MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

PIGSKIN PILL-POPPING PROBE: Federal drug agents launch secret investigation into NFL over prescription painkiller abuse among players, sources tell the Daily News

The Drug Enforcement Administration has quietly launched an investigation into the abuse of prescription medication in NFL locker rooms, three sources familiar with the probe told the Daily News.

New Yorker risked his life to become FBI’s first double agent and bring down Nazi spy ring — including femme fatale who tried to seduce him

'Double Agent' by Peter Duffy reveals how William Sebold brought down the Duquesne Spy Ring in what still stands as the largest espionage case in U.S. history.

Cop punched on train platform, in coma with head injury: authorities

An off-duty cop was hospitalized Saturday with a massive head injury after he was punched on a Manhattan train platform, authorities said.

N.J. Gov. Chris Christie partly blames President Obama for Middle East unrest

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says President Obama is partly to blame for Middle East unrest. Christie cited the violence sparked by the killing of three Israeli teens and said groups like Hamas “need to be dealt with, and dealt with firmly.”

Singapore bans book about two male penguins raising a baby chick

A children's book inspired by a real-life story of two male penguins raising a baby chick in New York’s Central Park Zoo has been deemed inappropriate by state-run libraries in Singapore.

Obama plays golf with ESPN co-host Michael Wilbon in MD

President Obama’s golf game has taken on an ESPN theme of late — and it’s got nothing to do with highlight reel shots (if any).

Eat it, J.Crew! TV chef Rachael Ray rips store for its size 000

Plane with swastika banner flies over Brooklyn

People enjoying the sunny weather in Brighton Beach and Coney Island on Saturday got a nasty airborne surprise — a plane towing a banner bearing a swastika-themed message.

Queens man wanted in bar fight gets arrested by NYPD while at barbershop

When the cops showed up Saturday, at least Praimnauth Sukhram looked fabulous for his arrest. The man wanted in a vicious attack inside a Queens bar in 2013 was sitting in a barber’s chair and sipping a beer when cops came for him, authorities and witnesses said.

British professor strips for confused students during lecture

A hairy-backed British university professor is being investigated after stripping down to his grey underwear during a lecture.

Donald Trump says he has 'nothing to do with' closing of A.C. Trump Plaza casino

Billionaire Donald Trump said Saturday that the imminent closing of the Trump Plaza casino in A.C. was no reflection on him or his real estate empire.

NOW YOU SIA: Camera-shy star headed for No. 1

Iraq airlifting 4,000 volunteers to boost government forces

BAGHDAD — Iraq is airlifting some 4,000 volunteers to an embattled city west of Baghdad to help bolster government forces that are locked in a running battle with Sunni militants, authorities said Saturday.

L.A. teen critically injured after standing up on double-decker tour bus, slamming into overpass

A 16-year-boy was listed in critical condition after he slammed into a concrete overpass while riding on a double-decker bus in Los Angeles County.

Female Yahoo executive sued for sexual harassment, wrongful firing by woman who worked for her

A high-level female Yahoo Inc executive has been sued in California by a woman who worked under her and is accusing her former boss of sexual harassment and wrongful termination.

Military could have prevented two deaths in raid on Benghazi post, officials say

The military could have prevented two of the four U.S. deaths in the terrorist raid on the diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, had commanders known more about the intensity of sporadic gunfire directed at the CIA installation and deployed a rescue team faster, officials said.

James Franco calls the shots with new play and movie

SEE IT Moose rams into car in Maine, injuring driver

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES: A Maine man was injured in the July 3 wreck. The moose died at the scene. About 500 moose-vehicle accidents are reported in Maine each year.

Israeli military orders Palestinians in northern Gaza Strip to evacuate 'for their own safety' as death toll climbs

The military planned to hit northern Gaza with even heavier force over the next 24 hours, a chief military spokesman said Saturday night, as the United Nations called for a ceasefire.

Monster snake measuring 20 feet long terrorizing boaters and swimmers in New Jersey lake

Animal control offers are trying to capture the giant boa constrictor, which has been spotted about a dozen times in two weeks. The snake is not poisonous but can squeeze people to death if it feels threatened.

Russia, China foreign ministers skipping Iran nuclear program talks dents deal expectations

Decisions by Russia and China’s foreign ministers to skip talks on Iran’s nuclear program this weekend further dented expectations that the stalled negotiations will produce a deal by July 20.

New York

Two slashed by knife-wielding robbers in break-in at Upper West Side apartment: cops

Two would-be robbers holding knives and a flashlight knocked on the pair’s 17th-floor apartment on West End Ave. near 104th St. about 4:25 a.m., and the woman, 26, answered the door, cops said.

City tourism official Marty Markowitz takes DNC delegation to Manhattan hotel to pitch bringing 2016 convention to Barclays Center in Brooklyn

Mayor de Blasio’s administration on Saturday used a Manhattan hotel to sell the Democratic National Committee on the idea of having the party’s 2016 convention at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

OFF-DUTY HERO: Brooklyn fire deputy chief leaps into action after spotting car fire on way to dinner

Not just anyone would have a fire extinguisher handy on the road — but James Leonard is not just anyone. The FDNY's Brooklyn borough commander jumped into action Friday night and snuffed a car fire on Flatbush Ave. near the Belt Parkway, authorities said.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Long Island cop beating victim, 20, suffers emotional damage

A 20-year-old man brutally beaten by Nassau County cops about three months ago looks physically healed — but said he still suffers emotional anguish.

Woman killed by train in accidental fall at Union Square

A woman was killed after she apparently fell by accident onto subway tracks at Union Square on Saturday and was crushed by an incoming train, officials said.

