Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson says he'll save Kings

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson speaks during a news conference Wednesday about the future of the Kings.(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli, AP)

Story Highlights

• Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson says he plans to keep the Kings in town
• Johnson has rounded up several owners from city and otherwise to propose offer
• Seattle group reportedly is nearing deal with Kings-owning Maloof family

SACRAMENTO ? Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson swears he still has a shot to save his hometown team.

Johnson, the native son and former NBA point guard who has spent recent years trying to keep the Maloof family that owns the team from taking it elsewhere, told USA TODAY Sports on Friday night that Seattle hasn't won this game just yet. Asked if his window had closed in light of a Wednesday report that the Maloofs and the Chris Hansen-Steve Ballmer group were finalizing a deal to bring the NBA back to Seattle and more reports on Friday that the deal was done in principle for $525 million, Johnson spread his hands wide and smiled. The window, he swears, remains open.

"(NBA Commissioner David Stern) knows that I'm going to make a request to speak to the governing board (before any Seattle deal is formalized)," Johnson said, noting that the deadline to file for relocation is March 1.

NBA A-Z: Sacramento turns out to support Kings

Stern said Thursday night that potential buyers who might keep the team in Sacramento deserve a shot, even naming billionaire supermarket mogul Ron Burkle as one candidate.

"This will be decided by a committee of owners and the NBA's board of governors with the advice of me but not leading the way," Stern said on Thursday night.

As was the case when he made an impassioned and ultimately successful pitch at a board of governor's meeting in New York to keep the team from going to Anaheim, Calif., in April of 2011, Johnson ? who had an agreement in principle with the Maloofs and the NBA for a new arena last February before they backed out ? is confident Stern will give him the time necessary to organize his effort.

AWKWARD: Kings players in unusual situation, too

While the prospect of engaging in a bidding war with someone like Ballmer (reported net worth $15.7 billion) is daunting, Johnson has spent recent weeks rounding up local and outside investors who he is confident could come with a competitive offer. Because a Sacramento-based offer would not include a relocation fee and the new owners could assume the $77 million loan that the Maloofs owe the city, he said the target figure for an offer that is comparable to the $500-525 million in Seattle is $425 to $450 million.

"I think from my standpoint, we're thinking about $450 (million) ? $425 to $450 (million)," he said. "There's a lot of due diligence that has to take place on both sides. But everybody we're talking to, who has some interest, they know the number is going to be pretty darn high. It's going to be over $400 (million) for sure. The good thing is that there's not a shortage of people who are interested."

A person with knowledge of the deal said the formal Sacramento offer would have to involve a viable arena plan in order to be considered by the NBA. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the talks are ongoing.

The identities of some of the involved parties have become more clear. As first reported by CBSSports.com, Mark Mastrov, the founder of Northern California-based 24-Hour Fitness, is considered a major player on the local front. Burkle is also part of this picture. Johnson, who spent recent weeks ramping up his effort to organize a response to this sort of situation, is in the process of managing all the money men.

"Some of the big dollars may not be from Sacramento, but we knew we'd have a local presence as well," he said. "I think we have an opportunity to do that. We know what the number is, and we know what's at stake, and there's no shortage of interest."

UGLY LOSS: Cousins flagrant hands Mavs win vs. Kings

Johnson didn't indicate a timeline for presenting the formal offer from his group.

"What we need to do is to take a step back, get our process together, get organized and get a game plan that makes sense," he said. "We don't all want to be bumping into each other. We don't want to be bidding against each other. We need to have one Sacramento offer that makes really good sense and put ourselves in a position of strength.

"We're going to get one shot to really put our best foot forward and we want to be able to do that. The clock is ticking. We know the March 1 deadline is looming, and we're going to work our way backwards from there.

"I feel very strongly that we will be able to produce a group that has Sacramento ties that can be competitive or at least comparable. I believe the NBA knows that we're a proven market. ... I want Seattle to get a team. They deserve a team, but I don't want it to be our team."

Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/NkkLsJkegbw/

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Phillips' 5.3 inch Android 4.0 phone to have dual-SIM capabilities

Dutch manufacturer Phillips is producing an Android phone with a 5.3 inch screen. That isn't anything out of the ordinary these days, but usually you find screens this large on a high-end model. The Phillips W8355 gets you going with that large screen, but with resolution of 540 x 960 (qHD) the pixel density of the screen will be well below the 441ppi seen on the HTC DROID DNA, the ZTE Grand S and the Huawei Ascend D2 to name a few of the newer large-screened Android models.Some of the other specs of the Phillips W8355 would seem to be at home in low end models including the 512MB of RAM. These days, top-shelf Android phones have nothing less than 2GB of RAM on board. And we haven't even discussed the processor yet. Considering that the aforementioned 5 inchers all have a quad-core processor, the dual-core 1GHz processor on the Phillips device comes up woefully short. Add in the rather thick footprint of nearly 11mm, the 5MP camera in back and Android 4.0.4 running the show and you can understand why this device will probably be limited to a release in China. Also pointing to a limited release in China is the dual-SIM card capability of the device. This feature is often seen on low to mid-range smartphones in the country.

What we normally don't see on a low-to mid range handset is a 5.3 inch screen which makes the Phillips W8355 a good handset for those who need to have a large sized screen above all else.

source: UnwiredView

Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Phillips-5.3-inch-Android-4.0-phone-to-have-dual-SIM-capabilities_id38639

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Venezuela VP heading to Cuba see Chavez, family

A supporter of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds up a painting of him during a symbolic inauguration rally for Chavez outside Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. The government organized the unusual show of support for the cancer-stricken leader on the streets on what was supposed to be his inauguration day. Vice President Nicolas Maduro said that even though it wasn't an official swearing-in, Thursday's event still marks the start of a new term for the president following his re-election in October. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

A supporter of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds up a painting of him during a symbolic inauguration rally for Chavez outside Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. The government organized the unusual show of support for the cancer-stricken leader on the streets on what was supposed to be his inauguration day. Vice President Nicolas Maduro said that even though it wasn't an official swearing-in, Thursday's event still marks the start of a new term for the president following his re-election in October. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's Vice President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with members of his cabinet in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. Maduro said he will travel to Cuba on Friday to visit ailing President Hugo Chavez and his family. Maduro announced his trip on television, saying he would also meet with Chavez's medical team. The government says the Venezuelan leader is fighting a severe respiratory infection a month after he underwent cancer surgery in Havana. (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)

Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez gestures to journalists as she arrives to Hotel Nacional in Havana, Cuba, early Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. Fernandez is in Cuba to visit Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from cancer surgery. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

Argentine tourists who support Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez welcome her outside the Hotel Nacional in Havana, Cuba, early Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. Fernandez arrived to Cuba to visit Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from cancer surgery. The sign reads in Spanish "Long live Nestor! Be strong Cristina," referring to her late husband, Argentina's former President Nestor Kirchner. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

Peru's President Ollanta Humala speaks with journalists after arriving to the Jose Marti international airport in Havana, Cuba, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. Humala arrived to Cuba to visit Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from cancer surgery. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ? Venezuela's vice president was heading to Cuba on Friday to visit the ailing Hugo Chavez and his family, while the leaders of Argentina and Peru also traveled to Havana saying they hoped to ask about the Venezuelan president's condition.

The 58-year-old president is fighting a severe respiratory infection a month after he underwent cancer surgery in Havana, his government says.

"I'm leaving for Havana to continue that work of visiting the family, meeting with his medical team, visiting our commander president," Vice President Nicolas Maduro said on television in Caracas.

Chavez hasn't spoken publicly or been seen since before his Dec. 11 operation, his fourth cancer-related surgery since June 2011 for an undisclosed type of pelvic cancer.

The government revealed this week that Chavez is receiving treatment for "respiratory deficiency." Medical experts say that might mean he is breathing with the help of a ventilator.

Maduro was making his second trip to Cuba since Chavez's surgery. He said he would meet with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, who also was visiting Havana, and hoped to meet with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, who arrived Friday in the Cuban capital.

