days

A writer visited the stunning Mediterranean island of Gozo, part of Malta, which boasts 300 days of sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and incredible scenery just a short flight from the UK

When off to a European destination during the winter months, its impossible to bank on good weather, however far in the Continent you’re planning on going.

Recently, the Liverpool Echo’s Holly Clarke took a chance with the weather and embarked on a journey to the Maltese Archipelago. Not only did she strike gold in meteorological terms, but the Mediterranean island chain proved to be an absolute treasure.

From exploring the streets of the silent city of Mdina to experiencing the energy and activity of the capital city, Valletta, there genuinely is something for everyone, including fantastic nightlife in St Julian’s, the pristine waters of the Blue Lagoon, and sufficient churches on the island for every day of the year.

Holly departed from Manchester Airport at 7am and was wandering around the breathtaking Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also easily accessible from John Lennon Airport and various other airports throughout the UK.

As much as Holly loved Malta, it was its much smaller, lesser-visited neighbour that really stole her heart.

There are three islands which constitute the Republic of Malta: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the largest population out of the three at around 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.

Before Holly realised it, she was setting off on a ferry to the island of Gozo, which is developing a new £2million airport that’ll make journeys from Malta considerably quicker. For the time being, the ferry is direct and costs approximately 5 Euros for a return ticket.

Within just 20 minutes, she had arrived on the gorgeous, less-frequented island. The 26-square-mile stretch of land is famed for its rugged terrain and spectacular scenery, and it certainly lived up to expectations. It provides everything from excellent seafood, jaw-dropping views, and crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming.

Gozo is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with its dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. Another bonus of the island is that it boasts 300 days of sunshine – that sealed the deal for Holly!

Numerous tourists spend a night or two on the island, but she was aware she’d only be there for a day, so there was no time to waste. Holly’s chosen mode of transport was a tuk-tuk, provided by Yippee Malta, which she absolutely loved.

Holly was driven around by Joe, who has spent his entire life on the island. As she sat in the rear of the tuk-tuk, Holly marvelled at the gorgeous hills, which brought to mind the striking landscapes of the UK. The main distinction was the azure sky and brilliant yellow orb breaking through the clouds, something she hadn’t witnessed for several months back in England.

First stop, a bay named Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling experience, run by Gozo Adventures. It provided the ideal chance to embrace a more adventurous side whilst soaking in the stunning valley panoramas.

Having never climbed previously, it’s reasonable to say Holly’s legs were trembling slightly as she gazed up to the summit of the valley where she was meant to be climbing. But after observing the thorough demonstration from Cornil at Gozo Adventures, Holly gave it her best shot and felt incredible afterwards.

After building up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s favourite aspect of any journey: the cuisine. She jumped in a vehicle and made her way to a restaurant on the marina, Il-Kartell. The seafood establishment was the ideal location for lunch, situated on the waterfront, which provided views of the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.

The restaurant bills itself as “casual dining by the sea”, so she opted for the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t let down. It will rank as one of the most unforgettable pasta dishes she has ever tasted.

It’s evident from just a few brief hours on the island that life there isn’t hurried. Back home, it’s simple to find yourself grabbing a sandwich on the commute to work, or occasionally forgetting to pick up anything at all.

In Malta and Gozo, both residents and tourists spend at least an hour or two enjoying lunch. Beginning with bread and olive oil before diving into a pasta dish and concluding with a double espresso, it was pleasant to find time to decelerate and savour the world a little more.

Nevertheless, there was no opportunity for a mid-afternoon lull as there was so much to explore before the ferry back to Malta. Next on the schedule were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.

The northern coastline is distinguished by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans, which are 350-years-old. They are remarkable to observe and are also steeped in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been handed down for many generations. On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Perched high above Ramla Bay, the cave provided the most stunning panoramic views of the bay and the coastline.

