Stop temporarily 7

The Embassy of Finland in Hanoi announced on August 11 that it has decided to stop recognising the new-style Vietnamese passports due to the lack of information regarding the place of birth of the holder.

In a statement released on its Facebook page, the Embassy noted that the new passport “does not contain information of the place of birth of the passport holder, which is a requirement for personal identification and also for processing of Finnish visa/residence permit applications.”

“The Embassy of Finland will not receive applications for visa/residence permit of holders of the new passport until further notice from competent authorities of Finland. The Embassy will provide information in case of any changes,” the announcement concluded.

The Scandinavian country will actively work alongside EU member states in the Schengen area and Vietnam in order to devise solutions to the matter, the Embassy concluded.

Finland has become the latest country to reject the new Vietnamese passport after both Germany and the Czech Republic denied visas for holders of the new-style passports.

Spain had previously refused the Vietnamese passport but later agreed to accept it on the condition that visa applicants present a valid Vietnamese identity card which has place of birth information.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Spain warned that this visa will not be valid for entry into any Schengen area countries where the new passports are not accepted.

Recently, Public Security Minister To Lam said that information regarding passport holders’ place of birth would be added to Vietnam’s new passports in order to make international travel more convenient for citizens.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has committed his future to the club by signing a long-term contract extension.

The new deal for the 25-year-old, who has scored 34 goals in 85 appearances since joining Liverpool from Wolves in the summer of 2020, is understood to run until 2027.

Jota joins fellow Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in signing a new deal with the club this summer, following the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich.

• Transfer Centre LIVE! | Paper Talk
• Done deals | Premier League ins and outs

“Well, [I’m] really proud, I have to say,” Jota told Liverpoolfc.com after signing his new contract.

“Obviously since I arrived two years ago I established myself as an important player in this team – that’s what I wanted from the beginning.

“Now, signing a new long-term deal, it’s obviously from the club’s perspective proof of the belief in myself as a player. For me, obviously it’s really good to establish I’ll be here for a while.”

Jota has not featured in Liverpool’s pre-season matches, and Saturday’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty for Portugal in June.

He confirmed that the issue is set to keep him out for a “few more weeks”, almost certainly ruling him out of Saturday’s Premier League opener at newly-promoted Fulham and the following matchday’s clash with Crystal Palace at Anfield.

“Unfortunately for me I had an upset in this pre-season because I got injured [in the] last game of the season playing with Portugal,” Jota added. “So I was coming back in this pre-season, I felt it a little bit again. So it will be a few more weeks, I would say.”

Jota has proved another smart bit of business by Liverpool

Analysis by Sky Sports’ Richard Morgan:

There were some raised eyebrows when Liverpool paid Wolves £45m to bring Diogo Jota to Anfield in September 2020, but it has proved to be yet another smart bit of business by the club’s famed transfer committee.

The striker was a one-in-three man at Molineux, but since arriving at Anfield has increased his scoring rate to become an integral part of the Reds’ forward line, netting 34 goals in just 85 games in all competitions, with 24 in the Premier League, including four assists.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp likes Jota’s versatility, with the Portugal international – who despite his 5ft 10in height, has proved to be one of the best headers in the top flight – capable of being utilised either through the middle as a conventional No 9, or on the left-hand side of the attack.

That is why FSG has been so quick to add Jota, 25, to an already long list of players who have also agreed new long-term deals at Anfield, including in recent months both Mohamed Salah and Joe Gomez.

Now, though, Klopp will be hoping the player will be back in action sooner rather than later after suffering an untimely hamstring injury during pre-season.

Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports

Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 10 and closes at 11pm on September 1?

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News .

Liverpool fixtures: Reds begin at Fulham

Liverpool begin the 2022/23 Premier League campaign with a lunchtime trip to newly-promoted Fulham on Saturday August 6.

It will be the fourth season in a row in which Liverpool have started a new campaign against a Premier League newcomer.

But after then facing Crystal Palace, Jurgen Klopp’s side will take on Man Utd at Old Trafford on August 22, with both those games live on Sky Sports.

• In full: All the 2022/23 Premier League fixtures
• Download the Sky Sports App | Get Sky Sports

September will feature away trips to both Everton and Chelsea in September and Liverpool will also face back-to-back clashes against Arsenal and champions Man City on October 8 and 15 respectively.

Liverpool’s final game before the season stops temporarily for the winter World Cup will be against Southampton at Anfield on November 12 before returning to action at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The Reds then host arch-rivals United on March 4, before tricky-looking clashes in consecutive weekends at City (April 1) and against Arsenal at Anfield (April 8), before finishing the season at Southampton.

Boris Johnson has doubled down on his insistence that it is for his successor to “make significant fiscal decisions” after talks with energy bosses ended with no new measures to ease the cost of living crisis.

