South Korean telecom operator KT Corp planned to start selling Apple’s iPhone 4 this week amid upward competition to expand in the potentially lucrative smart-phone market. KT Corp, the country only distributor for the gadget, plans to start sending out the gadgets on September 10 to around 270,000 customers who placed pre-orders.

KT Corp branches will also start selling the phones after the pre-ordered items are shipped off. KT, South Korea second-biggest wireless operator, has sold about 890,000 iPhones since the market debut of earlier models last November. And tens of thousands of people jammed the company website on August 18 as it started accepting online orders for the latest model of the popular smart-phone.

Local competitors such as LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics have been striving to compete by introducing new smart-phones, including the Galaxy S and Optimums series. On the other side Samsung said it has sold more than one million units of Galaxy S since the firm’s signature smart-phone model hit the market in June. South Korea’s mobile phone market is one of the world’s most dynamic, with 45 million users in a population of 49 million. Smart-phones, though, have a relatively small share, suggesting massive growth potential. Samsung Electronics likely about five million smart-phones will be sold in the country by the end of 2010, up from fewer than one million in 2009.

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Jermain Defoe hailed Rooney after his first England hat-trick on a plate on Friday night. Jermain Defoe stole the headlines as England European Championship qualifying campaign got off to the ideal start with a 4-0 win over Bulgaria. But the match also witnessed Wayne Rooney rebirth as a force on the international stage, the Manchester United star finally shaking off the cobwebs to have a hand in all four of England goals. Wayne Rooney was largely generous in playing in Defoe for England third and fourth goals, something which did not go unacknowledged by the Tottenham striker.

It is always nice feeling when you play with a partner and they want you to score the third goal, Jermain Defoe further said. When I was on the second, Wayne said to me, ‘Keep going and you will get the hat-trick. And when I did, he was the first men to come over. It is really great and what a feeling. It was a fantastic feeling, to score a hat-trick and to win the game for your country. Regardless of starting together plenty of times in the past, Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney have never before hit it off in such spectacular fashion.

Acknowledging this, Jermain said: I have always said sometimes it takes time to get things on the right track. In the training camp, we played together all week and it’s been very good. He was involved in all my goals so it was really brilliant. Jermain Defoe hobbled off after completing his hat-trick but dismissed any doubts of an injury that would rule him out of next qualifier in Switzerland. I couldn’t even rejoice to be honest, because I got a kick. He was explaining his ankle rather than the groin that he postponed surgery on last week. It’s fine and Just a precaution. He added of cancelling his operation: I am glad I didn’t have it now and it’s been a little bit sore but I have done a lot of work in the gym and a lot of core work to try to improve it and tonight I didn’t get a reaction.

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Javier Mascherano has hit out at the rumors surrounding his move from Liverpool to Barcelona. The Argentinean player thinks that he was justified in refusing to play against Manchester City. Javier said:  I was not right to play against Manchester City. I am sure Liverpool will always be in my heart but my time there has finished. He also slammed Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson about “lies” spoken about him. Roy Hodgson knows very well about  truth, Javier Mascherano said in quotes referenced by the Guardian. This is a joyful moment for me so now is not the time to say it, but a lot of lies have been told about me and I will respond to them.

Last year Liverpool would not let me leave. There was no other way they would sell me. They had Alonso and me, and they would only let Alonso leave. The 26 years old said I was disappointed not to be able to sign last season. When the world’s best club in calling you, then it is something that you want to happen. I have pen down for the only club who really wanted me.

In no moment I never think that Inter was a possibility. Rafa valued my skills and possibly that is why people started saying that I could go there but this is the only club that pushed to sign me. But the Javier was quick to reiterate his love for the Liverpool fans. He said; I hope they get back into the Champions League as soon as possible. I still have a lot of love for the fans of the club and I always will.

Refuting claims that his move was influenced by a bigger pay package, Javier Mascherano claimed he had taken a 20 % pay cut on his £80,000 a week wages to join Barcelona. I have come to the finest team in the world. He also admired new team mate Lionel Messi and he is a very special person. I have been very close with Messi for the past two or three years. He also explained me everything about Barcelona.

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A volcano in western Indonesia, Jakarta spewed out scorching hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years. Government volcanologist Surono, who uses only one name, said Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province started rumbling a few days ago and the slight morning eruption has mostly stopped. It sent sand and ash up to 1.5 kilometers high but hot lava only moved near its crater. It caused no major damage and only dust covered plants and trees.

