While a US survey shows the president-elect's popularity soaring on the eve of his inauguration, souvenirs fly off the shelves across the world 
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A little bit of Obama for me: A worker gives a finishing touch to an Obama mask, which turned out to be hugely popular, in a Japanese toy maker's studio near Tokyo yesterday.</td></tr></tbody></table>A US poll suggests that President-elect Barack Obama is more popular than ever despite recent bumps on the road to his inauguration. The CNN/ Opinion Research Corp survey indicates that most Americans see his inauguration as a chance for the nation to come together, rather than a political celebration. Eighty-four per cent of those surveyed approved of how Obama handled the presidential transition. "You know the country is in the middle of a honeymoon when six in 10 Republicans have a positive view of Obama," said polling director Keating Holland. The poll also indicates that six in 10 Americans think Obama's inauguration will be a celebration of democracy. Only four in 10 felt that way when George W Bush was inaugurated as president. Thirty-nine per cent of those questioned feel Obama's inauguration is a celebration by supporters of the winning candidate. "The public saw Bush's inaugurations as celebrations just for his supporters," said Holland. High expectationsThe poll also suggests that 68 per cent of those questioned are personally "thrilled or happy" at Obama's inauguration, 18 points higher than the way people felt before Bush's second inauguration. Expectations for Obama's speech today are high, with 85 per cent predicting it will be excellent or good. That's 24 points higher than those who felt the same way about Bush's first inaugural speech. Nine out of 10 African-Americans questioned in the poll say Obama's election is a dream come true. The poll was conducted from January 12 to 15. Astrologer predicts Obama re-election Yesterday, on the eve Barack Obama's inauguration, a top astrologer in Myanmar predicted that Obama would win another term in office and that he would escape attempts to harm him. "Obama will be definitely re-elected," said San-Zarni Bo, who gives daily predictions on a radio station. He added that Obama's birthday on August 4 means "the country will be developed under the leadership of number-four born Obama". He warned that there would be "assassination attempts" in 2009, 2010 and 2013, but they would fail. He also warned of threats to incoming secretary of state Hillary Clinton. A 227-kg cheesecake and Lincoln favourites The official lunch, catering to 200 guests, will be held in Statuary Hall, a chamber of the Capitol. Lunch will be served on replicas of the china picked by First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln at the beginning of her husband's presidency. The first course will feature a seafood stew and lobster in puff pastry, in honour of Lincoln's love of seafood. The main course is 'a brace of American birds' (pheasant and duck) served with sour-cherry chutney and molasses sweet potatoes in a nod to the vegetables Lincoln ate as a child. Pudding will be an apple cinnamon sponge cake Lincoln's favourite fruit. It will be washed down with California wines, a sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir. A 500lb (227kg) cheesecake, topped with a chocolate presidential seal, will be the crowning glory of the meal. Obama will be hoping the meal doesn't mimic Lincoln's, which turned into a food fight when guests rushed a buffet. What will Michelle Obama wear? Several designers, including previous White House favourite Marchesa, have submitted sketches for Michelle's inaugural dress. The designer, however, remains a secret. A spokesperson for Vogue magazine said, "Michelle is morally obliged to wear an American designer, but it could be... a total unknown." A source said, "The final choice will be hers alone. She is mindful of the economic situation, so is unlikely to wear a $50,000 (Rs 24 lakh) dress." Michael Flowers, from Chicago, who has been styling Michelle's hair since she was 18, was flown into Washington for the inauguration.

While a US survey shows the president-elect's popularity soaring on the eve of his inauguration, souvenirs fly off the shelves across the world

World awaits Obama era

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World awaits Obama era

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