MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

PICTURED: The British tourist, 23, who lost her foot after she was hit by runaway taxi cab that lost control after fight with cyclist and plowed into pedestrians at busy Manhattan street corner

The horror in midtown Manhattan began Tuesday morning when a runaway taxi cab driven by Mohammad Himon, pictured right, plowed into a pack of pedestrians at the corner of 49th St. and Sixth Ave. British tourist Sian Green, left, suffered a severed foot and was tended to by plumber David Justino and Dr. Mehmet Oz at the scene. read full story »

The handgun used in a 2012 double murder tied to jailed NFL star Aaron Hernandez found by police in car of 19-year-old woman — from his hometown — after crashing it

A .38-caliber pistol found after a car crash in Springfield, Mass., two months ago is part of an investigation involving Aaron Hernandez, law enforcement sources said Tuesday.

WORKED TO DEATH? Bank of America intern, 21, dies after working THREE all-nighters one week shy of completing intense summer program

A Bank of America intern died in London just one week shy of completing his summer program, officials said.

Plea deal withdrawn! Lesbian goes back to jail for relationship with underage teen

The South Florida lesbian teen accused of having sex with her underage girlfriend is back behind bars after a plea deal was withdrawn Monday.

Lupica: Elmore Leonard left legacy of character and characters

When Elmore Leonard died Tuesday morning at 87, he was just a few feet away from his magnificent old writing desk, and his pads and his pens and his old electric typewriter.

Upon further review: Alabama paper apologizes for saying women find football 'confusing'

An Alabama newspaper has apologized after running a lede that many of its readers found sexist.

EXCLUSIVE: Diddy's ex-intern sues over unpaid work

EXCLUSIVE Gonzalez: Mayor Bloomberg lauds 911 audit he once called ‘stupid’

That audit, one of two released by Liu that year on the problem-plagued upgrade, claimed that the project’s main contractor, had repeatedly submitted 'inflated' charges and that city officials 'grossly mismanaged' the project.

EXCLUSIVE Christine Quinn slams Bill de Blasio as flip-flopper

Quinn's 'A Tale of Two De Blasios,' a riff on de Blasio's 'A Tale of Two Cities' slogan, shows him changing his stance on issues. De Blasio's campaign called the attacks 'misleading.'

Americans think New Yorkers are rude, Californians are hot but crazy, survey finds

Americans think New Yorkers are rude but serve the best food and Louisiana has had a few too many, according to a survey that asked 1,600 people to identify the drunkest, dumbest and most overrated states.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman's alleged mistress ready to talk steroids with MLB

Louise Meanwell's lawyer says she welcomes a call from Major League Baseball to talk about the steamy details she learned during 'intimate conversations' with Brian Cashman.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly: Weak guns laws leave police with few options

On Monday, the Iron Pipeline that sends illegal guns up from the South to New York was laid bare inside Police Headquarters.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: Federal laws are needed to stop 'Iron Pipeline'

On Apri l 17, the United States Senate turned its back on the families of Aurora, Newtown and the more than 30 people who die at the hands of gun violence every day when common-sense gun safety laws were filibustered by a min6ority of senators.

EXCLUSIVE Mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson puts out campaign ad about his public-school teacher mother

Mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson rolled out a new ad Tuesday touting himself as the son of a public-school teacher. “What would she think today?” he asks in the ad. “Neighborhood schools shut down, teachers not respected.”

Voyeurism writer's peek-a-boo shower in Brooklyn stuns neighbors

It's a backyard shower with a full frontal view. An exposed glass shower built into the rear of a stunning Brooklyn townhouse has gotten neighbors in a lather over fears they will see a new side of The New York Times contributing writer and ex-federal prosecutor living there.

Deli owner thwarts heist by hurling pot of hot oil on would-be robber wielding a gun

An armed robber got burned — literally — when a fearless New Jersey deli owner splashed him with a pot of hot oil during an unsuccessful cash grab.

Alleged gunman donning black and armed with an assault rifle arrested after shots fired at Georgia school

Michael Brandon Hill, 20, was taken into custody following reports of a gunman at an elementary school in DeKalb County, Ga., authorities said.

Our Titanic obesity problem: Why the epidemic in America is still a sinking ship

The annual "F as in Fat" report, issued jointly by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is hot off the presses for 2013.

SEE IT Truck driver survives after terrifying plunge off Michigan highway

The driver — identified as 58-year-old Mark Moerland, of Kentwood, Mich. — survived the terrifying plunge around 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, remains in Texas hospital for medical tests

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden was undergoing medical tests on Tuesday in Houston, where family members, including his father, Vice President Joe Biden, were gathered.

Boston Marathon bombing suspect was shot several times in face before capture, court docs say

The Boston Marathon bombing suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, suffered multiple gunshot injuries — including a bullet to his face — before he was captured in April, court documents show.

SHARPSHOOTER: Patrick Stewart gets archery lesson while Ian McKellen sits in

EXCLUSIVE Bill De Blasio galas eyed as illegal campaign contributions

Victor Jung organized two political events at a restaurant he co-owns, Villa Pacri, in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Jung once served 18 months in federal prison for skimming $1.3 million from NBC.

Fake firefighter busted in Texas after stealing gear, posing as smoke-eater on Facebook

Trrance King, 21, posed as a firefighter on social media sites, posting photos of himself in firefighter gear and a picture of a medal he supposedly earned for valor, police say.

EXCLUSIVE Albany pols want push against gay ‘conversion therapy’

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made national news this week when he signed a bill abolishing the therapy that attempts to turn gay teens straight. If enacted, a licensed mental health provider who ignored the law would be cited for unprofessional conduct and subject to licensing sanctions.

Scott Stringer goes after Eliot Spitzer’s lead among black, Latino voters

Political big guns from Rep. Rangel to Bronx Beep Diaz have recorded robocalls to help push the controller candidate past the former governor.

‘Hamburgler’ steals Ronald McDonald House donation boxes from drive-thrus in Florida

A heartless and bearded bandit has been stealing donation boxes from McDonald’s drive-thrus in Tampa, Fla, cops say.