Selena Gomez's little black dress comes unzipped in Miami — PHOTOS

Utah man wanted to bomb police station, hoped to cause anti-government uprising: officials

A Utah man has been arrested in connection with a plot to blow up a police station, kill police officers and destroy infrastructure to delay an emergency response, authorities said.

Theodore Roosevelt will live on in museum, digital library

Theodore Roosevelt's love of America’s natural beauty spurred him to create and conserve hundreds of national forests, parks and monuments during his presidency. But the New York-born President’s legacy is being preserved digitally.

Crocodile might be responsible for plane crash: inquest

A plane crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo that left 18 people dead may have been caused by a crocodile.

Afghanistan's presidential candidates agree to election audit

Afghanistan's two rival presidential candidates reached a breakthrough agreement Saturday to allow for an audit of the country’s contested election — and a national unity government to be formed, led by the victor.

Germany vs. Argentina: The hottest World Cup WAGs face off

British teen confesses to stabbing Spanish teacher to death in classroom

The 16-year-old teenager ‘accepted responsibility for the unlawful killing’ of Ann Maguire, 61, his defense lawyer said. However, he did not enter a plea.

Retired Florida police captain charged with fatal movie theater shooting released on bail

A former Florida police captain charged in a fatal movie theater shooting was released from jail Friday.

Lupica: LeBron makes his decision, now ball in Phil Jackson's court

This was four years ago at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Conn., and 30 feet, maybe less, from where LeBron James and Jim Gray were sitting, James about to announce on national television that he was taking his talents to South Beach.

Chinese news anchor abruptly hauled off set by prosecutors

A top business journalist at China's state broadcaster was taken away by prosecutors, abruptly absent from his nightly newscast he was anchoring, China's financial news magazine Caixin reported Saturday.

Sports

Truth Hurts: Pierce bolts Brooklyn Nets for Wall, Beal and Wizards

Paul Pierce lasted just one season in Brooklyn. In another stunning development in a tumultuous offseason for the Nets, Pierce agreed to a two-year deal for about $5 million per season, a source confirmed to the Daily News late Sunday evening.

British Open: Hard to expect Tiger's return to greatness

Here we go again, another major for Tiger Woods. Back in the day, that would mean stacking them up in the win column. But as Woods returns to Royal Liverpool, the scene of one of his most impressive victories eight years ago, the only people expecting anything of him at the British Open are the bookmakers.

Gasol leaves Lakers, picks Bulls over Knicks

With news of LeBron James' contract details and Carmelo Anthony's decision to stay with the Knicks the other big free agent news centered on Pau Gasol’s signing with the Chicago Bulls.

End Zone: Pitchers are sitting ducks, but what's being done about it?

It was the bottom of the fifth inning and the 0-1 pitch was on its way, and the next sound you heard at Fenway Park was the deep thwack of a well-struck baseball. It was hit by Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino, a line drive heading straight up the middle, toward the big man on the mound, a pitcher disguised in a small forward’s body.

WORLD CUP LIVE BLOG: Germany vs. Argentina ... who takes home soccer's top prize?

LATEST NEWS: Brooklyn soccer whiz, 14, moves to Spain for competitive youth academy, coach says he can play in World Cup; Wright-Phillips powers Red Bulls again in 4-1 win; Brazil fans watch in shame as country loses to Netherlands in World Cup; Embarrassment continues for Brazil with a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands; Neymar sits on bench for Brazil’s third-place match vs. Netherlands; View All

Jennifer Lawrence nearly has wardrobe malfunction in Paris

HEY BABY: Why Ryan Gosling will be a terrific father

David Letterman walks out on Joan Rivers after CNN interview

Hot on the heels of the sharp-tongued comedian’s volatile CNN interview that saw the 81-year-old diva explosively storm off set, Rivers sat down with Late Show host David Letterman.

J.K. Rowling suggests return for Harry Potter in new story

Harry Potter is back — but, more important, so is J.K. Rowling — with a tantalizing new story.

President Obama turns down pot during night out in Denver

President Obama was a hit with the bar crowd in Denver. Obama was greeted with an offer of a marijuana joint when he mingled with the locals, first at the Wazee Supper Club and later at the Wynkoop Brewing Company.

Raju the Elephant chained for 50 years cries after being freed in India

An elephant who'd been shackled with spiked chains for his entire 50-year life cried tears of joy when he was finally freed from his horrific captivity.

Jessica Alba looks purr-fect in leopard print bikini at beach

Ind. teen charged with brutal killing of longtime United Airlines attendant

A veteran United Airlines flight attendant found dead earlier this week was allegedly killed by her daughter's boyfriend, 18-year-old Damarius Wren, who stabbed the Indiana woman six times, fractured her skull, then tossed her bound body into the trunk of her own car and then abandoned the vehicle.

331-pound Italian patient too fat for hospital MRI, told to get into machine 'for large animals'

An Italian patient was turned away from his local hospital for being too fat — and told to seek treatment where "they have facilities for large animals."

Guam-bound plane makes emergency landing

Passengers heading from Honolulu to Guam had a “Lost”-like experience Thursday when their plane was diverted to an isolated island in the Pacific.

Pamela embraces ex one week after Rick Salomon split

Friend of Georgia hot car dad barely recognizes 'monster' accused of murdering son

A longtime friend of the Georgia father who allegedly left his son to die in a hot car barely recognizes the man he once considered "the Ferris Bueller of Tuscaloosa."

Man loses fingertips on Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney World

A British tourist lost two fingertips on the Pirates of Caribbean ride at Florida’s Walt Disney World. The unidentified man was treated at a local hospital after the ring and pinky fingers of his right hand were sliced.

Chinese man charged with hacking into U.S. computer systems

U.S. authorities have charged a Chinese businessman with hacking into the computer systems of U.S. companies with large defense contracts, including Boeing, to steal data on military projects, including some of the latest fighter jets, officials said Friday.