Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Transylvania Open as Emma Raducanu takes on Oleksandra Oliynykova for a place in the final. The British No 1, still pursuing a second career final following her US Open triumph in 2021, has not dropped a set this week en route to the last four in Romania, the country of her father’s birth. 

Raducanu, who is the top seed at a tournament for the fifth time in her career, has come through in straight sets against Greet Minnen, Kaja Juvan and Maja Chwalinska. It has been a much-needed response from the 23-year-old following her disappointing exit in the second round of the Australian Open last month, which led to her parting ways with coach Francis Roig. 

Speaking after her 6-0, 6-4 victory in the previous round, Raducanu, delivering some of her on-court interview in Romanian, said: “I’m very happy with my performance. I played a great match from the beginning and I was pleased I could get off to that start. Of course, there’s always moments of adversity to overcome and I did that pretty well in the second set.”

But this afternoon’s match, which will be Raducanu’s first semi-final since reaching the last four at the Washington Open in July, may be the Briton’s toughest test yet, with Oliynykova claiming her first top-50 win against Chinese fourth seed Wang Xinyu to reach this stage. 

The world No 91 has this week earned the moniker “Bat Girl”, having taken her tattoos to another level by stencilling gothic-looking miniature bats on her face for the tournament, honouring Transylvania’s association with the creature.

At stake for the winner this afternoon is a showdown with either third seed and world No 36 Sorana Cirstea of Romania or Daria Snigur of Ukraine.

Some of us remember having more energy in our 20s. We could work late, sleep badly, have a night out, recover quickly and still feel capable the next day. By our 40s, that ease has often gone. Fatigue feels harder to shake. It’s tempting to assume this is simply the ageing process – a one‑way decline.

The truth is that the 40s are often the most exhausting decade, not because we are old, but because several small biological changes converge at exactly the same time that life’s demands often peak. Crucially, and optimistically, there is no reason to assume that energy must continue to decline in the same way into our 60s.

Energetic 20s

In early adulthood, multiple systems peak together.

Muscle mass is at its highest, even without deliberate training. As a metabolically active tissue, muscle helps regulate blood sugar and reduces the effort required for everyday tasks. Research shows that skeletal muscle is metabolically active even at rest and contributes substantially to basal metabolic rate (the energy your body uses just to keep you alive when you’re at rest). When you have more muscle, everything costs less energy.

At the cellular level, mitochondria – the structures that convert food into usable energy – are more numerous and more efficient. They produce energy with less waste and less inflammatory byproduct.

Sleep, too, is deeper. Even when sleep is shortened, the brain produces more slow‑wave sleep, the phase most strongly linked to physical restoration.

Hormonal rhythms are also more stable. Cortisol, often described as the body’s stress hormone, melatonin, growth hormone and sex hormones follow predictable daily patterns, making energy more reliable across the day.

Put simply, energy in your 20s is abundant and forgiving. You can mistreat it and still get away with it.

Exhausting 40s

By midlife, none of these systems has collapsed, but small shifts start to matter.

Muscle mass begins to decline from the late 30s onwards unless you exercise to maintain it. This in itself is a top tip – do strength training. The loss of muscle is gradual, but its effects are not. Less muscle means everyday movement costs more energy, even if you don’t consciously notice it.

Mitochondria still produce energy, but less efficiently. In your 20s, poor sleep or stress could be buffered. In your 40s, inefficiency is exposed. Recovery becomes more “expensive”.

Sleep also changes. Many people still get enough hours, but sleep fragments. Less deep sleep means less repair. Fatigue feels cumulative rather than episodic.

Hormones don’t disappear in midlife – they fluctuate, particularly in women. Variability, not deficiency, disrupts temperature regulation, sleep timing and energy rhythms. The body copes better with low levels than with unpredictable ones.

Then there is the brain. Midlife is a period of maximum cognitive and emotional load: leadership, responsibility, vigilance and caring roles. The prefrontal cortex – responsible for planning, making decisions and inhibition – works harder for the same output. Mental multitasking drains energy as effectively as physical labour.

This is why the 40s feel so punishing. Biological efficiency is beginning to shift at exactly the moment when demand is highest.

Hopeful 60s

Later life is often imagined as a continuation of midlife decline; however, many people report something different.

Hormonal systems often stabilise after periods of transition. Life roles may simplify. Cognitive load can reduce. Experience replaces constant active decision‑making.