Plane turns around at Israeli airport to pick up child with cancer who lost her passport

In what officials are calling a “rarely” seen set of circumstances, an El Al plane received special clearance to return to a gate at Ben-Gurion Airport to retrieve 11-year-old Inbar Chomsky, who had mislaid her passport.

Justin Timberlake to reunite with NSYNC at VMAs: report*

Former Gov. David Paterson won't say if Scott Stringer would be better Controller than Eliot Spitzer, despite endorsement

Former Gov. David Paterson campaigned Monday for Scott Stringer — but wouldn’t say if Stringer’s a better choice for Controller than ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Paterson admitted having conflicted feelings.

Fla. residents fight Terry Jones' plan to burn Korans in their town

Residents of Mulberry, Fla., are fighting back after anti-Islamic pastor Dr. Terry Jones announced plans last month to burn 2,998 Korans in the town on Sept. 11.

Russian runners say kiss on medal stand in Moscow wasn’t a protest of Russia’s anti-gay laws

Quick kisses exchanged by four Russian female sprinters, exuberant after winning a relay race in Moscow, have set off a flurry of speculation that they were protesting Russia’s controversial new anti-gay law.

REEFER MADNESS: Marijuana no less toxic than alcohol? Federal agency takes heat for claim

The National Institute on Drug Abuse released a statement refuting a claim in a recent ad produced by the Marijuana Policy Project that described pot as being “less toxic” than alcohol.

EXCLUSIVE Vito Lopez to sue over $300G sexual harassment fine

Lopez says that he was not allowed to participate in the hearings by the Legislative Ethics Commission, while state records show Lopez and his lawyer declined to appear.

OK to force-feed California inmates: judge

A federal judge approved a request from California and federal officials on Monday to force-feed inmates if necessary as a statewide prison hunger strike entered its seventh week.

WikiLeaker Manning to be sentenced Wednesday

A military judge will sentence Army Pfc. Corporal Bradley Manning at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Col. Denise Lind made the announcement Tuesday, saying she was in the final stages of her deliberations on the troubled 25-year-old, who faces up to 90 years in prison for leaking a trove of classified information and battle videos to the anti-secrecy group, WikiLeaks.

Expert: 'South Carolina and North Carolina supply more crime guns to the 5 NYC boroughs than NY State does'

Two weeks ago, Mayor Bloomberg stood in City Hall and announced an astonishing statistic - some 90 percent of guns used in crimes in New York City come from out-of-state. Today, we saw the sad reality of that frightening statistic.

Scrubbed of hateful graffiti, Jackie Robinson statue in Coney Island is rededicated

The vandalized statue of Jackie Robinson and his Brooklyn Dodgers teammate Pee Wee Reese — wiped clean of racist graffiti by the city Parks Department — was rededicated in a ceremony Monday in Brooklyn.

Fla. residents fight Terry Jones' plan to burn Korans in their town

Residents of Mulberry, Fla., are fighting back after anti-Islamic pastor Dr. Terry Jones announced plans last month to burn 2,998 Korans in the town on Sept. 11.

EXCLUSIVE Scott Stringer reveals ‘Stone Age’ city school Internet in report

The internet service in the vast majority of city schools operates at crawl speed, according to a report that Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer will release on Tuesday. The critical report claims that some 75% of schools have broadband speeds less than 10 megabytes per second, which is so slow that kids have no ability to download e-books, watch videos or do intensive online research.

Drunk woman busted after going topless at Florida diner: cops

Diners at a restaurant in Florida got an eyeful when a drunken woman exposed her breasts in a restaurant and vowed to take all her clothes off. The manager called police after Ronda Beckman, 46, allegedly removed her shirt on the dance floor while intoxicated and refused to put it back on Aug. 2 at Captain Jax Sandbar and Grill on North Second Street in Fort Pierce.

Rihanna shows off new mullet hairstyle in NYC

Christine Quinn: I'd consider birth control for middle school kids

After an endorsementfrom Planned Parenthood’s New York political wing, mayoral candidate Christine Quinn said she’d support distributing ‘morning after’ birth control in city schools if studies showed it would help kids.

SEE IT: Isolated Amazon tribe appears in Peru, attempting to make contact with outside world

Members of an Indian tribe that has long lived in voluntary isolation in Peru's southeastern Amazon attempted to make contact with outsiders for a second time since 2011, leading to a tense standoff at a river hamlet.

9/11 defendant who wants case tossed over translator bragged about English test

A 9/11 defendant who wants his case tossed because his legal team couldn't get a translator once bragged of passing a school English final despite skipping the entire course.

Bloomberg Administration health insurance overhaul delayed for hearing

The Bloomberg Administration's plan to overhaul the health insurance program for more than 500,000 city employees and retirees was put on hold for a month yesterday by a Manhattan judge. Supreme Court Justice Melvin Schweitzer extended a temporary restraining order on any actions by City Hall until Sept. 16 when he will conduct a hearing on the issues.

Donald Trump comes out swinging for Mitch McConnell, after Senate veteran says opponent Matt Bevin lied on his resume

Sen. Mitch McConnell spearheaded an attack against his Senate rival, Matt Bevin, claiming the Tea Party favorite lied on his resume and now Donald Trump is weighing in to support Team Mitch.

State Controller Thomas DiNapoli slammed by auditor for using old computer technology to manage pensions

State Controller Thomas DiNapoli had the tables turned on him Tuesday and found himself the target of a stinging audit. In an escalation of the long-simmering tension between DiNapoli and Gov. Cuomo, the Cuomo-controlled Department of Financial Services slammed DiNapoli for using obsolete computer technology to manage the state’s massive pension system.

Record-breaking floods in the Philippines kill at least 8

The dead include a 5-year-old boy whose house was hit by a concrete wall that collapsed, and a 3-year-old boy who fell into a swollen river in Mariveles town in Bataan province. Four people are missing.

Mom arrested for rubbing feces on baby's face

A mom who was allegedly caught rubbing feces on her baby’s face has been arrested in Pennsylvania. Lauren Buzard now faces charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment of a child after she used his feces to make him ill.

