Today's edition of quick hits:

* Progress: "North Korea announced on Wednesday that it would suspend nuclear weapons tests and uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors to monitor activities at its main nuclear complex, a step that raised the possibility of ending a diplomatic impasse that has allowed the country's nuclear program to continue with no international oversight for years."

* Ground offensive into Homs: "Despite mounting diplomatic pressure for a cease-fire, the Syrian military continued its bombardment of opposition strongholds on Wednesday."

* Egypt: "At least seven Americans employed by pro-democracy groups in Egypt who have been under criminal investigation will be allowed to leave the country."

* The meeting only lasted an hour: "House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) left a White House meeting Wednesday with President Obama and other congressional leaders 'hopeful' and 'encouraged'" about pending energy and jobs bills.

* James Murdoch steps down as executive chairman of News International.

* Factory orders in the Midwest pick up steam.

* At an Ohio factory today, Mitt Romney said, "I gotta press the button. That will be my heavy lift in terms of manufacturing."

* Does Romney oppose the Blunt Amendment? It sounds like it, but the campaign is denying it. More on this in the morning.

* NDAA: "The White House issued a presidential policy directive Tuesday evening that allows the president to largely disregard a provision in the most recent National Defense Authorization Act, which mandates military custody for non-American terrorism suspects captured on American soil."

* And on a related note, at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) questioned why torture-memo author Steven Bradbury been called to testify. Good for him.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.