Stories Australia

Bush's mate Howard back in Washington

  January 8, 2009

The upcoming inauguration has taken an Aussie turn. Barack Obama's displacement from Blair House was caused by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard who is to receive the US Medal of Freedom from his mate George W. Bush. U.S. bloggers were outraged apparently. Australian bloggers were just as vocal.

Breaking News: Bush Ducks Shoes

  December 15, 2008

It was an incident that lasted a mere 12 seconds. But as soon as bloggers the world over watched Muntadar Al Zeidi throw not one, but both his shoes, at US President George W Bush in a Press conference held in Iraq today, reactions - several in 140 characters or less in the Twittersphere - spread faster than you could say ‘footwear’ … twice.

Obama: Fortune tellers – past and present

  November 22, 2008

Foretelling political fortunes is risky at the best of times - almost as hard as economic predictions. Remember the warnings of oil at $200 a barrel before the end of the year? Kevin Rennie, from Australia, takes a closer look at predictions for the Obama administration.

Social Media and The Making of the President

  November 9, 2008

How influential was the web in this year's presidential election? Many onlookers and supporters of Barack Obama claim the President-Elect's mastery of video, audio and blogs helped him win the vote. A few international bloggers debate the role social media played in Obama's victory.

Three economists and a hoyden

  November 9, 2008

In Australia, where the general euphoria over Obama's election has worn off, this ensemble of (mostly) economic bloggers are beginning to ponder what issues the new administration will address. Also: What is a hoyden, anyway?

The votes are in: An overwhelming loss for mainstream media

  November 7, 2008

Those of the left, right, center, communist or socialist blocks all agree about one thing: The failure of the mainstream media in its coverage of the road to the White House. Is this merely post-election griping? It can't all be. What issues afflict the mainstream media?

Fourth World Voices: We Can Too

  November 7, 2008

African-American politician Barack Obama’s White House victory is seen as their own triumph by many in the world. But what does the marginalized and invisible world – the Fourth World – think of America’s first multicultural president? Indigenous peoples offer watchful hope for change; many adopt the spirit of “Yes we can.”

President-Elect Barack Obama: The blogosphere reacts

  November 5, 2008

After a long election campaign and an equally taxing Election Day, the results are finally in: Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. After following this election for so long, the international blogosphere is now ready with its critique of the new President.

The view from the Pacific (and its environs)

  November 5, 2008

As the first results come in, what are people living in Oceania and Asia thinking about the election? John Liebhardt brings us the latest reactions from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the Philippines.