
Hurricane Ida strengthens into Category 3 storm as it nears Gulf Coast landfall
CNN
As Hurricane Ida marches north toward Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, weather forecasters say the storm's wind speeds are expected to increase, potentially bringing even greater devastation to the region upon its arrival.
"Ida is poised to strengthen further and based on recent satellite images it appears that strengthening is imminent," the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Saturday evening, adding that Ida is "expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane." Ida strengthened to a Category 3 storm as of early Sunday morning, Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft determined, with sustained winds at 115 mph and gusting to 125 mph. Forecasts have Ida potentially becoming a Category 4 hurricane prior to landfall with sustained winds of at least 130 mph.
The Trump administration is preparing to use private military contractors to protect oil and energy assets in Venezuela rather than deploying US troops, according to two sources familiar with the plans, setting up a potential boon for security firms with experience in the region and ties to the administration.

Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, arrives in Washington this week for high-stakes talks with US President Donald Trump on the future of Venezuela following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. The meeting comes after Trump surprised many by allowing Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, to assume control, dashing opposition hopes for a new democratic era.

Most Americans see an immigration officer’s fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good as an inappropriate use of force, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds. Roughly half view it as a sign of broader issues with the way US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is operating, with less than one-third saying that ICE operations have made cities safer.










