Retirement Communities California Luxury

For retirement communities California, there is a lot to choose from in the state and it can seem overwhelming.? The beautiful landscapes of the state along with the many attractions such as wine country, ocean vistas and a mild climate are a big drawing force for many people. ?Retirement communities are a great option because they provide all the necessities along with a community of people with similar interests; it?s like being on vacation every day.

Many people feel that a retirement community is preferable to a retirement home for one simple reason; your parents were good to you, now it?s time to be good to them.? There is a big difference between retirement communities California facilities and a retirement home.? A home typically provides your parent(s) or loved one with a room, common spaces and medical attention, the layout has a dormitory feeling to it.? A retirement community would be more like having a villa or posh apartment in an exclusive community where you have the freedom to attend activities and plan for guests.

While some retirement communities provide individual, self-contained living units ? like a villa, others still stick to the apartment style living.? The apartment style housing is perhaps the most convenient and easy to maintain home.? Although the concept of a villa might seem appealing initially, the fact remains that it would mean more maintenance, more to clean and possibly even stairs to contend with.? The apartment set-up provides elevators for quick accessible living, patios or balconies that are conducive to planter-gardening and private meals as well as a manageable living-space.? The retirement communities California seniors who choose the apartment style housing will also benefit from having amenities like private dining rooms for family gatherings and access to a full kitchen so they can indulge in their culinary passions. You don?t have to give up the freedom and leisure activities you love just because you aren?t located in a self-contained dwelling.

That?s not to say that the apartments are not self-contained either; they are fully equipped with kitchenettes, washrooms, living rooms and bedrooms.? Depending on the layout of apartment you choose your space can be larger or smaller according to your individual needs.? Perhaps you?re thinking that this does sound a lot like a retirement home and dormitory but the major difference is the freedom you have.? Retirement homes function on a very strict schedule of activities, visitation schedules and pre-determined routines for the residents.? These retirement communities California homes provide residents with the option of attending scheduled activities if they?re interested and give the residents the freedom to arrange activities with guests at their own leisure.? They also offer beautifully manicured grounds for the residents to take advantage of, beauty salons, room service and twenty-four hour snack and beverage bars.

Essentially retirement communities California seniors are getting the best of being at home and on vacation at the same time.? The privacy of their own suite with cable and internet access, the convenience of a friendly and eclectic selection of neighbors on top of having the tedious chores of daily life taken care of for you! Basic housekeeping and laundry services are all provided and if necessary dry-cleaning with delivery!? It almost sounds too good to be true but these retirement communities are out there and waiting to be discovered.

If you still love the freedom of driving you will have a private and in some cases underground parking stall but if you don?t drive anymore the chauffeured limousine service will be only too pleased to take you on your errand run.? If you previously relied on your family members to take you shopping when you lived at home, you don?t have to anymore. ?Retirement communities California facilities are a place that allows you to operate on your own schedule and terms; if you can?t sleep you can call room service for a cup of tea or head to the lounge and mingle with the other night owls or take a dip in the Jacuzzi after a stint at the gym ? there are no limitations.

What other community gives you a library, book clubs, yoga classes, concerts and music lessons all at your finger tips ? as well as the leisure to simply spend the day at the beach if you choose?? It?s simply unheard of but retirement communities California homes give you all this and more. You?ve spent your whole life looking after other people; working and making sure the days run smoothly but now it?s your turn to be catered to and have the tedium of life looked after by someone else so that you can enjoy the finer things in life.

Looking for the best retirement communities California homes?? Look no further than the assisted living facility at Palm Court.

Source: http://elderkind.com/retirement-communities-california-luxury/

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Title Company Hollywood Fl: How will you get help from them?

There are various things that you need to keep in mind before acquiring a piece of property in Florida. The transactions that are involved in property matters are quite complicated and need to be tackled with care and attention. A title company Hollywood Fl will help you carry out a secured transaction in order to make sure that you are not supped of your money while buying a property. In fact, when you hire the services of a title company, you will not face any trouble as far as lawful dealings are concerned.

The function of a title company Hollywood Fl begins from the time of acquiring a property until the title transfer takes place in favor of the buyer. Generally, the work that is done by the title company is categorized in three stages that involve checking the title of the property followed by preparing the piece of property that is to be purchased and title insurance. The first job that is performed by the title company is to check whether there is something suspicious or unethical present in the property. For instance, if the previous owner has not paid the mortgage, taxes or the presence of a lien is confirmed during the title checking process.

The functions that are performed by a title company Hollywood Fl is impossible for a buyer. Unless the previous documents of the original owner is checked properly, it is going to be difficult for the buyer as the unpaid by the new holder or owner of the property. The title company should comprise of professionals and lawyers for handling the complex legal issues before a property is purchased and transferred in the name of the buyer. If the process of title checking confirms that there is no issue with the property, the company starts preparing the title insurance.

