33 h. ago Beau Greaves: ‘I started beating better players and the penny dropped: I can be good enough to do this full

Back at the PDC world championship for the first time since 2022, the women’s world champion means business, starting on Friday against the world No 22“When I was younger, they thought I was a mute,” Beau Greaves says with a wry smile, thinking about all the ways darts has changed her. “Never said owt in school, really shy. Didn’t really know what to say half the time. I suppose playing darts just brought me out of my shell. When you get popular, people want to meet you and talk. It’s matured me.”Greaves was 18 the first time she won the Lakeside women’s world championship, thrusting herself firmly into the crosshairs of public adulation. And even if she played like a natural born star, with her beautiful fluid throwing arc, she didn’t always feel like one. Endless interviews, viral fame, global domination: this was never what she had craved from the sport. She was Beau, and she just wanted to throw. Continue reading...

Sport

66 h. ago Seven million warned over fruit as expert highlights potentially dangerous statin side effects

Around seven million UK adults taking cholesterol-lowering statins have been warned as experts highlight natural compounds that could disrupt prescribed medications

Events

4 d. ago The Guardian view on birth influencers: the public need protecting from bad advice | Editorial

Our investigation of the Free Birth Society points to problems with maternity care and the role played by technologyDespite all the proven advances of modern medicine, some people are drawn to alternative or “natural” cures and practices. Many of these do no harm. As the cancer specialist Prof Chris Pyke noted last year, people undergoing cancer treatment will often try meditation or vitamins as well. When such a change is in addition to, and not instead of, evidence-based treatment, this is usually not a problem. If it reduces distress, it can help.But the proliferation of online health influencers poses challenges that governments and regulators in many countries have yet to grasp. The Guardian’s investigation into the Free Birth Society (FBS), a business offering membership and advice to expectant mothers, and training for “birth keepers”, has exposed 48 cases of late-term stillbirths or other serious harm involving mothers or birth attendants who appear to be linked to FBS. Whil...

Politics

1 week ago Longevity supplements are sold as helping prevent ageing. But do they have any long

Much of the enthusiasm for these ‘anti-ageing’ products is based on animal studies, mostly involving rodentsThere are many acronyms you might find on the packaging of so-called longevity supplements, promoted by influencers for their ability to “repair DNA” and assist in “anti-ageing”.NRC (nicotinamide riboside chloride) and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) are two of them – both precursors or “building blocks” for NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a naturally occurring molecule in the body. Trimethylglycine (TMG) is another and is sometimes added to “support” other ingredients. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago I've been seduced by glossy Purdy & Figg ads that promise life

Not only, they say, does it smell wonderful thanks to the essential oils in it. It's also apparently just as effective as my bog-standard supermarket spray cleaner - yet so much better for the planet.

Politics

2 w. ago Edward Kane and The Voice of the Spider. Chapter 14: When in Wicklow

If sworn to tell the honest truth about the matter, then Mr Horse would have to admit that he was lurking. Horse was not a lurker by nature – preferring victory or defeat in open contest – but on this occasion his prospective opponent – Big Brendan – would have to be approached with a significant degree of caution.

Events

2 w. ago Adorable bull mastiff has world record tongue measuring an incredible 8

RECORD breaker Ozzy has a taste of fame — with the dog world’s longest tongue.  The French and bull mastiff cross, four, has one measuring 7.83in, or 19.89cm, confirmed by Guinness World Records.   Owner Angela Pick, of Oklahoma, US, said he has had a long tongue since birth and a great nature”. She added: “He doesn’t...

Politics

2 w. ago Bettervits: the natural collagen supplement we’re adding to our shopping basket

With natural, ethically-sourced ingredients, this expert vitamin brand uses scientific research and UK manufacturing to formulate its supplements

Economics

2 w. ago Heavy rain? Wear wellies! Government agency tells public to pack a flood kit in latest common sense advice

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued the advice on flood kits amid fears of 'significant impacts' as parts of the country were put on high alert by the Met Office for a month's worth of rain today.

Events

3 w. ago Towels will be fluffier after adding 1 natural item 5 cleaners love to washing machine

If you've noticed that your towels are feeling a bit stiff and scratchy, there's a simple solution to get them soft again - and it's a kitchen cupboard staple.

Science

3 w. ago Stop washing towels with fabric softener as 1 natural ingredient makes them fluffier

Cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, known as the Queen of Clean, has shared her simple hack to make towels fluffy again - and it's something that anyone can do at home

Events

3 w. ago 'Cheap to run' Lakeland dehumidifier gets cheaper price as winter damp hits UK households

'I love my dehumidifier, it dries my washing in a few hours'

Events