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.

Obama’s Cabinet

If Obama’s planning on changing how the world views Washington then besides himself his most important pick will be Secretary of State. Allot of buzz has surrounded John Kerry in the past week but for now he only has a 19% chance of being chosen.

Who will be Obama’s Secretary of State?

Obama has become a symbol to many of American bi-partisanship, but how bi-partisan is he really? A good indicator will likely be how many Republicans he has in his cabinet. For now it seems of the over 12 Cabinet positions, only 2 or 3 are forecast to be Republicans.

How many Republicans will be in President Obama’s cabinet?

One of those 2 or 3 Republicans in Obama’s cabinet is likely to be the Secretary of Defense. Right now Robert Gates the current Secretary of Defense by over 60% is predicted to be selected to carry on his position under Obama.

Who will be President Obama’s Secretary of Defense?

Business

The dropping price in oil is about the only good news for most Americans… but will OPEC allow oil to remain at these low prices, or will they take measures to reduce output and get the price back up?  Maybe not over $100, but perhaps solidly back into the $80-90 range? Right now the answer seems to be an unfortunate yes.

Will OPEC decide to lower its production quota at its Nov 18 meeting?

With the latest unemployment figures released, the possibility of reaching 7% has to be considered. Layoffs and job cuts are continuing to be announced and as the economy worsens, there may be a chance of seeing still higher numbers in the next few months. Sadly Hubdubbers forecast by 70% that we hit 7% before 2009.

Will the US unemployement rate exceed 7% at any point in 2009?

Sports

Will the Cowboys make the playoffs? There’s no simple answer to that question, but for now it looks good, with Hubdub forecasting by 59% that the Cowboys make it into the playoffs.

NFL - Will the Dallas Cowboys make the Playoffs?

Science

The Universe is really big and really wide and it has allot things in it, oddly enough though we still don’t know what it’s actually made of. Never fear though the scientists are on it! Unfortunately they’re not on it enough as Hubdub forecasts we still won’t know what the Universe is made of in 2009.

Will scientists discover what the Universe is made of in 2009?

World News

Not everyone hates the EU, but it’s not like the EU knows how to make friends. Take for example regulations on the permitted sizes, lengths and ‘bendiness’ for farm produce. I mean seriously, who cares! Fortunately by 77% Hubdub forecasts the EU hears the logic of reason and scraps this silly regulation.

Will the EU lift the ban on “strangely shaped” fruits and vegetables?

Entertainment

Everyone loves Harry Potter, maybe a bit too much in some cases… But in terms of the first Harry Potter movie which raked in 90 million in its opening weekend, how will the new fantasy challenger Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer’s compare? Hubdubbers forecast there’s a 62% chance Twilight only rakes in a measly 22.5 million to 45 million in its opening weekend.

Mythological Matchup: Vampires vs Wizards, who is the victor?

Could you see Oprah as a politician…? Thankfully it seems we have consensus on this question, with Hubdub giving Oprah only a 15% chance of being called upon to be a US ambassador!

Will President Obama offer a position of US Ambassador to Oprah Winfrey ?

Popularity: 7% [?]

By Donal (Sports Editor)

(Not really Sport, but this one is close to home for me, so I’m going to self appoint myself to the non existent position of Hubdub’s Ireland Editor for this post.)

Enoch Powell’s assertion that “all political lives end in failure” is rarely proved wrong. So it was with some sadness I learned that Bertie Ahern is the latest politician to vindicate it, following his announcement that he is to resign as Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), on May 6th. Whatever about the circumstances that fueled the media campaign against him and precipitated his departure, history will ultimately judge Bertie Ahern very favorably in my opinion.

So who will be Irelands version of Gordon Brown and replace a prime minister who has won three elections and been in power for over a decade? Its a question that answers itself really; it will almost certainly be Irelands version of Gordon Brown: Brian Cowen (aka Biffo).  He’s rather dour, certainly not slim, and will more than likely lose the next general election he contests.

And what next for Bertie Ahern? Could he be the next President of Ireland or even the next President of the EU.

He is only 56 so he still has time to prove Enoch Powell wrong.

Will Brian Cowen succeed Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach (Irish PM)?

Who will become the first Permanent President of the European Union ?

Popularity: 5% [?]