Today's News..

1. More than80 lawmaker from liberal groups launched a preparatory committee to organize a new integrated party yesterday, which will become the second largest negotiating group in the National Assembly..

2. Korean stocks shot up to 2,005 points yesterday, but edged downward as investors sold their holdings to cash in on recent sharp gains..

3. The tow Koreas resumed their general-level military talks yeserday to discuss preventing naval skirmishes in the West Sea and reducing military tension on the peninsula..

4. The number of foreigners residing in Seoul has more than tripled compared to 10 years ago amid raid globalization of Korean society, according to Seoul Metropolitan Government..


Chavez threatens foreign critics with expulsion..

Venezuelan President stated that during his weekly radio program that foreigners who publicly criticize him or his govenment will be expelled from the country. He made the comments not long after senior Mexican politician Manuel Espino said that Chavez's plan to end predential term limits was a threat to democracy. Chavez called the matter "a question of national dignity, and ordered officials to keep their ears to the ground for critical remarks by international figures in Venezuela. Hugo Chavez was re-elected for a third term last year, and is popular with Venezuela's millions of poor people for his social policies. The country's National Assembly consists entirely of politicians backing Chavez..


Diet or not, soda's bad for health..

A recent large-scale study in the U.S. of middle-aged adults found that drinking a can or more of soda a day, regardless of whether it is diet or not, increases the risk of metabolic syndrome by up to 45%. Metabolic syndrome is a number of closely linked facts that greatly increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Many people choose to beat the heat during the summer with diet drinks, as they believe sugar-free beverages are healthier than their corn-syrup sweetened counterparts. However, senior investigator Dr, Ramachandran Vasan says that this is not the case. Specific indicators of metabolic syndrome include excess abdominal fat, high blood sugar levels, and heightened blood pressure..



From morning Special..