A title company hollywood fl is responsible for looking into every issue related to the legal documents of the property, which is to be acquired by a party. This is to ensure that the entire property remains out from the clutches of legal issues or any kind of trouble that may erupt later.

The Author is a professional writer, presently writing for title company hollywood fl . Fore more information about title company hollywood fl ? Click here

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Source: http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=3517467

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Three UK to carry newly announced Samsung Galaxy Note 2

One of the biggest announcements of all yesterdays IFA 2012 action -- check out our recap if you missed anything -- was the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. The latest iteration of the Note line is sure to be in high demand, and we know there's a lot of folks out there that want to know where and when they can get one. 

During the Unpacked Keynote presentation in Berlin, Samsung announced that the Note 2 will be available in October. But, nothing more precise than that at this time. One of the first carriers to announce they will be carrying the Note 2 in the UK is Three. There are no details from Three on price or when they expect to offer it themselves at this time however. But, considering that Three UK offers some of the best deals on the market with affordable all-you-can-eat data, it may make a compelling companion to the Note 2. 

We're only just getting started at IFA 2012 in Berlin, so stick with AC for all the best as it happens. 

Source: Three UK

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/jokfv5m2pGs/story01.htm

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Ne-Yo channels Jackson on late singer's birthday

FILE - In an Aug. 3, 2012 file photo, Ne-Yo performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York. Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo performed at New York City's Gotham Hall in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Bad" album for Pepsi and Billboard's 2012 Summer Beats Concert Series. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - In an Aug. 3, 2012 file photo, Ne-Yo performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York. Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo performed at New York City's Gotham Hall in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Bad" album for Pepsi and Billboard's 2012 Summer Beats Concert Series. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Ne-Yo channeled Michael Jackson on the late singer's 54th birthday at an event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the King of Pop's multiplatinum "Bad" album.

Ne-Yo performed "Smooth Criminal," ''I Just Can't Stop Loving You" and "The Way You Make Me Feel" on Wednesday night at New York's Gotham Hall, imitating Jackson's signature dance moves and vocal tones.

The R&B singer said in an interview ahead of his performance: "You just don't do a Michael song, you try and do the best you can." He also said he learned how to sing because of Jackson and that the icon's musical influence was "tattooed" on his heart.

Singer Melanie Fiona also performed at the Pepsi and Billboard event. The Grammy winner belted covers of "Bad" and "Dirty Diana."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-08-30-Music-Michael%20Jackson%20Anniversary/id-636203cda8704ab4860e5a2051dfa6f7

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Chelsea, United spared as City get fiendish Champions League draw

Fate largely smiled on Manchester United and holders Chelsea in Thursday's Champions League draw, but Manchester City found themselves drawn into a daunting group with Real Madrid, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea, who beat Bayern Munich on penalties in last season's final to claim the trophy for the first time, were drawn in Group E alongside Italian champions Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Danish debutants Nordsjaelland.

Juventus will be appearing in the Champions League for the first time since the 2009-10 season and are likely to present the strongest challenge to Roberto di Matteo's side.

United found themselves in similarly benign surroundings in Group H, having been pitted against Portugal's SC Braga, Galatasaray of Turkey and Romanians CFR-Cluj in the draw in Monaco.

However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson did not need reminding that it was from a similarly straightforward group -- containing Benfica, FC Basel and Cluj's domestic rivals Otelul Gelati -- that the three-time champions failed to progress last season.

"We have the experience of playing against Galatasaray in the past and we will always remember the 'Welcome to Hell' banners," Ferguson told manutd.com.

"Obviously, we've never played Cluj before but, after the experience of last year, we don't want to make any stupid errors this time. We will play our strongest team to make sure we get through."

United, beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2011 final, are appearing in the group phase for a record 18th time.

As in 2011, this season's final will also take place at London's Wembley Stadium, to mark the 150th anniversary of the English Football Association.

City's pool, Group D, unites the reigning champions of England, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, with the Manchester club the only team never to have won the Champions League.

Roberto Mancini's side were drawn in a similarly taxing group last season and failed to reach the knockout phase, with Bayern Munich and Napoli finishing above them on their first appearance in the Champions League.

City defender Joleon Lescott refused to be discouraged by the draw, tweeting: "Group D highlights the fact why it's called Champions league. #TitleWinnersOnly"

Along with Spain, England are one of only two countries with four teams in the group phase and their fourth representatives, Arsenal, will face Schalke, Olympiacos and debutants Montpellier, the French champions, in Group B.

