PARIS - FROM publishers in nearly every country in the world to Japanese comedians and African t-shirt sellers, the audacity of hope knows no bounds when it comes to cashing in on Barack Obama's name.

The wave of optimism after the election of the first black US president caused a newspaper and book-selling boom. Some hopeful traders are asking for up to US$300 (S$456) for a copy of the New York Times announcing the Democratic triumph on November 5.

CHICAGO - ONCE campaign rivals, President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain are ready to talk about how they can collaborate on issues facing the United States.CHICAGO - ONCE campaign rivals, President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain are ready to talk about how they can collaborate on issues facing the United States.

A private meeting, slated for Monday at Mr Obama's transition office in Chicago, will be the first since Mr Obama beat Mr McCain, the Republican candidate, in the Nov 4 election.

LONDON - MORE than 50 per cent of Britons think the country's children are beginning to behave like animals and many believe they are increasingly a danger to adults and each other, according to a poll released on Monday.

A report by charity Barnardo's, which commissioned the survey, said the findings were shocking and showed a disturbing intolerance of children.