Woman stabs friend in face with stiletto: cops

A Nebraska woman has been arrested for stabbing a friend with a six-inch stiletto heel during an argument over a man they both dated. Julia Bol struck 41-year-old Rebecca Boss so hard, that according to the Smoking Gun, the heel had to be pulled out of her face.

Firebrand Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz will renounce Canadian citizenship

The Texas Republican and tea party favorite announced his plans Monday night in a statement. The move comes in the wake of a report by that Cruz holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship.

Nicole Scherzinger strips down for beach yoga session

Paramedic has heart attack while saving patient's life

A Detroit paramedic endured a heart attack while treating a patient for the same thing - and did not back down from his duty even as the pain throbbed.

White House denies reports of cutting Egypt aid

“No specific decisions have been made as a result of that at this point,” the White House said in response to a report that it was cutting off monetary support to Egypt.

Plane diverted to Memphis when man tries to open exits

An airplane was forced to stop to Memphis on Monday evening after a passenger tried to open an emergency exit. The Air Tran Flight 265 had taken off from Baltimore, with 120 passengers and five crewmembers, Southwest Airlines spokesman Brad Hawkins told News Channel 3 in an email.

Christine Quinn unveils smartphone app Hollaback that allows sexual harassment victims to report incidents

A new smartphoneapp fights sexual harassment on the street — allowing victims to report incidents in real time.

Gov. Cuomo avoids political conflict over fracking by not accompanying President Obama on bus tour

Gov. Cuomo will avoid a potentially dicey political conflict by not accompanying President Obama to parts of upstate New York roiled over the issue of fracking. Obama supports the technology to extract oil and gas from deep underground, while Cuomo has postponed a decision on whether to allow it.

57,000 fewer children will be in the Head Start program because of spending cuts, the White House says

Automatic federal spending cuts will reduce the number of children in the Head Start preschool program by more than 57,000 during the next school year, the White House said Monday. More than 3,800 of those children will be in New York State.

Pictures worth a thousand crimes: The dangers of posting photos online

Not only can photos be stolen and used by strangers, but many photos, especially those taken by phones or devices with GPS technology, contain tags that reveal exactly where the photos were snapped.

Bronx students get dangerous on second day of all-expenses-paid trip to Universal Orlando Resorts courtesy of Daily News

A group of Bronx sixth-graders dodged flames, scarab beetles and a mummy's curse — all before 10 a.m. — on the second of a three-day jaunt to Universal Orlando Resorts that came courtesy of New York’s Hometown Newspaper.

President Obama's housing task force unveils 69 critical tips for coastal communities to better prepare for killer storms post-Sandy

The city and other coastal communities ravaged by Hurricane Sandy must rebuild with the assumption that climate change will send more killer storms their way, a presidential task force concluded Monday.

Is Miley ready to say bye to her pixie cut?

Charges dropped against two women in prostitution ring

Two women charged as part of an Asian fetish prostitution ring allegedly run by a Brooklyn stroller dad were cleared of criminal charges Monday. Jung Lee, 29, and Rei Spain, 38, appeared in court as prosecutors said that “in the interest of justice,” they’ll dismiss charges filed last October accusing the two of promoting prostitution cases. No further reason was given. Jung also faced a count of prostitution that was tossed.

Autos

MORE than five stars? Tesla Model S electric car breaks safety record

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued the Tesla Model S electric sedan a full 5-star safety rating in every subcategory tested, something no car previously tested has ever achieved.

Latest Reviews

Sports

Broncos' Miller to serve six-game ban for violating NFL's drug policy

A person familiar with Von Miller’s negotiations with the NFL reports that Denver Broncos linebacker will serve a six-game suspension under the league’s substance-abuse policy. The league wanted a longer penalty for the third-year linebacker, but the sides agreed to less than half the season.

Youth gone wild on the PGA Tour

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are here this week, along with a few other “old-timers,” such as Lee Westwood and Angel Cabrera. But the striking thing about the 125 guys who will open the FedEx Cup playoff at the Barclays is how young many of them are.

Feinsand: Red Sox hurler Dempster won’t even miss start

With all of the serious business going on these days, is it possible that Major League Baseball was trying to provide some comic relief for us when they suspended Ryan Dempster five games for intentionally hitting Alex Rodriguez with a pitch Sunday night?

Mehta: Geno set for start in farce of Jets quarterback race

The Jets’ farcical quarterback competition will conclude Saturday night with rookie Geno Smith needing two turnover-free quarters to secure a job that many people in the organization want him to win.

Hottest Showbiz Galleries

Actors' total transformations for roles

View Gallery

EXCLUSIVE MTA asks retired motormen to help during manpower shortage

The MTA has a post-Sandy manpower shortage — and is asking retired motormen to come back to work, the Daily News has learned. NYC Transit sent letters last week to 120 former motormen in which the agency describes a “critical and urgent need” for their expertise.

'Still a mystery': Ex-Disney star did not leave suicide note

Production of TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles" has been suspended for the week as investigators continue the hunt for clues as to why cast member Lee Thompson Young committed suicide.

THUG PIPELINE BLOWN AWAY: NYPD seizes historic 254 firearms, including military-grade rifles, in massive bust that stretches deep into the South

The largest seizure of illegal guns in city history will be announced Monday, officials said. Mayor Bloomberg, NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly and other law enforcement officials will reveal the seizure of about 200 guns at a news conference at Police Headquarters in Manhattan.

DYING TO TAN: One third of white high school girls use tanning beds despite cancer risks: CDC report

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that 29.3% of non-Hispanic white high school girls use a tanning bed more than once a year, dramatically increasing their risk of developing skin cancer.

Man accused of strangling pregnant NY woman faces family in court

Relatives of a troubled young Staten Island woman who was strangled in a park stared daggers Monday at the man accused of killing her. Pedro Martin, charged with second-degree murder and narcotics possession, avoided the eyes of Megan Marotte’s furious family as he entered a not guilty plea.

