Schools across the country have taken action to ban student cellphone use in recent years, with the hope of stopping bullying and improving America’s increasingly poor academic performance.

Now, new research examining the practice at over 40,000 U.S. schools between 2019-2026 shows there have been benefits – but maybe not as many as lawmakers had hoped.

While locking phones in pouches throughout the day helped kids cut back on phone time, test scores did not rise and there was “little evidence” that it helped with online bullying, attendance or attention in class, the paper, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, showed.

Within the first year of bans, suspension rates also increased by 16 percent and student well-being fell, the researchers wrote in the largest study of its kind.

However, over time, students saw their well-being rebound: reinforcing the idea that getting kids off phones may improve mental health. The researchers compared the improvement to a past study showing similar benefits from deactivating Facebook for four weeks.

The schools used magnetic cellphone pouches made by the San Francisco-based company Yondr, which has provided pouches for some workplaces, too. The research relied on data collected by Yondr, test scores, discipline reports, GPS data and surveys from both students and their teachers.

Phones were put into the lockable pouches upon arrival at schools. Students could keep the pouches but were unable to unlock them at a magnetic port until the bell to go home rang or unless there was an emergency.

“At lunch you will see all these kids, they’re talking to one another,” Brice Beck, the deputy superintendent in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, told The New York Times. “It’s a lot louder, but the good kind of loud.”

The effects on the Yondr students were compared to schools which employed less stringent rules.

Ultimately, cellphone pings from school grounds fell by 30 percent in the first three years for students using the Yondr pouches, according to the GPS data.

And the percentage of students using their phones for nonacademic reasons plummeted from 61 percent to 13 percent.

“Together, these results indicate that Yondr adoption meaningfully reduces in-school phone use, even if enforcement may be imperfect and the exact magnitude of the reduction cannot be read directly from any single measure,” the researchers wrote.

The researchers said their findings complimented a 2025 paper that showed short-term suspensions and improvements to test scores and unexcused absence numbers after cellphone bans in Florida.

It also builds on previous research showing that teenagers with higher screen use for non-schoolwork things were more likely to have bad mental and physical health, which can negatively affect performance at school.

U.S. kids aged 8-18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day watching or using screens, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

And they may get hundreds of disruptive notifications a day, about a quarter of which occur during school hours, a 2023 student survey by Common Sense Media found.

That’s part of why 90 percent of teachers said they supported a cellphone ban during teaching hours, according to a 2024 National Education Association poll.

Obviously, his love of nature and championing the animal kingdom has been kind to him.

But let’s be honest, Britain’s number one national treasure deserves it more than anyone.

David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth will be hosted by the BBC’s Kirsty Young, who said. “Sir David’s gift to the world has been a life spent exquisitely revealing Earth’s wonders to us all.”

“The very least he deserves is a big 100th birthday bash at the Royal Albert Hall! I’m very happy indeed, as the host, to be able to invite everyone to the party.”

But now, a leading longevity expert has revealed the five simple lifestyle changes that could help Brits live longer, healthier lives.

We’re celebrating Sir David Attenborough ahead of his 100th birthday on the 8th May with a very special tribute 💚🌍 #DavidAttenborough #SirDavidAttenborough pic.twitter.com/jc3Bkk8GKh

— PETA UK (@PETAUK) April 30, 2026

Doctors say many people unknowingly slip into habits that accelerate ageing – from blood-sugar spikes and muscle loss to poor sleep and chronic stress.

But new evidence shows that small, consistent daily rituals can dramatically slow the ageing process.

Dr Asiya Maula, GP and functional & lifestyle medicine specialist at The Health Suite , says most people focus on lifespan – “how long you live” – but ignore healthspan: the number of years you live without disease, frailty or dependence.

“People think longevity is about genetics or expensive supplements,” she said. “But your daily habits are more powerful than anything you can buy.

“The right tweaks can genuinely add years of healthy life.”

How to live to 100 years of age:

1. Keep blood sugar stable – especially in winter

Cold weather makes people crave carbs and comfort foods, but big glucose spikes speed up ageing.

“When your blood sugar rollercoasters all day, inflammation rises and cells age faster,” Dr Asiya explained.

“She recommends protein with every meal, walking after you eat, and swapping sugary snacks for slow-release carbs like oats, beans, lentils and potatoes.

2. Build – and protect – your muscle

After 35, muscle loss accelerates, raising the risk of diabetes, falls and frailty. “Muscle is your longevity organ,” she said.

“It controls metabolism, blood sugar, posture and even immune function.”

