New Tropical Storm Heads for Caribbean

A tropical depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Bonnie as it raced across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean, prompting storm warnings in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. The storm was 75 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands, an official with the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. A tropical storm watch also was in effect for the northern Leeward Islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. The storm had sustained winds of 45 mph and higher gusts. Forecasters said it could reach hurricane strength of 74 mph by the weekend.