Meanwhile, In The Rest of the World...

What's happening in the rest of the world? Let's take a look...

Both U.S. and North Korea officials are warning against 'counting chickens before they hatch', but the big news today is: "The prospect of initial steps towards ending North Korea's nuclear arms programme brightened on Friday as negotiators considered a plan for Pyongyang to suspend operations at a nuclear plant within two months. .... in return for energy and economic aid."

I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I won't start counting chickens or other farm animals yet.

And in the Middle East, the big news (also in a fingers-crossed, don't count animals yet way) is that "Rival Palestinian factions signed a historic deal to form a national unity government after marathon talks in Mecca aimed at ending lethal infighting and a crippling international boycott."

Elsewhere, Iran's leaders warn the U.S.: You attack our back, we'll attack yours.

Finally, China's President assures everyone that his country is not "forming neo-colonialist ties with Africa in its bid to access the vast natural resources of the world's poorest continent". Gosh, they just want to help! KCRW's 'To The Point' also looked at this issue.