There was one other newcomer in the draw in the shape of Malaga, who qualified by overcoming Panathinaikos in the play-off round earlier this week.

The Spanish side were drawn in Group C with Zenit Saint Petersburg, Anderlecht and seven-time champions AC Milan, who will have been relieved to avoid a more difficult group after a summer in which they lost a glut of leading players.

Barcelona, finalists in two of the last four seasons, landed in Group G, where they will have fellow former champions Benfica and Celtic for company, as well as Spartak Moscow.

Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, will fancy their chances of qualifying from a group that also includes FC Porto, Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb

Last season's beaten finalists Bayern Munich were placed in Group F alongside Valencia, they team they beat on penalties in the 2001 final, as well as Lille of France and Belarusian outfit BATE Borisov.

"The group is manageable for us, at least on paper," said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes.

"But the Champions League is always a difficult challenge and every opponent has to be respected. We are looking forward to the first game."

The opening batch of group matches is scheduled for September 18-19.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chelsea-united-spared-city-fiendish-champions-league-draw-175523095--sow.html

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Search Eccentric Offers New Techniques on SEO to Help Enhance ...

New Delhi/NCR (PRWEB) August 14, 2012

Search Eccentric a leading Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Company located in India offers a fine blend modern tips and techniques as well as sound strategies to help companies prosper from enhanced brand visibility on the internet. These newer techniques as proposed by the company helps leverage the online business capability and in returns has the ability to draw potential traffic and enable to increase profit margins.

Today, Search Eccentric intends to offer vital information on a variety of Search Engine techniques, strategies and services so as to make the end client or customer aware of the latest online marketing practices and how to overcome competition. By creating awareness, the SEO Company in India hopes to assist and draw the attention of clients and customers so that they can prosper from the advantages that some of the latest internet marketing tools like Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Optimization have to offer.

As a pioneering online marketing company, Search Eccentric offers innovative ideas in the domain of web design and development, Search Engine Optimization as well methods on how to boost web sites ranking on search engines. The SEO India Company focuses on using the best of breed and the latest online marketing techniques like Pay Per Click (PPC), Online Reputation Management (ORM), Social Media Optimization and Networking and more. Professionals working at Search Eccentric have the rudimentary know-how on a wide range of aspects revolving around both on page and off page optimization and internet marketing tips and techniques which adhere to the stringent guidelines as laid down by major search engines like Google. Further, Search Eccentric has catered to more than 500 clients worldwide and has held ground by adopting only White Hat techniques to help its clients and customers to overcome any business challenge.

Focusing on quality, it has been observed that Search Eccentric adopts rigorous quality driven processes to assist its clients and customers to make a strong and impactful presence in the online space. The companys modernized approach around site optimization and its deep understanding on Search Engine algorithm most certainly makes it a trustworthy company to engage with. The companys advanced and modernized methods, vast experience in the domain of online marketing, dependable project management skills has enabled it to have a strong foothold in the web marketing domain and as a result has attracted significant clients in a short spell of time.

For companies like Search Eccentric the future seems to be promising. With more and more companies relying on the online media to be able to reach out to more and more clients and customers worldwide, competition is sure to become more tough and imposing. Online marketing companies like Search Eccentric have the potential to offer tips and techniques that can help build a strong presence which in return can draw more potential traffic and help increase revenues.

Visit Search Eccentric or call 1800-654-5143 for more information about the Internet Marketing and SEO Services provided by Saffrontech.

Source: http://freereleasepress.com/search-eccentric-offers-new-techniques-on-seo-to-help-enhance-online-presence-and-brand-visibility/

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Your Climate Crisis elevator speech (Americablog)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/244121575?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Death penalty confirmed for Mumbai attacks gunman

India's Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed the death sentence handed down to Mohammed Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.

Pakistan-born Kasab, one of 10 gunmen who laid siege to India's financial capital in attacks that lasted nearly three days, had appealed against the sentence claiming that he had not received a fair trial.

"We are left with no option but to award death penalty," the two judges said in a court order. "The primary and foremost offence committed by Kasab is waging war against the government of India."

Kasab, who is currently held in a maximum-security prison in Mumbai, was found guilty on charges including waging war, murder and terrorist acts, and was sentenced to death in May 2010.

After losing his Supreme Court petition, Kasab is expected to lodge a final appeal for clemency with new President Pranab Mukherjee, who has another 11 cases to consider.

Only one execution has taken place in India in 15 years -- that of a former security guard hanged in 2004 for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

"The best possible points were put forward dispassionately on behalf of the accused," state prosecutor Gopal Subramanium told reporters. "They have been considered and the court ultimately dismissed the appeal."

Ujjwal Nikam, who led the case against Kasab throughout the trial process, called on the death sentence to be carried out "as soon as possible so that it gives a strong signal to terrorists."

