Noa-Lynn van Leuven has revealed that her recent ban from the Women’s Series in darts has triggered painful childhood memories, though she remains resolute, declaring she is “not done” with the sport.
The history-making player is now ineligible to compete following rule changes implemented by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) last month, which prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s events.
The governing body’s decision came after a review of its policy in 2025, which included a report from academic developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton.
Her findings concluded that “multiple, small-magnitude sex differences accumulate to generate male advantage over females in darts”.
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Van Leuven, 29, from the Netherlands, described the news as having “changed everything” for her, a decision she learned about via email just a day before it was made public.
“It brings up childhood memories of people not accepting me for who I am or what I am,” she said.
“It happened in middle school. It happened at kindergarten. It happened. And it’s just something that keeps coming back.”
Noa-Lynn van Leuven is no longer allowed to participate in women’s events following the recent ruling by the DRA (PA Wire)
She added: “It’s been a rough couple of weeks. I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t, but I guess every year has been like this. Every year something happens, and every time I crawl out of the big hole I get pushed in, I keep coming back.”
Van Leuven said: “This one really sucks. And I truly still don’t get it. I just don’t believe darts really is a ‘gender-affected sport’ as they call it, especially with the points that they’re coming up with. It feels like the decision is influenced by gender-critical perspectives, which I strongly disagree with.”
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She challenged the notion of a physical advantage, arguing: “If you’re a biological male, you should have advantages in being taller, having longer arms, whatever. But take a look at who has been taking every title in this game? Phil Taylor, (Luke) Littler now. Neither of them is above 180cm.
“So, I just don’t get it. It changed everything for me, and I found out about it without any real warning, which made it even harder to process.”
Her argument was given more fuel by Beau Greaves’ recent victory in a Pro Tour event in Milton Keynes, making her the first woman to secure a PDC Tour ranking title.
Van Leuven, however, was keen not to politicise Greaves’ success, insisting her contemporary deserved to celebrate her “amazing” achievement.
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Beau Greaves recently became the first woman to win a PDC Tour ranking title (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Van Leuven herself has competed alongside Greaves on the Women’s Series since 2022, a path that led her to become the first trans player to qualify for the World Championship and Grand Slam of Darts.
Without a main PDC Tour card, Van Leuven’s competitive options are now limited to second-tier Challenge Tour events or World Darts Federation competitions. The PDC, which organises the tournaments, is bound by the DRA’s rules and has offered Van Leuven counselling in the wake of the policy change.
Looking ahead, Van Leuven remains determined. “I just want to try to enjoy the game again,” she said. “I just want to improve myself this year and maybe hope I get a Tour card for next year.
“Hopefully, I can still find enough opportunities to do that. I’m not done with this game, but it still hurts, and all my goals for this whole year, they’re gone, and there’s not a lot of time left to get new big goals.”
Van Leuven views the decision as symptomatic of broader issues facing the trans community.
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Van Leuven has expressed concerns over how the transgender community is being treated (Getty)
“I’m not sure if it would actually help to fight it,” she commented. “You’ve got the court ruling on trans women not being women in the UK. If you take a look at America, trans rights are kind of gone everywhere, and it’s only getting worse and worse. It’s not easy to fight this at this moment.
“It’s not only happening in sports, but also take women’s restrooms. I don’t know any trans woman who actually transitioned just to go to the women’s room. They just want to be themselves. They just want to live their own lives. They’re not scary, they’re not angry human beings.
“I hear a lot of people talking really bad about trans people, like they’re not even human beings, like they’re some sort of object. But yeah, we’re human beings. We also have feelings.”
When contacted, DRA reiterated that its decision was made after extensive legal advice and was not taken lightly.
Tim Wilkins, managing director at Intertanko, a trade body representing independent tanker owners and operators, told the BBC there was “no structured convoy or co-ordination mechanism in place” and members were asking, “who initiates these transits? Who communicates with the authorities on behalf of the vessel? And, indeed – a critical one – what is the fallback if a vessel is challenged by Iranian forces during the transit?”
Horse-bedding specialist Unibed, based in South Milford near Selby, is the headline sponsor for the World of Horses arena at Farm Fest.
Farm Fest, which is being held in Warwickshire from May 22 to May 24, is the UK’s biggest country fair and music festival.
It has been described by Clarkson as “rock and roll farming”. Stars include all the main characters from the Amazon Prime show Clarkson’s Farm, together with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, 10CC, Hothouse Flowers and DJ Chris Moyles.
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Jessica Vickers, commercial and operations director of UNIBED, said it is “tremendously proud to be playing a major role in such a high-profile and prestigious national farming event”.
“Our appearance at Farm Fest is a recognition of how far we have come, while also giving us a chance to say thank you to customers old and new,” she said.
