Liverpool Hillsborough Wikipedia posts: Government pledges 'urgent inquiries'

The Cabinet Office said the claims were being treated with "the utmost seriousness"

The government says it is making "urgent inquiries" into reports Whitehall computers were used to make insulting comments about the Hillsborough disaster.

The Liverpool Echo reported that changes were made to Wikipedia entries about the tragedy.

Comments were posted from computers on Whitehall's secure intranet, it said.

The Cabinet Office said the claims were being treated with "the utmost seriousness".

"We thank the Liverpool Echo for bringing this to our attention," a spokesman said.

"No one should be in any doubt of the government's position regarding the Hillsborough disaster and its support for the families of the 96 victims and all those affected by the tragedy."

'Appropriate action' call

Steve Kelly, who lost his 38-year-old brother Michael at Hillsborough, said: "After all these years it's disgusting that people are still trying to put the knife into the families - we're good people.

"We've tried to maintain our dignity and people are still doing this sort of thing."

Sheila Coleman, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, said they will be talking to their legal team about "how to proceed".

"Clearly we'll be calling for an enquiry - we'll expect those responsible to be identified and appropriate action taken," she added.

The Liverpool football fans died after a crush at the FA Cup semi-final in April 1989.

New inquests, set to last a year, were ordered after new evidence revealed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel led to the original inquest verdicts being quashed.
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Obama in S Korea amid nuclear fears US President Barack Obama arrives in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test

Asia tour: Obama in Seoul amid nuclear test fears

Mr Obama and Ms Park are expected to discuss strategy on North Korea
US President Barack Obama is in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern that North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test.

Mr Obama, who arrived from Japan on the second stop of his Asian tour, will hold talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye.

Their talks are set to focus on North Korea, following reports of activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

Mr Obama is also expected to express grief over last week's ferry disaster.

More than 300 people were killed or remain missing after the Sewol passenger ferry sank off South Korea, in a tragedy that has shocked the nation.

Most of those who died were teenagers on a school trip.

'Two test tunnels'

Mr Obama is expected to hold talks with Ms Park, visit US troops and then fly to Malaysia on Saturday.

Speaking in Japan, he called the North Korean problem "the most destabilising, dangerous situation in all of the Asia-Pacific region", and described China's role in influencing Pyongyang as "critically important".

Earlier this week, South Korea's military said it had detected "a lot of activity" at the North's nuclear test site, suggesting it was either planning a test or would pretend to stage one.

North Korea has carried out three such tests in the past, most recently in February 2013 - an incident that triggered months of severe tension on the Korean peninsula.

It also carried out tests in 2006 and 2009. All resulted in the imposition of sanctions by the UN, which bars Pyongyang from nuclear tests under resolution 1718.

A report from 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, also confirmed increased activity at the site "probably related to preparations for a detonation", based on satellite imagery.

The document highlighted "increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed test tunnels".

While Pyongyang has tested devices, it is not yet believed to have mastered the process of making a nuclear warhead small enough to deliver via a missile.

China is regarded as the nation with the best chance of influencing North Korea's behaviour, because of their trade ties.

"We will not allow war and chaos on China's doorstep," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday.

"In the meantime, we have consistently and proactively advocated dialogue and negotiation."

'Inherent territory'

Also on Mr Obama's agenda will be Seoul's ties with Japan. The US wants its two main Asian allies to work together to tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

But rows over disputed islands and unresolved historical tensions have severely strained the Tokyo-Seoul relationship.

Last month, the US brokered a meeting between Ms Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a bid to put things back on track.

In Japan, Mr Obama issued a firm statement of support over Tokyo's dispute over a separate set of islands with China.

Standing next to the Japanese leader, he confirmed that the US-Japan security treaty did cover the disputed East China Sea island chain - meaning that if Japan were to be attacked, the US would come to its aid.

China said it opposed the US stance.

"No matter what other people say and do, they can't change the fundamental fact that the Diaoyu islands (called Senkaku in Japan) are part of China's inherent territory," said spokesman Qin Gang.
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Lifestyle quiz to secure a mortgage

The rules are aimed at reducing the chance of reckless lending
Mortgage applicants face tougher questions about their lifestyle, under new rules that take effect on Saturday.

The changes are designed to "hardwire common sense" into the mortgage application process, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Questions from lenders about customers' regular outgoings - including childcare costs and even haircuts - could be included in affordability checks.

Brokers say the changes could lead to delays and rejections of applications.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said the transition to the new rules would be smooth, despite it being the biggest change to the mortgage market for more than a decade.

And many lenders have already changed their systems so they comply with the new rules.

Questions

The rules - known as the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) - are designed to protect consumers from the kind of reckless mortgage lending that would leave them unable to make repayments.

They were drawn up during the financial crisis and originally planned to come into force last summer but changes were made following consultation with lenders.

At their heart is a new affordability check, that will see applicants interviewed by a lender and asked about their income and outgoings.

Previously, many mortgage offers were based on a multiple of the buyer or homeowner's income. Now, more consideration will be given to the household budget and how much spare money is available to them.

That is likely to mean more detailed checks, with questions asked about anything from subscriptions to childcare costs.

Applicants will be expected to explain if they are predicting any significant change in their income or spending.

Lenders will also have to "stress test" an applicant's ability to repay if interest rates increased over a five-year period. This is expected to lead to some applications being rejected.

However, the Building Societies Association (BSA) said this did not mean that those on lower incomes or those only able to offer a small deposit would be frozen out of the property market.

Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage policy at the BSA, said: "It is understandable that people are concerned about the changes to the mortgage application process, however it is vital that this new regime does not dent consumer confidence or sentiment in the housing market.

"It is highly unlikely that a single purchase or category of expenditure will make the difference between yes or no decisions."

Mortgage lenders have had to train staff in the new rules, but the extra pressure on time could mean the process of securing a mortgage to buy a home could take longer.
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UK science to get £200m polar ship UK scientists are to get a £200m icebreaker, which will be one of the biggest, most capable polar research vessels in the world

George Osborne orders new icebreaker for UK polar science

The new ship is likely to incorporate a helideck and hangar, and be able to deploy robotic subs
UK science is to get one of the biggest, most capable polar research vessels in the world.

The £200m investment in an icebreaker is to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne in a speech on Friday.

The ship is likely to be 130m long, and sport a helipad, cranes, onboard labs, and have the ability to deploy subs and other ocean-survey and sampling gear.

It should be ready to enter service in 2019, and will support scientists in both the Antarctic and the Arctic.

The strength of its hull will allow it to push deeper into pack ice than any previous British research vessel.

Initial technical specifications require the ship to be able to maintain a speed of three knots while breaking through 2m-thick floes.

The money to build and equip the vessel is coming from the government's capital investment fund for science, for which Mr Osborne has committed £1.1bn per year in real terms up to 2020/21.

Talking ahead of his announcement in Cambridge, the chancellor said science was a springboard for economic prosperity.

"Backing British science, supporting businesses seeking to grow off the back of it and protecting investment in it is a central part of our long-term economic plan," he explained.

"Britain has a proud past leading the world in pushing the boundary of scientific discovery. I want it to be a mark of our future success."

The UK already operates two polar ships - the Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Clark Ross and the RRS Ernest Shackleton.

The former was built in 1990 and the latter in 1995.

A case was made to government, and accepted, that this fleet needed to be augmented with a more modern capability if the nation's science at high latitudes was to remain competitive.

The poles are at the forefront of climate research
An early design concept for the new ship has been drawn up by naval architects, but this will need to be finessed.

A clear imperative is that the final design features a helideck - something omitted on the Clark Ross and which experts have told the BBC is really essential for effective Antarctic operations.

Precisely where the ship will be built is an open question.

