Dan Buettner has spent decades studying the diets of the world’s longest-lived people in blue zones and he shares the one food that is a cornerstone of these healthy diets

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A longevity expert has identified the superfood that is a ‘cornerstone of every blue zones diet. ‘ Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow, has dedicated decades to studying ‘blue zones’, regions with the highest proportions of centenarians worldwide. He is also a New York Times bestselling author.

As part of his work, Buettner frequently responds to queries about his own diet and the lifestyle modifications he has adopted based on his research. Speaking to Meat Free Mondays, a non-profit campaign started by Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney, the author shared why he opts for a meat-free diet.

He stated: “I’ve spent over 20 years studying the diets of the world’s longest-lived people in the blue zones. What I’ve seen consistently is that people who live the longest and healthiest lives eat mostly whole, plant-based foods with very little or no meat.”

Buettner also recommended a superfood that he consumes regularly. When asked to list the items perpetually present in his fridge, the author responded: “You’ll almost always find beans – black beans, lentils, or chickpeas – because they’re the cornerstone of every blue zones diet.”

He continued: “I keep a variety of fresh vegetables, leafy greens and herbs so I can throw together quick meals. There’s usually sourdough bread, some nuts and seeds, and a good bottle of olive oil too.”

Beans have long been a staple in the diets of those seeking a nutritious meal that keeps them satiated for longer periods. As per NHS guidance, beans are an excellent source of fibre and protein, reports the Mirror.

Packed with a variety of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, beans can contribute to your recommended target of fruits and vegetables. If you choose green beans, such as runner beans or broad beans, which are classified as vegetables, they could count as an additional portion of your five a day.

The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit, multi-speciality academic medical centre, even labels beans as ‘nutritional powerhouses’ and a ‘superfood’. The medical centre explains: “Eating beans can help lower cholesterol, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, fight cancer, promote digestive health and even help manage weight.”

Those who wish to increase their bean intake could do so by adding beans to salads, soups, stews, and chilis, or blending them into dips. They can also serve as a meat substitute in tacos or replace flour in baked goods. It’s advised to start with small portions and gradually increase them to minimise gas.

The NHS underscores that a healthy diet is a balanced one. It’s crucial to consume a variety of foods in the correct proportions. According to the Eatwell Guide, individuals should aim to:

Singer and founding member of 5th Dimension, LaMonte McLemore, has died at the age of 90 as his band mates pay tribute

A singer and founding member of the iconic band 5th Dimension has died at the age of 90. LaMonte McLemore died in Las Vegas with his family around him, according to his representative Jeremy Westby.

The singer died of natural causes following a stroke. He was the founding member of the vocal group whose smooth pop and soul sounds endeared them to the public.

He was in the band alongside Florence LaRue, Ron Townson and married couple Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo. In the 1960s and ’70s, the group had a number of huge hits, including Up, Up and Away and 1969 Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In. They won six Grammy Awards during this time, including bagging the Record of the Year award twice.

As well as his music career, LaMonte was a successful sports and celebrity photographer. He saw his pictures appear in a number of magazines, including Jet, People and Harper’s Bazaar. His images captured

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Bandmate McCoo said of the star: “Lamonte loved music and was always so generous, making his photography studio available to us in our early years before the hits started.”

LaRue said in a tribute: “Proverbs 17:22 states that ‘A joyful heart is good medicine…’ Well, Lamonte really knew my prescription. His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times.

“We were more like brother and sister than singing partners. I didn’t realize the depth of my love for Lamonte until he was no longer here. His absence has shown me the magnitude of what he meant to me and that love will stay in my heart forever.”

Following his death, fans also shared messages of sorrow and condolence on social media. On Twitter/X, one user wrote: “R.I.P. to LaMonte McLemore. He was one of the founding members of The Fifth Dimension.

“McLemore died yesterday at the age of 90. Among the group’s hits: “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In,” “Up, Up and Away” and “Wedding Bell Blues.”

Another wrote: “LaMonte McLemore, co-founder of The 5th Dimension and legendary photographer for Jet and Ebony, has died at 90. The “Aquarius” singer leaves behind a massive legacy in music and visual history.”

