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Argos drops massive Big Red Event sale with up to 50% off – Dyson, Ninja and LG

Argos has launched an enormous site sale across a huge range of different product types.

The store’s Big Red Event sale sees discounts run as high as 50% – but you’ll need to hurry: this ends very soon.

Collage of sale items including a coffee machine, TV, speaker, heated slippers, gaming laptop and controller, and an air fryer.
Argos has slashed prices across electronics, home appliances, gaming, toys and beauty this February

Argos Big Red Event sale

The Argos sale is a prime opportunity for shoppers to get ahead on their spring cleaning, with amazing discounts on vacuums and other household essentials.

But it’s not just about preparing for the warmer months – with the current chilly weather, there are plenty of winter must-haves on offer too, including cosy foot warmers and kettles to keep you toasty.

From electronics and furniture to toys, gaming accessories, and health and beauty products, Argos has it covered with deals and sales this February.

JUMP TO: Deals under £20 in the Argos sale

Just keep in mind that the sale doesn’t run for long – it wraps up tomorrow (Tuesday 25th February).

Shoppers hunting for homeware shouldn’t miss the big Dunelm winter clearance sale either.

We’ve picked out our favourite deals from Big Red Event sale below.

Argos Big Red Event deals

Dyson V8 Absolute Pet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £285.60 (was £400)

Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner with attachments.
The Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner is designed to sweep up animal hair and fur

The Dyson V8 is a vac whose de-tangling technology makes it a wise choice for pet owners, suffering from hair and furs across their floors and furnishings.

Its cordless design gives it will deliver 40 minutes of suction before it needs re-charging, and it works across carpets, hard floors and, yes, upholstery.

The Fluffy cleaner head is gentle on delicate surfaces while effectively removing dust and debris.

Weighing just 2.56kg, this lightweight vacuum also comes with a wall-mounted docking station – particularly great if you’re short on storage.

Beurer Foot Warmer Taupe, £39.99 (was £49.99)

Heated foot warmer with controller.
Argos has cut the cost of this handy foot-warming essential by £10

The winter isn’t quite over yet, folks – here’s a nice 20% discount on a handy-looking essential for those chilly evenings.

The Beurer foot warmer has a soft-looking fleecy surface and three adjustable heat settings.

The brand also helps say it will help with easing aches and improving circulation.

The lining is removable and washable, and it automatically shuts off after 90 minutes – perfect if you have a habit of nodding off in front of the TV.

Karcher WV 6 Plus Handheld Window Vacuum Cleaner, £76 (was £95)

Karcher window vac and cleaning spray bottle.
Karcher is one of the biggest cleaning tool manufacturers on the market

Spring cleaning season is almost here, and if you’re tired of peering those stains and streaks across the windows, now’s the time to pick up this window vac from heavyweight Karcher.

The brand advertises this with 100-minute battery life, which will let you clean up to 300m² off a single charge – which you can track on the LED display.

Ninja Double Stack XL 9.5L Air Fryer, £216 (was £260)

Ninja Double Stack Pro air fryer.
Ninja’s Double Stack air fryer is ideal for shoppers short on kitchen space

The Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer was launched in the UK last year – a response to shoppers complaints that the original side-by-side drawer design took up too much space in their kitchens.

With six cooking functions, including air fry, roast, and bake, it delivers crispy, evenly cooked results in record time.

Better still, those two drawers can be programmed individually, meaning you can cook different ingredients on different temperatures and timings.

You’ll find Ninja listed in our pick of the best air fryers, where it’s definitely comparing against other options if you’re on a limited budget.

Amazon Echo Pop Smart Speaker with Alexa, £35.99 (was £44.99)

Black Amazon Echo Pop smart speaker with a light blue ring.
Amazon’s Echo Pop smart speaker will play music, news and podcasts – and is operated by Alexa

It’s not just Amazon where you’ll find discounts on the retailer’s Echo speakers (and to be fair, there’s a massive device sale on the Amazon website right now).

Argos has reduced the cost of this cute little follow-up to the Echo Dot by 30% in the Big Red Event sale.

The full sound makes it perfect for bedrooms or offices, while Bluetooth compatibility allows seamless streaming from your smartphone.

And, of course, you can link it up with other devices around your house – find out more in our what are smart homes explainer.

At just £35.99, it’s a fantastic addition to your smart home setup.


Argos Big Red Event: Deals under £20

It’s not all about pricy appliances and homeware in the Argos – you’ll find some great deals on cheaper items too.

