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Today is Monday, March 9, the 68th day of 2026. There are 297 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On March 9, 1959, the Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

Also on this date:

In 1796, the future emperor of the French, Napoleon Bonaparte, married Josephine de Beauharnais.

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In 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. The Amistad, ruled 7-1 in favor of a group of illegally enslaved Africans who were captured off the U.S. coast after seizing control of a Spanish schooner, La Amistad. The justices ruled that the Africans should be set free.

In 1862, during the American Civil War, the ironclad warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimac) clashed for five hours to a draw at Hampton Roads, Virginia. The first engagement of ironclad warships opened a new era in naval warfare.

In 1916, more than 400 Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 Americans.

In 1945, during World War II, over 300 U.S. B-29 bombers began Operation Meetinghouse, a massive firebombing raid on Tokyo. The raid killed an estimated 100,000 civilians, left 1 million homeless and destroyed 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of the city.

In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court, in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, raised the standard for public officials to prove they’d been libeled in their official capacity by news organizations.

In 1997, rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) was killed in a still-unsolved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles at age 24.

In 2022, a Russian airstrike devastated a maternity hospital in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, killing four people and wounding at least 17.

Today’s birthdays:

• Singer Jeffrey Osborne is 78.
• Actor Juliette Binoche is 62.
• Actor Emmanuel Lewis is 55.
• Actor Oscar Isaac is 47.
• Comedian Jordan Klepper (TV: “The Daily Show”) is 47.
• Rapper Chingy is 46.
• Actor Matthew Gray Gubler is 46.
• Retired soccer player Clint Dempsey is 43.
• Olympic skiing gold medalist Julia Mancuso is 42.
• Actor Brittany Snow is 40.
• Rapper Bow Wow is 39.
• Rapper YG is 36.
• Social media personality Khaby Lame is 26.
• Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Sunisa Lee is 23.

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 121-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons:

– Heading into the All-Star break, the concern was home for Heat didn’t mean heightened hope.

– That’s when the Heat not only lost three of their four home games before the break, but lost them to the likes of the Bulls, Hawks and Jazz.

– The concern was the current ongoing stretch of home games might not necessarily be optimized.

– Now?

– Concerns allayed.

– A five-game home winning streak,

– A 21-11 home record.

– Sunday’s game opened a four-game homestand, with matchups to follow every other day against the Wizards, Bucks and Magic.

– “We’ve known for all season long how important it is to establish a home spirit and a feeling,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You don’t want this to be a place where people want to arrive. And I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that.”

– He added, “But more importantly, it’s just the opportunities as competitors. These games have a little bit more context to them. And that’s what you have to love about this time of year.”

– Of the Heat’s remaining many of the toughest perceived challenges will come at home, including games against the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics.

– As well as key seeding games against the Magic, 76ers and Hawks.

– Nothing would mean more for the Heat than a constant chorus of Pepas

– With Norman Powell (groin) and Andrew Wiggins (toe)  still out, the Heat for a second consecutive game opened with Bam Adebayo,  Pelle Larsson, Myron Gardner, Davion Mitchell and Tyler Herro.

– It was Gardner’s sixth start, with the Heat entering 3-2 when he starts.

– The Pistons opened with a lineup of Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser.

– Gardner was called for two early fouls, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware then entering together first off the Heat bench.

– Kasparas Jakucionis then entered, as Adebayo returned to play alongside Ware.

– Dru Smith followed, for nine deep.

– It was the 100th regular-season appearance for Smith.

– With his first steal, Herro moved past Keith Askins for 19th place on the Heat all-time list.

–  Mitchell’s third assist gave him a single-season high for his career.

– While Wiggins still is limited by knee tendinitis, the formal reason for his second consecutive absence was an inflamed left big toe.

– “We’ll just treat it,” Spoelstra said. “Every injury is different, so he’s dealing with both things right now that we think we can clear up in the short term. And we’ll just see. He’s getting a lot of treatment, so that’s definitely helping and he’s making some progress.”

Related Articles

• Another statement win for Heat in dismantling Detroit 121-110 behind Herro, Adebayo
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• Ira Winderman: Adjacent impact of tanking could pollute Heat’s playoff chase

– As for Powell entering his second week of being out with a strained right groin, Spoelstra said, “I think he’s been able to do a little bit more. He’s definitely been able to do more, So, again, I think we shut him down at a responsible time to be able to try to fast track this. But I don’t have an update on his timeline. But he definitely is doing more.”

– Going in, there was ample credit to the Pistons from their rise from just two years ago being in the ashes.

– “It’s a credit to the coaching staff there,” Spoelstra said. “They built a culture very quickly. And the young players that they’ve had that were around two years ago have really used that as fuel and motivation.”

– Spoelstra added, “But it’s hard to win in this league in general. It’s even more of a challenge to win when you have a lot of young players. But I think Cunningham and Duren are wired a little bit differently than most young players. And they defend.They’re always going to have a chance in games the way they defend.”

– The Pistons entered on their first three-game losing streak of the season.

– “The best part of this group is we continue to grow, we continue to learn, and it’s all part of the process for us,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.

– He added, “We still feel like we haven’t reached our ceiling yet.”

MIAMI — The sizzle also has substance.

Not only is it now eight wins in the last 10 games for the Heat, but with ample quality wins to add substance to the surge.

Sunday night it was a rousing 121-110 decision over the East-leading Detroit Pistons to follow up Friday night’s victory in Charlotte over the streaking Hornets and last weekend’s home victory over the West-contending Houston Rockets.

Shorthanded yet again, the Heat still remained in a comfort zone as they extended their winning streak to five, consistently a step ahead of the Pistons.

So even with Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins among those out for Erik Spoelstra’s team, the push for something better than a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in round continued, moving to 36-29, the first time seven games above .500 since the 14-7 start to the season.

“You can sense that our locker room is trying to seize the moment right now,” Spoelstra said. “We’re having a lot of fun competing with each other and playing to a consistent identity on both ends.”

As has been the case amid the injury absences, it was the franchise mainstays leading the way, with Tyler Herro scoring 26 and Bam Adebayo 24. There also were 19 points from sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr., who also had seven assists and five rebounds.

‘I mean, we’ve been saying it for years, man. We can beat anybody,” Herro said. “We can also lose to anybody. So just continue to stack good days.”

The Pistons, who were lacking sidelined former Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest standout Ausar Thompson, got 26 points from Cade Cunningham and 24 from fellow All-Star Jalen Duren, as their season-worst losing streak reached four.

“The guys are getting confidence,” Spoelstra said.

And Ws.

“I feel like a different team coming into this second half of the season,” Adebayo said.

Five Degrees of Heat from Sunday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 34-16 after the first quarter, ending the period on an 11-1 run ,with Detroit 1 of 9 on 3s over the 12 minutes..

The Heat then pushed their lead to 24 in the second period, which, to that stage, was Detroit’s largest first-half deficit of the season. The lead in the first half reached 25, before the Heat went into the intermission up 67-58.

The Heat extended their lead to 27 in the third period, before going into the fourth up 103-80.

Detroit then pulled its starters with 4:30 to play, down 119-97 at that stage.

“We have our motivations, what we’re trying to do,” Spoelstra said of the bid to push up the standings.

2. Short but set: With Powell (groin)  and Wiggins (toe) out, and with the Heat also without Nikola Jovic (back) and Simone Fontecchio (groin), Spoelstra seemed to find a comfort zone by essentially only having nine players available for his rotation.