Surono said Mount Sinabung has last erupted in 1600, so observers don’t know the volcano eruption prototype and are monitoring it strongly for more activity. Evacuations on the volcano slopes started on Friday at the first signs of an activity. More than 10,000 people who fled are staying in government buildings, houses of worship and other evacuation centers in two nearby towns.

The government has allocated 7,000 masks to refugees and set up public kitchens so people can cook food, said Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency. Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is on the so-called “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

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Gabriel Agbonlahor has given Aston Villa a boost up by declaring he wants to stay with the club for the rest of his career. Villa Academy product Gabriel Agbonlahor is the club longest serving first team player even though he is just 23. And the England striker and local-born player have spelt out his eagerness to stay at Villa on a long term basis. Gabriel Agbonlahor said: I saw in the programme stats the other day that I am the longest serving player. I believe I am one of the senior statesmen and I might bring that up with some of the lads. But I am a local lad and you look at people like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. However, they don’t want to leave their clubs and it is same with me. Being from the area I have got no reason to ever leave. I am just enjoying my football here and hopefully it will continue. Gabriel Agbonlahor was Aston Villa second highest scorer with 16 goals last season. He missed the first three games of the existing campaign with injury before returning and scoring in the Europa League.  Gabriel Agbonlahor was substituted with a tight calf but is expected to be fit to face Everton at Villa Park on Sunday.

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Wesley Sneijder believes Mourinho will replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United when he steps down. Sir Alex Ferguson has been in charge for almost 24 years at Old Trafford, overseeing the most triumphant period in the club history. But speculation carries on to rage about who will take over when he does finally decide to call it a day. Wesley Sneijder who won last season Champions League under Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan says the self styled Special One wants the Old Trafford job next.

The Dutch World Cup star said; I have had many profound and long conversations with Jose Mourinho and I would put money on him taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson. I know the job he would want is to be Manchester United boss. He further said; to be honest, he is most likely the only coach in the world who is capable of taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson. When Sir Alex Ferguson retires, then in my mind, it is a deal already done in people heads. One world class manager leaves and another one take over. I know Sir Alex Ferguson will have a huge say in who takes over from him and even though they have their differences there is a big mutual respect. Jose Mourinho is now in charge of Real Madrid has made small secret of his desire to return to the Premier League following his ultra successful stint at Chelsea. Wesley Sneijder added: I know how eager he is to get back to the Premier League. When he talked about it, he was like a little kid. He was also much energized and it really turns him on.

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Roger Federer warmed up for the US Open title in style by clinching his 17th Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati. The world number two got the better of home favorite Mardy Fish after coming out on top in a war of abrasion. In a match dominated by the serve, Roger Federer secured the only break deep into the deciding set to clinch a 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 victory in two hours and 40 minutes. The outcome means Roger Federer will be in perfect form to regain the crown at Flushing Meadows after his run of five successive titles was ended by Argentina Juan Martin Del Potro in last year final. Mardy Fish can also take a great deal of self-confidence to New York after a magnificent week in which, after entering as a wild card, he saw off Andy Murray and Andy Roddick en route to the final.

The American certainly held his own against Roger Federer although the few opportunities which did arise fell the way of the former world number one. Roger Federer held four break points in the first set including one set point but was not capable to execute. And he paid the price as Mardy Fish upped his game to clinch the tie break. The second set followed a akin pattern with both players struggling to gain any fluency on their returns. Mardy Fish had the only break point which came and went.

This time it was Roger Federer who found the reserves to up the rhythm in the breaker, clinching it for the loss of just one point to take the match all the way. A third tie break seemed on the cards only for Mardy Fish to lose application for a moment, allowing Roger Federer a break point at 4-4 which he converted when the Fish netted a routine backhand. Roger Federer showed his challenger no mercy by serving it out with ease to claim his fourth title in Cincinnati. It was a great match for both of us, Roger Federer said afterwards, and off course only one can win it.

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Roberto Mancini be adamant he has no regrets about missing out on Fernando Torres, because he thinks Mario Balotelli will be even better. The Manchester City manager had been interested in signing Torres over the summer, but was put off by Liverpool £50million valuation, picking up Inter Milan Mario Balotelli instead for £22.5m. Roberto Mancini thinks that Mario Balotelli will prove to be better value for money, However Fernando Torres is an extraordinary striker but I think it was difficult for Liverpool to sell him because he is such an important player for them. But it is good for us that we got Mario Balotelli instead.

