Look up!

As the calendar flips towards the end of July, prepare for a celestial spectacle with two incredible meteor showers set to illuminate our skies.

The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids are primed to dazzle stargazers as they reach their peak brilliance consecutively from July 28 to 31.

Meteor showers occur when Earth’s journey around the sun crosses paths with a trail of debris left by passing comets or asteroids.

During these cosmic intersections, these remnants—affectionately dubbed space debris—ignite and descend through our atmosphere, resulting in the radiant streaks and fiery bursts that captivate us and spark our imaginations.

First to show up and show out this month are the Southern Delta Aquariids.

Active for around six weeks, from mid-July to late August, the Southern Delta Aquariids are born to burn from the short-period comet 96P/Macholz, which orbits the Sun once every 5.27 years.

The radiant point of this shower is in the constellation Aquarius, hence the name.

The peak for this shower, i.e., when we can expect to see the most meteors per minute, is in the evenings of July 28th and July 29th, when it will be possible to see as many as 15 meteors per hour.

Bear in mind that these streaks are typically faint, with weak trails, and visibility will be compromised this year by the light of the moon in its waxing gibbous phase.

However, the Southern Delta Aquariids have been known to surprise viewers; in 1977 and 2003, the showers produced “outbursts,” meaning a stronger-than-usual show is possible this month.

Under clear skies and away from the maddening glare of light pollution, both of these showers will be visible to the naked eye.

Experts recommend giving yourself about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark.

While many people will reach for a telescope or binoculars, it is better to take in the entire sky rather than a small part by lying flat on your back halfway between the horizon and the middle of the sky above you and 45 degrees from Aquarius.

The Southern Delta Aquariids are best viewed in the Southern Hemisphere or along southern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

If you fail to catch (pun intended) these showers, fear not; the Alpha Capricornids are closing out the month with a star show on July 30 and July 31

The Alpha Capricornids are the byproduct of the comet 169/NEAT that orbits the Sun once every 4.2 years. Their radiant point, or place in the sky from which they appear to originate, is, as the name implies, in the constellation of Capricorn.

The Alpha Capricornids are not a prolific shower (they only produce five meteors per hour at their peak), but what they lack in number, they make up for in strength as they shine exceptionally bright against the night sky.

This shower should be visible from both hemispheres, and, as with the Southern Delta Aquariids, hopeful sky watchers should seek out clear, dark skies.

Start your viewing around 10 P.M., and if you want to see as much of the show as possible, keep an eye on the sky until dawn breaks.

Meghan Markle recently revealed to viewers of MasterChef Australia that when her children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, ask for dessert, she encourages them to ‘pick’ fresh fruit from their own garden.

In an episode aired in Australia on Sunday, the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex spoke fondly about the expansive garden at their extravagant £23 million Montecito estate, describing it as a ‘nice luxury’.

The former star of Suits shared how she is nurturing healthy habits in her children by guiding them to choose ‘a nice piece of fruit’ after dinner, enhancing their meals with nature’s bounty.

‘The kids are great eaters, we’re very fortunate in that regard,’ Meghan expressed to judges Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow, and Sofia Levin.

‘They get very involved, particularly with the garden,’ Meghan explained further. ‘It’s such a wonderful luxury to have so much space and access to fresh ingredients to cook with.’

‘If they say “Mama, can I have dessert?”, we say “If you can pick it, you can have it,”‘ Meghan said with a flourish, when Sofia interjected with: ‘You can’t pick chocolate!’

‘No, you can’t pick chocolate, but you can pick a nice piece of fruit,’ Meghan retorted, before seemingly backtracking to clarify ‘we always have a nice, as my husband would say, pud’.

Meghan has previously revealed Archie and Lilibet, who were recently reunited with their grandfather King Charles in the UK, sell produce from their garden at a local farmer’s market so that they understand the ‘value of things’.  

In an interview with British-born fashion entrepreneur Emma Grede, the Duchess said she tries to keep her children grounded by getting them to do gardening, admitting they are ‘very lucky’ to live in a ‘privileged’ home.

Meghan was one of the guests on Emma’s ‘Aspire with Emma Grede’ podcast last June, when she revealed: ‘We grow a lot of veggies. We sometimes do a little farmers’ market stand.’

The Duchess also revealed that she and Harry want Archie and Lilibet to know the value of money.

She said: ‘There’s a cost and a price for things, and I think that’s key for children to understand, especially children who are very lucky to have a home that has privilege, you need to know that just like manners, and taking care of the things around you, there is a value on things.

