newsmakers

newsmakers

Ex-PBS journalist Ray Suarez joins Al-Jazeera

NEW YORK

Former PBS journalist Ray Suarez is joining Al-Jazeera America to host a daily show, “Inside Story,” that airs in the late afternoon each weekday.

Suarez worked at PBS’ “NewsHour” for 20 years, most recently as chief national correspondent.

He’s also worked for CNN, NPR and NBC’s local station in Chicago.

He’ll start at Al-Jazeera America next Monday.

Since its launch in August, Al-Jazeera has struggled to find an audience in the United States, averaging 11,000 viewers in daytime during October.

Suarez said he looked forward to a show that gives an in-depth look at the news, rather than “six people sitting around a table yelling at each other.”

Drew Barrymore and husband expecting second child

LOS ANGELES

Drew Barrymore is expanding her brood.

A spokesman for the 38-year-old entertainer says Barrymore and her husband, Will Kopelman, are expecting their second child.

Publicist Chris Miller offered no other details Monday.

Barrymore and Kopelman, who were married in June 2012, are the parents of a 13-month-old daughter, Olive.

Barrymore recently launched her own beauty brand, Flower.

Kopelman, the son of former Chanel CEO Arie Kopelman, is an art consultant.

‘Mandela’ to screen for Obama at White House

NEW YORK

The Nelson Mandela biopic “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” will get an audience from President Barack Obama, as well as a screening at the Kennedy Center hosted by Hillary Clinton.

The Weinstein Co. tells The Associated Press that Obama will screen the film Thursday at the White House. Mandela’s daughters Zindzi and Zenani Mandela will join, as will the film’s stars, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.

The film also will screen Nov. 20 at the Kennedy Center, with Clinton hosting the gala.

Though there have been other films about the former South African president, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” has long had Mandela’s approval and the cooperation of his family.

It premiered Sunday in Johannesburg with much of Mandela’s family in attendance.

“Mandela” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 29.

Associated Press