strengthen

Sept. 22 (UPI) — Hurricane Gabrielle is forecast to continue strengthening early Monday as it nears Bermuda, and residents are being urged to monitor forecast updates.

The storm’s center was located about 210 miles southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, making it a Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the National Hurricane Center said during its 5 a.m. AST Monday advisory.

It was moving north-northwest at 10 mph, it added.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, but interests in Bermuda were urged to monitor Gabrielle’s progress.

Though modeling shows the storm is expected to remain well east of the island, the swells it generates will continue to affect the island over the next few days. “Gusty winds and showers” are also possible for Bermuda on Monday as the storm passes to its east, the NHC added in a discussion.

Forecasters said the storm is expected to rapidly strengthen over the next 24 hours, with Gabrielle to become a major hurricane by Monday night.

The swells from the storm have begun to reach the U.S. eastern coast from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, the NHC said, adding they should continue through early this week.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” it said.

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds spreading over 500 miles.

The new initiative, known as Eastern Sentry, follows incursion of Russian drones in Polish airspace on Wednesday.

NATO has announced a new initiative to bolster the security of its eastern European members in the wake of Russia’s violation of Polish airspace.

“NATO is launching Eastern Sentry to bolster our posture even further along our eastern flank,” Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday in Brussels during a joint news conference with NATO’s top commander in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich.

“This military activity will commence in the coming days and will involve a range of assets from allies, including Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Germany,” Rutte added.

The announcement comes two days after multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland on Wednesday, prompting NATO to send fighter jets to shoot them down and underlining long-held concerns about Russia’s three-year war in neighbouring Ukraine expanding.

NATO is still assessing whether Russia intentionally violated Poland’s airspace or not, Rutte said, but repeated that, either way, “it is reckless. It is unacceptable.”

“Although the immediacy of our focus is on Poland, this situation transcends the borders of one nation. What affects one ally affects us all,” Grynkewich said.

“Eastern Sentry will be flexible and agile, delivering even more focused deterrence and defence exactly when and where needed,” he added.

Russia said its forces had been attacking Ukraine at the time of the drone incursions and had not intended to hit any targets in Poland.

More allies to join

The new NATO mission, which begins on Friday evening, will involve a range of assets integrating air and ground bases.

Allies, including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, have so far committed to the mission with others set to join, Rutte said.

Earlier on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would deploy three Rafale fighters to Poland.

“The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not yield to Russia’s growing intimidation,” Macron posted on X.

The United Nations Security Council was set to meet on Friday at Poland’s request to discuss the incident.

Poland’s Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz thanked NATO for its “decisive action and decisions in response to Russia’s aggressive policy”.

The new deployment was “not only a strategic decision” but “an expression of responsibility for the security of the entire eastern flank of the alliance,” he added.

Sept. 2 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Kiko is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the next 24 hours, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Kiko was located about 1,880 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, while moving west at 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. HST update.

“Steady strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Kiko is expected to become a hurricane by tonight,” the NHC said.

Tropical storm-force winds extend 45 miles from the storm’s eye.

The NHC predicts the storm system will continue on its westerly track on Tuesday and move away from North America.

There were no weather watches or warnings in effect.

“Despite somewhat drier mid-level conditions along its forecast track, the combination of light vertical wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures and Kiko’s small compact core should allow for strengthening in the short term,” the NHC forecast said during its 11 a.m. update on Monday.

The storm formed on Sunday, making it the 11th named storm in the Eastern North Pacific this year.

THOUSANDS were left without power after Hurricane Erin battered the Caribbean and hurtled towards the US – with the storm still expected to strengthen.

The hurricane, which is now category 3, brought heavy rainfall and vicious winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Sunday, cutting power for some 100,000 locals.

6

6

6

Luma Energy, Puerto Rico’s private power grid operator, revealed that most of its customers on the island had working electricity by Sunday afternoon.

The operator said on X: “As of 5:00 p.m., 92.5% of customers have electrical service.

“The majority of affected customers are concentrated in the regions of Arecibo, Caguas, and San Juan, as the rain bands have been moving out of Puerto Rico.”

They added: “Our crews are working with precision to ensure safety and continuity of service.”

