MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

EXCLUSIVE 'We want to focus on the future, not the past': Teen who survived NYC blast — but lost mom and sis — has world of thanks to give

Oscar Hernandez was in a coma for 11 days after his East Harlem home was obliterated in a thunderous blast eight months ago.

MOTHER OF VENGEANCE: Afghan woman picks up dead son's gun, helps kill 25 Taliban militants to save village

The mother of an Afghan policeman gunned down by the Taliban reportedly went on a revenge-fueled spree, helping kill 25 militants in an act that's being hailed as heroic among her countrymen.

New Zealand killer and pedophile on the lam caught and deported from Brazil

A convicted killer and pedophile from New Zealand who fled to Brazil while on temporary release from prison was deported Friday

Mom sues Huntsville, Ala., cops, says they killed her son

A teenager arrested on drug charges died after Alabama cops broke his ribs and sat on him while he choked and vomited, a lawsuit says.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves hospital after heart stent implant

The 81-year-old jurist was sent home and was expected to be at work when the court hears its next round of oral arguments on Monday.

Shia LaBeouf: I was raped during Beverly Hills art show

Austin gunman targets downtown buildings: cops

Police in Austin say a shooter targeted multiple buildings downtown and prompted the evacuation of police headquarters before being shot.

Colorado honors axed Arizona professor with $2M grant to study pot's effects on PTSD

Dr. Sue Sisley, controversially fired from her teaching position at the University of Arizona in July, has been recognized with a $2 million grant from the Rocky Mountain state to continue her research.

Seven busted for smashing windows, shoving barricades at Turkey Day event attempting to #stoptheparade protesting Darren Wilson decision

A police spokesman said up to seven people were busted smashing windows and shoving barricades less than a block from the parade route. The demonstrators used #stoptheparade on social media.

'Casanova con' busted in Florida after he is burned by former lovers: cops

Trevor Thorton is back behind bars after charming his way into the hearts, beds and wallets of women across the country, authorities say.

Protesters crowd Walmart, Target to disrupt Black Friday shopping in Ferguson

Protesters in Ferguson, Mo. began targeting Black Friday sales at major retailers overnight in a new tactic to vent their anger

Deandre Joshua found dead amid Ferguson riots had bullet in head, accelerant on body

St. Louis police have released new details into Deandre Joshua's death after his body was found outside a Ferguson apartment complex Tuesday, near where Michael Brown was shot and killed in August.

British columnist ignites fury after saying Michael Brown’s killer deserves a ‘medal’

Despite earning a slew of anger and criticism, Hopkins has instead potentially added more fuel to the flames by tweeting about Brown again on Wednesday.

NO ONE'S SAFE: Elderly Ferguson man with oxygen tank attacked, run over and carjacked

Two men approached an elderly onlooker (center) in Ferguson. Mo. and took off with his car, but not before the senior tried to hold on to the steering wheel and was run over instead as the crooks sped away.

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED: Step-by-step review of the clash between Wilson and Brown

After reviewing minutes of the Missouri grand jury investigation into Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, veteran defense lawyer Ronald Kuby claims the jury was “steered” into declining to indict him.

Hamill: Grand juries can be persuaded to charge anything — so the one in S.I. must bring charges in Eric Garner case to avoid riots seen in Ferguson

We needed a ham sandwich out in Ferguson, Mo. We really need one in Staten Island.

Kathie Lee & Hoda: Hold the cranberry! We have real sides for your turkey

New tiny hamster video shows Thanksgiving dinner

In the latest offering of hamsters eating like humans, there is now a Thanksgiving video of rodents eating turkeys.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings holiday cheer to NYC despite some protestors arrests

Thousands of New Yorkers lined the streets for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, hailing the colossal balloons drifting overhead.

Nordstrom dominating social media ahead of Black Friday

Nordstrom is winning the brand wars on social media ahead of this Black Friday, new figures reveal.

