German Deadlock and North Korean Breakthrough

...and you though the two party system was the only one vulnerable to close elections.
Stalemate after German election

So now the game is on to see what party, if any will lead Germany's government.

Afghanistan, the other nations holding an election recently has finished voting an tallies are expected next month. Although there were attacks on voters no deaths were reported.

..and finally a surprising bit of news from the hermit kingdom.
North Korea Says It Will End to Nuclear Program
The link goes to a WashingtonPost.com discussion that should start at 11:00a Central (12:00 Eastern) today to discuss that situation as well as Iran.

From the Post:
While Iran remains defiant over its nuclear program, North Korea announced that it will end its nuclear program in exchange for aid and recognition from the U.S. and its allies. The announcement came during the six party talks involving North Korea, the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and South Korea. The announcement marked the first breakthrough in the talks, which had stalled several times since they began in 2003.

Let's hope this lead to better security in the region and eventual hopes for the collapse of the North Korean ruling structure, so that North Korea could share in the prosperity and freedom that it's southern counterpart enjoys.