Unibed’s Jessica Vickers with the chief executive of British Showjumping Iain Graham (Image: Supplied)
A Farm Fest spokesperson added: “We are working with Unibed to bring you a high energy celebration of horsepower in every shape and size.
“From thundering hooves to lightning-fast turns, this is where tradition meets adrenaline. Power. Precision. Pony-sized chaos. And pure countryside theatre.”
Derry, the son of former QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry, joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace last summer and had made the senior matchday squad on a couple of previous occasions after impressing at youth level, making substitute cameos in FA Cup wins over Wrexham and Hull.
There have been multiple burglaries and attempted break-ins at post offices across South Cambridgeshire
10:04, 05 May 2026Updated 10:04, 05 May 2026
A series of post office break-ins have taken place across South Cambridgeshire over the bank holiday weekend. Cambridgeshire Police are now asking for anyone with information concerning any of the burglaries or attempted break-ins to come forward.
Thieves took cash from the Linton Post Office on the High Street on Friday, May 1, at around 3.50am. Cash was also stolen from Burwell Post Office, in The Causeway, on Saturday, May 2, at around 3.25am.
Tobacco was stolen from Barton Post Office, in Comberton Road, on Sunday, May 3, at around 5.45am. An attempted break-in was reported at Stow-cum-Quy Post Office in Albert Road, on Thursday, April 30, at around 3.05am.
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Cambridgeshire Police are carrying out enquiries into the incidents including looking at CCTV, forensic opportunities, and increasing patrols. The police are asking for anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour around the stores and any vehicles driving or parked nearby at unusual times to come forward.
Anyone with information should report it online on the Cambridgeshire Police website or call 101, quoting the relevant reference number: Stow-cum-Quy 35/32266/26, Burwell 35/32694/26, Barton 35/32873/26, Linton 35/32361/26.
You can also report anything anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
Detective Sergeant Jonathan Lockwood, from the Southern Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “We recognise how upsetting and disruptive these incidents are for the post office owners, staff and the wider community who rely on these vital local services. We want to reassure people that we are taking these offences seriously and are actively working to identify those responsible.
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“We’re asking anyone who noticed anything unusual over the bank holiday weekend to please get in touch. Information from the public can be crucial in helping us progress our enquiries.”
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Chelsea forward Jesse Derry says his debut was a “dream come true” despite being taken to hospital after suffering a head injury.
The 18-year-old was making his first start for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest on Monday, and clashed heads with opponent Zach Abbott in the 45th minute.
He received oxygen on the pitch before being taken off the field on a stretcher after a lengthy stoppage.
The club then confirmed that he was “conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks” in hospital.
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He has now been released, but the club will continue to monitor him.
“A dream come true to start at Stamford Bridge for my Premier League debut,” Derry wrote on social media.
“I’d like to thank all the Chelsea medical staff, everyone at St Mary’s Hospital, my teammates, and all the fans for their great support. I can’t wait to be back playing in front of everyone very soon.”
Derry, the son of former Leeds and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry, was making his first start for Chelsea having made two appearances off the bench in the FA Cup.
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He was replaced by Liam Delap as a concussion substitute.
Premier League teams are permitted to make one concussion replacement per match, which does not count towards their usual substitution limits.
Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez were also involved in a nasty collision in the second half, but Forest confirmed that their midfielder was not substituted for concussion.
Parents are being urged to talk to their children about the dangers of microwaving popular squishy toys.
It comes after a 10-year-old girl suffered severe burns from microwaving a squishy toy as part of a trend, which has been doing the rounds on social media since last year.
Her mum, Charlotte, is now urging school leaders and parents to be aware of the trend – and to talk to children about it.
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Why are kids microwaving squishies?
It’s thought children are microwaving the toys to make them more pliable or extra stretchy.
However, these toys are not designed to be microwaved, and can therefore cause horrendous burns when the materials they’re made from heat up. In some cases, it can cause chemical burns.
The toys might not seem hot when taken out of the microwave, but can then explode when they are squeezed.
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Such was the case for Bella. “Because of the silicone outer layer, they couldn’t feel how hot it was inside, so her friend squeezed it, which is when it burst on to both of them,” her mum said.
Earlier this year, another nine-year-old boy from the US suffered severe burns across the side of his face after microwaving a similar toy, which then exploded.
His mum said he got the idea from a friend. “I just heard him screaming and yelling, ‘It burns. It burns’,” she told ABC News.
“He stopped in front of me, and I saw the right side of his face was just covered in this clear, kind of really thick gel.”
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Advice for parents
In April, a Facebook post from the NHS-run Growing Healthy Team in Gateshead warned that “squishies should NEVER be heated in a microwave”.
