Chinese predict Year of Monkey business

OSAMA BIN LADEN will finally give up, Taiwan will join China and Americans will re-elect George W Bush, Chinese astrologers predict for the Year of the Monkey.

And their message: be ready for a time of tumult and trickery beginning on Thursday, when the two-week transition from the old Year of the Sheep begins.

The Lunar New Year is the biggest celebration for ethnic Chinese - about one-fifth of the world's population. As they party with friends and family, they also ponder what's ahead.