During the November 2008 attacks, heavily armed Islamist gunmen stormed targets in Mumbai including luxury hotels, a Jewish centre, a hospital and a bustling train station.

India blames the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant organisation for training, equipping and financing the gunmen with support from "elements" in the Pakistan military.

Kasab initially pleaded not guilty but later confessed, admitting he was one of the gunmen sent by the LeT.

At his trial, the prosecution produced fingerprint, DNA, eyewitness and TV footage evidence showing him opening fire and throwing grenades at Mumbai's main railway station in the bloodiest episode of the attacks.

"I was denied a fair trial," Kasab said in a statement when his appeal hearing began in January. "I may be guilty of killing people and carrying out a terrorist act but I am not guilty of waging war against the state."

He said that he was denied proper legal representation and that some charges against him were not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Pakistan has admitted that the attacks were planned partly on its soil, but flatly denies any official involvement. It charged seven alleged plotters behind the attacks in 2009 but insists it needs more evidence to convict them.

Speaking at a conference in Tehran, Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna reacted to the court's decision by saying that he was "sure Pakistan will not fail to take note of it".

The Mumbai attacks horrified India as each development unfolded live on television, and there have been widespread public calls for Kasab's execution.

Previous Indian presidents have often stone-walled death penalty decisions.

The last president, Pratibha Patil, tried to clear the backlog by granting clemency in 19 cases and refusing it in two.

Police on Wednesday said the Supreme Court's decision was a vindication of their work.

"The verdict... is an important milestone in our fight against terror," Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of the Mumbai police, told reporters.

"To capture him alive, to investigate him... to put him on trial... we have proved before the whole world that we are fair, we are judicious, we are democratic."

The court in New Delhi also upheld the acquittals handed out in February 2011 to Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmad, who were charged by police for helping the gunmen with logistics.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/verdict-due-mumbai-gunmans-appeal-051154458.html

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AJ Family Law ? Family Law and Personal Injury Hit by Legal Aid Cuts

Of all the different legal sectors in the modern day world, Family Law is without a doubt the one that touches upon the lives of the most individuals. While torts or corporate law are areas that affect many people the world over, family law is inherently valid to all human beings, something we will all need to engage in at some point in our lives. For this reason, and as a highly family-oriented individual, family law is the main legal area about which I hold particularly strong views. I have a number of acquaintances in this field, many of whom I met in my own work in the personal injury claims sector. Recently, with some pending changes to the UK?s legal system due to be implemented in 2013, it looks like both personal injury and family law will be negatively affected. Worryingly, access to both of these types of law is going to be more difficult for the masses.

All countries have in place some kind of legal system whereby help is on offer to people in financially difficult circumstances. In the United Kingdom, the Legal Aid bill is the go-to safety net for people looking to start legal action but may not necessarily have the funds to do so. Over the past few decades, literally millions of families have received help for legal matters from Legal Aid. The Majority of these cases were sadly for Divorce Law. While it?s a shame that divorce rates are so high, it?s even more of a shame that this help may not be on hand for much longer as the government plans to cut funding for Legal Aid. But how did this decision come about?

Towards the end of 1998, the UK saw the introduction of the ?no win no fee? arrangement (officially known as the conditional fee arrangement, or CFA) introduced into the legal system. This was in compensation for the fact that personal injury claims had been removed from the Legal Aid bill. Personal injury claims have run out of control in the UK and so the no win no fee arrangement is being abolished. The broken legal system has attracted the attention of the powers that be and during the process of scrutinizing the system, a number of changes will be implemented onto the UK legal system. It seems that, while the government is making these amendments, it?s using the opportunity to cut funds from Legal Aid.

Families in need of legal help represent a significant amount of the beneficiaries from the bill and it?s estimated that every year some 250,000 families receive help through Legal Aid for family law related matters.? Experts predict that the cuts could mean that over 200,000 of the families won?t have access after the cuts. The Legal Aid bill currently stands with an annual budget of ?2 billion. However, while the government is making the changes to abolish the personal injury no win no fee arrangement, changes are being made to reduce the annual budget by a potential ?500 million. This really caught my attention, as I was aware of how many families relied on Legal Aid. I was pleased to see that I wasn?t the only one concerned over the lack of aid for families.

Family Law Bar Association member Nicolas Cusworth QC has also voiced his concerns in an interview with the BBC. He stated that ?I think people who feel the brunt of the new bill are wives whose husbands can afford to pay for representation, but who cannot pay themselves,? Cusworth went on to say that ?in future, they will be acting in person, unrepresented, in front of the court without advice??. Most concerning of all, was that Cusworth stated ?Certainly it will mean the court process will be slowed down. Litigants will come before the court ill-prepared. If you have a large number of women who should be receiving support from their husbands and do not get that support because the court has not be able to assess a fair outcome, they may become a burden on the state.?

