Ok, January 1st: a day of hangovers and new commitments to ourselves to improve our lives in the New Year.

There's just something about those two 1's that give us that feeling of a fresh start and a chance to make life better than it was last year. Share with us how you resolution-makers plan to do it.

If yours wasn't on this list, do share your top priority resolution. If you are an anti-New Year's resolutions, tell us why? And if you've got yourself a resolution-keeping strategy, help out the rest of us schlubs with some tips. The comment box awaits. [h/t: lifehaker]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

Yisrayl Hawkins, the well known Bible Scholar and prolific author, reports in his latest monthly newsletter http://www.yahweh.com/Newsletters/nl08-06.htm
"Nuclear War will start on September 12, 2006." This is quite a startling statement.

In summary, the newsletter says that the war that is currently taking place between Israel and Lebanon, and inflaming the whole Middle East, will escalate to "Nuclear War starting September 12, 2006" and lead to the fulfillment of prophecy; "a third part of mankind will be killed over a fourth part of the earth". This, in turn, will lead to the involvement of all nations and ultimately to "four fifths of the earth's total population being killed by October 13, 2007".

The Newsletter, which is 16 pages long, goes on to say that this is all taking place in the last three and one-half year prophetic period that started April 13, 2004 when it was actually signed back into action by President George W. Bush and Ariel Sharon as they rekindled the stalled seven year Middle East Peace Plan. The Newsletter gives considerable history of this seven year, on again, off again, on again Middle East Peace Plan and says it has paralleled the missing week of years, spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, since it's signing on September 13, 1993 by Rabin, Arafat and Clinton. It also says that the missing week of years in Daniel Chap. 9:24-27 is also known as the divided, severed, or cut short time. The Newsletter concludes by stating that we are now well into the last three and one-half years of both the Middle East Peace Plan and the week that Daniel prophesied and "this Nuclear War will end with a final burning blast that darkens the sun". The Newsletter gives extremely lengthy and detailed evidence from current News Reports, and numerous quotations from the Bible, to back up and corroborate the assertions of Mr. Hawkins.

According to reports, from some who have already reviewed the August, 2006 newsletter, "all times, dates, scriptures and events can be easily verified and proven".
They say that the conclusion is correct "we are in the last 14 months". Commentators requested anonymity because of the subject matter.. Those close to the author of this Newsletter, state that "Mr. Yisrayl Hawkins is the only one in history to figure it out, preach it in advance for over 20 years and, at great personal risk, teach it to the whole world". Apparently, thousands of radio, television and print media now regularly carry Yisrayl Hawkins message in addition to the HOT BIRD 613 Satellite which covers large portions of Europe, Eurasia, Asia and the Middle East.

To paraphrase one especially notable portion of the Newsletter; "do not be deceived by talk of Peace after the first Nuclear Destruction takes place. These wars will intensify in the 13 months that remain after the initial war prophesied for September 12, 2006".

This has to be easily the most startling news story this decade. There is no doubt that the author of this Newsletter believes these events were prophesied thousands of years ago and that these events will take place as prophesied. Mr. Hawkins has fervently recommended not just reading the Newsletter, but, "actually studying it as though your life depends on it". Mr. Hawkins may well be right. Mr. Hawkins also recommends "warning family, friends, neighbors and coworkers by sharing the newsletter".

If Mr. Hawkins is right, and there appear to be a number of highly placed individuals that
do think he is right, then, as one person noted, "we could become a savior to those we warn. It is now in our hands. Some will say this is crazy but maybe it's better to be called crazy, and save even one life by giving this warning, than to look back and know we did nothing when we should have".