Given the scale of the investment, a home shipyard would obviously be preferred. But European Union rules will require that bids be invited also from beyond the UK.

There is sure to be some concern that the announcement of the new vessel will signal an imminent reduction in the fleet - one super ship to replace two ageing vessels.

But the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc), which funds polar science in the UK, says this is not the current plan.

The desire is to operate both the Clark Ross and the Shackleton until at least the end of the decade, it states.

A decision will then be taken on what to do with the Shackleton, which, unlike the Clark Ross, is not British-owned but leased from a Norwegian company.

The first of five available one-year extensions to this bareboat charter arrangement comes into effect in August.

Nerc has made it clear also that the capital investment for the new ship will not impact the budget for its day-to-day science or ongoing infrastructure needs. The investment is on a separate government line.

The council has recently upgraded its "bluewater fleet" - the open-ocean vessels RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook are both less than 10 years old.

Prof Duncan Wingham, the chief executive of Nerc, told BBC News: "The new vessel will make Nerc's entire fleet, ton for ton, the most advanced scientific fleet in the world.

"The new ship will be a clear statement of the UK's commitment to science in the Antarctic and South Atlantic, and increases our ice-breaking capability in the South and, just as important, in the Arctic."

What the new polar ship promises to be like

Likely to have a length of 130m and a breadth of 25m
Its gross tonnage would be about 13,000 tonnes
Its cargo volume would be around 4,200 cu metres
It must be self-sufficient to operate for up to 80 days
This means it could cover roughly 24,000 nautical miles
Helicopter facilities are today considered a must-have
It would launch aerial and ocean robotic systems
Up to 60 scientists and support staff could live aboard

This is just an early design concept. The details will need to be finessed
UK's existing polar research vessel capability

The RSS James Clark Ross is now almost 25 years old and has no helicopter capability
James Clark Ross (above) was built on Tyneside and is UK-owned
Ernest Shackleton's bareboat charter has just been extended
Both are flagged in the Falklands but operate in the North too
They resupply Antarctic bases, including remote Halley Station

The British Antarctic Survey operates a number of southern stations
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Ukraine crisis: Kerry accuses Russia of 'destabilisation'

Kerry: We've seen this movie before
US Secretary of State John Kerry has accused Russia of "distraction, deception and destabilisation" in eastern Ukraine.

In a strongly worded statement, he called on Moscow to help defuse the crisis there or face further sanctions.

Earlier, Russia called on the US to make Kiev stop raids on pro-Moscow separatists in the east.

Russia ordered new military exercises on its border following the raids, drawing condemnation from Ukraine.

Mr Kerry was speaking amid an increasing war of words between the US and Russia over events in eastern Ukraine.

Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.

Mr Kerry praised the interim authorities in Kiev, saying they had honoured the agreement struck in Geneva on 17 April to de-escalate the crisis.

But he said Russia had "put its faith in distraction, deception and destabilisation".

"Not a single Russian official has publicly gone on television in Ukraine and called on the separatists to support the Geneva agreement, to support the stand-down, to give up their weapons and get out of the Ukrainian buildings," he said.

He accused Russian media of promoting President Vladimir Putin's "fantasy" about events in Ukraine and said Moscow continued to "fund, co-ordinate and fuel a heavily-armed separatist movement in Donetsk".

"This is a full-throated effort to actively sabotage the democratic process through gross external intimidation that has been brought inside Ukraine," he said.

Mr Kerry said US intelligence was confident that Russia was "playing an active role in destabilising eastern Ukraine" with personnel, weapons, money and operational planning".

He added that the window for Russia to change course was closing and that if it did not choose to de-escalate, the US was ready to impose further sanctions.

Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry urged the US to use its influence with Kiev to "convince it to refrain from rash steps that will plunge Ukraine even deeper into the depths of crisis".

The Geneva agreement states that illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, must return home.

The morning raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk left at least two separatists dead.

Oleg Boldyrev reports from the scene of the operation near Sloviansk
On hearing of the attacks, President Putin warned there would be "consequences", adding: "If Kiev has really begun to use the army against the country's population... that is a very serious crime against its own people".

On Wednesday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the US of "running the show" in Ukraine.

Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.

Russian television quoted the ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, as saying that Moscow would have "international-legal grounds" to deploy "peacekeepers" to Ukraine, as it had during the Russia-Georgia conflict of 2008.

One of the checkpoints taken out by Ukrainian forces near Sloviansk

The pro-Russians continue to control many checkpoints in the area, including here at Krasny Liman

Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, told Russia to stop its "blackmail"

A Ukrainian helicopter drops leaflets over Sloviansk
Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops and end what he called its "blackmail".

Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytisa said Ukrainian forces would fight the Russians if they had to.

In other developments on Thursday:

The funeral took place in Horlivka of pro-Ukrainian politician Volodymyr Rybak, who was abducted and killed in Donetsk region
US journalist Simon Ostrovsky, held by pro-Russian separatists in Sloviansk, has been freed
Slovakia and Ukraine could sign a deal on gas supplies on Monday, allowing for a "reverse flow" to reduce Kiev's dependence on Russia
Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.

Last month Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimea. It followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.
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HTC One M8: Latest software update adds Extreme Power Saving mode

HTC has finally made the HTC One M8 official, and yes, that really is the name it has chosen. Despite the device being steadily and comprehensively leaked over the past few months, HTC did manage to hold back a few details to surprise us with on the big day. The question is: Does the all-new HTC One have what it takes to win people's hearts and wallets this time around, helping to return the company to former glories. Or will it suffer at the hands of Samsung and the Galaxy S5? Let's find out with a close look at the all the official details.

Updated on 04-24-2014 by Andy Boxall:  Reports of a software update being pushed to the HTC One M8 are starting to spread. It contains several improvements, and adds the Extreme Power Saving Mode.

Where can you buy One, and how much will it cost?

HTC says the One M8 will be the single largest product launch in its history, and will be sold on 230 networks globally. Before the end of April, it will be released in America, UK, Germany, France, China, Australia, and Taiwan. An exact date wasn't provided, but HTC said "most will have the phone in-store before April 10."

(Read our HTC One M8 Review.)

Sure enough, sales are already underway:

AT&T: Starting at AT&T, the One M8 will cost $200 with a two-year contract, or $32 per month on Next 12. Off-contract, it's priced at $640.
Verizon: Head over to Verizon and the phone is also $200 with a two-year contract, or $25.22 per month with Verizon Edge. It's a little cheaper off-contract too, and costs $600 exactly. Verizon also has a limited time buy-one-get-one-free offer running with the One M8, provided you sign a pair of two-year contracts.

T-Mobile: At T-Mobile, the One M8 has a full price of $636 with nothing up front, then 24 monthly payments of $26.50, plus your standard bill.
Sprint: Finally, Sprint has the HTC One M8 for $200 on a two-year plan, or can offer the phone contract free for $650. There's also the option to pay nothing up front, then $27.09 per month for the next two-years. 

However, if you'd rather do your shopping on Amazon.com, and are thinking of getting an HTC One M8 connected to Verizon or Sprint, then make sure you check the site first. At the time of writing, both these networks have the phone priced at $150 with a two-year contract on Amazon, saving you $50 over buying one direct. Amazon, and all the networks, list the HTC One M8 as being in stock and ready for delivery now.

Software update adds Extreme Power Saving mode

Although HTC has optimized the battery performance of the One M8 to provide 40 percent more battery life than the original One, it has still added an "Extreme Power Saving" mode, which works like a turbocharged version of Samsung's Ultra Power Saver Mode on the Galaxy S5. Like the Samsung tool, it strips away all the garnish, provides a simple interface, and only lets you access basic features.

