Home Blog Page 414

South Carolina Woman Accused of Stabbing Lyft Driver 11 Times Cites Mental Health Crisis

0

A South Carolina woman accused of stabbing a Lyft driver 11 times and then stealing his vehicle will remain behind bars after a judge denied her bond Friday, despite her attorney’s argument that she was in the midst of a serious mental health crisis at the time of the alleged attack.

Naziyha Weatherall is charged in Greenville County with attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Court records show the case is tied to an alleged incident on April 22.

During Friday’s bond hearing, prosecutors described the accusations as a “frightening factual scenario,” according to FOX Carolina, and urged the court to consider Weatherall an extreme threat to public safety.

“The victim was simply just trying to do his job and was stabbed 11 times,” a solicitor said, according to FOX Carolina. “Not only was he stabbed 11 times, his car was then carjacked by this defendant.”

Naziyha Weatherall mugshot

Naziyha Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Greenville County. (Greenville County Sheriff’s Office)

The driver’s wife appeared in court on his behalf, saying the trauma of the alleged attack prevented him from attending.

“What concerns us most is that happened while my husband was simply working,” she said. “He was not looking for any confrontation, he was providing a service to a person. If this level of violence could happen to someone who was simply doing his job, we are concerned about potential risks to other people in our community.”

Weatherall’s lawyer urged the court to view the allegations through the lens of her mental state, saying she had never previously been charged with a crime and was in the throes of a psychiatric emergency.

A Lyft vehicle

Naziyha Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Greenville County, in which she is accused of stabbing a Lyft driver 11 times. (iStock)

The defense said paranoia had convinced Weatherall that others were monitoring her and trying to harm her, prompting her to summon a ride to report her fears to police.

“Her mother even called the police station to let them know she was on the way to make a report,” the attorney said. “During that, the crisis got worse.”

The attorney said Weatherall believed she was being trafficked, panicked during the ride and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.

A split image shows downtown Greenville, South Carolina, beside a booking photo of Naziyha Weatherall.

Greenville, South Carolina, is pictured beside a booking photo of Naziyha Weatherall. (Getty ; Greenville County Sheriff’s Office)

The defense said Weatherall is now medicated, stable and competent, and asked the court to release her so relatives and a social worker could arrange placement at a treatment facility.

Weatherall’s mother apologized to the driver’s family while asking the court to consider her daughter’s mental state.

“She’s not a criminal. She would never, ever, ever hurt anybody like that,” her mother said. “And I understand the family’s side, I truly do, because we are all suffering. We all are.”

A gavel on a bench as people leave court

Naziyha Weatherall was denied bond. (iStock)

A judge ordered competency and observation evaluations in June, court records show. On Friday, the judge denied Weatherall’s bond request and ordered that she remain jailed pending a psychological evaluation scheduled for September.

Lyft told News Media it permanently removed the rider accounts involved from its platform and has continued assisting law enforcement.

“Violence like this has no place in the Lyft community or in our society,” a Lyft spokesperson said. “The driver’s well-being has been our priority, and we have reached out to them and their family to offer support.”

News Media has reached out to Weatherall’s attorney for comment.

Grand Canyon Hiker Shared Selfie Before Disappearing in Deadly Flash Floods

0

A Texas father of three captured what appeared to be a joyful vacation moment at the Grand Canyon, smiling for a selfie amid the park’s sweeping rock walls, just one day before he disappeared with his hiking group during deadly flash flooding that has killed at least one person and left roughly 15 others unaccounted for.

Dr. John Giusti, 46, a chiropractor from Granbury, Texas, had been hiking and camping with two friends when intense rainfall triggered a sudden surge of water, mud and debris through Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday.

One of the last images Giusti shared from the trip shows him standing before the Grand Canyon’s dramatic cliffs — a poignant snapshot of the outdoorsman before he vanished in the fast-moving floodwaters.

Giusti’s younger sister, Valerie Gibbs, told The New York Times that it was his first visit to the Grand Canyon.

Family members described him as healthy, energetic and passionate about hiking and running. They said they last heard from him around 2 p.m. Saturday, shortly before the destructive flash floods swept through the area.

His wife, Janet Giusti, issued a desperate plea for prayers after learning that her husband’s hiking group was among those unaccounted for.

“We ask our ChiroHabit community to please lift up my husband, his hiking group, and our families in your thoughts and prayers during this time,” she wrote in a Facebook post that was later deleted, according to the Times. 