  • Argos Home Single Clothes Rail, £8.40 (was £12) – shop here
  • Lego Lion King Simba Toy, £16.20 (was £18) – shop here
  • Lego Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Set, £16.20 (was £18) – shop here
  • Cookworks Basic Black Kettle, £8.80 (was £11) – shop here
  • Cookworks 2-Slice Toaster, £14.40 (was £18) – shop here
  • Lego Marvel War Machine Toy Set, £9.36 (was £10.40) – shop here
  • Philips Eyebrow/Nose Trimmer, £11.70 (was £13) – shop here
  • Phil Smith Salon Hair Dryer, £15.20 (was £19) – shop here
  • Barbie Campervan Bumper Craft Set, £10.50 (£15) – shop here

Polly Pocket Pollyville Pet Adventure Treehouse Playset, £20 (was £40)

Polly Pocket treehouse playset with accessories.
This Polly Pocket playset is now £20 cheaper on Argos

Argos has reduced a storming 50% off this five-floor Polly Pocket house.

Complete with micro dolls, animal figures, and accessories, this playset features expandable elements like a zipline and waterfall slide.

It’s marketed as suitable for 4-year-olds and above.

LG 43-inch LQ60006LA Smart TV, £160 (was £199.99)

LG Smart TV 2023 model.
Shoppers hunting for a smaller-size smart television shouldn’t miss this LG deal

We always appreciate seeing TVs of this size for less than £200 – especially when it’s from LG, one of the biggest manufacturers on the UK market.

It’s not a 4K TV, but Ultra High Definition isn’t important in a television of this modest size.

The webOS platform provides easy access to popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Freeview Play – it’s completely set up for live TV, streaming and gaming.

A superb choice for smaller spaces, such as bedrooms or even kitchen countertops.

If you’re not sure if it’s the right size for your space, read our what size TV to buy guide.

Russell Hobbs Worcester Kettle, £34.40 (was £43)

White Russell Hobbs kettle with black handle.
Now is a great time to go search for discounted appliances in Argos’s Red Event sale

This sleek stainless-steel kettle comes from homeware mainstay Russell Hobbs, and is now 30% cheaper in the Argos February sale.

It’s got that slick, yet pleasingly timeless look that’s so typical of the brand, alongside a 1.7-litre capacity and illuminated water window.

Melitta Barista T Smart Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine, £412.50 (was £825)

Melitta Caffeo Barista coffee machine with two cups of latte.
Argos has reduced this luxe coffee-maker to half the usual price

Caffeine lovers, rejoice: this higher-end Melitta coffee machine is now reduced to half-price on Amazon.

The original £825 price tag is probably way too high for shoppers, even a machine that can be connected to a smartphone app.

On top of that, the Barista T Smart has two different chambers, for mild and strong blends of coffee, and automatically cleans and descales.

Acer V15 Gaming Laptop Bundle, £579 (was £679)

Gaming laptop with wireless controller.
The Acer Nitro V15 has a powerful processor and a high refresh rate – perfect for gamers

Gamers will appreciate this reduced bundle, which includes a gaming laptop and controller.

The Acer Nitro V15 is equipped with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU.

The display’s 144Hz refresh rate means it will deliver those smooth, blur-free visuals that is pretty much expected from gamers these days.

Factor in that wireless controller and the extra 10% discount, and this is a pretty hot gaming deal.

Head to The Sun’s shopping section for more of the latest discounts we’ve spotted.

Read More »

Aston Villa fans beg transfer guru Monchi to raid Man Utd for goalkeeping coach after Marcus Rashford deal

ASTON VILLA fans have jokingly called for the club to sign Manchester United’s goalkeeping coach in light of Marcus Rashford’s displays.

Rashford, 27, has impressed the Villa Park faithful since joining Unai Emery‘s side on loan from Manchester United.

Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford (9) dribbling the ball during a Premier League match.
REX
Marcus Rashford has shown glimpses of his old self during his brief stint with Aston Villa[/caption]
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United and manager Ruben Amorim.
REX
Rashford’s impressive displays have come a month after Ruben Amorim claimed he’d rather play his goalkeeping coach instead of the striker[/caption]
Jorge Vital, Manchester United's goalkeeping coach, holding a soccer ball.
PA
Villa fans have jokingly called for club transfer guru Monchi to sign United’s keeper coach Jorge Vital[/caption]

The England international has yet to find the back of the net but has shown glimpses of his old self in his four appearances, in which he’s racked up two assists.

Rashford’s form comes a month after Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim publicly blasted him by stating he’d rather start his goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital.

The Portuguese put Rashford on blast by saying: “I’d put Vital on the bench before a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day. I’ll not change in that department.

“It’s always the same reason. The reason is the training.

“The way that I see what a footballer should do in training, in life, every day. If things don’t change, I will not change.

“Same situation for every player — if you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player.

“You can see it today on the bench. We needed pace to change the game, to move some pieces — but I prefer it like that.”

Villa fans haven’t forgotten Amorn’s comments and have called for transfer guru Monchi to sign Vital following Rashford’s recent good showings.

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Illustration of Rashford's record under different Manchester United managers, showing games played, goals scored, minutes per goal, and win rate.

One wrote on X: “If Rashford is this good I fully expect Monchi to be putting in a bid for the UTD goalkeeping coach as well!

Another said: “Given our finances with salary as a ratio of revenue we couldn’t match his man united wages.