However, the feature wasn't included with all HTC One M8 phones at launch, due to it needing to pass regulation tests ensuring emergency calls could still be made with it switched on. Apparently, it passed with flying colors. Owners have started to report the feature's arrival inside a software update for the phone. Listed as version 1.55.631.4, the 150MB update also contains unspecified improvements to the Duo Camera and the gallery. 

According to HTC, a fully charged One M8 in Extreme Power Saver mode will last for up to two weeks without needing a recharge. If your One M8 is missing the Extreme Power Saving mode, then check Software Updates on the device to see if it's ready to go.

Hardware will sound familiar

If all you worry about is specs, then the HTC One M8 won't capture your attention for long, as not only is it fairly similar to last year's HTC One, but it's also identical to many other high-end smartphones on the market today. For example, the screen measures 5-inches, is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and has a 1080p resolution.

HTC has chosen the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor running at 2.3GHz to power the phone, and paired it with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage memory. A welcome addition is a MicroSD card slot, which can bump this figure by a huge 128GB, if you don't mind spending some cash on the card itself. A 16GB version of the One M8 will also be produced, but potentially only sold in Europe.

A pair of BoomSound speakers are mounted on the front panel, and the amp is supposed to be 25 percent louder than before, but there's no Beats Audio branding or software included this time around. Above the screen is a 5-megapixel camera with a wide-angle lens, and HTC has tweaked the rear 4-megapixel UltraPixel camera to work with the Snapdragon 801 processor, which results in a 0.3 second focus time, and better quality images.

Duo Camera looks cool

The many leaks told us the HTC One M8 would have a dual-lens camera, but short of saying it would be to mess around with the depth of field, they didn't go into much detail. We now know HTC is calling the new setup a Duo Camera, plus that it offers one-touch refocus, which it calls UFocus.

It's not the first time we've seen such technology on a smartphone. Most of this year's flagship phones offer something similar, such as Nokia's ReFocus app, and Magic Focus on the LG G Pro 2. The difference here is instead of being a software-driven system which takes several photos in quick succession to produce the desired effect, the Duo Camera includes all the depth information in one shot. It's the second lens, which is actually a sensor, that collects all that detail.

HTC says the Duo Camera captures "true depth information in your photos," meaning it understands which objects in your photo are close to you, and which are further away. This will allow users to add the blurred-background "bokeh" effect instantly, with a tap of the screen. This is all done in the regular camera mode, so there's no need to remember a setting or run a separate app, and there a various modes to help you implement the feature.

Additionally, the camera now has a dual-LED, dual-color flash, complete with different color modes for improved color reproduction. There's no optical image stabilization, only digital, but there is a selection of editing tools, and cool effects – including an unusual 3D look – to apply to your pictures. In the summer, HTC will release a new version of its Zoe video tool. This will make those short videos easier to produce, and also upload them into the cloud, ready for friends to re-edit and create their own versions.

Gorgeous metal bodywork

One aspect of the original HTC One which didn't need fixing is the design, and HTC has stuck with the same formula for the One M8. The metal unibody now covers 90 percent of the chassis, compared to 70 percent on the previous model, and it measures 9.3mm thick. The polished metal finish has a feathered, brushed design, described as an effect which is more at home on jewelry than a smartphone. If you've decided on a gold version of the One M8, you need to know it doesn't have the same brushed effect as the other models, and is apparently noticeably smoother to the touch.

Unlike several of its competitors, the HTC One M8 isn't waterproof. Or is it? HTC certainly hasn't said anything about it, but a video has been uncovered, which apparently shows the new phone working away happily, despite being underwater. It's not been in the drink for five seconds either, but 90 minutes, if the video is to be believed. We would suggest putting this to the test with your new M8, but it may provide some evidence the phone will resist the odd splash without dying on the spot.

HTC's Online Global Communications Manager, Jeff Gordon, has spoken out about the One M8′s resistance to water. He tweeted the phone is rated IPx3, which means it's able to be used in rainy or damp conditions without issue.

Gordon also cleared up another mystery. If you were wondering about the large black section beneath the screen, which only seems to be there to make the HTC logo stand out, there is actually a point to it. Gordon's tweet says the area isn't empty space, but hides "a huge amount of circuitry and antennae." It's necessary to the HTC One M8′s operation then, and not just the bit where the capacitive keys once were, which they didn't know what to do with.

New, Improved "Sixth Sense" software experience

Android 4.4 KitKat is installed on the One M8, and HTC has covered it in Sense 6.0, its revised and rebuilt user interface.BlinkFeed has been improved too. It's now one, long scrolling list, and draws from a list of 10,000 content providers. Those familiar with BlinkFeed will spot new animations, the introduction of larger images, new animations, and an easier way of adding additional content. 

Other alterations inside Sense 6.0 include redesigned icons, more minimalist fonts, a wide range of themes, and several newly refreshed apps. For example, Sense TV is designed to replace your TV remote control, and comes with built-in social networking features, plus a dedicated sports section.

HTC has made BlinkFeed, the Gallery app and others available through Google Play, which will allow them to be updated without the need for an over-the-air update to be approved and sent out. It's a big step forward to keeping these apps fresh with new features. Also, HTC has opened BlinkFeed, Zoe, and UFocus up to developers, so they can be incorporated into third party apps.

Among the first partners to integrate into BlinkFeed are Foursquare, so check-ins and other news will be added to your feed, plus FitBit. This, combined with the One M8's sensors, turn it into a FitBit activity tracker, but without the wristband. It's also worth noting the One M8 has onscreen Android buttons, and not separate ones as with the original model.

Ignore the sleep/wake key, use gesture controls instead

HTC has added a selection of gesture controls called Motion Launch. These are accessed through a dedicated menu, and they're all designed to stop you from pressing the sleep/wake key, and to be used when the screen is off. For example, a double tap will wake up the screen, lifting the phone to your ear will answer it, while turning the device sideways and hitting the volume button will activate the camera. 

Extreme power saving could be great

HTC has optimized the battery performance of the One M8 to provide 40 percent more battery life than the original One. An "extreme" battery-saving mode has also been added, which works like a turbocharged version of Samsung's Ultra Power Saver Mode on the Galaxy S5. Like the Samsung tool, it strips away all the garnish, provides a simple interface, and only lets you access basic features. According to HTC, a fully charged One M8 in Extreme Power Saver mode will last for up to two weeks without needing a recharge. That's one feature we want to test.

Google Play Edition incoming

HTC has also revealed a One M8 without all its Sense 6.0 user interface, or the accompanying software, as a Google Play Edition. However, it's not running a completely standard build of Android 4.4 KitKat. Don't worry though, the alterations are made so owners get to enjoy the Duo Camera, which requires certain tweaks and additional settings. Otherwise, the specification is exactly the same. It's available for pre-order now, and costs $700.

Wide range of accessories available at launch

In addition to One M8 specific versions of HTC's Double Dip and Flip cases, HTC has also launched the Fetch and the Mini+ accessories for the new phone. The Fetch is a keyring which helps locate a misplaced phone, and the Mini+ is a strange phone-for-your-phone device. The Dot View case is the only really new accessory. It's a flip front case which displays notifications, the weather, and the time in a retro dot-matrix look style.

Let us know if HTC has done enough with the One M8 to persuade you it's the phone to buy, or will you be going for one of its competitors?

Updated on 04-11-2014 by Andy Boxall:  The HTC One M8 is now available through most networks in America, but the best deal – if you're after a contract – comes from Amazon. We've added in all the prices and conditions you need to know about the new HTC flagship phone, so you can easily find the right deal.

Updated on 04-03-2014 by Andy Boxall:  Added in and explanation of the black space beneath the One M8′s screen, provided by HTC, plus details on the Google Play Edition, the first HTC One M8 advert, and a hint the phone may not be too scared of water.