Sleep doesn’t automatically worsen with age. When stress is lower and routines are protected, sleep efficiency can improve – even if total sleep time is shorter.

Crucially, muscle and mitochondria still adapt surprisingly well into later life. Strength training in people in their 60s, 70s and beyond can restore strength, improve metabolic health and increase subjective energy within months.

This doesn’t mean later life brings boundless energy, but it often brings something else: predictability.

Good news?

Across adulthood, energy shifts in character rather than simply declining. The mistake we make is assuming that feeling tired in midlife reflects a personal failing, or that it marks the start of an unavoidable decline. Anatomically, it is neither.

Midlife fatigue is best understood as a mismatch between biology and demand: small shifts in efficiency occurring at precisely the point when cognitive, emotional and practical loads are at their highest.

The hopeful message is not that we can reclaim our 20-year-old selves. Rather, it is that energy in later life remains highly modifiable, and that the exhaustion so characteristic of the 40s is not the endpoint of the story. Fatigue at this stage is not a warning of inevitable decline; it is a signal that the rules have changed.

Durham Police were called at about 9.40am this morning following reports that shots were fired at a house on Featherstone Drive, in Newton Hall.

The two occupants of the house were uninjured and have been safeguarded by officers.

An investigation into the incident is now underway.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Fuller, who is leading the investigation, said: “We understand that this incident will have caused a great deal of concern and alarm in the local community.

“From our enquiries conducted so far, we believe this was a targeted attack. There will be increased neighbourhood policing patrols in the area to provide reassurance to local residents.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to please report it, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

“We’d also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage from the Featherstone Drive area at the time of the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 101 quoting incident number 58 of February 6. Durham Police can also be contacted online at www.durham.police.uk.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

SIR DAVID BECKHAM’S free-kick record could be at risk with an England star tipped to make his long-awaited return to first-team football.

James Ward-Prowse‘s free-kick for Burnley U21s has shown he’s still a set-piece specialist.

The 31-year-old though has been starved of opportunities to show it.

He was forced to the fringes of the West Ham team after Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Graham Potter as Hammers boss.

But now, Burnley manager Scott Parker has revived his chances of adding to his free-kick haul by signing him on loan until the end of the season.

And Parker has backed Ward-Prowse to break a major record too.

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Beckham currently holds the Premier League record of 18 goals scored directly from free-kicks.

Ward-Prowse has netted 17 in the top flight – only one fewer than the Manchester United legend.

And he’s already strides ahead of the likes of Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer.

Parker told ESPN that he is an “absolute expert”.

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He added: “Let’s hope he breaks that!

“I think we’ve seen it over many, many years – in and around the edge of the box, his delivery from wide areas, corners as well, it’s an absolutely huge, huge threat.

“His quality in and around the edge of the box, to get a ball up and down at speed, to beat keepers.

“It’s probably world-class really in terms of the set-piece.

“Hopefully he can break that record with us because it would mean one has gone in!”

In the video from the U21s game, Ward-Prowse angled himself perfectly and locked his eyes on the target.

He fired the ball with his right foot over the wall to beat the goalkeeper to the near post.

Three years after his £30million move to West Ham from Southampton, it almost seemed as if his talent was going to go to waste.

But that could be about to change.

Friez & Burgz, which has built a strong following for its quick and affordable smash burgers, has become a favourite for foodies after launching four years ago.

The company, run by Alex Lucas, is renovating its store in Chester-le-Street after the building was completely stripped back to bare walls.

The new venue, at 54 Front Street, will be the latest addition to its growing portfolio, which already includes sites in South Shields, Byker, Forest Hall, Whitley Bay and its most recent opening on Newcastle’s Percy Street, opposite the Haymarket.

Founder Alex Lucas, 27, from Newcastle said progress will be shared online for their followers.

Originally from the Ukraine, Alex said he is excited to open a new venue in the County Durham town.

He said: “We do everything ourselves, from taking the building back to nothing to getting it ready to open, it’s all our own people and contractors we’ve worked with since the beginning.

Owner Alex Lucas from Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

“We’ve just opened our fifth shop in Newcastle, and this will be our sixth location.

“Everything was removed and rebuilt from scratch. It’s a really good location on Front Street and we’re excited to bring something new there.”

The unit was previously occupied by Greggs, which has since moved to a larger premises across the road.

Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

Work is expected to take around ten weeks, although Alex said the final opening date is yet to be confirmed.

