Good news: North Korea not yet loving the bomb

The latest from North Korea and outside officials:

In the first remarks to the outside world concerning last Thursday's mysterious explosion, North Korea reportedly has said the blast was part of a construction project. Other countries, however, have been unable to determine what caused the blast.

North Korean foreign ministry officials have told British and Chinese diplomats that the explosion was the demolition of a mountain to make way for a hydro-electric plant.

Chinese and British journalists reported the news.

North Korea had remained silent about the blast last Thursday, fueling speculation about its cause.

Initial reports spoke of a mushroom cloud several kilometers in diameter, prompting concern that North Korea might have conducted its first nuclear weapons test.

Japanese government spokesman Hiroyuki Hosoda on Monday said while the real cause is still a mystery, it is almost certain the explosion was not a nuclear detonation. Mr. Hosoda says no significant seismic waves were recorded, which usually would be a tell-tale sign of a nuclear test.

U.S. and South Korean officials also are playing down speculation that the blast was related to North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.

I suppose we can breathe a little easier. A little.