TRANSFER Deadline Day is here – with clubs against the clock to finalise their summer business with just hours remaining!

And Chelsea have been given a major boost in their hopes of signing Victor Osminhen from Napoli before the window slams shut tonight at 11pm.

While the Blues have also made a dramatic bid for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Elsewhere, Newcastle are reportedly set to walk away from their long-running pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

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A POPULAR high street bank is about to ditch a loyalty reward for millions of customers as part of its huge “makeover”.

Barclays Blue Rewards customers have previously paid £5 per month in return for access to high-interest savings accounts and cashback.

They also received £5 per month back for having two or more direct debits.

But from September 4 – that’s five days away – the bank is getting rid of it’s £5 monthly loyalty reward.

Customers aren’t happy about the change, with one expressing disappointment, saying: “This felt like a real benefit as a Barclays customer and it’s frustrating that it will now cost money.

“It feels like a clever way of watering down the amount that I’m getting back from my savings.

“It’s made me think that I could switch to a different bank that won’t charge me to get those rates.”

However, Barclays said that after the change, Blue Rewards customers can receive fixed benefits worth up to £44 per month – an increase from £35.50 previously.

People can become a Blue Rewards member if they pay at least £800 into a designated account every month, in addition to a £5 fee.

The change also means customers will be able to access an Apple TV+ subscription, and watch Major League Soccer matches with an MLS season pass subscription during the season, as well as getting cashback and interest on savings.

Barclays has said it will conduct reviews to ensure Blue Rewards customers are getting a fair deal for their £5 monthly fee.

If customers aren’t receiving fair value, they will be notified and Blue Rewards and its fee will be removed, leaving customers on Barclay’s standard, fee-free account, the bank said.

Barclays is advising customers: “If you’re happy with these changes and still want to be a Blue Rewards member, you don’t need to do anything.

“If you feel Blue Rewards is no longer right for you, you can cancel your membership. If you’d like to cancel before the changes happen, you’ll need to do it in the Barclays app or Online Banking on or before 3 September. 

“If you cancel before 5pm on the last day of a month, we won’t charge you the next fee.”

You can cancel by logging into the app, clicking on “rewards” and then “cancel Blue Rewards”.

Manuel Baldasano, head of customer and digital at Barclays UK, said: “We’ve been evolving Blue Rewards based on what we know our customers value and, with entertainment high on their wish list.

“Our refreshed Blue Rewards proposition, which sits alongside our fee-free account and premier banking, means that customers can choose what works best for them.”

It comes after The Co-operative Bank scrapped its Everyday Rewards scheme in May, which was a free programme for all Co-operative Bank current account customers.

What do other banks offer?

A few other banks, such as Santander, Chase, Halifax and Natwest, reward current account customers with up to £20 month in cashback.

Cashback accounts function by paying customers free cash if they prioritise using them as their primary bank account.

The amount you receive back could be calculated as a percentage of what you spend on bills, or be set and need you to make a specific number of purchases or pay out several different direct debits.

With Santander Edge, account holders can get 1% back on their water, energy, council tax, mobile, phone, broadband and paid-for TV bills, as well as 1% on most supermarket and travel spending.

This means customers can earn up to £10 a month for each, or a maximum of £20 a month.

But the exact amount of cashback you’ll earn will depend on how much each of your bills are.

New Chase customers get 1% cashback (capped at £15 a month) on almost all spending for their first 12 months.

PENSIONERS should be aware of a government tool that can confirm eligibility for the £300 winter fuel payment.

The Pension Credit Calculator lets you check if you qualify for the benefit that gives you extra cash for energy over the colder months.

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It comes as 10million elderly are now expected to go without the £300 this winter.

Just a few weeks back Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she would limit the amount of people who could get the handout in a bid to tackle overspending by the former Tory government.

The cuts will happen this year and only those on Pension Credit and other means tested benefits will get the money.

The Department of Work and Pensions has now urged those aged over 66 to check if they can get the credit.

It said: “While around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit there are up to an estimated 880,000 households eligible for the support who are yet to claim.”

This does not impact your state pension as the benefit is intended to give you extra money to help with your living costs if you are aged 66 or over.

Using the calculator will also not impact any benefits you are currently on.

How to check your eligibility?

For those who are unsure if they can get access to the help, you can use the government’s Pension Credit Calculator.

This is available on the Gov.uk website and you have to put in your personal details to see if you qualify or not.

Before you begin the process you will need details of your earnings, benefits, pensions, savings and investments.

If you have a partner you must put in their details as well.

Applications for pension credit can also be made by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:

• National Insurance number
• Information about any income, savings and investments you have
• Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)

If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.

Who cannot use the calculator

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:

• Are deferring your State Pension
• Own more than one property
• Are self employed
• Have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
• Gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age, and the other person is under State Pension age

How much can I get?