So that again had Myron Gardner as a placeholder in the starting lineup alongside Adebayo, Herro, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson, with an ease of then rotating in Jaquez, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and Dru Smith.

Ware and Jakucionis each added 12 points off the bench, with Larsson scoring 10.

Related Articles

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• The numbers remain undeniable when it comes to Heat’s Bam boost; Wiggins again out
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• Kel’el as closer latest twist in Heat’s recent revival; Powell out, Wiggins questionable
• Ira Winderman: Adjacent impact of tanking could pollute Heat’s playoff chase

3. Adebayo again: It was yet another milestone night for Adebayo.

A week after moving past Udonis Haslem for the franchise all-time lead in defensive rebounds, this time with his 23rd point, he joined Dwyane Wade as the only players in the franchise’s 38 seasons with 10,000 career Heat points

“He came in not known necessarily as a scorer,” Spoelstra said of the 2017 first-round pick. “He’s worked and willed himself into that. And for this particular team, his scoring is really important.”

So, now, 10,000.

“It means a lot,” Adebayo said with a smile, “coming from someone who got drafted to play defense.

“But it just shows the growth of my game. Obviously this organization believes in me. I’ve been here that long to where I can get 10K with the same team.”

Adebayo rounded out his stat line with nine rebounds and six assists.

4. Comeback story: Herro continues to inspire with his offense in his return from a month off due to a rib injury.

During the initial stages of what now is a nine-game return, the concern was a slow-arriving 3-point comfort zone.

This time, after shooting 8 of 10 on 3-pointers in Friday night’s victory in Charlotte, Herro closed 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, with a pair in the third period that effectively ended any Detroit comeback hopes.

“I was without the game for a while,” Herro said, “and to be out there means a lot now to be winning out there with these guys. It just feels amazing.”

5. Advantage Heat: The schedule hardly worked in the Pistons’ favor in this one, with Heat idle on Saturday and the Pistons not only coming off a Saturday night home game and making the overnight flight, but also losing an hour with clocks moving forward by an hour.

Then again, the Heat won Friday in Charlotte on the second night of a back-to-back set, while the Hornets were idle the night before that game.

“It shows us what we can do,” Jaquez said of the Heat’s perseverance. “We just gotta buy in.

“At this time of the year, guys are stepping up, and we have no shortage of guys who are ready.”

General Daily Insight for March 09, 2026

Cosmic wisdom can guide us to unexpected paths forward. With clever Mercury trining auspicious Jupiter at 1:23 am EDT, generous answers are more likely to appear when we ask. Morning conversations favor clear requests and thoughtful answers. Distractions may try to confuse us, but sticking to the practical facts should stop them from messing things up. Later, the Moon enters Sagittarius, inspiring us to open our minds and hearts. Learning arrives when we listen first, then ask questions as necessary. Opportunities are everywhere when we look.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Day-to-day choices pack surprising potential for peace. Quiet reflection gains power as cerebral Mercury in your 12th House of Solitude trines jovial Jupiter in your comforting 4th house, guiding you through releasing past aches. You may sweep up at home or forgive yourself for a misunderstanding at work. It’s okay if your impact is subtle rather than drastic. When times are tough, keeping up the daily grind is a meaningful accomplishment. Give yourself extra room to breathe as you move forward.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Kindness can travel farther than you expect. Your 11th House of Friendship pairs up with your 3rd House of Chatter as talkative Mercury trines lucky Jupiter. Small gestures could inspire major support from your community. As such, consider sending a heartfelt note to a peer or complimenting teamwork whenever you see it. Your steady nature sets the pace, so people should hear you clearly. Keep your connections warm and consistent throughout the day ahead. Your reliability builds lasting bridges that support future goals.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your ideas deserve a bigger stage today. With studious Mercury trining Jupiter, the Planet of Wisdom, in your 10th House of Drive and your 2nd House of Logistics, you gain a better understanding of what it takes to make yourself heard. You could share with a supervisor or mentor, or reach out to your peers for their advice. Your quick mind spots what to improve, and your confidence helps others get on board. For the best results, keep your goals simple and trackable.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

A new view steadies your caring heart. This Mercury-Jupiter trine unites your distant 9th house and your personal 1st house, since Jupiter’s currently in your sign. That makes this an excellent time to explore different philosophies around your unique view on life. Even if you aren’t up to analyzing moral quandaries, you can experience personal growth by doing your best to discover something new today. Learn what you can, then share your ideal next steps with a trusted confidant. Your optimism attracts helpful allies.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Certain truths are likely on the tip of your tongue. Your 8th House of Shared Resources steadies as informative Mercury trines idealistic Jupiter in your quiet 12th house. Their collaboration makes it easier to talk calmly about shared needs. You may propose splitting a cost differently — be sure to mention how this benefits everyone involved. Your generous spirit shines while you keep boundaries firm and respectful. Say what you need without overexplaining. Straight talk invites mutual respect and steadier cooperation.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Peace arrives through simple, honest dialogue. Cognitive Mercury is trining Jupiter, uniting your 7th and 11th houses — which both focus on your connections with other people. The 7th house is more about one-on-one bonds, while the 11th house magnifies the potential of a united community. A calm check-in with a collaborator can clear a snag and reveal what will work in reality. Your careful eye helps each person feel seen and respected. Shared effort moves any project toward enduring success.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Regular systems should make your day feel easier. Your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Work alike benefit as Mercury trines Jupiter, emphasizing the power of simple routines. Reorganizing your personal to-do list could make it much less intimidating. Plus, in the workplace, a cooperative team all using coordinating methods is a great way to improve your results without needing a ton more effort. Showing appreciation is another important brick in the path to successful teamwork. Consistent gratitude transforms stress into momentum.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Playing isn’t just for kids — it’s currently an extra valuable way to learn and grow. Creativity might feel like it’s erupting from your soul as chatty Mercury in your expressive 5th house trines blissful Jupiter in your curious 9th house. This is the ideal aspect for theatrical art pieces, though overall, it empowers art of any kind. Your intense focus gains joy when you let curiosity lead. Don’t get lost seeking nonexistent perfection; your work is all the more meaningful for its potential flaws.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your home is your castle, so treat it well! This morning, Mercury and Jupiter embrace across your homey 4th house and your intense 8th house. Any efforts to improve your living space may need to be run by other people, like a roommate or landlord. Still, there are likely things you can do to up your dwelling’s coziness factor all on your own, like stocking your cabinets with your favorite snacks or investing in quality blankets. Strong foundations can carry big dreams without unnecessary strain.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Your conversations are full of cosmic potential today! You may reply to a long thread and discover cooperation grows as soon as you summarize the potential next steps. With messenger Mercury trining Jupiter, the Greater Benefic — with Mercury in your communication quadrant and Jupiter in your amicable 7th house — social exchanges carry extra goodwill. Being patient is the best way to keep conversations on track without sounding harsh. Keep messages kind to maintain morale. Genuine compliments move work forward with steady grace.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Certain purchases will support your values more than others at the moment. Your 2nd House of Resources and your 6th House of Wellness are stabilized by today’s Mercury-Venus trine. You’re ready to make grounded choices regarding your everyday finances. Analyzing a subscription or frequent purchase could give you valuable insight. It would also be wise to set up a regular time for a financial review, whether that’s a monthly meeting with an accountant or a weekly kitchen-table discussion. Build steady value with consistent attention.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Pisces, your voice can currently land with warm, clear intent. Your message can be heard and understood as mental Mercury in your sign trines fortunate Jupiter in your light-hearted 5th house, allowing you to shine with kindness and strength. In any circumstances, people should feel your sincerity when you speak from the heart. Your empathy becomes leadership as you set a compassionate tone that others can follow. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and make your true self known!