“Would Rashford accept a cut is question… would that 63 yr old goalie coach also come?”

And another said: “He might be unplayable I guess.”

Villa have the option to permanently acquire Rashford’s services in the summer for a mere £40million.

Emery was full of praise for the striker after Villa’s 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend, saying: “Of course, he played a fantastic 45 minutes.

“And really this is the only thing. We want to try to be consistent through him, in our squad and in our way we are going to do [that].

“But he’s going to be hopefully very, very important like today. But hopefully more and more and more.

“And the most important for him is try to feel comfortable here. Try to get confidence. Be here in [a] good atmosphere with us and this is my objective.”

Villa will be back in action on Tuesday night, travelling to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace.

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I was a secret binge eater – my parents had to put alarms in cupboards to stop me eating, but now I’ve shed 11st

CRYSTAL Rudd became a secret binge eater aged eight with her parents having to put alarms on kitchen cupboards.

The now 30-year-old used unhealthy food as a comfort after her parents’ divorce – and it became an “addiction”.

Before and after photos of a woman who lost significant weight.
SWNS
Crystal Rudd before and after losing 11 stone[/caption]
Photo of a young girl with curly red hair, wearing a blue fleece.
SWNS
The Lincolnshire lass struggled with her weight from an early age[/caption]
Woman eating a meal outdoors.
SWNS
The mum-of-three admits was ‘addicted’ to food[/caption]

“I’d hide the crisp packets and chocolate wrappers down the side of the sofa,” the now mum-of-three from Fleet, Lincolnshire. recalled.

Aged nine, Crystal needed adult-sized chairs in class when all her peers sat on child-sized.

She was also forced to wear secondary school-sized uniforms in primary school, as age-appropriate clothes wouldn’t fit.

“It was an addiction”, the mum said, “and I became a massive kid”

As a teen Crystal was bullied for her weight and once again reached for junk food as a comfort.

When her mum discovered her stash of hundreds of packets, she even put an alarm on the pantry.

But determined Crystal still found a way to sneak past it by climbing on a chair.

“The addiction was bad and because I was limited on what I could eat, I craved it more,” she said.

Cruel classmates picked on her for her larger frame as a teen, and eventually she took her food to eat in the toilets or behind the stairs.

Even when Crystal lost some weight aged 16 for her school prom, she regained it all shortly after.

“As I got older, I went through stages where I lost weight by dieting and exercise, but I gained it back again,” she said.

She fell pregnant at 19 with her son, Ethan, 10, and then had two more little ones in the following years – Blaze, eight, and Poppy, seven.

With each child she gained more weight, but her weight rose most after a brief split from her then-boyfriend Stephen, in late 2018.

“I was heartbroken,” she said. ” I’d feed the children healthy foods, then order takeaways for me.

“I’d have huge portions – like chicken wraps and chips with onion rings – from the takeaway every day for nearly two months before we got back together again.”

At her largest, Crystal was almost 23 stone – which she stayed at for a “long time.”

Woman taking a selfie in a bathroom mirror after gastric sleeve surgery.
SWNS
Crystal had a gastric sleeve operation, to help her shed the pounds[/caption]
Before and after photos of a woman's weight loss.
SWNS
Crystal Rudd before and after her weight loss operation[/caption]
Woman with extensive arm tattoos, wearing a sparkly gold dress.
SWNS
Crystal has since adopted a healthier diet, smaller portions and strict exercise regime[/caption]

Over the following years her weight fluctuated.

She lost some before eventually tying the knot with Stephen in August 2021, but then regaining it due to on-and-off health issues in the months that followed.

She began researching bariatric surgery options and eventually booked a £2,700 gastric sleeve surgery in Istanbul for January 2023.

The common weight-loss procedure that works by reducing the size of your stomach so you can’t eat as much food and gain weight.

It involves removing up 80 per cent of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube-shaped “sleeve”.

I’d now tell younger Crystal ‘not everything is storms and clouds and you will get your happy ending’

Crystal Rudd30

The mum adopted a healthier diet, smaller portions and strict exercise regime after.

“I was on a liquid diet,” she said. “Then pureed, then eventually I could eat soft foods.

“I still had a romantic Valentine’s Day steak dinner – I just pureed my steak and chips!

“I was doing combat classes, body balance and aqua fit too – and the weight came off.”

Crystal managed to maintain weight loss despite sustaining a knee injury, getting a severe infection from a spider bite, and losing her beloved nan throughout 2023.

Portrait of Crystal and Stephen Rudd.
SWNS
Crystal and her husband Stephen Rudd[/caption]
Family portrait of a woman in a black dress, a man in a white shirt and black suspenders, and three children in black vests.
SWNS
Crystal with her family[/caption]

She hit a milestone of losing 10 stone in January this year – which was when she jetted back to the Turkish clinic to have 11lbs of excess skin removed, as well as liposuction.

