MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

'It was like the whole earth shook': Massive explosion at fertilizer plant wreaks death and injury on Texas town

An explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco caused numerous injuries and sent flames shooting high into the night sky on Wednesday. read full story »

KING OF RICIN ROLLED: Twisted Elvis Presley impersonator, who mailed poison letter to President Obama, busted by feds

A Mississippi man, identified as Kenneth Curtis, was arrested Wednesday by federal agents for allegedly mailing to politicians letters that were suspected to contain the poison ricin.

Warren: Blame these senators who voted AGAINST gun laws YOU demaded

WASHINGTON — President Obama lost a major fight over gun control with a majority of the vote. Only in Washington.

Gambino capo found guilty in 32-year-old murder case

A Gambino capo who eluded justice for more than three decades in the murder of the hardworking owners of a Queens bar was convicted in the killings Wednesday by a federal jury.

FAREWELL, IRON LADY: Thousands gather to honor — and protest — Thatcher funeral

Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was honored at a funeral service at St. Paul's Cathedral with the kind of pomp and circumstance befitting her celebrated - and by some reviled - public service.

JFK Library closed 'indefinitely' for probe into whether post-bombing fire was linked to explosions

The arrival of the arson squad was the latest development in confusion about the fire, which damaged a conference room and auditorium in a new part of the library.

Nancy Reagan supports same-sex marriage, daughter Patti Davis claims, adding her dad would have 'been puzzled' by the debate

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan supports same-sex marriage, her daughter Patti Davis claims. “She does,” Davis said when asked if her mother supported marriage equality.

Whoopi's point of 'View'? 'I don't care' who replacements are

Senator uses Daily News cover in her impassioned plea for assault weapons ban

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) forcefully called for an assault weapons ban Wednesday by taking to the Senate floor with a blow-up of a Daily News front page.

I'm no phony! Hunter disputes NRA claim he’s just an actor in 'Mayors Against Illegal Guns' ad

A West Virginia hunter, featured in a new ad by Mayor Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns, is rebutting National Rifle Association charges that he's a phony who doesn't know how to safely handle a rifle.

Sorry about that! Republican legislator apologizes for calling women ’vaginas’ in debate

A New Hampshire lawmaker apologized for referring to women as “vaginas” in an email to his House colleagues during a debate over repealing a law allowing people to use deadly force to defend themselves.

Sen. Feinstein: Keep up fight to ban assault weapons

On Wednesday, the Senate voted down a bill I authored along with 23 cosponsors that would have banned military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. I’m disappointed by this result. But I always knew it would be an uphill battle — and the battle certainly isn’t over.

Male exotic dancer ‘The Punisher’ sues NBC

A male exotic dancer wants to strip NBC of $1 million, charging the network caused his entertainment and TV career to go limp by linking him on air to a Bronx rapper who swindled women.

5-year-old remains in critical condition, fighting for life after Boston Marathon bombs

A 5-year-old boy caught in the Boston Marathon bombings is fighting for his life.

Hamill: Student stunned by loss of ex-boss in Boston blasts

Eamon Convey of the University of Pittsburgh, who struggles to accept her untimely loss, fondly recalls working for the galvanizing Bostonian at Jasper White’s Summer Shack last summer.

PHOTOS: Terrifying images as joyful marathon becomes a scene of utter carnage

Two explosions ripped through the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. The euphoria of crossing the finish line turned into bloody chaos as two blasts rocked the end of the 26.2-mile trek.

Third victim in marathon terror blasts identified as Boston University Chinese graduate student Lu Lingzi

A clearer portrait emerged Wednesday morning of the victims of the horrific bombings at the Boston Marathon as reports surfaced that Boston University graduate student Lu Lingzi (center) is the third to have perished along with Krystle Campbell, 29, and eight-year-old Martin Richard (right).

California boy, 11, among those seriously hurt in bombing

Waiting to cheer on his mother as she approached the finish line of Monday’s Boston Marathon, 11-year-old Aaron Hern left his father and sister to join a friend a few feet away.

PHOTOS: Hundreds gather for vigil for Boston Marathon victims

Hundreds gathered in Boston for a candlelight vigil following two explosions that killed three people and injured more than 170 at the Boston Marathon.

Why is Boston treated as 'terrorism' and not the Newtown shooting?: Senator

WASHINGTON — An exasperated Senator questioned Wednesday why tragedies like the Boston bombings are labeled acts of terror, but mass shootings like last year's in Newtown, Conn. are not.

'You could feel the air rush right through you': N.H. family describes chaos after 'incredible boom' at Boston Marathon

The weather was beautiful on Monday, Karen Brassard said. Her family had traveled from Epsom, N.H. to watch a friend finish up the Boston Marathon. Her husband, Ronald, daughter, Krystara, and friend Victoria McGrath were laughing and smiling, clearly excited to be there.

