LOS ANGELES — James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally fragile mob boss in HBO's "The Sopranos" helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, has died in Italy. He was 51.   Gandolfini died Wednesday while on holiday in Rome, the cable channel and Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders said in a joint statement. No cause of death was given.   "He was a genius," said "Sopranos" creator David Chase. "Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I ...

Keep on reading: Actor James Gandolfini dies in Italy at age 51

MANILA, Philippines—"Please don't judge me."   This was the appeal of overseas welfare officer Mario Antonio as he denied accusations that he was operating a prostitution ring using distressed Filipino workers in Jordan.   He insisted he performed his duties well as a welfare officer of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.   Antonio, who read a prepared statement, faced the media in a press conference at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration center in Pasay City Thursday.   He declined, however, to answer questions, saying he did not want to affect an ongoing official investigation....

Keep on reading: Overseas labor exec denies running sex ring

SAO PAULO—That an event like the World Cup would bring football-crazy Brazilians into the street was to be expected, but that it would unite tens of thousands in protest caught authorities by surprise.   Resentment at the estimated $15 billion being poured into hosting next year's soccer circus has acted as a catalyst for anger among the young, many of whom have been left behind by the much-heralded Brazilian economic boom.   So for the second day running Tuesday they flooded the streets waving the same green and gold banners they will surely brandish from the stands next year but also shouting themselves hoarse when confronted by authority.   "The peop...

Keep on reading: Sao Paulo gripped by ‘Tropical Spring’ revolt

MANILA, Philippines — Most Asian markets slid Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it could start scaling back its huge economic stimulus program later this year.   The announcement Wednesday in Washington drew sharp reaction in financial markets, showing just how dependent investors have become on the Fed's easy money policies.   The Fed has been buying $85 billion worth of bonds each month to keep long-term interest rates low to boost borrowing and spending. On Wednesday, however, the Fed said the U.S. economy was strengthening, and Chairman Ben Bernanke said the bank's purchases will likely slow down this year and end next year.   Normall...

Keep on reading: Asian stocks down as Fed sees slower bond buys

SINGAPORE - Singapore and Indonesia were scheduled to hold emergency talks Thursday after thick smog from forest fires on Sumatra Island reached unprecedented levels in the city-state.   Singapore said it was sending the chief executive of the National Environment Agency (NEA), Andrew Tan, to attend an emergency meeting to be hosted by Indonesia's foreign ministry in Jakarta on the haze crisis.   "We need urgent and definitive action by Indonesia to tackle the problem at source," said Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's minister for the environment and water resources.   "Singaporeans have lost patience, and are understandably angry, distressed and conce...

Keep on reading: Singapore, Indonesia to hold talks on smog crisis

LOS ANGELES — James Gandolfini's fans and colleagues shared reaction to his death Wednesday in Italy. He was 51:   — "He was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. He was my partner. ... He was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain." — David Chase, creator of "The Sopranos."   — "Fifty-one and leaves a kid — he was newly married. His son is fatherless now ... It's way too young." — Joe Gannascoli, who played Vito Spatafore on "The Sopranos."   — "The great J...

Keep on reading: Stars share reactions to James Gandolfini’s death

TOKYO - The dollar held firm in Asia Thursday after rallying on comments by the head of the US Federal Reserve that it could begin to scale back its monetary easing program later this year.   In early trade the greenback bought 96.54 yen in Tokyo trade, a full yen higher than the previous day's Tokyo trading levels and up from 96.39 yen in New York late Wednesday.   The euro fell to $1.3272 from $1.3297 while it also bought 128.12 yen from 128.24 yen.   The dollar is likely to resume its upward trend against the yen in the coming weeks, said Daisaku Ueno, chief foreign-exchange strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley.   While the Fed's ...

Keep on reading: Dollar firm as US Fed hints at stimulus tapering

TOKYO — On the Internet, no one can save you from yourself. That is a lesson many Japanese politicians have learned recently in painful, awkward and at times costly fashion. In the latest flap, a senior reconstruction official in charge of helping victims of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear crisis was dismissed last week after he used a scatological insult on Twitter to deride civil activists. Another official's loss of composure at a U.N. committee meeting might have gone unnoticed in another time, but today it's on YouTube. Even Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been reproached for remarks on Facebook that some deemed disrespectful to his opponents. Japan only began allowing u...

Keep on reading: Social network gaffes plague Japanese politicians

MANILA, Philippines -- Re-elected Muntinlupa City Representative Rodolfo Biazon on Thursday urged the 16th Congress to fast track the approval of a measure establishing micro-credit financing. In House Bill 1703, filed at the 15th Congress, its author Biazon said that the Land Bank of the Philippines should provide micro-credit financing to its clients. The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 3844 or The Code of Agrarian Reform in the Philippines by institutionalizing micro-credit financing as part of Land Bank’s functions. “As a government universal bank, Land Bank’s vision is to be a dominant financial institution in the countryside leading the nation to economic prospe...

Keep on reading: Micro-credit financing bill in House pushed

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky— Police say three people are dead and a fourth is injured in a shooting at a condominium building in Louisville, Ky.   Asked if there was a suspect, police spokesman Dwight Mitchell says officers believe everyone involved was accounted for. He said the shootings took place inside an apartment but would not say whether there were other people inside at the time.   Mitchell also wouldn't indicate the ages of the victims and said the investigation was just beginning.   The shooting was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT)....