The £5,800 procedure took eight hours and left her “looking like Frankenstein’s monster” due to the stitches in the healing stages.

But she loves her new frame, even if it’s taking some time for her to get used to as a result of body dysmorphia, after being much larger for her entire life.

To show off her achievements she entered a pageant for bariatric patients – and will appear in the Miss Bariatric Lincolnshire final in September.

She said: “Now I can show my kids they can achieve wonderful things, and they see their mum thriving.

“I’d now tell younger Crystal ‘not everything is storms and clouds and you will get your happy ending'”.

CRYSTAL'S DIET: THEN vs. NOW

At heaviest weight

Breakfast: Bacon sandwiches, or one or two share bags of paprika crisps or sweet chili.

Lunch: Pot noodles, crisps, sandwiches, or two meal deals from Greggs—usually two sandwiches, a cookie, or four sausage rolls.

Dinner: Two chicken wraps, or large cheesy chips, onion rings, and garlic mushrooms.

Snacks: Crisps, chocolate bars, especially Kinder Bueno and Cadbury.

Drinks: Coke, Dr Pepper, Lucozade Orange, Monster Mango Loco, Lucozade Cherry.

Now

Breakfast: Bowl of cereal (like Choco Shreddies), protein shake, or toast with an egg.

Lunch: Salad with chicken or prawns, crackers with soft cheese, Italian ham, cucumber, and tomatoes. Or a soba noodle pot.

Dinner: Roast dinners, lasagna, scrambled eggs, steak, beans on toast, or a frozen protein meal (like chicken curry, BBQ meat feast pasta, or high-protein chicken pie).

Snacks: Cheese strings, Dairylea Dunkers, crisps, and chocolate in moderation.

Drinks: Tea with reduced sugar or sweetener, flavoured water, sparkling flavoured water.

Read More »

iPhone 16e pre-orders – where to buy Apple’s first AI phone

ALL hail Apple’s latest smartphone! The iPhone 16e is now available to pre-order.

Apple’s first budget-friendly phone is packed with AI-powered features – read on to find out where it’s available to buy.

iPhone 16e in black and white.
The iPhone 16e is Apple’s affordable addition to its most recent range of smartphones

This February sees the launch of a brand-new iPhone, just as three popular models have been discontinued.

The iPhone 16e was made available to pre-order on Friday (21st February).

It will then go on general sale at the end of the week (Friday 28th February).

It seems to be positioned by Apple as a follow-up to its budget-friendly iPhone SE series, the last of which was released in 2022.

The all-new 16e comes with many of the features of the rest of the iPhone 16 range.

You can create your own emoji, edit people out of your selfies (goodbye, photobombers), and even get your notifications summarised so you don’t waste time scrolling through everything.

Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone 16e, including the price and where to pre-order.

DEAL ALERT

Get 3 months free Apple TV+ & £10 Currys gift card

Mobiles.co.uk is offering some nice giveaways with its iPhone 16e plans. Pre-order the new device, and you can also claim 3 months Apple TV+, Apple Music or Apple Arcade.

On top of that, you can claim a £10 Currys Gift Card.

Contracts start at £25.99 per month at Mobiles.co.uk

Apple iPhone 16e price

The iPhone 16e starts at £599 for the base model, which comes with 128GB of storage.

If you need more space, you’ll need to spend £699 for the 256GB version and £899 for the 512GB model.

The 16e is priced within what feels more like mid-range territory, compared to the 2022 iPhone SE, which cost £419 when it launched.

But compared to the iPhone 16, which starts at £799 for the same 128GB storage, it’s a much cheaper – if not outright cheap – device.

Apple iPhone 16e – where to pre-order

The iPhone 16e is available to buy SIM-free basis, which is ideal if you’ve already got a SIM contract.

But if you’d rather spread the cost, you can also pick it up on a pay-monthly deal from pretty much all major UK providers.

SIM-Free

Pay-Monthly

  • Mobiles.co.uk, from £25.99 per month – buy here
  • Carphone Warehouse, from £25.99 per month – buy here
  • Vodafone, from £41.80 per month – buy here
  • EE, from £25.83 per month – buy here
  • Three – buy here
  • Tesco Mobile, from £30.49 per month – buy here
  • Mobiles Phones Direct, from £28 per month – buy here
  • Uswitch, from £24 per month – buy here

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: What’s the difference?

The iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 may look similar, but there are key differences to consider.

The iPhone 16e has a single 48MP main camera with 1x and 2x optical zoom, while the iPhone 16 adds a 12MP ultra-wide lens for more versatile shots.

The iPhone 16 also packs advanced features like macro photography and Cinematic mode for 4K Dolby Vision, which the 16e lacks.

On the front, the iPhone 16 includes Apple’s Dynamic Island for an interactive display experience, while the 16e sticks to the older notch design.

Both phones feature OLED screens, but the iPhone 16 is brighter, with up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness compared to the 16e’s 1,200 nits.