By ALEX VEIGA

CHICAGO (AP) — Oil prices have eclipsed $100 per barrel for the first time in more than three and a half years as the Iran war hinders production and shipping in the Middle East.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, was at $101.19 shortly after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, up 9.2% from its settlement price of $92.69 Friday.

West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude oil produced in the United States, was selling for about $107.06 a barrel. That’s 16.2% higher than its Friday settlement price of $90.90.

Both could rise or fall as market trading continues.

The increases followed U.S. crude prices jumping by 36% and Brent crude prices rising 28% last week. Oil prices have surged as the war, now in its second week, ensnared countries and places that are critical to the production and movement of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf.

Roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil — about 20% of the world’s oil — typically are shipped every day through the Strait of Hormuz, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy. The threat of Iranian missile and drone attacks has all but stopped tankers from traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran, carry oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have cut their oil production as storage tanks fill due to the reduced ability to export crude. Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, exacerbating supply concerns.

The last time U.S. crude futures traded above $100 per barrel was June 30, 2022, when the price reached $105.76. For Brent, it was July 29, 2022, when the price hit $104 per barrel.

The global surge in oil prices since Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran on March 1 has rattled financial markets, sparking worries that higher energy costs will fuel inflation and lead to less spending by U.S. consumers, the main engine of the economy.

In the U.S., a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.45 on Sunday, about 47 cents more than a week earlier, according to AAA motor club. Diesel was selling for about $4.60 a gallon, a weekly increase of about 83 cents.

The price of natural gas has also climbed, though not as much as oil. It rose about 11% last week and ended Friday at $3.19 per 1,000 cubic feet.

If oil prices stay above $100 per barrel, some analysts and investors say it could be too much for the global economy to withstand.

Over the weekend, Israel’s military struck oil depots in Tehran and four oil storage tankers and a petroleum transfer terminal.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, said the war’s impact on the oil industry would spiral, warning it soon could become harder to produce and sell oil.

Iran exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, mostly to China, which may need to look elsewhere for supply if Iran’s exports are disrupted, another factor that could increase energy prices.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s late supreme leader, has been named his successor, Iranian state TV announced early Monday, as the war that began with his father’s killing less than two weeks ago took a dramatic turn.

The younger Khamenei, 56, had long been considered a contender for the post, even before an Israeli strike killed the 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.

The post-midnight announcement came after signs of a rift among Iranian officials as the country awaited a decision by the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, a group of clerics that selects the supreme leader. State TV read a statement saying he was selected based on “strong” votes and urging the nation to unite behind him, and showed people celebrating in public areas of Tehran.

There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader since the Islamic Revolution almost a half-century ago.

A secretive figure, the younger Khamenei has not been seen publicly for days. He now stands at the heart of Iran’s theocracy and will have final say over all matters of state. He will serve as commander-in-chief of the military and powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, and gains a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be used to build a nuclear weapon, if he chooses to decree it.

He also faces the likelihood of U.S. criticism. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” U.S. President Donald Trump has said. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump told ABC News earlier Sunday he wants a say in who comes to power once the war is over; a new leader “is not going to last long” without his approval.

The Revolutionary Guard issued a statement expressing support, and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah shared a portrait of the younger Khamenei on Telegram with the caption, “Leader of the blessed Islamic revolution.”

Regional anger grows over strikes

The war toll on civilian targets grew as Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant vital to drinking water supplies, and oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight Israeli strikes.

In a sign of rising regional anger, the Arab League chief lashed out at Iran for its “reckless policy” of attacking neighbors, including ones that host U.S. forces. Gulf countries have been struck by hundreds of missiles and drones since the war started on Feb. 28, and Iran’s president has vowed to expand attacks.

Saudi Arabia reported its first deaths, saying a military projectile fell onto a residential area and killed two people of Indian and Bangladeshi nationality. Foreign residents and workers have made up most of the war’s deaths in Gulf nations.

Israel reported its first soldier deaths, saying two were killed in southern Lebanon, where its military is fighting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The U.S. military said a service member died of injuries from an Iranian attack on troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1. Seven U.S. soldiers have now been killed.

The war has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, at least 397 in Lebanon and at least 11 in Israel, according to officials.

Iran’s president toughens tone

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian backtracked from conciliatory comments a day earlier in which he apologized for attacks on neighbors’ soil. Iranian hard-liners had swiftly contradicted him, saying war strategy wouldn’t change.

“The more pressure they impose on us, the stronger our response will naturally be,” Pezeshkian said Sunday.

Pezeshkian has urged neighboring states not to take part in U.S. and Israeli attacks. The U.S. strikes have not come from the Gulf Arab governments but from U.S. bases and vessels in the region.

“The geography of some countries in the region — both overtly and covertly — is in the hands of the enemy, and those points are used against our country in acts of aggression. Intense attacks on these targets will continue,” judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei wrote on X on Saturday.

Mohseni-Ejei and Pezeshkian were part of the three-member leadership council overseeing Iran.

Desalination and oil facilities attacked

Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia reported additional Iranian missiles launched toward them.

Bahrain accused Iran of indiscriminately attacking civilian targets and damaging one of its desalination plants, though its electricity and water authority said supplies remained online.

Desalination plants supply water to millions of residents in the region and thousands of stranded travelers, raising new fears of catastrophic risks in parched desert nations.

The desalination plant strike came after Iran said a U.S. airstrike damaged a desalination plant there. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strike on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz had cut into the water supply to 30 villages.

He warned that in doing so “the U.S. set this precedent, not Iran.”

In response, CENTCOM spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins said that “U.S. forces do not target civilians – period.”

Iranian authorities also said Israel’s overnight strikes on four oil storage tankers and a petroleum transfer terminal killed four people. Witnesses in Tehran said the smoke was so thick that it looked as if the sun had not risen.

Israel’s military said the oil depots were being used by Iran’s military for fuel to launch missiles.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned Tehran residents to take precautions against toxic air pollution and the risk of acid rain.

It also said about 10,000 civilian structures across the country had been damaged, including homes, schools and almost three dozen health facilities. It also

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned it soon could become harder to produce and sell oil. Some regional producers, including in Iraq, have curbed output amid dangers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran maintains sufficient fuel, Veys Karami, managing director of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, told the state-run news agency.

Lebanon says a half-million people displaced

Lebanon said over a half-million people have been displaced in the week of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The actual number is likely higher. Lebanon’s count of 517,000 refers to those who registered on the government’s online portal. Israel over the past week has called on residents in dozens of villages across southern Lebanon and the entirety of Beirut’s southern suburbs to evacuate as fighting intensifies.

Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said 83 children and 82 women have been among those killed.

In Beirut, sheltering families crammed into schools, slept in cars or in open areas near the Mediterranean Sea, where some burned firewood to keep warm. The government said it would open a sports stadium to shelter thousands more.

Israel’s renewed offensive began last week after Hezbollah launched rockets toward northern Israel during the war’s opening days. The strikes have been the most intense since a November 2024 ceasefire. Israel has continued near-daily strikes, primarily in southern Lebanon, saying Hezbollah had been trying to rebuild its positions there.