Two strength sessions a week plus daily movement can make a “dramatic” difference.

3. Prioritise sleep like a prescription

Poor sleep drives weight gain, inflammation and dementia risk. “Sleep is when your brain cleans itself,” Dr Asiya said.

“Seven to nine hours is non-negotiable if you want to age well.”

4. Reduce chronic stress 

Stress hormones erode immune resilience and accelerate biological ageing. 

Dr Asiya recommends breathwork, daylight exposure, boundaries with phones and evening wind-downs: “Your nervous system needs recovery the same way your muscles do.”

Recommended reading:

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Dr Michael Mosley: 5 foods key to reaching 100 years of age

Urgent health warning issued for millions of ChatGPT users

5. Stay socially connected 

Loneliness increases the risk of early death by 30%. “Strong friendships, community and purpose keep people alive longer than any medication,” she said.

“Connection is the heartbeat of longevity.”

Dr Asiya added: “These aren’t extreme hacks. They’re realistic habits anyone can build.

“And the evidence is clear – stack them together, and you genuinely could add up to a decade to your healthy life.”

Do you think you could reach David Attenborough’s grand old age? Let us know in the comments

Thankfully, we don’t have to wait too long for the next one!

We hope everyone made the most of their May Day Bank Holiday weekend!

Whether you were taking part or watching the Belfast City Marathon on Sunday, enjoying a day out with the kids or however you spent your day, it is hard not to already look ahead to the next day off when heading into work this morning.

If you are the type to keep on top of your Bank Holidays to maximise your annual leave, we have rounded up the remaining Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland for the rest of the year so you don’t have to.

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There are five Bank Holidays left this year to work with – including two substitute days.

Here is the list of the remaining Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland for 2026:

• 25 May – Spring bank holiday
• 13 July – Battle of the Boyne (substitute day)
• 31 August – Summer bank holiday
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day)

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

It might look like a random string of numbers and letters, but getting it wrong could mean you’re paying too much tax – or not enough and facing a surprise bill later.

Your tax code is used by your employer or pension provider to work out how much Income Tax to deduct from your wages or pension.

It’s issued by HM Revenue and Customs and applies automatically – meaning many people never question whether it’s correct.

But errors do happen.

The most common code explained

For most people, the standard tax code is 1257L.

This is based on the Personal Allowance – currently £12,570 – which is the amount you can earn before paying Income Tax.

In simple terms, the number reflects your tax-free allowance, while the letter relates to your personal circumstances.

How you could be losing money

If your tax code is wrong, you could:

• Pay too much tax, reducing your take-home pay
• Pay too little tax, leading to an unexpected bill later

And with finances already stretched, even small errors can add up over time.

Why mistakes happen

Tax codes can change for several reasons, including:

• Starting a new job
• Having more than one income
• Receiving benefits or company perks
• Changes to your personal allowance

If HMRC doesn’t have the correct information, your code may not reflect your situation.

How to check your tax code your tax code

You can find your tax code:

Wondering if you’re paying the right Income Tax? 💼 Check online for this year or past years, and avoid surprises. Let us help you keep your taxes on track! #TaxCheck
👉🏻 https://t.co/NHooSq9Flk pic.twitter.com/fJVSZmKvjm

— Barter Durgan (@BarterDurgan) September 12, 2025

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If you check your tax code online or in the HMRC app, you can also:

• find your tax code for previous tax years
• sign up for paperless notifications – this means HMRC will email you when your tax code changes

HMRC tax code letters and what they mean

The full list can be found on the GOV.UK website, but these are the most common, and what they mean:

• L – For an employee entitled to the standard tax-free Personal Allowance
• S – For an employee whose main home is in Scotland
• BR/ SBR – For a second job or pension
• M – For an employee whose spouse or civil partner has transferred some of their Personal Allowance (through Marriage Allowance)
• N – For an employee who has transferred some of their Personal Allowance to their spouse or civil partner (through Marriage Allowance)
• T – When HMRC needs to review some items with the employee

Recommended reading:

Check what your tax code means

You can use the HMRC  tax code checker  to find out:

• what the numbers and letters in your tax code mean
• how much tax you will pay
• what you may need to do next

What the numbers mean in your HMRC tax code

The numbers in your tax code tell your employer or pension provider how much tax-free income you get in that tax year.

HMRC works out your individual number based on your Personal Allowance and income you have not paid tax on (such as untaxed interest or part-time earnings). They also consider the value of any perks you get from your employer (such as a company car).

