Long-haul BA flights could face more changes

The BA chief executive added that the airline’s flights to the Gulf and Dubai are set to return

Other airlines have expressed similar cost concerns

Supporters of a Commons investigation believe evidence should be taken in Scotland.

A “box office” Westminster inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal could meet in Edinburgh to put maximum pressure on John Swinney.

House of Commons sources believe bringing any probe to Scotland would make it almost impossible for the SNP not to cooperate.

Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, is facing jail time after he pled guilty to embezzling over £400,000 of party funds.

The SNP’s political rivals, as well as a number of pro-independence figures, believe there should be a separate parliamentary inquiry into the role of Police Scotland and the Crown in the case.

Labour have been pushing for a Holyrood inquiry, but SNP and Green opposition means this option looks to be dead.

A more likely outcome is a probe by Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee.

As revealed by the Record last week, the SNP are considering boycotting a Westminster investigation.

However, a number of Labour figures have told the Record any Westminster hearings should be held north of the border, preferably Edinburgh.

Such a move, it is argued, would undermine claims of a London-based committee investigating the SNP.

Supporters of the probe also believe holding hearings on Swinney’s doorstep would make a snub look ridiculous

Labour peer Lord Foulkes said: “There are strong arguments for evidence sessions in Edinburgh, as there would be less of an excuse for John Swinney to appear. It would also remind people that we have two Governments in Scotland.”

“It would be curtains for Swinney’s reputation if he did not cooperate. He would look evasive.”

He said of a Westminster inquiry: “It will be box office”.

Douglas McAllister, the Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire who sits on the Committee, said:

“It’s not unusual for the Scottish Affairs Committee to hold hearings in Scotland.

“Let’s make it as easy as possible for the key witnesses to attend. This is also about restoring public confidence in politics, and rather than hearing evidence down in Westminster which some may regard as remote, let’s bring the Scottish Affairs Committee directly to the people of Scotland.”

If a witness refuses to provide evidence to a Westminster inquiry, a committee can issue a summons.

Defying a summons can lead to a witness being found in contempt for Parliament, with sanctions including admonishments, fines or imprisonment.

The Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the potential for a probe into the scandal.

Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.

An engineer revealed there’s often a common cause for the annoying problem

British Gas has shared advice for homeowners who use a dishwasher, explaining what to do if they often find bits of food left behind after a wash. According to an engineer, there could be a simple explanation for the issue, and what can be done about it.

Posting on Facebook, British Gas revealed blockages around the spray arms could cause the issue. The post explained: “Tired of your dishwasher leaving bits of food behind? Before you run another cycle, check your spray arms for blockages!”

In the video, a British Gas engineer demonstrated how to complete the check. He told customers: “If your dishwasher is leaving food on the plates, check this before you run it again. Don’t waste electricity running a second cycle.

“The problem is usually your spray arms. Hard water scale and tiny bits of food block the water jets, meaning your dishes don’t get a proper wash. You can actually just pop these arms right off.

“Take a pin or a toothpick and poke it through the blocked holes to clean them out. Give the arm a flush under the tap and clip it back in. You get a perfect clean first time, saving energy and water.”

Homeowners can find more cleaning tips on the British Gas website. Sharing a list of spring-cleaning jobs, the experts highlighted several kitchen appliances that can benefit from regular care. British Gas explained: “Fridge and freezer – remove old food, clean shelves and defrost your freezer.

“Oven and microwave – clean out food debris and wipe down the surfaces. Dishwasher – clean the filter and wipe down the seals on the door. Washing machine – run an empty cycle with white vinegar to remove any mould.”

Additionally, most supermarkets sell dishwasher cleaner designed for regular use. For instance, Tesco sells Tesco Dishwasher Cleaner for £2.70. The description claims: “Eliminates grease and limescale. Helps prevent drain blockages. Tesco dishwasher cleaner. Use once a month for a healthier machine.”

One reviewer praised: “This product left my dishwasher sparkling clean and a lovely fresh smell.” Someone else replied: “Keeps your dishes sparking clean! Great quality; use it monthly to keep the machine fresh.