Did this book from 2002 predict the Boston Marathon bombings?

Tom Lonergan, who ran the marathon 17 times from 1983 to 1999, wrote and self-published a book called “Heartbreak Hill: The Boston Marathon Thriller.”

Sorry about that! Republican legislator apologizes for calling women ’vaginas’ in debate

'Terrible mistake' ... that's an understatement: Stillborn tumbles from laundry load at cleaning service

A dead baby tumbled from a hospital bed sheet at a Red Wing, Minn. laundry service Tuesday morning. The infant was found in a load of linen that had been delivered to the laundry service, which serves hospitals.

Keeping up with the Jones': Having more sex than peers makes us happy, new study reveals

When it comes to sex, people say they are happier if they believe they are having it more often than their peers, a new study finds.

Pregnant woman has throat slit, stomach cut open in horrific ‘honor’ killing in Jordan

A pregnant woman had her throat slit and belly cut open as part of a gruesome "honor" killing in Jordan, police said. Her dead body - with the four-month-old fetus clearly visible - was then dumped in a garbage container and set ablaze.

Obama owns up to 'sexist' remark about Calif. attorney general

President Obama addressed the dust-up over his eyebrow-raising comment on the California attorney general’s good looks as well as Jay-Z and Beyonce’s controversial trip to Cuba.

Sandwiches 'left as a present' for workers dosed with rat poison and sends 20 to the hospital

Beware of bakers bearing gifts. Twenty employees for a German company were hospitalized after eating sandwiches suspected of containing rat poison.

Tiny heroes: Brother and sister save unconscious dad's life while driving on busy freeway

Siblings Kylah and Michael Woody, 13 and 11, were riding with their dad April 7 on a Phoenix-area freeway when he started drifting in and out of consciousness.

Jennifer Aniston caught with unsightly 'cupping' marks

Drunken Florida woman calls 911 because she was lonely: cops

On March 30, an intoxicated Florida woman called the emergency number because she was lonely, police said. Vero Beach resident Fleurette French, 64, called 911 and reported a medical issue, along with the fact that she had been drinking, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.

New Zealand legalizes same-sex marriage

Hundreds of jubilant gay-rights advocates celebrated at New Zealand’s Parliament on Wednesday as the country became the 13th in the world and the first in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriage.

NY State officials spend a 'startling' near-$7 million of campaign cash on legal fees in nine years amid cavalcade of corruption scandals

The explosion of Capitol corruption scandals in recent years has turned a bunch of campaign accounts into legal defense funds.

'She was completely lifeless:' Cat survives being buried alive after seizure convinced family she was dead

This cat must have more than nine lives. Muffin, a black cat from St. Jacob, Illinois, has quite a tale to tell. His owner, Sarah McCallum, found the cat lying still and cold on the floor. Her heart seemed to have stopped and she wasn’t breathing.

Lakers assistant Eddie Jordan wants more than $1M a year to coach Rutgers and fix mess left behind by Mike Rice

Sources confirmed to the Daily News that Rutgers — which has never paid a men’s basketball coach more than $620,000 — will likely have to come up with more than $1 million annually and at least six years guaranteed if it wants to lock up Eddie Jordan.

Man's best friend, literally: Loyal dog stays by owner after man is pinned under car for four days

Herbert Schutz was kept safe and warm by his dog Boydy after he was trapped by his vehicle after an accident in a remote area of central New South Wales.

Former S.C. Gov. Sanford: I was at ex-wife’s home to be with son

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday he visited his wife’s home while she was out of town because he didn’t want his 14-year-old son to watch the Super Bowl alone — a visit that she says violated their divorce settlement.

Bronx-born sisters finally learn how their uncle, a WWII POW, died

Three Bronx-born sisters are returning to the borough to discuss their journey to a remote South Pacific island where their uncle was imprisoned by the Japanese and killed at the end of World War II.

Woman admits to stealing $1 million from Staten Island cemetery to pay for fancy meals and vacations

What a ghoul. A Brooklyn woman used money from a Staten Island cemetery to treat herself to fancy meals, trips and concerts, officials said.

Feds bust up high-stakes poker, sports gambling ring used by A-list celebrities & Wall Street fat cats

Federal agents busted a high-stakes poker and sportsbooking ring that catered to Wall Street multi-millionaires and Hollywood A-list celebrities, officials said Tuesday.

