dolphins

SACRAMENTO — Senior Ayla Teegardin of Palisades held her head high on Saturday morning. A 51-37 loss to Yuba City Faith Christian in the state Division IV girls basketball final at Golden 1 Center couldn’t lessen the inspiring backstory of how she and her Dolphin teammates had already won by making it to the final despite all the trial and tribulations of the Palisades Fire that destroyed a community in January 2025.

Teegardin lost her home, spent three months in a hotel and battled to regain her teenage life.

“I struggled with a lot of anxiety coming into games,” she recalled.

Basketball and teammates kept her focused. This season has been another challenging time with practices at night and at middle schools until the high school gym was finally re-opened at the end of January.

“That traumatic situation has brought everyone closer,” first-year coach Lebre Merritt said.

On Saturday, Palisades (16-14) fought Faith Christian (34-1) to almost a draw at halftime, trailing 29-26. But the Dolphins scored only 11 points in the second half and had no answer for Long Beach State-bound Lauren Harris, who came in as the nation’s career three-point scoring leader while averaging 31.2 points this season. She finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. She made a half-court shot at the end of the first quarter.

Elly Tierney of Palisades did her best on offense with 15 points and six rebounds. Teegardin finished with three points and six rebounds. Only three players scored the entire game for Faith Christian.

The Dolphins outrebounded Faith Christian 43-33 but made only 15 of 63 shots.

NFL free agency is here!

Well, kind of.

The league’s so-called legal tampering period begins Monday at 9 a.m. PT, when teams are allowed to start negotiating with the agents for players who are about to become unrestricted free agents. No contracts can actually be signed, however, until the the start of the new NFL league year, which is Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT.

So, basically, fans will start finding out what moves their teams make and where various players will land starting Monday morning.

Hours before the legal tampering period started, the Miami Dolphins announced they will release longtime quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The 2023 All Star will count $99 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap, the biggest dead cap hit in NFL history. The money can be split over the next two seasons if Tagovailoa is designated a post-June 1 release.

In six years with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa went 44-32 as a starter, completing 68% of his passes for 18,166 yards with 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023.

“Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” Tagovailoa wrote Monday on Instagram, adding: “I also carry deep regret that I couldn’t get the job done and bring a championship home to this city. Miami deserves that, and I’ll always wish I could have delivered it for you.”

Who are some of the other big names in the free agency market? As far as quarterbacks are concerned, Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis could be a hot commodity. Daniel Jones is a free agent after a strong season with Indianapolis, although the Colts placed the transition tag on him and can match any offer.

Veteran quarterback Kyler Murray was informed by the Arizona Cardinals last week that they will be letting him go at the start of the new league year. The Atlanta Falcons have made a similar announcement regarding Kirk Cousins. Other available veteran quarterbacks include Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and Marcus Mariota.

Teams in need of a running back might be interested in the services of Kenneth Walker III, who will be a free agent just weeks after he was named Super Bowl LX MVP as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Travis Etienne of the Jacksonville Jaguars could also find a new home.

This also seems to be a big year for free agent edge rushers (including Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Boye Mafe) and wide receivers (including Alec Pierce, Mike Evans, Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed and Jauan Jennings).

Check back here for updates as teams begin making moves.

The Chargers bolstered their efforts to protect quarterback Justin Herbert all while diversifying their offense by agreeing to terms with veteran fullback Alec Ingold on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

Ingold’s deal with the Chargers reportedly is for two years and $7.5 million.

Ingold will be no stranger to the Chargers’ plans on offense. He played the last four seasons in Miami under coach Mike McDaniel, the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator. Last year he caught eight passes for 52 yards and ran the ball twice in 17 games.

Ingold caught 47 passes for 372 yards and rushed for 34 yards in 20 carries in four seasons with the Dolphins. He also had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown.

Before his time in Miami, Ingold played three seasons with the Raiders.

The deal comes two days after the Chargers signed veteran center Tyler Biadasz to take over over for the retiring Bradley Bozeman. They agreed to terms on a one-year deal with edge rusher Khalil Mack on Saturday.

With the free agency negotiation period set to begin Monday at 9 a.m. PDT, the Chargers remain in strong position to be significant players in the free-agent market. They rank among the top-five teams in salary cap space, per Overthecap.com.

The Northumberland islands are a haven for wildlife with 43,000 pairs of puffins, Atlantic grey seals, dolphins and over 200,000 breeding seabirds

A stunning collection of UK islands are Sir David Attenborough’s ‘favourite’ destinations for observing wildlife in Britain, boasting around 23 bird species, seals and dolphins.

