North Korea Does it Again, U.N. Considers Sanctions & Ken Lay Dead of Apparent Heart Attack in Today's Details

-Oil prices jumped to a record above $75 a barrel on Wednesday, propelled by a rally in gasoline that analysts said could send average U.S. pump prices past $3 a gallon by the weekend. (Don't have to wait for the weekend here in Columbus, Ohio --- it was $3.05 for low grade on my way home today - up .14 cents since Thursday.) DETAILS

-North Korea test-fired a seventh missile Wednesday, intensifying the furor that began when the reclusive regime defied international protests by launching a long-range missile and at least five shorter-range rockets earlier in the day. The missiles, all of which apparently fell harmlessly into the Sea of Japan, provoked international condemnation, the convening of an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council and calls in Tokyo for economic sanctions against the impoverished communist regime. DETAILS

-In a serious blow to Sen. Joseph Lieberman's (D-CT) reelection campaign, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is likely to back the winner of the Democratic primary in Connecticut, meaning that Lieberman may be left without national allies for campaign money. DETAILS

-The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday considered imposing sanctions on North Korea's weapons program after the reclusive state test-fired a series of missiles including a long-range weapon. Japan, backed by the United States and Britain prepared a resolution demanding that nations withhold all funds, goods and technology that could be used for North Korea's missile program. DETAILS

-Enron Corp. founder Ken Lay died of a heart attack on Wednesday, six weeks after being found guilty of fraud in one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history. Lay, 64, was awaiting sentencing later this year and was expected to face decades in prison for his fraud and conspiracy convictions in the Enron collapse. (I recall after the verdict came down Ken Lay talked about his faith and how he trusted the Lord to take care of things. Well, I guess he was right!) DETAILS

-The economy of the country's largest city and the entire nation would collapse if illegal immigrants were deported en masse, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a Senate committee hearing Wednesday. DETAILS

- A former Army private accused in the horrific rape and killing of a young Iraqi woman and the execution-style slaying of her family had been discharged because of an "antisocial personality disorder," U.S. military officials told The Associated Press. DETAILS

-Discovery's crew used highly sensitive cameras attached to a 50-foot boom Wednesday to carefully examine the space shuttle for any signs of damage from the previous day's launch. Nothing serious was reported, but it was much too early to draw any conclusions, officials said. DETAILS

-OK, so Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has made it clear that he doesn't want to run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008, but that hasn't stopped friends from talking him up for vice president. In fact, allies are pushing him as the perfect match for several Republicans already running for president, including Virginia Sen. George Allen, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. " (I predict the Bush name will be so toxic by the end of his brothers stint no one will want him.) DETAILS

-On the eve of nationwide hearings that could determine the fate of his immigration bill, President Bush is signaling a new willingness to negotiate with House Republicans in an effort to revise the stalled legislation before Election Day. Republicans both inside and outside the White House say Mr. Bush, who has long insisted on comprehensive reform, is now open to a so-called enforcement-first approach that would put new border security programs in place before creating a guest worker program or path to citizenship for people living in the United States illegally. DETAILS

-Rush Limbaugh will not face charges in Palm Beach County for the bottle of Viagra found in his luggage that was prescribed in his doctor's name, prosecutors said Wednesday. (Don't be sad Limbaugh haters - he's a man with erectile dysfunction which is now a matter of public record. The embarrassement he sought to avoid - happened anyway - and he will forever be known as Rush Limpbaugh - or whatever other creative names you can come up with. Oh please share!!!!!!!!!!!) DETAILS