Fernandez arrived at the Hotel Nacional along Havana's waterfront on Friday morning. Authorities have characterized the Argentine leader's trip as a private visit and her foreign minister said Thursday that she intended to meet with Chavez.

She told The Associated Press in Friday afternoon that she would lunch with Cuban President Raul Castro and his retired brother Fidel. "And then surely I will meet with the family of my companion and dear friend Hugo Chavez," Fernandez said.

Arriving at the Havana airport, Humala did not say if had confirmed plans to meet with Chavez.

"Obviously I will ask, I will see, how is President Chavez's situation," Humala told reporters, saying he wishes Chavez a "quick recovery."

Presidents Rafael Correa of Ecuador and Evo Morales of Bolivia have also visited Havana during Chavez's current stay there.

Peruvian analyst Nelson Manrique said Humala's trip was a reflection of the president's personal friendship with Chavez, as well as political.

"There is a sector that would like Peru to be unconditionally aligned with the United States, but this is more prudent politically to develop a multilateral policy," Manrique said. "It doesn't seem probable that Hugo Chavez will continue governing, but in any of the scenarios 'Chavismo' will be a very strong force in Venezuela.

"It's convenient for the Peruvian government to maintain a relationship, leave the door open, and balance the geopolitical relationship with Venezuela as well," the analyst added.

Maduro was designated by Chavez last month as his chosen successor. Maduro said that while he is in Cuba, Electricity Minister Hector Navarro will remain in charge of affairs as acting vice president. The vice president didn't say when he would return.

Maduro's announcement came a day after the government gathered foreign allies and tens of thousands of exuberant supporters to celebrate the start of a new term for Chavez on Thursday, even as he was too ill to return home for a real inauguration.

Despite opposition claims that the constitution demands a Jan. 10 inauguration, the pro-Chavez congress approved delaying the inauguration and the Supreme Court on Wednesday endorsed the postponement, saying the president could be sworn in before the court at a later date.

Jailed former defense minister Raul Baduel urged his countrymen, especially the military, to resist what he called a "new constitutional coup" by Chavez's allies. The former military chief, who is in prison after being convicted of embezzlement and abuse of power, made the remarks in a vaguely worded letter that was released Friday.

Baduel has insisted he is innocent and dismissed the case against him as a politically motivated reprisal for his opposition to Chavez.

Though he didn't give details about what action he hoped the military would take, Baduel appeared to echo the argument by opposition politicians that Maduro and other Chavez allies are violating the constitution by remaining in office beyond the formal swearing-in date.

The Supreme Court has dismissed that argument, saying the date in the constitution isn't binding if an inauguration is performed before the court rather than the congress, where presidents usually take the oath of office.

Baduel also urged the governments of other countries "not to validate the constitutional coup d'etat that has been set in motion."

A high-ranking military chief, Maj. Gen. Wilmer Barrientos, said the military will respect and obey the Supreme Court's decision. He told the station Union Radio that those who question the court's decision should make their case through legal channels.

National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, a former military officer who is thought to have close ties to the armed forces, warned in a message on Twitter that Chavez's supporters should be "on alert for actions of violence" similar to bloodshed that preceded a failed 2002 coup against Chavez.

Chavez was briefly ousted in that coup, then was restored to power within two days with the help of military loyalists amid large protests in the streets by his supporters.

___

Associated Press writers Andrea Rodriguez in Havana and Carla Salazar in Lima, Peru, contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-11-Venezuela-Chavez/id-5363339f4c024789b63aae5b3e96d2a5

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Donald Trump sounds off on D.C.'s debt woes

This transcript is automatically generated

It's -- on the back to Hannity now earlier today I sat down with a one and only Donald Trump we covered a lot of ground on all of the issues from gun control the 2012 election.

Miss Alabama Bill Maher and whether or not he's gonna throw his hat in the ring in the next four years but first.

Here's his take on the fiscal cliff in that crisis in the future of the Republican Party.

You said about the fiscal cliff and I agreed -- it was a terrible deal terrible does any Republican have the ability to negotiate said.