___

Sam Metz reported from Ramallah, West Bank, Kareem Chehayeb from Beirut and Samy Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press journalists Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel and Aamer Madhani in Doral contributed reporting.

George Russell: San Anselmo homeowners object to town home inspection program  Marin Independent Journal

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A device thrown by a counterprotester at an anti-Islam demonstration in New York City on Saturday was confirmed to be an improvised explosive, according to a preliminary police analysis.

Two people were in custody for their alleged role in the confrontation, which unfolded during a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” event led by the far right activist Jake Lang outside the Manhattan residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The sparsely attended event drew a far larger group of counterdemonstrators, including one person who tossed a smoking object containing nuts, bolts, screws and a “hobby fuse” into the crowd, police said.

In a social media post Sunday, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department’s bomb squad determined the object wasn’t a hoax device or smoke bomb, but an “improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death.”

The device extinguished itself steps from police officers, Tisch noted. The same person who threw it then received a second device from another counterprotester, which was dropped and did not appear to ignite, the commissioner said.

Charges against the two counterprotesters were still pending. Tisch said police were working with federal prosecutors and the FBI on the case.

“Violence at a protest is never acceptable,” Mamdani said in a statement Sunday. “The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”

A person associated with Lang’s protest was also arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, assault and unlawful possession of a noxious matter after allegedly macing counterprotesters, police said.

Lang was previously charged with assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder and other crimes before receiving clemency as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping act of clemency for Jan. 6 defendants last year. He recently announced that he is running for U.S. Senate in Florida.

Earlier this year, Lang organized a rally in Minneapolis in support of Trump’s immigration crackdown, drawing an angry crowd of counterprotesters that quickly chased him away.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Authorities in Peru on Sunday said they have arrested three people following the deadly bombing of a nightclub as the number of those injured rose to 44.

The explosion occurred early Saturday at the Dalí nightclub in the city of Trujillo in La Libertad region, which has the largest gold-producing area in Peru and is rife with extortion and illegal mining.

La Libertad Regional Health Management confirmed that those injured rose from 33 to 44, including three minors between the ages of 16 and 17.

At least 10 patients have been discharged, while four others remain in serious condition, said Gerardo Florián, executive director of the Trujillo Health Network.

Municipal officials said they shuttered the club for 30 days because it violated an operating hours limit and an ordinance prohibiting minors from entering the establishment.

The club did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The police press office confirmed to The Associated Press that three people had been arrested in the case without providing more details. Video broadcast on local media showed the suspects handcuffed and being led away by police.

Saturday’s explosion is the latest to hit La Libertad.

In 2025, the region experienced 286 explosions, 136 of which occurred in the city of Trujillo, according to official figures.

In January of that year, an explosive device detonated in a prosecutor’s office building in Trujillo, and in August and September, two explosions left more than twenty people injured and damaged dozens of homes.

The Miami Dolphins’ roster for their first season under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will begin to take shape in earnest this week.

Free agent negotiations across the NFL start at noon Monday before those players can officially sign with new teams at the start of the new league year, at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

As Sullivan inherits a dire cap situation, while still needing to find a resolution with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his guaranteed $54 million for 2026, the Dolphins aren’t expected to make many big splashy moves, like in recent years as former GM Chris Grier was trying to hold on to Miami’s win-now window that came and went.

Sullivan has said, since his introductory news conference in January, the Dolphins will build through the draft and become more aggressive in free agency once in a healthy cap situation.

So, what does that mean for the free agency approach for him as the first wave opens up?

He will still likely need to find veterans at several positions of need to fill out the roster. Many may just be stopgaps to bridge the Dolphins through what could be lean years before they’re ready to compete again once Sullivan has multiple draft classes to develop a core.

The biggest question comes at quarterback. Miami is likely bound to part ways with Tagovailoa. Sullivan, after saying “everything’s on the table” at the NFL scouting combine, is still trying to find a trade partner first before possibly releasing him with a post-June 1 designation to spread the dead cap hit over two seasons. A resolution would preferably be found by Friday, when an additional $3 million of his 2027 salary becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year.

Tagovailoa was benched for the final three games last season to open the door for rookie Quinn Ewers to see playing time. Ewers figures to be in a quarterback competition with a passer to be named later, which could come in free agency.

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• Dolphins free agent watch: Cornerbacks/safeties

The most coveted free agent quarterback this cycle is Malik Willis, previously the backup for the Green Bay Packers, where Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley hail from.

The question on Willis is how much he ends up going for and how much the Dolphins will be willing to spend. If Miami’s new brass can land him for a bargain — let’s say, less than or around $20 million — he may very well be the next starting quarterback in South Florida. But if the asking price gets closer to $30 million or more, it’s difficult to visualize the Dolphins getting into a bidding war.

So does it then become Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo or someone else as a veteran quarterback signing? Or just wait for a quarterback draft pick come late April?

Elsewhere, the Dolphins really need edge defenders.

They have Chop Robinson going into his third season, and he may be transitioning to putting his hand in the ground more often if Miami goes to more four-man defensive lines. The Dolphins, as Bradley Chubb has been informed he’ll be released, also re-signed outside linebacker Cameron Goode, a key special teams contributor.

They’ll probably eye a veteran available on an economical contract. Sullivan, Hafley and new defensive coordinator Sean Duggan had Kingsley Enagbare in Green Bay. Could it be former Miami Hurricane Al-Quadin Muhammad, coming off a strong year in Detroit? Maybe A.J. Epenesa from Buffalo? Or Haason Reddick, now a couple of years removed from his last double-digit sack season? Yetur Gross-Matos off injury with San Francisco? A reunion with Emmanuel Ogbah?

The Dolphins could be in line to revamp their secondary. All starters from last season at cornerback and safety could be gone, while they can develop rising second-year defensive backs in cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. and safety Dante Trader.

They should get opportunities to compete for starting jobs. Sullivan and new cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae have previously worked with veteran Rasul Douglas, who was a standout for the team on his one-year deal last season. A return of Douglas and his work ethic would help establish the right culture in the building, while his coverage on the back end assists the pass rush.

The Dolphins also have to decide what to do with fellow veteran Jack Jones, nickel Kader Kohou, coming off a torn ACL and safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis, while possibly seeking a trade partner for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

As the Seattle Seahawks have two starting cornerbacks as free agents, could the Miami native Josh Jobe intrigue the Dolphins? Trevon Diggs is an option who was with the Packers last season. Would former Bills nickel Taron Johnson pique the interest of Miami’s new regime, as he has worked with Addae?

That only scratches the surface of Dolphins possibilities in free agency. They’ll need pass-catchers at wide receiver after cutting Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, as well as tight end. There’s bound to be an offensive lineman or two meant to provide depth or to infuse competition for starting guard spots.

As Sullivan has made his calls on many of the expected offseason moves and smaller signings early in his tenure, he will truly begin putting his fingerprints on the Dolphins’ roster this week.

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Brightline train early Sunday in Fort Lauderdale despite efforts by fire rescue departments to save him.

“We responded to a train accident where a pedestrian was struck by a moving train. When we arrived, he was still alive, pinned under the train,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Frank Guzman in an email. “Despite a valiant effort utilizing resources from throughout our department, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the Florida East Coast Railway, and others, the patient lost a pulse during the rescue attempt and was pronounced deceased on scene shortly after being extricated.”