Updated on 03-25-2014 by Andy Boxall: All the official information on the HTC One M8 has been added to the article below, while all the many, many rumors from our roundup can still be found on page two.
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The 11 hottest iOS, Android, and Windows Phones you can’t buy yet

The Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8 just came out, but what's next? If you're like us and are never content with what you already have, then DT is here to help. There are a lot of exciting things coming later this year. It's tough to keep track of them all, so we've put together this list of all the smartphones you'll be drooling over by the end of this year.

On this page, you'll find several phones we know are coming, but haven't been announced yet. On page two we'll get into some of the phones we know are coming, but have yet to hit store shelves.

Apple's iPhone 6

Whether you're an Apple fan or not, the iPhone 6 is probably the biggest smartphone release of the year. If the many (many) rumors are correct, the company is sticking with tradition, and this year's model will be drastically different from those before it.

The biggest departure will be its extra large screen, perhaps measuring 4.7-inches, with a higher pixel resolution. There's plenty more gossip, too. The screen could be covered in unbreakable sapphire; the body could be very slim; and of course, iOS 8 could take yet more bold steps forward. There's also a chance it'll be joined by the iWatch, and there's even talk of a second, even larger iPhone coming soon afterwards. We should know more around September.

LG G3

LG has continually upped its game for the last two years, and the rumored LG G3, its 2014 flagship Android phone, could be its best smartphone yet. The most exciting part? It's looking highly likely that its 5.5-inch screen will have a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, which will make it the first device widely available with such a high pixel count. Other features to look out for include a new user interface, a possible octa-core processor, and 13-megapixel camera. The LG G3's launch event should take place sometime before the summer.

Read our full LG G3 Rumor Roundup.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Talk about Samsung's next phone and tablet hybrid has only just begun, but it's already causing a stir. We expect the screen to be bigger than ever, at least 5.9-inches, and it may even be curved at the edges, making it entirely bezel-less. Like the LG G3, Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 may also feature a 2560 x 1440 pixel screen resolution. It's early days for Note 4 rumors, but we should expect at least a 16-megapixel camera, a waterproof chassis, and some flashy new handwriting recognition features. Samsung's fond of announcing its newest Note phone during the IFA trade show, held in early September.

Read our full Galaxy Note 4 Rumor Roundup.

Amazon's Fire 3D smartphone

One of the year's most unusual phones could end up coming from a relative newcomer, Amazon. We've been hearing about its supposed plans to make a smartphone for years, but nothing has ever come of it, until set of leaked pictures made everything seem a little more real recently. If the phone does launch, it may come with a clever eye-tracking system to create a 3D user interface. We'll have to wait to find out if this is the coolest feature ever, or the gimmick it sounds like, until Amazon finally makes it official.

Read our full Amazon Fire 3D Phone Rumor Roundup.

HTC One M8 Mini

HTC spun off the popular HTC One several times, coming up with the One Mini and the One Max, so it's logical to imagine it'll do the same with the recently announced One M8. Rumors of the One M8 Mini have already started to spread. If they're accurate, it'll probably have a 4.5-inch, 720p screen, a quad-core processor, and Android 4.4 with Sense 6.0. However, it probably won't have the One M8's Duo Camera, and may shun the UltraPixel setup completely, in favor of a standard 13-megapixel camera. Hints have been dropped the phone will be headed to Verizon, and that it could be announced in May.

Read our HTC One M8 Mini Rumors Page.

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom 

Samsung's follow-up to the Galaxy S4 Zoom, which may be named the K Zoom, Galaxy K, or a combination of both, is all set to be announced at an event later in April. Expect some major changes over its predecessor, including a thinner chassis, a larger screen and a faster processor. The good news is, if leaked pictures are correct, the camera lens should be flush against the body, but still retain a 10x optical zoom. We'll bring you all the news from the event on April 29, when we'll find out for sure what Samsung is going to name its new phone.

The hottest phones we're waiting on this summer

There are a bunch of phones that have already been shown off, but we're still waiting for our chance to actually buy them. Here are some of our favorites.

Sony Xperia Z2

Announced at Mobile World Congress in February, some Xperia Z2 smartphones have made it into the hands of a few customers, but the U.S. is still waiting for firm news of its arrival. When it does go on sale, you'll get a gorgeous 5.2-inch, 1080p display, a Snapdragon 801 processor, a 20.7-megapixel camera, and Android 4.4.2.

Watch our Xperia Z2 Hands-On Video.

OnePlus One

OnePlus is a new name in the smartphone world, but it has really grabbed our attention with the OnePlus One, its debut device. Priced at $300 for the 16GB model, the phone has a 5.5-inch 1080 screen, a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, and a sleek magnesium body shell. The exact release date hasn't been confirmed, but it'll be out in the U.S. before the end of June.

Read our full OnePlus One Guide.

Nokia Lumia 930

Nokia showed off the Lumia 930 at Microsoft's Build 2014, and it's all set to be one of the first phones on sale with Windows Phone 8.1 already installed. Along with the new operating system, which includes Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana, the 930 has a 5-inch, 1080p screen, a quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 20-megapixel camera. The phone is very similar to Verizon's Lumia Icon, and should be on sale in June.

Read our post on the Lumia 930 and 635.

Nokia Lumia 635

Another Nokia Lumia phone revealed at Build 2014, the Lumia 635 will offer Windows Phone 8.1 fun on a budget. It's the 4G LTE equivalent of the Lumia 630, and has a 4.5-inch, 854 x 480 pixel resolution, a Snapdragon 400 processor, and a 5-megapixel camera. The best thing about it is the price, which should be around XX

Oppo Find 7

Oppo's latest phone is one of the first to be announced with a 1440p screen. It will be available unlocked, without a contract, through Oppo's online store. However, don't dismiss the Find 7. We liked the Oppo N1, and the new Find 7 looks equally cool. The 5.5-inch screen has that amazing resolution, the camera can take 50-megapixel pictures, and the device is powered by a Snapdragon 801. It's the first Oppo phone to have 4G LTE as well. We're expecting the final release date to come sometime in May.

Read our post on the Oppo Find 7.

We'll update this list as new phones come out, or we find out more details on the rumored hardware, so check back often.

———

Article update archive

Updated on 4-23-2014: Article rewritten to include current phones.

Updated on 6-28-2013: Article rewritten to include current phones.

Updated on 2-15-2013: Rewrote article to include current phones.

Updated on 10-3-2012: Dropped released phones and added some new devices.

Article originally published August 20, 2012. 
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Apple CEO says it ‘means more to us to get it right’ than to be first

Apple boss Tim Cook said in an earnings call Wednesday that it means more to the company to get a product right than to be first with it.

Discussing a better-than-expected set of financial figures for the three months ending March 29, Cook's comments appeared to be a sideswipe at rival Samsung, a company fond of pumping out a plethora of products, with some, such as its first Gear smartwatch, seemingly rushed to market in a bid to exploit early demand.

"We care about every detail and when you care about every detail and getting it right, it takes a bit longer to do that and that's always been the case," Cook told investors during the call. "As you probably know from following us for a long time, we didn't ship the first MP3 player, nor the first smartphone, nor the first tablet. In fact, there were tablets being shipped a decade or so before then, but arguably, we shipped the first successful modern tablet and the first successful modern smartphone and the first successful modern MP3 player."

He added, "It means much more to us to get it right than to be first."

While Cook's comments may be aimed at Apple's hardware offerings, critics of the company will happily draw attention to its relatively recent slip-up with Apple Maps, a product that clearly wasn't ready when it launched in 2012.

Coming soon?

Cook's "right not first" claim appears to be an attempt to explain to investors why it's taking so long for the company to launch its first smartwatch. The more wrist-based computer offerings that hit the market from rival firms, the greater the pressure on the Cupertino company to come up with something special, though there's still no official word on whether it's even building a smartwatch.