MagSafe compatibility is another big difference.

The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe accessories and faster wireless charging, but the 16e only offers basic Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W.

Both devices share the A18 chip, but the 16e has a slightly less powerful four-core GPU.

But the 16e pulls ahead in battery life, offering up to 26 hours of video playback versus the iPhone 16’s 22 hours.

The 16e is a solid budget choice, but the iPhone 16 offers more for photography and accessory fans.

Head to The Sun’s shopping tech page for more tech deals, discounts and new releases.

Read More »

My neighbour leaves lunatic notes on people’s cars, interrogated my girlfriend & even went for my child’s teenage friend

A MAN has revealed that his neighbour often leaves lunatic notes on people’s cars and has even interrogated his girlfriend over her parking.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the angry man, who is said to be in his early 50s, has also gone for his child’s teenage pal too.

Two men angrily arguing over a fence.
Getty
A man has shared a close-up look at the bizarre note his neighbour left on his daughter’s friend’s car[/caption]
Hand holding a note that says, "I don't wanna see this car park parallel side to side to the white car."
Reddit
Not only does this man’s neighbour leave aggressive notes, but he’s even interrogated those living in his street too[/caption]

A frustrated homeowner took to social media to give people a close-up look at an angry letter from his strange neighbour, leaving many open-mouthed.

Posting on Reddit, on the r/mildlyinfuriating thread, the anonymous man, who is from Seattle, US, and writes under the username @Striking_Nudibranch, titled his post ‘Neighbour doesn’t want anyone parking parallel to him on the opposite(!) side of the street.’

He then explained: “I live in a quiet residential neighborhood. Our streets are narrow, but plenty of space for people to park on both sides of the street.”

Alongside a snap of the rude note, he continued: “This showed up on my daughter’s friend’s car this morning.”

The short but stern note read: ‘I don’t wanna see this car park parallel side to side to the white car’.

Not only this, but the Reddit user then added: “The neighbour has taken it to be his personal mission to put notes on anyone’s car that parks across the street from him.

“He approached my girlfriend after sitting in his car and waiting 15 minutes for her to finish a phone call… interrogating her about where she lives, and saying he never wants to see her parked there again.

“The dude is in his early 50s. He’s never said anything to me directly.”

Eager for guidance on what to do next, the man, who described his neighbour’s actions as “lunacy”, asked: “Any advice on the best way to tell this guy to f**k off?”

Not only this, but he then confessed: “I’m inclined to just go knock and tell him I’m going to continue allowing my guests to park in front of my house, and take it from there.”

Reddit users were left open-mouthed by the man’s post and many eagerly flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on the strange situation. 

One person said: “Call the police and show them the note and tell them this dude is harassing you and your guests. If he continues, see about getting a restraining order or something.”

To this, the Reddit author replied: “I was considering cops but also didn’t want to inflame the situation.

“I’d rather not have a petty battle with someone across the street. That said, he’s a renter, and I own… maybe I can get in touch with his landlord?”

Another added: “Let’s be honest, this person is looking for confrontation with this absurd note. No rational person would do this. Better to make sure this goes on record.” 

I’m mostly concerned that he’s making my loved ones feel unsafe in their home

Reddit poster

Meanwhile, a third commented: “Remind him that street parking is public and people can park there. 

“If he keeps harassing your visitors, tell them to ignore him but then you can let him know you’ll be calling the non-emergency police line to address his issues.” 

At the same time, one stunned person gasped: “That person is dangerous.”

The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble

One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour's argue

  1. Broken fences – top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it
  2. Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway
  3. Trees – complaints about a neighbour’s tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating
  4. Bin wars – outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours
  5. Nosy Neighbours – some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others

To this, the Reddit user responded: “That’s what my girlfriend is saying. She’s asking me not to do anything.

“If it wasn’t for her and my kids, I’d have no problem getting really serious about being as petty as humanly possible – like renting a 20 foot residential dumpster for a month and dropping it right across from him.” 

As well as this, the worried father later admitted: “I’m mostly concerned that he’s making my loved ones feel unsafe in their home.

“My son heard me talking to my daughter about it and got really anxious when I said I was going to talk to him. 

“It’s a fine line. I don’t want my kids to think they should live in the shadow of a bully… but I don’t want to have the situation escalate.”

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club

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Bank giant with 14 million customers makes big change to accounts TODAY

A BANK giant with 14million customers is making a big change to accounts from today.

HSBC will reduce the interest rates on its easy-access Premier Savings account today, February 24.

HSBC bank branch with ATMs offering free cash withdrawals.
HSBC is making changes
Reuters

The rate for balances below £50,000 will drop from 1.98% to 1.74%.

And that is not all, HSBC has said the rates on this savings account will again change in April.

In two months, the interest will drop from 1.74% to 1.98%.

An easy access savings account lets you get your hands on your cash without restrictions.

There is usually no charge for withdrawing money from your account.