The victim was not identified. The incident, reported in the 700 block of North Andrews Avenue, occurred around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Rail corridor deaths involving Brightline trains have drawn intense scrutiny and public attention since the higher speed rail line started service in 2018. A count by the Miami Herald placed the number of deaths at just below 200 through 2025.

Millions have been spent by the railroad and local, state and federal governments to improve the safety environment along the Florida East Coast Railway corridor. Brightline shares the rail line with the FEC to operate multiple train trips daily between Miami and Orlando with stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.

State and local transportation planners are studying the possibility of constructing tunnels or overpasses in Fort Lauderdale to enhance safety and ease traffic gridlock at roadways with railroad crossings.

By ANNIKA HAMMERSCHLAG

As missiles and drones curtail energy production across the Persian Gulf, analysts warn that water, not oil, may be the resource most at risk in the energy-rich but arid region.

Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf coast, putting individual systems that supply water to millions within range of Iranian missile or drone strikes. Without them, major cities could not sustain their current populations.

In Kuwait, about 90% of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86% in Oman and about 70% in Saudi Arabia. The technology removes salt from seawater — most commonly by pushing it through ultra-fine membranes in a process known as reverse osmosis — to produce the freshwater that sustains cities, hotels, industry and some agriculture across one of the world’s driest regions.

For people living outside the Middle East, the main concern of the Iran war has been the impact on energy prices. The Gulf produces about a third of the world’s crude exports and energy revenues underpin national economies. Fighting has already halted tanker traffic through key shipping routes and disrupted port activity, forcing some producers to curb exports as storage tanks fill.

But the infrastructure that keeps Gulf cities supplied with drinking water may be equally vulnerable.

“Everyone thinks of Saudi Arabia and their neighbors as petrostates. But I call them saltwater kingdoms. They’re manmade fossil-fueled water superpowers,” said Michael Christopher Low, director of the Middle East Center at the University of Utah. “It’s both a monumental achievement of the 20th century and a certain kind of vulnerability.”

Early signs of risk

The war that began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran has already brought fighting close to key desalination infrastructure. On March 2, Iranian strikes on Dubai’s Jebel Ali port landed some 12 miles from one of the world’s largest desalination plants, which produces much of the city’s drinking water.

Damage also was reported at the Fujairah F1 power and water complex in the United Arab Emirates, and at Kuwait’s Doha West desalination plant. The damage at the two facilities appeared to have resulted from nearby port attacks or debris from intercepted drones, and so far there is little evidence of Iran intentionally targeting water treatment sites, experts said.

Many Gulf desalination plants are physically integrated with power stations as co‑generation facilities, meaning attacks on electrical infrastructure could also hinder water production. Even where plants are connected to national grids with backup supply routes, disruptions can cascade across interconnected systems, said David Michel, senior fellow for water security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“It’s an asymmetrical tactic,” he said. “Iran doesn’t have the same capacity to strike back at the United States and Israel. But it does have this possibility to impose costs on the Gulf countries to push them to intervene or call for a cessation of hostilities.”

Desalination plants have multiple stages — intake systems, treatment facilities, energy supplies — and damage to any part of that chain can interrupt production, according to Ed Cullinane, Middle East editor at Global Water Intelligence, a publisher serving the water industry.

“None of these assets are any more protected than any of the municipal areas that are currently being hit by ballistic missiles or drones,” Cullinane said.

A long-standing concern

Gulf governments and U.S. officials have long recognized the risks these systems pose for regional stability: if major desalination plants were knocked offline, some cities could lose most of their drinking water within days. A 2010 CIA analysis warned attacks on desalination facilities could trigger national crises in several Gulf states, and prolonged outages could last months if critical equipment were destroyed.

More than 90% of the Gulf’s desalinated water comes from just 56 plants, the report stated, and “each of these critical plants is extremely vulnerable to sabotage or military action.”

A leaked 2008 U.S. diplomatic cable warned the Saudi capital of Riyadh “would have to evacuate within a week” if either the Jubail desalination plant on the Gulf coast or its pipelines or associated power infrastructure were seriously damaged.

Saudi Arabia has since invested in pipeline networks, storage reservoirs and other redundancies designed to cushion short-term disruptions, as has the UAE. But smaller states such as Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait have fewer backup supplies.

Climate change could threaten water plants

As warming oceans increase the likelihood and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea and raise the chances of landfall on the Arabian Peninsula, storm surge and extreme rainfall could overwhelm drainage systems and damage coastal desalination.

The plants themselves contribute to the problem. Desalination is energy-intensive, with plants worldwide producing between 500 and 850 million tons of carbon emissions annually, approaching the roughly 880 million tons emitted by the entire global aviation industry.

The by-product of desalination, highly concentrated brine, is typically discharged back into the ocean, where it can harm seafloor habitats and coral reefs, while intake systems can trap and kill fish larvae, plankton and other organisms at the base of the marine food web.

As climate change intensifies droughts, disrupts rainfall patterns and fuels wildfires, desalination is expected to expand in many parts of the world.

The threat is not hypothetical

During Iraq’s 1990-1991 invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Gulf War, Iraqi forces sabotaged power stations and desalination facilities as they retreated, said the University of Utah’s Low. At the same time, millions of barrels of crude oil were deliberately released into the Persian Gulf, creating one of the largest oil spills in history.

The massive slick threatened to contaminate seawater intake pipes used by desalination plants across the region. Workers rushed to deploy protective booms around the intake valves of major facilities.

The destruction left Kuwait largely without fresh water and dependent on emergency water imports. Full recovery took years.

More recently, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi desalination facilities amid regional tensions.

The incidents underscore a broader erosion of long-standing norms against attacking civilian infrastructure, Michel said, noting conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Iraq.

International humanitarian law, including provisions of the Geneva Conventions, prohibit targeting civilian infrastructure indispensable to the survival of the population, including drinking water facilities.

The potential for harmful cyberattacks on water infrastructure is a growing concern. In 2023 and 2024, U.S. officials blamed Iran-aligned groups for hacking into several American water utilities.

Iran’s own water supply at risk

After a fifth year of extreme drought, water levels in Tehran’s five reservoirs plunged to some 10% of their capacity, prompting President Masoud Pezeshkian to warn the capital may have to be evacuated.

Unlike many Gulf states that rely heavily on desalination, Iran still gets most of its water from rivers, reservoirs and depleted underground aquifers. The country operates a relatively small number of desalination plants, supplying only a fraction of national demand.

Iran is racing to expand desalination along its southern coast and pump some of the water inland, but infrastructure constraints, energy costs and international sanctions have sharply limited scalability.

“They were already thinking of evacuating the capital last summer,” Cullinane of Global Water Intelligence said. “I don’t dare to wonder what it’s going to be like this summer under sustained fire, with an ongoing economic catastrophe and a serious water crisis.”

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Follow Annika Hammerschlag on Instagram @ahammergram.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

By KEITH TAYLOR

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Thomas Haugh had 20 points and nine rebounds as No. 5 Florida beat Kentucky 84-77 on Saturday to end the regular season with an 11-game winning streak.

Boogie Fland added 16 points and six assists for the Gators (25-6, 16-2 Southeastern Conference), the No. 1 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament at Nashville, Tennessee. The defending national champions completed a regular-season sweep of the Wildcats (19-12, 10-8).

Alex Condon scored 14 points for Florida. Rueben Chinyelu had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Xaivian Lee finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Otega Oweh led Kentucky with 28 points, 17 in the first half. Oweh was honored before the game along with follow senior Denzel Aberdeen and walk-ons Zack Tow and Walker Horn.

