James Gandolfini Is Dead at 51; a Complex Mob Boss in ‘Sopranos’  —  James Gandolfini, the Emmy Award-winning actor who shot to fame on the HBO drama “The Sopranos” as Tony Soprano, a tough-talking, hard-living crime boss with a stolid exterior but a rich interior life, died on Wednesday.  He was 51.

Exodus International to Shut Down  —  Thirty-seven-year-old ministry for those with same-sex attraction marks its last national conference  —  Irvine, Calif. (June 19, 2013) — Exodus International, the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with faith and homosexuality announced tonight …

Apology issued for naming of Boston bomber as a victim of gun violence at Concord rally  —  CONCORD - The organizers of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns campaign on Wednesday apologized for including Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev among a list of shooting victims' names …

Right rips Rubio as Republican immigration votes slip away  —  Republican colleagues who were previously viewed as possible “yes” votes are keeping their distance from the 1,075-page measure.  —  On Wednesday, conservative activists ripped Rubio and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) …

Phil Gingrey, In DOMA Speech, Says Children Should Take Classes On Traditional Gender Roles  —  Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) told colleagues on the House floor on Tuesday that young boys and girls should take classes on traditional gender roles in a marriage because there are some things fathers do “maybe a little bit better” than mothers.

Illinois GOP official pens allegedly racist attack on black GOP candidate  —  • By Kevin McDermott kmcdermott@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8268  —  A county Republican Party chairman in central Illinois called a black female congressional candidate the “love child” of the Democratic party …

Strategist Out of Closet and Into Fray, This Time for Gay Marriage  —  As the Supreme Court considers overturning California's ban on same-sex marriage, gay people await a ruling that could change their lives.  But the case has already transformed one gay man: Ken Mehlman …

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in May suggests that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace.  Labor market conditions have shown further improvement in recent months, on balance, but the unemployment rate remains elevated.

Obama Readying Emissions Limits on Power Plants  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama is preparing regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, senior officials said Wednesday.  The move would be the most consequential climate policy step he could take and one likely …

FBI admits to using surveillance drones over US soil  —  Robert Mueller tells Congress bureau uses drones in a ‘very, very minimal way’ as senators describe ‘burgeoning concern’  —  The FBI has admitted it sometimes uses aerial surveillance drones over US soil, and suggested further political debate …

Your Feedback Matters - Update on Xbox One  —  Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience.  —  For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come.

Daly attacks ‘slobbering’ over Obamas  —  Taoiseach rejects claim Ireland ‘a nation of pimps, prostituting ourselves in return for a pat on the head’ … Taoiseach Enda Kenny rounded on Independent TD Clare Daly after she accused him of showcasing Ireland “as a nation of pimps, prostituting ourselves in return for a pat on the head”.

Using ObamaCare To Create A Permanent Democratic Majority  —  If you have to keep it a secret, you probably shouldn't be doing it.  —  But the California legislature and the new Covered California health insurance exchange are conspiring to keep secret how they will dole out more than half …

Microsoft Explored Deal for Nokia  —  Microsoft Corp. recently held advanced talks with Nokia Corp. about buying its handset business, people familiar with the matter said, as laggards in the fast-moving mobile market struggle to gain ground.  —  The discussions faltered over price and worries …

How Are These Times Different?  —  Ah, Paris!  You walk for miles and miles — it's still, after all these years, a spectacularly beautiful city.  Then you have as traditional a meal as possible at an old-fashioned bistro, washed down with lots of wine.  —  And you feel like hell the next morning.

Obama Job Approval Holds Steady, Economic Views Improve  —  Obama Rated Positively on Terrorism, Negatively on Civil Liberties  —  OVERVIEW  —  In a second term marked by a series of controversies and little legislative success, President Obama's job approval rating has nonetheless remained fairly steady.

Chuck Hagel Jokes That Indian Man Asking Him A Question Is A Member Of The Taliban  —  He was a college professor.  Hagel was speaking at the University of Nebraska where he went to school.  He had previously answered a question on Afghanistan and negotiating with the Taliban before the exchange.

Barack Obama keeps calling Chancellor George Osborne ‘Jeffrey’ at G8 summit - after confusing him with favourite soul star  —  Obama mixes up Osborne with R&B star  —  Out of tune ... laughing Barack Obama and David Cameron with a po-faced George Osborne  —  MUSIC fan Barack Obama kept …

White House seeks NBA assist on Obamacare  —  Could LeBron James be the next spokesman for Obamacare?  —  The Obama administration has reached out to the NBA about a potential marketing partnership to promote the health law, POLITICO has learned.  —  The news, revealed recently …