Incidentally, with the removal of the no win no fee arrangement, both personal injury victims and families will be seriously affected by the cuts as personal injury is not going back on Legal Aid?s eligibility list after April 2013. The pending changes will mean bringing the United Kingdom one step away from justice for the masses. I believe that it won?t be long before the media publishes news stories about cases of individuals suffering as a consequence of the lack of financial aid for legal services. We can only hope that this will force the government?s hand to bolstering the legal aid budget once more or maybe even offering some kind of no win no fee service for family law cases. Otherwise, we can only hope that something will rise in the place and families will still have access to the help they need.

Source: http://www.aj-familylaw.com/family-law-and-personal-injury-hit-by-legal-aid-cuts

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5 Types Of Pool Tables For Your Residence

There are various types of Denver pool tables for every enthusiast out there that you can place in your home. With the internet, it is almost possible to get anything you need online and it will be delivered to your home in no time at all. However, this is an investment that will cost more than a few dollars and which when making you need all the information you can get.

One of the most common is the slate bed table, which is made out of solid slab. Main advantage is that it does not wear out easily due temperatures nor does it disintegrate due to the moisture content of the room. Major disadvantage is that this table weighs a lot and should only be placed in a room where it is likely not to be moved in many years to come.

For those who do not have that much space in their homes it does not harm to consider the lighter folding table. It takes up little space compared to the slate bed and can also be moved around from room to room or even to the verandah. It features foldable legs, which allow it to be stored easily without taking up lots of space while it is not in use.

By using a coin operated table you can control just how much game time the children can play in a week. The trick is to hand them coins that they will spend over the week playing the game and once the tokens are up so is the game. Since you have the key to the machine, you do not have to worry about accumulating many coins to do so but can revolve the ones available.

To further utilize the space available one can use a dining table that serves just that purpose but once you turn it over you have a place you can play a good game on. The dining room can act as a game room during the day but in the evening it reverts back to its original purpose either by turning over or slipping a cover over the game table. Major advantage is that they look so authentic that nobody would guess that it is a multipurpose table.

The outdoor table unlike the above discussed offers you the chance to play your favorite game in the open air. It is made from weather resistant materials like marine plywood that will withstand the forces of the weather through rain and winter. This type of table is great especially during parties.

To improve hand eye coordination one is advised to start playing the Denver pool tables games. Some of them have pockets into which the balls fall into while others do not. It is also particularly important to note that size also does vary from one type to another, which is another thing you should look out for when doing the purchase.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1353835/5-types-of-pool-tables-for-your-residence.htm

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France would recognize Syrian opposition govt

PARIS (AP) ? French President Francois Hollande urged Syria's divided opposition on Monday to form a provisional government, promising that France would recognize it in hope of accelerating the departure of President Bashar Assad's regime as the violence escalates in the Arab country.

The French leader, clearly frustrated with reticence from China and Russia in crafting a tougher tack against Assad at the United Nations, staked out unprecedented terrain to jolt opposition leaders into unity - both anti-Assad fighters on the ground in Syria and exiles working abroad to end his reign.

Hollande's appeal to the opposition underscores a belief in many diplomatic circles that a credible alternative to Assad's regime must take shape first in order to expedite the Syrian leader's exit - an outcome that France, the U.S. and many other Western powers have sought for months.

Syria's opposition remains badly fragmented and it is far from clear whether such a provisional government could be formed anytime soon. But Hollande's statement, believed to be the first of its kind, appeared aimed to give an impetus to the creation of such a government in part because there is no international mandate for stronger action.

Many Western nations and Arab countries have called for Assad to leave power, but none has gone so far as to formally recognize the opposition.

"France asks the Syrian opposition to form a provisional government - inclusive and representative - that can become the legitimate representative of the new Syria," Hollande said in a speech to France's corps of ambassadors.

"We are including our Arab partners to accelerate this step," he said at the presidential palace, without elaborating. "France will recognize the provisional government of Syria once it is formed."

In Washington, American officials said the French call for a Syrian provisional government wasn't coordinated with anyone else, and that the U.S. wouldn't echo the statement anytime soon. The officials called it premature to speak about a provisional government when Syria's fractured opposition hasn't even agreed yet on a transition plan. The U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Hollande has come under criticism over his Syria policy from France's conservative opposition ? notably by his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy ? who this month said France should take action as it did in the NATO-led campaign in Libya that helped oust Moammar Gadhafi. Sarkozy was French president during the first 14 months of the Syrian conflict and he did not call for military action without an international mandate either.