‘Gardening is really, really so great for children because it teaches them patience and teaches them to value and appreciate their food.’

Elsewhere during Meghan’s MasterChef guest spot yesterday, the Duchess shared that Prince Harry, who surprised Meghan with a FaceTime call while she was judging the final dishes, is ‘a real meat and potatoes guy’.

When asked about his spice tolerance, Meghan confirmed the duke can ‘handle a really good curry’. 

The moment on Sunday night’s episode came when series judge Jean-Christophe asked Meghan about the dish she loves cooking at home most. 

Meghan replied: ‘It’s a tough one because I have a lot of palates to appease. My husband, being from the UK, loves a lot of meat, potatoes, cream sauce.

‘As a California girl, I like a grilled fish, grilled meats, citrus. I just like using lots of really pure natural herbs and spices. I like heat in my food, anything with spices.’

After trying a contestant’s celeriac-based dish, Meghan, who refers to Prince Harry as ‘H’, said: ‘I mentioned my husband was a real meat and potatoes guy. This feels like the most elegant, elevated version of that. H would love this dish.’  

A producer then said: ‘Sorry to interrupt. We’ve had a phone call to the studio,’ as Meghan proceeded to FaceTime Harry as a treat for the Australian viewers. 

In what has been labelled by fans as a ‘cringe’ cameo, Meghan said: ‘My husband’s here,’ prompting cheers and shocked faces from contestants.  

‘G’Day! What’s going on? Have I interrupted something important here?’ Harry joked.

‘Well, we are actually in the middle of tasting all the dishes. We have four incredible cooks here! It’s amazing, they are so talented!’ Meghan replied.

‘I can see the chandeliers in the background; they look very nice… wonderful!’ Harry said.

He then asked to see the contestants’ dishes and Meghan panned the camera over them.

‘I wish you could try these. These dishes are fantastic,’ she cooed, before showing him the food. Harry signed off by telling her to enjoy it, adding: ‘Very sorry to disturb.’

During last night’s episode, contestants were asked to transform one of Meghan’s handpicked ingredients into a dish ‘fit for a duchess’. 

The ‘bounty’ included Australian honey, macadamia nuts, citrus, edible flowers and celeriac, as well as Brussels sprouts when Meghan boasted Archie and Lilibet had no problem eating the divisive food. 

‘My kids eat Brussels sprouts,’ Meghan told the judges, before Levin added ‘that’s impressive’. 

The Duchess, whose Netflix series With Love, Meghan was recently nominated for a Daytime Emmy, also had a few words of wisdom for the contestants as she acknowledged ‘there is a lot of pressure in this kitchen’.

‘I don’t like to cook that way, I like to cook in a really relaxed fashion,’ she said. ‘So, all I can say to the competitors was to just remember to have fun, to keep a sense of humour about it, and to cook from the heart.’

Meghan added that ‘food and cooking are how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family and my kids’ in another sweet nod to her and Prince Harry’s children. 

She told the contestants: ‘The hope is that you’ll really hone in on one [item] as your hero item. These are all things that, for me, feel really nostalgic. And I love if there’s a connection that you can find when, as you’re cooking something, you ask: what is the story behind it? It almost feels like an heirloom, right? What is something from your family or from a memory, something sentimental that we can also taste as we taste your dish?’

Meghan has said her love of good food and Australia were the two reasons she chose to be a guest judge on the country’s biggest cooking show.

‘What attracted me to the MasterChef Australia kitchen? Two things: my love of food and my love of Australia. It was an easy yes,’ she said in a press release announcing the broadcast date.

‘It’s such a great show. I’m just really honoured that I was asked to be here with you and to be able to judge some of these meals.’

Meghan earned a surprise Daytime Emmy nomination for her Netflix cooking series With Love, Meghan, eight years after she reportedly ‘politely turned down’ an invitation to the awards.

She launched the first series on the streaming platform in March 2025, alongside unveiling her lifestyle brand As Ever.

A second series and Christmas special followed, with the mother-of-two offering hosting tips and cooking lessons from a rented multimillion-dollar mansion near the Montecito home she shares with Harry.

This article includes discussions on suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial has been finalized, marking a significant step in the case of the Massachusetts mother charged with murdering her three children. Her defense argues that extreme postpartum psychosis drove her to the tragic acts within the family’s home.

This diverse jury, comprising 12 women and six men, was finalized in Plymouth Superior Court on Thursday, setting the stage for opening arguments to commence on Monday. The trial will primarily focus on determining Clancy’s legal liability for her actions rather than the fact that she caused the children’s deaths.