In addition, Apple is thought to be readying two new iPhones. While a 4.7-inch handset is expected to launch in the second half of this year, an even larger model, possibly with a 5.5-inch screen, is reportedly facing delay over battery-size issues, pushing its launch date back to next year.

Cook's comments came as the tech firm announced better-than-expected financial results for January to March, 2014. Revenue came in at $45.6 billion, up from $43.6 billion a year earlier, while profit reached $10.2 billion, up from $9.5 billion a year ago.

It sold 43.7 million iPhones over the three-month period, around six million more than a year ago. The iPad, however, performed less well, with 16.4 million units sold compared to 19.5 million during the same period 12 months earlier.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Mega phones may be about to get ridiculously large

An unofficial new Samsung device has been put through its paces by a Chinese electronics certification company. It's referred to as the Samsung SM-T2558, and despite it having a 7-inch display, the device has 3G and 4G connectivity options, and apparently passed through as a phone, not a tablet.

The image you see here was also leaked, and sure enough, there's a speaker above the screen, ready for you to look very silly indeed while taking a call. It's speculated the T2558 may be part of Samsung's Galaxy Mega line-up. Currently, the range consists of two phones, the Mega 5.8 and the Mega 6.3. Could this be the Mega 7.0?

If so, the device isn't going to trouble the Galaxy S5. The specifications make it a solid mid-range model, with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and an 8-megapixel rear camera. Additionally, there's a 2-megapixel front camera, 8GB of internal memory, and a MicroSD card slot. This is all very similar to the Mega 6.3, and even the design – with a hardware home button below the screen – is reminiscent of the aging big-screen phones.

Samsung launched the Mega 5.8 and Mega 6.3 in April 2013, so they're due for replacement in the near future. The question is, would anyone want a 7-inch phone? It's not a new concept, but Huawei reignited interest in it during Mobile World Congress with its MediaPad X1 tablet/phone. It also has a 7-inch screen, along with a surprisingly impressive spec sheet.

The Chinese certification indicates the mysterious phone is only destined for the local market, but the original Galaxy Mega phones did make it to the U.S., with the 6.3-inch version available through AT&T. Samsung has an event scheduled for the end of April, where we're expecting to meet the Galaxy K Zoom, but we could be surprised with other hardware too.
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Apple’s iTunes almost at 800 million accounts, most ‘connected to a credit card’

Apple revealed Wednesday there are now almost 800 million iTunes accounts globally, up from 575 million back in June last year.

Speaking to investors during an earnings call Wednesday, boss Tim Cook called the figure "staggering," while adding that most of them were connected to a credit card – information that could prove significant with the company believed to be considering entry into the mobile payments game.

He added that iTunes revenue "continues to grow at a double-digit rate," describing the multimedia juggernaut as "a very important driver of our business, not only here in the United States, but around the world."

Indeed, the CEO said that revenue from iTunes software and services in China – one of Apple's most important and fastest expanding markets – had more than doubled in the last year.

Apple VP and corporate controller Luca Maestra offered up more detailed information, revealing that users spent $5.2 billion in the online store during the three-month period ending March 29, a rise of 24 percent on the same quarter 12 months earlier.

iTunes revamp?

Despite the seemingly good news, recent reports have suggested Apple executives are considering a major overhaul of the music-based elements of its iTunes store as users increasingly favor music streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify over downloads.

The tech giant had been hoping to see plenty of extra download sales come from users clicking through to the iTunes store from its recently launched iTunes Radio streaming service, but it's claimed no more than 2 percent have been doing so.

Recent data showed that so far this year, digital album sales in the US have dropped by 13 percent year-on-year, while digital track sales have declined 11 percent. In contrast, revenue from music streaming services is steadily climbing.

In an effort to deal with the changing conditions, Apple is apparently considering an on-demand streaming service – iTunes Radio currently automatically selects tracks based on a user's music tastes – and may also bring the iTunes store to Android devices.

While it may need to find new ways to encourage users to click through from its streaming services to the iTunes store to make download purchases, continued revenue from its ad-supported iTunes Radio service together with income from a possible subscription-based on-demand offering should ensure that digital music continues to be a decent money-spinner for the company for some time to come.
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Sony expands high-res audio line with new A/V receivers, speakers, and more

Sony SS-CS5 bookshelf speakers
Sony is going all in on high-res audio with a host of new gear, and DT was able to get a first hand look at all of the new toys before they hit stores. Along with a few new standard pieces to pad its lineup, the company is unleashing an all new arsenal of gear designed to  exploit high-definition audio, including a new speaker series, two new A/V receivers, and an all-in-one "Blu-ray Home Theater System." All of the new pieces are feature packed, and priced to move, with the goal of making HD sound "accessible to every music lover."

Follow us below as we dig into the new gear and showcase what Sony has in store for the future of high-resolution audio.

New A/V receivers

STR-DN1050

The flagship of Sony's new high resolution receiver lineup is the 7.2 channel STR-DN1050, which starts at a shockingly low MSRP of $600. For that slim price point, users get a bevy of capable features, including Wi-Fi, Airplay, and Bluetooth wireless streaming capabilities, NFC One Touch Listening, and even 4K/UHD video upscaling and pass-thru.

Sony STR-DN1050
Sony has also padded the new unit with popular streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, and Tune-in, as well as adding 2nd zone capability, allowing users to transmit connected audio and video source components to a second room in the home. As for its high resolution audio credentials, the DN1050 is capable of handling Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio files, as well as FLAC and WAV files at up to 192Hz/24 bit resolution for mastering quality sound reproduction – no small feat for its low price point.

STR-DN850

Coming in just below the DN1050 in the $500 sweet spot is Sony's other brash new high-res receiver, the 7.2 channel STR-DN850. The 850 brings to bear a vast majority of the same features as its sibling, with congruent wireless capabilities, streaming app support, and 4K upscaling/pass-thru, making it a powerhouse for the price. Both models also include Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio decoding for optimum sound quality from Blu-ray sources.

While the 850 doesn't offer DSD file playback, it too is able to handle high resolution FLAC and WAV files at a maximum 192kHz/24 bit resolution. The second-tier unit also leaves behind 2nd zone source relay, and offers a bit less power, rated at 150 watts per channel, as compared to the DN1050's more robust 165 watts.

Sony STR-DN850
Both of the new receivers also offer a trimmed down user interface, with a remote that sheds some of the "unnecessary buttons" of previous Sony incarnations, and additional control options via Sony's Songpal app for Android and iOS mobile devices.

DT's own Caleb Denison got a first hand look (and listen) to the new units, and had this to say about their sound performance, "Sony's choice to go with premium parts and carefully engineer these new receivers for performance was readily apparent. Based on my initial listening, I think these could be the best-sounding standard-line receivers Sony has produced in a long time." 

STR-DH750 and STR-DH550

To appease those with an eye deadset on affordability comes the 7.2 channel DH750 and the 5.2 channel DH550, which skip out on high resolution file support, but do offer some bang for the buck. Priced at a meager $350 and $280 respectively, the units allow for a capable home theater setup on just about any budget.

The DH750 appears to be the best value, offering 4K and 3D video pass-thru, USB and Bluetooth support for mobile devices, NFC, support of Sony's Songpal app, and a claimed 145 watts of power per channel.

Sony was scant on details for its low-end 5.2 channel workhorse, simply touting the unit's claimed 145 watts of power per channel, and support for the Songpal app, like the rest of its siblings.