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.

This works out as £2,617 if you are living alone or £3,995 if you have a partner.

This is known as “guarantee credit”.

It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

To qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have been claiming pension credit payments during the qualifying week.

This will take place between September 16 and 22.​

With this in mind, it’s wise to put in an application as soon as possible, as the DWP can take up to two months to process new claims.

Other options

If you do not want to use an online calculator there are other options available.

For example, you can also check with a local benefits adviser to find out what you could be entitled to.

The website advicelocal.uk lets you enter your post code and informs you of your nearest adviser and how you can contact them.

For example if you enter on the website that you live in Wandsworth, London it will give you the details of the nearest support in the area.

In this instance, it was the borough’s local Age UK and Citizens Advice.

You should be aware that many organisations do not offer an open-door service.

If you are planning to contact an organisation for help or advice you might want to check their website for more information before doing so.

If you are worried about fuel payments this winter, it is worth having getting informed about all the support you could be eligible for.

The Sun recently published a guide unveiling the full list of financial worth £5,810 that you can check out.

POP star Toyah Willcox’s reason for signing up to Strictly Come Dancing may be found hidden in a blog post.

The It’s A Mystery singer, 66, will take to the ballroom next month with a yet to be revealed professional partner, along with 14 other celebrities.

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Toyah Willcox is taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing[/caption]

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Just months ago, the pop star feared she might not be able to deal with demanding rehearsals[/caption]

A 2022 blog post on her official website, suggests money could be the driving force behind the decision.

The music star wrote about her friend Hazel O’Connor, who was in the early stages of recovery from a life-threatening bleed on the brain at the time, and explained how a crowdfunding page had been set up to help her.

She then segued into the pay discrepancy between men and women in the music industry.

“It may come as a surprise that crowdfunding is needed,” she wrote. “I can give one huge example of what this industry is like for women, even women as successful as Hazel and myself……… we earn one tenth of what men earn in the industry.

“I work 350 days of the year and earn one tenth of what Fripp earns, even my charting albums bring me income as little as One per cent of what Fripp’s royalties are.”

Fripp is Toyah’s husband Robert Fripp, who is considered the godfather of progressive rock due to his work with seminal band King Crimson.

She went on: “Hazel apparently has virtually no royalties. It’s still tough for women and I love Taylor Swift for standing her ground this week against unfair criticism. We are all out there surviving.”

Meanwhile Toyah recently shared her concerns about the gruelling Strictly training schedule.

Four months ago, prior to being announced for Strictly, she was asked whether she would like to take part.

She told The Mirror: “Oh, God yeah. Well, I’d have to do it sooner rather than later, because I’m not going to be able to move like that in two years’ time.

“I do understand how hard they work. I’m friends with Angela Rippon and she was extraordinary.”

She added: “But they’re rehearsing 10 hours a day every day. And then on Saturday, they do two shows. As I went there, they invited me to watch them do the live show. Then at nine o’clock, they film the Sunday show, and I’m thinking, ‘Could I do this?’”

The Sun revealed in June that the 80s punk singer had signed up for this year’s Strictly.

She is one of just six women taking part in the new series – the fewest number of female celebrities in the BBC One show’s history.

It comes in the wake of pro dancer Graziano di Prima being sacked for kicking partner Zara McDermott during last year’s training sessions.

Colleague Giovanni Pernice is also being investigated following similar complaints from his partner Amanda Abbington – although he vehemently denies the allegations.

A TV insider said: “Looking at the figures, it’s hard to see how the ongoing controversy over bullying could not have affected the recruitment process for this year’s Strictly.

“At no point in the show’s history has there been such a small proportion of women.

“It probably wasn’t the landmark number they wanted, given the show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.”

Hello This post TRANSFER DEADLINE: Arsenal sign Brazilian goalkeeper was first posted on Naijaonpoint.com.ng and is written by naijaonpoint.

English premier league side, Arsenal have completed the deal to sign Brazilian goalkeeper, Neto. NaijaOnPoint.com.ng (NOP) reports the 2024 summer transfer window closes today August 30th across Europe. Advertisement Arsenal signed Neto on a loan deal on the deadline transfer day with coach Mikel Arteta refusing to comment on signing Raheem Sterling. “In the last […]

Hello This post TRANSFER DEADLINE: Arsenal sign Brazilian goalkeeper was first posted on Naijaonpoint.com.ng and is written by naijaonpoint.

Gold medallist Udeme Okon - praised from Minister Gayton McKenzie - hinted at experiencing xenophobia by fellow South Africans

President Ramaphosa signed proclamations that authorise the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration at Eskom.

World's biggest electric vehicle brand is seemingly starting to reveal more of itself after remaining largely quiet following the debut of the Atto 3 in 2023.