And a third said: “Sad news. LaMonte McLemore and The 5th Dimension gave us timeless hits that will never be forgotten.”

McLemore is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mieko McLemore, daughter Ciara, son Darin, sister Joan and three grandchildren.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the situation in Iran in a wide-ranging call as the U.S. administration pushes Beijing and others to further isolate Tehran.

Trump said the two leaders also discussed a broad range of other critical issues in the U.S.-China relationship, including trade and Taiwan and his plans to visit Beijing in April.

“The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way,” Trump said in a social media posting about the call.

The Chinese government, in a readout of the call, said the two leaders discussed major summits that both nations will host in the coming year that could present opportunities for them to meet. The Chinese statement, however, made no mention of Trump’s expected April visit to Beijing.

Trump and Xi discussed Iran as tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month. The U.S. president says he’s weighing taking military action against the Middle Eastern country.

Trump is also pressing Iran to make concessions over its nuclear program, which his Republican administration says was already set back by the U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June.

White House officials on Tuesday said special envoy Steve Witkoff is slated to take part in talks with Iranian officials later this week.

Trump announced last month that the U.S. would impose a 25% tax on imports to the United States from countries that do business with Iran. China is Iran’s biggest trading partner.

Years of sanctions aimed at stopping Iran’s nuclear program have left the country isolated. But Tehran still did nearly $125 billion in international trade in 2024, including $32 billion with China, $28 billion with the United Arab Emirates and $17 billion with Turkey, the World Trade Organization says.

China also made clear that it has no intention of stepping away from its long-term plans of reunification with Taiwan, a self-governing, democratic island operating independently from mainland China, though Beijing claims it as its own territory.

The Trump administration in December announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones. The move continues to draw an angry response from Beijing.

“Taiwan will never be allowed to separate from China,” the Chinese government statement said. “The U.S. must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.”

Neither Trump nor the Chinese government in its statement raised whether the U.S. leader’s repeated calls for a U.S. takeover of Greenland, the Arctic territory controlled by Denmark, came up during the conversation.

Trump has made his case for the U.S. taking over the strategic island as necessary to rebuff Chinese and Russian encroachment, even as experts have repeatedly rebuffed Trump’s claims of Chinese and Russian military forces lurking off Greenland’s coastline. Denmark and Greenland as well as several European government leaders have pushed back against Trump’s takeover calls.

Separately, Xi also spoke on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi’s engagement with Trump and Putin comes as the last remaining nuclear arms pact, known as the New START treaty, between Russia and the United States is set to expire Thursday, removing any caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in more than a half-century.

Trump has indicated he would like to keep limits on nuclear weapons but wants to involve China in a potential new treaty.

“I actually feel strongly that if we’re going to do it, I think China should be a member of the extension,” Trump told The New York Times last month. “China should be a part of the agreement.”

The call with Xi also coincided with a ministerial meeting that the Trump administration convened in Washington with several dozen European, Asian and African nations to discuss how to rebuild global supply chains of critical minerals without Beijing.

Critical minerals are needed for everything from jet engines to smartphones. China dominates the market for those ingredients crucial to high-tech products.

“What is before all of us is an opportunity at self-reliance that we never have to rely on anybody else except for each other, for the critical minerals necessary to sustain our industries and to sustain growth,” Vice President JD Vance said at the gathering.

Xi has recently held a series of meetings with Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China amid growing concerns about Trump’s tariff policies and calls for the U.S. to take over Greenland, a Danish territory.

The disruption to global trade under Trump has made expanding trade and investment more imperative for many U.S. economic partners. Vietnam and the European Union upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership last month, two days after the EU and India announced a free-trade agreement. And Canada struck a deal last month to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products.

The man’s family and friends are being supported

Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Peterborough. Police were called at about 10.45am on Wednesday (February 4) with reports that a man had been found unconscious at a property in Gladstone Street, Millfield, Peterborough.

A 50-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was initially described by police as a ‘sudden death’.

Police, including specialist scenes of crimes officers, remain at the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Inwood, from the Major Crime Unit, said: “I understand this is likely to be concerning for residents, we are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information relevant to this investigation. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this time and specialist officers are being appointed to support them.”