You missed a spot! Celebs reveal their awkward tan lines

84-year-old woman accused of theft busted for trying to hire hitman to kill prosecutors as copycat to DA slays

Dorothy Canfield is accused of seeking an assassin to gun down the Montgomery County District Attorney while in jail on charges of posing as an immigration attorney in order to bilk clients.

Iran ups nuke technology despite calls for Tehran to curb uranium enrichment, diplomat says

Technicians upgrading Iran's main uranium enrichment facility have tripled their installations of high-tech machines that could be used in a nuclear weapons program to more than 600 in the last three months, diplomats said Wednesday.

Doctors, hospital staffers in hot water for spreading info about man who had eel stuck in his rectum

Dozens of staffers at an Auckland hospital have been fired or disciplined for accessing X-rays and spreading information about a man who got an eel stuck in his rectum last fall.

Dems want Weiner! Disgraced ex-Rep. finishes a surprising second in poll for NYC mayoral race

Ex-Congressman Anthony Weiner has only been back in contention as a possible mayoral candidate for about a week, but he’s already topping most other candidates in a new opinion poll.

Vatican confirms Colorado boy was healed by miracle

The Vatican is calling a young boy’s speedy recovery from a mysterious illness nothing short of a miracle. Pope Francis credited Mother Theresia Bonzel, a German nun who lived 100 years ago, for intervening from beyond the grave to help cure the Colorado Springs boy.

More dead animals found in China - 410 pigs and 122 dogs

Hundreds more pigs have been found dead in China - this time together with dozens of dogs. A total of 410 pigs and 122 dogs were discovered in homes and at farms earlier this week in a village that comes under Yanshi city's jurisdiction in central Henan province, authorities said Wednesday.

Hello, neighbor! Care for a bite? Couple runs into frightening 12-foot-long alligator just feet away from front door

A South Carolina couple got the shock of their lives last week when they found a 12-foot-long alligator chomping mere feet from their front door.

At least 13 killed after 7.8 temblor rocks Iran's border with Pakistan

Tall buildings shook in India's capital New Delhi, sending people running into the streets, witnesses said. People also evacuated shaking buildings in Qatar and Dubai, residents said.

Audrie Pott's attackers wrote their names and drew on her body: lawyer

Awakening in a friend’s bedroom after drinking too much at a sleepover, 15-year-old Audrie Pott looked down and realized she had been sexually assaulted and her attackers had written and drawn on intimate parts of her body, her family’s attorney said Monday.

Obama praises Senate immigration plan despite missing piece

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday welcomed a sweeping Senate immigration plan even though it ignores one of his key demands for reform.

'I did not have enough time with my children': Mom blames neighbor for improperly maintaining pool in drowning death of her kids

The mother of two drowned Long Island tots blamed her neighbor for improperly maintaining a swimming pool that became a watery grave.

Hero first-grader helps save friend from severe allergic reaction

Ransom Duel, 7, was eating lunch with his pal Sullivan Moore, 6, at Harritt Elementary School in Salem, Ore., in February when Sullivan asked to share another friend’s “chocolate things.”

Only abortion clinic in Mississippi will remain open for now: judge

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked Mississippi from revoking the license of the state's only abortion clinic.

Why do people faint? The answer may lie in your genes

A new study in medical journal Neurology reviewed medical records of 44 families with a history of fainting, and found genetic patterns that could be traced through generations.

Landlord finds partly mummified body of New Jersey woman amid trash in her apartment

Alice Klee, 68, was discovered buried deep underneath clothes, blankets and junk she’s hoarded in her New Milford home.

Kim K. barely squeezes pregnant body into tight dress

He's not laughing now: Mom forces son who 'got high and went to the bathroom on neighbor's porch' to wear sign

A boisterous Texas teen was left humiliated after his mom forced him to stand on a street corner wearing a sign telling the world exactly what he'd done.

Manhattan women fighting over felines displaced by Hurricane Sandy

A cat rescuer is suing a former friend who she says is refusing to return her two tabbies, Gigi and Brooklyn Boy.

U.S. Army soldier gets 16 years for trying to sell secrets to Russia to undercover agent he thought was spy

Spec. William Colton Millay, of Owensboro, Ky., pleaded guilty last month to attempted espionage and other counts. He was sentenced Monday.

Mother comes face-to-face with accused killer of her teen son shot dead in the street 15 years ago

She wondered for 15 years what her son’s killer looked like. On Friday, Mona Sebastian told the Daily News, she finally got her answer.

Party animal: 'Blade runner' spotted downing 'shooters' at nightclub as he awaits murder trial

Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius isn’t letting his upcoming murder trial for the shooting death of his model girlfriend stop him from partying, it was reported Monday.

