Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

Politics

With all the ‘HubBub’ about Obama’s cabinet last week, most of the major picks have been named, but rumors run rampant regarding whether Obama will actually create new cabinet positions. Hubdub is forecasting with a 30% chance that 4 new positions will be created.

How many new cabinet positions will be created by Obama?

The new president is going to have to stay organized with the fate of the entire world on his shoulders. Too bad by 70% Hubdub forecasts Barack Obama won’t be able to keep his lovable blackberry organizer when he takes office. Guess he’ll use messenger pigeons or something so the terrorists don’t find out anything important.

WIll President Obama have to give up using his Blackberry once he takes office?

Financial Crisis

Looking at the Hubdub market on what the lowest close for the DJIA will be in 2008, there’s only one thing you can ascertain, we’re still headed for more disastrous days on the markets. Hubdub forecasts by 65% that the DJIA will close below 7,000 this year.

What will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2008?

Thanksgiving Day Football

There’s nothing better than sitting down watching football on Thanksgiving. This 27th, one of the games to watch is the Tennessee Titans vs. the Detroit Lions. The Lions are almost assured defeat, but how bad will it be? Hubdub forecasts there’s a 30% chance it’s the Titans over the Lions by 15 to 28 points.

Will the Titans dine on Lions Thanksgiving Day 2008?

World News

Somalia is not the place for a Christmas vacation! It’s also not a good place to go boating, although if you want to be a modern pirate nowadays it’s the place to be… Joking aside in the continuing supertanker hijacking mess, Hubdub forecasts the ransom is paid, the ship & crew are released and the pirates get away.

What will be the outcome of the seizure of the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star?

Popularity: 13% [?]

Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

Election 08

Can a African American win the south? Although Barack Obama isn’t likely to win the entire south, out of all the former ‘Confederate’ states Hubdub is forecasting Barack grabs 3 states. At least that’s 3 more than Kerry got!

How many of the former Confederate States will Obama win in the Presidential Election?

Day by day Florida is looking more and more like Obama country. On the 4th though, how well will Obama perform in the specific counties? Currently by a slight margin Hubdubbers predict Obama wins 12-18 counties.

‘08 Presidential Election - How many counties in Florida will Obama win?

Early reports from states all across the country are reporting that early voting lines are systemic. Massive voter turnout is happening everywhere and it isn’t even November 4th. When the dust settles Hubdub predicts 55% of voters will turnout, but with new reports piling in every day we may just breach the 60% ceiling.

What will the voter turnout be for the 2008 Presidential election?

The McCain, Palin ticket is looking a bit drained these days, with the election a week away will Palin attempt to grab more airtime by appearing on the David Letterman show? Hubdubbers say no by 71%

Will Sarah Palin be a guest on the Late Show With David Letterman before the Election?

World News

The Suisse like liberal thinking allot, but how liberal will they go? Currently a law’s being voted on to determine whether weed should be decriminalized, and for now Hubbdubber’s doubt it’ll be passed.

Will the Suisse people vote for or against the initiative to decriminalise cannabis consumption?

Who knew? Apparently Iran has a growing ostrich industry. To celebrate this new culinary investment they created a 1500 meters long ostrich sandwich, and subsequently gobbled it up! Still unclear if it’ll be in the Guinness book of world records though.

Will huge Iranian ostrich sandwich go into the Guiness Book of Records?

Science
With all the problems on Earth right now, it’s hard to remember there’s a whole other world above us. But it’s there, and on November 14th we’ll be visiting it once again. That is, if everything goes to plan. By 82% Hubdub users forecast Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on time.

Will STS-126 (Space Shuttle Endeavour) Launch on or Before Nov 15th 2008?

Sports

Almost every single time someone mentions Lance Armstrong we’re reminded of the numerous drug testing scandals he went through. Lance has always maintained his innocence and nothing’s ever been proven, but the French are at it again, insisting that Lance is a ‘villain.’ Overwhelmingly Hubdub forecasts Lance is not found to be a doper, again…

Will Lance be our Hero or the Villain after all?

