Canadian elections

Canada held a snap general election on Tuesday, with Stephen "Bush North" Harper and his Tories hoping to grab a majority government. While the Cons did pick up seats, the economic crunch which developed after the election was called appears to have damaged their hopes of a majority.

With almost all votes in, the Conservatives were said to have won 143 seats, a big rise but still short of the 155 needed for a majority.

The opposition Liberal Party, under Stephane Dion, has won 76 seats, a loss of nearly 20 seats.

Turnout was put at 59.1% - one of the lowest figures on record.

Also benefiting from the Liberals' misfortune was the NDP, which gained eight seats for a total of 37, getting 18.2 percent of the total vote.