The cave can be accessed via a short 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s absolutely a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make it. Holly entered the cave through a narrow gap in the rocks, then descended a couple of steps to one of the finest views she has ever witnessed.

It was rather crowded with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently waited her turn to capture a photo overlooking the bay.

It wouldn’t be a visit to Gozo without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Situated on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city visible from across the island, towering high in the Gozian skyline.

It is found in Victoria, also referred to as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, and is amongst the island’s most iconic landmarks. The Citadel was formerly a flourishing city before it was converted into a castle in medieval times. Many of the old houses and palaces here have been restored into museums and shops, making it a popular tourist destination.

It’s free to visit, and you could spend hours discovering the fascinating history and exploring its key attractions. We admired the Cathedral of the Assumption, constructed entirely of local limestone. Simply strolling around the Citadel provides panoramic views of the entire island of Gozo. For just 5 Euros, you can also explore the museums and historical sites available. Regrettably, it was time to catch the ferry back to Malta, otherwise she could have easily spent several more hours here.

If Holly had stayed overnight, a sunset viewing at the Citadel or an early morning dip in the crystal-clear waters would have been the perfect end to the trip.

Book it

For more details, go to visitmalta.com/en.

Holly lodged at the Malta Marriot Resort & Spa, with room rates starting from £147.

Ryanair operates flights from Manchester Airport to Malta starting at £42, and from Liverpool John Lennon starting at £32.

KM Malta Airlines provides flights from Heathrow to Malta starting at £111 and from Gatwick starting at £86.

CHUCK Norris’ heartbreaking final post after his death has been revealed.

The 86-year-old actor died on Thursday after being hospitalized in Kauai for an undisclosed medical incident.

“I don’t age. I level up,” the actor captioned a video of him sparring with boxing gloves on.

“I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love.

“Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”

The actor turned 86 on March 10.

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Legendary actor Chuck Norris ‘rushed to hospital’ after ‘medical emergency’

The medical emergency that landed him in the hospital reportedly happened suddenly and unexpectedly.

TMZ reported earlier in the week Chuck was training in Hawaii with friends, as shown in his final video.

The actor’s family confirmed his death in a social media statement.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the statement, posted on his Instagram, began.

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.

“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.”

The family continued, “He lived life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.

“While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him.

“The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

A MAN has revealed how he managed to visit two countries in two days for under £100 – and was back in time for work the next morning.

Aleksander Sikora, 41, wanted to visit both Nice and Monaco on his two days off.

The dad-of-two, who lives in Farnham, Surrey, bought easyJet return flights from Gatwick to Nice for just £48 which departed on Friday, March 13, and returned the next day.

His pre-trip costs included £13 parking, and be paid £19 for a hostel in Nice before departing as well.

After arriving in Nice, he went straight to Monaco by train (£6) to explore the sights of the famous ‘microstate’ – known for its beautiful buildings and wealth.

He visited the area around Monte Carlo’s casino and saw the Promenade des Champions – golden footprints of award-winning footballers.

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Aleksander said: “I went to The Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, which was free to enter, and I went to the Prince‘s Palace of Monaco on the hill.”

Aleksander fuelled up throughout the day on a packed lunch be brought with him, although did splash out on some pizza from a local market stall.

He got a train back to Nice – squeezing in a visit to the Notre-Dame de Nice in the dark – where he slept and then had breakfast at the hostel the following morning.

The £19-a-night cost amazingly even included a breakfast of croissants, baguettes and coffee for the bargain price.

Aleksander said: “I am from Poland and somehow one of the other men in the hostel was too.

“Another of the men from the hostel suggested to go to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral so the next day that was what I did.”

Entry was free there too, so he explored after stocking up with more snacks and drinks from a local supermarket.

He walked up to the Colline du Chateau, which offers panoramic views of Nice, and took in the sights.

Aleksander then visited a museum to get some more history of Nice, before a gentle walk back to the airport.

He said: “That was another six miles or so, but I just looked around the streets, chilled out and relaxed.

