Quake raises fears of 2nd N. Korea test  —  TOKYO - A strong earthquake shook northern Japan on Wednesday and Japanese media reported the government had detected tremors in North Korea as well, leading it to suspect Pyongyang had conducted a second nuclear test.

Mutually Assured Disruption  —  THE North Korean nuclear test — if that indeed is what it was — signals the catastrophic collapse of a dozen years of American policy.  Over that period, two of the world's most dangerous regimes, Pakistan and North Korea, have developed nuclear weapons and the missiles to launch them.

Hastert Tries To Shift Blame To Staff, Raises Prospect of 'Cover Up'  —  At a press conference this morning, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) set up his staff to take the blame for the Mark Foley scandal.  Asked if he was satisfied with how his staff handled the matter, Hasert said, "I understand what my staff told me.