University of Miami

NOAA predicts the current El Niño is likely to become one of the strongest on record, with an 81% chance of reaching 'very strong' levels by fall. The phenomenon is expected to bring increased rainfall to the U.S. South and warmer winters to northern regions, while also impacting global weather patterns and Atlantic hurricane activity.

NOAA predicts a historic-strength El Niño with an 81% chance of reaching 'very strong' levels by fall, likely bringing a rainier winter to the U.S. South, drier conditions in Indonesia, and a weaker Atlantic hurricane season. The event, already surpassing the 'weak' stage, is fueled by human-caused climate change and could rival or exceed the 1997-1998 El Niño in intensity.

Cuba's culture of fear under a totalitarian regime complicates a democratic transition, as psychological attitudes shaped by government restrictions may take years to change. Dr. Andy S. Gomez, Local 10's Cuba Analyst, discusses these challenges, citing his expertise from a 32-year career in higher education.

The U.S. imposed new sanctions on five Cuban state companies, including those linked to Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), a conglomerate controlled by Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces. The sanctions aim to deter foreign investment and exacerbate Cuba’s economic crisis by targeting entities critical to the island’s logistics, imports, and financial systems.

Organizers in South Florida are urging over 130,000 Colombians to vote in their home country’s presidential runoff between Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella. The event initially framed as nonpartisan shifted toward supporting de la Espriella, who is backed by President Trump, while polling locations were changed due to safety concerns.

Cuba is moving to privatize parts of its state-run economy to address stagnant growth and respond to US pressure. The reforms represent the most significant economic change since Fidel Castro's 1950s revolution, though doubts persist about their implementation. The Trump administration may intensify its pressure on Cuba as part of broader Western hemisphere strategies.

University of Miami researchers are testing hurricane-force winds and storm surge on model homes in Key Biscayne to improve hurricane preparedness and community safety. The study uses the SUSTAIN lab to simulate extreme weather conditions and assess structural resilience.

Cuba's Vice Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, the grand-nephew of Raúl Castro, invited Cuban Americans to invest in Cuba. The 2019 constitutional amendment allows foreign investment but lacks legal protections, making risks higher than opportunities.

A report by University of Miami researchers found that 98% of environmental claims made by 33 major global meat and dairy companies, including Wisconsin-based operations like Saputo Cheese and Tyson Foods, are 'greenwashing' due to lack of supporting evidence. The study highlights that only three claims were backed by peer-reviewed research, comparing corporate tactics to those of the fossil fuel industry in misleading consumers about climate impact.

A University of Miami study links never-married adults to higher cancer risks, with never-married men showing 70% increased risk and women 85% higher risk. The research highlights significant disparities in cancers like anal, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers across marital statuses.