MASSIVE RESCUE: Saudi Arabia king orders 1,345-lbs. man to be extracted from his home with forklift and airlifted to hospital for urgent medical care

A Saudi Arabia man who may be the heaviest person in the world is now getting proper medical treatment — thanks to his king. Khalid Mohsen Shaeri, who weighs 1,345 pounds, was extracted from his Jazan home and airlifted to a medical facility in the capital city of Riyadh on Monday, Arab News reported.

Cruelest twist for kids: ACL injury becoming an epidemic for promising teenage athletes

OUCH! Shane Friedman, 15, of Manhattan, remembers hearing a terrifying crack in his left knee as he came down hard from a layup in a basketball tournament. Rebecca Popple, 16, of New Jersey, who has been playing competitive soccer since she was just 7, recalls crying in agony as she was carried off the field by her dad — unable to move her right knee.

NYC cabbie gets 11 years for robbing, beating passenger who later died

A Queens livery cab driver was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday for a robbery that turned deadly. Deevan Jagnarine, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing a passenger named Matadin Ramnarain in August of 2010. Ramnarain, 58, was extremely drunk when Jagnarine picked him up outside of a bar called The Rush in Ozone Park — then decided to rip him off.

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf indicted in assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto

A Pakistani court has indicted former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Afsha Adil, a member of Musharraf’s legal team, said Musharraf pleaded not guilty.

Avril Lavigne kisses 'Wonder Years' star in new music video

BANG BANG! TV icon Dick Van Dyke saved from fiery death on Los Angeles freeway by Good Samaritan after his Jaguar explodes into flames

The 87-year-old actor's Jaguar exploded in flames Monday afternoon, but he was pulled out by a passerby quicker that someone could say, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

'Some tragedies are crimes and some are not, and this one is not' — Limo fire that killed 5, including new bride, sparked by mechanical problems: officials

A mechanical problem ignited a limousine fire that killed five nurses trapped in the back, the California Highway Patrol said Monday as it released results of its investigation and 911 calls filled with screams from those inside.

Air Force says B-1B bomber crashes in Montana, four crew members survive

The U.S. Air Force says a B-1B bomber out of South Dakota’s Ellsworth Air Force Base has crashed in a remote area of Montana but the four crew members survived. Col. Kevin Kennedy of the 28th Bomb Wing says the two pilots and two weapons system officers ejected from the aircraft before the bomber crashed near Broadus, Mont., on Monday.

EXCLUSIVE NYC mayoral hopeful Bill de Blasio turns to his son, Dante, for second TV ad that focuses on stop-and-frisk

The new 30-second spot, Bill de Blasio’s second to spotlight his teenage son, will begin airing Monday on broadcast and cable stations.

EXCLUSIVE 'I feel they got away with murdering my son': Parents of construction worker killed in crane accident given $1M settlement

Sixteen months after their 30-year-old son died in a horrific crane accident, the parents of Michael Simermeyer have settled their wrongful death suit for $1 million. The money comes with no admission of wrongdoing from the crane’s owner, Yonkers Contracting.

9-year-old girl dies playing on trampoline

A 9-year old girl died from her injuries after a gust of wind carried the trampoline she was on and blew her more than 150 feet away. The tragic accident happened Tuesday while Oaklee Sidwell from Panguitch, Utah, was playing in her backyard.

Revised school disciplinary code encourages counseling, protects special needs students

Education officials are taking a more sensitive approach to student misbehavior for the upcoming school year with a newly revised disciplinary code.

Comics & Games

Sudoku Mega: Play Now! »

Garfield: Read Now! »

Peanuts: Read Now! »

Daily Jumble: Play Now! »

Retro photo galleries

Rare WWI photos show realities of life in the trenches

View Gallery

Kanye tells Kris: I considered playing sports to win Kim

Civilian Complaint Review Board considers using forensic sketch artists to identify abusive NYPD cops

So about this abusive cop — how big was his nose? The city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board is considering two new weapons in its ongoing fight against NYPD abuse and misconduct: a pencil and a piece of paper.

Gunman in Germany takes hostages at city hall in Ingolstadt

A gunman took three people hostage at the city hall in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt on Monday, officials said, and the standoff forced Chancellor Angela Merkel to cancel an election rally there.

TEARS OF A CLOWN: 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius bawls in court as he's formally indicted for murder and illegal possession of ammunition in shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius was indicted Monday on charges of murder and illegal possession of ammunition for the shooting death of the double-amputee Olympian's girlfriend on Valentine's Day. A Pretoria court set March 3 as the trial date for Pistorius, who has said he shot Reeva Steenkamp by mistake, believing she was an intruder in his home. Prosecutors, who allege he killed her after an argument, submitted a list of more than 100 witnesses for a trial that will be followed around the world.

wow WHAT THE FORK? Man inserts eating utensil into penis for 'sexual gratification'

A 70-year-old Australia man was hospitalized after inserting a fork into his penis for "sexual gratification."

Woman stabs husband to death during fight at Bronx homeless shelter

A woman allegedly stabbed her husband to death during a fight in a homeless shelter in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, police said.

Editors' Picks

CONFIDENTI@L: Grenade hits the Foxhole as honcho's aide is fired

Fox News honcho Roger Ailes has fired his right-hand man for “multiple, material and significant breaches of his employment contract.”

Little 'Glee' for Lynch, cast in filming Monteith episode

“Glee” star Jane Lynch has to steel herself to look at how producers will send off Finn Hudson.

'Law & Order: SVU' films episode based on Trayvon Martin case

It was only a matter of time — the Trayvon Martin shooting is getting a ripped-from-the-headlines “Law & Order: SVU” treatment.

Cedric the Entertainer gets some advice on hosting 'Millionaire'

When it came time to phone a friend, Cedric the Entertainer, the new host of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” called Steve Harvey.

Cowell comes clean on baby daddy drama

“X Factor” mogul Simon Cowell confessed Tuesday that he’s going to be a dad.

Flo Rida avoids lawsuit after being served papers on Facebook

Flo Rida rode right past legal sanctions when he was served with papers via Facebook.