A spokesperson from Cambridgeshire Constabulary shared: “Anyone with any information is urged to report it online or via 101, quoting Op Venia.”

Heather Louise Parkhill, 39, died at her home in Garden City, Deeside, after waiting 14 hours for an ambulance – with a coroner ruling earlier help would probably have saved her

A woman tragically passed away at her residence after enduring a 14 hour wait for emergency medical assistance.

Heather Louise Parkhill, 39, became unwell at her Garden City property on Deeside due to a medical issue linked to chronic heavy drinking. An emergency call was placed at 8.41pm on April 7 2025. A subsequent call resulted in the “erroneous downgrading” of the priority classification.

Multiple additional calls requesting assistance were made during the morning of April 8, but no ambulances were available Only following a final emergency call at 10.41am was the case elevated to the most urgent category, with a first responder arriving at the scene seven minutes afterwards.

By this time, Ms Parkhill was in an extremely critical state, and revival attempts began and continued for approximately one hour.. These efforts proved futile and she was declared deceased at the property.

Coroner John Gittens launched an inquiry into her death on April 9, which reached its conclusion at the inquest’s end on January 29 this year ,reports North Wales Live

The cause of death was determined as Fatty Liver Disease, with neglect contributing due to the failure to provide prompt medical intervention. His narrative verdict concluded: “Her death was the result of a terminal event arising from a condition associated with the chronic excessive consumption of alcohol, but it is probable that the death would have been prevented by earlier medical intervention, although none was available. The deceased’s death was ultimately alcohol related but contributed to by neglect.”

He issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust. These reports are issued when a coroner believes action must be taken to prevent similar deaths occurring in future.

The coroner stated: “Evidence was given to the inquest indicating that an earlier response (even 20-30 minutes earlier) would probably have prevented this death.”

His report to the ambulance trust warned: “For many years, myself and other coroners have raised concerns regarding so called “ambulance delays” and I recognise that the challenges faced by WAST around the availability of resources are the result of multifactorial issues, however problems regarding the unavailability of resources persist. I have a mandatory statutory responsibility to raise concerns where they exist and it is clear that lives continue to be lost as a result of this problem.

“Despite all of the multi-agency efforts to improve the availability of resources and hence response times, nothing appears to change. I therefore remain concerned that lives continue to be at risk.”

In response, Liam Williams, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Welsh Ambulance Service, I want to express my sincere condolences to Mrs Parkhill’s family.

“While we cannot change the outcome, we are an organisation committed to learning and are grateful to the coroner for his examination of this case and accept his findings and the Prevention of Future Deaths report, which we take very seriously and will respond to in due course.

“Since Mrs Parkhill’s death, we have been working with Welsh Government to change the way 999 calls are categorised so that more people get life-saving help when they need it, however, it is critical that our crews are available to respond when they are needed.

“Improvement relies on a whole system collaboration, which is why we continue to work with health boards, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to reduce hospital handover delays.

“Together, these improvements will free up additional ambulance capacity so we can respond more quickly to those who need us most. We are in direct contact with Mrs Parkhill’s family to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.”

Andrzej Mucha was reported missing on December 30, 2021

Police have confirmed that human remains have been found on Wednesday, February, 4 during a search for missing Andrzej Mucha. The 57 year old Polish man who was reported missing in Slough, Berkshire on December 30, 2021.

A new search was started in fields near Grays, Park Road in Stoke Poges, yesterday on Tuesday, February 3. The family of Mr Mucha has not heard from him since November 29.

Mucha was classified as a missing person until April 2022 until police started a murder investigation. In November, two men were extradited to Poland in November to face trial over his disappearance.

His family are currently being supported by specialist police officers. Thames Valley Police (TVP) have been working closely with Polish law enforcement during the investigation.

A post-mortem will be carried out to establish a cause of death. Detective Superintendent Andy Howard said: “The force has been supporting Polish law enforcement by carrying out searches in a field on Grays Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, since Tuesday 3rd February.

“Sadly, during these searches human remains have been discovered and now recovered from this area.