“Would highly recommend.” Another fan wrote: “Cleaned dishwasher perfectly, smelled clean afterwards. Good price compared to market leader. Value for money.”

However, not everyone was impressed. A different review claimed: “Left a terrible smell in machine which passed on to all utensils and food.”

A motorcycle had left the road

A man has been left with serious injuries after a crash on Sunday (June 7). Police were called to London Road, between Six Mile Bottom and Newmarket, at 12pm with reports of a single-vehicle crash.

A white Suzuki DL motorcycle had left the road. The rider, a man in his 40s from Cambridge, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries where he remains.

A police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information following a serious single vehicle collision near Six Mile Bottom.” Anyone with information is asked to report it online or call 101 and quote incident 192 of June 7.

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares sank on Monday after Wall Street ended last week with its worst day since October, while oil prices jumped more than $4 as fighting flared between Israel and Iran.

South Korea’s Kospi led the global retreat, plunging 8.3% on heavy selling of technology shares and extending losses that on Friday gave the S&P 500 its biggest single day drop in months.

The future for the S&P 500 was up 0.2%, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.3%.

Oil prices surged as Israel launched airstrikes early Monday, targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire. Iranian state television reported the sound of explosions being heard in Isfahan, Tabriz and Tehran, without immediately elaborating.

American and Iranian negotiators reached a tentative deal last week to extend their ceasefire, but the agreement has not been finalized and the latest attacks further strain efforts to end the conflict. The U.S. war with Iran has essentially blocked crude oil shipments from moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude, the international standard, jumped $4.60 to $97.69 a barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude surged $4.13 to $94.67 a barrel.

In early European share trading, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.7% to 8,161.42, while the German DAX dipped 0.8% to 24,552.77. Britain’s FTSE 100 shed 0.4% to 10,331.24.

During Asia’s day, the Kospi in Seoul slipped 8.3% to 7,484.41 as Samsung Electronics, the country’s biggest company, dropped 10.2%. SK Hynix declined 7.7%.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 3.9% to finish at 64,024.60. The Japanese government revised the annualized economic growth rate to 1.8% for the first quarter this year, down from an earlier estimate of 2.1%.

Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 3.5% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 1.3% to 24,642.33. The Shanghai Composite shed 1.7% to 3,959.34.

Markets were closed in Australia for the King’s Birthday, a holiday.

Friday marked the biggest one-day drop for Wall Street since Oct. 10, when the Trump administration threatened to impose a 100% tariff on imported goods from China.

Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

Christian Eriksen is “in good spirits” following his collapse against Ukraine and is expected to be discharged from hospital soon, says Denmark’s national team doctor Morten Boesen.

The game in Odense was stopped on 65 minutes when he collapsed and was abandoned shortly after, with the 34-year-old able to walk from the field after regaining consciousness.

The former Manchester United and Tottenham midfielder was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) – a type of pacemaker – after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match against Finland in 2021.

“I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well. He is with his family and in good spirits,” Boesen said.

“The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.”

The ICD allowed Eriksen to resume his playing career with Brentford in 2022 – eight months after his collapse at the Euros – before he spent three years with Manchester United.

On Sunday, Boesen said “the pacemaker responded as it should”.

Speaking to BBC Sport before his comeback in 2022, Eriksen said he had no concerns about playing with an ICD.

“I don’t see any risk, no. I have an ICD, if anything would happen then I am safe,” the Wolfsburg midfielder added.

Neither Denmark nor Ukraine qualified for the World Cup, which begins on Thursday.

The move comes after the Government received more than 38,000 responses to its recent call for evidence, with ministers now looking for even more feedback through a new nationwide engagement programme.

A “Workshop in a Box” toolkit has been launched to help charities, community groups and disability organisations host discussions about the benefit and gather real-life experiences from claimants.

The sessions will focus on three key areas: what PIP is for, what it is like to apply for the benefit and how decisions about claims are made.

Social Security and Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms said the Government wanted disabled people to be involved throughout the process.

He said: “Hearing from disabled people across the UK is vitally important to inform the Review.”

He added: “That is why we are co-producing this review with disabled people every step of the way — to make sure that PIP is truly fair and fit for the future.”