The conflict in Syria, which began as popular protests in March 2011 and has evolved into a civil war, is estimated by activists to have killed more than 20,000 people. Over the weekend, evidence mounted of mass killings by government forces in the Damascus suburb of Daraya.

Echoing similar concerns expressed recently by President Barack Obama, Hollande said France remains "very vigilant ... to prevent the use of chemical weapons by the (Assad) regime."

Hollande said that any use of chemical weapons to repress Syria's people "would provide a legitimate reason for direct intervention by the international community."

But France sees no clear indication that Assad's forces are taking any steps to employ chemical weapons, a French official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

French officials noted a push for international military action in Syria could prove to be a dilemma for Obama, who is vastly popular in France and up for re-election this fall, because they feel that the U.S. public has little appetite for a new intervention in the Middle East after wars in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.

France also has taken steps to support the creation of "free zones" for the protection of displaced people inside Syria - notably along the lines of a buffer zone idea floated by Turkey, Hollande said.

Russia and China have blocked U.N. sanctions against Syria by using their vetoes on the U.N. Security Council. Hollande took issue with that, saying Moscow's and Beijing's "attitude weakens our ability to carry out the mandate conferred on us by the U.N. charter."

Syria's opposition has been plagued by divisions and infighting since the start of the uprising last year, and forming a transitional government is fraught with difficulties.

Abdelbaset Sieda, the leader of main umbrella opposition group the Syrian National Council, said recently the group was planning and consulting for a transitional government. But several other opposition groups are known to be making similar plans, including a new opposition alliance headed by veteran opposition figure Haitham Maleh.

___

Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Bradley Klapper in Washington, and Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/france-recognize-syrian-opposition-govt-161948424.html

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Revamped Dodgers can't handle Marlins

Associated Press Sports

updated 9:01 p.m. ET Aug. 26, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Giancarlo Stanton appears to have no problem with the dimensions of Dodger Stadium, which isn't exactly a home run haven.

The power-hitting right fielder made Chavez Ravine his personal launching pad this weekend, homering for the third straight game as the Miami Marlins beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Sunday.

Stanton drove a first-pitch fastball from Aaron Harang over the center-field wall in the fourth inning for his 29th homer, tying it at 1.

It was his eighth homer during the Marlins' 5-6 road trip. The previous club record for homers on a single trip was six by Miguel Cabrera (10 games), Mike Lowell (12 games) and Preston Wilson (13 games).

"He's got so much power, it's ridiculous," winning pitcher Mark Buehrle said. "Every time he hits the ball, it has a chance of going out. I mean, he has 29 home runs right now - and he's missed a month and a half. So it's kind of scary when you think about what he could have done if he was healthy all year."

The 22-year-old Stanton, who was born in nearby Panorama City and played his high school ball in Sherman Oaks, had 22 homers as a rookie in 2010 and 34 last season. He is batting .326 over his last 12 games with 14 RBIs, but it's those 15 strikeouts during that stretch that have kept him humble.

"I've put some good swings on mistakes that were out over the plate," Stanton said. "But the way I've been making outs, I don't think that I'm on any kind of a roll. I don't set goals for myself. I just try to be the best I can be, and then all the numbers will come. But don't be barking off, `I'm going to do this or that."'

Rob Brantly gave Miami the lead for good with his first major league homer, and the Marlins also got long balls from Jose Reyes and Carlos Lee.

Buehrle (12-11) won his third straight start, allowing a run and six hits in 5 2-3 innings with four strikeouts and three walks. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth by retiring Hanley Ramirez on a popup and Andre Ethier on a grounder with the Marlins holding a 3-1 lead.

Brantly had put the Marlins ahead in the top half with a two-run shot.

"It seems that every time we've scored a run or two, I go out there and give back at least one. So that was a big moment in the game," Buehrle said. "I got in a bunch of jams today that I usually don't pitch out of.

"I was joking around with somebody and saying, `Usually, when a guy gets on third base with less than two outs, just let him score and start over fresh,' because a lot of times the other team puts the ball in play and scores a run. But my job is to battle and make pitches when I need to," Buehrle said.

Ethier singled home a run in the seventh, but was called out for interference moments later after making incidental contact with Lee at first base on a popup by Luis Cruz that was dropped by catcher Brantly just inside the first base line. Cruz, sent back to the plate on the dead ball following a lengthy discussion among the umpires, flied out to end the inning.

The Marlins made it 4-2 in the eighth when Ramirez misplayed Bryan Petersen's two-out grounder to shortstop with the bases loaded for an error. Steve Cishek retired new Dodgers slugger Adrian Gonzalez with the bases loaded to end the eighth, then pitched a hitless ninth for his 11th save in 14 chances.