Clarkson on being a stepmom: I dig it

With two months before she is to marry Brandon Blackstock, the singer is embracing the role of stepmom.

Little 'Glee' for cast in filming Monteith episode

“Glee” star Jane Lynch says the episode dealing with Cory Monteith's death will be a test for the cast.

Cronut creator to pen cookbook

Dominique Ansel, the mind behind the coveted pastry, has landed a book deal with Simon & Schuster.

PHOTOS Royal baby photo album

In celebration of George Alexander Louis, take a look at the royal family's baby photos through the years.

Nickelodeon star comes out

Lucas Cruikshank, best known as Fred Figglehorn in "Fred," came out as gay in a recent YouTube video.

PHOTOS Lady Gaga debuts style makeover

Mother Monster reveals a new, simpler side of herself as she promotes her upcoming album ARTPOP.

'Dads' won't reshoot scenes deemed 'racist'

Seth MacFarlane's new sitcom blasted by Asian America watchdog group - a month before premiere.

PHOTOS Elmore Leonard dead at 87

The Daily News remembers the famous figures we've lost in 2013.

Put the cool in school!

These back-to-school outfits earn an 'A' for apparel.

Selena Gomez ices legs while on ‘Stars Dance’ tour

Selena Gomez posted proof she is in need of a little rest and relaxation. After her gig in Winnipeg, Canada Monday the "Come & Get It" singer posted an Instagram shot of herself nursing her knees with two very large ice packs as she kicked back on her private jet.

Do Double Stuf Oreos measure up?

It turns out Nabisco's Double Stuf Oreos aren't all they're stuffed up to be.

Drake gets pulled over by ‘cute’ cop, posts video

The singer took to Instagram Tuesday to post a video of a minor traffic violation.

PHOTOS Hottest WAGs in golf

Paulina Gretzky joins an exclusive group now that she's engaged to golfer Dustin johnson.

What is Kim Cattrall's 'fizzy yoga'?

“Sex and the City” star Kim Cattrall says physiyoga is the workout that saved her life.

Where's Paris? Randy Jackson rants over whereabouts

Randy Jackson went a little nuts on Twitter Monday night, ranting that his niece has been confined in a psychiatric hospital for too long.

Brian Cranston's old yearbook reveals chemistry club past

Before playing Walter White on 'Breaking Bad,' Cranston was into chemistry.

watch Trailer for Cormac McCarthy-penned 'The Counselor' released

Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem star in upcoming thriller.

Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young dead at 29

Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young was found dead of an apparent gunshot to the head in his North Hollywood apartment Monday and cops were investigating the case as a suicide, a law enforcement source told the Daily News.

Taylor Swift pokes fun of Kanye West's VMAs interruption

Swift gifted tour partner Ed Sheeran a jar of jam with a note mocking West.

Prince Harry returns home after visiting a landmine clearance charity championed by his late mother Princess Diana

LONDON — The HALO Trust charity said Saturday the 28-year-old prince visited the Angolan town of Cuito Cuanavale, which saw heavy fighting during the southern African nation’s 1975-2002 civil war.

Kate Middleton's royal portrait dress sold out

Fashion fans vying for Kate Middleton’s maternity style will have to wait a few weeks to get their hands on the fuchsia frock the new mom wore in the royal family portraits.

Vogue's Grace Coddington returns to modeling in Marks & Spencer ads

The label pulled together an inspirational group of women for its latest campaign.

High diver wows at Statue of Liberty

Colombian high diver Orlando Duque dropped from a helicopter 75 feet above the Hudson on Monday, wowing onlookers with his wizardry while plummeting at speeds up to 50 mph.

Chris Brown cancels Canadian concerts because of health, legal issues

Chris Brown's touring schedule has been derailed following the singer's most recent legal and health issues.

Alexander Wang launches bag with Samsung

Wang channeled the 'collective inspiration' of smartphone users for his latest collection.

FROM WHITE HOUSE TO DOG HOUSE: Bo Obama gets a playmate as first family welcomes newest pet pooch, Sunny

Bo has a new best friend in the White House. President Obama and his family took in a second Portuguese Water Dog named Sunny, an adorable addition who will serve as playmate and “little sister” to First Dog Bo, according to the White House’s official website.

Olivia Newton-John’s Florida home investigated as site of apparent suicide

Authorities say a man has been found dead from a gunshot wound inside a South Florida home owned by singer Olivia Newton-John and her husband.

Lyme disease cases reach 300,000 per year: CDC

The figure is 10 times as many as are officially reported.

Uniqlo launches kids' collection

For the first time, Uniqlo's Japanese high-street basics will be available in children's sizes for kids aged 0-12.

Nick Frost, Simon Pegg are back in pub-crawl comedy 'The World's End'

Starring in “The World’s End” is an easy job — but somebody’s gotta do it.

Kym Johnson leaving 'Dancing With the Stars'

The 37-year-old Aussie said she's taking a leave of absence before the upcoming 17th season.

Campus Pride’s top 25 LGBT-friendly colleges

Princeton, Rutgers and Connecticut College make the list of LGBT-friendly schools.

CONFIDENTI@L: Calvin's ex Nick Gruber joins dire straights

Calvin Klein’s boy toy Nick Gruber hit a Fire Island party over the weekend.

‘American Idol’ ratings dip, though still high

The audience for the season premiere of “American Idol” dropped nearly 25%.

WATCH J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot teases with creepy 'Stranger' trailer

"This is what happens when men become lost," says the trailer's narrator.

REVIEW Comedy 'Modern Dads' falls flat

This concept didn’t work as an NBC sitcom last season.

'Breaking Bad' viewers call 911 over cable power outage

A contingent of "Breaking Bad" viewers were upset by an ill-timed cable outage.

PHOTOS Ex-Disney star Lee Thompson Young dies at 29

Take a look back at the stars who have left us too soon.

Prince debuts album cover art with Dave Chappelle

The "Purple Rain" superstar selected a photo of the comedian for the single “Breakfast Can Wait.”

