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.

World

On Sunday Tehran was relatively quiet compared to the past weeks street violence, but with fresh calls from the opposition for reforms and a new election it’s doubtful we’ve seen the worst of it. Despite the spirit of protesters, Hubdub forecasts there’s only a 16% chance Ahmadinejad is disempowered.

Will President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad be disempowered or resign?

Politics
The battle for universal health care is heating up and any chances of a well behaved and restrained fight are quickly diminishing. How likely is that we’ll get the damn thing this year? Hubdub says we’ve only got a 48% chance.

Will the U.S. enact a comprehensive health care plan in 2009?

Entertainment

After Indiana Jone’s last adventure involving aliens, the thought of another Lucas and Spielberg pillaging of a classic doesn’t have me too enthusiastic. Better yet it’s 96% likely the next Indiana Jones doesn’t have Harrison Ford in it.

Will there be a fifth Indiana Jones film starring Harrison Ford?

Business
Is Steve Job’s return to Apple imminent? Well, judging from predictions on Hubdub and the latest news the answers yes!

Will Steve Jobs return to be Apple’s CEO in 2009?

Sport

The oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world has had some of the most exciting matches, including last year’s instant classic with Nadal and Federer. Although Nadal is skipping Wimbledon, it’s no less exciting. Currently Roger Federer is the frontrunner with a 44% chance of wining Wimbledon.

Who will win the 2009 Men’s Wimbledon?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 apple, barack obama, cancer, federer, harrison ford, health care, indiana jones, iran, iranian elections, mahmoud Ahmadinejad, nadal, protests, steve jobs, universal health care, Wimbledon

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.

World

The doomsday clock probably moved up another notch this week with North Korea flexing its military might. First a nuclear detonation, then missile tests and now the world awaits more irrational action. More missile tests between June 1 - June 7 have a 48% chance of occurring, and a new war in Asia has a 36% chance.

When will North Korea launch their next missile?

Sports
The NBA final is now underway, it’s a best of seven series, and as of now Hubdubbers only slightly favor the LA Lakers over the Orlando Magic.

NBA Finals, LA Lakers - Orlando Magic, series outcome?

The NHL playoffs are also underway this week. The final is between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Red Wings are certainly the front runners to win the best of seven series.

Stanley Cup Final, Detroit Red Wings - Pittsburgh Penguins, series outcome?

Science
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins this week and the initial outlook calls for a 50% chance of a normal season, a 25% chance of an above-normal season and a 25% chance of a below-normal season. Hubdub forecasts that in June and July there’s a equal 32% probability that we have either no storms or only one.

How many hurricanes will there be in the Atlantic in June and July?

Politics
Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has evoked some criticism from the right, from questions of her sexuality to her views on abortion, but for now she seems to have weathered the storm. Abortion being the sticky issue it is, Sonia Sotomayor has a 69% chance of not specifying whether she is or isn’t pro-choice.

Will Justice Sotomayor describe herself as pro-choice?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 barack obama, detroit red wings, hurricane season, la lakers, los angeles lakers, national basketball association, national hockey league, nba, nhl, north korea, nuclear tests, orlando magic, pittsburgh penguins, playoffs, Sonia Sotomayor, south korea, supreme court, war

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.

Science
As if the economic meltdown wasn’t enough, now we have swine flu. The outbreak started in Mexico but in a matter of days cases in places as far away as New Zealand have popped up. The Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization haven’t yet referred to the outbreak as a pandemic, but before 2010 the chances of swine flu developing into a pandemic are a worrying 23%.

Will the Mexican/U.S. swine flu (A/H1N1) grow into a pandemic in 2009 as feared?

Entertainment
Sean Hannity is on the record saying he’d be water boarded for charity. Therefore Keith Olbermann’s offer to give $1,000 per second to charity for as long as Hannity stays under seems fair. The question is will Hannity chicken out?

How much will Keith Olbermann pay Hannity for the waterboard treatment?

It’s TV show culling time again! Although some entertainment pundits have doubts about Chuck returning for another season, Hubdubbers seem to categorically agree with Deadline Hollywood Daily forecasting Chuck has a 71% chance of renewal.

Bubble shows: Will Chuck be renewed?

Politics
This week President Barack Obama has his third prime time press conference, with so many issues on his plate though mentions of Obama’s former rival John McCain seem unlikely.

Primetime Press Conference 4/29: Will John McCains name be mentioned specifically.

Sports

“The fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” better known as the Kentucky Derby is this week and Hubdub has forecasts on which horse is most likely to win. Pioneer of the Nile with a 29% chance is the front runner followed by I Want Revenge and Quality Road with 25% and 18% chances of winning respectively.