8-year-old boy whose heart stopped after he was hit in chest with baseball saved in nick of time

The eight-year-old, who has not been named, was left fighting for his life after suffering cardiac arrest during a little league match in Northern California.

Parents outraged when coroner gives away deceased son’s remains to train corpse-hunting canines

Instead of simply processing the death, the coroner gave some of the tissue to volunteer firefighter chief Vincent Salerno - who was trying to train a dog to track human remains.

Sports

NBA playoff schedule set: LeBron, Heat prepare to defend title

With the NBA regular season officially over, the NBA playoff schedule is officially set. The Knicks, led by the NBA's leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony, will kick off the postseason 3 p.m. on Saturday against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

Bills' Johnson calls his bomb tweet 'ironic' after Boston attack

Twelve days after the Buffalo Bills wide receiver wrote on Twitter, in jest, that if North Korea was going to bomb the United States, the country should target the home of the New England Patriots first, Boston was rocked by two bombings during the city's annual marathon.

I'm an animal lover, says horse-punching soccer fan

A horse-punching, street-rioting soccer hooligan is playing the victim card despite overwhelming viral video evidence to the contrary.

Could a 5-foot-8, 178 pound WR be biggest thing in the NFL draft?

He stands 5-8 and weighs 178 pounds, and a few years ago, that stature would have trapped Tavon Austin low on draft boards, leaving teams concerned that the West Virginia jitterbug lacked the size to make an impact. Not so in 2013.

Hottest Showbiz Galleries

The real men of steel: Superman's 75th birthday puts spotlight on two creators who dreamed up superhero as America suffered through the Great Depression

Creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster lived just a few blocks apart in the Cleveland neighborhood that shaped their teenage lives, their dreams and the imagery of the Man of Steel.

Nine-year-old believed dead after 200-foot snowmobile plunge down crevasse in glacier

Shjon Brown was with his father in the Hoodoo Mountains, outside Fairbanks, Alaksa on Saturday when tragedy struck.

Attorney General Eric Holder: No death penalty in trial of former Colombo mob boss

The feds will no longer seek the death penalty against a former Colombo mob boss for ordering the 1997 murder of NYPD cop Ralph Dols, it was disclosed Monday.

Can playing beer pong be deadly? The hidden dangers of college bar game revealed

A group of Clemson University students tested pingpong balls being used in beer pong games across campus one weekend last fall and discovered teeming bacteria.

Your 15 minutes of fame are over: Miss Alabama quits C-list reality show

WATCH: Young Oakland fan tosses back home run ball hit by Detroit player

Adorable footage shows another Oakland Athletics fan catching the ball and handing it to the boy's dad, to give to his son.

Six-year-old takes family car out for spin to get Chinese food at 6 a.m.

The unnamed youngster, who could hardly see over the dash, was stopped by cops on Saturday morning three miles from his home in Lapeer, outside Detroit.

Kidneys made from rats created in laboratory raise hopes for dialysis patients — and could possibly eradicate need for organ donors

Scientists have discovered yet another way to make a kidney - at least for a rat - that does everything a natural one does, researchers reported, a step toward savings thousands of lives.

Colic in babies may be linked with migraines: study

The distressing nonstop crying in babies with colic is often blamed on tummy trouble, but a new study says the problem could be linked with migraine headaches in at least some infants.

International bromance: Dennis Rodman to re-visit Kim Jong Un — 'We'll just hang and have ... fun'

Rodman’s first eyebrow-raising trip to North Korea was in late February, when he dined, danced and took in a basketball game with the dictator.

Jailed hermit attracts marriage offer and worried officials increase his bail

The man who spent nearly three decades in the woods of Maine before his high-profile arrest earlier this month has attracted a marriage proposal and a stranger's offer to bail him out.

Retro photo galleries

'Cannibal Cop' case unlocks pair's heinous plot to 'kidnap, rape, torture women and babies'

The arrests date back to the 2012 investigation into Gilberto Valle, the NYPD officer who was found guilty last month of conspiracy to kidnap, kill, cook and eat women.

Too cute! Barely 2-weeks-old, adorable baby meerkats snuggle together and become the apple of zookeepers' eyes

They may be born on April 1, but these adorable meerkat pups aren't fools. They’re stars, and they know it. The four babies are the first animals from Africa’s Kalahari Desert to be born in Tasmania. These babies will be watched closely by staff at the Zoodoo Wildlife Park until they are at least 6 weeks old.

Ripped-up suicide note found in toilet after cop kills her baby and longtime boyfriend as dead man’s mom lashes out at officer’s ‘evil’ double-murder

The Brooklyn mom of the man fatally shot by his rampaging cop girlfriend said Tuesday she can't come to terms with the “evil” double-murder suicide that destroyed her family.