Aberdeen scored 15 points, and Mouhamed Dioubate added 10 off the bench for Kentucky.

Florida scored the first 11 points and never trailed. Meanwhile, the Wildcats missed their first seven shots, including three from 3-point range.

Haugh scored 17 points and connected on three of the Gators’ six 3s in the first half.

Despite the sluggish start, Kentucky regrouped and pulled within one twice before Florida responded with 13 straight points. A 25-8 run gave the Gators a 45-27 advantage with 2:19 remaining in the first half, and Florida led 49-32 at the break.

Up next

Florida won the SEC regular-season title by three games over Arkansas and gets a double bye into the quarterfinals of the conference tournament Friday.

Kentucky was awaiting its first SEC Tournament opponent.

General Daily Insight for March 08, 2026

Clarity arrives as choices meet real limits. Early on, the Moon trines chatty Mercury, and conversations flow easily, so we can make our intentions clear by stating what we need. The star of today is idealistic Venus conjoining karmic Saturn at 9:39 am EDT, which asks us to make promises we can keep (especially regarding shared time or responsibilities). As the day unfolds, we balance emotions with duty. Regular agreements become supportive containers rather than constrictive walls. Honoring our commitments will be worth it.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Being practical takes courage. Loving Venus embraces structured Saturn today, and with both planets in your sign, their power will be immediately obvious. You’re likely in charge — even if you aren’t, there are decisions you must make. You may also be refreshing an online profile or revamping your look. Aim for fewer promises and cleaner delivery, because reliable action builds respect for your bold ideas. Impatience could try to drag you too far forward, but you’re capable of standing your ground against it.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Steady steps feel especially comforting now. Venus conjoins boundary-setting Saturn in your 12th House of Solitude, so quiet time supports healing. You might log off earlier and skip a noisy plan, or journal through old worries. Proper rest protects progress. A simple closure, like clearing a drawer or archiving messages, frees space for your future self. If guilt shows up, remind yourself that recovery time is valid and necessary. If necessary, defend your peace with personal rules. Give yourself some room to breathe.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Certain discussions could unlock a smoother day. Benevolent Venus complements rule-minded Saturn in your 11th House of Friendship, encouraging clear agreements with your teams and friends. Set a realistic event budget and define meeting times, or state guidelines for a shared project, so everyone knows how to show up. Your quick mind can broker peace between different opinions while still protecting your energy. Send one clear message, and follow it with timely actions. When you offer the structure, others should respond with appreciation.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Today’s energy invites gentle care at home. Venus conjoins traditional Saturn in your 10th House of Strength, inviting measured promises that suit your responsibilities at work, school, or your community. Confirm a deadline you can keep, outline roles, or set office hours so clients and co-workers know when to reach you. Your protective nature shines when you create structure that actually supports care. A tidy calendar helps your mood stay soft yet strong. Set reasonable expectations, then deliver them as promised.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your personal structures should support your current values. Harmonious Venus conjoins lawful Saturn in your 9th House of Big Ideas, turning pipe dreams into plans you can commit to. You may price a course and outline a trip itinerary, or map steps for a professional development goal. Make a point of taking some sort of measurable step, like booking tickets or purchasing supplies, to make your future self more likely to actually do whatever it is you’re planning. Your vision is about to take flight!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

A cautious viewpoint guides real progress at present. Venus conjoins crystallizing Saturn in your 8th House of Serious Exchanges. Consider this your sign to check up on your money plans, if you share finances with anyone else. Even if you don’t, your bank account could likely use some attention to ensure you’re not paying for any unused subscriptions. Debt might be an ongoing issue — if so, look into repayment plans ASAP. You can find small leaks others missed, so double-check numbers before signing anything.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Broken promises may not have been fair in the first place! As stubborn Venus combines with discerning Saturn in your partnership quadrant, you may need to take another look at your most vital alliances. Professional and personal connections are affected by this, so do your best to check in (mentally, if nothing else) on all your crucial contacts. Your diplomacy shines when you balance requests with reliable follow-through. You and your partners deserve to have your needs met, and you’re ready to make that happen.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your knee-jerk reactions could use some extra thought right now. Under today’s Venus-Saturn conjunction, your structured 6th house is focused on emotional nourishment that supports increased stamina in the long run. You may prep lunches, create a replicable task checklist, or set a firm bedtime so focus strengthens and small annoyances fade. Your intensity works best when sustained by practical habits that reduce decision fatigue. Protect your schedule from extra meetings and distracting notifications when possible. Build rhythm, and your energy becomes truly dependable.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

This afternoon favors realistic planning — but don’t discount optimistic ideas for more. You’ll probably be in the mood for fun, what with Venus and Saturn egging each other on within your upbeat 5th house. Fortunately, joy and productivity don’t have to conflict with each other. You might block an hour for pursuing your chosen art form, planning an engaging outing with kids, or indulging your own inner child in some way. Put pleasure on your calendar and let your soul lead the way!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

When dedication meets patience, results stick. Your empathetic 4th house hosts this conjunction of compassionate Venus and disciplined Saturn, encouraging steady care for foundations, repairs, and emotions alike. You may organize a shared chore chart and update a lease detail, or plan a budget for a repair, all while holding space for different living situations. Such patient effort creates warmth that lasts when stress rises. Set up gentle boundaries during family talks to avoid old loops. Comfort will be the best anchor for your work.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Wild ideas are plausible today — they just might need a bit of scaffolding at first. While Venus supports rule-bound Saturn in your 3rd House of Distractions, it’ll be easy to get lost on wild goose chases. Avoid wasting time by sticking to the heart of whatever’s going on. Be concise! Your inventive concepts land better when the delivery is simple and well-paced. If someone looks busy, consider writing down what you want to tell them and returning later. Say less, mean more.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Your tender heart may crave creature comforts. The best way to attain them during this conjunction of Venus and Saturn in your financial zone would be to set careful guardrails around your spending. You may set a simple budget, price your work fairly, or choose to delay a purchase until you can afford to buy it twice. Money-related nerves should lessen when you give every dollar a purpose. If you’ve already been saving, this is your day to invest in a well-researched delicacy. Treat yourself!

By NOAH TRISTER

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lionel Messi scored in the 27th minute, and Inter Miami held on for a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night in front of 72,026 at the home of the Baltimore Ravens.

With interest in Messi obviously high, the game was held in downtown Baltimore instead of at D.C. United’s smaller venue in Washington. Messi gave many fans what they came to see when he put Inter Miami (2-1-0) ahead 2-0 lead in the first half.

Rodrigo De Paul also scored for the defending MLS Cup champions. Tai Baribo pulled United (1-2-0) within one in the 75th minute, but D.C. was unable to equalize.

It was an eventful week for Messi and his team, which visited the White House on Thursday. Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 17th minute when De Paul collected the ball about 15 yards from the goal and struck a shot into the far side of the net.

Messi then scored his third goal of the young MLS season, slipping behind the D.C. defense to receive Mateo Silvetti’s pass, then flicking the ball with one touch past goalie Sean Johnson.

Inter Miami has won two straight since dropping its league opener 3-0 to Los Angeles FC.

D.C. United broke through in the second half. Jackson Hopkins’ shot forced a save, and Baribo put away the rebound.

 

By TIM REYNOLDS

CORAL GABLES — Ryan Conwell scored 18 of his 24 points in the first half, Adrian Wooley hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18.4 seconds remaining and Louisville, after wasting a 12-point lead, hung on to beat No. 22 Miami 92-89 on Saturday.