Keep on reading: 4 shot, 3 dead at US condo shooting

VATICAN CITY— Pope John Paul II has moved a step closer to sainthood.   A Vatican official says a commission of theologians approved a miracle attributed to his intercession, clearing a key hurdle. The case now goes to a commission of cardinals and then Pope Francis. John Paul's canonization is possible in autumn to coincide with the 35th anniversary of his election, though the official said Wednesday on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to reveal details about the case that it may be too soon.   The Polish-born pope has been on the fast track for sainthood ever since retired Pope Benedict XVI waived the traditional five-year waiting period a...

Keep on reading: John Paul II moves a step closer to sainthood

MIAMI— Game 7s do more than settle championships. They define legacies.   No matter what happens Thursday night, LeBron James and the Miami Heat, and Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs have already won NBA titles and secured a place in history.   Now is their opportunity to elevate it.   The truly memorable teams won the hard way, and that will be the case for the one celebrating at center court this time. It's either a Heat repeat, possible only after James led them back from what seemed certain elimination in the closing seconds of Game 6, or the Spurs shaking off as gut-wrenching a loss as a team can have to become just the fourth club to win a Game ...

Keep on reading: A title, and legacies, on the line for Heat, Spurs

NEW YORK— Microsoft rolled back a much-criticized requirement that its upcoming Xbox One gaming console be regularly connected to the Internet and made clear that there will be no limitations on sharing games.   Microsoft Corp. has been criticized for vague statements about whether it will allow Xbox One buyers to play secondhand software. Gamers also expressed distaste for a requirement that the console be connected to the Internet once every 24 hours.   Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment business, said in a blog post Wednesday that an Internet connection will no longer be required to play games on the Xbox One after its initial ...

Keep on reading: Microsoft changes Xbox One policies after outcry

MANILA, Philippines—Arellano University (AU) Chiefs coach Koy Banal hopes his team's solid performance in the preseason would carry over to the NCAA Season 89. The Chiefs emerged as one of this year's teams to watch out for after turning heads in the recently concluded Filoil Flying V Premier Cup tournament. But one thing's for sure, the competition stiffens come NCAA. "We keep on reminding them that it's one thing to achieve a quarterfinals appearance in the preseason but the other thing is it's an entirely different story in the NCAA," Banal told INQUIRER.net Arellano finished just eighth out of the 10-team field last season but after an impressive preseason showing—hi...

Keep on reading: Arellano looks to continue strong preseason play

UNITED NATIONS— The United Nations' Deputy Secretary-General is urging countries to transform resource inequities that have fueled conflicts over oil, diamonds and precious metals and use those resources to finance economic development and provide basic services like health care and clean water.   In too many countries, Jan Eliasson says, a wealth of natural resources has benefited a powerful few while communities and individuals pay a terrible cost in corruption, human rights abuses and environmental damage.   "Yet, managed wisely, extractive resources can — and should — be the foundation for sustainable development and lasting peace," Eliasson told the U.N. ...

Keep on reading: UN: Resources should finance development not war

MANILA, Philippines—Overseas work has lured another ranking official of the state-run weather bureau.   Nathaniel Servando, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), has quit his job to take on a teaching post in the Middle East, the agency’s officer in charge (OIC), Vicente Malano, announced on Wednesday.   “Yes, (I’m confirming his resignation). He took a leave on March 22. Last night (Tuesday) he texted me confirming his optional retirement,” the OIC told a news briefing at the Pagasa Science Garden.   Malano said he received Servando’s text message at 7:40 p.m., which read: “T...

Keep on reading: Pagasa loses chief to greener pasture

MANILA, Philippines—Rep. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri really threaten to file a bill punishing people who would get infected with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?   It’s a hoax, said Zubiri, who was roundly ridiculed on social media over the alleged proposal.   “I completely deny the statement on making AIDS illegal,” he said in a statement, a copy of which was also posted on his wife Audrey’s Instagram account.   “I am currently on vacation with my family. I’m out of politics. Please respect my privacy.” Zubiri, who resigned as senator in 2011, following allegations of fraud in his 2007 election. He ran again in the las...

Keep on reading: Zubiri disowns bogus website

LUCENA CITY, Philippines—Sobriety and the willingness to talk could break the deadlock on the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the communist insurgents, self-exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison said on Wednesday.   “If the GPH (Government of the Philippines) somehow shows sobriety and willingness to talk, the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) will not hesitate to open wide the door for peace negotiations between the duly-authorized panels,” Sison, NDFP chief political consultant, said in reply to an e-mail question on whether the communist panel plans to invite government representatives to an i...

Keep on reading: Jose Maria Sison: We will talk if gov’t shows sobriety, willingness

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday opened the 14th annual conference of the Global Development Network (GDN) with the statement that economic growth must be “inclusive.”   “We can’t have a society where a few flourish, and the rest must make do with crumbs. We must have inclusive growth,” said Mr. Aquino, citing the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program as one of the administration’s flagship projects that could allow the poor to benefit from a strong economy.   Mr. Aquino vowed that the next phase of “continued interventions” for the “poorest of the poor” over the next three years would include mass housing, job...

Keep on reading: Aquino: Growth must be inclusive

MANILA, Philippines—Filipinos exploited in an immigrant-worker fraud by a United States chain of convenience stores are fine and expected to serve as witnesses in a case involving one of their compatriots and seven other foreigners, according to the Philippine Embassy in Washington.   Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. told the Inquirer on Wednesday that Philippine missions on the US east coast were in touch with American authorities to check on the Filipinos involved in Monday’s raid on 14 7-Eleven stores in New York and Virginia.   “We have been assured by US authorities that the Filipinos and other foreign nationals who were employed in the...

Keep on reading: Exploited Filipinos in US 7-11 stores OK, execs say