Me-YOW! Terrified cat rescued after spending two days stranded 15 feet above freeway on sign

Drivers reported seeing the petrified puss on Thursday and Friday - which sparked rescuers into action. Staff at The Humane Society of Elkhart County, Indiana saved the friendly feline - who's now been called Freeway - and gave him food and water.

Editors' Picks

Confidenti@l: Bowery residents battle building owners to shutter nightlclub

The battle for the Bowery has gotten nasty. On March 1, residents of 199 Bowery filed papers in Manhattan Supreme Court hoping to revoke the liquor license of red-hot restaurant The General, along with Finale, the club next door in the building.

PHOTOS: Massive fire and explosion at Texas Fertilizer Plant

Huge explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas ignites fires and injures more than 200 people.

Sacre bleu! Kim Kardashian and Kanye West may call Paris home

Recent reports have Kimye in such a hurry to move to Paris, they’ve been scouting Parisian hospitals for the birth of le bebe in July.

Exclusive: Go under the sea with Battery Park's $12M fish-themed carousel

There's something fishy about this carousel.

Bites and basketball: Barclays Center offers black-and-white tasty treats to boost Brooklyn Nets

Chefs usually work hard to balance colors. But at the Barclays Center, they’d rather ban them. At least during the NBA Playoffs, which begin either Saturday or Sunday, depending on game results.

Amanda Bynes slams 'ugly' ex Kid Cudi

Child star turned Twitter mainstay has posted yet another bizarre rant to her account.

SEE IT: Bieber in bed with topless fan

Justin Bieber shows quite the love for his “Beliebers” in his latest Instagram post.

Peter Dinklage: I 'don't believe' I'm a sex symbol

He's won hordes of fans from his work as the treacherous Tyrion Lannister on HBO's "Game of Thrones."

WATCH: ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ final trailer debuts

The preview revealed a crucial tidbit of information about villain John Harrison.

PHOTOS: Gritty, dangerous streets of NYC in '70s

Pimps and prostitutes populated the streets, an economic collapse and a crime-filled subway system made NYC a gritty and dark place in the 1970s.

WATCH: Extended ‘Man of Steel’ trailer released

An emotional new full-length trailer for the highly anticipated summer blockbuster.

Rita Ora sizzles in Elle cover shoot

Rita Ora is a woman who knows what she wants, particularly when it comes to fashion. To score the stunning scarlet gown she wore to the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards, the singer didn't beat around the bush.

Edward Norton, fiancée welcome baby boy

His fiancée Shauna Robertson gave birth to the pair's first child in March.

Jonn Hamm visits Elmo on 'Sesame Street'

The 'Mad Men' actor, 42, joined the lovable red muppet to explain the word "sculpture."

Jessica Simpson: 'I’m so excited to have a son'

The 32-year-old singer feted at Tom Sawyer-themed baby shower on Sunday.

Khloe Kardashian: Kim finally feels good about pregnancy

Khloe is happy for her pregnant sister's new-found confidence.

‘Buckwild' star turns down $50K offer to sell sex tape

Shae Bradley says she regrets making a sex tape with ex-boyfriend and co-star Jessie J.

Shakira slams ex-boyfriend's $250M lawsuit

Her hips don’t lie, but her ex-boyfriend is a different story.

‘Breaking Bad’ final episodes to air in August

The final eight episodes of the AMC series will kick off on Aug. 11, followed by a new live show called “Talking Bad."

Britney Spears records song for 'Smurfs 2' soundtrack

The 31-year-old singer goes blue for her latest single, “Ooh La La."

Adele says no to memoir deal due to her age

The singer, 24, reportedly turned down a seven-figure book deal with publishers Harper Collins.

Miranda Kerr: Why I'm an 'Angel' no more

It’s official: Miranda Kerr is an Angel no more. The supermodel and former face of Victoria's Secret, 29, confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that she is not renewing her contract with the lingerie company.

Rihanna cancels concerts due to illness

The "Stay" singer canceled two more shows on her "Diamonds" tour this week.

Tracy Morgan to host Billboard Music Awards

Musicians beware: the former 'SNL' and '30 Rock' cast member says he's honored to host the show on May 19 in Las Vegas.

Craig Zadan, Neil Meron to produce 2014 Oscars

Oscar organizers are bringing back the pair, despite criticisms for their first effort in February.

'The one with the Reunion': NOT HAPPENING, says 'Friends' co-creator

“Friends” fans can rest assured that the reunion rumors are false.