“I put my headphones in, and just thought about nothing, enjoying my break from work.”

After spending his second day exploring Nice, he got back to the airport to catch his 9pm flight back to Gatwick – and was in bed by 11:30pm, ready for work the next day.

Aleksander, a retail employee trainer, said: “I saw a lot of historical things, if you like that kind of history it’s great.

“I studied history for three years, it’s a passion of mine and there is lots to discover.

“I walked around 30 miles in two days, but I don’t mind. I just relaxed and enjoyed it.”

And the entire trip cost around £100 thanks to Aleksander’s savvy travelling methods and bringing his own food.

He added: “The main beauty of the trip was the architecture, all the different cultures.

“You can’t compare them but every place is unique, and you can find beauty everywhere.

WASHINGTON — Republicans launched an unprecedented effort on Tuesday to hold the Senate floor and talk for days about a bill that they know won’t pass — an attempt to capture public attention on legislation requiring stricter voter registration rules as President Trump pressures Congress to act before November’s midterm elections.

The talkathon could last a week or longer, potentially through the weekend, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) tries to navigate Trump’s insistence on the issue and Democrats’ united opposition. Trump has urged Thune to scrap the legislative filibuster, which triggers a 60-vote threshold in the 100-member Senate, or find another workaround to pass the bill, but Thune has repeatedly said he doesn’t have the votes to do that.

Instead, Republicans intend to make a long, noisy show of support for the legislation, which would require Americans to prove they are U.S. citizens before they register to vote and to show identification at the polls, among other things. It’s a risky strategy, with no guarantee it will be enough for Trump, who has said he won’t sign other bills until the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — also known as the SAVE America Act or the SAVE Act — is passed.

The floor debate is expected to eventually end with a failed vote. Republicans need 60 votes to advance the bill to a final vote, but they hold 53 seats, and all 45 Democrats and both independents, who caucus with the Democrats, oppose it.

The debate will “put Democrats on the record,” Thune said. He added that “how it ends remains to be seen.”

The Senate voted 51 to 48 Tuesday to begin the debate, with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski the only Republican voting against moving forward on the bill.

In a social media post on Tuesday morning, Trump issued a warning to any Republican who doesn’t support the bill: “I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!’”

Creating strict voter registration rules

Trump says, without evidence, that Democrats can only win in the midterms if they cheat and explicitly said Republicans need the SAVE America Act to win in November. The House passed the legislation earlier this year, but the Senate turned to other issues as it became evident that Republicans didn’t have the votes to pass it.

But Trump made clear he wasn’t satisfied and pushed the Senate to act. The Republican president has said he won’t sign other legislation, including a bipartisan housing bill backed by the White House, until the voting bill passes.

The bill contains a slew of provisions that Trump and his most loyal supporters have pushed as part of a broad effort to assert federal control over elections. It would require voters nationwide to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to show accepted voter identification when casting a ballot.

It would also create new penalties for election workers who register voters without proof of citizenship and require states to hand voter data over to the Department of Homeland Security so federal officials could screen for voters who are in the country illegally.

Trump also wants new provisions added to the bill, including a ban on most mail-in ballots.

“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” Trump said of the bill last week. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.”

Democratic opposition to the bill is firm

Democrats and many groups that champion voter access say there is little evidence of noncitizens voting and say the bill would disenfranchise millions of voters — including Republicans — by creating new burdens to prove citizenship.

It is already illegal to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen, but the bill would lay out strict new rules for paperwork that most people would have to present in person to register to vote. Opponents of the measure say those documents are not always readily available for many people and argue that it would kill voter registration efforts and unfairly penalize young people who are registering to vote for the first time, married women who change their last name and people who cannot travel to present their documents, among other groups.

While Republicans have focused on the bill’s new requirements to show identification when they show up to vote, Democrats say they are most concerned that the legislation would allow the federal government to take voters off the rolls.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that Democrats are not opposed to voter identification but “this is about purging the voter rolls in a massive way, so you never even get the chance to show a voter ID when you showed up to vote.”

