FIRST READ:
Hillary Clinton’s messianic entry into Uganda amidst the politics of Ebola scare: US’ Hillary starts Africa tour, here in Uganda tomorrow: Washington says Ms Clinton’s meeting with Museveni on Friday will focus on regional security, human rights and democracy: Oh! Really
Obama re-elected as U.S. president
Publish Date: Nov 07, 2012
Obama defeated Romney in a series of key swing states despite a weak economic recovery and persistent high unemployment as U.S. voters decided between two starkly different visions for the country.
Obama's narrow wins in Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire - all states that Romney had contested - effectively ended Romney's hopes of capturing the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the White House.
At least 120 million American voters were expected to cast votes in the race between the Democratic incumbent and Romney after a campaign focused on how to repair the ailing U.S. economy.
At about 7.00am today, Obama sent out a tweet to the world: " Four more years".
Obama enters his second four-year term faced with a difficult task of tackling $1 trillion annual deficits, reducing a $16 trillion national debt, overhauling expensive social programs and dealing with a gridlocked U.S. Congress that looked likely to maintain the same partisan makeup.
Romney concedes defeat
Republican Mitt Romney conceded the U.S. presidential election to President Barack Obama early on Wednesday morning after a bitterly fought battle.
"This is a time of great challenges for America and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation," Romney told supporters after calling Obama to congratulate him.
Obama defeated Romney in a series of key swing states, despite the weak economic recovery and stubbornly high unemployment that dogged his campaign.
Television networks called the election late on Tuesday, but the Romney campaign waited more than an hour to agree on the results in Ohio.
Reuters
Obama’s Kenyan home
village spends sleepless night
Publish Date: Nov 07, 2012
Relatives to U.S. President Barack Obama attend a news conference to
celebrate his re-election in his ancestral home village of Nyangoma
Kogelo, 430 km (367 miles) west of Kenyas capital Nairobi,
KOGELO, Kenya - Paved
roads, electricity, running water: Barack Obama’s ancestral home has seen much
change in the past four years and residents spent a sleepless night yesterday
as they watched the poll results.
On the eve of the US presidential elections, reporters descended on this small village in western Kenya, nestled in the hills about 60km from the glittering blue waters of Lake Victoria.
Draped over the road that connects the village to Kisumu, the main town of the region, a banner offers tickets for an all-night screening of the election.
“Watch the American presidential election 2012 on big screen” the advert read, and, despite even the cheapest ticket costing some $12 – about a week’s wages for a casual labourer – that did not dampened enthusiasm.
“I’m going to watch the election all night long. It’s expensive, but I’ll manage,” said Mary Manyala Ohito, a health worker.
In the courtyard of the nearby primary school – renamed after Obama following a visit in 2006 when he was a senator – a giant screen was also set up, with free access for the local residents.
Sarah Obama, 90, and the third wife of the paternal grandfather of Barack Obama – still lives in Kogelo.
While the president shares no blood with “Mama Sarah”, he has said he regards her as his grandmother.
In the final hours ahead of the result, Mama Sarah remained cloistered in her home, guarded by round-the-clock police.
“We’ll be staying together with the family watching it together until the result is announced,” said Said Hussein Obama, an uncle of the president.
Four years ago at the last elections, Kogelo was a different village: few places for a cold drink in the shops, while televisions were powered by thumping generators.
Today, while Internet is still slow, hotels are developing, some providing access to cable television channels.
“There has been lots of changes here,” said Dorothy Babu, Kogelo Village Resort manager, one the main hotels.
World leaders hail Obama on
election success
Publish Date: Nov 07, 2012
By Vision reporter and Agencies
Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday for winning a second term and said the strategic alliance between their two countries was "stronger than ever".
Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday for winning a second term and said the strategic alliance between their two countries was "stronger than ever".
"I will continue to work with president Obama to ensure the interests that are vital for the security of Israel's citizens," Netanyahu said in a short written statement after Obama gave his victory speech.
British Prime Minster David Cameron said he was looking forward to working again with ``friend' Barack Obama after his victory in the US presidential race.
"Warm congratulations to my friend Barack Obama,' Cameron wrote on his Twitter account." I Look forward to continuing to work together.'
European Union president Herman Van Rompuy expressed joy at Obama's re-election to the White House.
"Very happy about the re-election of president Obama,' Van Rompuy wrote in Dutch on his Twitter account.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela congratulated Obama on his victory, saying he was an “inspiration to people the world over”.
“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place,” Mandela said in a letter to Obama.
Australian Prime minister Julia Gillard issued a statement offering 'warm congratulations' to the President on behalf of her government and the Australian people.
'Australia has worked closely with President Obama and his administration over the past four years. I look forward to continuing this friendship,' she said.
Gillard said US leadership was 'vital' to meeting global challenges, including maintaining international financial stability and economic growth, peace and security, and managing climate change
