Democrat Barack Obama wrote his name indelibly into the pages of United States history Tuesday night, engineering a social and political upheaval to become the country's first black president-elect in a runaway victory over Republican John McCain.

The 47-year-old Illinois senator, son of a white mother from Kansas and an African father from Kenya, mined a deep vein of national discontent, promising Americans hope and change throughout a nearly flawless 21-month campaign for the White House.

"Change has come," Senator Obama told a huge throng of cheering supporters in Chicago at a midnight rally.

Obama polled 349 electoral votes versus 173 for McCain; 270 were needed to win.

Joe Biden, the senator from Delaware who has promised to help Obama steer his agenda through Congress, will be the vice-president.

Reacting to Obama's win, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that he has demonstrated an understanding of global issues.

"I am confident that as you set about actualising this vision, you will make this a better place for all of mankind," Golding said in his message.

The prime minister expressed the hope that developing countries like Jamaica, so often left on the periphery of the global agenda, will be part of the foreign policy framework which recognises that shared, broad-based development is the surest way to secure and maintain global prosperity and stability.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller said Obama's victory signals the dawn of a new day in international politics.

"I just feel it in my bones that the world will never be the same again," Simpson Miller said.

Also in the news ...

Dreadful death

A pall of gloom hovered over the Immaculate Conception High School community after the tragic death of its head girl Sunday.

Pia Phillips died in hospital Sunday morning after she had been accidentally shot by her father at their Havendalep, St Andrew, home the night before.

Phillips, who celebrated her 18th birthday Saturday, was returning home from choir practice with her mother when the tragedy began to unfold at her gate.

Police reports are that Phillips and other family members were about to enter the house when two gunmen alighted from a car and demanded that they come to them.

The victims reportedly screamed and ran towards the house. Phillips' father, a licensed firearm holder, who was inside the house, pulled his gun and rushed to the defence of his family.

No benefits soon

SOME OF Jamaica's civic leaders are warning that, with the United States facing its toughest economic crisis since the Great Depression, it could be some time before the island sees benefits from the policies of US President-elect Barack Obama.

Fear grips schools

RECENT killings and abductions of children have sent a wave of panic across many schools in Jamaica with students reportedly cowering in fear that thugs may abduct and harm them.

protect the nation's children

But the Ministry of Education and school associations are urging parents and the community to join forces to protect the nation's children.

They have also put in place security measures and have provided advice to students and parents.

Abductions on the decrease - police

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington said yesterday that the JCF was not downplaying the situation but added that, in fact, abductions were on the decline.

Ellington's comments came during a press conference convened at the Police Commissioner's Office, Old Hope Road, St Andrew, on Thursday.

"We have responded to every report," said Ellington.

"We are investigating every one of them thoroughly," he added.