Expect a show on the Senate floor

Trump, backed by Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, has pushed for a talking filibuster, which would force Democrats to talk for days or weeks to delay passage of the bill. But Thune and the larger GOP conference rejected that idea, arguing that it would end in failure after giving Democrats a stage and the opportunity to offer endless amendments, potentially adding their priorities to the bill.

Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation. Democrats are expected to answer with their own procedural hijinks, potentially forcing Republicans to come to the floor at all hours for votes, meaning they will need to stay close to the Senate for the duration.

Lee said last week that it’s unclear how it will all play out. He said he thinks Trump “understands that we need to put in an aggressive effort here.”

“And a lot of that,” he said, “is going to have to be determined in real time as we go about it.”

The extent of Trump’s satisfaction with the process, Lee said, “will depend on whether, in his view, we gave it everything we have.”

On Monday night, Lee was rallying voters in Trump’s base on X.

“Once we’re on this bill,” he wrote, “we must stay on it until it’s passed into law.”

Jalonick writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

The popular Canary Islands holiday destination recorded 84 earthquakes over the weekend near Mount Teide, with officials starting work on a contingency plan in case of an eruption

Tenerife experienced 84 earthquakes over the weekend, prompting officials to initiate a “plan for disaster”. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) reported that the tremors were detected in the western part of Las Canadas on the island.

Approximately 59 of these seismic events were accurately located, which they claim occurred around Mount Teide. The most notable activity consisted of two low-frequency pulses around the Canary Island.

One happened between 1.30am and 5.30am on Saturday, with the second recorded between 7.30am and 10.30am on Sunday. It’s believed they both occurred at depths of roughly eight and 21km below Las Canadas, each registering low magnitudes.

However, the IGN has stated that these figures are provisional and could potentially rise. It stresses that this type of activity does not indicate an increased risk of a volcanic eruption in the forthcoming weeks or months, according to Canarias7.

This follows reports that the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Council has begun preparations on a contingency plan in the event of an eruption. Mount Teide, Spain’s tallest peak, last erupted in 1909, reports the Express.

A specialised technical department has now been set up to devise an action plan should it erupt again. The plan aims to bolster the city’s readiness and ensure it can provide shelter and essential services.

It’s believed the city could presently manage a “moderate emergency” but there are concerns a major eruption could pose more significant challenges. Santa Cruz Mayor Jose Manuel Bermudez stated: “We don’t know how it will happen, how it will develop, or when it might occur.

“But scientists have indicated that current volcanic developments on the island are not something normal.”

The IGN monitors seismic activity in Spain through a network of over 100 stations, equipment and sampling points which are deployed throughout Tenerife. This enables continuous surveillance.

Scientists can therefore conduct real-time monitoring to detect potential changes in seismic activity, ground deformations, or geochemistry. Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is encircled by volcanic activity.

Whilst the mayor has expressed concerns about preparedness to handle an eruption, the president of the island’s governing council, the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Davila, has previously dismissed speculation.

Teide’s 1909 eruption resulted in “minor damage” on the island. Yet an earlier eruption in 1706 is reported to have destroyed a town along with Tenerife’s main port of Garachico.

“A month and a half ago this activity would not have attracted much attention,” a spokesperson for the local National Geographic Institute said. “However, given the current context we will continue to monitor the situation closely in case anything changes.”

All the predictions, drama and pageantry of Hollywood’s biggest night will play out at the Dolby Theatre this afternoon as the 98th Academy Awards get underway.

How many awards will “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, win from its record-setting 16 nominations? And will Coogler win best director? Our critic says, “no.”

Tonight is also a big evening for our entertainment team, which has been producing features, previews, explainers, predictions and so much more.

Let’s jump into some of that work.

