Less than two years after her six-year-old son was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, Nicole Hockley found herself in an Ohio church basement, teaching the inaugural class of a program she hoped would prevent future school shootings.

Born from the profound grief of one of the nation’s worst mass shootings, the initiative, known as “Say Something,” teaches students to identify warning signs among their peers and urges them to report any red flags to an anonymous tip system or a trusted adult, aiming to avert violence.

Since that first class in a Columbus church, the program has been presented to thousands of students nationwide. It has generated nearly 395,000 tips, covering concerns from threats of school shootings and suicides to drug use and bullying. Its effectiveness was starkly demonstrated last year when a tip led to the arrest of an Indiana student who had threatened a shooting at her school.

Hockley, whose son Dylan was among the 20 first graders and six educators who died at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012, articulated her profound motivation.

“It’s been very successful,” she said. “Having had direct experience of both of my children being in a school shooting and my youngest one dying, I feel very compelled to honor that legacy by doing all that I can to prevent future acts of violence and school shootings.”

Trainers with Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit founded in early 2013 by Hockley and other relatives of the Newtown victims, have travelled to all 50 states. They show students how to spot signs of potential violence or self-harm – which can include threats on social media, an obsession with weapons, or behavioral changes – as well as the importance of speaking up before something bad happens.

For a generation of students accustomed to news of mass killings and regular lockdown drills, the “Say Something” program offers a tangible way to take action.

Addison Hunt, a 17-year-old junior at Hanover High School in Massachusetts, reflected on this sentiment: “School shootings are definitely very scary, and they do run through your head as a high school student. But I think being able to have these outlets where you can report things definitely makes me feel a lot safer.”

During a recent session at Hanover High, instructor Keely Rogers, a 28-year-old former high school music educator, highlighted the critical role students play. Research indicates that nearly all school attackers exhibit warning signs beforehand, most commonly on social media.

“You are going to become the eyes and ears of your school through social media, right?” she told the students. “Your teachers and staff don’t follow the same people as you. They can’t keep an eye out. They can’t keep everyone safe.”

She cited an Instagram post, pulled from a real tip, that read: “Don’t come 2 school tomorrow if you wanna live.” Rogers noted someone reported the post within three minutes, leading to swift action.

Ava Khouri, Hanover’s senior class president, noted a key takeaway: overcoming the fear of being perceived as a “tattletale.”

“I think that definitely students are wary to bring these issues up to adults and administration in the school, because they’re worried they’re either going to be made fun of for tattling or getting someone else in trouble,” she said. “So I think that this program definitely gave light to the fact that you’re not a tattletale if you’re helping someone and you’re helping others.”

Both Hunt and Khouri confirmed they had reported troubling behavior to parents and educators prior to learning about the program.

The “Say Something” anonymous reporting system is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by trained crisis counsellors, who refer serious situations to police and school officials. While common tips include concerns about bullying, drug use, harassment, and self-harm, the system also receives alarming reports that are immediately escalated to law enforcement.

One such instance occurred last year in Indiana, where a tip reported a student planning a shooting at Mooresville High School, near Indianapolis, on 14 February – the anniversary of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida.

Trinity Shockley, 18, was arrested on February 12. According to a police report, the tipster, a friend, revealed Shockley’s obsession with the Parkland shooter and access to an AR-15 rifle.

Shockley’s social media postings included a chilling message: “Parkland part two. Of course. I’ve been planning this for a YEAR.”

She later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and received a 12-year prison sentence, despite her lawyer’s assertion that she would not have carried out the plan.

Sandy Hook Promise asserts that its program and reporting system have prevented shootings in communities like Mooresville, and have also intervened in potential suicides.

Hockley concluded with a poignant reflection on the program’s necessity: “So it’s bittersweet, because I wish this had existed before Sandy Hook.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you

The 36-year-old has taken three weeks off after sensationally defending his Masters title at Augusta National earlier this month

Rory McIlroy will make his long-awaited return to competitive golf at next week’s Truist Championship at Quail Hollow.

The 36-year-old has taken three weeks off after sensationally defending his Masters title at Augusta National earlier this month.

There had been growing speculation that he might not tee it up again until next month’s PGA Championship – the season’s second major – following his decision to give this week’s Cadillac Championship a miss.

But it has been confirmed that the Holywood man will tee it up at Quail Hollow in North Carolina, a course McIlroy has won on four times previously, including his first ever PGA Tour title in 2010.

It will be a chance for McIlroy to shake off any rust before the PGA Championship which will get under way the following week at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia.

It comes as US President Donald Trump paused his address during a White House state banquet to single out McIlroy, commending the golfer for his “unconquerable courage”.

The president was delivering remarks during a state visit by the King and Queen when he stopped mid-speech to acknowledge McIlroy, who was amongst the guests at the dinner.

Trump declared: “The entire world has been uplifted by this distinct and special character we share. This unstoppable daring, this unconquerable courage. It really is, it’s unconquerable.