Core Series speakers

CS3 and CS5 speakers

To accompany its lean new high resolution receivers, Sony has crafted two affordable new speaker models, the SS-CS3 towers, which stand just a little lower than your average floor speaker, and the SS-CS5 bookshelf speakers. It's been 8 years since Sony refreshed its speaker lineup, and these new speakers mark a seriously affordable turn for the tech giant, offering its floor speakers for $240 each, and its CS5 bookshelf speakers at a minuscule $220 for the pair.

Sony SS-CS3 towers
Both of the new models share some intriguing design aspects for their driver configurations, including "foamed mica-reinforced woofers" designed to push more potent low-end frequencies, and Sony's new "Wide Dispersion Super Tweeters," which basically amount to micro tweeters set atop a standard tweeter. Sony also claims the new speakers leverage technology from its high end AR and ES speaker series.

The CS3 are the cornerstones of Sony's new high-res surround speakers, and feature dual 5 ¼-inch midrange woofers complimented by the dual tweeter design, hosting a 3/4-inch tweeter inside a 1-inch tweeter. The speaker offers a claimed frequency response of a massive 50kHz maximum, which extends a full 30kHz above the range of human hearing. The CS5 utilizes a similar 3-way design with the same dual tweeter setup, matched by a single 5¼-inch midrange driver. Sony claims it has mapped out the speaker vibration points electronically for the cabinets of its new series, in order to reduce specific vibrations for maximum sonic efficiency.

Until now, Pioneer's Andrew Jones line of affordable speakers had the market cornered on value, but Sony just stepped up right alongside Pioneer, and is goig to give them a run for their money. 

SS-CS8 and SA-CS9

The CS3 and CS5 are complemented by the SS-CS8 center channel speaker, which offers a dual crossover configuration with two four-inch foamed mica drivers matched by a single 1-inch tweeter in a bass reflex cabinet. And the series is rounded out by Sony's new SA-CS9 subwoofer, which packs a 10-inch speaker cone, powered by an on board 115-watt amplifier. The SS-CS8 and SA-CS9 will be offered at $170, and $240 respectively, allowing users to round up an entire 5.1 surround sound speaker setup from the new Core Series for just over $1,100.

Sony SS-CS8 center channel speaker
For a first impression of the performance of the new Core Series speakers, we again turn to Caleb Denison.

"Until now, Pioneer's Andrew Jones line of affordable speakers had the market cornered on value, but Sony just stepped up right alongside Pioneer, and is going to give them a serious run for their money.

BDV-N7200W Hi-Res Blu-Ray Home Theater System

The final piece to Sony's new affordable hi-res puzzle, the $700 N7200W, offers everything one might need to setup a home theater system – besides an HD TV – in an enticing new all-in-one package. The N7200W provides a Blu-ray player, and a built-in amplifier/receiver with support for 4K and 3D pass-thru. The system boasts a claimed 1200 watts of power to push its included 5.1 speaker/subwoofer configuration.

Like the new receiver lineup, the N7200W offers Wi-Fi for streaming Pandora, and Spotify, with the addition of Netflix, and Hulu Plus as well. It also offers Bluetooth streaming with NFC compatibility, and can be controlled by Sony's Songpal app. Perhaps most relevant to Sony's new drive towards high resolution audio, the N7200W offers support for a range of digital file types, from MP3 to DSD.

Sony BDV-N7200W
All of the new components are slated for release in May, and Sony has partnered with Best Buy, which will carry the new receiver lineup, and holds exclusive rights to sell the new Core Series speakers. Sony is also working further with Best Buy in an effort to "educate the public" on the benefits of high resolution audio in order to push its new hi-res agenda. 

Pricing

ModelPrice
STR-DN1050 receiver$600
STR-DN850 receiver$500
STR-DH750 receiver$350
STR-DH550 receiver $280
SS-CS3 floor speakers$240 each
SS-CS5 shelf speakers$220 per pair
SS-CS8 center speaker$170 
SS-CS9 subwoofer$240
BDV-N7200W Hi-Res Blu-ray Home Theater$700

Sony's new aim for the proliferation of HD audio won't go unnoticed. Like Neil Young's PonoPlayer, the new lineup is a hardsell of high-resolution audio to the public at large, marking a calculated push towards affordability for the technology. Whether or not it will catch on with the MP3 generation remains to be seen. But for audiophiles looking to keep their wallets in check, things just got a lot more interesting.
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Martinez tips Moyes for rapid return

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has backed predecessor David Moyes to make a swift return to management.
Moyes, who led Everton to fourth in the Premier League during 11 years at the club, left to join Manchester United last summer but was sacked on Tuesday.
"I am sure he will be ready to get into another job and I am sure he won't have a lack of offers," Martinez said.
"He will always be well thought of and we will always be thankful of the job he did at our football club."
Moyes won the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year three times at Everton, where he won 218 of his 518 matches in charge.
But as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor he was dismissed only 10 months into a six-year contract, having achieved 27 wins from 51 matches and suffered seven home defeats, leaving United in seventh place and likely to miss out on European qualification for the first time since the ban on English clubs was lifted in 1990.
Moyes's final match in charge of United proved to be a 2-0 defeat against his former team at Goodison Park last weekend.
"We know David Moyes will look forward to the next footballing chapter and next experience," said former Swansea and Wigan boss Martinez, who has taken Everton to fifth in his first season.
"We all know he is a very successful man and has a real strong winning mentality and he will get ready to bounce back straight away.
"It is very difficult to get that experience, the amount of years he has been working at the highest level, and the know-how he has is a real strength.
"We all know he is going to be very successful in the future. It has been a difficult experience but any experience is a good experience in this game unfortunately.
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Robben surprised by Real's approach

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben was surprised by Real Madrid's cautious approach to the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in Madrid.

Despite Robben's former club winning 1-0 at the Bernabeu, defending champions Bayern enjoyed 72% possession.

"I expected more from Real," said ex-Chelsea forward Robben.

"I expected them to come storming out of the gates, but instead they waited and allowed us to run the game. That surprised me."

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game but Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller both had excellent chances to equalise late on for Pep Guardiola's side, who lacked a cutting edge.

Real were also wasteful in front of goal, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria both spurning good chances.

"I'm proud of my team," said Bayern's ex-Barcelona coach Guardiola. "They showed a lot of strength against one of the best teams in the world. I think that we can still crank up a gear or two in the return leg.

"We wanted to have a lot of possession and have a quick transition from defence to attack. We controlled the game, but Madrid were waiting to counter-attack and they have the players to take advantage of this."
The return leg takes place on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern have lost only twice this season.

They were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City in the Champions League in December before Borussia Dortmund secured a 3-0 Bundesliga victory earlier this month.

Guardiola added: "My optimism is still very high. It's even higher than it was before this game."

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, who could only call on Gareth Bale as a late substitute given the player had been suffering with flu, was satisfied with his team's performance.

"I'm happy with everything, because the match was difficult," he said. "We played well, suffering sometimes and playing well in attack.

"Without Gareth Bale and with Cristiano Ronaldo at 50%, it was not easy. The team worked well. Cristiano made an effort to play.

"The second leg is very difficult; we have a small advantage but we have to play with the same confidence and desire as we showed today. Nobody knows what can happen in Munich."
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Can Chelsea Defeat Atlético Madrid to Advance to the Champion League Final?

In there previous match
Atlético Madrid 0-0 Chelsea

FT 90' +6 and HT 0-0

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Date: Tuesday, 22nd April
Kick off: 19:45
Venue: Vicente Calderón
Key events
Close Match details

Chelsea produced a battling defensive display to frustrate Atletico Madrid and leave their Champions League semi-final tie evenly poised ahead of next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues lost Petr Cech to a shoulder injury that ended the keeper's season.
But replacement Mark Schwarzer only had one serious save to make, the 41-year-old veteran denying Mario Suarez.
Chelsea's best chance fell to Ramires, but the midfielder fired well wide in a hard-fought tie of few chances.

