STORM

Hurricane Hilary 2011 will likely weaken next week from its current Category 3 strength, but the storm may turn into central or northern California before it's done, ultimately bringing needed rain to the Southwest, including Texas.

Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to head well north of the Leeward Islands on its current projected path.

Let's face the mounting facts and just say it in plain language: The world is slipping into Global Recession 2011 and governments don't have the gunpowder to ward it off. The U.S. economy is barely growing at all. Companies aren't hiring. The federal budget deficit is above $14.5 trillion. Companies are stockpiling cash because, as Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a press conference this week, because the consumer has pulled back.

Tropical Storm Ophelia strengthened overnight as it tracked on a path well north of the Leeward Islands.

Android smartphones are catching up to Apple's iPhone and are almost way ahead in every direction.

On its projected path, Tropical Storm Ophelia will be just north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico by early next week.

Canadian commercial lending rose in the second quarter, PayNet Inc said on Wednesday, in a report that showed smaller businesses we're expanding even as economic storm clouds gather in Europe and the United States.

Typhoon Roke is moving off shore and toward the Kuril Island archipelago between Japan and Russia, according to reports. The storm is still pounding the central Japan with rain, including the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which has so far avoid any major damage.

Typhoon Roke is currently pounding central Japan, causing massive blackouts, flooding and at least three deaths.

Tropical Storm Ophelia formed in the tropical Atlantic and is on a projected path toward the northern Leeward Islands.

Typhoon Roke, the second typhoon to hit Japan this month, has left more than 250,000 households without power. Three people have been confirmed dead, while more are considered missing.

The storm made landfall near the city of Hamamatsu, about 125 miles west of Tokyo, and it is expected to move toward the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant

Gold jumped to its biggest gain in eight sessions on Tuesday, snapping back from steep day-ago losses as the anticipation of further U.S. stimulus mingled with new fears over global growth.

Gold's rally will extend beyond $2,000 an ounce in the next year, but won't match the torrid record-breaking climb of the last 12 months, according to gold investors and analysts attending the London Bullion Market Association's (LBMA) annual conference.

Gold's rally will extend beyond $2,000 an ounce in the next year, but won't match the torrid record-breaking climb of the last 12 months, according to gold investors and analysts attending the London Bullion Market Association's (LBMA) annual conference.

Hurricane Irene destroyed many pumpkin patches when it crippled the Northeastern states leading to a pumpkin shortage that could possibly double prices for Halloween.

Hollywood Leaks denies stealing and spreading nude photos of Scarlett Johnansson

Finally, there's some good news for U.S. motorists. Gas prices, down about 10 cents per gallon in the past month to an average of $3.60 per gallon for regular unleaded, are likely to continue to decline, assuming no oil disruptions from major oil producers or a large storm in the Gulf of Mexico.

Chinese media also reported that villagers blamed the factory’s pollution for causing at least 31 cases of cancer in the nearby village of Hongxiao.

Libya's interim leaders failed to agree a new cabinet on Sunday and the forces that forced Muammar Gaddafi from power remained bogged down in fighting with troops loyal to the former ruler.

Libya's interim leaders failed to agree a new Cabinet Sunday and the forces that forced Moammar Gadhafi from power remained bogged down in fighting with troops loyal to the former ruler.