Speaking after the meeting, the prime minister said he would continue to urge the energy sector to ease the financial pressures facing struggling families.

But he repeated his stance that it is for his successor in Number 10, either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak , to “make significant fiscal decisions”, a Treasury spokesperson said.

Politics hub: Truss retains commanding lead in race for No 10 – live updates

Mr Johnson has been under pressure to use his remaining time in office to come up with a new package of measures to deal with the rising cost of living.

He has been accused of going “missing” and running a “zombie government” as the country hurtles towards a recession, with energy bills forecast to top £4,200 by January.

On Monday he rejected calls from Gordon Brown to hold daily emergency COBRA meetings to stop people “going cold and hungry” this October, when the energy price cap rises.

The former Labour prime minister said fresh support can’t wait until a new PM is chosen on September 5.

However, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said that “by convention it is not for this prime minister to make major fiscal interventions during this period”.

In a tweet after today’s meeting, Mr Johnson said he knows people are worried about the “difficult winter ahead”.

He said there is already a package of support in place, including a £400 energy bill discount for all households.

The Treasury said that Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and the energy firms agreed to “work closely” over the coming weeks to ensure that the public, including vulnerable customers, are supported in the face of rising costs.

But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “It is appalling that the Conservatives still haven’t announced any extra support for families and pensioners facing the hardest winter in decades.

“The cruellest element of this chaos is that those who could actually help, Truss and (Rishi) Sunak, are more interested in speaking to their party than taking the action our country needs.”

Gordon Brown ‘not leading Labour’s policy’

The roundtable meeting comes as Labour prepares to announce its own package of measures to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir Starmer will be visiting Edinburgh tomorrow, where he is expected to speak about some of the elements of the party’s proposals to help people with rising energy bills, before a full announcement next week.

Labour has faced criticism for attacking Boris Johnson for going on holiday amid the worsening economic crisis, despite Sir Keir also being away himself.

Earlier on Sky News, a Labour frontbencher denied Gordon Brown was leading the party’s policy in Sir Keir’s absence after the ex-PM called for energy firms to be temporarily nationalised, in his third major intervention this week.

Read More : Nearly 50,000 sign petition backing Gordon Brown’s call for emergency budget Gordon Brown ‘seeing poverty I did not expect to see again’

Shadow Justice Minister Steve Reed said Labour would be setting out a package of proposals “in the next few days”.

Asked if Gordon Brown was “leading the charge of the Labour party”, he said: “No, Labour is going to come up with a fully costed package of proposals for how we will help the British people. Next week is when we are going to bring that forward.”

Labour has already called for ministers to scrap what they call a “loophole” in the windfall tax on oil and gas profits.

The government announced in May that it would be introducing a levy on the “extraordinary profits” of the oil and gas sector. This included a tax break which the government said was intended to encourage investment.

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

But Mr Reed said it was doing “nothing of the sort” as he called on the government to come up with solutions to the cost of living crisis now instead of watching the Tory leadership contenders “fight each other like rats in a sack”.

Earlier this week, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called for the rise in the energy price cap this October to be scrapped and for the cost to be covered through a windfall tax.

And today, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also piled on the pressure as she said the energy price cap rise should not go ahead and accused the UK Government of being “missing in action” on the issue.

STEPHEN Mulhern revealed that he was “astounded” by the fan reaction after he filled in for Phillip Schofield on the last series of Dancing on Ice.

The TV presenter – who stepped in for Phillip when he tested positive for Covid back in February – confirmed a possible return to hosting the ITV show in the future.

Stephen, 45, said he was chuffed to reunite with best pal Holly Willoughby on-screen for the first time in 16 years.

They have presented a number of children’s TV shows over the years, including Finger Tips and were last seen presenting on Ministry of Mayhem in 2006.

The TV favourite said he was blown away by the positive response from fans who called for him to permanently replace Phillip on the ITV skating programme.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Stephen said: “I was astounded by the reaction from social media because it was overwhelming to be honest.

“And I tell you what was lovely…it was lovely to work again with Holly [Willoughby].

“We started our careers together on CITV, we did Saturday morning kids TV, Ministry of Mayhem for three years together and it was just lovely.

“We just had a great time and it was just nice to step in. Phil wasn’t feeling too well.

“It was lovely doing live TV as well, it was just exciting.

“So yes, would I go back, the answer is yes.”

Although Stephen would be happy to fill in temporarily when needed, he reassured Phillip that his job is “safe”.

“The reality is they won’t offer me a permanent role…Phil’s job is safe,” Stephen laughed.

Stephen already has his hands full with a string of successful shows including Catchphrase, Rolling In It and In For A Penny and, of course, pops up on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway .

If they said to me that I had Mariah Carey or Doreen from Doncaster – I can tell you now Doreen from Doncaster would deliver more than Mariah Carey ever would, hands down.

Stephen Mulhern

The magician revealed the secret to In For A Penny’s huge popularity and said that no contestant has ever refused to play.

“We’ve just finished filming the series, it never seizes to amaze me what people will do,” Stephen said.

“There was a guy who was literally on his way to the gym and we stopped him.

“Some people don’t realise that none of the contestants are cast, so on most game shows, you’d apply and then you’d come for an interview and then an audition and then you’d get selected on your personality, the same with Rolling in It and Catchphrase.

“But In For A Penny is an on the street, where we see people there and then.

“This guy was on his way to the gym and I was like ‘look do you want to win a chance to win a £1,000. He was like ‘absolutely yeah, too right’..

“He had to get through five rounds to win the grand, don’t forget we had the hottest summer, imagine this in the baking heat.

“We had a big vat of curry and at the bottom of the curry were three chips – within 30 seconds he had to get the chips out of the vat of curry without using his hands and only had to use his face.

“You can just imagine, we had granny’s doing it, I think people just lose their whole sort of – they just want to have a laugh.”

The telly star explained that he is stunned that every contestant throws themselves into the game.

“It never seizes to amaze me, I don’t know whether it’s the excitement that the TV crew are there and the whole hustle and bustle of it,” he said.

“We’ve never had anybody refuse to do one of our games.

“I prefer working with members of the public than any celebrity – if they said to me that I had Mariah Carey or Doreen from Doncaster – I can tell you now Doreen from Doncaster would deliver more than Mariah Carey ever would, hands down.

“In For A Penny proves this, they have nothing to hide, they just want to have a good time.”

We’ve never had anybody refuse to do one of our games.

Stephen Mulhern

Spilling the beans on how the wacky games come about, Stephen said they are tried on tested on a group of six, including himself.

He revealed: “There is a new game this series called Leaning Tower of Poundza, and we play it in a bank.

“The idea is that you have £50 each in pound coins and you put one hand behind your back and there is a tiny little podium the size of a pound coin and in couples, you’ve got to not place the coins but drop them onto the podium.

“So you stack the coins up and the higher up it goes, whatever is left staying there you get to keep.

“It is honestly quite addictive, if you play it, it’s exciting and not messy and this starts this year.

“The way we come up with the games, a team of six of us and we literally go into a room at ITV and we all gather our thoughts and someone might have seen something funny on TikTok or Instagram and we could turn it into a game.

“And we try them out, we all have to get involved in terms of playing the games. We all get stuck in.”

Despite the show growing in popularity, there is one minor complaint from fans.

When asked if the show should be extended for 60 minute slot, Stephen said: “Oh my god, let me tell you know if I had a pound for everyone saying that it needs to be an hour, but I’m with you on this. As soon as it starts it seems to finish.”

What’s Stephen got up his sleeve….

But right now, Stephen is hoping to entice some of his celebrity pals to take part in a charity version of Catchphrase and he’s already got a few names in mind.

“I’ve always said we should do an episode of Catchphrase with doubles, so you’d have Phil and Holly, Ant and Dec, Ruth and Eamonn, Dermott and Alison. That’s not a bad shout,” the TV star hinted.

Stephen has also set his sights on a number of game shows that he would love to revive.

“There is two that I would love to bring back…You Bet, Matthew Kelly used to host it. It’s just incredible and obviously The Generation Game would be amazing to bring back and Gladiators,” he told us.

“They tried to bring it back on ice and then on Sky but that didn’t work. If they did it properly then I think it would stand a chance.”

Stephen got his big break in children’s TV in 1998 and has since appeared on SMTV Live, Britain’s Got More Talent, This Morning and Sunday Night At The Palladium.

But the popular host is heading back to where it all started this summer for his brand-new live show at Butlins.

“It’s all new and it’s completely interactive and it’s for every age group who attends Butlins. I know Butlins inside out, I used to go as a kid and when I worked there as a red coat, that started everything off for me,” the performer said.

“When it came to this show, we called it The Return of Mulhern, that’s exactly what we are doing, we are returning with a big show that involves magic, variety, and interactive audience participation.

“I don’t think there is anything out there like it. Everyone at the moment is struggling in one way or another, so I think what Butlins delivers is the value for money, they don’t call it the home of entertainment for nothing.”

Stephen Mulhern returns to Butlin’s with his brand-new live show. To book your stay at the home of entertainment and experience his new show for yourself.

The now infamous ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial is set to reach a dramatic conclusion today with the judge, Mrs Justice Steyn, expected to deliver the verdict around midday.