The PSNI had earlier issued a stern warning that “anti-social driving, or reckless driving will not be tolerated”

A Belfast MLA has slammed the “disgraceful scenes” appearing to show a large car cruise event in the west of the city on Bank Holiday Monday evening, May 4.

Footage shared on social media by Danny Baker, MLA for West Belfast, showed a diffing event on the Stewartstown Road.

The PSNI had earlier issued a stern warning that “anti-social driving, or reckless driving will not be tolerated”.

READ MORE: Two people taken to hospital after separate Bank Holiday Monday crashesREAD MORE: Police officer struck by bike as six arrested in overnight road safety blitz

Mr Baker condemned the scenes, writing on Facebook : “Disgraceful scenes on Stewartstown Road; shame on those who brought this to our community. PSNI were well warned, and I asked for preventive measures.

“They didn’t listen and failed in their duties. They didn’t prepare and left our community to pick up the pieces. Shameful and unacceptable.”

Earlier, Mr Baker said: “Our community does not want cars traveling across the city for so called ‘meet ups’! The Dairy Farm Complex is a vital resource for our community.

“It serves the people of the Colin. The car park is there for local businesses and local people and not for spinning wheels or drifting.

“People are going about their daily lives, and should not be being stuck in a convoy along the Stewartstown Road. It is the last thing we need or want.

“Our community is not the place for this type of gathering. Over the years too many have lost their lives along this road through speeding and dangerous driving.

“This proposed gathering is simply not acceptable.”

The PSNI has been contacted for a response.

In an earlier Facebook post, a spokesperson for Police West Belfast said: “We are aware of a planned cruise/diffing event tonight on the Stewartstown Road, and that any anti-social driving, or reckless driving will not be tolerated, and will met with swift action and enforcement.

“This kind of driving behaviour where large crowds may gather is dangerous, and those keen on taking part are advised not to.

“We would ask all road users to ensure their vehicles are road worthy, follow the rules of the road and drive with care and attention always.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Gibbs-White and Sanchez’s collision did not produce the only head injuries of the day. Chelsea debutant Jesse Derry, 18, was knocked out cold after knocking heads with Zach Abbott. Both were substituted, with the former was hospitalised for precautionary checks. Chelsea have confirmed, however, that he is conscious and speaking.

For years the group has sat behind the scenes as the owner of Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and London taxi maker LEVC. Now it wants a slice of the action in its own right with this all‑electric C‑segment SUV.

The EX5 had already been launched in 33 countries by the time it arrived here late last year as the spearhead of an ambitious plan. Geely is targeting 100,000 annual UK sales by 2030, alongside a wider European push that will see 15 new models rolled out over the next five years.

Geely EX5 Max (Image: Newsquest)

That sounds like the sort of bold claim we’ve heard before from new‑to‑the‑UK brands, but the EX5 doesn’t feel like a half‑baked toe in the water.

On paper, it’s pitching straight into the heart of the market as a mid‑size family SUV, with the external footprint of something like a VW ID.4 but pricing more in line with smaller mainstream EVs.

There’s only one battery size – 60.2kWh – and a single‑motor, front‑wheel‑drive layout. It develops 215bhp and can go from 0-62 mph in 7.1 seconds, with smooth and linear power delivery.

Geely EX5 Max (Image: Newsquest)

That’s swift enough, but the EX5 generally feels very much set up for a gentle life rather than back‑road thrills.

It’s not especially sporty, and the steering is light and rather remote, so keen drivers won’t find much to engage with here.

Where the car feels more at home is in everyday use – commuting, school runs and a steady cruise on the M62 or M1 – where its easy-going character comes to the fore and it proves a quiet, relaxing way to travel.

Geely is going for value, space and a hefty standard kit list. There are three trim levels – SE, Pro and Max.

Geely EX5 Max (Image: Newsquest)

Inside, the EX5 makes a strong first impression. The cabin quality is genuinely impressive for a sub‑£40,000 SUV, with soft‑touch plastics, convincing artificial leather and neat patterned trim that give it a decidedly upmarket flavour. In higher‑spec versions you get toys such as heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, a big panoramic glass roof and a powerful branded stereo.

Space is another strong card. Rear legroom is excellent, with a flat floor and generous space for adults to stretch out. The compromise comes in the boot, which is smaller than those of several key rivals.

Dominating the dashboard is a 15.4‑inch touchscreen, which controls almost everything from navigation to heating. It looks sharp, the graphics are crisp and the system responds quickly, but it’s not without its frustrations. Too many core functions are buried a couple of presses deep in sub‑menus, and the native satnav can lag slightly behind your true position.