“Formal identification as well as a post mortem to try and ascertain the cause of death will be carried out in due course.

“Andrzej’s family are being supported and kept up to date regarding the progress of the murder investigation.

“I would like to again thank the community for their cooperation while we are in the area carrying out these searches.”

Alpine skiing: Women’s downhill (10:30-12:50)

This race marks the return of legendary American skier Lindsey Vonn, six years after her retirement from the sport.

Downhill is the 41-year-old’s speciality and she’s won a record 45 World Cup races in this event, plus her only Olympic gold medal in 2010.

We will have to see how much of an affect crashing in the final World Cup downhill before the Winter Olympics hinders Vonn’s bid.

Keep an eye out for her superbly-named compatriot Breezy Johnson, who is the 2025 world champion.

The host nation will be hopeful of at least one podium place, although World Cup champion Federica Brignone only returned to action in January, nine months after breaking multiple bones in her left leg and tearing her ACL during a giant slalom crash at the Italian Championships.

Bergamo native Sofia Goggia took downhill silver four years ago despite suffering a knee injury just 23 days before the event.

Cross country skiing: Men’s skiathlon (11:30-12:50)

It’s a fifth Winter Olympics for Britain’s Andrew Musgrave, whose best Olympic result is seventh in the skiathlon in 2018.

In this event, competitors complete 10km using the classical technique before changing skis and doing 10km using the freestyle technique.

Johannes Hosflot Klaebo is the world champion and this could be the first of a bobble-hatful of golds for the Norwegian at these Games.

Snowboard: Women’s big air qualification (18:30-20:45)

Britain’s Mia Brookes has every chance of becoming Britain’s youngest Winter Olympic medallist for 78 years.

The rider from Cheshire has just turned 19 but has already won back-to-back big air World Cup titles and comes to Italy fresh from winning medals in the X Games.

But she will face a stacked field, including Japan’s Kokomo Murase, Reira Iwabuchi and Mari Fukada, who formed a clean sweep of the medals at last year’s World Championships.

Austria’s Anna Gasser is aiming to win the event for the third Games in a row at the age of 34.

Maisie Hill, whose career was almost ended by a horrific training accident three years ago, will be Britain’s other representative.

Figure skating: Team (20:55)

The team figure skating competition concludes with the men’s free skate.

The USA won gold after the Russian team was demoted in Beijing in a protracted saga that delayed the medal ceremony by over two years.

The USA are the reigning World Team Trophy champions and won three of the four individual events at last year’s World Championships but Japan and Georgia will be pushing them hard.

A girl pulled her little sister out of a swimming pool after they and four other kids were left alone with no life jackets at a pool at Deer Lake Athletic Club in Michigan, police said

A four-year-old tragically died after she and five other children were left alone in a pool while two women meant to be supervising the kids headed to a bar, police said.

The little girl was pulled from the water by her own sister, at an athletic club, when their mum sipped on drinks and tucked into food at a club bar, according to local cops. Two women brought six kids to a pool at the Deer Lake Athletic Club in Independence Township, Michigan, around 40 miles north west of Detroit, police said. The six children left alone in the waters were aged 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4.

The two women, who have not yet been identified, left the young kids with floatation devices, on January 30. They then spent 35 minutes ordering food and drinks at a bar, a preliminary report from Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said.

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Police who arrived at the scene reported seeing the young children around the deck while CPR was being administered by two men and a woman. Paramedics rushed to the scene but the four-year-old was sadly pronounced dead after she was taken to a nearby hospital.

Cops said the pool was between three to five feet deep and investigators found pool toys and swimming noodles, but no life jackets.

The local police urged parents and guardians to carefully look out and be ready to help their children while swimming. Sheriff Michael Bouchard said: “This is a horrific and tragic death that easily could have been avoided.

“We always encourage that not only is there an adult present for any children swimming activity, but one adult is specifically tasked with watching and not just in the area. We have seen cases where children have drowned in a pool surrounded by adults.”

Police added that an investigation into the horror death was launched and is ongoing, while a report was sent to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

Deer Lake Athletic Club, in a statement, said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the news of a tragic incident involving a child that occurred at our facility on January 30, 2026.

