Physicist Stephen Hawking: "When I gave a lecture in Japan, I was asked not to mention the possible collapse of the Universe, because it might affect the stock market. However, I can reassure anyone who is nervous about their investments that it is a bit early to sell: even if the Universe does come to an end, it won't be for at least 20 billion years. By that time, maybe the GATT trade agreement will have come into effect."
Source: Flight International