Los Angeles Times on changes: The Times’ New Year’s wishes do not have a good history of coming true. Last year at this time, we made 27 wishes for 2007, and scored on just 2 1/2. Then again, we realise that when we ask for things like sensible immigration reform from the US Congress or for the Vatican to approve the use of condoms to fight AIDS, we’re only setting ourselves up for disappointment.

The victories: LA’s crime rate is still dropping, and officials are still arguing about why, just as we had hoped. The feds will make more airwaves available for wireless broadband services and unlicensed uses starting this month. And the half wish: Harry Potter survived, but so did Dudley Dursley, who we hoped would be deflated by a Dementor or something.

Inspired by our 2 1/2 successes, we submit our wishes for 2008 (admittedly, a few are recycled because we still want them so badly), topped as usual by a wish that we end up with a better record this year than last.

We wish...

For one blessed year without a celebrity trial.

For Congress to approve a global warming bill that requires an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.

Fora la carte cable TV.

For more states, including California, to follow New Jersey’s lead in eliminating the death penalty.

For the governments of the city and county of Los Angeles to work together seamlessly to end homelessness.