“Speaking of that, where’s Rory McIlroy? Can you stand up Rory, will you, please?”, reports Belfast Live.

“That was unconquerable courage. That was very good Rory. I don’t know if that helps him talking about how wonderful the speech… but I had to interrupt my speech because I watched that man win a tournament that was a tough one.

“Congratulations, very proud of you.”

It came after a high-speed pursuit, which started in Harrogate and continued into Ripon, shortly after 9.15pm on Tuesday (April 28).

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, driving whilst disqualified and without insurance, dangerous driving, theft and driving under the influence of drugs.

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He remains in custody for questioning.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “We received information that a suspected stolen vehicle from Harrogate had been spotted in the area, and officers were quickly deployed.

“The car was swiftly sighted by one of our Roads Policing Units, but failed to stop, leading to a pursuit.

“With support from our “eyes in the sky” at the National Police Air Service (NPAS), officers maintained the pursuit despite the driver’s attempts to get away.

“It continued into Ripon, where a stinger was successfully deployed, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

“The driver made off on foot, but a 37-year-old man was detained a short time later.”

The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave the oil producers’ cartel Opec after 59 years is more than a symbolic break. It highlights a growing divide among major oil producers over how to respond to a changing energy landscape, and will weaken the group’s ability to manage global supply.

In the short term, the impact of the UAE’s exit will be limited. The world still needs every available barrel of oil, and the UAE accounts for some 3-4% of global production. But the forces behind the decision are more significant than the move itself. They are both economic and political – and the war in Iran helped the two align.

For years, the UAE has been investing heavily to expand its oil production capacity, spending around US$150 billion (£111 billion) to push its potential daily output close to 5 million barrels. But Opec quotas have prevented it from fully exploiting that capacity. Actual production has remained well below its potential at about 3.5 million barrels a day (mbd), with some 5 mbd capacity, constrained by the Opec quota system designed to restrict supply and support prices, generally shaped by the de facto leader, Saudi Arabia.

This has created a tension. Why invest to produce more oil if you are not allowed to sell it?

Abu Dhabi’s answer reflects a different economic model. The UAE can balance its budget at much lower oil prices than Saudi Arabia (just below $50 v Saudi $90 a barrel or more), giving it less incentive to restrict output. Instead, it has prioritised maximising its oil exports.

That strategy is also shaped by expectations about the future. As countries such as China accelerate the electrification of transport, the hitherto steady and reliable demand for oil is slowing and becoming less reliable. Over time, it is likely to plateau. UAE is also well ahead of the Saudis in energy transition – and maintain their net zero target as 2050, compared to the Saudi 2060.

From the UAE’s perspective, the bigger risk is not falling prices, but leaving oil in the ground that may never be sold.

Shifting geopolitics

The timing of the exit is not just about economics. It also reflects shifting political and security calculations, particularly after the UAE came under heavy, sustained attack during the war in Iran.

In Abu Dhabi, there is a growing sense that regional institutions and partnerships, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) offered limited support during that period. Anwar Gargash, a senior presidential adviser, told reporters that: “The GCC’s stance was the weakest historically, considering the nature of the attack and the threat it posed to everyone,” adding that he “expected such a weak stance from the Arab League … But I don’t expect it from the GCC, and I am surprised by it.”

That experience has reinforced a more independent foreign policy. The UAE has strengthened ties with the US and Israel, building on the agreement it signed as part of the 2020 Abraham accords. The relationship with Israel is seen not just an economic and security partnership, but as a channel for influence inside the White House.

At the same time, relations with Saudi Arabia have become more strained, with differences over regional conflicts in Somalia and Yemen and economic strategy increasingly visible. Leaving Opec is both an economic decision and a geopolitical signal.

The UAE’s departure also raises questions about the future of Opec itself. The group once controlled more than half of global oil production. Today, its share is much smaller (no more than 35%), and internal divisions over production quotas are more pronounced. Quotas, long the core of its strategy, are increasingly seen as uneven constraints rather than shared commitments.

Saudi Arabia remains the only member with significant spare capacity, giving it outsized influence. The result is an organisation that still matters, but is less cohesive than it once was.

Not necessarily a win for the US

Some have hailed the UAE’s exit as a victory for Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Opec for keeping oil prices high. A weaker OPEC would indeed lead to higher output and lower prices at the pump.

But sustained lower prices would also put pressure on higher-cost producers, including the US oil patch, which has been one of Opec’s main competitors in recent years. It benefited from the cartel’s restraint when it came to capping oil production. So what now looks like a geopolitical win could, over time, become an economic challenge.

For now, I believe that the UAE’s exit will not dramatically reshape oil markets. Demand remains strong enough to absorb additional supply, particularly as countries rebuild their inventories when Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz. But the deeper significance lies in what the decision reveals.

Oil producers are no longer aligned around a single strategy. Some are trying to manage scarcity and keep prices high. Others are racing to monetise their resources before demand peaks and they end up with stranded assets. That divergence is likely to grow – and may ultimately prove more consequential than any single country leaving the cartel.