The storm caused “multiple interruptions across the island”, the company said earlier.

Hurricane Erin also saw two divers swept amid powerful waves near St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

They had to be rescued by local crews on Sunday, authorities announced.

Shocking footage showed taken by St. Croix Rescue Chief Jason Henry showed the divers being dramatically hauled over onto a boat.

On the island of Sint Maarten, footage showed palm trees swaying in violent winds.

Its local government said cleanup crews were clearing debris since Sunday morning.

A large amount of Sargassum seaweed also reached the shore – which could contain harmful toxins poisonous to people and marine life.

Erin has been labelled category 3 after multiple fluctuations in the last several days.

On Saturday it was considered to be a catastrophic category 5 hurricane.

Outer bands are continuing to sweep over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, pummelling coasts with heavy rain and strong winds.

Rainfall was recorded between two and four inches.

Up to six inches is likely to fall in some areas.

Fears are mounting that this could lead to flash flooding or mudslides.

6

6

As of 5pm local time on Sunday, Erin was 275 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

It had maximum sustained winds of 125mph, and is reportedly currently moving west.

Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón warned residents to stay home if possible.

There are no reports of flooding on the island so far – but the worst weather is expected to impact the region within the next six hours, officials said.

Terrifying footage on X also showed heavy rain falling in Cidra in central Puerto Rico on Sunday.

The hurricane is expected to strengthen in the next two days before taking a north-ward turn on Monday and Tuesday.

The storm is then forecast to gradually weaken through the middle and latter half of next week as it passes between the US and Bermuda.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued in Turks and Caicos and the southeast Bahamas, according to authorities.

In Sierra Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a suspension insulator broke and a conductor fell to the ground because of the stormy weather.

Luma Energy also advised the public to avoid walking or driving through flooded areas, especially near downed power lines.

6

Aug. 15 (UPI) — Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season on Friday morning and is forecast to rapidly strengthen as it heads near the Leeward Islands, and later Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

In its 10 a.m. EDT update, the National Hurricane Center said Erin became a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph — just 2 mph above the tropical storm designation.

In the 7 p.m. update, Erin increased to 85 mph.

Erin was 310 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands, and was moving west-northwest at 17 mph in warm waters.

The NHC said the motion is expected to continue through the weekend with some decrease in forward speed.

With rapid strengthening the next two to three days, Eric is forecast to become a major hurricane during the weekend with winds at least 111 mph.

On the forecast track, Erin is likely to go just north of the Northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the weekend. Erin is forecast to reach Category 4 at 130 mph on Monday, the NHC said.

By 2 p.m., Wednesday, the storm was forecast to be a few hundred miles west of Bermuda and outside the big tracking cone.

“While the threat of direct impacts in the Bahamas and along the East coast of the United States appears to be gradually decreasing, there will still be a significant risk of dangerous surf and rip currents along western Atlantic beaches next week,” NHC forecaster Jack Beven wrote in a discussion.

Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Anguilla St. Martin and St. Barthelemy, Saba and St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 75 miles from the center, and tropical-force winds outward to 115 miles.

Marine warnings are in effect for the Atlantic, Caribbean and southwest Atlantic and the southwest North Atlantic.

The NHC said Puerto Rico and the northern Leeward Islands — which include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Barts, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Montserrat — should expect heavy rainfall Friday night through Sunday. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are forecast with isolated totals of 6 inches. It could lead to flash and urban flooding, along with landslides and mudslides.

Swells will begin affecting this area and will spread to the western Atlantic next week.

Wind gusts or tropical storm-force winds are possible in rainbands over portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.

“Do not underestimate the power of a major hurricane even passing by offshore,” Alex DaSilva, the lead hurricane expert with AccuWeather, said. “These massive storms produce very rough surf and lethal rip currents that can impact beaches even hundreds of miles away.”

The previous four named Atlantic storms this year were Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter. None of them became hurricanes, and Chantal was the only one to make landfall in the United States, causing significant flooding in North Carolina.

Helene struck that state last year as a tropical storm, causing an estimated $53 billion in damage, after hitting western Florida as a Category 4 hurricane.