Located off the Northumberland coast are the Farne Islands, a leading wildlife sanctuary amidst some of the most spectacular landscapes. Their isolated position means they’re only reachable by a boat trip leaving from Seahouses harbour, which is roughly an hour’s drive from Newcastle, yet what lies in wait is certainly worth the journey.

The group of islands are a sanctuary for wildlife and is home to a substantial colony of Atlantic grey seals, along with adorable white seal pups. There will seldom be a moment when tourists won’t be able to see their bobbing heads appearing above the water, or photograph the marine mammals during a stroll around some of the larger islands with lighthouses and vantage points.

Dolphins have even been known to be seen amongst the lapping waves. Taking centre stage during the warmer months are the 43,000 pairs of breeding Puffins that inhabit the rugged cliffs.

The Farne Islands are one of the finest locations to observe the colourful birds that breed in large colonies atop coastal cliffs or at offshore islands across the North Atlantic. During the beginning of summer, around 200,000 breeding seabirds, including Arctic terns, guillemots, eider ducks, razorbills and cormorants, can be spotted amongst the UK islands, reports the Express.

It’s a haven for keen birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, or anyone wanting to marvel at the wonders of this remarkable wildlife, which is difficult to encounter elsewhere. It’s received such acclaim that broadcaster, writer, and naturalist Sir David Attenborough himself named the Farne Islands as one of his ‘favourite places’ for wildlife in the UK, and he highlighted the islands during his BBC series, Wild Isles.

Experts at Arbtech also listed the Farne Islands amongst the finest UK destinations to observe wildlife this year, owing to its ‘internationally significant breeding colony of seabirds and Atlantic grey seals’. The group of islands provides a unique opportunity to witness the UK’s most flourishing wildlife population, which has declined by 19 per cent since 1970, as Arbtech highlighted.

It’s advised that the optimal time to visit the islands is between mid-April to late July, especially if you’re hoping to catch sight of the seabird colony. Boat excursions are available to book that set off from the harbour at Seahouses in north east Northumberland, to cruise around the Farne Islands in a truly spectacular experience.

Some of the boat trips on offer to book at Seahouses harbour include Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Billy Shiel Boat Trips, and the Golden Gate Farne Island Tours. They all depart daily during weekends and throughout the summer months, but it’s advisable to check availability directly with the operator.

The other top locations in the UK to observe wildlife, as identified by Arbtech, include:.

A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “We want to put the spotlight on these incredible wildlife spots to showcase just how important conservation projects are, and how nature can thrive in this country when it’s protected.

“Our survey shows that the majority of Brits do care about the decline of wildlife, but many may not know what they can do to help. Supporting local conservation efforts or even making small changes at home can make a real difference.

“Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is a powerful reminder of what we have to lose if we don’t act now, and could inspire people to take steps to protect species for future generations.”

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When the horn sounded to end Friday night’s City Section Open Division boys’ basketball final, the first person OJ and EJ Popoola wanted to hug was their father, Chris.

Thirty years ago, he transferred from Westchester to Palisades to help the Dolphins reach the 4A semifinals. In June, his twin sons transferred to his alma mater from a Detroit prep school with hopes of making their papa proud and lifting the town’s spirit.

Mission accomplished.

OJ scored 19 and EJ added 17 as the Dolphins used tenacious defense, a three-point barrage and a relentless transition attack to overwhelm Cleveland, 75-56, at L.A. Southwest College.

Jack Levey made five three-pointers, raising his season total to 108, and Phil Reed had 13 points.

“This means everything,” OJ Popoola said. “Since the first day we came here this is what we wanted to do, bring joy back to the community.”

“We’re coming back next year to defend the title,” EJ Popoola added. “My dad’s team came up short but we finished the job.”

Playing the final at a neutral site was nothing new for a squad that did not play in its own gym for 42 straight games — a span of 388 days — in the aftermath of the Palisades fire last year.

“We accomplished two goals, winning league and City,” second-year coach Jeff Bryant said. “Now state is the third goal.”

Palisades (20-11) was in command from the start. OJ Popoola swished a three-pointer from the corner, Reed got a steal and scored on a layup, and Levey passed to OJ Popoola for a dunk, making it 7-0 after only 55 seconds. The Dolphins stretched the lead to 25-8 by the end of the first quarter and the margin was 19 by halftime.