How and when to watch

My colleague Katie Simons provided some show basics, like it’s 4 p.m. Pacific start time.

The 2026 Oscars will air on ABC, and those with cable subscriptions can also watch by logging into the ABC app or abc.com.

The telecast will also stream live on Hulu, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. Internationally, the ceremony will be broadcast in more than 200 territories. You can check your local listings here.

When the red carpet viewing gets underway

“Chicken Shop Date” host Amelia Dimoldenberg will return, for a third-straight year, as social media ambassador and correspondent for the official red carpet, which will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on ABC and Hulu.

For extended coverage, E! will begin its red carpet broadcast at 1 p.m. ABC’s coverage begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by “The Oscars Red Carpet Show,” hosted by Tamron Hall and Jesse Palmer.

“Sinners” is picking up steam heading into the show

My colleague Greg Braxton wrote about how award prognosticators believe Sinners gained positive press after its stars — Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan — were called a racial slur at the BAFTAs.

Jordan’s and Lindo’s handling of the BAFTA incident, along with warmly received victories for the “Sinners” cast at the Actor Awards on March 1, has given the Warner Bros. release unexpected momentum leading up to Sunday’s Oscars ceremony.

Although it received a record-breaking 16 nominations, the film has been largely overshadowed through much of awards season by Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller “One Battle After Another.”

And Timothée Chalamet of “Marty Supreme” had been considered for months as an almost-certain lock for lead actor. But the events in past weeks have seemingly positioned “Sinners” for upset wins in the picture race and lead actor for Jordan.

Who’s going to win?

Our critic Amy Nicholson and our expert Glenn Whipp believe they know the winners and the snubs.

Nicholson believes “Sinners” should win for best picture.

Nicholson wrote that the Jim Crow-era murder musical is the best kind of smart filmmaking, a barn-burner about religion and art and race that ditches the speeches for scenes of action and romance.

Every character — from Miles Caton’s rebellious guitarist and Jack O’Connell’s lilting vampire to Wunmi Mosaku’s soulful witch and Michael B. Jordan’s bootlegging twins Smoke and Stack — has been scarred by life in 1930s Mississippi.

She also said the film “Eddington” should’ve been a contender (perhaps a nod to “On the Waterfront”). Ari Aster’s merciless black comedy drags us back to May 2020 when tempers, temperatures and misinformation were heating up across America.

Dueling civic leaders Sheriff Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) and Mayor Ted (Pedro Pascal) agree that COVID has yet to arrive in their New Mexican hamlet.

Whipp wrote that “One Battle After Another” vs. “Sinners” is very much a 1A/1B situation, with Anderson’s epic having the slight edge.

But with the Oscars, quality is often secondary to an awards narrative. Both movies have cultural relevance.

Both won critical acclaim and, to a degree, commercial success. (Though “One Battle” wasn’t the blockbuster “Sinners” was, it still grossed more than any other movie in Anderson’s career.) “Sinners” scored 16 Oscar nominations, the most in history; “One Battle” was close behind with 13.

There’s much more to read in the above links. Enjoy them and the Oscars.

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When I think of the solidarity of musicians, I recall an iconic scene from the film “Titanic.”

It’s the one where a quartet plays “Nearer, My God, to Thee” as the great, “unsinkable” ship sinks into the North Atlantic Ocean.

They attempted to offer calm amid a sea of panic as passengers and crew feverishly boarded lifeboats. The events were based on a true story and historians note that the body of the Titanic band leader Wallace Hartley was found floating in the ocean “with his music case strapped to it.”

Even in tragedy, we seek music to bring us solace.

Much closer to home, musicians from Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other affected areas have been challenged to keep the music going after losing instruments, studio equipment and business along with their homes in the January 2025 fires that claimed the lives of 31 people.

One organization, Altadena Musicians, launched the app Instrumental Giving to connect donors who can spare an old piano or a gently used cello with those who lost similar instruments.