The minister also encouraged organisations across the country to take part in the scheme.

“I encourage any organisation that is able to host a workshop to do so, because we need to hear the views and lived experience of as many disabled people as possible,” he said.

What is the Timms Review?

The Timms Review was launched to examine whether PIP remains suitable for modern-day claimants and whether it accurately reflects the impact that disabilities and health conditions can have on daily life.

Under the latest plans, organisations can use the ready-made materials to run their own sessions and then submit findings directly to the review team before the July 17 deadline.

Review co-chair Sharon Brennan said it was essential that people from all backgrounds had an opportunity to contribute.

“It is vital to the success of the review that we hear from as many people as possible about their thoughts on PIP,” she said.

She highlighted the importance of reaching people whose views are often missing from official consultations.

“Especially those whose voices are less heard such as those from marginalised communities or who do not feel comfortable engaging with government-led consultations.”

Ms Brennan said the new approach would allow people to discuss the benefit system with organisations they already know and trust.

“We hope this new engagement method allows people to have conversations that matter with the organisations that they most trust so their lived experiences can shape the outcomes of our review.”

What do unions say about the review?

The TUC said its analysis showed that the unemployment rate for disabled people is 8.8% – the highest since before the pandemic – compared with 4.3% for non-disabled people.

General secretary Paul Nowak said: “The Government has a vital opportunity to support more disabled people into work through the Timms Review.

“Right now, disabled people are bearing the brunt of unemployment, low pay and insecure work, all while navigating a social security system that is not fit for purpose.

“Only a genuine reform of Pip will ensure that disabled people who can work receive the support they need to move into and stay in work.

“But this must come alongside wider action too, like ensuring disabled workers get the reasonable adjustments they need, stronger rights at work and reform of the access to work scheme.

“That’s how you deliver a system that works for disabled workers.”

Recommended reading:

The workshops are open to a wide range of groups, including Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs), disability charities, health organisations, community groups and elected representatives.

The DWP says the evidence gathered will play a direct role in shaping recommendations from the review’s steering group, with an interim report expected to be published in the coming months.

The review forms part of wider Government plans for the welfare system, alongside measures aimed at helping more disabled people into work and increasing support for those with health conditions.

The tour will end with a performance at O2 City Hall Newcastle on Thursday, December 10, and will mark Cushin’s fifth headline show at the venue.

This makes him the first North East male solo artist to perform at the venue five times – a record achieved in just three years.

In a statement, the artist said: “I’m incredibly proud of ‘Goodbye.’

“It’s one of those songs that changed a lot from the original idea through to the finished version and I think that’s what makes it exciting.

“It feels big, direct, and honest—and I can’t wait for people to hear it properly and experience it live.”

Mr Cushin, who has drawn support from Noel Gallagher, Pete Doherty, Sam Fender, and Louis Tomlinson, has quickly become one of the UK’s most talked-about young artists.

His rapid rise began with his debut album Waiting For The Rain, which spent three weeks at Number One on the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart.

His recent album Love Is For Everyone earned him his first UK Top 40 placement.

The new single “Goodbye,” released by First Run Records, continues his evolution toward a bigger, more expansive sound—featuring sharp songwriting, driving guitars, and powerful choruses.

The track was written and recorded across sessions in Newcastle, The Bahamas, and Wigan.

Alongside his headline shows, Mr Cushin has toured globally, supporting artists such as Louis Tomlinson, Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, Pete Doherty, and Starsailor.

He has played at iconic venues including The Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Greek Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Despite his growing success, Mr Cushin said Newcastle remains at the heart of his journey.

He said: “Every time I come home and play Newcastle it means something completely different.

“City Hall has become a huge part of my journey and I don’t take that for granted.

“To be coming back for a fifth headline show after everything that’s happened over the last few years feels really special.

“Newcastle backed me early and I always feel that when I step out on stage there.”

Mr Cushin is scheduled to perform alongside OMD and The Undertones at major outdoor shows across the UK this summer.

In 2023, he became the youngest Geordie artist to sell out Newcastle City Hall and later headlined the Mouth of the Tyne Festival.

Tickets for the O2 City Hall Newcastle show are on sale now.