Morning news brief
The diplomatic wrangling that led to a long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, reactions to the deal, and how LA and other communities could tighten laws around wildfire safety.
Best Buy To End Flexible Work Program
Best Buy is calling its corporate employees back to the office. The move comes after Yahoo stirred debate for ending its work-from-home program. A Best Buy spokesperson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune the hope is the approach will lead to collaboration.
Heinz CEO Entitled To Hefty Exit Package
Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission show if William Johnson is fired when the new owners take over, he'll walk away with a golden parachute worth $56 million. When you tack on stock payouts and deferred compensation benefits, he could get more than $200 million.
Wash. Lawmaker Apologizes For Cyclist Comment
When Washington State lawmakers proposed a new tax on bikes, the owner of several bike shops protested. He ended up in an email argument with a Republican lawmaker. State Senator Ed Orcutt argued cyclists pollute just by breathing. It is true that a heavy breathing cyclist would emit more carbon dioxide than a person who's just sitting, but Orcutt reconsider his claim and apologized.
U.S.: Diplomats Shouldn't Drink Before Budget Meeting
Joseph Torsella represents the United States on the United Nation's budget committee. He says it's a tough budget process, and it's complicated by diplomats who show up drunk.
National People's Congress Opens, Prepares For Leadership Change
On the opening day Tuesday, Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his version of the State of the Union address. He's due to step down next week. The annual legislative meeting marks the official transition to power of a new leadership team under Xi Jinping.
Obama Announces His Picks For EPA, Other Cabinet Posts
President Obama rounds out his Cabinet for his second term, nominating three new leaders Monday: Walmart Foundation's Sylvia Mathews Burwell for budget chief, MIT scientist Ernest Moniz to head the Energy Department and veteran regulator Gina McCarthy to run the EPA — a post that's likely be a lightning rod during Senate confirmations.
Lock-Picking Class Is Popular In Oakland
Burglary is a big problem in the California city so Mayor Jean Quan opened the door to some criticism when her newsletter of community events advertised a lock-picking class. Learn the art for only $40. Some residents were unhinged but organizers say the course is for lock-picking hobbyists, not criminals.
Mom Saves Baby From Deadly Drop Out Of Window
A woman in Spokane, Wash., stepped out of the shower to see her 14-month-old boy bouncing on the bed, and out a half-open second-story window. She dove after the boy, smashed through the window, grabbed his foot as he was tumbling down the porch roof and lowered him safely to his grandma, who was smoking on the porch.