J’Vonne Hadley scored 16 for the Cardinals, while Wooley and Isaac McKneely each scored 15. Louisville (22-9, 11-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) wrapped up the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament with the win — and could see the Hurricanes (24-7, 13-5) in the quarterfinals.

The ACC Tournament starts Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hurricanes — who were bidding for a school-record 25th regular-season win — had previously clinched the No. 3 seed.

Louisville — which shot 61% — snapped a 14-game road losing streak against ranked opponents. The Cardinals’ last such win before Saturday was Jan. 18, 2020, at Duke.

Tre Donaldson scored 25 points for Miami, which got 18 from Malik Reneau — 14 from the foul line. Tru Washington had 12 and Shelton Henderson finished with 11 for the Hurricanes.

Miami used a 27-12 run in the second half to take a three-point lead late, before Louisville rallied. Wooley’s 3 put the Cardinals on top for good, Conwell added two free throws after a Hurricanes turnover on the ensuing possession and Louisville held on from there.

Miami had a chance to force overtime at the buzzer, but Washington’s try from just inside midcourt hit the rim twice before bouncing off.

MIAMI — It has been nine games since Kel’el Ware last started, a span when the Miami Heat otherwise have started the likes of Simone Fontencchio and Myron Gardner, with Ware with only three starts since Jan 6.

But that lately has stood as far less of a talking point, with Ware instead receiving opportunities to play as a closer.

Friday night’s 128-120 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets was a perfect example of the late-game confidence shown by coach Erik Spoelstra, with Ware playing the entire fourth quarter, a period when he blocked four shots as part of lockdown Heat defense that limited the Hornets to 19 points in the quarter.

Largely featured against second-team talent during his recent stats-building surge as a reserve, and often hidden in the Heat’s zone defense as solely a rim protector, Ware often stood alone and stood tall during the moments of truth in Charlotte.

“It was probably his best response in an important game that he’s had all year,” Spoelstra said of his second-year 7-footer, on what otherwise was a mundane statistical night for Ware, who closed with 10 points and four rebounds in his 30:48. “He started out giving up some offensive rebounds and (struggled in) the pick-and-roll coverages. It wasn’t great.

“But then, when we needed him most, he played his best minutes. In the last eight minutes of the fourth quarter, he really came back to life, was protecting the rim, was closing out in our zone when he needed to, made some great reads with that.”

Part of the push-pull with Spoelstra had been Ware’s consistency in moments of truth.

“And I just was really pleased to see him be able to respond and have that kind of mental toughness,” Spoelstra said. “That’s growth in my mind.”

Previously in such situations, it would be Bam Adebayo in and Ware out. This time the two shared the floor together for the entire final period.

“I feel like he’s handling them well,” Adebayo said of Ware meriting such meaningful late minutes. “He’s not getting too high on the highs and too low on the lows. And he’s staying consistent.

“I always tell him, it might not be 15-15, five blocks. Sometimes it might be eight-eight and four blocks. It might be that some games. But for me, I just want him to keep impacting winning.”

So, at the close, when the Hornets shot 7 of 21 in that fourth quarter, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. said the defensive approach was basic.

“Trying to funnel everything to him,” Jaquez said of Ware. “He was just making play after play.”

Injury report

Guard Norman Powell is listed as out for Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center, the fifth consecutive game he will miss with a strained right groin

In addition, forward Simone Fontecchio will miss a third consecutive game with a strained right groin and forward Nikola Jovic will miss an eighth consecutive game due to lower-back injury management.

Also listed as out for Sunday are forward Keshad Johnson and guard Jahmir Young, who remain on G League assignment, and Terry Rozier, who is on NBA leave.

Meanwhile, forward Andrew Wiggins, who had been listed with back tendinitis and missed Friday night’s victory in Charlotte, is listed as questionable for Sunday due to toe inflammation.

Family Festival

The Heat have announced a March 15 makeup date at Kaseya Center for last Sunday’s rained out Miami Heat Family Festival, calling it a “Family Festival Follow-Up.”

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In an email to ticket holders for the event, the Heat wrote, “We were incredibly disappointed that severe weather forced us to cancel this year’s Miami Heat Family Festival — it’s one of our favorite annual traditions, and we know how much it means to you and all the event attendees. So, while we couldn’t control the weather, we still want to make sure you get the Family Festival experience. That’s why we’re hosting a Family Festival Follow-Up next Sunday, March 15, and we’d love for you to join us. As a thank you for your support, you’ll be able to RSVP at no additional cost.”

Photo opportunities will be available with players on that date for event ticket holders, the Heat said, as well as food sampling from Arena restaurant partners, and interactive games and activities.

Because proceeds benefit the Miami Heat Charitable Fund, the Heat are offering the opportunity to keep the contributions through ticket sales in place or refunds at ticketsales@heat.com. Even those requesting refunds will be admitted to the rescheduled event at no additional charge.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court this week sided with a lower judge’s ruling against the Trump administration’s efforts to end temporary protected status for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the U.S.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., issued the 2-1 ruling on Friday.

“The government’s failure to meet its burden of demonstrating irreparable harm alone justifies denying emergency relief that would upend the status quo and increase uncertainty while this appeal proceeds,” the court said.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday with the Homeland Security Department.

Temporary Protected Status can be granted by the Homeland Security secretary if conditions in home countries are deemed unsafe for return due to a natural disaster, political instability or other dangers. While it grants TPS holders the right to live and work in the U.S., it does not provide a legal pathway to citizenship.

Haiti’s TPS status was initially activated in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake and has been extended multiple times. The country is racked by gang violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

The Trump administration has aggressively sought to remove the protection, making more people eligible for deportation. The moves are part of the administration’s wider, mass deportation effort.

In addition to the migrants from Haiti, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — whom Trump announced he was firing on Thursday — has terminated protections for about 600,000 Venezuelans, 60,000 people from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, more than 160,000 Ukrainians and thousands of people from Afghanistan and Cameroon. Some have pending lawsuits in federal courts.

Death Valley National Park is exactly what the name implies. It is one of the driest, hottest and most desolate areas in the world, with summer temperatures in the desert region reaching well into triple digits for days and sometimes weeks.

The national park, which straddles the California-Nevada border, is one of the lowest in elevation, of all the parks, according to the National Park Service website, and is a “land of extremes.” The steady drought and record summer heat lead to that.

But those extremes give way to rare beauty, as is the case now.

Desert sunflowers, yellow cups, brittlebush, gravel ghosts and desert five-spot are just some of the wildflowers now in bloom in the lowest regions of the park, including the Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level.

Blooms are visible from Jubilee Pass, at the southern end of the park, up to Furnace Creek in the north.

This is the “best bloom year” since 2016, according to the National Park Service, stopping short of declaring this year’s expanse of blooms a “superbloom,” at least thus far. Superblooms occurred in 2016, 2005, and 1998.

