International News

MIAMI, Oct 13, (APP/AFP) – Bermuda braced for Hurricane Nicole, now a powerful Category Four storm, late Wednesday as it churned toward the islands, with forecasters warning of a possible direct hit. “On the forecast track, the core of Nicole will pass over or near Bermuda on Thursday,” the US National Hurricane Center said in a 0300 GMT update. The storm’s top sustained winds have increased to near 130 miles (215 kilometers) per hour, with higher gusts, the Miami-based NHC said. Nicole was about 180 miles (290 kilometers) south-southwest of the tiny British islands in the Atlantic, moving north-northeast at 12 miles per hour. Hurricane-force winds extend 65 miles from the center, the HNC said. A hurricane warning is in effect for Bermuda.