Credit Crunch

Markets are down again today, so it seems we’re caught in an endless tumble towards world recession. Every time a shimmer of hope arises on the markets, it’s quickly wiped out. Therefore Hubdub predicts at least 36-40 more triple digit swings on the Dow this year and maybe even more. Don’t worry though there’s good news somewhere…

How many triple digit point swings will the DJIA have left in 2008?

Remember how I was saying there was good news out there? Well it’s the plunging price of gas. So if you can afford the ‘credit tsunami’ drowning Wall Street and don’t drive a tank to work your in alright shape. Here’s some even better news, Hubdub forecasts it’s 80% or more likely that gas falls below $2.50 this year.

Will gas prices drop below $2.50 before the end of the year?

Popularity: 22% [?]

Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

The Credit Crunch

Two weeks ago we were predicting whether the DOW would drop below 10,000. Shortly thereafter the market dropped right through that mark. Now as the DOW just tries to stay afloat the question lingers, have we seen the worst of it? Sadly Hubdubbers doubt it’s over, forecasting the DOW will close below 7,000 in 2008.

What will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2008?

We’ve all heard the rumors about a GM Chrysler merger but at first it didn’t seem possible. As the markets worsen though, this deal seems more and more plausible. Companies like GM are on the edge of an abyss, falling SUV sales and a failing economy are pushing this merger, but will it happen? For now 60% of Hubdubbers still think it won’t.

Will GM and Chrysler be announced to merge before December 15?

The markets are rebounding right now, after world leaders announced more plans to rebuild the broken financial markets. The start of this week looks good in comparison with the last two weeks where stunning losses were followed by only more stunning losses. As the weeks moves on though can they continue their rebound or will more bad news lead to more losses?

Will Dow (DJIA) close up the week Oct 13-17?

The Election Heats Up

Is John McCain your friend? If you’ve been watching him recite ‘My Friends’ this and ‘My friends’ that you’d think he’s the most popular person in the world. For Wednesdays debate look forward to more ‘My Friends’ this and ‘My friends’ that, as Hubdub forecasts McCain says ‘My friends’ more than 12 times. Phew, that was 5 ‘My friends’ right there!

3rd Presidential Debate Oct 15 — How many times will McCain address the audience as, “my friends”?

It seems the one person being helped by the financial crisis is Barack Obama. Since the DOW crash Obama’s lead in the polls has grown exponentially. If Obama does win, Hubdub users forecast there’s a 48% chance that he wins in a landslide, getting at least 2/3 of the electoral votes.

Will Barack Obama win a landslide victory (at least 2/3 of electoral college votes)?

World News

Can a country go bankrupt? The answer is yes if a government defaults. Following Iceland’s nationalization of its banks, some have alluded to the possibility of national bankruptcy. Fortunately Hubdub users give Iceland only a 25% chance of bankruptcy in the near future.

Will Iceland be officially bankrupt by the end of the year?

Canada’s not usually known for political violence. Although, recently some Liberal party supporters have awoken to find their car brake lines cut. The vandalism is being investigated by police. Although hubdubbers doubt anyone will be arrested, giving only a 21% chance of arrests being made.

Will any of the brake-line cutting vandals of Toronto Liberal supporters be arrested?

Sport

Instant replay has been around in the NFL for a long time, but just this season it’s been introduced into the MLB. With the biggest event coming up this month, Hubdub users are forecasting by 60% that instant replay will be used to determine or challenge a call in the World Series.

Will instant replay be used to determine or challenge a call in the 2008 World Series

Odd Stuff
There’s the Olympics and then there’s the the World Mind Games. For armchair generals the Beijing Mind Games offer an array of brain strengthening events in bridge, chess, draughts, Go and Xiangqi. It’s a chance for those who were never really  popular in high school to regain some self esteem. Home ground advantage seems to be proving true as Hubdubbers predict Asia tops the gold medal tally.

A country from which region will top the gold medal tally at the World Mind Games?

Entertainment

In one swoop Tina Fey saved Saturday Night Live from cancellation. As Sarah Palin Tina brought in swathes of new viewers. In the final days of the election rumors are abound of a joint Sarah Palin, Tina Fey SNL appearance, but will it happen? 75% of Hubdubbers forecast it will.

Will Tina Fey and Sarah Palin make a joint appearance on SNL prior to the November election?

Popularity: 16% [?]