L’il Kim’s L’il Nuke: North Korea might know how to make a small nuclear warhead that could be delivered by ballistic missile, US defense intelligence analysts have concluded. Word of this was released by a Colorado Congressman who may have spoken out of school. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released a statement tamping down potential panic saying, “North Korea has not yet demonstrated the full range of capabilities necessary for a nuclear armed missile.”

National: The Senate voted 68-31 to proceed with debate over the first major gun control bill in 20 years. The mere fact that the two parties agreed to proceed is being hailed as a breakthrough. The bill would expand background checks and increase penalties for illegal gun sales. Democrats might try to work in a renewal of the 2004 assault weapons ban. Although 16 Republicans voted for opening the issue to debate, Democrats don’t necessarily have the 60 votes to actually pass the law.

World: Indonesia has sentenced a 56-year-old British woman to death for smuggling $2.5 million worth of cocaine into Bali. Lindsay Sandiford said a gang threatened to hurt her children if she didn’t do it. She has 14 days to appeal before facing a firing squad.

Art Attack: The Louvre museum in Paris was closed for a day this week when the staff went on strike in protest over roving bands of pickpockets that work the crowds. Museum staff say they feel endangered by groups as large as 20-30 who create diversions rob patrons. The pickpockets usually are under 18 and get in free.

Bat Attack: The Dodgers and Padres had a bench-clearing brawl in San Diego last night after Carlos Quentin was hit by a pitch from the Dodgers’ Zack Greinke. Quentin charged the mound and then everyone followed.

Bitcoin: The NY Times reports that the Winklevoss twins, the “Winklevii” of Facebook fame, are major investors in the cyber currency known as “bitcoins”. They think virtual money is the third wave of currency… from gold based, to government backed, and now “math based” money. Trading in the bitcoin has been volatile this week, from a high of $260 to a low of $105, but the Winklevii see a big future in it.

Obit Page: Paolo Soleri, the Italian architect best known for his utopian village Arcosanti in the Arizona desert, has died at 93. In the 1960s Soleri built up, not out, to preserve open space in the desert while creating community. The village was designed for 5,000 people with a bakery, amphitheater, ceramic studio and other features for joint living. But Arcosanti was never finished and is home to only a few hundred residents.

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