Headlines such as "Aussie politics is much ado about nothing" reflect the general lack of world interest in the extraordinary political saga unfolding in Australia as Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former foreign minister Kevin Rudd face off.
Most international media led with reports about a train crash in Argentina, which took the lives of 49 people, and the deaths of two Western journalists, veteran reporter Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik, in Homs, Syria.
American news outlets also focused on the latest Republican debate, which aired from noon AEDT today.
Other comments on social media reflected puzzlement about the drama around the struggle. The senior foreign policy reporter for Yahoo News, Laura Rozen, said on Twitter:
Australia FM Kevin Rudd "announced his resignation during a news conference in Washington" . Is that normal?? — Laura Rozen (@lrozen) February 22, 2012
Another US commentator quipped:
Australian FM seeks asylum? — joshuasharf (@joshuasharf) February 22, 2012
In Britain, Labour MP Tom Watson tweeted in response to Jessica Rudd's comment yesterday: "Effing proud of you, Dad. xxxx":
This is what I want my daughter to be one day: RT @Jess_Rudd: Effing proud of you, Dad. xxxx — tom_watson (@tom_watson) February 22, 2012
Media reports on the Labor infighting featured a recap of the ousting of Mr Rudd in June 2010 and little, if any, commentary.
In New Zealand, there was more interest in the performance of Kiwi presenter Paul Henry - who made his debut on Australian breakfast television four days early after the resignation of Mr Rudd yesterday.
The Asian edition of The Wall Street Journal noted in an article titled "Aussie Politics Is Much Ado About Nothing" that whatever the outcome of the tussle between Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd, it "won't result in a major shift on the key economic policy moves of the past year: the introduction of carbon and mining taxes".
"Like any good soap opera, the political showdown in Canberra is more entertaining than meaningful."
The Jakarta Post, an English-language newspaper, stated in a short article that Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa did not believe Mr Rudd's resignation affected relations between Indonesia and Australia.
The BBC News website offered the most commentary, asking if Mr Rudd was the "comeback kid" and if he was "about to take the biggest gamble of his career".
"Wavering MPs will either appreciate his boldness and consider him their best chance of success at the next election due in 2013 or punish him for disloyalty," correspondent Phil Mercer wrote.
Email a friend