Tropical Storm Julia takes aim at Nicaragua

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Julia has formed in the Caribbean Sea, triggering hurricane watches and warnings for Nicaragua and Colombian islands. Julia had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph late Friday afternoon and was moving west at 18 mph. The storm was about 450 miles east of Colombia’s Providencia Island. Nicaragua’s government has issued a hurricane warning from Laguna de Perlas to Puerto Cabezas. The storm is forecast to brush by Colombia’s San Andres and Providencia islands on its way to landfall in Nicaragua early Sunday. Colombian President Gustavo Petro says the government is preparing shelters on the islands.