Storm Cristina Impacts Nicaragua: Heavy rains and strong winds from Tropical Storm Cristina have battered western Nicaragua, with flooding, landslides, and major road damage reported in León and Chinandega, plus sinkhole damage on the highway to Masaya and emergency repairs in Managua areas like El Jobo and San Judas. Search and Rescue at Sea: In Costa Rica’s North Pacific, four fishermen aboard the Roxana II remain missing after rough seas tied to Cristina triggered multiple boating emergencies off Guanacaste; an aerial search covered thousands of nautical miles, while a separate panga (Kila) rescue found one Nicaraguan fisherman alive. El Niño Alarm for the Dry Corridor: Scientists say El Niño has arrived and could intensify into late-year extremes, raising fears of failed rains, drought, and food stress across Central America’s Dry Corridor, including Nicaragua. Illegal Mining Fallout Near Nicaragua Border: Costa Rica’s Crucitas gold crisis is deepening as illegal mining spreads, with reports of mercury and cyanide contamination threatening forests, soil, and waterways near the Nicaraguan border. Wildlife Health Threat: New World screwworm is spreading again, with confirmed cases in the U.S. after resurgence linked to cattle smuggling—raising risks for animals and livelihoods across the region.