Reyes and Lee had homered back-to-back against rookie Shawn Tolleson in the top of the ninth.

Harang (9-8) allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The homers by Stanton and Brantly increased the total allowed this season by the right-hander to 14. He gave up an average of 24.9 home runs over the previous eight seasons - including 35 in 2008 with Cincinnati.

"Early on I was able to locate my fastball and I felt like I was able to mix up a lot of my pitches," Harang said. "The pitch to Brantly was supposed to be a backdoor cutter, that stayed out over the middle. He's another young, aggressive hitter who swung at the first pitch."

Ethier was called out on strikes by Tony Randazzo in the first after hitting safely in each of his previous 10 plate appearances, and ended up tied with Ed Konetchy for the franchise record for consecutive at-bats with a hit. Konetchy did it in 1919.

Ethier was in an 0-for-18 drought before starting his string of hits. Only one player since 1952 has had hits in 11 consecutive at-bats - Bernie Williams in 2002 with the Yankees. The major league record is 12, by Johnny Kling (1902 Cubs), Pinky Higgins (1938 Red Sox) and Walt Dropo (1952 Tigers).

NOTES: Brantly hit 11 home runs in 980 at-bats during his 262-game minor league career. The Marlins obtained him in a trade with Detroit on July 23. ... The Dodgers announced before the game that Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will be back behind the microphone next season, his 64th with the club. ... Ramirez, acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the Marlins on July 25 for RHP Nathan Eovaldi, was 1 for 12 with six strikeouts in the series. The only hit was a two-run homer off Eovaldi on Friday night in an 11-4 Dodgers victory.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/48797293/ns/sports-baseball/

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GOP convention opens: Party proceeds despite storm

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus gavels the Republican National Convention open in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus gavels the Republican National Convention open in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann, leave Brewster Academy after working on convention preparations, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in Wolfeboro, N.H. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A woman jogs along Bayshore Boulevanrd in between squalls blowing across the bay in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. The Republican National Convention has delayed it's start because of the approaching tropical storm Isaac which is churning it's way across the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney carries a binder as he leaves Brewster Academy after working on convention preparations, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in Wolfeboro, N.H. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann, arrive at Brewster Academy, for convention preparations, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in Wolfeboro, N.H. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) ? Republicans launched Mitt Romney's national convention Monday with the bang of a gavel before a smattering of delegates as Tropical Storm Isaac led them to cancel most of the opening-day program.

Party Chairman Reince Priebus called the gathering to order, citing convention rules requiring a 2 p.m. Monday start, and then immediately recessed the session. It took less than two minutes.

Priebus then instructed delegates to look up at two "debt clocks" ? one that reflects the actual national debt and a second that counts how much the debt will grow during the convention. It was quickly in six figures.

The convention will hit full speed on Tuesday, just as forecasters say the storm could reach hurricane strength and make landfall somewhere between Mississippi and New Orleans.

"Our sons are already in Tampa and they say it's terrific there, a lot of great friends. And we're looking forward to a great convention," Romney said Monday outside a New Hampshire high school auditorium where he rehearsed his convention speech.

He said he hoped those in the storm's path would be "spared any major destruction" but indicated there were no thoughts of canceling the convention in Tampa, where Isaac's heavy rain had all but passed.

Tom Del Beccaro, a California delegate and chair of the state GOP, predicted the one-day delay in full convention events would supercharge the rest of the week's meeting.

"I think there's going to be a lot of bottled up energy, and I think that's going to show," he said.

But Sally Bradshaw, a Florida Republican and longtime senior aide to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, was not so sanguine. "It's a mess all around and it's fraught with risk," she said. "It's not good for anybody ? particularly the people impacted by the storm."

It was hardly the opening splash that convention planners had hoped for, and it risked the juxtaposition of Republicans partying as the storm barrels toward land ? almost exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Priebus was long gone from the podium when a handful of Ron Paul supporters hollered their support for the defeated presidential contender in a brief impromptu gathering at the rear of the convention hall.

They held up placards bearing Paul's name in front of a permanent sign that read, "We Can Do Better." The sign was there for Romney's purposes ? meant to show that he could fix the economy ? but Paul's backers appropriated it for their own use.

Paul's delegates are trying to mount a floor fight over new GOP rules designed to limit the ability of insurgent presidential candidates to amass delegates to future Republican conventions. It was unclear whether they could rally enough support to force a vote.

Outside the arena, the storm and a massive police presence limited protests, with only a fraction of the 5,000 expected demonstrators turning out to criticize the GOP's economic and social policies.

Due to the storm, the party hastily rewrote its convention script to present the extravaganza's prime rituals and headline speakers later in the week, and further changes were possible. Planners said Monday's speakers would be worked into the schedule later in the week.

