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<DIV><FONT size=2>Here is a news item of real concern to the Curate of
Crackpotland:</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=7>The CNN Wire</FONT></STRONG> <SPAN
class=cnnBlogSubTitle><FONT size=5><STRONG>Latest updates on top
stories</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV class=cnnBlogContentDateHead>November 7th, 2008</DIV>
<DIV class=cnnBlogContentTitle><A
title="Permanent Link: Category 2 Paloma batters Caymans"
href="http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/07/category-2-paloma-batters-caymans/"
rel=bookmark>Category 2 Paloma batters Caymans</A></DIV>
<DIV class=cnnGryTmeStmp>Posted: 04:29 PM ET</DIV>
<DIV class=cnnBlogContentPost>
<DIV class=snap_preview>
<P>(CNN) — Hurricane Paloma intensified to a Category 2 storm on Friday, lashing
Grand Cayman Island with wind and rain on it way toward central Cuba, the
National Hurricane Center said.</P>
<P>Cuban officials also issued a hurricane warning for the provinces of Sancti
Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas, the Miami, Florida-based NHC
said in an advisory. A hurricane warning remained in effect for the Cayman
Islands. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within
24 hours. </P>
<P>As of 4 p.m. ET, Paloma’s winds were near 105 mph (170 kph) with higher
gusts. Further strengthening is likely, forecasters said, and Paloma could
become a major Category 3 hurricane with winds of at least 111 mph (178 kph)
later Friday or early Saturday. Slow weakening is possible, however, by late
Saturday, and Paloma is forecast to approach Cuba as a Category 2 storm,
according to the NHC.</P>
<P>Friday afternoon, the center of Paloma was about 40 miles (65 km) south of
Grand Cayman Island and about 290 miles (465 km) southwest of Camaguey, Cuba. It
was moving north-northeast at near 6 mph (9 kph) and was expected to turn
northeast overnight Friday. </P></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>