Clancy, once a labor and delivery nurse at the renowned Massachusetts General Hospital, maintains her innocence against charges of multiple counts of murder and strangulation. These relate to the deaths of her children: Cora, who was 5 years old, Dawson, aged 3, and Callan, just 8 months old.

Her attorneys do not dispute that she killed the children but plan to argue that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and lacked criminal responsibility. Prosecutors allege the killings were intentional and carefully planned.

“It is usually a hard battle to win,” criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor Donna Rotunno told News Media of the defense’s insanity bid. “But given the fact that she has such a documented history of treatment and going to doctors and being diagnosed and seeking out more treatment when she wasn’t doing well, I think she can lay the groundwork for it.”

Rotunno said Clancy’s attorneys are likely to emphasize that her condition allegedly continued to deteriorate even as she sought medical help.

“She continued to get worse. She continued to seek treatment,” Rotunno said, pointing to reports that Clancy discussed hearing voices and was prescribed several medications before the children’s deaths.

Clancy’s prior work as a nurse could cut both ways at trial. Prosecutors may argue that her medical background made her more capable of understanding her treatment and actions, but Rotunno said the defense could use the same fact to demonstrate the severity of her alleged psychosis.

“She was a nurse and still so out of it that she didn’t know she shouldn’t be taking all this stuff,” Rotunno said. “That, to me, doesn’t play into the intention on this. It’s the total opposite.”

Authorities said Patrick Clancy left the family’s Duxbury home on Jan. 24, 2023, to pick up takeout food and an item from a pharmacy.

While he was gone, prosecutors allege, Lindsay Clancy used exercise bands to strangle the children before jumping from a second-story window in an apparent suicide attempt.

The fall left her paralyzed, and she now uses a wheelchair.

Cora and Dawson were pronounced dead after being taken to a Plymouth hospital. Callan was flown to Boston Children’s Hospital and died several days later. The medical examiner determined that Cora and Dawson died from asphyxia and that Callan died from complications of asphyxia.

Clancy’s mental condition in the months and weeks before the killings are expected to become the central battleground at trial.

Her attorneys say she sought help repeatedly as she struggled with depression, sleeplessness, suicidal thoughts and voices urging her to harm herself and the children.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital weeks before the deaths and was prescribed several medications as providers attempted to treat her worsening symptoms.

According to lawsuits filed by Lindsay and Patrick Clancy against her medical providers, she heard a voice on the day of the killings telling her it was her “last chance” to kill the children and herself.

The lawsuits accuse her providers of failing to properly diagnose, treat and monitor a severe postpartum psychiatric condition.

Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan ruled Friday that the media and public may not record, display, reproduce or distribute Patrick Clancy’s initial 911 call or autopsy photographs of the children.

The ruling came after Patrick requested that the evidence be shielded by media dissemination.

Reporters may also describe what is heard or shown in court but cannot broadcast or publish the recording or images themselves, according to the two-page order.

The privacy dispute produced a heated courtroom exchange Thursday after the jury was seated.

Patrick Clancy asked Sullivan to limit the public and media’s ability to record, broadcast or distribute his initial 911 call, family and crime-scene photographs of the children, autopsy images and the clothing the children were wearing.

His attorney, David Meier, said the request was not intended to close the courtroom, prevent jurors from seeing the evidence or interfere with either side’s case. Instead, he argued that allowing the materials to circulate online would cause lasting emotional harm to Patrick Clancy.

Lindsay Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, supported Patrick’s request and accused prosecutors of planning to present the evidence in a manner designed to “inflame” the jury.

“Even though we’re in a court, let’s talk a little bit about humanity,” Reddington said. “Let’s talk a little bit about how we should try this case.”

Reddington said Patrick had suffered “one of the worst tragedies that anyone could ever suffer” and was attempting to rebuild his life.

“How that guy is still not an emotional basket case is beyond me. But nevertheless, he is trying hard to move on with his life. He has, as the court is aware, divorced. He’s remarried. He has a family. He has his extended family,” he said.

Reddington accused the prosecution of trying “to put a circus in front of this jury” and later called its approach “reprehensible.”

“The district attorney wants to put that guy on the witness stand and show little onesies with bodily fluid of his child?” he said.

Sullivan interrupted and reminded Reddington that the issue before the court was whether the media could record or distribute the evidence, rather than whether prosecutors could introduce it at trial.