As well as Cech, Jose Mourinho's side also lost captain John Terry to a foot injury which will force the defender to miss the rest of the domestic campaign, although he could still feature in the Champions League final on 24 May should Chelsea get there.

News of their injuries overshadowed what was a job well done as far as Mourinho was concerned, with the Chelsea manager's defensive tactics paying off as Atletico failed to score for the first time in 11 games in this season's competition.

Yet the evening could not have started worse for the Premier League club in the Spanish capital as Czech Republic international Cech ended up in a heap after colliding with Raul Garcia while keeping out a 17th minute corner.

Los Rojiblancos had netted 22 times in their previous 10 games, but the Blues overcame Cech's loss to produce a stubborn defensive performance which gives them every chance of making their third Champions League final in seven seasons.

Substitute keeper Schwarzer had been guilty of gifting one of the goals as Chelsea's Premier League title hopes faded with a shock 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland last Saturday.

But the veteran, making only his second appearance in the competition, was key as Mourinho's side secured their first clean sheet on continental soil since October.

The Australian's full-length dive to keep out Suarez's powerful shot in the 34th minute was his finest moment.

While Terry, before his injury, and Gary Cahill dealt comfortably with Atletico's danger man Diego Costa, chances were few and far between for the visitors.
Ramires shot wastefully wide after a rare powerful surge into the Spanish half, while lone striker Fernando Torres was so isolated that he was unable to hurt his former club.

Terry's night was cut short in the 73rd minute after colliding with team-mate David Luiz.

Atletico finished strongly, Schwarzer keeping out Gabi's free-kick, while substitute Arda Turan spurned a glorious chance to earn his side a lead to take to Stamford Bridge when he headed wide from close range.
John Mikel Obi will miss the return leg, as will Gabi, after both received cautions for a late skirmish. Frank Lampard was also booked and will not play next week.

The 35-year-old midfielder will hope he has not featured in his last match in this season's Champions League.
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Ukraine crisis: Army moves to retake Sloviansk

Ukrainian commandos outside Sloviansk on Thursday
Commandos have moved on the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine days after a new "anti-terrorist" operation was announced.

A number of casualties were reported among the separatists as the commandos, backed by armour, cleared barricades near the town.

Separatists are occupying key buildings in at least a dozen eastern towns.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of "consequences" if Kiev used the army against its own people.

Speaking on Russian TV as news of the Sloviansk operation was coming in, Mr Putin said that use of the army would be a "serious crime".

It appears that pro-government forces have regained control of the city hall in another eastern town, Mariupol.

In another development, the funeral is taking place of a pro-Ukrainian politician, Volodymyr Rybak, who was abducted and killed in Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has accused Russia of flouting a deal on Ukraine reached in Geneva last week, under which illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, would return home.

Mr Obama told a news conference in Japan that Moscow had failed to halt actions by militants in the region and warned that the US had further sanctions against Russia "teed up".

A contingent of US troops has begun landing in Poland for military exercises amid concerns among Nato's eastern members about Russian intentions.

Moscow has said it will respond to any attack on its interests in Ukraine.

Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.

US paratroopers arrived in Poland on Wednesday for exercises

Mr Rybak went missing shortly after being manhandled by pro-Russian protesters outside Horlivka town hall

Yelena, Rybak's widow, was tearful when she addressed the media on Wednesday
Army operation

One roadblock near Sloviansk, in Donetsk region, could be seen on fire amid reports that separatists had abandoned it when Ukrainian soldiers approached.

As many as five separatists were killed, according to Ukraine's interior ministry. An aide to Sloviansk's self-appointed mayor said two people had died.

The centre of Sloviansk itself was relatively calm, BBC correspondent Steve Rosenberg reported. Several pro-Russian armed foot patrols were on the streets but people were out walking, he said.

An initial operation against the separatists on 16 April became bogged down in Sloviansk, where Ukrainian soldiers abandoned their troop carriers to protesters.

Elsewhere, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced that the city hall in Mariupol, a port on the Sea of Azov in the Donetsk region, had been "liberated" overnight, although there was no independent confirmation. "Civic activists" played a major part in the operation, he said.

Several people were said to have been hurt during the overnight operation in Mariupol, where three pro-Russian protesters were killed when Ukrainian security forces fought off a raid on a base on 17 April.

President Obama: "We have seen Russia not abide by the spirit or the letter of the agreement in Geneva"
According to the local news website 0629, a group of about 30 unidentified men in their twenties armed with baseball bats stormed the mayor's office between 03:00 (01:00 GMT) and 04:00 on Thursday.

The protesters called the police who reportedly came out and calmed down the opposing sides.

Negotiations are under way at the scene between the separatists, the local pro-Ukrainian authorities and the police, the site says.

While the interior minister said nobody had been hurt in the operation, 0629 reported that five men were injured, though not seriously.

Mr Avakov also said that Ukrainian troops in Artemivsk, another town in the Donetsk region, had fended off an attempt by dozens of pro-Russian militants to seize weapons from a military unit. One soldier was wounded, he said.

Unverified footage of military helicopters, said to be flying over Artemivsk, was posted by a blogger on YouTube.

A local journalist, Anna Bokovaya, told Russian TV that about 50 people had taken part in the attack on the military unit, which lasted 45 minutes.

The militants began the attack after the soldiers inside rejected a demand to surrender, she said. The town was calm again on Thursday morning, she added.
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Death Strikes Nollywood Actor Chris Nkulor Dies

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-----Original Message-----
From: "BEN Latest News" <cwizard123@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:00:47
To: Ben Latest News<cwizard123.news@blogger.com>; Ben Latest News<cwizard123.bennews3@blogger.com>; Ben Latest News<cwizard123.bennews2@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.9janews@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.bennews4@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.world@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.aggey@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.bsnm@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.todaynews@blogger.com>
Reply-To: cwizard123@gmail.com
Subject: Death Strikes Nollywood Actor Chris Nkulor Dies

Rest in peace

The cold hands of death has struck in the Nigerian movie industry, once again, as Nollywood actor, Chris Nkulor, is dead.

The actor who has been down with a kidney related disease for sometime now had come out crying for help to enable him raise the needed N3 million naira required for the surgery.

While his colleagues and other well meaning Nigerians were running around trying to raise the said amount, the actor succumbed to the death at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.
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Police make Syria plea to UK Muslim women

Several men from the UK have died after going to Syria to join anti-government forces.

British counter-terrorism police chiefs are making an unprecedented appeal to Muslim women to urge their relatives not to travel to Syria to fight.

The national campaign for women to intervene follows a string of deaths of UK men who joined Syria's civil war against President Assad's regime.

Co-ordinated events will be held in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Critics and campaigners questioned whether the police were trusted enough to get their message across.

Security chiefs think hundreds of people have travelled from the UK to fight in Syria, some of whom have returned.

Forty people have been arrested over links to Syria this year, police said.

And reports suggest up to 20 men from Britain have died in the conflict.

Recent deaths have included Crawley father-of-three Abdul Waheed Majeed - who became the first British suicide bomber in the war - and a teenager from Brighton.

In February, Crawley father-of-three Abdul Waheed Majeed became the first British suicide bomber in the Syrian conflict
The number of UK arrests for alleged Syria-related offences during the first three months of the year is almost double those held during the whole of 2013.

On Thursday, the events in London, Manchester and Birmingham will bring together counter-terrorism police, officials who work on preventing extremism and women from community groups in an effort to urge people to stop others travelling to Syria.

The new strategy will see leaflets handed out at ports which spell out the potentially fatal consequences of going to the war-torn country.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, national coordinator for counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, said she wanted to start a national conversation with women to help protect young people from going to Syria.

