Everyday citizens and world leaders are looking to
Washington, DC, (Tuesday) where
President-elect Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th U.S. president.
Jubilant Kenyans are singing and dancing in the village of Kogelo, where Mr.
Obama's father was born. Kenyan officials set up a giant television screen in
Nairobi's main convention center so people could watch the man many Kenyans
call "one of us" take the oath of office.
Hula dancers are shaking their hips in Obama, Japan, to celebrate the inauguration
of a man who coincidentally shares the name of their city.
And revelers are partying in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, where Mr. Obama
attended school as a child.
Former classmates of the president-elect have gathered to watch the boy they
once knew assume the highest office in the United States. And a photographer in
Jakarta who bears a striking resemblance to Barack Obama says he is getting
plenty of attention these days.
A BBC poll of more than 17-thousand people in 17 countries indicates that
people throughout the world are optimistic about Mr. Obama's presidency. Two
out of three people surveyed (67%) said they believe Mr. Obama will
strengthen U.S. relations abroad.