Sprague began responding that the defense wanted to “rush past what happened to these children” and “whitewash away what happened,” but Sullivan cut off the exchange.

Reddington argued that calling one first responder after another would produce cumulative testimony intended primarily to stir jurors’ emotions.

“The Commonwealth did not choose the number of victims. The defendant did,” Sprague responded. “The Commonwealth did not choose the ages of the victims. The defendant did.”

Opening statements are scheduled for Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Sometimes, opting for the stairs might just be the safer bet!

In Queens, inhabitants of a particular rental complex are voicing concerns over the elevators, which they describe as not only frightening but also cacophonous, an ongoing issue spanning a decade. Just last month, residents experienced being trapped inside these precarious lifts three separate times.

These glitches plague two rent-stabilized, budget-friendly buildings at Hunter’s Point South in Long Island City. There are merely nine elevators serving nearly 1,000 apartment units, and locals report that these elevators frequently malfunction, occasionally lacking air conditioning or functional intercoms.

The misadventures with these elevators have become so routine that getting stuck is almost considered “a rite of passage,” according to Matt Aaron, a leader of the tenant association who has called this place home since 2018.

“If you’re stuck, too bad,” remarked the 37-year-old Aaron, noting the disturbing fact that the emergency call button doesn’t always connect residents to the help desk in times of need.

“The management said they are monitoring the cameras … but the front desk staff has to attend to other duties,” he added.

“When there is a problem, they don’t take us seriously.”

Two of the nine long-plagued elevators finally received an upgrade last month after a cable snapped and trapped a woman and child between floors in 2024 — but even the upgraded cars have since trapped other victims, tenants said.

“None of the elevator buttons worked,” said one resident, who said she was trapped in an upgraded elevator on June 14.

She was able to use the call button to call the front desk — which allegedly alerted the elevator company before the FDNY.

“Eventually they got no response from the elevator company — makes sense, it was 11 p.m. — so they called the FDNY, and they broke me out a few minutes later,” she said.

Several residents lamented to The Post about recurring outages, leaving some lifts to only stop at certain floors. They are routinely out of service altogether, residents said.

“One of the elevators, for a good couple weeks, was literally dropping, like a bungee cord,” resident Chris Szeles said.

Szeles, 56, said she was stuck for more than an hour when the problems began 10 years ago — and now she and her husband try to avoid taking the elevators.

“My husband takes the stairs when he can now, 29 flights,” she said. “He’ll be 60 next month. I have a bad knee.”

A request for comment from the building’s management, Related Companies, was not immediately returned.

A previous tenant of the building, who moved out in 2015, said her apartment shared a wall with the elevator — and that she was kept awake by vibrations and the sound of “clinking, clanking, screws turning.”

Department of Buildings inspectors have issued at least four elevator-related violations to the development, including one as recently as April.

Residents said the perennial problem has led to late after-school pickups, 3 a.m. laundry runs and wait times of up to 45 minutes for elevators to arrive.

Aaron noted that, when the elevators are late during the morning rush, tenants must often shell out on pricey Ubers to work — and during outages, the complex’s elderly and disabled tenants are left stranded.

Longtime resident Frank Llewellyn, 77, a campaign treasurer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said he had to walk up to the sixth floor with “bad knees” when all elevators that went to his floor were down.

“It took me about 35 minutes,” he said, “because I do them one step at a time.” 

“For people who are disabled, elevators are their lifeline,” Aaron said.

Related, which received subsidies from the city for the development, stayed silent on the issue for years until the elevator cable snapped in 2024, the tenant leader said.

Residents held a media rally soon after to advocate for the much-needed repairs, and the announced upgrades this summer served as a beacon of hope — until the most recent string of outages renewed their concerns.

“When you get in these elevators, it’s sad to say, you make sure you go to the bathroom because you don’t know how long it will take,” Aaron said.

A youth pastor from Florida faces serious charges following an incident where authorities allege he was driving under the influence at a staggering speed of 104mph, resulting in a crash that took the life of his daughter. 

The pastor, 38-year-old Joel Leiniz, was taken into custody on July 19, nearly half a year after the tragic death of his eight-year-old daughter, Zoe, in West Palm Beach.

Court documents reveal that on January 17, Leiniz was behind the wheel of a 2017 Audi Q7, carrying his three children, when he collided with a concrete pole just before 10pm, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The pastor recounted to police that his family was en route from a church concert to a Mexican restaurant on the evening of the crash.

Leiniz reported that while attempting a lane change, an unexpected vehicle suddenly emerged in his path, prompting him to swerve. He lost control and hit the pole, resulting in the vehicle catching fire.

