05:08 Middle European Time

It just became 'official' via the German tee-vee station ZDF, which has been sending live coverage of the election all night, They say Obama has won. The live coverage from Grant Park in Chicago is astounding,' so many people. There are a lot of Americans in the studio in Berlin, and just looking at their faces and seeing the relief brought me to tears. German commentators keep saying 'America has just found itself again'. Which says a lot.

05:18 MEZ McCain concedes. He is doing it with dignity. But giving Palin his blessing..... I'm surprised he isn't choking on his words, and she is smiling dumbly.

We're now waiting for Obama's speech.