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Members of the international community have welcomed Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States — and the first African-American to take leadership of his country.
WASHINGTON — Before a jubilant crowd of more than a million, Barack Hussein Obama claimed his place in history as America’s first black president, summoning a dispirited nation to unite in hope against the “gathering clouds and raging storms” of war and economic woe.
Newspaper front pages around the world were unanimous Wednesday in celebrating the momentousness of Barack Obama’s inauguration as U.S. president. “Let’s rebuild America,” said the front page of France’s Le Figaro, over a photograph of a smiling Obama swearing the oath of office. “The Promise,” said Liberation.
Fiji begins clean-up as flood waters started to recede in Fiji on Thursday and authorities began counting the cost of the week-long disaster which killed 11 people and caused devastation costing tens of millions of dollars.
Australia is increasing its flood assistance to Fiji to $3 million, with estimates the inundation from torrential rains has caused tens of millions of dollars in damage.Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says $1 million will be spent on emergency food, water and sanitation, including $150,000 that has already gone to the Red Cross.
The Fijian Government has made an appeal for emergency funds to help its clean-up effort in the wake of massive flooding. At least 11 people have been killed and an estimated 9,000 people are now living in emergency accommodation. The military-backed interim government is estimating a damage bill of $30 million, although there are fears that could rise to more than $100 million.
The time in Fiji is:
6:34 PM