And then you said Democrats are laughing at Republicans what I actually said the Republicans -- negotiators in the history of the world and everything.

Because if Obama and everybody at a 100% which isn't a 100% it's 50%.

Of the people but many of Obama's voters were forced to actually pay much higher taxes for a period of about three days.

He would have come back and he would have given everything.

You would have had to Democrats exactly where you wanted them.

It would have been retroactively brought back so nobody would have paid higher taxes other than the rich may be we'll have to pay a little bit of the penalty.

And I think you're OK with that if they got the spending cuts so now what they did is they made a deal they gave up on the tax increases.

And now I watch Nancy Pelosi the other day who I respect.

If she's been in my office I respect -- But she's doing her thing from a different side and from a different -- I watched Nancy Pelosi did they say I'm not -- the Texas haven't stepped -- a raising taxes again present so they may not always something kind and now they're gonna have to give it away again.

And I think it's amazing and if if the tax rates increase for everybody across the board.

Obama would have come in and and he would've been virtually begging to make a deal and you would have had spending cuts that you would have had and you could have put this country back on track.

That will still live data collected two.

I don't understand -- it's -- and John -- I know and -- like a lot.

By the way and I happen to think he's very capable I just don't know what happened here I don't understand it.

The Republicans believe -- you know I've been saved -- last Jewish Republican civil courts and I'm not just talking about just a debt ceiling.

And I'm worried about the deficit because I think the presence could use the fourteenth amendment and then we're gonna end up in lawsuits for the next ten years it's good that America.

So I don't like to debt ceiling by itself has a point of strength.

The strength was let everybody pay led all of his support -- stuck paying more attacks and he will come to you and he would like that's called.

Deal making 101 that's basic deal make -- somebody said do they know how to make dozens of this is not about deals is about common sense your best selling book the art of the deal.

I read it it says.

That you should be willing to walk away from any deal up to the last moment they -- for that weren't they afraid that they go over the cliff may be blamed film blamed anyway but was not their fear -- more than getting blamed anyway.

They getting blamed to have the lowest rating in the history of ratings OK I -- have like the lowest rating anybody's ever seen.

Did they went -- and I heard that they were afraid of bad publicity.

Get publicity is horrible anyway.

And you know what in two weeks I've always gonna forget about the bad look at me -- a bad publicity you're good I get so much publicity comes out of -- here's some good some bit.

Essentially disappears.

At a point in time but put forward this -- they were worried about bad publicity.

What's the -- public -- getting the publicity elect.

John if they collect the taxes the bush tax cuts expire now everybody all of the supporters are forced to -- he would have been forced to make a deal.

When you make a real deal.

And I've been saying don't make these little deals.

Make the one big deal and get it done and get it done directly.

And stop borrowing 46 cents of every dollar you think of the Republicans don't step up on the debt ceiling and they don't stand is.

A bold contrast of the Democrats do you see the emergence of a third party might you look at that now I can't I think third parties are very tough.

But I think it's hit very tough to win as a Republican look.

And they've lost on immigration thing you have to do something and immigration because you know our country is a different place than it was fifty years ago they gonna have to do something when many different fronts and they don't do it.

And you don't have very popular candidates -- gonna get 20% of but don't they also have to be the party that saves America from pages and they do and they could have done that that's such a great chance now I have to tell you as a negotiator somebody that does nothing but negotiate all day long.

They have been very badly hurt because the deal they made really hurt him I mean they had.

More cards a week ago than they have right now they still have -- for the cards aren't as good.

But -- Actually think the cars are better known -- who did not turn of the -- because we should've done over the cliff I agree with you we should've got part of cliff I hate the word that Clif OK but it was a -- just like -- by phony people but you know what we should have gone over the cliff.

And the Democrats would have come begging for a deal they would have made any guess so we are not in better shape but now the president.

He cannot get more money and raise the debt ceiling we at sixteen trillion dollars and that I'm telling you manageability commandments shown.

Who's gonna use this fourteenth amendment OK and -- When he's playing golf in six years from now and wherever he might be playing hopefully -- trump national in Washington because I have the best course of Washington and I'd love to have them there president of your play my course in Washington.