Mario Balotelli could be even better than Fernando Torres because Torres can only play as a striker, whereas Mario Balotelli can play as a striker or as a winger. What is sure is we are talking about two extraordinary players. Mario Balotelli is highly rated by the Italian, and many believes that he is already one of the top strikers in the world. Roberto Mancini said: According to my point of view, there are eight or nine fantastic strikers in the world and Fernando Torres and Mario Balotelli are two of them along with Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Tevez and Messi. They are all fantastic players and we have managed to get one of them. The Manchester City manager is certain that Mario Balotelli will have no problem getting used to the style of play in the Premier League.

Roberto Mancini added: He is suited to the Premier League style, because it is different to Italian Serie A. The defenders do not know much about him but they will see he can change everything about a game and that is the same case with Carlos Tevez. I saw Balotelli four years ago when he was only 16 and it was the last five games of the Serie A championship. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was injured and we played Balotelli inside and he played like someone of 30 years old. That is because he has very good technique he has everything. Balotelli is young, always wants to play and always wants to score.

Roberto Mancini also gave an insight to his next opponents, ‘Liverpool’, as well as their new manager Roy Hodgson. He said; “Roy Hodgson is a very good boss and I know him very well as he worked in Italy for many years. The most important thing is that he is like me and that is a good thing. Liverpool are a tough team and have only changed the manager they have kept all the players they had last year. That’s for sure they can challenge for the title.

Manchester City Joe Hart, newly recognized at number one, spoke about the challenge that Liverpool presented to his side. He said: Fernando Torres had a difficult summer but you know for a fact that at any moment he can turn it on and score. You have to be conscious of that with world class players but we have a few ourselves. Liverpool will definitely challenge for the title. They are having a new manager changes a lot and a few people feel they have new chances and stuff to prove. But that is exactly how we feel at Manchester City so it should be an interesting game.

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German star Michael Ballack celebrated a winning return to the Bundesliga in Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 win at Borussia Dortmund. Germany coach Joachim Low was a spectator at the Westfalenstadion and he sent a congratulatory text message to Michael Ballack after the final whistle. I was really pleased about the SMS and we are going to speak on the phone this week, said by Michael Ballack.

Michael Ballack is bidding to carry on his international career, preferably as captain, after missing the World Cup in South Africa due to injury and he will be awaiting a call from Joachim Low when he names his squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan. Although the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder knows he can play a lot better than he did, even though he still assisted his side to make a perfect start to the season. I am sure there is still a lot of room for improvement, and now I need some match practice. I know every single game is important for me. We will have to see and wait if I am called up. I am not yet 100%, but I still see myself as part of the national team. It would be really great to be involved.

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According to a memo from the nation’s top drilling regulator; a six month ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico would directly put more than 9,000 people out of work and indirectly have an effect on another 14,000 jobs, The federal document, which have weighed the economic effect and alternatives to the ban, was sent to Ken Salazar (Interior Secretary) on July 10 by Michael Bromwich. Ken Salazar issued a moratorium in June, but it was struck down by a federal judge in New Orleans after oil and gas drilling interests said it wasn’t justified following the Gulf oil spill.

The Barack Obama administration issued a new moratorium on July 13 three days after the memo that stressed out new evidence of safety concerns. The White House expects the modified ban will pass muster with the courts. The moratoriums were put in place after the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion April 20 that killed 11 people. Moreover, millions of gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf after the rig sank. Some energy specialist, engineering consultants and Gulf Coast leaders have joined Big Oil to ask Ken Salazar to change his mind. Drilling was well protected before the BP spill, they said, and Gulf communities that depend on the industry were suffering unjustly.

Matt Lee-Ashley (Interior Department spokesman) said the agency has been clear out that the economic impacts of the moratorium would need to be delivered and noted the Obama administration secured an agreement with BP to set up a $100 million fund for distressed rig workers. In the light of the present risks of deepwater drilling as illustrated by the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill and the potential effects of another spill, the moratorium is essential and appropriate. The worst case economic impact estimations from three months ago have not been understood. On the other side the reality on the ground recommend that the impacts are less than we originally projected as a potential worst-case scenario.

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