The health and wellbeing hub urged parents and carers to talk to their children about the dangers of microwaving toys, and to supervise younger children around kitchen appliances.
“When microwaved, these toys can become extremely hot, burst, or melt, causing serious burns to hands, faces, and skin,” they added.
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“Hospitals are seeing an increase in children attending with burns after putting ‘squishy’ toys (stress toys/foam toys) in the microwave.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said it’s aware of a “small but growing number” of incidents involving children being injured after heating squishy or novelty toys in microwaves.
Rebecca Guy, RoSPA’s senior policy manager, told HuffPost UK: “While these incidents are not widespread, the injuries we are hearing about are serious and entirely preventable.
“Toys and novelty items should only ever be used in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Unless a product clearly states that it is safe to be heated, it should never be put in a microwave, as doing so can cause it to overheat, burst or explode, leading to burns.”
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She urged parents and carers to have open conversations with children about the risks of copying things they see online or hear about from friends, and by making it clear that microwaves should only be used for their intended purpose in line with manufacturer guidance.
“Checking age guidance, reading safety instructions, and supervising play where appropriate can all help reduce the risk of accidents like this happening,” she added.
The dos and don’ts of treating burns
If your child does suffer a burn or scald, you should place the area under cool running water for at least 15 minutes, the NHS advises. If there’s no running water available, use cool bottled water.
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If possible, remove any clothing or jewellery that’s near the affected area (but if their clothing is stuck to the affected area, don’t try to remove it).
“When the burn or scald has cooled, lay cling film over it if you can. Do not wrap the cling film around it,” advises the NHS.
Parents shouldn’t put any creams, oils or butter on burns or scalds, or use plasters or sticky dressings.
Call 999 or take your child to A&E if the burn is very large or deep; is on the face, genitals or bottom; or has been caused by an acid or chemical.
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If the burn is smaller and you’re unsure what to do, call NHS 111.
In 2026′s Tokyo marathon, runner and teacher Annie Tran said the secret to her speedy finish was a disposable toothbrush.
“Every runner knows that mile 20 is where we have to dig deep and find what little energy we have left. After brushing my teeth, I felt revived and refreshed,” she said on Instagram.
That’s one way of getting past “the wall”. But whether you’re running a marathon or not, runner Katy Laser pointed out an issue dentists say could be common among distance joggers – and might even be mitigated by a post-run brush.
How might running affect your teeth?
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Despite not eating much sugar or drinking many fizzy beverages, Katy said in a viral TikTok that her dentist called her out on some issues, which she later attributed to gel packs.
“In addition to [gels] being little packs of sugar… that are very sticky… your mouth gets drier when you run,” she explained. “It is just sticking to your teeth in a ‘desert mouth’… running gels are essentially the perfect storm of cavities”.
“The amount and frequency of carbohydrate that an endurance athlete ingests during competition and training can wreak havoc in your mouth, increasing risk of enamel erosion, dental cavities, and inflammatory periodontal disease,” she shared on Instagram.
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She added that most sports drinks are acidic. And while saliva helps to wash away both sugar and acids, as Katy explained, this is diminished during a run. This may be exacerbated by heavy breathing.
One paper found “high levels of poor oral health” among London 2012 Olympians; 76% had gingivitis, and 55% had caries (tooth decay).
How can I look after my teeth if I run long distances?
Young advised drinking water after taking running gels. Pond Square Dental added that staying hydrated is the “first and most important step” when you’re on a long run.
Reducing the number of sugary snacks and gels you consume may also help.
And if those don’t work for very long runs, Dr Douglas Elliott at Elliott Orthodontics said “brushing your teeth before and after workouts” is worth a try too.
The completion of a project to install giant concrete bridge beams took place over the bank holiday weekend (May 2-3) on part of the York Central site, forming the backbone of a new pedestrian and cycle crossing over the railway at Water End.
Infrastructure contractor Sisk carried out the work over two weekends where beams, each measuring 86 metres long and weighing up to 130 tonnes, were lifted into place across the East Coast Main Line by a 1,250-tonne specialist crawler crane.
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Alan Rodger, managing director at Sisk Infrastructure, said: “This is major milestone for our York Central project team.
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“It required meticulous engineering and planning, which included temporary works and digital construction, right through to our supply chain partners, client, Network Rail and other key stakeholders.
“Together, we’ve delivered a complex piece of engineering with precision and collaboration over a stretch of the busiest rail network in the UK.
We’re excited to carry this momentum into the summer months as we move into the next phase of this transformative development.”