This will be the culmination of a nine-day hearing after Rebekah Vardy took Coleen Rooney to court for libel in May.

Coleen, the wife of former England striker Wayne Rooney , took to her personal Instagram three years ago and shared fake stories on her account with the intention of weeding out the person who was selling stories to the press.

Rebekah, who is the wife of Leciester City footballer Jamie Vardy , denied the allegations and sued Coleen for libel.

And earlier this year, both WAGs dropped shocking bombshells as they provided evidence on trial for the libel case.

The case ended in May and Coleen and Rebekah have since been waiting for a decision in the trial.

In wake of the decision, what bombshell claims were heard in court?

Peter Andre’s manhood

On day one of the trial, Rebekah was immediately quizzed about past comments she made about her sexual encounter with Peter Andre to a newspaper.

She spoke to the News Of The World about ‘having had sex with Peter Andre ‘ and the court heard how she said in the 2004 story that he was hung like a ‘miniature chipolata’

Rebekah said the Mysterious Girl singer had shaved all the hair off his body and ‘drooled like a slobbery dog’ when he kissed her.

The WAG told how she had sex with Andre while she was married to her ex-husband and said it was something she ‘deepy regretted’.

Since then, Peter spoke out about the article and the comments being brought up again after 18 years.

“You’ve got to understand, what’s even worse is it’s brought up in a High Court, and the lawyer is bringing it up… and it’s brought up again. And the only one that sits there and takes hit after hit about it is me,” he said on social media at the time.

Coleen says she and Wayne temporarily split

While on the stand, Coleen talked about the impact the alleged leaking of stories from her personal Instagram had on her.

The mum, who shares four children with Wayne, had referenced a post on her Instagram about Wayne and the kids at home in 2017.

At the time, there were rumours the pair had split after Wayne was stopped by police for drink-driving with party-goer Laura Simpson in Cheshire.

Coleen was heavily pregnant with the couple’s fourth child at the time.

Although the post was not printed in The Sun article, an image of her and the kids that she posted on her public Instagram was used with only a reference to the Wayne picture.

She said the article – suggesting Wayne was back in her bed – affected their relationship.

Giving evidence, Rooney said: “With the pyjama post, at the time there had been a situation which was wrongdoing by my husband, but I was in a vulnerable situation.

“I didn’t know how my marriage was going to work out. I didn’t know what was going on in that relationship so we agreed to work things out.

“I had not settled on this. Is it that we are getting back together?

“At this time there was speculation I was back at the house as I was spending a lot of time at my parents house.

“That was information I was happy to share with my private group and we were trying to sort out the relationship and see where things were going. But I didn’t want the public to know that. I didn’t want them to know, ‘this is it we are getting back together’. I know how quick the press are to jump on things.”

Coleen became a ‘different mother and wife’

During the trial, Wayne told the court his wife had become “a different mother and wife” since October 2019 and that the legal process had been “traumatic”.

He explained : “I don’t think anyone wants to be in court. For me and my wife we don’t want to be in court. I certainly don’t, I don’t think my wife wants to be in that situation.

“I have watched my wife over the last two and a half years really struggle with what’s going on. She has become a different mother, a different wife.

“It’s been traumatic for my wife throughout the situation and hopefully whatever the judgement is in this case myself, my wife and our children can go on and live our lives because it’s not something we want to be part of.”

Wayne vs Jamie

The husbands had a chance to have their say over a disputed conversation during the Euros 2016, after Wayne claimed in court he was told to tell Jamie’s wife to “calm down”.

Wayne detailed his alleged conversation with Jamie regarding Rebekah and said: “It was awkward for me to have to speak to a team-mate regarding his wife.”

He had agreed there were “a lot of made up stories” about players and their partners in the press but said: “I know I spoke to Jamie 100%”.

The former footballer, who said he was asked by the England manager to talk to Jamie, added: “Whether he goes on to give that information to his wife that’s entirely his choice but that’s not down to me.”

However, both Rebekah and Jamie denied the conversation ever took place.

Jamie later claimed Wayne was talking “nonsense” and explained: “He must be confused because he never spoke to me about issues concerning Becky’s media work at Euro 2016.

“There was nothing to speak about, I know this because I discuss everything with Becky.”

Rebekah feared losing her baby

The trial head about the emotional impact the legal case had on both Coleen and Rebekah.

When Rebekah was first accused of leaking stories, she was pregnant with her daughter Olivia Grace.

She spoke during the trial of “suffering from panic attacks and anxiety.”

Rebekah explained her emotional state at the time she was exporting messages for the trial, during which she claims many were inadvertently deleted.

She said: “I wasn’t very well, I was having constant panic attacks, anxiety, I was scared I was going to lose my baby.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

Read More

Read More