Stacey Dash slams Oprah over Trayvon remark

The 46-year-old actress was appalled by how the media mogul brought up his death.

photos Pucker up, kids! Hilarious pix of adorable rascals tasting a lemon for the first time

An amazing new photo series aims to document the various emotions kids feel as they try one of nature's most sour fruit.

Kim Kardashian, baby North attend funeral of Kanye West's grandfather

It was a mournful family trip for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on Saturday. The couple took their 2-month-old daughter, North, to Oklahoma to pay respect to West's grandfather, Portwood Williams Sr., who died at age 98 on Aug. 10.

'Great' pairing! Wayne Gretzky's daughter engaged

It's a hole in one for pro-golfer Dustin Johnson and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's daughter, Paulina. The pair got engaged Aug. 17 and the 24-year-old Canadian beauty shared the good news via Instagram Sunday.

Coffee, wine and sushi all OK during pregnancy, new book says

Economist Emily Oster wanted to know more about the "rules" for pregnant women.

'Game of Thrones' star adopted dog that played her direwolf

Actress Sophie Turner, who stars as Sansa Stark, revealed that she adopted the dog.

John Mellencamp’s second son surrenders on felony battery charges

Hud Mellencamp has surrendered for arrest on charges of assaulting a man in Indiana.

Prince William: Prince George is ‘a little bit of a rascal’

Prince William is settling into fatherhood nicely, he tells CNN.

Lady Gaga's feud with Perez Hilton takes ominous turn

Gossip blogger Perez Hilton fired back Monday at allegations made by his former BFF Lady Gaga that he has been “stalking” the pop star by trying to rent an apartment in her New York City building - a claim that has apparently unleashed a flurry of death threats from some of the “Born This Way” singer’s Little Monsters.

Bee sting therapy causing a buzz in China

Patients are swarming to acupuncture clinics to be given bee stings.

'Bachelor' star Gia Allemand's funeral scheduled for Thursday

Doomed reality TV beauty Gia Allemand will be home for her final farewell. And her heartbroken mother, Donna Micheletti, intends to speak at her funeral.

Mom Christie Brinkley stuns in Hamptons

Looking more like sisters than mother and daughter, Christie Brinkley and Alexa Ray Joel soaked up the Hamptons sun for a fishing trip Aug. 15. The 59-year-old supermodel took to Instagram to share some of their fun filled vacation snapshots.

PHOTOS Toni Braxton latest to suffer wardrobe malfunction

See dreaded moments of overexposure.

Jessica Simpson shows off daughter Maxwell

Her 1-year-old daughter is still clearly the apple of mom's eye.

The Calling singer abducted, severely beaten: report

The lead singer for The Calling reportedly survived a hellish assault early Sunday morning after being abducted off a Michigan street and severely beaten.

Alexander Skarsgard goes full-frontal for ‘True Blood’ finale

Alexander Skarsgard gave "True Blood" viewers a little more of a jaw-dropping finale than they may have expected to see on the season six ender. Not only did the handsome actor, as the fan favorite vampire Eric Northman, strip down to his birthday suit - the 6'4" heartthrob stood up to reveal all of his full-frontal glory.

'Breaking Bad' recap: Hank's pursuit of Walt tears family apart

SPOILER ALERT: Sunday night’s seventh-to-last episode of “Breaking Bad” was not for the hard of hearing.

R&B singer Raz B comes out of coma

R&B singer Raz B is out of a coma after being hit in the face with a bottle while performing at a nightclub in China.

‘The NYPD Tapes’ reveals the cruel reality of being a cop in New York City

“The NYPD Tapes” is an eye-opening examination of the city’s police department and its sophisticated crime record-keeping system known as CompStat.

'Paternity Court' judge gives Kourtney, Scott a thumbs-up

The judge on the new show “Paternity Court” has some sage advice for Kourtney Kardashian.

PHOTOS Stacy Keibler flaunts sexy beach body in Spain

A newly single Stacy Keibler showed her famous ex exactly what he's missing as she stripped down to a sexy black monokini while relaxing on a yacht in Ibiza, Spain.

Angie Harmon: Sorry, I’m not Angie Hormone

The actress may be disappointing some of her lesbian fans, she says.

‘The Butler’ finishes first at box office

"Lee Daniels' The Butler" starring Forest Whitaker bested other big-budget new releases.

Kim Kardashian hangs with Instagram creator

The new mom has apparently found a friend in photo app co-founder Kevin Systrom.

PHOTOS Meet the best dressed dog on Instagram

With his impeccable wardrobe and model good looks, we think it's safe to say this is just about the chicest Chihuahua to ever hit the Internet.

EXCLUSIVE Bill Maher pokes fun at Simon Cowell's sloppy seconds

Bill Maher weighing in on Simon Cowell’s baby mama drama.

LISTEN Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson collaboration ‘Slave to the Rhythm’

"Slave to the Rhythm" has been updated to include Bieber.

Ziyi Zhang makes return to Hollywood 13 years after 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'

If Ziyi Zhang looks especially agitated during a climactic kung fu fight sequence set in a train station during a swirling blizzard in “The Grandmaster,” she wasn’t entirely acting.

Justin Bieber hangs with Jay Z, Kevin Hart

"Chilling with the boys @kevinhart4real and J," Justin Bieber captioned a photo of himself hanging with Jay Z and Kevin Hart.

PHOTOS: Oprah’s incredible style evolution through the years

From shoulder pads and bad hair to skinny jeans and corsets ...

Drive-in 'sex boxes' debut in Switzerland

Men seeking the comfort of a prostitute in Zurich will soon have a designated place.

SEE IT: The kids from 'Home Improvement' are all grown up

They grew up on screen, but sometimes fall off the map. See what your favorite pint-sized celebs look like as adults.

Kim K., Kanye step out in public with baby North

The power couple took their newborn to a doctor appointment.

Is ‘That ‘70s Show’ star’s boyfriend to blame for her relapse?

Robert Gilliam, the husband of late 'That '70s Show' star Lisa Robin Kelly, is speaking out after the tragic death of his estranged wife.

