Washington Post ordered to reinstate Black opinion writer fired after Charlie Kirk posts
An arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate a Black opinion writer fired over social media posts about violent white men following last year’s killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In a ruling, Sarah Miller Espinosa wrote that the newspaper did not have sufficient cause to terminate Karen Attiah. Espinosa’s ruling calls for The Post to award Attiah full back pay and lost benefits. Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 during a public appearance at a Utah college. The Post accused Attiah of “gross misconduct.” Still, Espinosa ruled the newspaper failed to establish that and “did not have good and sufficient cause to terminate” Attiah's employment.
‘Spider-Man’ tops box office in fourth weekend; ‘The Odyssey’ becomes Nolan’s highest-grossing film
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" continues to dominate the box office, holding the top spot for the fourth weekend. It added $39 million from 4,006 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, bringing its North American total to over $854.9 million. This puts it on track to surpass "Avengers: Endgame" as the second highest-grossing domestic release ever. "The Odyssey" became Christopher Nolan's highest-grossing film, adding $19.5 million domestically and $68 million internationally. Meanwhile, "Insidious: Out of the Further" earned $25.3 million, and "Mutiny," starring Jason Statham, opened with $7.5 million. The summer box office has reached $4.4 billion in North America.
How bitcoin and gold went from a slump to an MVP week in just a few days
Bitcoin and gold shot higher this week, with both getting a boost from some frantic action surrounding the bond market, and the cryptocurrency also benefiting from activity in Washington. Both bitcoin and gold had fallen sharply from their highs set in January. They each got a jolt Wednesday when the Treasury Department announced plans to significantly increase bond purchases to push down interest rates. Bitcoin got more help from President Donald Trump, who urged Congress to move quickly on crypto legislation. A dollar sell-off also help gold and bitcoin as investors moved toward alternative assets.
Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is mentally fit for sex trafficking trial, judge says
NEW YORK (AP) — The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial for alleged sex trafficking after being hospitalized for months for dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms. U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury ruled Thursday that Michael Jeffries “clearly possesses a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings” and is a “reasonably intelligent person and skilled communicator.” The Long Island judge said she reviewed testimony and written reports from medical experts and listened to hours of phone calls Jeffries made while detained at a federal prison hospital in North Carolina. Jeffries' lawyers didn't immediately comment.
Philanthropist Nancy Kissinger, wife of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, dies at 92
NEW YORK (AP) — Philanthropist Nancy Kissinger, the wife of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, has died. She was 92. The daughter of a New York City lawyer, Nancy Maginnes met Henry Kissinger while working for New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. The couple wed in 1974. Nancy Kissinger was a strong presence on the New York philanthropy scene and was often seen at high fashion openings. She made headlines in 1982 when she tried to throttle a woman who harassed her and her husband with insulting questions at Newark Airport. She was acquitted of assault.
Move over bears. Fat Marmot Week puts a spotlight on the alpine rodents
GOTHIC, Colo. (AP) — Fat Marmot Week is coming soon. Last winter was tough for the groundhog-like rodents living in the Colorado mountains. Researchers say there wasn't enough snow to keep marmots' burrows warm while they hibernated, causing many of the animals to freeze to death. The marmots that survived are doing well. They've fattened up, gaining the critical weight they need to make it through next winter. To drum up interest in their work, marmot researchers are launching an online contest for the public to vote for their favorite critter — Fat Marmot Week. It begins Monday.
Archaeologists unveil skeletal remains believed to be ritual offering in Peru
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Archaeologists in Peru have unveiled skeletal remains near Huaca Pucllana, an ancient pyramid in Lima. They believe the remains are of a man sacrificed in a ritual linked to a ceremonial pool. Gladys Paz, who led the excavation, says the bones will help researchers understand the rituals of the Lima culture. The body was found inside a canal, positioned with the skull facing the pyramid and the Pacific Ocean. The Lima culture thrived between the first and seventh centuries, long before the Inca Empire. Huaca Pucllana was a key ceremonial center and is now a tourist site.
Airplane pilot killed in collision with Pennsylvania police helicopter near runway
Authorities say an airplane pilot has died after a violent collision with a Pennsylvania state police helicopter near a runway at a small airport. Officials say both state troopers aboard the helicopter survived the crash Wednesday. The state’s acting police commissioner says the plane was coming down on the runway and veered into the helicopter that was close to the ground. The FAA and NTSB called it a midair collision but state police didn’t clarify if the plane was off the ground. Photos on social media showed a helicopter on its side near aircraft debris and a line of emergency vehicles near Carlisle.
What beats seeing eclipses from space? Try the northern and southern lights
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Eclipses may be wondrous, but nothing beats seeing the northern and southern lights from space. That's the word from a pair of NASA astronauts living aboard the International Space Station for the past six months. Astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway told The Associated Press from orbit on Wednesday that the space station's position prevented them from seeing totality during last week's solar eclipse, but they still enjoyed a partial eclipse. They'll try to catch next week's lunar eclipse, too. Meir says the best cosmic shows are auroras. The two will return to Earth once their replacements arrive next month.
Concerns about the New World screwworm have put Texas pet adoptions on hold
The first New World screwworm outbreak in Texas in 60 years is hindering efforts to move rescued dogs and cats out of crowded animal shelters to states where they would be adopted. U.S. officials have emphasized the parasite’s threat to the nation’s $113 billion cattle industry, but the screwworm fly can lay eggs that hatch into flesh-eating larvae in the wounds or mucous of any mammal. Several dogs have had infestations in southern Texas and southeastern New Mexico. All but a handful of states have placed new restrictions on importing animals. That's complicating the annual flow of dogs and cats from Texas to other states.
