The Pioneering White House journalist Helen Thomas dies at 92

FamedWhite House journalist Helen Thomas has died at the age of 92.

The Gridiron Club and Foundation, a journalistic organization in Washington, D.C., confirmed Thomas' passing to NBC News on Saturday.

Thomas died on Saturday morning at her Washington apartment after a long illness, the club said in a statement. A former president of the Gridiron Club, Thomas broke a long line of all-male leadership when she was chosen for the position in 1993.

Thejournalist who scored a front-row seat at White House press briefings after years of reporting for wire services had been in and out of the hospital recently, a friend, Muriel Dobbin, told the Associated Press. The daughter of Lebanese immigrants, Thomas had grown up in Detroit before moving to Washington, D.C., where she broke several barriers for female correspondents.

Known for her persistent style of questioning, Thomas was most recognized for her work with United Press International, and covered nine presidents over her long career. She started as a copy girl at the Washington Daily News, moving to what was then called the United Press in 1943.

She spent her last 10 years in journalism writing a column for Hearstnewspapers, a post she retired from in 2010 after she was caught on a videotape saying that Israel should “get the hell out of Palestine.” Her comments spread quickly on the Internet, and Thomas announced that she would retire shortly before her 90th birthday.

In a statement issued later, Thomas said she regretted her comments: “They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.”

A 49-year veteran of the White House press, Thomas was known for getting the last word at presidential news conferences: “Thank you, Mr. President.”

She saw the nation's leaders at their best and worst from her front-row seat to the executive branch.

“I have witnessed presidents in situations of great triumph and adulation, when they are riding the crest of personal fulfillment, and I have seen them fall off their pedestals through an abuse of power or what President Clinton called ‘a lapse of critical judgment,'” Thomas wrote in her memoir.

Her husband, The Associated Press’ Douglas Cornell, died in 1982.

Source: nbcnews

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Ratings Rat Race Update:”Teen Beach Movie”

DisneyChannel’s unveiling of Teen Beach Movie last night clocked an average of 8.4 million viewers. That’s more than five times the crowd that came to the unveiling of Syfy’s Sharknado! But sadly, Damon Lindelof did not live-tweet the Teen Beach Movie premiere, so the press largely declined to live-hyperventilate as it was premiering. TBM attracted 1.6 million viewers in the 18-49 demo, 4.6 million kids 2-11, 3.9 million kids 6-11, and 3.4 million tweens (9-14) — in case you’re wondering who’s watching TV on Friday nights.

With that in mind, the broadcast networks Friday aired reruns and originals of news programs, workplace reality series, and procedural crime dramas — real kid-magnet stuff. CBS wound up with the largest primetime crowd among broadcasters with a lackluster 4.5 million viewers — because, turns out,Undercover Boss, Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods are no Teen Beach Movie.

ABC’slineup — a Shark Tank repeat, What Would You Do? and 20/20 — was the night’s leading broadcaster in the 18-49 demo with a nothing-to-write-home-about 1.0 rating. Did we mention Teen Beach Movie did a 1.5 rating in the demo?

Following TBM, Disney Channel’s preview of new sitcom Liv& Maddie logged 5.8 million viewers — 3.2 million of them kids 2-11 and 2.4 million of them tweens.

Source: deadline

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Despicable Me 2: What the Critics Are Saying

The Minions return for a second go-around in DespicableMe 2, the animated sequel to the popular Universal property.

Steve Carell returns as villain-turned-hero Gru, who is now being recruited by the Anti-Villain League to thwart an up-and-coming criminal mastermind, El Macho (Benjamin Bratt). Carell is joined by returning stars Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan and Ken Jeong.Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud repeat their turns as directors and the inspired voices behind the scene-stealing Minions.

The first film was a critical and box-office success to the tune of a $543 million gross and an 89 percent Fresh rating by top critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Will the anticipated sequel live up to the hype set by its predecessor?

DespicableMe 2 is set to be released Wednesday, but critics have already weighed in, generally praising the Minions’ expanded role but acknowledging that the sequel lacks the heart and originality of the 2010 film.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Michael Rechtshaffen writes he is a fan of the returning crazy characters, including the film’s star.

“While the new edition doesn’t quite catch that inspired spark, there’s still plenty to enjoy here courtesy of those zippy visuals and a pitch-perfect voice cast led by the innately animated Steve Carell.”

Rechtshaffen adds that the film benefits from “an irresistible Looney Tunes-style nuttiness -- one even more prevalent this time around in the absence of a more substantial plotline.”

Peter Howell of The Toronto Star was more critical of the film’s uninspired recycled style, one that leaned on the fan-favorite Minions.

“What begins as inspiration in Hollywood inevitably turns to calculation. So it is that Despicable Me 2 feels slightly less fresh and more formulaic than its predecessor. DespiteGru’s warning, it has gotten older. The beguiling basics are still there, including the goofy gadgets and sly references to other films. But there are a few major twists and changes of emphasis -- Gru’s babbling Minions, once a sideshow, now come close to stealing the show. “

Stephen Holden of The New York Times offers a rare negative review, claiming Gru’s transformation is just one example of the sequel turning too sweet, “trying so hard to double your pleasure.”

“The film … is consistently diverting and so cute you’ll want to pet it. Yet it is also weightless and lacks a center. … It is not a good sign for the future of this franchise that Despicable Me 2 might as well be waving a sign that pleads, “Love me, love me, love me!”

In his San Francisco Chronicle review, Peter Hartlaub underhandedly criticizes the film’s central narrative, which is lacking or even absent.

“It's a credit to Despicable Me 2 that the writing can be so funny in the moment, that it takes time to realize there's no cohesive story, zero dramatic tension and nary a practical lesson for either the characters in the film or the people watching in the theater.”

