Comment on Raul Castro leaves Cuba with new freedoms, deep problems

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Friday 121-111 victory over the Toronto Raptors: — With 7:10 to play in the third quarter, it was as if Heat center Bam Adebayo said enough was enough. — As he did Wednesday night in Charlotte, with his assists-rebounds double-double, he again was filling those columns to the stage. — But, all the while, Raptors center Jacob Poeltl was filling the scoring column. — So with that 7:10 to play in the third, Adebayo made clear he would not be denied, a straight line drive down the middle for a dunk. — Shortly after he had converted a 3-pointer. — Because there is not a lot of math where the Heat win when Adebayo is being significantly outscored by Poeltl, even if that proved to be the case Friday. — It has been nearly a quarter of a season now wondering what’s wrong with Adebayo’s offense. — How everything in that facet just looks off with the Heat center. — Until that is fully addressed and rectified, mediocrity likely could remain the Heat’s way. — But he stayed with it Friday night. — He found a way to make a difference. — On the Olympic team that won gold in Paris this summer, all that was needed was a complementary player. — With the Heat, there has to be more from Adebayo. — More moments like that dunk. — Moments more like this triple-double. — The Heat opened for a fifth consecutive game with a lineup of Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith, Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro. — Entering 3-1 with that lineup. — That made it the third consecutive game of Terry Rozier playing as a reserve, after playing as a starter until a two-game absence due to foot soreness. — “He’s a competitor, and he’s a winner,” coach Erik Spoelstra said pregame of Rozier.

MIAMI — Are the Miami Heat the NBA’s version of the Miami Dolphins? For at least one more game, the Heat certainly would be willing to follow on that track. Showing an ability to look closer to their best against second-tier opposition, the Heat for the second consecutive game pushed aside a team at the bottom of the standings, this time following up Wednesday night’s road victory over the Charlotte Hornets with a 121-111 victory Friday night against the Toronto Raptors at Kaseya Center. Up next for the Heat?

Regional finals Friday 7A Miami Columbus 27, Western 25 6A West Boca Raton 17, Wiregrass Ranch 0 Miami Southridge 55, West Broward 21 5A St. Thomas Aquinas 49, Atlantic 42 (2OT) 4A American Heritage 35, Miami Norland 14 1A Cardinal Newman 27, Naples First Baptist 9 Chaminade-Madonna 49, Miami Edison 6 State semifinals Friday 6A West Boca Raton vs. TBA 5A St. Thomas Aquinas vs. TBA 4A American Heritage vs. TBA 1A Cardinal Newman vs.

By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents breached Syria’s largest city Friday and clashed with government forces for the first time since 2016, according to a war monitor and fighters, in a surprise attack that sent residents fleeing and added fresh uncertainty to a region reeling from multiple wars. The advance on Aleppo followed a shock offensive launched by insurgents Wednesday, as thousands of fighters swept through villages and towns in Syria’s northwestern countryside.

By BRIAN MELLEY and PAN PYLAS, Associated Press LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers gave initial approval on Friday to a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales, following an impassioned debate that saw people sharing personal stories of loss and suffering. Members of Parliament approved the assisted dying bill by a 330-275 vote, signaling their approval in principle for the bill, which will undergo further scrutiny before it goes to a final vote. Friday’s vote came after hours of debate — emotional at times — that touched on issues of ethics, faith and law.

By BOB SUTTON RALEIGH, N. C. — A. J. Greer and Anton Lundell scored 4:10 apart in the third period helping the Florida Panthers recover after squandering a two-goal lead to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Friday. Lundell, who also had an assist, notched the Panthers’ league-leading seventh short-handed goal this season. A nine-game home-ice winning streak ended for the Hurricanes. Jesper Boqvist, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett, with an empty-net tally, also scored for Florida, which won its second consecutive game after a four-game losing streak.