Ireland Baldwin: 'I never really thought of myself as a pretty girl'

You wouldn't guess that Ireland Baldwin ever had self-esteem issues.

MEDICAL MYSTERY: Eight-year-old girl weighs only 11 pounds and never ages

Eight-year-old Gabby Williams weighs only 11 pounds. The tiny girl from Billings, Mont., still looks like an infant and needs to be cared for as if she is a newborn, with her mother and father changing her diapers and feeding her multiple times a day.

SEE IT: Stone, Vergara strip down for steamy threesome

There’s a lot of sex appeal in the new “Fading Gigolo” trailer.

Pussy Riot supporters rally at Russian Consulate in NYC

The masked demonstration came a year after members of the feminist punk band were sentenced in Moscow to two years in prison for ‘hooliganism.’

Fiancé of 'Mob Wives' TV star gets 15-year sentence for dealing cocaine

Reputed Gambino soldier Joseph Sclafani, 47, received the sentence after pleading guilty to distributing cocaine as fiancée Ramona Rizzo, of the VH1 reality show, watched him get shipped off.

Is Beyonce's pixie cut already dust? Singer debuts longer, blonde bob

Just one week after Queen Bey stunned fans by ditching her flowing mane for a chic and sleek shorter 'do, she was spotted Thursday sporting a longer asymmetrical blond bob.

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Hottest Galleries

Adorable photos of children tasting their first lemons

Pucker up, kids! An amazing new photo series aims to document the various emotions kids feel as they try a lemon for the very first time. Check out the hilarious and adorable range of emotions felt by these kids ...

Celebrity wardrobe malfunctions

Ahh, wardrobe malfunctions ... Thanks to shoddy manufacturing, clumsiness and the advent of spaghetti straps, nearly all of Hollywood has experienced the dreaded moment of overexposure.

Oprah Winfrey's evolving shape and style

Through the years Oprah has struggled with her weight - and style - in the public eye. From shoulder pads and bad hair to skinny jeans and corsets, take a look at the talk show hosts' evolving look ...

Meet the best dressed dog on Instagram

With his impeccable wardrobe and model good looks, we think it's safe to say this is just about the chicest Chihuahua to ever hit the Internet.

Celebrity baby bumps

Baby bumps never go out of style among the celebrity set. See which stars are expecting and who's showing off the bump.

Awkward Mother's Day photos

Celebrate your mom this Mother's Day by checking out some of the most hilariously awkward Mother's Day photos.

Cutest kids in Hollywood

In Hollywood, it seems celebrities' kids are in diapers one minute and donning miniskirts and mohawks the next. They may be pint-sized, but these celebrity offspring often steal the spotlight from their famous parents. Check out some of the cutest celebrity kids, from Perez Hilton's newborn son to supermodel Miranda Kerr's adorable son Flynn.

Incredible celebrity engagement rings

Can you stand the glare? Stars show us their blinding bling.

Celebrities over 40

These stars make 40 (and even 50!) look like the new 20. Check out who's been drinking from Hollywood's fountain of youth.

Bass Dogs: When bass guitars get swapped for dogs

The world can now imagine big time bassists tickling dogs rather than their instruments. Check out the best of the Bass Dogs meme ...

Hot or not? Stars who've gotten pixie hair cuts

Sometimes it's just time for a (drastic) change. Take a look at the celebs who've chopped their long tresses in favor of a super-short 'do.

Animals, they're just like people

We've captured animals doing all sorts of things that people do from driving to scuba diving ...

Celebrity teeth makeovers

They may look good now, but at one point, these celebrities weren't picture perfect when it came to their pearly whites.

Animals celebrating Shark Week

While you sit on your couch and watch sharks devour everything in their path during Shark Week, check out these adorable animals who've dressed up for the occasion.

Skin-tight celebrity clothing

Remember when dresses were made out of, oh, we don't know, actual fabric? These days stars try to squeeze themselves into latex, rubber and spandex outfits so tight, they look like they were painted on.

Budapest then and now

In a homage to his hometown of Budapest, Hungarian photographer Kerenyi Zoltan shows off striking juxtaposition photography in a series filled with then and now images of the city ...

Abs-olutely hot! Stomachs of the stars

These celebrities aren't just pretty faces... they've got miraculous midsections as well!

Stars who rock retro swimwear

Love it or hate it, retro swimwear is making a comeback on the beach. Check out which bikini babes are handing in their itty bitty two-pieces for a more vintage look ...

Stars who wear sheer clothing

There's taking a fashion risk, and then there's walking outside in outfits that are completely see-through. With the paparazzi ready to snap their every move, you would think that celebrities would be smart enough to cover up before walking out in sheer clothing for fear of ... overexposure. Or is that the point? See who's playing a fashionable game of peek-a-boo and who is making a huge fashion mistake.

Ageless celebs: The secret to staying forever young

Who's been drinking from the fountain of youth? We reveal the secrets of Hollywood stars for whom time appears to have stopped, and point out a few others who could use a little help on the anti-aging front.

Celebrities wearing short shorts

The stars love their short shorts! See who isn't afraid to show a little leg ...

Hollywood moms before and after baby

Don't hate on them because they're famous. And rich. Hate on them because they look so darn good so soon after having kids.

William and Kate: A Love Story

On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton, his commoner bride, were married in a fairy tale wedding watched by 2 billion and celebrated around the globe. Relive their love story.

Amazing Animal Kingdom oddities

Are these the strangest animals you've ever seen?

Kate Middleton's royal maternity style

As the world celebrates the arrival of a new royal baby, George Alexander Louis, take a look back at some of Kate Middleton's most memorable maternity style moments ...

Leo celebrities from Mila Kunis to Ben Affleck

Find out what the stars have in store for them this month.

Same-sex star couples

Hollywood is teeming with famous same-sex couples - some more open than others. From public declarations of love to dates out of the limelight, check out the stars who have found romance with that special someone.

Bodypainted models become one with nature

Becoming one with nature takes on new meaning in these incredible bodypainting snaps. Artist Johannes Stoetter uses the human body as his canvas and then disguises his art in nature. Check out some of the best human camouflage out there ...

