'America's possibilities are limitless': Obama takes oath of office for second term

Nick O'Malley Barack Obama has publicly sworn his oath of office for the second time before a crowd of hundreds of thousands in the National Mall, echoing the Declaration of Independence and calling for unity at...

Nick O'Malley

Parlous state of the union

Nick O'Malley It was a grim American year, one that began with occasional moments of political farce, marked by economic indolence and ended in unspeakable tragedy.

First moves on tough road to gun control

Nick O'Malley The debate that many gun control advocates have been hoping for in America erupted on the Sunday morning political TV programs.

Senators speak in favour of gun reform

Nick O'Malley, Newtown, Connecticut THE debate that many gun control advocates have been hoping for in America erupted on the Sunday morning political TV programs.

Super rich cashing in to reshape the world

Nick O'Malley A MONTH before the presidential election, America's political landscape is awash with cash. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been pumped into the election by corporations, unions and...

Early voters key to deciding US presidency

Nick O'Malley The US election could be decided long before election day as the two contenders mobilise to have their supporters take advantage of early voting laws.

Romney set to claim two states in Super Tuesday race

Nick O'Malley Polls have just closed in the first three of ten states voting in Super Tuesday - and US Republican hopeful Mitt Romney is expected to win in at least two of them.

Romney leads way but fails to fire

By Nick O'Malley MITT Romney ground his way to another uninspiring and indecisive victory in his campaign to secure the Republican presidential nomination in the Super Tuesday primaries.

US appeals for calm after Afghan shooting

Nick O'Malley Afghan president Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as an 'inhuman and intentional act.'

US braces for reprisals as Taliban vow revenge for killings

Nick O'Malley US FORCES in Afghanistan were last night bracing for revenge attacks after an American soldier went on a pre-dawn rampage, killing 16 civilians including women and children.

Mouths in the south: US campaign hits redneck trail

Nick O'Malley As the polls close in the Republican primaries in Mississippi and Alabama, the three contestants are still getting their South on.

Defeat fails to dent Gingrich's resolve

Nick O'Malley The Republican Party's bitter fight to select a presidential nominee will grind on with Newt Gingrich refusing to bow out despite Rick Santorum's victories in the Deep South.

Races still to run but Romney looks a sure bet

Nick O'Malley ''One of my opponents recently said that it would take an act of God for me to win this primary," Rick Santorum told the congregation of an evangelical church in Puerto Rico this week.

Candidates summon friendly ghost back into the saddle

Nick O'Malley FOR a man who has been dead since 2004, the former president Ronald Reagan has had a busy primary campaign.

Dogged candidates still hanging in as relaxed Romney sweeps Illinois

Nick O'Malley Rick Santorum has a huge task ahead to beat the Republican frontrunner.

Santorum tightens his grip on the Bible Belt

Nick O'Malley, New Orleans Rick Santorum's thumping victory in Louisiana was called seconds after the polls.

One fatal shot echoes across a divided US

Nick O'Malley, Washington It took three weeks for the story of Trayvon Martin's killing to creep up the Florida panhandle, seep into America's consciousness and take over the news.

Rick Santorum pulls out of race for White House

Nick O'Malley Rick Santorum has suspended his bid for the White House, effectively making Mitt Romney the Republican candidate for the November presidential election.

Gingrich quits Republican race in face of Romney onslaught

Nick O'Malley Republican candidate Newt Gingrich appears to have finally conceded defeat, all but officially ending his campaign in a speech to party members in North Carolina overnight.