KC Mancebo, an Altadena Musicians advisor, spoke with The Times about the group’s mission and success.

The campaign’s genesis

It started with composers Brandon Jay and his wife, Gwendolyn Sanford, who saw their Altadena home, music studio and several instruments destroyed by the Eaton fire.

Shortly after the fire, Jay posted about the lost equipment and what each piece meant to his family.

He said the response from that post — hundreds of people offering their instruments and other types of aid — left him “overwhelmed and gobsmacked.”

He called friends and helpers from throughout the music industry, including Mancebo, chief executive of the event production and talent booking agency Clamorhouse, hoping to offer to others the same help he received.

Mancebo had been helping homeowners navigate fire insurance paperwork and processes.

“Brandon Jay asked, ‘Why don’t we start gathering instruments for our friends,” Mancebo said. “We had 25 friends in the Palisades and 15 friends in the Eaton fire that lost everything, so we and others got involved.”

How’s it going so far?

The organization has passed out around 3,500 instruments to 1,200 families since the first donations in late January 2025, Mancebo said.

The donations range from ukuleles to Steinway & Sons pianos.

“We’re providing instruments to anyone from children who lost their first instruments to people who lost their entire studio,” she said. “The need is great.”

The gifts have come from individual donors and corporate benefactors such as JBL, which has provided speakers and equipment, as well as guitar makers Fender and Gibson, among others.

Rebuilding from the ashes

Mancebo lost her Westside home eight years ago because of a defective dryer that caught fire, she said.

“I went through the whole process of insurance, permitting and rebuilding and we didn’t have FEMA or anyone to help,” she said. “I want to provide that help to those in a similar situation.”

Mancebo said it took eight years to recover and rebuild her home.

“No one is fine after the first year,” she said. “Everyone needs help.”

Brentwood resident Amy Engelhardt, a singer/songwriter, composer, lyricist and playwright, donated her Kawai Upright Piano to the Altadena Musicians organization on March 10, 2026.

(Courtesy of Amy Engelhardt)

One person’s goodbye is another’s hello

Brentwood resident Amy Engelhardt, a singer/songwriter, composer, lyricist and playwright, loved her Kawai upright piano she purchased through a PennySaver ad in 2000.

“It was a deal for the starving artist,” she said. “I paid so little and I always considered it a gift.”

Since then, Engelhardt said she has written all of her music on that piano. She didn’t, however, play it while recording her Grammy-nominated vocal group, the Bobs.

Still, she donated her piano this week to a woman who lost her home. The instrument would not be making the permanent move with Engelhardt back to New York, where her playwriting services are in demand.

“I did get emotional about it, but it’s OK,” Engelhardt said. “It’s comforting knowing that someone else will love it and create their own memories.”

Those interested in donating can check out https://altadenamusicians.org.

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JUNIOR Andre has made his acting debut alongside his father Peter and an EastEnders star, just days after revealing his secret job.

The young lad, 20, played the role of Johnny in a new coming-of-age drama called Finding My Voice.

Finding My Voice is about a girl called Mel who feels like she has nowhere to go after facing a series of tragedies.

Her family breaks up due to alcoholism following the death of her baby brother, plunging her into deep struggles.

Johnny is a friend who is always there for her when she needs someone to believe in her, which is truly heartwarming.

At the end of the month Finding My Voice will host its first screening as a part of Manchester‘s Film Festival.

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The announcement was made via the film’s Instagram page.

Another Instagram post announced who Junior would be playing, which received a roaring reception from his friends and family.

The post shows a carousel of snaps of Junior featuring in the film, the first of which includes the name “Johnny” over his head in block lettering.

The caption says: “Junior Andre. Johnny is Mel’s school friend and one of the few people who’s always there when she needs someone to believe in her.

“Finding My Voice movie is out on 28th March at Manchester Film Festival. See you there!”

Right at the top of the post’s comments section is Peter, gushing: “Yea my son,” followed by three flame emojis.