With its 60.2kWh battery and single‑motor set‑up, the EX5 offers a claimed range in the mid‑200s miles depending on trim, which is broadly in line with similarly priced rivals. In mixed real‑world use you can expect something in that ballpark if you’re not heavy‑footed, and the car supports DC rapid charging at competitive speeds. What you don’t get is the option of a bigger battery pack, and that does limit its appeal for drivers who routinely cover big distances between charges.

Charging is one of the EX5’s stronger suits for the sort of medium‑range use it’s aimed at.

On a proper rapid charger, the EX5 will go from about 10% to 80% in roughly half an hour,

Taken as Geely’s opening statement to British buyers, the EX5 is a quietly convincing piece of work. It is smooth and undemanding to drive, the cabin looks and feels more upmarket than the price might suggest, and rear‑seat space in particular is excellent.

Geely EX5 Max

PRICE: £36,990

0-62MPH: 7.1 seconds

TOP SPEED: 109mph

POWER: 215bhp

RANGE: 255 miles (WLTP)

BATTERY: 60.2kWh

BODY TYPE: SUV

MAX CHARGE SPEED: 160kW

Coronation Street has confirmed six suspects will face questioning over Theo Silverton’s murder, but with the killer set to be revealed in the coming months did any of them kill him?

Fans wondering who killed Theo Silverton on Coronation Street could soon find out, ahead of the truth being revealed in the coming months.

The ITV soap has revealed six suspects who will face interrogation over Theo’s death. It’s revealed to be murder after his body was found last week.

After Monday’s episode saw people acting weirdly, and some clearly hiding something, the soap has named six characters to keep an eye on. They have been officially dubbed the suspects, and they will all be quizzed by Kit Green and Lisa Swain.

Interestingly though, the release does not say any of the six are definitely the killer. The soap has deliberately called them suspects who “face the heat” as police try to figure out who died.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans ‘rumble’ what happened to Maggie – and it wasn’t a heart attackREAD MORE: Coronation Street: Carl’s attack ‘will be life-changing’ as villain’s fate revealed

It’s said that over the next month, Kit and Lisa ask questions and search for evidence as things reach “breaking point”. As the pressure mounts, all will be revealed.

The named suspects include Summer Spellman, Christina Boyd, George Shuttleworth, Todd Grimshaw, Gary Windass and Danielle Silverton. The first three to be interrogated are are Theo’s partner Todd, George and Gary.

In the coming weeks the investigation shifts, and pulled in for questioning are Summer, Christina and Danielle. As lies are exposed, and arrests are made, it’s yet to be revealed if any of the six are actually the murderer.

It feels like it’s all cleverly worded to keep us guessing. So is the list of six a red herring and is someone else to blame? Or will all become clear very soon, resulting in one of these six being outed as the killer.

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They all have motives, and upcoming scenes will reveal why they are a suspect. Todd was being abused by Theo, and the night Theo died he was trying to hunt Todd down – so did he find him?

For Summer, the last time we saw Theo alive was when he trapped her in the flat alone. So did Summer kill Theo? Gary was acting weirdly about Theo’s death to Kit on Monday.

We know Gary had threatened him and the pair had clashed, and he’s also killed before. Did Gary take revenge? George also stood up to Theo, and on the night of the murder he was alone at home.

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Did he sneak out and kill Theo, and does this explain his change of clothing? George’s partner Christina left him alone to go and find a shaken Todd who was hiding from Theo. But with a storyline coming up for her and her clearly hiding something, will it be that she killed Theo?

Finally there’s Theo’s ex-wife Danielle. She was also acting suspiciously on Monday and upcoming scenes tease her marriage faced it’s troubles. So might she have killed her violent ex?

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

They will be at Nationwide branches to offer tailored support and guidance.

Dementia UK will share advice on how to look after yourself as a carer at free clinics in East Kilbride and Motherwell.

Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses will be at the towns’ Nationwide branch to offer tailored support and guidance.

The clinics will offer practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries about symptoms through to getting a diagnosis and understanding how it can progress.

And the clinics in will be in the Nationwide branch at East Kilbride’s Princes Mall on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 26 and 27.

They will also be at thebranch on Motherwell’s Muir Street on Wednesday, May 6.

Dementia UK said: “If you care for someone who has dementia or live with the diagnosis yourself, you can book a free 45-minute face-to-face appointment with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse for expert, tailored support, whatever your questions or concerns.

“All appointments are confidential and will take place in a private space within the branch.”

To book with an Admiral Nurse, visit: www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-clinics/nationwide

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READ MORE: Hamilton Park races into centenary season on Sunday, May 3