Sources in the mainstream press that suggest Mr. Hawkins is correct and that we are headed for Nuclear War soon:

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/hirsch.php?articleid=7542

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0817/dailyUpdate.html

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/policy/dod/jp3_12fc2.pdf
http://www.brook.edu/FP/PROJECTS/NUCWCOST/lasg.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/16/hersh.iran/

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060417fa_fact

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/us-ready-for-nuclear-strike-on-iran-report/2006/04/09/1144521210987.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/19/wiran19.xml
http://www.comeclean.org.uk/articles.php?articleID=201
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060418-1.html
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/hirsch.php?articleid=9255
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/hirsch.php?articleid=7861
http://circumlocutor.blogspot.com/2006/08/september-12-2006-nuclear-war-still-go.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sjf4ELVeX8

http://www.counterpunch.org/cook08072006.html
http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/conflicts/11-08-2006/83898-Nuclear_War-0

I have no evidences that this prophecy is right or wrong, especially that we heard so many false prophecies in the past. However, I’m posting it here, just in case, so you don’t say that I didn’t warn you :-)

Everyone knows Michel Hayek for his famous predictions, future forecasts and consultations. He is Lebanon's top psychic.

On 2004 New Year's Eve, he predicted the death of Beirut MP and An-Nahar General Manager Gebran Tueni. That evening, as has been the case for nearly a decade, Hayek appeared on LBC television to offer 16 predictions for the following year, 14 of which came true and changed the country's history.

Hayek predicted in December 2004 that "a major incident in downtown Beirut would shake the area for a long time". In February, a truck bomb killed former prime minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others.

"After all the clamor surrounding my 2005 predictions and the rumors that spread later in my name, I have decided not to announce my predictions for (2006)," Hayek said.

Having said all that, I've just received below predictions, which sender claims that are some of his unpublished prediction for the year 2006.

Will leave it for you to judge, and days to confirm if these are true predictions or not and if they will comes true, or not (while I wish some come true).

My apology for not having the time to translate them all to English, but the one that might be of interest to all these days is about el-Sayed Hassan Nasrallah. The prediction says that he will be killed by an Israeli air strike while he flees to Syria, following Israeli air strike at Southern Beirut.

So, one part of the prediction has already come true, the air strikes on Beirut have begun since seven days, but Nasrallah is still alive, I guess.

Other prediction say, Palestinian camps war in Lebanon result into a war between Sunni and Shia’a at Sidon. Syria regime fall and President Bashar Al-Asad flees to unknown destination. Waleed Junblat captured in one of the Arabian capitals, and gets hanged after a swift trial.

If someone has the time to translate the rest, please be my guest.

So again like last year, let me start by wishing all my Christian friends and brothers a Merry Christmas and wish everyone a Happy New Year. Hope it brings a fresh hope and new resolutions to us all.

Amal has beaten me in her predictions for 2006 (and she made me laugh to death), but it is never too late. So here we go again.

2006 holds a few challenges and everyone will be directly touched by his history and looking forward for better future. However, we all know that history in general has been one of many deadly conflicts. Personal or Universal progress is not without pain and suffering, and historically, human past points more to war than peace (unfortunately).

Let's try to make some predictions for 2006. Being pessimistic or optimistic, funny or serious, all up to you.

Here are some categories (updated), but don't limit yourself. If you like to add more, please be my guest!

The Categories (in no specific order):

• Arab/Israeli Conflict
• Terrorism
• Economy
• Oil Prices
• Celebrity Scandals
• Leaders Death (or born, May God Bless Their Soul)
• Iraq
• Syria
• Sport
• New Technology (God Forbid)
• Arab/Arab Conflicts
• New Guinness Records (e.g. sleeping)
• Best World Event
• Worst World Event
• Best National Event
• Worst National Event
• Personal Predictions

New categories:

Awards Predictions:
• Super Star (Future SuperStar)
• Star Academy
• Al-Wadi
• Most Beautiful People
• Assassination of the year
• Profession of the year
• Next nondemocratic country in the region

PS. I'll copy/paste Amal's predictions into comments here to give you some inspiration.

Ancient Egyptians used helicopters and airplanes for battles?

There is a scientific theory that says that Egyptians descended from Martians who had once visited this planet.

