[She] gained a massive amount of weight and it was a real problem.” Later, in an interview with Fox News’ The O'Reilly Factor, Trump said he had saved Machado from being sacked. "She had a lot of difficulties and, you know, they wanted to fire her … I saved her job because I said, 'That's going to be ruinous' and I've done that with a number of the young ladies, where I saved their job. And you know what happened? Look what I get out of it. I get nothing.” He also brought up allegations that she once threatened a judge’s life.
4. Ms Machado’s response? On the latter claim, she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “He can say whatever he wants to say. I don't care. You know, I have my past. Of course. Everybody has. Everybody has a past. And I'm not a saint girl. But that is not the point now.” Trump, meanwhile, can comfort himself with confirmation he is still extremely rich, despite being $800 million down on last year.
5. According to? A new investigation by Forbes, which says his wealth now stands at $3.7 billion. Pass the collection plate…
Afore Ye Go
"I'm not talking about a pact but I'm certainly happy to talk to them.”
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry says she would hold discussions with the SNP to keep the UK in the single market. Jack Taylor/Getty Images.
"Virgin Trains assure me there are 800 empty seats”.
Making his leader’s speech to conference yesterday before a packed hall, Jeremy Corbyn makes light of the recent “Traingate” row. Mr Corbyn promised “socialism for the 21st century”, including a £10 plus living wage and rail nationalisation. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Sadiq Khan's expression is interesting as Jeremy Corbyn congratulates his mayoral win at #Lab16 https://t.co/OKGaziZ3Ab
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 28, 2016
I am so glad Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t drag his wife up on stage #Lab16
— Emily Ashton (@elashton) September 28, 2016
Me too I love him for this. https://t.co/DDQTrBw3Ll
— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) September 28, 2016
Peace in our time as Jess Phillips MP praises Corbyn.
This is the effect of Jeremy Corbyn's speech on one supporter in the hall. pic.twitter.com/FefsFj5OTt
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) September 28, 2016
From BuzzFeed's Jim Waterson
5.5 million
The number of Britons who believe they will never be able to own a home, according to a poll by comparethemarket.com Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
"It will directly encourage shoppers to think about sustainability, and the role they can play in reducing unnecessary plastic waste.”
Lidl UK commercial director Ryan McDonnell on why the German discounter will stop selling 5p plastic bags from July 1. Jane Mingay/PA Wire
"Im voting naked with Katy Perry!! Vote for Hillary. She's the Best we got!”
Madonna joins her fellow singer in taking off her clothes to support the Democrat hopeful. Wonder what Hillary thinks of such efforts? Madonna/PA Wire
"On reflection, it was a silly thing to do.”
Ex-England manager Sam Allardyce after his contract was terminated following a Daily Telegraph investigation in which he was covertly filmed advising undercover reporters on how to sidestep FA transfer regulations. Above, in July this year. Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Cue the Twitter wags:
Knew I'd seen this somewhere before lad 🤔 #BigSam #Allardyce #England #FA pic.twitter.com/vMgNUJW4iD
— R U OK HUN? x (@WiltonBlowig) September 26, 2016
Science update.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) September 28, 2016
Longest unit of time: a Chilcot.
Shortest unit of time: an Allardyce.
As it emerges Allardyce was to receive £400,000 for one speech, one expert is shocked his hourly rate is so low. pic.twitter.com/kqtByRpime
— HaveIGotNewsForYou (@haveigotnews) September 28, 2016
Not even the 3-3 thriller at Parkhead could stop them...
This game's more open than Sam Allardyce with an undercover reporter
— Oldfirmfacts (@Oldfirmfacts1) September 28, 2016
“A lot of celebrities are sharing their views of the election. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Bruce Springsteen called Trump a moron. Which is why now Trump’s starting a rumour that Springsteen wasn’t really born in the USA.”
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
"It was the most-watched debate ever. The ratings were expected to rank up with the finale of “Cheers,” the finale of “M.A.S.H.” Makes sense, in a way this election feels like the series finale of America.”
Jimmy Kimmel Live. Above, some of the MASH family at the TV Land Awards in 2009. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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