HSBC’s Premier Savings account is only available to those who qualify for its Premier banking services.

Typically, customers must have £50,000 already in an HSBC account or make £100,000 a year.

HSBC will also lower the rates on its more accessible Flexible Saver account from 1.49% to 1.34% on April 17.

A flexible savings account allows you to save and access your money without a fixed term.

You can deposit and withdraw money as often as you like.

At 1.34%, HSBC’s offer is at the lower end of what is on the market.

Chip Instant Access Account offers a 4.85% AER, with a minimum deposit of £1.

Meanwhile, Hargreaves Lansdown offers 4.51% AER, and the minimum deposit is also £1.

ALL CHANGE

It comes after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the BoE’s rate-setters reduced the base rate from 4.75% to 4.5% earlier this month.

The base rate is used by lenders to determine the interest rates offered to customers on savings and borrowing costs.

A base rate cut can mean that mortgage rates are lowered, which is good news for homeowners.

But savers can be left with the short end of the stick as the interest rate they earn on their savings can also drop.

Markets are expecting the base rate to drop as low as 4% by the end of the year, which would see the interest rate on the Saver account reduce even further.

Of course, if the base rate increases again then the account will mirror this.

Numerous banks have been cutting their savings rates following the Bank of England’s decision.

Barclays  slashed the rates on its Everyday Saver and Rainy Day saver accounts.

For the Everyday Saver, the interest rate has been lowered from 1.51% to 1.26% on balances up to £10,000.

The Rainy Day Saver, which is for Barclays Blue Rewards members and Premier Banking customers, is reducing its rate from 5.12% to 4.87%.

Where to find the best savings rates

Many savings accounts offer miserly rates meaning that money is generating little or no return.

However, there are ways to get your cash working hard. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to make sure you money is getting the best interest rate.

Easy access savings accounts offer flexibility for customers, meaning they can dip in and out of cash when needed. However, the caveat is that rates can change at any time.

If you’re keeping your money in an easy access account, you’ll need to keep checking whether it’s the best paying account for your circumstances and move if not.

Check in at least once a month to see what is happening in the market.

Check what is offered by your bank – sometimes the best rates are for customers only.

But do search the wider market as often top savings accounts are offered by lesser known providers.

Comparison sites are a good place to check for the top rates. Try Moneyfactscompare.co.uk or Moneysupermarket.

You can search by different account type. You’ll usually get a better interest rate if you can lock your money away for a fixed amount of time, but it’s always a good idea to keep some money in an easy access account in case of emergencies.

Don’t overlook regular savings accounts often pay some of the best rates, but you’ll need to commit to monthly payments. This can be a great way to get into a savings habit while earning top rates at the same time.

Read More »

Barry Ferguson as Rangers manager branded ‘strange’ as surprised Arsenal icon says ‘it’s no different to me getting job’

RANGERS are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Philippe Clement.

But an Arsenal legend reckons giving Barry Ferguson the interim gig would be ‘a bit strange.’

Photo of Philippe Clement.
PA
Philippe Clement has been sacked as Rangers manager[/caption]
Barry Ferguson and Philippe Clement talking.
Willie Vass
Barry Ferguson (left) has been linked with the interim job at Ibrox[/caption]
Barry Ferguson of Rangers playing soccer.
Ferguson had two spells as a player at Rangers
News Group Newspapers Ltd
Martin Keown at a UEFA Champions League match.
Getty
Martin Keown has reacted to the links between Ferguson and Rangers[/caption]

Rangers dismissed Clement as boss last night following another disastrous domestic performance.

Having been kept on after the shock Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park a fortnight ago, Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to St Mirren proved the final straw for Ibrox chiefs.

Attention will now turn to replaces Clement in the long term.

With club supremos locked in talks over a takeover with San Francisco 49ers chiefs, it’s likely the appointment of a permanent successor to the Belgian will have to wait.

Clement’s No2 Issame Charai has taken first team training this morning but it’s unclear whether or not he will be officially installed in a caretaker manager capacity.

One name that’s been heavily linked with the interim role is Barry Ferguson.

The Rangers legend, 47, had two spells as a player at Ibrox and was club captain.

Ferguson won five league titles with the club as well as five Scottish Cups and five League Cups.

While his playing credentials aren’t in doubt, Ferguson’s managerial career hasn’t reached the same heights.

In 2014, he was placed in caretaker charge of Blackpool following Paul Ince’s sacking and spent four months in the role.

Despite winning just three of his 20 games in charge, Ferguson kept the Seasiders in the Championship.

That summer, he was appointed manager of Clyde and spent just under three years in the role.

Ferguson moved to the Lowland League with Kelty Hearts and guided the club to the SPFL for the firs time but left just ONE DAY after securing that success.

He took the Alloa job in May 2021 but resigned the following February with the team struggling and that do date is his last coaching position.

Ferguson has since undertaken regular media work, appearing as a radio and newspaper pundit.