‘He did not recall how fast he was driving or what the speed limit was, but did not think he was speeding because he had kids in the car,’ the probable cause affidavit said.

The family of four was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and Zoe was pronounced dead as a result of injuries she sustained in the collision.

The vehicle’s event data recorder showed the car was speeding at 104mph in a 40mph zone about five seconds before the crash, according to the affidavit.

At the hospital, testing showed Leiniz had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.083, which is slightly above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08, according to the affidavit.

Additional toxicology reports led investigators to determine that Leiniz was impaired at the time of the collision.

Leiniz was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence manslaughter.

At his court appearance on Monday, Leiniz’s attorney pleaded with the judge for a reasonable bond because he is a newly-widowed single father, CBS 12 reported.

‘Mr. Leiniz is a grieving newly-widowed father in addition to the devastating family tragedy that happened at the time of the accident,’ his lawyer, Anthony Genova, said.

‘You see less than a year before this terrible crash, his young wife died a slow death of cancer and he was the sole caretaker, which depleted his savings.’

Leiniz’s wife, Sasha Leiniz, died on January 26, 2025, according to a GoFundMe for her daughters. The couple shared three children, Esperanza, Zoe and Izabel.

Leiniz also told the judge he resigned from his job in January to spend more time with his family.

His LinkedIn profile describes him as a youth pastor and stated that he works as a ministry director at New Covenant Church.

Leiniz pleaded not guilty and was released on Monday after posting a $150,000 bond, Palm Beach County Jail records show. His next court date has not been listed.

A GoFundMe was also set up for the family after the crash.

‘As they continue to heal both physically and emotionally they are also grieving the unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter, Zoe,’ the fundraiser said.

‘There are no words that can fully capture the depth of this sorrow, yet we trust that God is near to them in this season of heartbreak.’

The Daily Mail contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Leiniz’s attorney and New Covenant Church for comment.

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago area is bracing for rising temperatures once again, accompanied by the potential for severe storms forecasted to hit on Monday morning.

Meteorologists have placed Chicago under a Level 2 risk for severe weather on Monday morning, indicating a significant possibility of intense conditions.

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According to ABC7 Accuweather Meteorologists Jaisol Martinez and Greg Dutra, while severe storms may occur late Sunday night, they could potentially veer south to southwest of the city.

With ongoing heat and humidity, another series of severe storms may develop and impact the area between 6 and 11 a.m. on Monday.

Once the skies clear in the afternoon, there’s still a possibility that more storms could roll in by Monday evening.

Strong winds are the main concern for both rounds of storms.

Highs Sunday were in the 90s, with a heat index values around 100.

How to stay cool in Chicago area amid rising temperatures this summer: LIST

Monday will also be hot, with a heat index value near 105. Heat indices in spots that clear out, such as LaSalle, Grundy, Will, and DuPage counties, will likely spike into the triple digits during the break between storms.

On Sunday, warm temperatures drew large crowds to festivals and events across Chicago, with many attendees embracing what they described as the height of summertime in the city.

Fiesta Del Sol in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood attracted large crowds as people looked for ways to stay cool in the heat.

“It’s super crowded but lots of fun. Everyone looks like they’re enjoying themselves and we’re all a little hot, but that’s ok everyone’s hot and everyone’s being cool about it,” Denedjah and Makayla said.

Others welcomed the weather.

“We’re feeling good we’re just enjoying the nice weather,” said Demeka Akins.

Some visitors from out of state said they were still adjusting to Chicago’s humidity.

“It’s a little warm for sure. I’m from Arizona so this is keeping up, but the humidity is getting to me,” said Roman Avalos, who was visiting from Arizona.

The warm weather also did not stop 41 youth baseball teams from taking the field in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood. A tournament held there raised more than $500,000 for children and families impacted by diabetes.

Participants and spectators focused on staying cool while enjoying the community atmosphere.

“For me, it feels good. I’m not playing, I’m just watching and coaching but overall good day and it’s better than playing in 40 degrees and wind,” said AJ Fuller, a coach with Top Tier.

Parents said keeping players hydrated was a priority throughout the day.

“Keeping them hydrated with Gatorade, water and spraying them down. They’re kids when you’re a kid you make it happen,” said Ernesto Vargas, a parent. “All the families are here for the kids, and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Despite the heat and humidity, attendees at both events said they were enjoying the weather and the opportunity to spend time with their communities outdoors.