Junior’s girlfriend Jasmine Orr added: “Can’t wait for this,” along with three hand emojis forming hearts.

Fans felt the same level of enthusiasm, saying “Wow” and that they “can’t wait to watch” the film.

Peter plays the role of Costas, who more details are yet to be released about.

Meanwhile EastEnders‘ Michelle Ryan stars as Lisa Kendall, a mother.

The news comes just days after Junior revealed he’s been secretly working for the London underground at night.

He said he’s been “grafting, lifting heavy metals, cutting, filing [and] painting.”

Junior revealed the job during an episode of his sister Princess‘ show, The Princess Diaries.

He noted: “You actually have to pay to do music. People don’t really know that.

“I live off myself, I don’t live off Mum and Dad – that’s what people think, that we do.”

Junior’s mother is Katie Price, who got married to Lee Andrews earlier this year in a whirlwind romance.

Lawmakers express concerns as Trump officials project $50bn more may be needed for Iran war funding.

Officials from President Donald Trump’s administration have estimated during a congressional briefing this week that the first six days of the war on Iran had cost the United States at least $11.3bn, a source familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency.

That figure, from a closed-door briefing for senators on Tuesday, did not include the entire cost of the war, but was provided to lawmakers as they have clamoured for more information about the cost.

Several congressional aides have said they expect the White House to soon submit a request to Congress for additional funding for the war. Some officials have said the request could be for $50bn, while others have said that estimate seems low.

The administration has not provided a public assessment of the cost of the conflict or a clear idea of its expected duration. Trump said during a trip to Kentucky on Wednesday that “we won” the war but that the US would stay in the fight to finish the job.

The $11.3bn figure was first reported on Wednesday by The New York Times.

The human cost

The US-Israeli war on Iran has so far killed about 2,000 people, mostly Iranians and Lebanese, as the conflict has spread across the Middle East, with Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighbouring countries hosting US assets, sending energy prices soaring.

The United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) says the “intensifying conflict” has killed or wounded 1,100 children, creating a “catastrophic” situation for millions of children across the Middle East.

About 800,000 people have already been displaced in Lebanon by relentless Israeli bombardment.

Administration officials also have told lawmakers that $5.6bn of munitions were used during the first two days of strikes.

Members of Congress, who may soon have to approve additional funding for the war, have expressed concern that the conflict will deplete US military stocks at a time when the defence industry was already struggling to keep up with demand.

Democratic lawmakers have demanded public testimony under oath from administration officials about the Republican president’s plans for the war, including how long it might last and what his plans are for Iran once the fighting has stopped.

Trump on Wednesday said the war with Iran may end “soon” because there is “practically nothing left” for the US military to bomb. He did not provide any evidence for that claim.

Barrow head coach Dino Maamria has left the League Two strugglers after only 28 days in charge.

The 54-year-old took over on 11 February but managed only one win from his six games, leaving the Bluebirds outside the relegation zone on goal difference with 11 matches remaining.

“We recognise that this has been a very disappointing season with far too much managerial change,” Barrow said in a statement., external

“As the board of directors, we understand that the buck stops with us. We believe this change gives us the best chance of remaining in the football league.”

Experienced midfielder Sam Foley, 39, has been handed the interim head coach role until the end of the season with coaches Simon Ireland and David Worrall remaining in their roles.

Former Burton, Oldham and Stevenage boss Maamria replaced Paul Gallagher at Barrow, who himself lost all five of his games during a 40-day spell at the helm, having replaced Andy Whing in January.

Tunisian Maamria’s only victory came in a late 1-0 win over Colchester United last month which was followed by four defeats from five games, culminating in a 2-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

“Sometimes I want to boo the players, I understand the frustration (of the fans) I think we all know the problems and my job is to fix the problems,” he said in his final post-match interview on BBC Radio Cumbria.

Barrow are at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday (15:00 GMT).