TalkSPORT host Jim White revealed on his show that he was hearing Ferguson was due to hold talks with Rangers chiefs about taking on the interim role.

That raised Arsenal legend Martin Keown‘s eyebrows.

Appearing on White’s programme, he questioned what credentials Ferguson has to take on the Rangers job – other than the fact he was a prominent player for the club.

Keown, who has never been a manager, suggested that it wouldn’t be any different to a huge club appointing HIM as boss – which he described as ‘a bit strange.’

Keown said: “I’m concerned. Has he got the necessary credentials?

“It’s OK being a top player at the football club, but where’s he managed? Alloa?

“Does that give him the necessary tools to do the job in the way that they want? Or is it just a case of bringing in one of their own?

“It looks very much like that’s the case, doesn’t it? Go back to players who have represented the club.

“In a way, if he’s working in the media, it’d be no different than bringing me in to take over a top job somewhere. It’d be seen as a bit strange.

Jim White’s co-host Simon Jordan, the former Crystal Palace chairman, agreed that Ferguson’s history with Rangers must be playing a central role in any potential decision to make him manager.

Jordna said: “That must be part of the thinking. It must be part of the thinking because if you’re looking at a person who has a win record of 27% at a League One Scottish Club you’re not looking at someone who has a proven track record.

“You could make the case, neither did Steven Gerrard. He came in as a fledgling new manager, was brought in to galvanise the spirit of the football club based upon the credentials as a player.

“I don’t know Barry Ferguson as a person, I don’t know what his capabilities are, I don’t know how he operates.

“What I do know is that you look at his record, it doesn’t suggest that a job of the scale of Rangers, besides the fact he’s played for them, would be something you’d naturally consider Barry Ferguson for.

“It has to be because he was a Rangers player. Now what does that do? If you play to the gallery, you’ll never please it. You have to be definite, definitely right or definitely wrong. Ideally definitely right buy you’ve got to be definite in your thinking.”

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Erik ten Hag gives major update on future and reveals he ‘misses Old Trafford’ after Man Utd sacking

ERIK TEN HAG has given a major career update after being sacked by Manchester United.

The Dutchman was relieved of his duties at Old Trafford at the end of October after winning just three of their nine Premier League games under him and sitting 14th in the table.

Erik ten Hag in a beige sweater.
TikTok / SEGStories
Erik ten Hag has revealed when he plans to get back into management[/caption]
Erik ten Hag being interviewed and having his makeup done.
TikTok / SEGStories
Speaking on SEG Stories he spoke about what he ‘misses’ about Man Utd[/caption]

Things have not improved at his old club under successor Ruben Amorim with the club now in 15th and having lost 12 from 26 games in the league – a run not seen since the club was last relegated.

Quarterly accounts revealed it cost stint Man Utd £14.5million to sack Ten Hag, his staff and former sporting director Dan Ashworth.

However, the 55-year-old has now reflected on his time at the helm of the Red Devils, admitting there is one thing he misses more than any other.

Speaking to SEG Stories, he said: “If there is one thing I miss, it’s Old Trafford.

“You’re always working towards a dot on the horizon but you never get to the horizon.

“We’ve had many highs at Manchester United, but as I always say there is always room for improvement. And good is not enough, you can do better.”

Ten Hag always thought highly of the Man Utd faithful, pending an emotional thank you letter to them after his sacking in which he said: “Dear fans, let me start by thanking you.

“Thank you for always being there for the club. Whether it was a game far away or a tough match at Old Trafford, your support has been unshakeable.

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“The atmosphere at Old Trafford has always been electrifying, thanks to you. I felt it many times.

“Also in away games, it gave the team and me an incredible feeling to hear the United chants taking over the opponents’ stadiums, whether the game was in England, Europe or during the summer tours…

“I want to thank you for giving me this feeling and for your support. I also want to thank the staff in every department of the club for their unwavering support in good times and bad.

“I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory. Your support and the warmth I received from everyone at the club helped me feel at home. Thank you for this chapter in my life.”

During Ten Hag’s time in England, he won the League Cup and FA Cup.

But he also oversaw Man Utd’s worst-ever Premier League finish in his second season before kicking off another record-breaking campaign in all the wrong ways.

Ten Hag has been linked with a variety of managerial jobs, including Borussia Dortmund, after his two-and-a-half-year spell in Manchester came to an end.

He said: “I had already decided for myself, ‘Okay, I’m not doing anything until the 1st of July.”

As well as the general pressures of the Man Utd job, Ten Hag was forced to deal with player mutinies from Cristiano Ronaldo and later Jadon Sancho.

Meanwhile, a bust-up he had with Rapheal Varane also came to light last week.

The centre-back revealed the pair had a heated argument in November 2023 when discussing the team’s form and set-up, which left Varane frozen out of the team for two months.

The Frenchman told The Athletic: “It’s hard to find the right words, it was very tense at times.

“Sometimes he made an effort to listen to the players’ feedback. Sometimes he made decisions without listening.

