newsmakers

newsmakers

Al-Jazeera America ousts top executive

NEW YORK

The Al-Jazeera America news network ousted its chief executive Wednesday, with the little-watched network suffering key defections and a lawsuit charging an employee with anti-Semitism.

The network’s management said that Ehab Al Shihabi, who has run Al-Jazeera America since its 2013 launch, will be replaced immediately by Al Anstey. A veteran news executive, Anstey most recently has been managing director of Al-Jazeera English.

One of Al-Jazeera America’s top American news executives, Marcy McGinnis, quit earlier this week. Two other executives left last week after a former employee sued the network, charging that he was fired when he complained about a former colleague’s anti-Semitic and sexist behavior.

Reese Witherspoon launches lifestyle brand

LOS ANGELES

Reese Witherspoon has launched her own lifestyle brand.

The Oscar-winning actress unveiled her Draper James online store Wednesday that includes women’s clothing and accessories, stationery and home decor. Witherspoon says on the site that she named the brand for her grandparents, who showed her the charm of “gracious Southern living.”

The actress says in a video that the collection is “inspired by my romance, my love of the South combined with the modern woman that I am today.”

Some of the items available include a $140 sun hat, a $14 notepad and a $30 set of thank-you cards.

Associated Press