“Please pray for Dr. John’s safety,” she separately wrote in an update shared by his practice. 

Giusti is one of roughly 15 people the National Park Service was still trying to account for Sunday following the flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.

Separately, a 46-year-old man was confirmed dead.

His body was recovered Sunday near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the National Park Service said. Officials have not released his identity.

The disaster unfolded around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when intense rainfall sent torrents racing through the canyon. More than 60 people were ultimately airlifted from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.

The flooding obliterated footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, ripped debris and metal structures into the Colorado River and severely damaged infrastructure throughout the canyon. The park’s water pipeline was also knocked out, forcing emergency water restrictions and the closure of overnight accommodations. 

The NPS is asking anyone who may have information about hikers or backpackers in the Bright Angel Creek corridor Saturday to contact its Investigative Services Branch.

The request includes people who may have traveled the North Kaibab Trail, stayed at Bright Angel Campground or been in an area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch. 

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also offered her support to the families waiting for answers.

“My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon. DEMA is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.

“Thank you to the first responders on the ground working to keep our communities safe when disaster strikes,” she wrote Sunday. 

The park remained closed in several affected areas as crews continued the search and assessed the extensive damage.

Two Friends Found Dead After Canoe Trip to See Bioluminescence

0

Two friends who headed out on a late-night canoe trip to witness the Bay Area’s striking bioluminescent waters were later found dead, officials said.

Casey Flynn Melia, 36, and a second person whose name has not been released were discovered Sunday at about 1:30 p.m. after setting off around midnight on Tomales Bay, a narrow coastal inlet in Marin County, California.

The unidentified man was found in the water, while Melia was located on shore just north of Hog Island, NBC Bay Area reported.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said Melia, who lived in San Francisco, and his friend had been wearing life jackets during the outing.

They were reported missing after they failed to return from their trip as planned, the Marin County Fire Department told the San Francisco Chronicle. 

The details of what led to their deaths remain unknown. The investigation is being led by the Sonoma and Marin County Sheriff’s Offices. 

Melia’s official cause of death is pending. Routine toxicology testing and a post-mortem examination are scheduled for later this week, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said. 

A pair of friends were found dead on Sunday afternoon after they set out in a canoe in Tomales Bay around midnight to witness the yearly luminescence spectacle

A pair of friends were found dead on Sunday afternoon after they set out in a canoe in Tomales Bay around midnight to witness the yearly luminescence spectacle

The spectacle takes place when the small organisms in algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom after they become agitated. (Pictured: Bioluminescence in San Diego in 2024)

The spectacle takes place when the small organisms in algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom after they become agitated. (Pictured: Bioluminescence in San Diego in 2024)

Tomales Bay is known for its dangerously cold water, hazardous conditions near the sandbar and the mouth, and strong afternoon winds. 

The friends had planned to camp at White Gulch Beach, which is located directly on the western shore of Tomales Bay, according to the Chronicle. 

They ventured into the water to witness the annual bioluminescence, a phenomenon that is sometimes visible along the bays and coast in California. 

The spectacle takes place when the small organisms in algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom after they become agitated. 

The tiny organisms emit flashes of light through a chemical reaction with a molecule called luciferin and an enzyme known as luciferase, causing a vibrant blue color to glow in the water. 

Bioluminescence takes place every year from June to October in Tomales Bay. 

The phenomenon also takes place in other locations across the US, including the Outer Banks, North Carolina. 

It also occurs in Vieques, Puerto Rico; Space Coast, Florida; San Diego, California; San Juan Island, Washington; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Tybee Island, Georgia; and Kona, Hawaii, according to Travel + Leisure. 

Both men were wearing life jackets, authorities said. They were reported missing after they failed to return from their trip as planned. (Pictured: Stock image of canoers in Tomales Bay)

Both men were wearing life jackets, authorities said. They were reported missing after they failed to return from their trip as planned. (Pictured: Stock image of canoers in Tomales Bay)

Bioluminescence occurs most commonly among squid, fish, and ‘gelatinous zooplankton’, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said. 

The ‘gelatinous’ species include jellyfish, comb jellies, siphonophores, and other sea animals that are mostly made of water, the agency added. 

The Daily Mail contacted the Sonoma and Marin County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Marin County Fire Department and the Marin County Coroner’s Office for comment. 