Who will win this years Kentucky Derby?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 barack obama, Center for Disease Control, charity, Chuck, H1N1, horse racing, john mccain, Keith Olbermann, Kentucky Derby, mexico, mexico city, outbreak, pandemic, primetime press conference, renewal, Sean Hannity, swine flu, The fastest Two Minutes in Sports, united states, water board, water boarding, World Health Organization

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
Tim Geithner has been getting  a unfair rap for his desperate attempts to fix our ailing economy. I mean he is kind of running a one man show at the Treasury department. Undoubtedly this week he’ll be used again as a political punching bag, but will the complaints and criticisms lead to anything? Hubdubbers doubt it giving Geithner only a 20% chance of leaving his post by 2010.

Will Tim Geithner depart as Secretary of the Treasury before midnight on 31 Dec 2009?

President Obama has a primetime press conference this week to reiterate his plans for the federal budget this year. It won’t all be numbers and graphs though, with Hubdub forecasting President Obama will talk about his NCAA Basketball picks during the press conference.

President Obama Primetime Press Conf. 3/24/09: Will he be asked about his NCAA Basketball picks?

Business
The Dow’s been having some pretty good days these past few weeks. So much so that before March 31st Hubdubbers predict there’s a 56% chance that the Dow closes above 7500.

Dow - Up or down ? Which comes first, 6500 or 7500?

Sports
The NCAAB tournament continues this week, and one of the major games to watch will be when Oklahoma state goes against Syracuse on Friday. The game is bound to be close but right now Oklahoma has edged up against Syracuse, with a 52% chance of winning on Friday.

NCAAB Tournament - #2 Oklahoma vs #3 Syracuse. Who will win?

Entertainment

This week American Idol heads to Detroit where contestants will compete in the category of Motown music. Who’s likely to get the least support? Hubdub forecasts Michael Sarver has the highest chance of getting the fewest votes this week.

Who will have the fewest votes on American Idol this week?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 american idol, barack obama, basketball, djia, dow, dow jones industrial average, economy, financial crisis, hubdub, March Madness, michael sarver, ncaa, NCAAB, Oklahoma, president obama, primetime press conference, secretary of the treasury, Syracuse, Tim Geithner, tournament, treasury department

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.

Sports

March Madness is upon us my friends and life is good! So far Hubdub isn’t forecasting any of the known teams will be crowned winner in two weeks time. Although so far it seems North Carolina is the second likeliest front runner. If you haven’t done so already check out Hubdub’s March Madness Predict-A-Thon for more NCAA forecasts.

Which Team will Win the NCAA Championship?

Politics
Some of our esteemed Supreme Court Justices are getting a bit old, and with Barack Obama now in the White House it’s likely a more liberal leaning justice will be appointed soon. The question though is which justice will step down first? Hubdub forecasts the most likely candidate for resignation is David Souter with a 55% chance of stepping down.

Who will be the first Supreme Court Justice replaced?

World News
With wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s easy to forget sometimes that those countries aren’t the only possible threats to American security. A fact made clear this March when Chinese ships harassed an American naval ship in the South China Sea. Both sides don’t want an escalation of tensions, and thankfully Hubdubbers agree giving only a 29% chance of similar tensions within the next two weeks.

Will China further harass any US Navy ships operating in international waters?

Business
It seems our ailing economy is getting better number these days. Out of the woods? No, better than before? Yes. For now Hubdub forecasts there’s a 51% probability the Dow Jones Industrial Averages in 2009 will be within the 6000 to 6999.99 range.

What will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2009?

Entertainment
American Idol Season 8 is heating up and with a final listing of 10 possible winners, we can finally start predicting who’s gonna grab first place this year. In the lead this week, Adam Lambert (43%) and in second place Danny Gokey (27%). We’ve got 7 more weeks though, so don’t put your eggs all in one basket just yet.

Who will win American Idol Season 8?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 2009, adam lambert, american idol, barack obama, basketball, conflict, danny gokey, david souter, djia, dow jones industrial, harass, March Madness, navy China, ncaa, north carolina, politics, ruth bader ginsberg, south china sea, sports, supreme court, supreme court justices, us navy, war

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.

Business
Hubdub’s holding to its forecast that by April 1st the DJIA will have passed below the 7,000 mark, giving it 97% certainty. May the Dow rest in peace…

Dow - Up or down before April 1? Which comes first, 7000 or 8000?

Gasoline prices have been fluctuating all month and in a economy where every penny counts, higher or lower prices can make or break individuals. By next Sunday Hubdub is forecasting the nationwide average for regular unleaded will be $1.950 - 1.974.