In 1848, one of numerous archeological expeditions working in Egypt discovered strange hieroglyphs at the height of about ten meters right above the entrance to the Seti Temple in Abydos. The walls were covered with the strange signs that greatly puzzled researchers. The only thing the researchers realized at once was that they had discovered some images of strange mechanisms that nobody ever saw before.

It is still unknown what exactly an artist living about 3,gu000 years ago engraved on the walls. The archeological expedition carefully copied the mysterious signs on the temple walls, and the hieroglyphs gave rise to endless disputes and heated debates among Egyptologists. As a result, majority of Egyptologists arrived at a conclusion that there were just four strange objects drawn in different variations. Unfortunately, researchers of the 19th century failed to understand what ancient Egyptians actually drew on the temple walls. Like any sensation the mysterious Abydos hieroglyphs were absolutely forgotten some time later.

Well-known Egyptologist Alan Alford left to the Nile banks to study the Abydos mystery. The researcher studied the mysterious hieroglyphs and made sure that what seemed absolutely incredible was in fact quite real. Alford told journalists that ancient Egyptians had depicted a real helicopter model as if they made the engravings from life.

So, researchers got two almost identical sets of drawings from Karnak and Abydos which seemed be not accidental at all. Skeptics recollected that "Bee" was one of the names of Pharaoh Seti I and stated that the mysterious drawings were in fact attempts of an ancient artist to draw a bee. They would not believe that Egyptians might know about helicopters.

At the same time, world-famous ufologist Richard Hogland declared that the mysterious drawings just proved his theory saying Egyptians descended from Martians who had once visited this planet. The researcher explains that Martians chose Ancient Egypt for landing because of its landscape wonderfully resembling the Martian one.

But the ufologist failed to explain the origin of a submarine which was also engraved nearby the battle helicopter on the walls of the temple in Abydos. And the drawing was incredibly detailed. And researchers had to confess they were still too far from solving the mystery of the hieroglyphs and the frescos. It is perfectly clear that there are no seas on Mars, and the drawings of a submarine thus could not be made by "descendants of Martians" as Hogland called Egyptians as they had no notion what a submarine may be.

In the past years of the 20th century, many of Mars researchers actively supported Hogland's theory. They believed that failures of automated interplanetary space stations to land on Mars were closely connected with the mysterious hieroglyphs discovered on the walls of ancient temples. The researchers stated that millions of years ago a unique anti-missile shield was created around Mars for safe protection from curious and aggressive unwanted guests. When ufologists are told that some automated vehicles actually landed Mars and even took photos revealing there is no civilization on the planet, they say that terrestrials will be able to see only what Martians want and let us know about them.

Famous Egyptologist Bruce Rowles gives another interesting hypothesis about the origin of the strange hieroglyphs. He says there were no interplanetary expeditions from other star systems to this planet in the old times. He supposes that Egyptian pagan priests knew many of nature secrets. It is a proven fact that 3,000 years ago Egyptians made the first batteries and generated electricity. Bruce Rowles also supposes that pagan priests in Ancient Egypt could look to the future where they quite probably saw battle helicopters, aircrafts and submarines. But Rowles' hypothesis is as unstable as the theory of Hogland.

Today, the disputes about the mysterious hieroglyphs are still heated. Some researchers believe that Egyptians knew aeronautics secrets and could fly but later the secrets were lost. But others insist that enthusiasts are too imaginative if they see modern helicopters, aircrafts and submarines in Egyptian engravings and bas-reliefs. Let us forget the heated disputes and see what history says on the issue.

Popular scientific literature says that Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen died 3,300 years ago as a result of an air crash. Historian William Deutch made the sensational statement and also said that ancient Egyptians could go up to the clouds with balloons inflated with hot air and with primitive gliders. Such flights were available for the royal family and nobility only. Deutch says that many of the royal family in Ancient Egypt including Tutankhamun himself died with their legs broken and numerous wounds as if they tragically died as a result of an aircraft crash. The researcher is sure that strange objects depicted in discovered ancient engravings and drawings were in fact the first flying devices. Deutch even made many models of such aircrafts and found out that many of them could soar in the air. William Deutch says that aeronautics first appeared in Egypt and then spread to the territories currently known as Tibet, India, Mexico, Turkey, China and Guatemala, in other words those territories where air flows could hold aircrafts in the skies.