Steel beams being lifted into position over East Coast mainline railway at York Central (Image: Chris Winter / SISK)
Sisk said it led the operation on behalf of the York Central partnership —comprising Homes England, Network Rail, City of York Council and the National Railway Museum— and added it also relied on precise weather and railway access conditions.
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The new bridge will connect the new Park Street access road to Water End, forming a key part of the final phase of infrastructure works for the wider York Central site.
Steel beams being lifted into position over East Coast mainline railway at York Central (Image: Chris Winter / SISK)
Councillor Claire Douglas, leader of City of York Council, said: “Seeing the York Central site evolve over recent months and start to be used by our residents has been amazing.
“Preparing for the bridge lift has been a huge partnership effort and is a significant engineering feat. I want to thank everyone who has been involved.
“While there is still more work to do before the bridge opens this was a major step forward for the York Central project which in time will transform our city, deliver new homes, high quality jobs and amazing public spaces for the people of York.”
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The 76-metre-long, 7.5-metre-wide bridge is expected to open in 2027 following completion of the new junction and remaining infrastructure.
EcoJet Airlines, which aimed to be the world’s first electric airline, has collapsed last year following a reported failed bid to raise £20 million.
Dozens of flights have been axed after liquidators were appointed to a doomed Scottish based airline.
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EcoJet Airlines, which aimed to be the world’s first electric airline, collapsed last year following a reported failed bid to raise £20 million.
Provisional liquidators were appointed in February – and, as reported by The Herald, Opus Restructuring has now been appointed as the formal liquidators for the firm.
The update was announced in the Gazette government records, with Paul Dounis and Mark Harper from the firm appointed to wind up the company.
Opus restructuring said the owners of EcoJet are funding the process in order to aid employees.
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A spokesperson said: “EcoJet was a start-up business and has no material assets. The members have elected to fund the liquidation process to ensure that the company’s employees receive their full statutory entitlements.”
EcoJet had planned flights from Edinburgh to Southampton and wanted to launch other journeys across Europe, but the schedule was never launched amid the collapse.
The travel firm was launched in Edinburgh back in 2023 by entrepreneur Dale Vince. Mr Vince, who is also the founder of green energy firm Ecotricity, said he has “paused investment into EcoJet”.
He said: “We remain committed to electrifying all forms of transport – aviation is the last frontier and the hardest.
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“It’s taking longer than we hoped, to get the technology and regulatory pieces of the puzzle in alignment, and so we’re pausing work at this time.”
Mr Vince added: “This is a vital frontier in the move to net zero, green living, whatever you choose to call it – and it’s absolutely doable. It’s a matter of when not if.”
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The BAFTA-nominated hidden gem has been deemed ‘stranger than fiction’ by viewers
Documentary enthusiasts are being encouraged to watch a “stranger than fiction” film that frequently flies under the radar.
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Three Identical Strangers emerged as one of the most recommended titles after a Redditor sought “blow your socks off” documentaries that weren’t widely recognised.
The BAFTA-nominated film, running just over 90 minutes, chronicles the remarkable story of triplets – Bobby Shafran, Eddy Galland and David Kellman – who were separated at birth. Unaware they were triplets, they had no knowledge of one another’s existence, reports the Mirror.
Through an extraordinary coincidence, the three crossed paths as young adults during the 1980s, entirely by chance. Their astonishing story propelled them to fame, leading them to share a home, appear in films and launch their own business.
However, as they delved into their history, they uncovered a disturbing truth that would alter their lives irrevocably.
“I’m looking for documentaries and I love all types except for murder mystery because they’re typically all the same,” the initial Reddit post stated. “Could you guys suggest a few documentaries that completely caught you by surprise and you always recommend it to people because of that?”
Responding to the recommendation of Three Identical Strangers, one viewer commented: “I remember this documentary. It made me so angry. But, producers did a great job telling the story.
“Yess this is one I would typically scroll past but wow it was definitely one of the best,” confessed one viewer who decided to give it a chance. Another fan remarked that the narrative presented in the film “felt impossible.”
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While no longer streaming on Netflix, the film – characterised by many as ‘dark’ – is currently accessible on YouTube, Apple TV, and Prime Video for a modest charge. With an impressive 96 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 per cent from audiences, the general consensus suggests it’s a worthwhile viewing experience for documentary enthusiasts.
“Starting as a fascinating curiosity, the movie takes a dramatic and breath-taking turn to expose a much more unsettling story. Really great documentary,” another viewer commented, awarding it five stars.
“Classic case of reality being far stranger than fiction. Watch this and you’ll be rewarded (if that’s the proper way of putting it) with a story so wild you’d think it’s made up. Yet this is a documentary,” remarked yet another impressed viewer.
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Three Identical Strangers is currently available to watch on YouTube, Apple TV and Prime Video for an additional fee.
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