Today's News..

1. The Grand National Party is mired in dispute as prosecutors probe allegations over former Seoul mayor's estate speculation..

2. Retail strikes of irregular workers winds down, but the rift between labor and management of E.Land Group is getting deeper..

3. Overseas residents will not be able to have voting rights in this year's presidential election due to delay in lagislation..

4. Iraqi leader warned that early U.S troop withdrawal could tip Iraq into all-out civil war, as debate over war policy intensifies in the U.S..

5. The IAEA gave the green light to send inspectors to North Korea for the first time since 2002 to monitor the state's nuclear dismantlement..


Mounting riot fears in French prisons as traditional pardons are withheld

Thousands of prisoners in France's jails expecting pardons traditionally given on Batille Day are facing disappointment this week. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that "There will be no collective amnesty," raising fears that prison riots could be started by angry inmates. Prison officials have said that the pardons are heavily anticipated every year by inmates as well as prison workers, since worsening conditions and overpopulation are serious problems in the facilities. Sarcozy stated that he would consider pardoning prisoners under special curcumstances, but not merely for the sake of taking care of the prison problems.

The traditional mass pardon stems from the French holiday on July 14 called Bastille Day. In 1789, French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison and released the seven prisoners inside, marking the beginning of the French revolution..


K.J Choi emerges victorious at the Natinal

K.J Choi won the inaugural AT&T National golf tournament on Sunday, only five weeks after his victory at the Jack Nicklaus Memorial tournament. Choi says that his next goal is to be the first Asian to win a major tournament. With Sunday's win being his sixth on the PGA Tour, Choi already has the most victories by an Asian-born player. His highlight in toruney was sinking a birdie shot from the greenside bunker on hole17. Although in Korea Choi was referred to as "Tank", for his persistence and nerves of steel, he celebrated the shot by throwing the ball into the crowd.

Following his National win, Choi joked through interpreter that the trophy was heavier than the trophy form the Memorial. He also added that he"can't even express in wors" the feeling from winning..


From Morning Special..