An elegant 4-centimeter item which was obviously used as an amulet or a pendant made not later than the first millennium B.C. is known as "the Columbia gold airplane". As of today, researchers have found 33 items of the type on the territories of Columbia, Peru, Costa Rica and Venezuela. All of them are different on the outside but have the same principle of airplane construction with the horizontal and vertical keel empennage. Ancient artists often made them look like creatures covered with scales and with glowing eyes. But biologists of the world admit that the gold items cannot be identified with any known creature of fossil or contemporary fauna on the planet.

Contemporary aerotechnics experts believe that "the gold airplane" might be a model of an aerospace aircraft with an opening cockpit; a model of a freight aircraft for landing water for one-time use only and even a model of a sub-aquaplane. But in fact, experts could discern an airplane in the gold model long ago.

In 1956, "the gold airplane" was among exhibits of the Pre-Columbian Gold exhibition in Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The deltoid wing and the vertical plane of the tail unit atypical of birds drew attention of American aircraft designers. The directors of the exhibition allowed testing the ancient "aircraft" in a wind tunnel. It turned out that the gold model could soar at supersonic speed, the issue which was widely studied in that epoch. The ancient model helped aircraft designers of Lockheed create a supersonic plane, the world's best for that period. [via: Pravda]

Invade Iran.. South Korea.. Middle East.. Italy.. France... just name it. Ok, can you locate it on map please? [Hat Tip: Zainab Alkhawaja]

David Copperfield says he plans to impregnate a girl on stage - without even touching her.

CAUTION: THIS QUIZ MAY SURPRISE YOU, SHOCK YOU, OR MAKE YOU THINK. PLEASE REMAIN CALM...BUT NOT TOO CALM!!

This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 questions, here is my result:

How Long Will You Live? God knows... But here is a 'Life Expectancy Calculator' for you.

One in six countries in the world face food shortages this year because of severe droughts that could become semi-permanent under climate change, UN scientists warned yesterday... Expect more war, and because of fighting over resources, more resources to be used to get those resources... just think about how much oil they are stealing from Iraq...

A couple of months ago, the Japanese entertainment giant Sony has patented an idea for transmitting data directly into the brain, with the goal of enabling a person to see movies and play video games in which they smell, taste and perhaps even feel things, it was reported today.

That sounded science fiction? Today I came across this article that says that by the middle of the 21st century it will be possible to download your brain to a supercomputer. If you're rich enough then by 2050 it's feasible. If you're poor you'll probably have to wait until 2075 or 2080 when it's routine.

A couple of weeks ago, the news headlines mentioned lightly the new "Israel, Arabs agreement to save Dead Sea:"

Jordan , Israel and the Palestinian Authority said they had agreed terms for a feasibility study on transferring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, to save the world's lowest sea from vanishing.

The two-year study, costing 15 million dollars, will investigate the social and environmental impact of conveying large quantities of water through a 200-kilometer (120-mile) conduit between the two seas.

Following the feasibility study, the project will take around five years to complete. But the project in its second phase involves building power generation and water desalination plants to supply electricity and fresh water to Jordan, Israel and the Palestine.

Ok, so what's in it? If I'm not mistaken, this means the following:

1. If the feasibility study starts now, that is June 2005, it will finish June 2007.
2. If the feasibility study say go, and being optimistic the project starts by Jan 2008.
3. Trusting that funds will not be disturbed like the 'Disi Project Funds' (Arabic), phase one should be ready by 2013.
4. No news when phase two is suppose to finish!

Will the Dead Sea "live" until then?

Well, when the Ein Gedi Spa opened in 1986 to pamper visitors with massages, mud wraps and therapeutic swims, customers walked just a few steps from the main building to take their salty dip in the Dead Sea. Nineteen years later, the water level has dropped so drastically that the shoreline is three-quarters of a mile away. A red tractor hauls customers to the spa's beach and back in covered wagons. See full article by John Ward Anderson, in Washington Post Foreign Service.