5 Morning Exercises Men Over 60 Need to Rebuild Muscle

0

These trainer-approved morning exercises can help men over 60 rebuild and maintain the muscle needed to stay strong, active, and independent.

1788193831 –>

One of the tougher realities of aging is that muscle gradually declines with each passing decade. The process, known as sarcopenia, can begin as early as your 30s and often speeds up once you reach your 60s. The good news: research shows that muscles can still respond to regular resistance training at any age. Even better, you don’t need heavy dumbbells, complicated machines, or a costly gym membership to make meaningful progress.

The key is consistency, especially after 60. Building strength requires showing up regularly, and mornings can be the ideal time to get it done before the day gets busy. Studies suggest that completing a short workout early may make it easier to turn strength training into a routine you’ll actually stick with.

Chair Sit-to-Stands

The chair sit-to-stand engages lower body muscles that are essential for walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from a seated position. If you can do it safely, try standing without pushing off with your hands for an extra challenge.

How to do it:

  1. Sit near the front of a sturdy chair with your feet planted firmly on the floor.
  2. Lean slightly forward and flex your core.
  3. Stand up all the way without using your hands if possible.
  4. Lower yourself slowly back to the chair with control.
  5. Perform two to three sets of 10 to 12 reps.
  6. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

5 Home Exercises That Build a 6-Pack in 21 Days After 60

Wall Push-ups

Wall push-ups are an accessible way to work the chest, shoulders, and arms without getting down on the floor. Pressing your chest toward the wall and pushing away provides real resistance for the upper body while keeping the movement joint-friendly. If you’re up for it, make it more challenging by stepping your feet farther from the wall.

How to do it:

  1. Stand facing a wall with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Step your feet back until your body forms a straight line.
  3. Bend your elbows to bring your chest toward the wall.
  4. Push yourself back to the starting position.
  5. Keep your core braced throughout the entire movement.
  6. Complete two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps.
  7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

Glute Bridges

As the name implies, glute bridges target your glutes and the surrounding muscles that support your hips. Pressing through your feet to lift your hips builds the lower body strength behind everyday movements like standing and climbing stairs.

How to do it:

  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Rest your arms at your sides.
  3. Press through your feet to lift your hips.
  4. Pause for one to two seconds at the top.
  5. Lower your hips slowly with control.
  6. Aim for two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps.
  7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

6 Standing Exercises That Strengthen Your Midsection Faster Than Crunches After 60

Standing Calf Raises

Standing calf raises strengthen the muscles at the back of your lower leg, which are involved in almost every lower body movement and supporting balance. For added support, hold onto a chair or counter for safety if balance is an issue.

How to do it:

  1. Stand tall while holding a chair or counter for support if needed.
  2. Keep your legs straight but not locked.
  3. Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet.
  4. Pause for one to two seconds at the top of the movement.
  5. Lower your heels with control.
  6. Complete two to three sets of 12 to 15 reps.
  7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

If You Can Walk This Many Steps in 90 Seconds, You’re in Great Shape

Father of Murdered Toddler Condemns Missed Chances to Save Her Life

0

The father of a two-year-old girl killed by her mother and the woman’s new boyfriend after what prosecutors described as a “sadistic” campaign of violence says authorities failed his daughter and missed opportunities to protect her.

Isabelle Welsh had suffered 21 broken bones in the weeks before she died at her mother’s home in Thornaby, Teesside. Her fatal injuries came after a final “massive head injury” was inflicted shortly before her death.

Her mother, Alexandra Walker, and Walker’s boyfriend, Harrison Simpson, were both found guilty of murder in July.

Simpson, 22, was also convicted of sexually assaulting the toddler, while Walker was cleared of that charge.

Both were sentenced to life in prison. Simpson must serve a minimum of 27 years and 231 days, while Walker, 26, was handed a minimum term of 21 years and 48 days.

Speaking in detail for the first time about Isabelle’s murder, her father, Joshua Welsh, 27, criticised the authorities – most notably the NHS and the police – for failing to keep Walker and Simpson away from the little girl.

In one incident, Walker left Isabelle in pain for two weeks with a fractured leg before seeking medical attention.

When she finally sought help – 11 days before Isabelle’s death on September 14 2025 – staff at North Tees Hospital in Stockton, Co Durham, did not want to allow Isabelle to return to Walker’s home, fearing potential abuse.

But when they raised safeguarding concerns, Walker became argumentative and threatened them. 