H'wood hair chameleons

Some are hitting the (dye) bottle, others are chopping it off. It's hard to keep up in Hollywood, where stars seem to sport a different hairstyle every day of the week. From tiny trims to full blown hair transformations, check out the range of looks for these celebrity hair chameleons ...

Marlin, the Kennedy yacht, through the years

The Prince of Camelot had his very own floating paradise, the Marlin, which he docked in the Nantucket Sound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts throughout the 1950s and 1960s. The Marlin, which was donated in 1970 by the Kennedy family to a Florida auction, recently resurfaced in 2013, with more of the Kennedy clan aboard ...

Celebs gone grizzly

These Hollywood hunks are hiding their sexy faces beneath some serious facial fuzz.

Kate Upton: Curves ahead

Kate Upton is taking the fashion industry by storm with her voluptuous curves and girl-next-door appeal. And now she's headed to Hollywood, starring in 'The Other Woman'.

Celebrities wearing one-piece swimsuits

Who says you need to don an itty bitty two-piece to look and feel sexy on the beach? See which stars are ditching their bikinis for more classic one-piece swimsuits -- and look hot doing it.

Fashion faceoff: Who wore it better?

It's a star's worst nightmare: Someone else is wearing the exact same dress ... and they look better in it! Though there are many designers and dresses in Hollywood to go around, sometimes stars get caught going for the same look. While their stylist may be getting the boot for such a serious flub, for the rest of us, it's a great opportunity to sit back, relax and decide who wore it better.

Famous Scientologists

Tom Cruise and John Travolta are just a few of the high-profile stars involved with Scientology. Here are some others.

Celebs who wear underwear as outerwear

The reason it's called underwear is because you're supposed to wear it on the INSIDE of your clothing. Check out celebs who've decided to flip flop their blouses for bras and their pants for panties.

Worst celebrity hair days of all time

Sure, celebs have access to the ritziest hair salons in the country, but somehow the rich and famous still manage to have bad hair days.

Celebs' dramatic weight losses & gains for roles

From Robert De Niro's dramatic weight gain for 'Raging Bull' to Matthew McConaughey's intense loss for 'The Dallas Buyer's Club,' check out celebrities who've shocked us with their shape-shifting ways.

Stars n' stripes: Celebs wearing their American pride

Do you love America? Of course you do. So do these celebrities.

Kate Moss photos up for Christie's auction

Kate Moss has been a prolific figure in the modeling world since the '90s, and now some of the most iconic -- and scandalous-- photos of the supermodel will be going up for auction at Christie's in London come the fall. Check out the collection of stunning photos.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2013

There were no shortage of celebrities hitting up the City of Light to check out the hottest designer runway shows for Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Check out the fashion highs and lows and see which stars sat front row.

Tennis fashion through the years

From ankle-length skirts of the 1920s to Venus William's sexy spandex, women of tennis have always tried to partner fashion and sport. Some were hits. Some misses ...

Hollywood heads to the prom

Prom night is about one thing, and one thing only: the dress. Sure, everyone wants a great hairdo, pair of heels and date, but what every girl really cares about is finding that dress ... and Hollywood starlets are no exception. Check out some of the most memorable prom moments from the silver and small screen.

Kim Kardashian's wild maternity style

With a Kimye baby on the way, all eyes are on Kim Kardashian -- especially when it comes to her maternity style. Will the reality TV vixen, who has made a name for herself showing off her famous curves every chance she gets, tame down her sexy look now that she's pregnant? Our guess? Probably not. Take a look for yourself ...

Athletes' beach bodies

All that time in practice and out on the field pays off in a big way for these sexy athletes.

Cancer celebrities, from Prince William to Jessica Simpson

Which celebrities were born this month and have Cancer as their astrological sign?

Stunning views from inside an airplane cockpit

The spectacular scapes that unfold in front of a plane are rarely seen, but one Dubai-based airline captain has invited the world into his office.

Katy Perry's body of work

Katy Perry is first and foremost a singer. Don't forget that. Take a look at her, er, body of work.

World's craziest homes

Whoa! From a house made entirely of legos to a home carved out of a cave, these crazy homes are sure to shock you!

Hollywood baby boom

Hollywood is experiencing a major baby boom! From supermodels to A-list actors, check out all the famous faces that have become parents in the last year ...

Sports

Broncos' Miller to serve six-game drug ban

Dempster gets 5 games for drilling A-Rod

Ryan Dempster was suspended by Major League Baseball for five games for "intentionally throwing at and hitting Alex Rodriguez" with a pitch on Sunday.

Eagles stick with Vick at quarterback

Michael Vick has been solid in two preseason games, and backup Nick Foles, in his second season with the Eagles, has struggled to grasp Kelly’s multifaceted offense.

Pujols officially done for season with foot injury

The Los Angeles Angels say slugger Albert Pujols is done for the season because of an injured left foot. The Angels made the announcement Monday before playing Cleveland. Pujols hasn’t played since July 26.

City manhandles Newcastle in Pellegrini's debut

Manchester City sent a strong message to its Premier League title rivals by thrashing 10-man Newcastle 4-0 on Monday, mixing power with panache to mark Manuel Pellegrini’s first competitive game in charge in style.

Hernandez fears daughter 'won't know daddy'

Aaron Hernandez, the former Patriot who allegedly orchestrated the killing of an acquaintance the morning after Father's Day, told a fan in a letter written from jail that he worried his daughter would not know him, according to RadarOnline.com.

Chelea dominates Hull in Mourinho's return

Chelsea marked Jose Mourinho’s Premier League return by overwhelming Hull 2-0 on Sunday as unity was restored following a season of division at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea ripped Hull apart from the start of its season opener, scoring both goals by the 25th minute.

Autos Galleries

BMW displays its past, present, and future

PRESIDENTIAL POOCHES: Check out the First Dogs that occupied the White House through the years

Sunny may have everyone at the White House squealing "aww," but she's not the first pup to call the Oval Office home. Check out the pets of presidents past ... read full story »

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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