News photographers take pictures of Helen Thomas' empty chair in the front row of the briefing room at the White House in Washington, DC on June 7, 2010. Thomas retired on Monday after coming under fire for controversial remarks about Israel. The retirement of the 89-year-old Thomas, the longest-serving reporter in the White House press corps, was announced by Hearst Corp., where she worked as a newspaper columnist. "Helen Thomas announced Monday that she is retiring, effective immediately," Hearst News Service said. AFP PHOTO/YURI GRIPAS (Photo credit should read YURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty Images)