Confidenti@l: New Robert Kardashian diaries deliver a major bashin' to Kris Jenner

The Kardashians kan’t be happy about this. In Touch Weekly’s latest Kardashian attack is a 100-page “Collector’s Special,” called “Greed, Lies & Betrayal: The Complete Kardashian Diaries,” featuring the late Robert Kardashian’s family diaries bashing Kris Jenner.

SEE: Tom Cruise’s most dangerous stunt in 'Oblivion'

It was also the single most nerve-wracking sequence to film

REVIEW: 'Oblivion' packs a ton of action

Memories of earlier sci-fi dramas peek out of “Oblivion” like bits of NYC jutting out of the futuristic rubble.

Sharon: I won't get back with Ozzy until he's clean ... for months

The Hollywood couple may not be filing for divorce, but they aren't together.

PHOTOS: D.L. Hughley gets boot from 'Dancing With the Stars'

For comedian D.L. Hughley and his partner Cheryl Burke, the three 6's ...

'DWTS' recap: Andy Dick may not get the last laugh

Funnyman may be getting voted off the popular reality dance show.

Topless photo of young Angelina Jolie could fetch $53,000

A never-before-seen photo of Angelina Jolie is set to hit the auction block at Christie's next month.

Pamela Anderson: I never felt I was 'beautiful'

Her blond beach hair and little red swimsuit made her a '90s sex symbol, but Pam didn't think so.

PHOTOS: Beyoncé's eye-popping outfits for Mrs. Carter World Tour

Beyonce clearly wanted to give fans a show while opening her Mrs. Carter World Tour in Belgrade, Serbia on April 15, 2013. Check out the racy ensembles the singer donned to take the stage.

'It’s my badge of honor': Three-time cancer survivor shows off her courage

A three-time cancer survivor shed her shirt to show the world the intricate tattoos that cover her chest.

Actor punished by Darth Vader in 'Star Wars' dies

Richard LeParmentier was best known as the commander who Darth Vader nearly choked ...

Light drinking is fine for pregnant women: study

Pregnant women who drink small amounts of alcohol aren't likely doing any harm to their child ...

'Gatsby' star: If Daisy were alive she'd be a Kardashian

Carey Mulligan channels her character Daisy Buchanan in an elegant Vogue magazine cover shoot.

PHOTOS: See the most breathtaking shots from around the globe

The best news photos of the day.

Pudgy pooch gets facelift because fat flaps cover his eyes

A porky pooch had a face-lift because his wrinkles meant he could barely open his eyes. Sesame the Chinese Shar Pei also suffered a series of chronic infections as the extra weight folded over his ears.

OH YEAH! Kool-Aid man gets makeover with a bit more attitude — and less clothes

The Kool-Aid man no longer has pants?

Ke$ha or KeXXXa? Singer snaps sexy shots for jewelry line

The singer is launching a line of rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Amanda Seyfried: I miss my 'beautiful' big breasts

“The Big Wedding” actress reveals she is somewhat satisfied when it comes to her breasts but they have gotten sufficiently smaller over the years.

Budweiser introduces new bow-tie-shaped can

The beer giant takes stab at stemming sales dip.

Prius sales surpass 5 million vehicles

Toyota's global sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles hit new milestone.

Bradley Cooper: I live with my mom

‘It's not without complications’ but ‘she's a cool chick’ says the 'Hangover' actor.

Summerall, longtime voice of the NFL, dead at 82

Pat Summerall, the NFL player-turned-broadcaster whose deep, resonant voice called games for more than 40 years, has died at the age of 82.

Tony Parker launches clothing line, Wap Two

After trying his hand at music, Tony Parker is going to add another string to his bow.

Charlie Chaplin fans in India celebrate comic actor's birthday

Impersonators tramped through the streets of a small port town in western India on Tuesday.

Leonardo DiCaprio: Acting career hurting love life

But the veteran actor says working hard and maintaining a relationship isn't the easiest thing to balance.

Who needs a red carpet? See stars go full-on hippie chic at Coachella

Forget the glitz and the glam of the red carpet -- these celebs are going full-on hippie chic at Coachella 2013 ...

'Glee' star does 'Look Better Naked'

Allure magazine’s “Look Better Naked” issue features some of television’s most prominent beauties.

Coolio charged with battery after attacking girlfriend: prosecutors

'Gangsta's Paradise' rapper arrested in Las Vegas on April 1.

Brooks Brothers launches 'Gatsby' line

The limited edition menswear collection is inspired by the latest cinematic adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel.

Patton Oswalt’s Facebook response to bombing goes viral

"The good outnumber you, and we always will."

Billy Ray Cyrus unsure if Miley will get married

Miley Cyrus and fiancé Liam Hemsworth have been fielding break-up rumors.

Mark Wahlberg 'disgusted' at Boston Marathon massacre

Wahlberg said he was heartbroken over the tragedy that struck his hometown in Boston.