What will be the AAA average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the US on Sunday, March 8th?

Politics
The Republican party still has allot of soul searching to do these days. Bobby ‘leave it beaver’ Jindal didn’t have the best opening performance on the national stage last week. Probably one of the reasons why Hubdub forecasts Mitt Romney as the GOP front runner for 2012 with a 52% chance of winning the next Republican Presidential straw poll.

Who will win the next Republican Presidential straw poll?

Entertainment
American Idol is bound to be a treat this week. So far 2 out of 6 women have been chosen as finalists, with the semi-finals this week though how many women altogether will get the nod? Hubdub forecasts there’s a 49% chance that of the 12 finalists, 5 will be women. For all the American Idol markets we have make sure to go to our tags page here.

American Idol: How many women in the top 12?

Sport

Sad news in the world of sports this week. Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith, and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper are both feared lost at sea with others off the Florida coast. The coast guard is searching the 750 square-mile area but hasn’t yet turned up anything. Unfortunately Hubdub forecasts there’s a 60% chance the two won’t be found by this Saturday.

When will the NFL players lost at sea be found?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 2012 presidential elections, american idol, bobby jindal, corey smith, djia, dow, dow jones industrial average, florida, forecast, gas, gas prices, gasoline, gop, lost at sea, marquis cooper, mitt romney, predictions, regular unleaded, republican party

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
The last weeks for the Obama administration haven’t been a honeymoon. The DJIA collapse last week, mismatched nominations and a severe lack of bipartisanship have brought Obama’s job approval to just over 60%. Obame rode to the White House on flames of glory, but in the last weeks those flames have certainly dimmed. On a bright note though Hubdub forecasts Obama has a 68% chance of ending his first 100 days with a 60-69%  approval rating.

What will President Obama’s approval rating be after his first 100 days in office?

Who would’ve guessed Roland Burris would be back in the news again so quickly? His last inklings of support are diminishing by the hour as politicians and some at the White House turn the other cheek. Sadly though, Hubdub predicts this old dog won’t be put down just yet. Giving him a 51% chance of survival till July 31st.

Will Roland Burris keep his Senate seat until July 31?

Business
If you’d like good news on the finance markets stay away from the Hubdub market regarding what will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2009. For now the DJIA is still trading above 7000, but Hubdub forecasts there’s a combined 86% chance that the DJIA drops below 7000 in 2009.

What will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2009?

It’s funny how even small remarks can drive the markets in different directions. Last week when speculation from Senator Dodd and others hinted towards bank nationalization, the markets dropped significantly. Will Citigroup or Bank of America actually be nationalized? Hard to say, Hubdub gives bank nationalization a 48% chance.

Will the U.S. government nationalize either Citigroup or Bank of America?

Sports
Tiger Woods just had a baby, and is also coming back from a major injury. Fortunately Woods is the kind of guy who can do anything, or at least mostly anything… At Hubdub we forecast he probably won’t get first place in his first tournament, but second to fifth place isn’t half bad!

PGA - In what position will Tiger Woods finish in his first tournament of 2009?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 bank, bank of america, barack obama, citigroup, djia, dow jones industrial average, financial crisis, gallup, golf, illinois, job approval, nationalization, pga, roland burris, senate, tiger woods, white house

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.

General
The crash of a Colgan Air flight last Friday was the worst air disaster in the U.S. for quite some time, but why did 50 people perish? With revelations about the autopilot being on at the time of the crash, currently Hubdub is forecasting the crash was caused by human error. Significant ice buildup on the wings though has Hubdub forecasting the second likeliest cause was bad weather.

What’s the ‘main’ cause of the fatal Buffalo plane crash?

Entertainment

Since the Oscars Best Picture market was created last month there’s been a significant favorite all the way through. Currently Slumdog Millionaire has an 88% chance of taking home Best Picture, in second place right now is Brad Pitt’s the Curious Case of Benjamin Button with 8%. For all our other Oscar’s related market go here.

81st Academy Awards: Who will win the Oscar for Best Picture?

Sean Penn (Milk) and Micky Rourke (The Wrestler) seem locked in a continuing struggle for best actor. At first Rourke’s surprise performance saw him as the clear favorite for Best Actor this year. In the last few weeks though Sean Penn has picked up a sizable lead, and currently Hubdub forecasts he has a 62% chance of winning this year.

81st Academy Awards: Who will win the Oscar for Best Actor?

Often during the Oscar’s we get the wetworks from almost everyone who wins… This year it’s doubtful that won’t happen again. In the highly prized Best Actress category, there’s atleast a 62% chance according to Hubdub that the winner starts crying.