“So there were ups and downs. It was complicated at times. He always needed an example of a player who was alone the entire time he was at Manchester.

“He did that with at least one important player on the team. He was always in conflict with certain leaders of the group, that is his way of managing.

“We had a robust discussion. We told each other some truths but then I didn’t play again for almost two months.

“I said I didn’t agree with certain ways of doing things regarding the relationship between him and the team.

“It wasn’t something that I thought was good for the team because some players weren’t satisfied.

“It was not good in terms of the relationship with the coach. He said, ‘OK I heard what you said’, and after that I didn’t play.

“I also have to recognise what was good. He gave me the peace of mind to come back from my injury to play in the FA Cup final.

“He was counting on me, that was very positive, it allowed me to play my role in the team.”

Varane also added he was “surprised” Ten Hag was kept on following the FA Cup final – one of many poor decisions from Ineos in their first 12 months in charge of United – as the “connection with the group no longer existed”.

a manchester united soccer team 's starting lineup on a red background

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I still breastfeed my four-year-old son – people say I’m ‘vile’ but I think it’s perfectly natural

A MUM-OF-TWO has come under fire for continuing to breastfeed her four-year-old son.

While she views it as perfectly natural behaviour, many people have called her “vile” for it.

Woman breastfeeding two young children in front of a Christmas tree.
A mum-of-two shared her unbothered response to people who critcise her for breastfeeding her four-year-old
TikTok/studiosomer

In her viral video, the TikTok user who goes by Studio Somer (@studiosomer) shared her unbothered attitude towards her haters.

She pointed out the flaw in most people’s logic when it comes to breastfeeding.

“For some reason after their first birthday it because the most vile thing you could do,” the mum said in the caption of the clip, which received 4.2 million views.

She added that “people will give you their opinion, especially online.”

The TikToker has previously stated that she will allow both her four-year-old and her 19-month-old to “breastfeed until they are ready to wean”.

She explained that “every time” she sits down, her children want to be “held, nursed, or cuddled”.

And while she struggles to “have a moment to myself”, she pointed out that her older self with miss these times.

The mum shared that some people have accused her of continuing to breastfeed for her own benefit.

She recalled how online trolls have told her “You’re doing it for you”.

And breastfeeding isn’t the only unique parenting technique she has adopted.

The stay-at-home mum revealed that her toddler “has never slept in a crib”.

Instead, she and her husband placed a mattress on the floor of their bedroom to allow for “contact sleeping”.

“Are we really telling mums that nursing and holding their babies to sleep is a bad thing?” she asked.

TikTok users shared their thoughts on the mum’s breastfeeding approach in the comments section.

“There’s just a point where it’s weird and wrong,” wrote one follower.

What are the recommendations around breastfeeding?

The NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively (feeding them breast milk only) for the first six months, but it’s completely up to you to decide when you want to bring it to an end – and there’s really no right or wrong way to do it.

The NHS says weaning often happens gradually as your baby begins to eat more solid foods.

They note that solid food shouldn’t replace breast milk, as there is evidence to suggest breast milk helps a baby’s digestive system when processing solid food for the first time.

“Once they are eating solids, your baby will still need to have breast milk or formula as their main drink up to at least their first birthday,” recommends the NHS.

“Cows’ milk isn’t suitable as a main drink for babies under one, although it can be added to foods, such as mashed potatoes.”

You can also combine breastfeeding with formula, too and the NHS says “phasing out” of breastfeeding is often the easiest way.

For example, dropping one feed in the day or at night time.

After around a week, you can begin to think about dropping another.

“If your baby is younger than one year, you’ll need to replace the dropped breastfeed with a formula feed from a bottle or (if they are over six months) a cup or beaker, instead,” they say.

You can breastfeed for as long as you want, and while the NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months, you shouldn’t feel like you cannot continue for longer.

The World Health Organization says: “Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.”

“If the child is old enough to ask for a refill then they are too old,” said another viewer

“Why would you breastfeed that older one? Weirdo,” asked a third person.

“You will never see me breastfeeding a child that old,” commented another TikTok user.

“What four!!! That’s nasty, [the] kid’s old enough to drink Ribena,” pointed out one commenter.

“Jeez, way too old to be breastfed but hey guys who breastfeed their kids beyond one, it’s your monkey your circus, cringe worthy,” wrote another viewer.

Woman breastfeeding two young children on a couch.
The mum explained that she would continue to breastfeed both her sons until they are ‘ready to wean’
TikTok/studiosomer

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Tourist, 18, throws newborn baby to his death from Paris hotel window moments after giving birth

A NEWBORN baby has tragically died after being thrown out of a Paris hotel window by a teenage tourist.

The woman, 18, is said to have thrown the baby from the second floor of Ibis Style hotel just moments after they were born.

A blurry photo of a Paris fire engine ambulance speeding down a city street.
Getty
Fire engine ambulance speeding in Paris[/caption]

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