SEE IT: First pic of Jamie Foxx as 'Spider-Man' villain

Even for an actor with as varied a resume as Foxx, his latest role is a shocking transformation.

Psy's ‘Gentleman’ hits over 82 million YouTube views

The new video quickly rocketed up the YouTube heights.

Sex tape featuring former 'Buckwild' stars making the rounds

Fans of the series may still be able to see the stars in action.

Miley Cyrus spotted smoking 'suspicious' cigarette

Cyrus can barely go a day without making tabloid news.

Jay-Z, Common release ‘Open Letter Part II’ remix

Jay-Z's release of the fiery track has caused a wave of response and now Common is sounding off.

PHOTOS: 'Mad Men' star gets sexy in Esquire

Alison Brie sports sizzling one-piece for shoot.

Take a peek inside! Christina Aguilera buys $10M home

The gated community in Sherman Oaks, Calif., is home to several celebrities.

OMG! Celebs a-Twitter with apologies

For celebrities, it seems that traditional apologies — via press release or on the talk-show circuit — are no longer necessary. Instead, they can fire off a mass “apolotweet” and call it done.

PHOTOS: MLB celebrates 5th annual Jackie Robinson Day

Major League Baseball pays tribute to its biggest pioneer, the man who integrated baseball and stood up for racial equality, Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers

CONFIDENTI@L: Berry Gordy recalls flop in the name of love

There ain’t no mountain high enough that could top the star-studded turnout for Sunday night’s opening of “Motown: The Musical.” Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Mary Wilson attended the show’s much-anticipated premiere at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, then joined the cast onstage for a roaring ovation after the curtain fell.

PHOTOS: See stunning images from around the world

Illuminating pictures from every corner of the earth.

Condé Nast opens fashion school in London

The publishing giant has opened a central London fashion school.

Bieber posts shirtless pics after Anne Frank controversy

Tact may not be one of Justin Bieber's strong suits.

Firefox launching smartphone in June

Mozilla's CEO said the company is launching the phones in countries 'where Firefox is particularly strong.'

PHOTOS: Harry Potter fans hop on broomsticks for meme

They could be scenes straight out of J.K. Rowling's famous franchise.

MOVIN' OUT! Sharon Osbourne packs up

Sharon Osbourne was spotted moving out after reports surfaced of possible split from husband Ozzy Osbourne.

Accused Hugh Jackman stalker has history of hounding other celebs

The accused stalker of the “X-Men” star has a troubled history, her ex-mother-in-law said.

Rihanna cancels another show due to illness

Live Nation says the singer was unable to perform at Monday's concert in Houston.

Lauryn Hill: ‘Threats’ to family led to tax evasion

The singer is facing a jail sentence for failing to file years of tax returns.

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Miranda Kerr's hottest Victoria's Secret moments

Whether or not she stays with the brand, take a look back at the model's Victoria's Secret legacy ...

Academy of Country Music Awards 2013

Country music's brightest stars took Sin City by storm at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2013.

Miss Subways through the years: Iconic NYC beauty queens then & now

Some of the original beauty queens in New York City had no problem riding the rails. Miss Subways, a program run by the MTA from 1941 until 1976, selected lucky ladies around the Big Apple to feature their photos and biographies in subway cars. Flashback to the Miss Subways era and see some Miss Subways, then and now.

Cherry blossoms around the world ring in spring

A colder-than-normal March has delayed the opening of the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. As the Cherry Trees begin to open up in America, take a look at gorgeous blossoming trees from D.C. to Tokyo.

Who wore it better? Kanye and RiRi step out in same outfit

It's a star's worst nightmare: Someone else is wearing the exact same dress. But you get to judge who wore it better!

'The Silence of Dogs in Cars': Series shows raw emotion of dogs left alone

Martin Usborne's emotional photo series called "The Silence of Dogs in Cars" depicts an array of pooches sitting in cars after seemingly being left alone by their owners.

Jessica Alba flaunts bikini bod in St. Barts

Does Jessica Alba win the award for best bikini body of all time? Judging by these photos, we'd say the stunning actress is a pretty strong contender.

'Mad Men' premiere: Sexist ads from the era of Don Draper

Sexism is rampant on the 1960s period drama "Mad Men". Lest we forget, it's not just fiction -- these vintage ads from the era of Don Draper are proof that the creative types on Madison Avenue -- and society at large -- were overtly sexist. Here are some cringeworthy examples of ads that objectify women.

Sneaky straphanger photobombs fellow commuters

Who says commuting to work has to be a boring and monotonous process? One straphanger has found a quirky way to pass time on his way to work every day - he photobombs other unsuspecting commuters! A simple, yet perfect placement of a folded newspaper makes for these hilarious photobomb pictures. Check out the best of this commuter's sneaky work.