The water level of the Dead Sea has declined over 21 m from 1930 to 1997, and alone 12 m in the last 20 years. In less than a century the water level has fallen by approximately 25 m. In the past few years, the water level fell at a rate of 80-100 cm per year, with the average rate of fall accelerating in recent years. As a result, the Dead Sea surface area has shrunk by about 30% in the last 20 years.[source]

At the current rate, the more shallow southern part of the sea will be gone less than 50 years.

Several projects have been proposed over the years to save the Dead Sea, and the one that now seems the most likely to be carried out is that of a pipeline from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. This plan is not new. Already in the 19th century, when the actual level of the Dead Sea was first measured, plans were developed to use the height difference to create a hydroelectric power plant. Most plans focused on a canal from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea.

Even though these plans to save the Dead Sea have been well received by many, there are also drawbacks. What will happen if water from the Dead Sea and from the Red Sea are mixed? There are studies that suggest that the Dead Sea would turn white, or even pink. Withdrawing large bodies of water from the Gulf of Aqaba might seriously upset and possibly destroy its already fragile ecosystem. Ecological investigations have only just begun.

And what about the archaeology of the region? One aspect that has received virtually no attention so far is the impact that the construction of a pipeline, let alone a canal, would have on the Wadi Arabah and especially the hill country between the bottom and the eastern plateau, which is an area with a rich history covering every period from Palaeolithic to late Islamic. Hundreds of sites have been found here in a number of surveys, and since the area has still only been partly surveyed, hundreds of sites are still waiting to be discovered. Therefore, regardless of what route the pipeline/canal will take, it is bound to affect tens, maybe hundreds of archaeological sites, many of which have only been recorded in surveys, but never extensively investigated.

Even if the project takes place, there is maybe a 20- to 30-year lifetime for this project because that is how long it will take for the Dead Sea to regain its natural level. On the other hand, when you consider the vast capital costs, the economic and political sense is not clear. Also, because the desalinated water will need to be pumped long distances and to a high altitude to get where it is needed, the cost of the water will be very high.

Countries with less than 500 cubic metres of water per year are described as suffering from scarcity of water. The UK has around 1,500 cubic metres per person, Israel 340, Jordan 140, and the Palestinian Authority only 70.

The Red Sea-Dead Sea canal is expected to generate 850 million cubic metres of drinkable water, almost the existing annual water use of Jordan, which would be divided between Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The Role of Scenarios in the Dead Sea Project:

The role of scenarios is to create a number of realistic scenarios for possible futures of the Dead Sea Basin. These scenarios will reflect trajectories or future directions that differ from one another and therefore offer leaders and policy makers in the region the opportunity to test present strategies for water management and perhaps develop new ones. The time frame of the scenarios is from 2005 to 2025. Three driving forces were assumed to have an order of magnitude impacts on the system. These were:

1. The level of Cooperation between the three riparian countries;

2. The role agriculture will play in the future; and

3. The type of investment in water related projects

The following are brief summaries of the realistic scenarios. It is worth mentioning here that the scenarios were the result of synthesis and deliberations first amongst the project partners and second of information collected in the Focus group Meetings and from participation in relevant conferences and workshops.

Scenario I Business as Usual

The Middle East in 2025 is reminiscent of the present day situation. This is because after 20 years, very little has changed. The levels of cooperation between Israelis and the Palestinians remains low, plagued by cycles of violence followed by periods of quiet but not real peace. The lack of progress between Israel and the Palestinians affects the levels of cooperation between Jordanians and Israelis as well. Jordan’s relationship with Israel remains low key and secretive, while Jordan’s relationship with the Palestinians is cold and distrustful. The lack of cooperation creates short-term thinking on all sides. Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinians compete for water resources, through over pumping and ill-conceived water projects. Agriculture continues to be protected and receive water at below market prices compounding water stress in the region. The economies in the area remain sluggish, though the world economy is bouncing back after years of slow growth. The level of the Dead Sea is back on the rise, however, the environmental consequences of the ”Red-Dead Conduit” have yet to be fully digested. The gypsum precipitation caused by the mixing of sulfate rich Red Sea water with the calcium rich Dead Sea water has whitened the surface of the Dead Sea and is having an impact on the climate in the basin. The Sea of Galilee continues to be endangered by over pumping and the Jordan River is nothing more than an open sewage canal.