We may be entering a new age where oil is going to play a much lesser role in our lives.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a four‑year drugs ban imposed by the Football Association.

The Ukraine international, 25, has been sidelined for nearly 18 months after an “adverse finding in a routine urine test” led to a provisional suspension in December 2024.

Charged in June 2025, Mudryk was subsequently handed the maximum four‑year ban by the FA, according to a spokesperson for the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the highest legal authority in sport.

The FA has never disclosed details of the case.

In such cases, bans are typically backdated to the start of the provisional suspension, meaning his current return date would be around December 2028.

However, an appeal has now been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in Switzerland, with sources close to the player hopeful he could return to action as early as next season.

In a statement to BBC Sport, Cas said: “Cas confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026. The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”

The BBC understands Mudryk came into contact with the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which can increase respiratory capacity and stamina, while on duty with the Ukraine national team in October 2024.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea for an initial 70m euros (£61m) in January 2023, has not played a competitive match since November 2024.

In his only public statement when his provisional suspension began, Mudryk described his “complete shock” and said he had “never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules”.

Mudryk is being defended by Morgan Sports Law, the firm who worked with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba during his doping case while playing for Juventus, as well as boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome during their respective investigations.

He is understood to want to return to playing football this year and is keeping fit by training at non-league Uxbridge FC with a private coach and having hired goalkeepers to work with.

Chelsea declined to comment as they wait for the process to take its full course and the FA said it is unable to comment on an ongoing case. Mudryk’s legal team has also been contacted for comment.

The referee for the FA Cup final next month has been announced with Darren England taking charge of the Wembley showpiece for the first time whilst his assistant will make history

Darren England has been announced as the referee for the FA Cup final – taking charge of the game for the first time ever – whilst his assistant will make history at Wembley.

Last weekend played host to the two semi-finals leaving Manchester City and Chelsea to fight out the final having seen off Southampton and Leeds respectively.

The officials for the clash on May 16 have now been confirmed with England leading them. Tim Wood and Akil Howson will serve as his assistant referees, with the latter becoming the first black official to feature in an FA Cup final. The fourth official will be Sam Barrott.

Potentially having a major role will be VAR and Peter Bankes has been handed that role with Nick Hopton his assistant. Last season a VAR decision to not send off Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson proved to be a massive call.

City were beaten by the Eagles, edging them out 1-0, but Pep Guardiola was left fuming and confronted Henderson at the full-time whistle. He did not want to discuss the incident afterwards, saying only: “I’m not the referee.”

READ MORE: Man Utd outcast is ‘absolutely an Arsenal player’ but Mikel Arteta sent transfer warningREAD MORE: Mykhailo Mudryk hit with FOUR-YEAR doping ban as Chelsea star launches appeal

England has refereed losses for both Chelsea and City this term. He was the man in the middle when Guardiola’s side were beaten at Brighton early in the season, but they have won two of the four games he’s officiated. The Blues meanwhile had England referee their losses at Leeds and Arsenal.

It was in the loss at the Gunners that England sent-off Pedro Neto – one of ten red cards received by Chelsea this season. He’s brandished eight yellows to Blues’ players in his four games.

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Guardiola has led City into a fourth successive FA Cup final. Since their victory in 2023 they’ve twice been beaten finalists – losing to Manchester United and Palace. Chelsea meanwhile have not claimed FA Cup glory since 2018. Their last final appearance was five years ago.

Victory for the Manchester outfit could yet form part of an iconic domestic treble. They’ve already claimed the Carabao Cup and are looking to edge out Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Guardiola previously won the domestic treble back in 2019.

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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

The site will have 11 new flats

Plans have been granted by Peterborough City Council that will see commercial buildings in New England demolished to make way for 11 new residential flats.

Surjit Singh Developments Ltd’s planning application request to remove the warehouses which currently occupy much of the site at 74-80 Crown Street and replace them with six one-bedroom flats to the rear of the land. Permission was granted on April 22.

The development will also see No. 80 Crown Street, which is a Non Designated Heritage Asset, internally renovated to accommodate three one-bedroom flats.

At the front of the site will be a new building, designed in keeping with the architectural character of No. 80, which will provide an additional two flats.

PiP Architects, who presented a design and access statement on behalf of the applicant, said: “The new proposal respects the existing, whilst enhancing the local architecture by providing new high-quality, safe and sustainable homes to the neighbourhood.”

Along with presenting an “opportunity to establish a more harmonious relationship with the surrounding dwellings,” they suggested the development would also aid in “minimising the likelihood of noise, disruption, and environmental impact.”

The exterior of the property will be landscaped and offer 11 on-site parking bays for residents and three additional bays for visitors. Existing hard-paved areas will be transformed into communal green spaces to “enhance the urban environment and promote sustainable living.”

Green roofs will also feature to further support biodiversity and help manage rainwater sustainably.

They’re called “dobby borders”

X users had other theories…