Los Angeles Times - Print Edition

Iranian exile speaks out against militia he once supported

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

Amir Farshad Ebrahimi, a former child fighter and political prisoner, says Iran's bloody crackdown on protesters prompted him to 'out' ex-colleagues in Ansar-e Hezbollah who took part in the beatings.

For people around the globe, the images of club-wielding men on motorcycles beating demonstrators on the streets of Tehran was just another case of brutality in a far-off land.

LAPD's public database omits nearly 40% of this year's crimes

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

The map, touted as a way for residents to monitor the safety of their neighborhoods, doesn't include about 19,000 serious crimes reported in other LAPD data. Officials say they're looking into it.

The Los Angeles Police Department's online crime map intended for public use has failed to include nearly 40% of serious crimes reported in the city, a Times analysis has found.

Baucus and Grassley team up on bipartisan healthcare compromises

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

Often outsiders in their own parties, the Montana Democrat and Iowa Republican believe that together they can find a middle ground on the divisive issue.

One is a thrifty soybean farmer from Iowa with a penchant for righteous speeches about government waste. The other is a Stanford-educated lawyer from a Montana ranching family who looks uncomfortable leading a debate.

Google sees window of opportunity to launch operating system

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

The Internet search giant takes aim at Microsoft's dominant product with Chrome OS, which is targeted at the netbook market.

Google Inc.'s plan to launch its own computer operating system is a direct assault at the heart of Microsoft Corp., and its bold move could fundamentally change the way personal computers are used.

Climate impasse at G-8 summit leaves nations mired

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

Developing countries refuse to back targets set by the Group of 8, which balk at any swift moves of their own.

Developing nations led by China and India refused Wednesday to back lofty but long-term targets proposed by the Group of 8 industrial nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, balking at reluctance by leaders of the world's biggest economies to move more quickly on their own.

The story of the Marine who wasn't

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Rick Strandlof, posing as a captain injured in Iraq, left the real veterans he had helped confused and angry. He says even he doesn't understand why he did it.

Retired Marine Capt. Rick Duncan carried a list of phone numbers of those in the business of helping veterans. One was for the VA clinic in Colorado Springs, and in 2008 he pressed it upon Mike Flaherty, a young Army veteran struggling with depression.

Michael Jackson: A requiem for a king

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:12:00 -0700

Family, friends and fans bid farewell to an icon.

In the end, they brought Michael Jackson to the one place where his life always made sense -- beneath a spotlight and in front of his adoring fans. The superstar, in a gleaming gold coffin, was celebrated in a Staples Center memorial service that was beamed around the world and, like the icon himself, strove mightily to be all things to all people.

U.S.-Russia talks yield no breakthroughs

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Obama leaves with important, if measured, agreements. But the contentious issues -- Iran, U.S. missile defense, human rights -- went unbridged.

There was a time when an American president would travel to Moscow for a summit and the world watched intently to see if history would be made.

Karen Bass is a target atop the California Assembly

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Assembly speaker, a Democrat from Los Angeles, still has critics despite new assertiveness in the state budget wars with Republicans.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass takes pride in being a consensus-builder, a soothing and maternal let's-get-along kind of leader. Now please pardon the interruption -- Madam Speaker is ticked off.

Around the world, a shared moment of 'missing Michael'

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Fans in Detroit, Georgia and Las Vegas, and as far away as Berlin and Beijing, shed tears for the King of Pop during the L.A. memorial service.

It was a moment shared by perhaps 1 billion people.