Scenario II A Water Stressed Out Middle East

While a Water Stressed Out Middle East may look similar to Scenario I, this scenario describes a Middle East in the year 2025 that is ready to explode. Cooperation remains low as in the previous scenario, and the role of agriculture remains central, however, without the large addition of desalinated water from the ”Red-Dead Conduit”, water stress in the region is reaching unsustainable levels. Something has to give way. Israel, Jordan, and Palestine seem to be heading for an outright conflict over water in the region. The countries must either increase the level of cooperation allowing for a more efficient and equitable use of the water resources or vastly reduce the role of agriculture in the region in order to avoid the oncoming conflict. The level of the Dead Sea is at an all time low, and still sinking. Large ecological systems around the shores of the Dead Sea have been destroyed. The continued violence in the Middle East, combined with sinkholes and a quickly receding shoreline, has decimated tourism in the area. A lack of water for irrigation has turned the farming villages on the Israeli and Jordanian shores of the Dead Sea into ghost towns. Jericho, the oldest city in the world, has the lowest per capita water consumption in the in the world.

Scenario III A Low Impact Middle East

A Low Impact Middle East would require a break from present trends. In order to reach sustainability by the year 2025, the leadership in the Middle East, as well as the United States, found a way to break the cycle of violence, which had plagued the area for the last 100 years. New levels of cooperation enabled the countries in the region to work together to find solutions to water stress and environmental problems. The countries looked for low impact solutions in order to create new water supplies while at the same time recognizing the need to limit agriculture to a more sustainable dimension. Low impact water systems such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and efficient water delivery systems created new water without major adverse environmental effects. It was necessary to build a large number of desalination plants in order to provide water to the growing population. However, the decreased size of irrigated agriculture, climate appropriate crops, and the improvement of irrigation systems in the region meant that treated wastewater could serve as the major source for water for farming. The level of the Dead Sea is slowly rising. The decrease in the use of fresh water from the Sea of Galilee for Israel and Jordan has allowed the Jordan River to once again flow with clean water into the Dead Sea. Ecological systems that had been suffering for years in the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and the Dead Sea are slowly recovering. Tourism in the area is flourishing, providing a boost to the economies of all three nations. Ten years ago, in the year 2015, the leadership in Israel, Palestine, and the United States brokered a Geneva-like peace agreement entailing a total Israeli withdrawal to the recognized borders along the ”Green Line” (’67 Armistice Line) except for certain areas for which the Palestinians received one to one land compensation. Israeli settlements in the West Bank were evacuated and handed over intact to the new Palestinian state as a goodwill gesture from Israel. A number of Palestinian refugees returned to the state of Palestine. Jerusalem is a divided city with the Old City of Jerusalem under joint Palestinian/Israeli sovereignty. At the White House agreement signing ceremony, the United States President expressed satisfaction at being able to complete the work of previous administrations in the long struggle for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East.

Scenario IV A Supply Managed Middle East

By the year 2025, the riparian nations around the Dead Sea have begun to feel the fruits of the peace agreement reached 10 years earlier. Israel, Palestine, and Jordan are all three experiencing better than average growth rates. With strong economies, stable political environments, a warm climate, and a proximity to Europe, the area has become attractive to international investors. Tourism and agriculture are the two main destinations of international capital. The Dead Sea Basin has become a focus for building large hotels and resorts aimed at the European market while all three nations are supplying more and more fresh fruits and vegetables to European markets. Water is the key to continued economic progress in the region and so, large water projects are a priority for both government and private investment. The “Peace” Conduit (Red-Dead Conduit) is providing 800 MCM of water annually to the area but with the rapid development of the region, the need for water continues to grow. Israel and Palestine are working together to increase their water supplies through large desalination projects of seawater and brackish water, dams in every available Wadi and wastewater recycling. Rapid economic growth, large water projects, and the development of large tracts of land for agriculture are changing the face of the region. Pristine deserts, nature reserves, mountain Wadis, and the Dead Sea itself are being transformed beyond recognition. While the benefits of peace and development are clear, many are disturbed by the loss of much of the natural beauty and ecological systems. [Source]