On the Potomac River it's beautiful never miss an opportunity output.

But it's a great course -- best course in Washington by far so when he's playing golf someplace in six years.

The Supreme Court will make a ruling as to whether or not he was allowed to use the fourteenth amendment I say he's gonna use the fourteenth amendment.

They have don't forget that this is a bit dangerous for America now -- we are talking about here it's almost a dictatorship.

It's what he's gonna win here or president -- for everything he is gonna bypass congress -- he couldn't have done that for the Second Amendment but he couldn't have done that for the last group.

That he just got but he -- because of the cliff now he has more power.

I think that she couldn't abused the fourteenth amendment to what just took place.

That he doesn't apply that haven't this is what it might apply there's a little tiny inkling that it might apply today that's just.

But it didn't apply to the tax constitutionally this is this just check -- urge you to talk to your lawyer I know you've probably talk to regularly.

Article one section seven is clear spending begins in congress.

What he's profusely it was it was clear that Obama -- not legally -- that's excuse me everybody sued.

They were winning all the way up.

And then you had a certain justice that was a 100% against it who.

In order to become a favored fair haired boy in Washington he went against his own beliefs okay does it say then about.

Him if he's willing to circumvent shred the constitution what he's doing it and he will do it again in my opinion for the debt ceiling he's going to use the fourteenth amendment and he's gonna circumvent.

The problem and I believe that the Republicans are -- have a hard time.

Source: http://video.foxnews.com/v/2086382854001/donald-trump-sounds-off-on-dcs-debt-woes/

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Canada News Centre - Government of Canada Invests in Innovative ...

For immediate release
January 11, 2013

Brantford, Ontario ? GreenMantra Recycling Technologies Ltd. will market new industrial wax products created from recycled plastic in North America and be able to licence its innovative production process to European customers, thanks to a new investment from the Government of Canada. The investment was announced today by Phil?McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant, on behalf of the Honourable Gary?Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

"This is another example of how Brantford businesses are innovating, modernizing and capitalizing on new opportunities in the 21st century economy to bring jobs and prosperity to our community," said MP?McColeman. "This investment will support the growth of GreenMantra Technologies, creating high-value jobs for southern Ontario and a competitive advantage in local and international markets."

Under FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Innovation initiative, GreenMantra Technologies Ltd. will receive up to $750,000 to complete final commercialization testing of its proprietary technology to produce industrial waxes from recycled plastics. The waxes produced will be used in such products as asphalt, wood products, adhesives and polishes. The project is expected to create up to 13 high-value jobs in Brantford during its course and up to 45 additional jobs by 2017.

GreenMantra Technologies Ltd. was founded in 2010 and is based in Brantford, with strategic partners located in Toronto and Europe. The company is a pioneer in the industry and was founded on the model of commercializing innovative technologies to produce synthetic industrial fuels and lubricants from abundantly available recycled plastics. Its proprietary technology produces high yields with low start-up, operating and transportation costs, allowing for a wide range of products with significant environmental benefits.

"GreenMantra is delighted to be a recipient of funding from FedDev Ontario," said President and CEO Pushkar Kumar. "The funding is instrumental in getting GreenMantra's operations off the ground and bringing our unique and environmentally friendly waxes to market."

The success of the Investing in Business Innovation initiative relies on leveraging private sector investments and partnerships. For this project, the company has raised up to $1?million through the MaRS Clean Tech Fund and up to $500,000 from the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund. With a history of product development from innovative technology, GreenMantra Technologies Ltd. is poised for expansion of production and its market share upon completion of this project.

The Investing in Business Innovation initiative is designed to boost private sector investment in start-up businesses to accelerate the development of new products, processes and practices and help bring them to market. Funding under the initiative is also available for angel investor networks and their associations to attract new investment and support the growth of angel investment funds. Applications for funding are being accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis. For more information, please refer to the program guidelines available on the website.

Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.

Follow us on Twitter @FedDevOntario

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For more information, contact:

Stephanie Thomas
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-960-7728

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
416-954-6652

Source: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=714609

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