The popular burger chain launched four years ago, with its first shop opening in South Shields.

The owner, who moved to the UK 15 years ago, said the idea came from his experience working in the restaurant industry and noticing how expensive burgers had become.

He said: “We wanted to be the best from day one, but also very reasonably priced.

Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

“When we worked out the food costs, we realised we could offer really good quality burgers without charging what everyone else was charging.”

Despite the rising costs of food, Alex said the business has tried to keep prices low.

The 27-year-old said: “Everything has gone up, but we still try to keep good value for customers, especially with how difficult things are for people right now.”

Alex said the main selling point for the business is the speed the burgers are served, taking on average seven minutes.

He said: “All the burgers are smashed fresh, the buns are baked daily, and we aim to have food ready in around seven minutes.

Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

“It’s quick, it’s high quality, and it works really well for people who want something fast but still made properly.”

Rather than expanding purely for growth, Alex said opening new locations is about creating job opportunities for staff who have been part of the journey since the beginning.

He said: “The biggest reason for opening more shops is to give our team a chance to grow and to give hardworking people opportunities.

“People who work hard and are passionate deserve the opportunity to run something and I want to provide the space for them to do that.”

An official opening date will be announced in the coming months.

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione spoke out in court Friday against the prospect of back-to-back trials over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, telling a judge: “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.”

Mangione, 27, made the remarks as court officers escorted him out of the courtroom after a judge scheduled his state murder trial to begin June 8, three months before jury selection in his federal case.

Judge Gregory Carro, matter-of-fact in his decision after a lengthy discussion with prosecutors and defense lawyers at the bench, said the state trial could be delayed until Sept 8 if an appeal delays the federal trial.

Mangione’s lawyers objected to the June trial date, telling Carro that at that time, they’ll be consumed with preparing for the federal trial, which involves allegations that Mangione stalked Thompson before killing him.

“Mr. Mangione is being put in an untenable situation,” defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said. “This is a tug-of-war between two different prosecution offices.”

“The defense will not be ready on June 8,” she added.

“Be ready,” Carro replied.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, both of which carry the possibility of life in prison. Last week, the judge in the federal case ruled that prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty.

Wearing a tan jail suit, Mangione sat quietly at the defense table until his outburst at the end of the hearing.

Jury selection in the federal case is set for Sept. 8, followed by opening statements and testimony on Oct. 13.

As the trial calendar began to take shape, Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann sent a letter to Carro asking him to begin the New York trial on July 1. The prosecutor argued that the state’s interests “would be unfairly prejudiced by an unnecessary delay” until after the federal trial.

When Mangione was arrested, federal prosecutors said anticipated that the state trial would go first. Seidemann told Carro on Friday that Thompson’s family has also expressed a desire to see the state trial happen first.

“It appears the federal government has reneged on its agreement to let the state, which has done most of the work in this case, go first,” Carro said Friday.

Scheduling the state trial first could help Manhattan prosecutors avoid double jeopardy issues. Under New York law, the district attorney’s office could be barred from trying Mangione if his federal trial happens first.

The state’s double jeopardy protections kick in if a jury has been sworn in a prior prosecution, such as a federal case, or if that prosecution ends in a guilty plea. The cases involve different charges but the same alleged course of conduct.

Mangione isn’t due in court again in the state case until May, when Carro is expected to rule on a defense request to exclude certain evidence that prosecutors say connects Mangione to the killing.

Those items include a 9 mm handgun that prosecutors say matches the one used to kill Thompson and a notebook in which they say he described his intent to “wack” a health insurance executive.

Last week, Garnett ruled that prosecutors can use those items at that trial.

In September, Carro threw out state terrorism charges but kept the rest of the case, including an intentional murder charge.

Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he walked to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of Manhattan.

Trills Ladies Choir gets together with Corus Brass Ensemble to present Voices and Valves.

This afternoon of uplifting music features a balance of popular favourites from these two well-known groups.

The choir was established in 2022 and is directed by Rachel Little, a versatile soprano known for her clear tone and expressive musicianship who has a passion for community music.

Bolton pianist Jacqueline Tinniswood will be accompanying the choir.

Corus Brass was formed in 1985 and is a Bolton-based ensemble which has gained a reputation as one of the country’s finest.

Tickets for the event at 3.30pm are £8, £4 for 16 years and under, and available on the door.