Saudi Arabia's King Fahd admitted to Riyadh hospital; condition (un)known.

[Qoute:]

The Christian scenario dictates that the “final battle in the history of the future will be fought on ancient battlefield in northern Israel called Armageddon. And the Jews? Well, two thirds of them will have been wiped out by now. But the survivors will accept Jesus at last.” Gershom Gorenberg is a Jew who has studied the ‘end of times’ prophecies of the Christian evangelicals and says “They don’t love real Jewish people. They love us as characters in their story…essentially it’s a five act play in which Jews disappear in the fourth act.”

First, let me wish all my Christian friends and bro's a Merry Christmas. (Special wishes to Natsha)

Also, let me wish everyone a Happy New Year. Hope it brings a fresh hope and new resolutions to us all.

2005 holds a few challenges and everyone will be directly touched by his history and looking forward for better future. However, we all know that history in general has been one of many deadly conflicts. Personal or Universal progress is not without pain and suffering, and historically, human past points more to war than peace (unfortunately).

Lets try to make some predictions for 2005. Being pessimistic or optimistic, funny or serious, all up to you.

Here are some categories, but don't limit yourself. If you like to add more, please be my guest!

The Categories (in no specific order):

• Arab/Israeli Conflict
• Terrorism
• Economy
• Oil Prices
• Celebrity Scandals
• Leaders Death (or born, May God Bless Their Soul)
• Iraq
• Syria
• Sport
• New Technology (God Forbid)
• Arab/Arab Conflicts
• New Guinness Records (e.g. sleeping)
• Best World Event
• Worst World Event
• Best National Event
• Worst National Event
• Personal Predictions

Here is my predictions:

Arab/Israeli Conflict: I think we can reach some resolution by end of 3005, Inshallah!

Terrorism: Lets see, they have spotted a terrorist in each and every Arab Country. But it looks they have oversight the guys at Comoros. 2005 will be the year they discover the source of world terrorism in Comoros (Thx to Mahmood for reminding me of this Arab Country.) Someone please do a favor and remind Bush to look around this country.

Economy: Arab world will be invited to join the G8 cause of its major role in world economy (being the biggest milk- cow).

Oil Prices: Not much changes here. Our Oil Ministers will make sure that the prices dose not go high so we don't get richer. The more we get rich, the more spoiled we will come. So I trust they will watch our fortune!

Celebrities: Nancy Ajram, Elissa and Haifa Wahbeh will declare that they didn't not give (show) all what they have. So keep watching!

Leaders Death (or born, May God Bless Their Soul): New generation of Majesties, Highness's, Emirs, etc.. will lead us to Prosperity and Justice.

Iraq: Once upon a time we heard of this country, Iraq. May God be on there side!

Syria: They will condemn... everything, and what not. But retaliate, No Way!

New Technology (God Forbid): His Highness will open new OFFICE's of MiKro$oft. 99% technology and employees are locals!

Arab/Arab Conflicts: They will delay discussion of their conflicts to 'next submit' so that 'this submit' will not fail. Doh..

New Guinness Records: Lets see, 2003 we made the highest pole, 2004 we made the biggest flag, 2005 we will make the longest tissue paper to wipe our tears!

Best World Event: They will seize all the terrorist in the world within the Arab World.

Worst World Event: Arab World don't complete their part of the International Space Station. Damn!!!

Best National Event: Flip!

Worst National Event: Flop!

Personal Predictions: I'll become fatter :-(