“Our hearts are broken for the child and their family. While we don’t know the outcome of the event at this time, we extend our most sincere prayers for everyone involved. No words can adequately express the sorrow felt by our entire club community.

“Emergency services were contacted immediately, and staff members responded in accordance with established safety and emergency protocols. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their review of the incident.”

A person may become distressed and even experience hallucinations or delusions during this period

A psychologist has delved into an overlooked sign of dementia and exactly what patients can do to manage it. The symptom is thought to be particularly noticeable in the afternoon and may initially seem difficult for loved ones to understand.

Dr Kellyn Lee, CEO of The Dementia Care Hub and Visiting Academic at the University of Portsmouth, explained in a TikTok during 2025: “So, this can happen at any time of day, but what we see a lot with people living with dementia is that it can happen in the afternoon.”

She then added: “So, what I would be looking at is this would be, again, a symptom of anxiety and agitation and maybe increased confusion.” Dr Lee is referring to a phenomenon known as ‘sundowning’, which describes more unpredictable behaviour in dementia patients after midday, towards the evening.

Within this period, a person may become particularly distressed while potentially experiencing delusions or hallucinations as well. Although the exact causes are not fully understood, the Alzheimer’s Society indicates that it is not necessarily related to sunset.

Instead, sundowning is more commonly linked to a person’s unmet needs in that moment. This may include the following:

• Mood disorders, including anxiety and depression
• Hunger, pain or other unmet physical needs
• Disturbed hormone levels
• Side effects of prescribed drugs
• Sensory impairment, including sight loss
• Disturbance to the person’s ‘body clock’ caused by damage to the brain
• Overstimulation during the daytime
• Overtiredness
• Lack of exposure to sunlight
• Lack of interaction with other people or carers (if relevant)

“Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle stage and later stages,” further advice from Alzheimer’s Society adds. It then continues: “Think whether something that’s happened during the day has affected them. If they seem agitated, try to calm them by distracting them, perhaps talking about a favourite memory or event they enjoy thinking about.”

If you are concerned that your loved one is experiencing sundowning, Dr Lee also recommended noting the symptoms at different times of day. In her past video explanation, she continued: “So, what I would be looking at doing is noting down when this is happening and what’s happening. There are tablets that can be used, such as lorazepam.

“Absolutely these drugs are drugs that need to be taken with caution because they are highly addictive. So, some GPs may not want to prescribe them.

“However, I think we really need to balance the risk of addiction compared to the fact the person has dementia.”

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Other possible symptoms of dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term encompassing various health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, all marked by a progressive decline in brain function. NHS statistics show that over 944,000 people throughout the UK are currently living with dementia.

Symptoms of dementia vary depending on the type, but early signs often include:

• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
• Memory loss
• Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
• Being confused about time and place

NHS guidance adds: “These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. It’s often termed ‘mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI) as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.

“You might not notice these symptoms if you have them, and family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time. In some people, these symptoms will remain the same and not worsen. But some people with MCI will go on to develop dementia.

“Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. This is why it’s important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you’re worried about memory problems or other symptoms.”

Andrzej Mucha was 57 when he was last seen in November 2021

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Police have found human remains in the search for a man who went missing five years ago.

Andrzej Mucha was 57 when he was last seen in November 2021. He was last known to have made contact with his family on November 29.

Thames Valley Police made the horror discovery while helping Polish law enforcement search a field on Grays Park Road in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, the Mirror reports.

Andrzej, from Slough, was classified as a missing person until April 2022 when a murder investigation was launched. Two men were extradited to Poland in November to face trial over his disappearance.

Detective Superintendent Andy Howard said: “The force has been supporting Polish law enforcement by carrying out searches in a field on Grays Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, since Tuesday 3rd February. Sadly, during these searches human remains have been discovered and now recovered from this area.

“Formal identification as well as a post mortem to try and ascertain the cause of death will be carried out in due course”. Andrzej’s family are being supported by specialist officers, he added.

“I would like to again thank the community for their cooperation while we are in the area carrying out these searches.”