Gotchya! Embarrassing celebrity photos

Gotchya! Sure, we're used to seeing the stars ooze glamour on the red carpet, but it turns out these celebrities aren't so perfect after all. They might put on a good face for photographers, but even the world's most beautiful people are bound to have an "oops" moment eventually -- and when that happens you can bet the paparazzi is nearby to capture it. From bad hair days to weird blemishes to stars stuffing their faces, check out Hollywood's hottest at their worst.

'Game of Thrones' stars in & out of costume

"Game of Thrones" returns with Daenerys and the rest of the more than a thousand named characters in the saga based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" books all jockeying for the right to sit on the Iron Throne. Here's an inside look at the fantasy series' third season ...

Jennifer Lawrence gets a retro new look

Lawrence nearly spilled out of her dress while exiting a car, but her hair didn't seem to budge ...

PDA alert! Stars go public with their affection

Whether it's a cry for attention or they're just crazy in love, take a peek at Hollywood couples spotted getting hot 'n heavy in public.

Game on! Hottest WAGs in the MLB

These MLB players don't just score on the field -- they're hitting homeruns when it comes to finding love as well.

Most explosive sports coaches EVER

Mike Rice is just the latest in a long history of coaches who've been fired for explosive, erratic and downright abusive behavior while at the helm of sports teams. Rice joins a colorful list alongside Royals manager Hal McRae, the Oilers' Buddy Ryan and even Indy's Bobby Knight.

One World Observatory revealed

The top of the world is back! Port Authority officials unveiled on April 2, 2013 the stunning view from the top of One World Trade Center, a 360-degree eagle's eye panorama that will instantly become one of the city's premiere tourist attractions when it is completed in 2015. The deck showcases one of the greatest views of New York City - and one that hasn't been seen since 9/11.

SMILE! What celebs would look like without teeth

The stars love to show off their million dollar smiles, but what would happen if Hollywood's most beautiful people were missing their perfect rows of pearly whites?

Rare celebrity pinups and movie stills up for auction

An upcoming Guernsey's auction taking place in New York City is featuring a series of rare pinups and vintage movie stills, courtesy of the late photographer Irving Klaw.

'The Living Wall': Abandoned buildings come to life

Old, run-down buildings get new life thanks to one Russian artist, who has made a name for himself transforming ordinary spaces into eerily realistic faces ...

Barbara Walters to retire: A look back at her career

Barbara Walters is hanging up her microphone. Take a look back at the ABC newswoman's illustrious career ...

Sports

Melo dethrones Durant as NBA's scoring king

Carmelo Anthony has won the title — the NBA scoring title, that is. Neither Anthony nor Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant will play in their team's respective season finales Wednesday, meaning Anthony will finish the season as the league's top scorer for the first time in his 10-year NBA career.

Jordan's 'Flu Game' the result of poisoning: trainer

One of the signature moments of Michael Jordan’s second act with the Bulls was his performance in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, often referred to as The Flu Game. But there’s one small problem: He didn’t have the flu.

Melo dethrones Durant as NBA's scoring king

Austin has NFL teams thinking small

NHL Power Rankings: Isles be seeing you in the playoffs

The Islanders may be on their way out of Nassau Coliseum in 2015, but this spring the old barn is buzzing, with the Isles threatening to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007 while the frustrated Rangers teeter on the bubble.

Catch 'em or not, Pats WR to raise money for bombing victims

Danny Amendola wants to do his part. In the aftermath of the terror bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon that killed three people and wounded more than 140, the newest member of the Patriots vowed to help raise money for the victims.

Brewers pitcher Gallardo nabbed for drunk driving

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo was arrested on a drunken-driving Tuesday after authorities say he was driving on a city highway with a blood-alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit.

NFL says it will review security of draft and Super Bowl

In response to the Boston Marathon bombings, the NFL issued a statement Tuesday regarding security at Super Bowl XLVIII, which will be played at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, with many of the events in the week leading up the game being held in New York.

No retaliation between Dodgers and Padres

Padres pitcher Eric Stults hit a three-run homer and stuck around long enough to benefit from a two-run seventh inning as San Diego beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 Monday night in the first game between the NL West rivals since their wild brawl last week.

L.A. Dodgers fans forced to wear Arizona Diamondbacks colors in box behind home plate

Pay $3,500 for a suite behind home plate and you can wear what you want, right? In a word: No. A group of Los Angeles Dodgers fans were forced to change into the home-team colors of the Arizona Diamondbacks because they were in front of the cameras.

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