The cassandra CUP 2023 edition

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Yes - The Democrats lost, but the upset was mostly felt by the Republican Party which continues to pay an electoral price for playing acolyte to Trump. Read more...

Yes - Alongside a progressive set of Independents, Labour's Anthony Albanese dismissed Scott Morrison in an election that also saw Australia's Treasurer lose his seat altogether. Read more...

Yes - At long last the charismatic powerhouse of Britain's Conservative party was impaled upon his own clownishness. His downfall ushered in fresh lows for British politics, with the next Premier failing to outlast a lettuce. Read more...

No - Whilst the axeman of the Amazon was not entirely clear on whether he has, or has not conceded defeat, he magnanimously committed to adhering to the constitution in his electoral defeat to Lula, who brings renewed hope on climate and the economy, but with an uphill battle on all fronts. Read more...

Yes - Daniel Andrews held on in Victorian state elections (thanks in large part to the absence of an effective opposition), whereas NSW and QLD Premiers managed to largely avoid or sidestep scandal, with all three holding on to their desks in 2022. Read more.

No - Macron became the first French President in 20 years to win re-election, defeating far-right challenges and promising to unite a fractious country. Read more.

Yes - Returning to its preferred form of cowardice and brutality, Russian forces attacked Ukraine, marking the start of vicious campaign that has served only to prove systemic ineptitude in Putin's state, and unite a once-fractured Ukraine against a common aggressor. Defying expectations and the odds, Ukraine's military - bolstered by ordinary civilians - have defended their home with intelligence, effectiveness and heroism. Read more.

No - A saving grace of 2022 that armed conflict didn't break out, but tensions are higher than any point in the past few decades, with Xi dealing up the the rhetoric and consolidating power at home. Split interests from the US, and appeasement towards China throughout South East Asia continues to add complexity to an already fragile balance. Read more.

No - This little known conflict did flare up in December 2022 - with a skirmish high up on the Arunachal Pradesh border -  but remains a few tanks short of a war. Whilst only limited details are available, it seems the high altitude punch up resulted in a few injuries on both sides. This is one to watch in 2023 as Chinese attention is split and it seeks an excuse to build combat experience. Read more.

No - A few airborne incidents notwithstanding, tensions in the South China Sea didn't spill over into any naval shenanigans militarily or otherwise. Read more.

No -Those forecasters that said 'yes' weren't far off the mark, with headline US inflation peaking at 9.1% in the middle of the year. However, sharp rate rises from the Fed seem to be doing their job in creating slack in the employment market and slowing spending. The Fed has a narrow course to deliver a soft landing in 2023 and steer the US (and the global economy by proxy) away from recession. Read more.

No - 2022 was crypto's annus horribilis: a crashing valuation combined with systematic fraud and incompetence proving two of crypto's prised tenets wholly inaccurate. (1) That bitcoin was a good hedge against inflation, and, (2) that distributed trust structures were safer and more reliable than conventional institutions. That said, useful applications for blockchain are gaining pace and credibility across the corporate landscape. Read more. 

No - Despite a flurry of rate rises, the RBA's cash rate ended the year at 3.10% with more rises expected to burn out Australian dry powder accumulated during the pandemic, and tame spiralling prices.  Read more.

No - Football is yet to come home. England were dispatched with relative ease by a dominant French team. The World Cup was won by Argentina on penalties after a thrilling six goal final against the reigning champions, France.

No - In the end of an era, Her Majesty passed away peacefully at Balmoral. The nation, joined by millions around the world paid tribute to her unparalleled service, with 250k filing past as Her Majesty lay in state, and the funeral expected to be the most watched TV event in history. Read more.

Suspended - Poor question writing by me ignored an alternative in this sorry affair; that the Parties would reach an out of court settlement. The out of court settlement means that no admission of guilt is required, putting everyone concerned (and our questions), in liability limbo. Read more.

No - Kim and Pete split up in mid-2022. No is also the correct answer to the question, "who gives a shit whether or not Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson get married?"

Yes - In a stunning display of  skill and  determination, Ash raised the roof in Rod Laver (Melbourne) with a thumping win that saw her lift both the Cup and the national mood. Read more.

No - Thankfully, the Victorian government realised that zero-covid was not a viable way to fight the pandemic or run an economy; meaning there were no new lockdowns in 2022. Read more.

No - It turns out money can buy quality! In good news for the space travelling community and NASA's reliance on the private sector, the cashed-up trifecta's rockets launched and returned largely intact. The same can't be said for Musk's Mars rocket. Read more.

No - Remember that weird, but strangely amusing film? It got nominated for four Oscars with a star studded cast and Executive team, but failed to pick up any gold. Read more.