Will the actress that wins the best actress Oscar cry?

The price of oil has been about as, if not more turbulent then the stock markets in general these days. So turbulent that I think we can have a Hubdub first in that it’s truly anyones game as to whether we get $30 or $40 oil first. The market has had many wild swings, and it was only created last Friday. Right now Hubdub forecasts there’s a 54% chance Oil reaches $40 first.

Oil- up or down? Which comes first - $30 oil or $40 oil?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 81st academy awards, airplane crash, autopilot, best actor, best actress, Best Picture, buffalo, colgan air, cry, gas, ice, Micky Rourke, Milk, oil prices, Oscars, pilot error, sean penn, Slumdog Millionaire, stock market, The Wrestler

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
Although Hubdub forecasts the Stimulus package will pass the Senate, exactly how much bi-partisan support it will have is still unclear. With a 45% chance Hubdub forecasts at least 2-3 Republicans vote to approve the package when it comes to a vote.

How many Republican Senators will vote to approve the current $800b + stimulus bill?

World
It seems a new wave of protesting is sweeping across the land, shoe throwing. First former President Bush and now Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. With so many leaders out there and just as many people angry at them, another country’s leader is bound to be ‘attacked.’ Currently Hubdub forecasts within a year it happens again.

Will there be a new incident of a shoe thrown at a country’s leader?

Business
Almost 600,000 American jobs were lost in January, raising unemployment levels to 7.6%. A sign many economists say points to a deepening crisis, with even worse months ahead. Sadly Hubdub has no good news yet, forecasting February sees unemployment rising to 8%.

What will the US unemployment rate be for February 2009?

Sports
In February Sports Illustrated releases their 2009 Swimsuit issue. Brooklyn Decker is the front runner for cover model with a 37% chance. If you’d like to drool over what you can’t ever have, click on the market for ‘images.’ I won’t lie these women are very, very beautiful and lets not kid ourselves, sex sells.

Who will be the cover model of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition 2009?

Science
Volcanic eruptions occur allot more often then some think. This February we may see the natural beauty of one from Mount Redoubt, located near Alaska’s largest city. Getting forecasts on exactly when she’ll blow her top, as you can tell by the graph isn’t easy though. For now according to Hubdub there’s only a 21% chance Mount Redoubt erupts before February 15th.

Will Mount Redoubt erupt before Feb. 15/09?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 alaska, barack obama, Brooklyn Decker, business, democrats, financial crisis, hubdub, mount redoubt, politics, republicans, senate, shoe, Sports Illustrated, stimulus, stimulus package, swimsuit issue, throw, unemployment, volcano, wen jiabao

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.

Business
Although optimism still surrounds the new President, that optimism hasn’t reached the financial markets. In fact it seems the opposite is happening. Within the first 100 days Hubdub forecasts there’s a above 50% chance that the DJIA will have a one-day drop of 6%. Which at current measures would be a drop of 480 points in a day!

Will the DJIA have a one-day drop of 6% or more during Obama’s first 100 days as president?

Politics
This week with the new Stimulus package hitting the Senate floor, and the markets still in disarray, the Presidents path is fraught with danger. Despite the danger though Hubdub forecasts Obama has a 43% chance of retaining a 66% - 67% approval rating next Monday.

What will President Obama’s approval rating be on Monday February 9, 2009?

Entertainment
The 51st Grammy Awards will be on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. The biggest award of the night is certain to be song of the year. Coldplay with Viva La Vida are trading as the main favorites with a 63% chance, trading second is American Boy from Estelle Feat and Kanye West trading at 17%.

Grammy Awards ‘09: Song of the Year

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards or simply the BAFTA’s are also being announced on February 8th. With the Oscars coming up the BAFTA’s should be a sign of things to come. Sean Penn is in the lead for Best Actor in both the Oscar’s and the BAFTA’s with an above 65% chance.

BAFTA: Who Will Win Best Actor?

World
The new Pope has had a tough time convincing critics he’s all for religious equality. First he caused outrage with Muslims and now the pardoning of a Holocaust denying bishop has got the Jewish community in a uproar. How does Hubdub forecast the Pope will deal with the situation? Silence is golden…

The Pope pardoned a Holocaust denial bishop - How will he respond to critics?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 approval rating, BAFTA, barack obama, best actor, coldplay, djia, dow jones industrial average, entertainment, financial crisis, first 100 days, gallup, grammy awards, holocaust, hubdub, jewish, Oscars, sean penn, song of the year, the pope, viva la vida