She said police were "increasingly concerned" about the numbers of people intending to join the conflict.

"We want to ensure that people, particularly women, who are concerned about their loved ones are given enough information about what they can do to prevent this from happening," she said.

"We want to increase their confidence in the police and partners to encourage them to come forward so that we can intervene and help.

"This is not about criminalising people it is about preventing tragedies. We want to inform those who wish to genuinely help the Syrian cause how they can do so safely and legally."

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme call handlers on the police non-emergency 101 number had been briefed about how to handle Syria-related calls.

People raising concerns could then be referred to "engagement officers" from the Prevent anti-terrorism project, who would meet them and offer help and support, she said.

They may then be contacted by a police officer, someone from another agency or from within the community, she added.

BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani said the campaign was an unusual move by counter-terrorism and security chiefs, representing a "tacit admission" that the government's message was not getting through.

The police would be facing a challenge of confidence as they attempted to get their message heard, he added.

Shiraz Maher, of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, told the BBC the police were "the wrong people to be launching this type of campaign".

"That message should be coming out either from community groups or other elements of government," he said.

Mr Maher said using the police to lead the drive gave the impression it would end up "criminalising people".

He added the Home Office was responsible for fostering a lack of trust in communities after its "very aggressive approach" to the issue of Britons travelling to Syria.

Mussurut Zia, from the Muslim Women's Network UK, also said there was a "real mistrust" of the police in some communities.

She told the BBC it should be clear from the outset what support would be available to women and what they were expected to do.

'Desperate need'

Earlier this year, ministers and prosecutors warned that any involvement in fighting in Syria could breach terrorism laws and lead to a person's arrest back home. At least five terrorism-related prosecutions are currently awaiting trial.

The government has also urged Muslim communities to stop sending charity convoys to the region, asking them to work with major aid organisations with experience of war zones.

The Charity Commission is investigating at least two organisations amid fears that aid convoys have been used to funnel fighters and resources to jihadist rebels.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said people might not be aware that their relatives were planning to join the fighting in Syria.

Families might also be reluctant to come forward, he said, questioning the role of the Met Police in the campaign.

"The Met is not not a counselling service, they are the first stage in the criminal enforcement process", he added.
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Mercy Johnson And Chika Ike use Twitter o mock some Media and Publisher who's work are to write down rubbish articles just to course conflict on Social Network

From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: "BEN Latest News" <cwizard123@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:00:33
To: Ben Latest News<cwizard123.bennews2@blogger.com>; Ben Latest News<cwizard123.bennews3@blogger.com>; Ben Latest News<cwizard123.news@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.world@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.bennews4@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.9janews@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.todaynews@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.bsnm@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.aggey@blogger.com>
Reply-To: cwizard123@gmail.com
Subject: Mercy Johnson And Chika Ike use Twitter o mock some Media and Publisher who's work are to write down rubbish articles just to course conflict on Social Network

Nollywood star actresses, Mercy Johnson and Chika Ike has never in any terms has issues of quarreling among themselves, I wonder were all this media and publishers cull there ideas from just to gain or course conflict among celebrities stars.

A few days ago, were reported to be engaged in a war of supremacy over who the best actress is, have come out to say they are not at war with each other despite speculations that they are not the best of friends.

The supremacy war between the two Nollywood A-list actresses has really gone viral and the media has feasted on it so much that it has really placed them in an embarrassing situation.

Their media team must have done a lot of work and so as to douse the tension, the two actresses who are said not to be on speaking terms, took to twitter to exchange pleasantries, gleefully talking about how people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. They are trying so hard to show that they are not mad at each other.

Who are we to say otherwise? We believe you ladies! 

Read their funny tweet below:

Mercy Johnson tweet: Mama Purity @realmercyj, @chikaike babe i hear say we dey fight o,i don buy my boxing glove o.oya #bellringing round 1 lol
chika ike @chikaike

Chikaike tweet back:
@realmercyj. My gurl for life I hear am too ooo. me sef go buy my boxing glove oya mke purity be d referee LOL. #round2

Lol Mercy and Chika are too funny to be with.

From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

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Lupita Nyong'O Gets Signed To Famous Film Agency, CAA

From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

-----Original Message-----
From: "BEN Latest News" <cwizard123@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:00:54
To: Ben Latest News<cwizard123.bennews2@blogger.com>; Ben Latest News<cwizard123.bennews3@blogger.com>; Ben Latest News<cwizard123.news@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.world@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.bennews4@blogger.com>; 2Blogger Emails<cwizard123.9janews@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.todaynews@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.bsnm@blogger.com>; 2go Number All Bloggers<cwizard123.aggey@blogger.com>
Reply-To: cwizard123@gmail.com
Subject: Lupita Nyong'O Gets Signed To Famous Film Agency, CAA

Oscars was just the beginning, Lupita can't stop to shine!

'tis the season for selfies featuring Lupita Nyong'O

» more Lupita Nyong'O and Cate Blanchett cover the February edition of Entertainment Weekly.

Lupita Nyong'O just got another win... not an award but... the Oscar winner has just been signed with Hollywood talent agency CAA. The company is best known for representing big stars like Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Berenice Bejom, Marion Cotillard and Naomi Rapace.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, she became the target of every major agency as soon as she signed on to 12 Years A Slave starring alongside Brad Pitt, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender. But according to insiders, she postponed taking any meetings not only until after the movie had wrapped but also until well after the awards season had ended.

At CAA, Nyong'O will be repped by the famed Hylda Queally who also reps the top above mentioned actresses but she remains repped by D2 Management and the law firm Del Shaw.

The darling of Oscar season dominated red carpets and media appearances in what marked her breakthrough year during which she racked up numerous Critics' Choice awards, a SAG award, and Golden Globes and BAFTA nominations.

In the wake of her Oscar win, she did meet with "Star Wars VII" director J.J. Abrams, but is not expected to appear in that film. She played a supporting role as a flight attendant in the Liam Neeson thriller "Non-Stop," even before her breakout role began pouring in. She again, recently signed with Lancome to become one of its brand ambassadors.

Will this Kenyan beauty ever stop to rise?
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

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Mercy Johnson And Chika Ike use Twitter o mock some Media and Publisher who's work are to write down rubbish articles just to course conflict on Social Network

Nollywood star actresses, Mercy Johnson and Chika Ike has never in any terms has issues of quarreling among themselves, I wonder were all this media and publishers cull there ideas from just to gain or course conflict among celebrities stars.

A few days ago, were reported to be engaged in a war of supremacy over who the best actress is, have come out to say they are not at war with each other despite speculations that they are not the best of friends.

The supremacy war between the two Nollywood A-list actresses has really gone viral and the media has feasted on it so much that it has really placed them in an embarrassing situation.

Their media team must have done a lot of work and so as to douse the tension, the two actresses who are said not to be on speaking terms, took to twitter to exchange pleasantries, gleefully talking about how people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. They are trying so hard to show that they are not mad at each other.

Who are we to say otherwise? We believe you ladies! 

Read their funny tweet below:

Mercy Johnson tweet: Mama Purity @realmercyj, @chikaike babe i hear say we dey fight o,i don buy my boxing glove o.oya #bellringing round 1 lol
chika ike @chikaike

Chikaike tweet back:
@realmercyj. My gurl for life I hear am too ooo. me sef go buy my boxing glove oya mke purity be d referee LOL. #round2

Lol Mercy and Chika are too funny to be with.

From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

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See the Nollywood Handsome and Dapper Joseph Benjamin Covers Latest Edition Of RB Magazine

Hollywood's award winning actor , Joseph Benjamin, graces the cover of the April/May 2014 issue of RB Magazine.

As usual, the actor looks dapper and handsome. The magazine has a feature on the actor.
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