Ophelia again upgraded to hurricane, islands evacuated
Vulnerable islands were evacuated and mainland schools were closed Tuesday as Ophelia again strengthened to a hurricane and wobbled closer to land with a threat of flooding rain.
The National Hurricane Center upgraded the storm's status Tuesday evening, saying maximum sustained winds had reached 75 mph, with higher gusts. The storm was graded a Category 1 hurricane, but the center said further strengthening was possible in the hours ahead.
A hurricane warning extended from the South Santee River in South Carolina north to Oregon Inlet at Pamlico Sound in North Carolina, meaning hurricane conditions were expected within 24 hours.
National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Faucette said the storm is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening and likely won't be out of North Carolina until sometime Thursday.
U.S., Iraqi offensive leads to capture of 400 insurgents
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents shelled the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad early Tuesday, and U.S. and Iraqi commanders said more than 400 suspects were captured during an offensive to retake the northern town of Tal Afar.
Two mortar rounds exploded near a military hospital inside the protected area that houses the Iraqi government, parliament and foreign missions, police said. There were no reports of casualties.
