Author Archive

A survey says 1,132 chiefs have left their posts this year amid a tough economy. By Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer October 9, 2008 The roiling economy appears to be ripping into the ranks of upper management, pushing the chief executive turnover rate in a popular survey to an all-time high. This year, 1,132 CEOs have left their posts, according to employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & ... Full story

From the Associated Press 7:56 AM PDT, October 9, 2008 WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is considering taking part ownership in certain U.S. banks as an option for dealing with a severe global credit crisis. An administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because no decision has been made, said the $700 billion rescue package passed by Congress last week allows the Treasury Department to inject fresh ... Full story

The Fed lowers its benchmark federal funds rate to 1.5%. Other central banks also cut rates. By Maura Reynolds and Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers October 9, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Emergency interest rate cuts Wednesday by the Federal Reserve and five other central banks left in doubt whether government efforts to cure the financial crisis would show results fast enough to avert fresh panic and serious ... Full story

Fear of stocks, low interest rates and officials' concerted action create the setting for a possible recovery. By Michael A. Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer October 9, 2008 The economic prognosis is relentlessly bleak. Jobless numbers are soaring. Stocks are plunging. Your co-workers, your fellow passengers on the commuter train and even your dental hygienist are all volunteering that they've converted their 401(k) stock funds to cash. Could it ... Full story

Oprah sued for defamation by ex-headmistress of South African girls school over abuse remarks By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press Writer PHILADELPHIA October 6, 2008 (AP) The ex-headmistress of Oprah Winfrey's school for girls in South Africa sued the talk show host for defamation, claiming Winfrey falsely suggested she tried to cover up abuse at the school. In widely reported remarks last year, Winfrey suggested that Nomvuyo Mzamane, 39, of ... Full story

R. Kelly seeks judge's confirmation of $3.4 million award against former tour promoter LOS ANGELES October 7, 2008 (AP) R. Kelly has won a $3.4 million award against his former tour promoter and is asking a Los Angeles judge to help him collect.R. Kelly Touring, which represents the singer, filed court documents on Monday seeking a judge's confirmation of the award an arbitrator granted against Georgia-based Rowe ... Full story

Sarah Palin Impersonators Continue to Crowd Web By LUCHINA FISHER Oct. 8, 2008 If Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin lose the election in November, they might want to take up their case with Tina Fey and the growing number of Palin impersonators crowding the Web. "There's more fake Sarah Palins than fake Elvises," said Bob Thompson, a professor of pop culture at Syracuse University in New York. Fey's ... Full story

By LORENA BLAS Oct. 9, 2008 Young celebrity parents and their babies are the focus of weekly magazines this week. Catch up on how the new moms and dads are doing and if a wedding is in the works. You'll know when Richie, Madden marry Nicole Richie, 27, and musician fiancé Joel Madden, 29, pose for photos with daughter Harlow, 9 months, in People, out Friday. "When we get ... Full story

Stars and Supermodels Show There's Still Life -- and Career -- After 40 By LUCHINA FISHER and SHEILA MARIKAR Oct. 9, 2008 Scar-Jo? Oh, no. Tough luck, Tila Tequila. Megan Fox? Meh Halle Berry blew 'em all out of the water, scoring the coveted title of Esquire magazine's "Sexiest Woman Alive" in the November issue. At 42, with a baby under her belt and an Oscar on her mantel, ... Full story

Company Says "Standard Practice in Our Industry" to Reward Top Performers By JOSEPH RHEE Oct. 8, 2008 The CEO of the giant AIG Insurance Company, Edward Liddy, today defended spending $440,000 on a retreat at a luxurious California resort as "standard practice in our industry" because it rewarded independent insurance agents who were top performers for the company. The event, at the St. Regis Resort and Spa at ... Full story