A reminder during this heat: community cooling centers are open.

You can also cool off at Chicago Park District facilities, public libraries and police stations.

Seniors are welcome at any city senior center.

To request a well-being check, call 3-1-1.

Cooling centers are also open across the suburbs.

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In a fierce rebuttal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed critiques of the World Cup, charging detractors with spreading negativity and untruths. He lauded the tournament as a triumph that epitomized global unity, safety, and inclusivity.

Infantino, 56, conveyed his sentiments in an open letter on Monday, asserting that skeptics have overlooked the joy and camaraderie that the event brought to millions worldwide. This edition of the World Cup, clinched by Spain, took place across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“Your focus has been so fixated on hate and criticism that you’ve missed the bigger picture,” he remarked.

Directing his words at those disseminating critiques from behind screens and print, Infantino stated, “While you’re ensconced in your negativity, we at FIFA are actively on the ground, ensuring the successful execution of the greatest show on earth.”

He underscored the event’s peaceful nature, proclaiming, “We witnessed no violence, no incidents. It was 100% secure, brimming with joy and happiness!”

FIFA faced criticism ​over a number of issues during the tournament, including debate over US visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials from several countries and concerns involving teams from conflict-hit regions.

Infantino’s letter also followed scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case, a decision to suspend the automatic ​one-match ban imposed on him after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina following the intervention of US President ​Donald Trump.

Officiating decisions in Argentina’s match against Egypt also generated widespread debate among fans and pundits.

Though Infantino did not refer to specific cases, ‌he argued ⁠that many of the refereeing and disciplinary decisions criticised during the tournament were commonplace in various competitions worldwide.

“Potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,” he added.

“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticizing.”

VISA ​CONTROVERSIES

Infantino pointed to the participation ​of countries facing political ⁠tensions, domestic crisis and domestic health challenges as evidence of football’s ability to transcend divisions.

While Iran’s participation came against the backdrop of conflict with the US, issues surrounding Haiti’s domestic ​crisis and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo also drew attention ​to visa and ⁠travel restrictions.

Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering the US despite having a valid visa.

“Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about ⁠politics,” he ​said.

“Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.

“When ​football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens ​and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played.”

The tragic discovery of a college soccer star, who had recently celebrated her engagement, has left friends in mourning after her body was found on a Californian beach.

Bryn Waite, 26, was found lifeless in the waters of La Jolla Shores Beach by a passerby on Wednesday morning, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Officials confirmed that Waite, who had played Division 2 women’s soccer at Central Washington University between 2018 and 2019, was deceased upon discovery.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has classified the investigation as a ‘Non Homicide’ case, but the exact circumstances surrounding her death are still unknown.

The heartbreaking incident follows a mere month after Waite joyously announced her engagement to her fiancé, as documented on her Instagram.

She shared a series of selfies alongside her fiancé on June 15 with the caption ‘He Promises’. 

The images showed the two of them smiling side-by-side as Waite showed off her large blue stone ring. 

Waite, who lived in San Diego, was originally from Anchorage, Alaska, public records show. 

A friend described her as a ‘beautiful spirit’ to the California Post.  

‘I only met Bryn a couple of times, but each time she was incredibly sweet, genuinely kind, and had such a beautiful spirit,’ they told the Post. 

Just a week before she died, Waite posted an image of her driving on an open road with the caption ‘It only gets better’. 

Another friend told the outlet they just saw Waite last week and that she ‘loved animals and the beach’.

‘She was kind and sweet. She listened and loved. She is leaving behind friends and family that will miss her dearly,’ they shared. 

Waite appeared to love to travel, listen to music, and be with friends. 

She had just recently attended the San Diego County Fair, according to an Instagram post she shared on July 10. 

Her page is also full of images of her posing in front of breathtaking mountain views in Alaska and California. 

Waite, who played defender for her school’s soccer team, took part in 15 soccer games over the course of her sporting career, according to her online profile. 

The first friend said they will remember Waite for her ‘warmth’ and how much she cared for others. 

‘It’s clear that the light she carried touched so many lives, and I feel grateful to have crossed paths with her, even briefly. 

‘She will be deeply missed, and I will continue to pray for everyone who loved her, especially her fiancé, as they navigate this heartbreaking loss,’ they said. 

The Daily Mail reached out to the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Central Washington University for comment. 

La Jolla Shores Beach earned the title of the number one beach in the US by TripAdvisor this year. 

It is known for its stunning coastal views, blue waters, and is also a popular spot where sea lions hang out.