The writer also calls out the visual animation team behind the sequel, stating, “The animation isn't elite, so the filmmakers go for broke with the 3D presentation, which harkens back to the comin'-at-ya gimmickry of the 1950s and 1980s.”

Stephen Whitty of The Newark Star-Ledger provides rare commentary as well, declaring that he was fonder of the sequel due to the depiction of the villainous protagonist in the original material. (“The film called him Gru, but grow on you he never did.”)

“Gru -- now a good guy, kind of the way Jimmy Cagney joined the G-Men -- is developing his own, non-Fester identity. The ‘minions’ -- the bright yellow, humanoid nubbins that do his bidding -- are more distinguishable too. And, even better, the nicely eccentric art -- characters turned into boldly geometric jumbles of cones and spheres, perched on spindly legs -- has not only survived but thrived.”

Despicable Me 2 opens in theaters in 3D Wednesday.

Source: hollywoodrepoter

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Rangers trade Christian Thomas to Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired forward Christian Thomas from the NewYork Rangers for prospect Danny Kristo.

Thomas played one game for the Rangers last season, spending most of his time with the AHL's Connecticut Whale where he had 19 goals and 35 points in 73 games last season.

He was drafted by the Rangers in the second round of the 2010 draft.

''Christian Thomas is a gifted goal scorer with lots of speed,'' Canadiens generalmanager Marc Bergevin said. ''He has been very productive offensively at the junior level with 137 goals before adding 19 more as a rookie with Connecticut in the AHL last season. This young 21-year old forward has shown tremendous character.''

Kristo had 26 goals and 52 points in 40 games with North Dakota in the 2012-13 season.

Source: yahoo

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Robert Pattinson's Mystery Female Buddy Revealed To Be Riley Keough

Kristen Stewart is NOT going to be happy about this!

It’s no secret that RobertPattinson has been driving around town with a new lady friend. But we can finally put a name to the face of this mystery woman! Our favorite Twilight vampire has apparently been cozying up to none other than Elvis Presley’sgranddaughter, Riley Keough!

The two are rumored to be dating, having spent the weekend in and around R-Patz’s Los Feliz home. But we wonder if Riley’s just helping the lonely boy move on?

Interestingly enough, the model-turned-actress co-starred with KStew in The Runaways just three years ago. What’s more, she was reportedly present at Kristen’s birthday bash in April!

Think that's bit close to home for Riley?? Whatever happened to girl code?! Then again, who KNOWS the complicated details in these celebrity relationships, LOLz!!

Source: perezhilton

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New Couple Alert! Henry Cavill Reportedly Dating Kaley Cuoco

Is Superman still single? Apparently not.

E!News has learned that Henry Cavill is dating sitcom darling KaleyCuoco.

The blond actress seemed to have hinted at the budding romance in a recent post on her Twitter account.

Cuoco shared a pic of her sitting next to a movie poster for Manof Steel and wrote, "Everyone go see "man of steel". It's fantastic in every single way."

She posed with her mouth open, gazing at the hunky heartthrob in the adorable photo.

The TV star most recently split with musician Bret Bollinger and had previously dated her costar Johnny Galecki.

She and Galecki had kept their two-year romance (and engagement) under wraps throughout the entire relationship.

Cuoco opened up to CBSWatch! Magazine about the relationship shortly after the split, saying, "It was such a huge part of my life and no one knew about it."

"It was a wonderful relationship but we never spoke a word about it and never went anywhere together."

Cuoco revealed that their concern for privacy may have contributed to their eventual split.

"We were so protective of ourselves and the show and didn't want anything to ruin that. But that also made it sad, too. That's not the kind of relationship I want—I don't want to be hiding."

Cavill was also on the single scene after splitting with girlfriend Gina Carano earlier this year.

Cavill and Carano made their red carpet debut in January at the Critic'sChoice Movie Awards, just months after it was announced that he had ended his long-term engagement toEllen Whitaker.

Cavillis easily one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors after landing the coveted role of Superman.

The hunky Brit was recently seen in a NationalGuard advertisement, showing off his grueling shirtless workout for the super hero saga.

The film reached over $21 million in its box office debut, making it easily one of the most-watched films of the summer.

What a good-looking (and successful) new couple!

Repsfor Cavill and Cuoco did not comment.

Source: eonline

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Brazil beat Spain to win Confederations Cup

Brazil has humbled world and European Champions Spain with a crushing 3-0 win in the Confederations Cup final, ending their opponents' three-year record run of 29 unbeaten competitive matches. 

Two goals from Fred, one either side of a stunning left-foot shot from Neymar, gave next year's World Cup hosts their fifth straight win in the competition as they clinched the trophy for a third time in a row.

Spain endured a miserable night with SergioRamos missing a penalty early in the second half and GerardPique being sent off for a lunge on his new Barcelona team mate Neymar after 68 minutes.

Fred put Brazil ahead after two minutes, Neymar added a majestic second just before halftime and the crowd erupted again when Fred made it 3-0 two minutes after the re-start with his fifth goal of the competition.

TheMaracana crowd taunted Spain and chanted "the giant is back" as Brazil overpowered Vicente del Bosque's team whose last competitive defeat was against Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup.

Earlier protesters and police clashed outside Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, only minutes before the kick-off of the final.

Some 5,000 people sang and danced to samba music as they marched towards the stadium, before being blocked by a police security cordon on Sunday.

More than 11,000 police and troops were mobilised to ensure security for 78,000 fans at the Maracana arena as the curtain falls on a tournament hit by the unprecedented social unrest, with more than 1.5 million Brazilians taking to the streets nationwide over the past two weeks.

Source: aljazeera

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