Ultimately, staff on a paediatric team ‘overruled’ the concerns and she was allowed to go home.

Little Isabelle Welsh, two, was murdered by her mother, Alexandra Walker, and Harrison Simpson, who Walker had known only a matter of months

Little Isabelle Welsh, two, was murdered by her mother, Alexandra Walker, and Harrison Simpson, who Walker had known only a matter of months

It later emerged Simpson was also the subject of an arrest warrant issued 18 months before the murder but police failed to locate him.

Mr Welsh said he only found out two days after the verdict about the outstanding arrest warrant.

‘I did not get told by the police,’ he said.

‘My sister found out about it on local radio. I was absolutely raging. I was angry, hurt and upset. The police should be ashamed of themselves.

‘If they had done their job properly Isabelle would still be alive today. I want to campaign and raise awareness – to make sure the police do proper checks to stop this happening again.

‘Instead of leaving innocent kids in the hands of monsters I want them to do their jobs properly.’

He added: ‘Social services needed to carry out welfare checks, the NHS child protection also let her down.

‘Isabelle could have been saved in the NHS had worked properly. If the nurse was not overruled by clinical doctors who did not have a clue.

‘There are such wide ranging failures – from the police to the social services to the NHS.

‘There were several chances for the authorities to step in and save her. Yet she was handed back to these monsters. That is unforgiveable.

‘But I will remember Isabelle for her smile, for the happy and cheeky girl she was. Not by a photo of her next to those ugly monsters. As that is all they are.’

The court heard Walker had concerns about paedophile Simpson, who sexually assaulted Isabelle shortly before her murder, but continued to see him

The court heard Walker had concerns about paedophile Simpson, who sexually assaulted Isabelle shortly before her murder, but continued to see him

Walker, of Thornaby, Teesside, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 48 days in prison

Walker, of Thornaby, Teesside, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 48 days in prison

Mr Welsh said he split from Walker in August 2024 following a five-year relationship but had not seen his daughter for some months before her death.

He said he had had no welfare concerns for Isabelle despite not being able to see her as much as he wanted and had never heard of Simpson until his arrest.

The court also heard that there were no concerns about Isabelle’s welfare until she began a relationship with Simpson, who she met on Facebook Dating. 

She grew suspicious of Simpson’s interactions with her daughter and even checked the Sex Offenders’ Register to see whether he was a paedophile, but did not break up with him.

Mr Welsh added: ‘I had a very close bond with Isabelle. I was the first to hold her when she was born. 

‘I would always get a special cuddle from her and she was my little angel.

‘I did not have a clue about her new boyfriend. I did not know him from Adam.

‘I had no suspicions of her while we were together. I did not in any way think she was capable of something like this.

‘I thought she was a good mum. I think it’s all his influence to tell you the truth.

‘I am trying to get more information on it. But I knew nothing at the time.’

In relation to the outstanding warrant, Cleveland Police said in a statement: ‘Multiple inquiries and arrest attempts were carried out to try to locate and arrest him, but these proved unsuccessful.

‘We recognise the time Simpson had an outstanding arrest warrant is far from adequate. A review of this was immediately conducted upon his arrest for murder.’

Charles Spencer Shares Moving Tribute to Princess Diana 29 Years On

0

Charles Spencer has remembered his late sister, Princess Diana, with a poignant tribute.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales, was 36 when she died from injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris, France, on August 31, 1997. Her partner, 42-year-old film producer Dodi Fayed, and their driver, 41-year-old Henri Paul, also died in the crash.

Taking to Instagram 29 years later, Diana’s 62-year-old brother shared a shot of a flag being flown at half-mast over their childhood home, Althorp House, in West Northamptonshire, England.

Charles captioned the post: “31 August. My least favourite day.”

Putin Escalates Ukraine War as Fears Mount Over Its Endgame

0

Concerns are growing that the Russia-Ukraine war may be shifting into a new and more punishing phase, as Kyiv faces repeated drone strikes and almost continuous air raid alerts. Increasingly, the attacks are coming in broad daylight, extending beyond the overnight barrages that residents of the Ukrainian capital have come to know all too well.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired nearly 1,500 drones in just four days, with more than half of them jet-powered, accusing Moscow of trying to exhaust Ukraine and break the morale of its people. The strikes have repeatedly disrupted Kyiv’s metro network and upended daily commutes, Reuters reported Aug. 31, as residents are again being driven into shelters during daytime air raid warnings.