• A desert five-spot, which is only the size of a quarter, blooms near Sidewinder Canyon in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Sarah Phillips, from Houston, Texas, poses for her husband Keith Phillips as he takes a photograph amongst a cluster of desert gold wildflowers blooming near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A lone desert sunflower appears to tower over a cluster of desert sand-verbena near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk in ankle deep water adjacent to the Devil’s Gof Course in the Badwater Basin area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A caterpillar crawls along the stock of a wildflower near Sidewinder Canyon south of the Badwater area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Yellow cups bloom along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A group of gravel ghosts bloom in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A couple sit in chairs in the middle of ankle deep Lake Manly at 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North Amerida, at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A desert sunflower blooms south of the Badwater area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk and take photographs amongst a cluster of desert gold wildflowers blooming near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A couple has their picture taken as they and others walk amongst a cluster of desert gold wildflowers blooming near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert gold wildflowers grow through the branches of a bush at the Ashford Mill ruins in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Gravel ghosts bloom along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers bloom below sea level south of Badwater in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb.28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers grow out of volcanic rock along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk amongst bunches of brittlebush blooming in large clusters in a wash along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Wildflowers bloom along Highway 190 south of Badwater in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A desert five-spot, which is only the size of a quarter, blooms at Ashford Mill in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A visitor drives through Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors to Death Valley National Park stand in a field of gold near Furnace Creek on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk out towards ankle deep Lake Manly located 282 feet below sea level at Badwater basin in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A visitor climbs the massive Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A lone desert sunflower blooms out of the sand near a cluster of desert sand-verbena near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors stand amongst a cluster of desert gold wildflowers blooming near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert Wildflowers bloom along Highway 190 north of Badwater in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A notch-leaf scorpion weed wildflower blooms south of the Badwater area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016.(Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors gaze at the massive Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Bunches of brittlebush bloom in large clusters along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A visitor walks amongst a cluster of desert gold wildflowers blooming near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert gold wildflowers bloom near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk through a field of gold south of the Badwater area in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers bloom along Highway190 south of Badwater in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Bunches of brittlebush bloom in large clusters in a wash along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A visitor to Death Valley National Park walks through a cluster of blooming flowers near Ashfor Junction at the soutern end of the park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Bunches of brittlebush bloom in large clusters in a wash along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk out upon ankle deep Lake Manly located 282 feet below sea level at Badwater basin in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors walk out upon ankle deep Lake Manly located 282 feet below sea level at Badwater basin in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A lone desert sunflower blooms amongst a cluster of desert sand-verbena near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A lone desert sunflower appears to tower over a cluster of desert sand-verbena near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Bunches of brittlebush bloom in large clusters along Jubilee Pass Road in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A desert sunflower blooms south of the Badwater area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers see the last of sunshine for the day as the sun sets south of Badwater in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers see the last of sunshine for the day as the sun sets south of Badwater in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers and desert sand-verbenas bloom as the sun sets near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A lone desert sunflower blooms amongst a cluster of desert sand-verbena near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sand-verbena bloom out of sand near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Visitors climb the massive Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers and desert sand-verbena bloom south of the Badwater area of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert sunflowers and desert sand-verbenas bloom as the sun sets near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• Desert gold wildflowers grow through the branches of a bush at the Ashford Mill ruins in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
• A visitor walks amongst a cluster of desert gold wildflowers blooming near Ashford Junction at the southern end of Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Show Caption1 of 51A desert five-spot, which is only the size of a quarter, blooms near Sidewinder Canyon in Death Valley National Park on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026. Low-elevation flowers are blooming throughout the park and will likely persist until mid-late March, depending on the weather. Higher elevations will have blooms April-June according to the National Park Service. Thus far it is the best bloom in the park since 2016. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Expand

While the average annual rainfall is very low, less than 2 inches, there are years — sometimes 10 and 20 years apart — where the area experiences above average rainfall, as it has in recent months, according to the park’s website.

The flowers take off during years of more frequent rainstorms.

The growth process starts with an early-winter rain. And steady rain through the winter, like what the desert areas receive during el niño years, bring out the flowers, the park’s website says. That moisture and lack of wind allow the seeds to germinate, which in turn have created fields of gold in the lower portions of Death Valley National Park.

Blooms in the lowest areas of the park could last into mid- to late-March, of course that depends on weather. With blooms migrating into the higher elevations into May and possibly into June.

This time of year, desert travelers are also drawn to Lake Manly at Badwater Basin. The lake is created by the rainwater, that settles into the basin area, after rains fall on the region. The water there does not seep into the ground, it only evaporates, due to it being at the top of the water table.

Visitors can walkout into Lake Manly’s ankle-deep water, which stretches for hundreds of yards.

For those making the drive to Death Valley National Park, be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, along with a full tank of gas. Services are limited in the area.

And while temperatures have been warm throughout Southern California in recent days, they can reach into the mid 90s in Death Valley at this time of year, as they have in recent days.

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Mexican-American singer Lila Downs is the product of two distinct cultures. Born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, she is the daughter of Anita Sánchez, an Indigenous cabaret singer of Mixtec heritage, and Allen Downs, a Scottish-American professor of art and cinematography from Minnesota.

With six Latin Grammys and a Grammy to her credit, Downs is widely regarded as one of the first major artists to bring the music of the Mixtec, a prominent Indigenous group in Mexico, to a global stage. Her versatile repertoire blends folk, jazz, blues, ranchera and hip-hop, reflecting her broad musical range.

“It’s part of my activist side to comment on what is happening,” says Mexican-American singer Lila Downs. (Johnny Castellanos) From Oaxaca to the Oscars stage

Raised between the Sierra Madre mountains of Oaxaca and the Midwest of the United States, Downs grew up with one foot in each world.

“I was fortunate to grow up in two different places, both socially organized and responsive,” she said during a recent interview from Mexico City.

Today, she divides her time between Oaxaca and Mexico City. This year, Downs, who sings in both English and Spanish, will perform across Mexico, the U.S., Canada and Spain, continuing her mission to amplify Indigenous voices worldwide.

Throughout her career, Downs has used her platform to serve as a global ambassador for Mexican Indigenous culture, advocating for social justice and the preservation of native languages and traditions.

In 1994, she released her first album, “Ofrenda,” a collection of traditional songs from Oaxaca and Mexico, as well as original compositions in Spanish, Mixtec and Zapotec, Indigenous languages of Oaxaca.

By 1999, Downs had signed with Narada Productions, achieving commercial success and international recognition with her album “La Sandunga.” Since then, she has released at least 15 studio albums, though she confesses, “I’ve lost count.”

One of the defining moments of her career came in 2003, when she performed the Oscar-nominated song “Burn It Blue” from the film “Frida” at the 75th Academy Awards, bringing her voice to a global audience.

Her latest album, “Cambias mi Mundo (You Change My World),” marks a return to original material, focusing on her growing interest in the poetic side of music.

“Music has taught me to be more spiritual,” she said. “We can find relief through the soulfulness of music.”

Singer Lila Downs has created a role for herself as a global ambassador for Mexican indigenous culture. (Enrique Levya) Songs of belonging — and dissent

Given her bicultural roots, Downs is closely attuned to the political climate, particularly the ongoing immigration debate in the United States. She has been vocal in her support of the widespread public protests that have followed immigration crackdowns across the country.

“That makes me very proud,” Downs said about the protests. “But I am very sad as well. We are separating people – it’s something I’ve been singing about for a long time. We’re going back, in a way; I guess it’s something in us as human beings. We are what we know.”

Downs’ activism is also evident in her music. In 2016, she released “The Demagogue,” a bilingual protest song aimed at Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.

“When I take political stances, they heat up on Facebook,” she said.

Her song “Dark Eyes” (2021) comments on race and the invisibility of Indigenous laborers in Mexico, offering a poignant reflection on the experiences of marginalized communities.

“We are all children of immigrants, really,” she added. “No matter how people try to erase it, that’s the truth.”