DEADLY WISHLIST: Shoppers on the prowl for guns on Black Friday

On Black Friday, the rush from gun shops accelerates to nearly two checks a second, testing the limits of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Thanksgiving sales anger workers, higher earnings expected

More retailers were open even earlier on Thanksgiving than last year and stores may be rewarded with earnings that top last year’s figures.

PHOTOS The evolution of the Thanksgiving Day celebration

It's that time of year again! Turkey Day is finally upon us, but before we stop to give thanks, we dipped into the Daily News archive to find these great shots of Thanksgivings past.

New York

Bowery Mission serves Thanksgiving dinner to thousands across city in 135-year-old tradition

Hungry New Yorkers — like Jenny Vargas of Queens and her 6-year-old daughter Lian — were thankful to find a place at the table on Thursday at the Lower East Side mission.

City posts 17th century manuscripts online

THE CITY DUG deep into its past and posted online 17th-century manuscripts from the time when New York was known as New Amsterdam — the first step in an effort to digitize the historical records of city government.

City transit investigator seizes gun from fare-beater on bus

The bus rider didn’t have a MetroCard in his back pocket. He had a gun.

Man busted trying to stun guns past Kennedy Airport security

Jalil Dewan claimed to be heading to Dubai for a film shoot, but now faces weapons possession charges.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

NYPD union strikes back against ‘bad cop’ database

New York City’s largest police union lashed out against the Legal Aid Society’s new database that catalogues the misdeeds of bad cops.

Carriage driver takes deal after making injured horse work

Saverio Colarusso took the no-jail plea deal to avoid the more serious charge of animal cruelty.

CLAWING BACK: Catwoman Cop and four other officers file suit against ex-sergeant for groping, verbal abuse

The Catwoman cop is scratching back with a lawsuit against a retired NYPD sergeant who is suing her for accusing him of sexual harassment.

COUNTDOWN TO BLACK FRIDAY

Savvy shoppers will get the most out of sales, avoid pitfalls

PRO TIPS 5 ways to save more over Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend

With the retail price wars starting earlier than ever this holiday season, shoppers need to be twice as savvy about getting the products they need at the price they want.

PRO TIPS Shop online! How to find the best Black Friday deals on Web

Not everyone plans to be out elbowing fellow shoppers aside when the big Black Friday weekend for Christmas shopping kicks into gear.

PHOTOS Gift ideas for HIM: What to get your main man

PHOTOS HOW DIVINE: Give fashion lovers one of these glossy coffee table books

PHOTOS Gift ideas for HER: How to pamper your leading lady

PHOTOS With these gifts, a percentage goes to a good cause!

PHOTOS See the best kid-friendly presents this season

PHOTOS Try these boob tube picks for the TV fanatic on your list

It doesn't matter what your favorite show is — we've got you covered.

Gamer's delight: There's plenty for everyone to play

This Christmas and Chanukah, it’s all about the games. About time, right? For the last two years it was a series of new consoles.

PHOTOS Some of the best gifts come in small packages!

PHOTOS From tech rings to touch phone gloves — the gift of gadgets

There’s something for all your tech lovers this holiday season!

PHOTOS Festive gifts for Hanukkah, from menorahs to dreidels

From menorahs to dreidels, check out these festive gifts for the eight-day holiday!

Drew Barrymore on the wrong side of the law in Los Angeles

California mom is thankful son survived 230-foot fall

Janie Guglielmino gets to spend Thanksgiving with 4-year-old son Sebastion, who woke up from an induced coma after he fell off a cliff.

Accused ambulance thief tells cops: 'I wanted to go for a ride'

Paul Richmond of Louisville, Ky., who swiped an FDNY ambulance, told police he sped off with the rig because he missed his old car, police sources said Thursday.

Services throughout Greece shut down during 24-hour strike

A 24-hour general strike in Greece stopped services, canceling flights, closing schools and leaving hospitals barely functioning.

Diddy wishes he could 'turn back time' with ex Cameron Diaz

Washington state mom shoots would-be intruder as husband, kids sleep

mom in Washington was startled awake by someone pounding on the front door at 3:15 a.m. Thursday. As man tries to break in, she shoots him.