"We're going to continue with our Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday schedule," said Russ Schriefer, the chief convention planner.

At least one speaker bowed out. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced Monday that he would not attend as the storm gathered strength and bore down on his home state.

As the weather threat to Tampa diminished, delegates focused on party message and the near-term task of making Romney the nominee and working to defeat Obama in November.

"There's a mission here," said Gary Harkins, a delegate from Brandon, Miss. "We have to nominate a candidate for president. Our mission is to save America from becoming a socialistic state."

Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, speaking in his hometown of Janesville, Wis., before heading for the convention on Tuesday, delivered a message that echoed at meetings and news conferences all across Tampa ? the Obama presidency has been a failure, and Romney offers a different course.

"We're not just picking the next president for a few years," he said. "We are picking the pathway for America for a generation."

??? Ryan warned the United States under Obama has faltered: "It's a nation in debt, it's a nation in doubt, it's a nation in decline," he said.

Sen. Rob Portman reinforced the message in Tampa, telling the Ohio delegation it was time for Obama "to stop blaming others and take responsibility."

"There are families all over Ohio that are suffering as a result. He hasn't measured up to his own standards," he said.

Democrats, for their part, said that if the Republican convention proceeds as planned Tuesday, they would resume their on-site efforts in Tampa to counter the GOP message. Democrats planned to focus Tuesday on Romney's record at Bain Capital and had several employees who worked for companies impacted by Bain in Tampa to talk to the media.

Democrats halted activities in their so-called "war room" Monday after Republicans essentially canceled the first day of the convention.

The weather was a constant concern for some. Jeanne Luckey of Ocean Springs, Miss., whose family lost a beachside home to Hurricane Katrina, said friends were helping secure their inland home for Isaac.

"It's a very busy time, certainly, but we've got to take care of the business of the party and make sure we get Governor Romney nominated," Luckey said. "We have a lot of work to do between now and November."

The storm was a complication, at best, for a party determined to cast the close election as a referendum on Obama's economic stewardship and Romney as the best hope for jobs and prosperity.

The concern was two-fold: that Tampa, hosting thousands of GOP delegates, would get sideswiped by the storm; and that it would be unseemly to engage in days of political celebration if Isaac made a destructive landfall anywhere on U.S. soil.

"You can tone down the happy-days-are-here-again a bit," said Rich Galen, a veteran Republican consultant in Washington. "Maybe you don't have the biggest balloon drop in history."

In Washington, aides said Obama was being updated at the White House on the storm. He was still planning his two-day campaign trip to Iowa, Colorado and Virginia, beginning Tuesday morning.

In a boost to Obama's convention next week, Florida's former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist was added as a speaker. Crist had announced on Sunday that he was endorsing Obama, saying he was the correct choice and criticizing his former party for its move to the right.

The roll call of state delegations affirming Romney as the party's nominee now is to unfold Tuesday, an evening capped by speeches from Ann Romney and an assortment of GOP governors. Ryan gets the prime-time spotlight Wednesday, and Romney closes out the spectacle Thursday night, his springboard into the final leg of the contest. That's all if the storm brings no further complications.

___

Woodward reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Steve Peoples in New Hampshire; Thomas Beaumont, Tamara Lush and Brendan Farrington in Florida; Philip Elliott in Wisconsin; and Alicia A. Caldwell in Washington contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-08-27-Presidential%20Campaign/id-b1ad874c8a404842b638359f071dc66a

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Rob Portman to play Barack Obama in debate prep

Rob Portman and Mitt Romney (Justin Sullivan/AP)

TAMPA?Ohio Sen. Rob Portman will play the role of President Barack Obama during practice debates with Mitt Romney, multiple sources told Yahoo News.

Portman is the Republican Party's go-to man for high-profile debate preparation. Since 1996, national political campaigns have tapped him to play the role of Democrats and even some Republicans. In mock debates, Portman has assumed the identity of Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Al Gore and Joe Lieberman. In 2008, he played Barack Obama in a practice debate against John McCain.

Campaign staffers who have seen Portman in action say he approaches the exercise like a method actor, imitating the voice, mannerisms and cadence of the politician he's playing.

"He was not just [playing] the positions of Barack Obama?he became Barack Obama," said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the chief economic policy director for McCain's presidential campaign in 2008, to Yahoo News earlier this summer. "Physical mannerisms, parsing of his voice, everything. He's obviously the white guy from Cincinnati, but Obama has a particular set of vocal rhythms. Rob got all of that."

In addition to his work as debate guru for the Romney campaign, Portman will continue his work as Romney's Ohio state chairman.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/rob-portman-play-barack-obama-debate-prep-220354820.html

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