Human Race

Hired

The Family Research Council announced it hired Josh Duggar as the executive director of its lobbying entity, FRC Action, beginning in late June. Duggar, who worked for former Sen. Rick Santorum’s 2012 presidential campaign, is the oldest child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, stars of the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting. Duggar, 25, is relocating from Arkansas to Washington, D.C., with his wife, Anna, and their three children.

Died

The oldest man in modern history—and the last living man to witness the 19th century—died on June 12. Japan’s Jiroemon Kimura, born on April 19, 1897, died of natural causes at the age of 116 years and 52 days. Kimura, who lived through two world wars and 20 U.S. presidents, had five children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. He retired in 1962 at the age of 65, then spent 25 years in farming.

Died

Actor James Gandolfini, famous for his portrayal of a mob boss on HBO’s hit show The Sopranos, died of cardiac arrest on June 19 while vacationing in Italy. Gandolfini, who was 51, was married and had two children. He won three Emmy awards for his role as the lethal yet lovable Tony Soprano. His 13-year-old son, Michael, reportedly discovered Gandolfini in his room at Rome’s Boscolo Exedra hotel after the heart attack.

Lied

A former Nazi commander allegedly lied to immigration officials to gain entrance into the United States after World War II, and he has since made his home in Minnesota. According to the Associated Press, Michael Karkoc, 94, told authorities in 1949 that he hadn’t served in the military, but documents show he was an officer in the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion and the SS Galician Division. German authorities said they will examine evidence to see whether Karkoc should be prosecuted for overseeing a village massacre that killed women and children.

Hired

The Republican National Committee has tapped Baptist author and consultant Chad Connelly as its new director of evangelical outreach. Connelly, 49, was the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and will remain based in the Palmetto State. The new position is one of 14 recommendations contained in the RNC’s post-2012 election report: “Growth and Opportunity Project.” Connelly is tasked with, in the report’s words, “engaging faith-based organizations and communities with the Republican Party.”

Fired

The Food Network announced on June 21 it is firing kitchen celebrity Paula Deen after she apologized for using racial slurs in the past. The network’s decision came only hours after Deen posted two messages online in which she made the admission and said, “I beg for your forgiveness.” Deen, 66, reached stardom 11 years ago with Paula’s Home Cooking and has authored 14 cookbooks. She said the incidents occurred “a very long time” ago, and many fans have rallied to support her.