WILMINGTON, N.C. -- As a resident of this coastal city, I have become used to the ever-present threat of Atlantic hurricanes during the late summer and early fall months. Wilmington experiences one hurricane making landfall every 2.67 years.I'm familiar with these storms and their aftermaths. Since I have owned my home in Wilmington, we have…

CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is expected to form a new minority government on Tuesday with the backing of three kingmaker independents, ending two weeks of uncertainty.Independent Tony Windsor said the impasse should end on Tuesday morning, but there was still a risk the independent MPs could split, delivering a deadlock of…