Latest from Independent
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- Health
- The Independent
Psychopaths are most likely to live in these US states
A new study indicates a correlation between adverse social conditions and higher levels of psychopathy, narcissism, and sadism. The research analyzed data from 1.8 million people across 183 countries, including 144,000 in the U.S., linking personality traits to societal factors like poverty, inequality, and violence. Researchers found that in societies where rules are broken and conditions are poor, individuals tend to prioritize self-interest, leading to higher 'Dark Factor' levels. U.S. states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Nevada and New York were identified with higher 'Dark Factor' levels, while Utah, Vermont, and Alaska showed lower levels. The study suggests that personality is shaped by societal conditions, implying that reforms to reduce corruption and inequality could help prevent the development of negative personality traits.
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Independent
LA supervisor warns of ICE impersonators after masked men profile staffer's godson
A Los Angeles County supervisor is warning community members about people impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after masked men allegedly profiled and threatened a staff member's godson following days of actual ICE raids around the city. During a Tuesday meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger recounted the story of two masked men in an unmarked vehicle with flashing lights allegedly pulling over a staff member's godson, then making a derogatory comment that he was driving a 'nice truck for someone with that surname,' the Los Angeles Times reports. The men then attempted to enter the vehicle, but fled once a crowd began recording the encounter. 'I do believe there may be people out there impersonating ICE, taking advantage of this population,' Barger said, adding that she called ICE about the incident and got no response. The Independent has contacted the Los Angeles ICE field office for comment. The warnings come after days of heightened tensions around Los Angeles, following a string of aggressive ICE raids around the city, as well as mass protests against the enforcement that prompted the Trump administration to send National Guard troops and Marines into the area over the objection of local and state officials. Individuals in at least three states have been arrested this year for impersonating ICE agents, who often use face masks and unmarked vehicles in legitimate operations. In a January incident in South Carolina, a man was charged with kidnapping and impersonating police after allegedly detaining a group of Latino men in Charleston County, accosting them for speaking Spanish, and yelling, 'You're going back to Mexico!' That same month, a North Carolina man allegedly impersonated an ICE agent and threatened a woman with deportation to coerce her into having sex with him. California lawmakers are pushing to largely ban federal law enforcement agents from wearing face masks, and congressional Democrats have compared the masked agents to dictatorial secret police. 'We're seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing and disappearing people,' California State Senator Scott Wiener, wrote on X this week, introducing the mask ban bill. The Trump administration insists masks are needed to protect immigration officers against a spike in threats and assaults against them.
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- Health
- The Independent
These foods might be spiking your blood pressure without you knowing, doctors say
Doctors have named some sneaky foods might be spiking your blood pressure without you knowing. To avoid the risk of high blood pressure, doctors say people should avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and sodium. High blood pressure can result in heart disease and stroke. It's a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Although some people may develop high blood pressure without a clear cause, better dietary choices can make a difference for healthy Americans and those with conditions alike. A new study from researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified a low-sodium and saturated fats plan -known as the DASH diet - as a way to reduce blood pressure for people with type 2 diabetes. Pickles Eating your favorite post-sandwich snack is associated with high blood pressure. While pickles have some nutritional value, they also contain high levels of sodium. 'One large dill pickle has more than two-thirds of the ideal amount of sodium that an adult should have in a whole day,' registered dietitian Devon Peart says. Sweet pickles aren't quite as high in sodium, but they still have plenty of it. And they're high in sugar. Coconut oil Coconut oil may seem like a healthy substitute for butter or lard - but don't be fooled! It has among the highest levels of saturated fats of any oil. 'Coconut oil is about 90 percent saturated fat, which is a higher percentage than butter (about 64 percent saturated fat), beef fat (40 percent), or even lard (also 40 percent),' explained Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor Walter Willett. Cottage cheese The push to eat more protein may come some unintended consequences. Cottage cheese may be beneficial - but in small quantities, as it's also rich in sodium and fat. 'I'm not confident to suggest cottage cheese would be significantly different than other types of cheese,' Qi Sun, an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told CNBC. Who really thinks of bread as having a high sodium content? A turkey sandwich may seem like a healthy meal, but add some cheese and deli meat and it could easily make up more than half of your recommended sodium intake. 'On average, there's 100 to 200 milligrams of sodium per slice of bread,' Samantha Oldman, a bariatric surgery dietitian with Hartford HealthCare's Digestive Health Institute, said. 'That means that just the bread from one sandwich can account for anywhere from 8-18% of your average daily recommended sodium intake.' Chicken This popular protein is often prepared in commercial kitchens, meaning there is added salt. Rotisserie or fried chicken from a grocery store or restaurant contains up to four times the sodium of plain chicken prepared at home, according to Harvard Medical School.
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Independent
When does Estevao join Chelsea from Palmeiras?
Brazilian youngster Estevao is playing his final few games for Palmeiras before linking up with his new club Chelsea. The 18-year-old has signed a deal to join the Premier League side ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, adding one of the world's top young talents to Enzo Maresca 's side. Estevao, nicknamed 'Messinho' after amassing figures akin to those of the iconic Argentinian forward in his teens, featured as Palmeiras drew to Porto in their first game of the Fifa Club World Cup With a game against Al-Ahly coming before the showdown with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, he is already looking ahead to what could be a curtain-call on his time in Brazil. Speaking during the tournament, the prospect declared that he will 'run' to the legendary Messi at the end of the game to try and get the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's shirt. When will Estevao join Chelsea? Chelsea have agreed a deal for Estevao that starts at an initial £29m, though it could rise beyond £50m with add-ons. The five-time capped Brazil international has scored 26 goals in 79 games at club level, alongside three goals in five appearances for the national team's under-17s. Estevao will join Chelsea at the end of the Fifa Club World Cup in the USA, with the final scheduled for Sunday, July 13, when only two of the 32-teams that entered remain. He heads to Stamford Bridge as the Blues prepare to return to the Uefa Champions League, after beating Real Betis in the Conference League final last season and finishing fourth in the English top-flight.
The Independent
43 minutes ago
- Health
- The Independent
US vacation hotspot testing water supply for drugs
Nantucket officials are beginning to test the island's sewage for cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, nicotine, and opiates. The Health Department aims to use this data to understand trends in illegal substance use and assess the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs. Biobot, a Cambridge-based company, will conduct the drug testing using samples already collected for COVID-19 and other disease monitoring. The initiative seeks to provide a data-driven understanding of local drug usage, moving beyond anecdotal evidence. Test results will be shared with healthcare partners to inform outreach and treatment efforts, though they will not be made public.