SUMMER holidays are practically over and there’s one person who cannot wait for her kids to go back to school – Rosie Ramsey.

The family may have had ”a lovely holiday” this season, enjoying time together both here, in the UK, as well as abroad, but the 38-year-old Welsh mum is delighted the six-long weeks are nearly over.

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Despite taking the brood abroad, the boys only recalled ‘watching the telly’ and ‘sleeping’[/caption]

Rosieramsay/instagram

Chatting with her hubby, Chris Ramsey, on their smash hit podcast, Sh**ged Married Annoyed, Rosie revealed their two sons, Robin and Rafe, have been keeping busy.

”They’ve had numerous days out. They’ve done so many things – they’ve seen their friends, they’ve had a whirl of a time,” the podcaster said in the recent episode on Spotify.

Despite the never-ending adventures, which also included attending the Edinburgh Fringe festival, there are also just a few memories the little ones are particularly fond of.

Asking what his favourite bit this summer was, Robin said: ”My favourite part has probably been watching the telly, going to sleep and also having lunch, breakfast, dinner, tea and supper.

”Yeah, they were my favourite bits,” the young lad added.

For his brother Rafe the highlights were very similar, as he told the mum and dad in an adorable tone: ”Watching the telly, having tea and going to have food, and dinner and some pizza.”

The parents, who took the brother duo to Harrogate for a few days, said: ”So, our children have just basically enjoyed slobbing, watching telly, eating and sleeping.”

Chris chimed in, saying that if this conversation was taken out of context, listeners could assume the kids were talking about harsh ”prison” conditions.

Hearing just how little the two boys could recall and tell about their summer 2024 experience, the couple – who met when they were teenagers – wondered if there was any ”point” in organising all the activities.

Rosie said: ”I swear to God, I just don’t think there’s any point.

”Well done… What a waste – of time, money, effort.

”When all they wanted to do was just stay in the house, watch the telly, go to bed,” the mum moaned, as hubby chimed in, saying this was the stuff they felt ”guilty” of as parents.

How long has she been married to Chris Ramsey and how did they meet?

Rosie and Chris married in 2014 after meeting as teenagers.

During this time, Rosie was a singer in a girl group while Chris was kicking off his stand-up comedy career.

Speaking to Living North, Rosie explained: “Chris and I have known each other since we were 14 years old.

“We went to different schools, and we used to play out in the same street, and then we went to the same college.

“So we’ve always known each other. Then we met properly on a night out and it went from there, the rest is history.”

During an interview with The Sun in 2023, the loved-up couple shared a glimpse into their married life – and how they keep the romantic spark alive.

Revealing the secret, Rosie laughed: ‘’Just getting drunk,’’ while Chris agreed: “Couldn’t have put it better myself.”

SUPERMARKET shoppers have been left raving over a little black dress dupe thats £102.50 cheaper than the original version.

Asda’s in-house fashion brand, George, recently dropped their Black Crepe Mock Pocket Pleated Mini Dress in stores.

Instagram/Asda

Asda shoppers claim this £22.50 dress is the ‘best Odd Muse dupe’[/caption]

Odd Muse

The £125 Odd Muse dress is hugely popular with fashion fans[/caption]

Available in sizes eight to 24, it is priced at a reasonable £22.50 and boasts a flattering V-neck and pleated skirt.

And fashion fans can’t help but notice it bears a striking resemblance to Odd Muse’s £125 version thanks to the mock front pockets and cinched in waist.

The Odd Muse ultimate muse cap sleeve mini dress is regularly sold out thanks to its flattering shape and timeless style.

After spotting the Asda imitation in store, it was hailed by one delighted shopper as “the best Odd Muse dupe”.

Trying it on, she added: “Tell me if I’m wrong, but this could totally be a dupe for Odd Muse.

“I can’t get over the quality of this dress. The little short sleeve, the way that it cinches in your waist, the little flare off the skirt.

“It fits me like a glove, it’s comfortable, it’s lined and it’s only £22. Very demure.”

A second fashionista gushed: “Buzzing with this find – can’t justify the odd muse lol.”

A third wrote: “I have wanted a black sleeveless mini dress for a long time.

“When the dress came I noticed how beautiful the material was. The dress is good value and good quality.”

Meanwhile, a fourth chimed in: “Loved this dress! It’s well fitted and great for work, looks so cute on.”

Elsewhere in store, shoppers have heaped on the praise for a budget-friendly T-shirt that comes in a variety of patterns.

Fashion fans shared rave reviews for the stylish tee that features an embroidered pattern throughout, with fans favouring the cherry version.

The T-shirt is also available in lemon and palm tree patterns.

A crew neck cut with a soft jersey material, the embroidered T-shirt is available for just £7.