Four other hurricanes made landfall in the United States in 2024: Beryl, Debby, Francine and Milton.

July 18 (UPI) — Latin America’s major currencies gained an average of 6% against the U.S. dollar in the first half of the year. Countries that include Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Peru saw their currencies strengthen amid global economic and political tensions.

The Brazilian real rose more than 11% this year. The Mexican peso followed with a gain of nearly 9%, while currencies such as the Peruvian sol and Chilean peso also posted increases, according to JPMorgan Private Bank.

Analysts say this is not just about a weakening dollar. “The strengthening of some Latin American currencies also reflects that several countries have managed to appear more reliable to international investors,” Paraguayan economist Víctor Pavón said.

But this strengthening is double-edged. According to Daniel Correa, chief economist at DCR Economic and Financial Consulting, a stronger currency can become a problem if not managed carefully.

“The appreciation could dampen future growth prospects, particularly in a context of stalled trade, inflationary pressures and broader economic uncertainty,” Correa said.

Correa also warned that “strong growth needs could be undermined by scenarios in which local economies become relatively more expensive.”

“It’s difficult to expect this to continue for long, given the impact on export growth In a scenario of rising commodity prices and ongoing supply chain disruptions. The supply of foreign currency is likely to decline, increasing the risk of depreciation in the medium term,” Correa added.

Economist Federico Sosa shared that concern.

“This can reduce export profitability, especially in sectors like agriculture, livestock and manufacturing, where contracts are set in dollars,” he said.

Sosa also noted that a stronger currency can encourage imports, putting pressure on local producers. Still, he said, there are positive effects: It helps lower inflation and improves the country’s ability to repay foreign debt.

In Brazil, Mexico and Peru, central banks have moved quickly to contain external shocks and maintain a degree of internal stability. According to JPMorgan, that timely response could help sustain currency stability in the coming months, though it may not be enough to keep the upward trend going.

Global dynamics also play a role. Pavón noted that the U.S. dollar, which for decades dominated international trade, has gradually lost ground.

“The dollar once accounted for nearly 90% of global trade; today, it’s below 70%. It’s still high, but it shows the dollar has lost some of its exclusivity,” he said.

Economist Víctor Raúl Benítez said he sees the dollar’s decline as part of a deliberate strategy.

“The Trump administration is willing to tolerate a weaker dollar — and even a mild recession — to regain global competitiveness against China. This is part of an economic realpolitik strategy aimed at preserving the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency,” he said.

US and Ukrainian leaders discuss defence capabilities on call after Trump ‘disappointed’ by conversation with Russia’s Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he agreed with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to work to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences, as concerns mounted in Kyiv over US military aid deliveries.

The two leaders had a “very important and fruitful conversation” by phone on Friday, Zelenskyy said.

“We spoke about opportunities in air defence and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” he added in a post on the social media platform X.

The president added that he discussed joint defence production, as well as joint purchases and investments, with the US leader.

Meanwhile, US publication Axios, citing an unidentified Ukrainian official and a source with knowledge of the call, said Trump told Zelenskyy he wants to help Ukraine with air defence after escalating attacks from Russia.

This comes a day after the US president spoke to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, in a conversation he said was disappointing.

“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there, and I’m very disappointed,” Trump said after the call on Thursday. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”

Trump said the call with Putin resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, and the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

Massive drone attack

Hours after the Trump-Putin call on Thursday, Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, killing one person, injuring at least 23 and damaging buildings across the capital.

Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

Zelenskyy called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical”.

Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes.

A decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia’s air strikes and battlefield advances. Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defence systems to bridge the gap.

Trump spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, according to Spiegel magazine, citing government sources. The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, including strengthening its air defence, as well as trade issues, Spiegel reported on Friday.

In Zelenskyy’s post on X on Friday after his call with Trump, he said the two had “a detailed conversation about defense industry capabilities and joint production. We are ready for direct projects with the United States and believe this is critically important for security, especially when it comes to drones and related technologies.”

Zelenskyy also said Ukrainians are “grateful for all the support provided”, as it helps protect lives and safeguard their independence.

“We support all efforts to stop the killings and restore just, lasting, and dignified peace. A noble agreement for peace is needed,” he said.