For Ukrainians trying to reclaim a measure of routine at summer’s end and prepare for the new school year, the renewed wave of Russian drone attacks is forcing weary Kyiv residents back underground.

Family and villagers mourn community head killed in the Russian drone strike in Kyiv region

Mourners react during the funeral of Taras Didych, the head of a local village community, who was among 38 people killed in a Russian drone strike on the village of Myla on Aug. 28, amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, in Dmytrivka, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Aug. 31, 2026. (Alina Smutko/Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has simultaneously intensified attacks on Ukraine’s warehouses and logistics network, damaging distribution centers used by major retailers and disrupting food deliveries.

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region stretched into a fifth consecutive day Monday, with strikes damaging warehouses, a retail outlet and residential buildings in the Kyiv region.

The attacks are part of a broader campaign against Ukrainian commercial and logistics infrastructure. Reuters reported Aug. 28 that Russia had targeted warehouses belonging to major supermarket chains, Ukraine’s largest private postal company and home-goods retailers.

Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi that roughly 90% of the food logistics infrastructure operated by retail chains had been destroyed.

Smoke rises in Kyiv during a Russian drone strike

Smoke rises in the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine August 31, 2026. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

“As of today, roughly speaking, 90% of food logistics operated by retail chains have been destroyed, but that doesn’t mean Ukrainians will be left without food,” Vysotskyi told reporters in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. He said retailers would shift logistics and use alternative methods of delivering food.

Ukrainian outlet TSN reported Aug. 30 that some NOVUS locations in Kyiv were short of bread, potatoes, apples and oatmeal, while supermarket chain ATB had introduced limits on how much of certain products customers could purchase.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has expanded its own campaign against Russian economic infrastructure. Ukrainian drones have targeted oil facilities as well as warehouses connected to major Russian online retailers including Wildberries and Ozon. Reuters reported Monday that a logistics hub in Yekaterinburg was also struck by a drone.

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, a former USAF assistant vice chief of staff, told News Media that he believes the military momentum has increasingly shifted toward Ukraine, particularly because of Kyiv’s expanding use of long-range drones.

Empty shelves in supermarkets in Kyiv, Ukraine

Empty shelves in supermarkets in Kyiv, August 31st, 2026. (East2west news)

“My sense is the momentum has swung in Ukraine’s favor over the last year or so,” Newton told News Media. “The Ukrainians have shown tremendous resolve and capability to push back against Russia.”

Newton pointed particularly to Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia against “energy production capability, logistics supply chains, and so forth,” calling their use of drone warfare “quite remarkable.”

He cautioned, however, that Ukraine faces a critical vulnerability as Russia intensifies its aerial campaign.

“The current challenge facing Ukraine is the shortage of U.S.-made Patriot air defense interceptors,” Newton said, noting that the systems are also in heavy demand elsewhere around the world.

Emergency workers clear rubble with heavy equipment in Lviv, Ukraine.

Emergency workers use heavy equipment to clear rubble from apartment buildings in Lviv, the western-most city in Ukraine and the closed to NATO-ally Poland, after a Russian missile attack Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Anadolu)

The escalation comes amid new reporting about Putin’s calculations over how — or whether — the war can end.

The Economist reported Aug. 30, that Putin fears ending the war without Russia achieving even what he considers a minimum objective — control of all of Donbas — could threaten his position and potentially his physical safety.

“They will hang me,” Putin reportedly told people around him at some point during the war, according to an unnamed insider cited by The Economist. News Media has not independently verified Putin remarks.

The Economist also reported that dissatisfaction with the war is growing among ordinary Russians and that the mood among parts of Russia’s elite is even more pessimistic, with one source arguing that nearly five years consumed by the war represents a failure regardless of its eventual outcome.

Newton argued that the intensifying confrontation makes NATO cohesion increasingly important.

Glide bomb attack aftermath

Russian glide bombs strike food processing plant in Zaporizhzhia
Rescuers work at the site of a reported strike on a food processing plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on July 8, 2026. The incident involves guided aerial bombs, resulting in the destruction of part of the facility. A 43-year-old employee is injured, and several vehicles are damaged. (Photo by Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
(Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“In my view it’s more important now for NATO to remain firm perhaps at any time since the end of the Cold War,” he said. “A weakened NATO emboldens Putin and Russia not only against Ukraine but the entire alliance.”