Gawker files for bankruptcy, to sell itself to Ziff Davis
NEW YORK (AP) — Gawker Media is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and putting itself up for sale, strained by a jury’s verdict that that it must pay $140 million to pro wrestler Hulk Hogan in an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit.
The filing by the 14-year-old website follows the revelation in May that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel bankrolled Hogan’s lawsuit as what he called a “deterrent” to Gawker’s no-holds-barred and sometimes gonzo style of journalism. Thiel’s secret role sparked anxiety over the possibility that more wealthy individuals might cow publications by covertly funding lawsuits against them.
Gawker says it plans to sell itself to publishing company Ziff Davis, although other bidders could emerge during the bankruptcy court auction. The sale will help it fund its appeal against the Hogan judgment in a Florida state court.
“We have been forced by this litigation to give up our longstanding independence,” Gawker founder Nick Denton said in a statement. “With stronger backing and disentangled from litigation, (Gawker writers) can perform their vital work on more platforms and in different forms.”
The move also allows Gawker’s web sites to keep operating normally, the company says.
Israel sets 3-day West Bank closure after Palestinian attack
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said Friday the West Bank will be closed off until the end of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot on Sunday because of security concerns following a Palestinian shooting attack this week in Tel Aviv that killed four Israeli civilians.
The army said crossings will be open for “humanitarian and medical” cases only and for Palestinians to worship at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians attended prayers at the mosque Friday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Police were on high alert in Jerusalem and prayers passed peacefully.
Much of the past months of violence stems from tensions at the hilltop compound. Muslims refer to it as the Noble Sanctuary, and it is their third holiest site, after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. It is the holiest site for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount because of the revered Jewish temples that stood there in biblical times.
Police shoot man amid domestic disturbance at Dallas airport
DALLAS (AP) — A police officer shot and wounded a man Friday outside a Dallas airport after the man attacked a woman believed to be the mother of his children and then threatened the officer with a large rock, police said.
“There doesn’t appear to be any other weapon present than the rock,” Dallas Police Assistant Chief Randall Blakenbaker said.
Video posted by Instagram user @flashyfilms— and credited to Bryan Armstrong shows the commotion on the curb outside baggage claim at Dallas Love Field. Amid the sound of nine gunshots and an officer’s shouts to “get down,” some people scramble while others stand watching before officers order them back inside. Toward the end of the video, one officer is seen pointing his gun at someone near the glass exterior of the airport.
Asked why the officer fired so many rounds at a man holding a rock, Blankenbaker said only that he did not know how many shots were fired. “We have to conduct an investigation over those types of speculation.”
Some airport operations were temporarily disrupted, but the airport remained open. Spokesman Jose Torres said that some people after hearing shots ran through security so everyone had to be rescreened. Officials warned that delays could last several hours.
Obama marks milestone with daughter’s high school graduation
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama marked a big milestone Friday: His daughter Malia graduated from high school.
Outside of the media glare, the soon-to-be 18-year-old collected her diploma from the private Sidwell Friends School in Northwest Washington during an outdoor ceremony warmed by sunshine. Her father, mother and other relatives were on hand for the big moment. The White House barred media coverage.
Malia was 10 and longing for the puppy her father had promised when her family moved to the White House. She’s grown up in the public eye ever since, getting and shedding braces, being taught how to drive by Secret Service agents and spending short stints away from her parents and sister.
Obama has said it hasn’t been easy watching “one of my best friends” grow up so fast, in front of the world.
“I do a lot of commencements around this time of year, which I love doing, although my older daughter is graduating this week and I will not be able to handle that well,” he told donors at a New York fundraiser earlier this week.
