Tropical Storm Cristina’s Nicaragua impacts: Heavy rains and strong winds from Cristina have battered western Nicaragua, with flooding, landslides, and major road disruptions reported in León and Chinandega, plus damage in coastal towns like Paso Caballos (Corinto) where seawater seeped into neighborhoods; in Managua, crews are clearing water buildup and a sinkhole on the highway to Masaya swallowed a truck. El Niño drought alarm for the “Dry Corridor”: Scientists say El Niño has arrived and could intensify into late-year extremes, raising fears of failed rains, crop losses, and food insecurity across Central America’s dry belt that includes Nicaragua. Illegal mining threat near the border: Costa Rica’s Crucitas gold crisis is deepening as illegal extraction spreads over thousands of hectares near the Nicaraguan border, with mercury and cyanide use raising alarms for forest, soil, and water contamination. Wildlife health risk crossing borders: A New World screwworm case in Texas is linked to cattle smuggling, a pressure point for Central America’s ecosystems and livestock health. Maritime disaster for small fishers: In Costa Rica, four fishermen from the Roxana II remain missing after rough seas tied to Cristina, highlighting how weather shocks hit artisanal livelihoods.