Both teams lost in the Open Division semifinals last winter and were the preseason favorites to play for the title. They were awarded the top seeds in the eight-team bracket after each finished first in its league.

The Dolphins staked their claim as the best team in the City for the first time since 1969, when Palisades routed Reseda 85-57 in the final at Pauley Pavilion under the program’s first coach, Jerry Marvin, to finish the season 21-1 when there was only one playoff division. Leading that team was forward Chris Marlowe, who was named MVP after netting 29 points in the title game. He went on to captain the U.S. Olympic volleyball team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Since it opened in 1961, Palisades has been the crown jewel of the City Section, claiming more than 260 titles across all sports (more than twice as many as the next-closest school), but this is only the third in boys’ basketball.

Palisades captured the Division I crown six years ago under former coach Donzell Hayes, who was a teammate of Chris Popoola on the Dolphins’ 1995-96 team that fell in overtime to Crenshaw (coached by the legendary Willie West) in the 4A semifinals.

“My team was one game away but these kids completed the circle,” Chris Popoola said, then referenced a famous Dolphins alum. “I hope Steve Kerr was watching.”

Sophomore guard Charlie Adams, who scored 24 points in the Cavaliers’ 68-64 overtime win against Fairfax in the semifinals, was limited to 13 — part of Bryant’s pregame plan.

Sergine Deme scored 19 points and had five dunks, and TJ Wansa added 11 points for No. 2 Cleveland (20-10), which was seeking its first championship since back-to-back 3A titles under Greg Herrick in 1981 and 1982.

No City opponent came closer than 15 points against Palisades, which now waits to see what division it will play in for the state playoffs.

“We’re not done,” OJ Popoola said.

“We can compete with anyone,” EJ added.

A popular sun-drenched and culturally rich country has topped the poll as the place to book for Brits heading on holiday this year – but have you been?

As Brits look towards booking some summer sunshine, the UK’s top trending destination has been revealed – and it’s a sun-drenched country steeped in history just a four-hour plane ride away.

Tour operator Riviera Travel has compared bookings for January and February 2026 to last year’s and discovered the fastest-growing destination has had a 310% increase in demand.

The figures show travellers are increasingly looking beyond typical European destinations and spreading their net to the Middle East and even as far as Southeast Asia. The location with the biggest surge in demand for 2026 is Egypt.

In addition to Egypt’s mostly dry weather that sports lots of sunshine and very little rain, as one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the country has a wealth of unparalleled history.

The Ancient Egyptian civilisation – with a history spanning close to 3,000 years – left a compelling legacy in the many monuments that have stood the test of time. From the mighty pyramids to the impressive temples, sacred chambers, and treasure-filled tombs, there is an abundance of world-famous attractions for travellers to visit.

Many people take the opportunity to cruise down the world-famous Nile while holidaying in Egypt and Will Sarson, travel expert at Riviera Travel, explained why that was proving so popular for holiday makers in 2026.

He said: “Egypt’s 310% surge in interest reflects the timeless draw of the Nile, where travelling by river offers a uniquely immersive way to experience one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Ancient temples, riverside villages and fertile banks unfold gradually, creating a powerful sense of continuity between past and present.

“Time along the Nile allows for deep exploration of monumental sites such as Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, balanced with quieter moments watching daily life along the water. The experience feels both awe-inspiring and surprisingly intimate, with history never far from view.”

The best time to visit the country is between October and April when the daytime temperatures are comfortable, and the nighttime temperatures are cool. The coolest month is January and the hottest are from June to August.

For those wanting to experience some sand and sea as well as some culture, Egypt’s beaches offer something for every kind of traveller. From the snorkel-friendly water in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh to the wildlife-rich bays of Marsa Alam, Egypt’s Red Sea coast lines up some of the country’s best beaches.

Those deciding to visit and stay in one place often travel to the tourist-friendly region of Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, which offer a wide array of child-friendly attractions and hotels.

The Mirror’s Jess Phillips was recently blown away by a visit to Egypt. “I genuinely feel as though I discovered one of Egypt’s best-kept secrets after jetting off from London Gatwick on a direct TUI flight to Marsa Alam International – the country’s first privately owned and operated international airport, which opened in 2003,” she wrote.

“Marsa Alam is a burgeoning coastal resort catering to tourists from around the world. The area is still actively developing – though that definitely doesn’t mean it’s lacking in things to do – and offers the best of both worlds: incredible beaches, perfect blue water, and the more traditional Egyptian desert experiences.”

Check out her full story here.