L.A. Times - Politics

General Motors' image could keep the brakes on sales

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Turning around consumers' perception of the automaker as it emerges from bankruptcy protection poses a huge challenge.

Less than six weeks after filing for protection from its creditors, General Motors Corp. is expected to emerge from bankruptcy today as a leaner, greener company but saddled with doubts as to whether it can turn a profit for its new owners, the American public.

Sen. Ensign admits parents gave money to mistress and family

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Nevada Republican's lawyer says $96,000 was given legally and ethically 'out of concern' for Cynthia Hampton's family. The revelations follow an interview in which her husband criticizes Ensign.

Nevada Sen. John Ensign's wealthy parents gave his mistress and her family $96,000, the conservative lawmaker revealed Thursday, an admission that further darkened his once-bright career and caused even allies to question his continued effectiveness as a U.S. senator.

No Michael Jackson resolution in Congress

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi balks at a vote to honor the late pop star. Some lawmakers worried that the debate would get ugly.

The controversy that has followed Michael Jackson, in life and in death, reached the halls of Congress on Thursday as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said she saw no point to scheduling a vote on a resolution honoring the pop icon.

AIDS activists arrested in Washington

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Twenty-six people were charged with unlawfully demonstrating in the Capitol rotunda.

A group of AIDS activists was arrested Thursday for unlawfully demonstrating in the Capitol rotunda, a Capitol Police spokeswoman said.

Despite Obama's pledge, G-8 makes little headway on global warming

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The president promises at the Italy G-8 summit that the U.S. will lead on climate change, but familiar obstacles -- compounded by the global recession -- produce familiar results.

Addressing leaders of the world's most important economies early Thursday, President Obama wasted no time in proclaiming a new day for U.S. policy on climate change.

Obama vows U.S. will lead the way on climate change

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:58:00 -0700

The president, speaking from a forum in Italy, commended efforts by assembled leaders to set guidelines, including an 80% reduction in emissions by industrialized nations by 2050.

President Obama praised efforts by industrialized and developing nations to set guidelines in the battle to control climate change and said today that the United States will increase its role in that fight.