Two kids rescued after being buried by snow plow

Two kids in Newburgh, N.Y. were treated for hypothermia after they were found under a large pile of snow early morning Thursday.

13 Venezuela prisoners dead of drug overdoses amid protests

At least 13 prisoners have died of drug overdoses after inmates at an overcrowded prison in Venezuela stormed an infirmary during protests demanding better living conditions, officials reported.

Sports

NFL Week 13 Bettor's Guide: Safe to take Giants, not Jets

From the best NFL games to bet, to the ones you should steer clear of, check out Hank Gola's guide to get you through the week a winner.

Striking the Iron: No. 1 Alabama looks to avenge '13 loss

Desserts eaten, dishes cleaned, it is now time for the holiday’s main course.

Several FIFA officials, including VP, at center of probe

Several top soccer executives are reportedly under investigation for their roles in the suspicious voting process that awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar.

Former Met Sadecki remembered for pitching laughs

Ray Sadecki had what seemed to be an endless supply of baseball jokes and he trained his old Mets roommate, Jerry Koosman, to be his straight man.

Butt seriously, who is this celeb? (Hint: It's not Kim K.)

Colo. perv faked being doc to rape young immigrants

The disturbing scheme dates back to the mid-1990s, when Kenneth Lee, 58, began thumbing through phone books looking for victims.

Carjacker steals SUV with 1-year-old girl inside: NOLA cops

The Thanksgiving morning theft occurred around 10 a.m. at a gas station at 3400 Franklin Ave. in the city’s Gentilly section, cops said.

Minnesota foster family with 7 children fight to adopt again

Jessica and Jason Neal have always dreamed of a big family. Over the last 17 years they had two kids, adopted five and fostered 92.

Prince Harry: 'I never prepared myself' for Afghanistan horror

SICK: Wisconsin mom gets 7 years for porn videos with toddler son

Even the judge, who is a seasoned former prosecutor, appeared disgusted by the mother who stood before him in a Wisconsin court.

Okla. beheading victim tried to fight off attacker: autopsy

Colleen Hufford, 54, had defensive injuries on her hands and right arm before Alton Nolen, 30, allegedly decapitated her with an 8-inch-long cooking knife at Vaughan Foods in Moore on Sept. 25.

Head of Foxwoods wants to extend last call for gamblers

Felix Rappaport said casinos in nearby states have later last call times for gamblers, putting his casino at a disadvantage.

MY OWN PRISON: Broke Creed singer living in motel

STUPID HUMAN: Crook snatches man’s wallet, gets hit by car - VIDEO

Karma came back around for this dim-witted crook who snatched a diner's wallet but was then hit by a car as he ran away.

Nasty divorce yields largest settlement in British history

A British judge has awarded the American wife of a billionaire hedge fund manager the largest divorce payout in the history of England.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Kim Jong Un names sister to top government post

North Korea has revealed that leader Kim Jong Un’s younger sister is a senior official in the ruling Workers’ Party, strengthening analysts’ views that she is an increasingly important part of the family dynasty that runs the country.

SEE IT: Doctors remove parasitic worm from boy's brain

A parasite wiggled its way inside an 11-year-old's brain after the Chinese boy ate infected street meat, his father said.

Bette backtracks on Grande slam: I'm 'a reformed old whore'

Woman's ring recovered from sewers after being flushed

An Oregon woman was left speechless after kindhearted sewer workers sifted through human feces to find and return an heirloom ring she'd accidentally flushed down a church toilet.

Cops nab thieving tattooed couple after they snatch purse from 72-year-old

Police spotted Nathan Ray Sevier and his girlfriend, Lindsay Dugger, at an Orange County tattoo shop, but waited for them to finish getting their his-and-hers ink before they made the arrests.

Florida woman gets life after shooting dead husband's business partner in revenge killing

A North Miami woman bent on revenge was convicted Wednesday of gunning down the ex-business partner she blamed for the murder of her alleged drug-dealer husband.

UNTHINKABLE: Florida man rapes, beats stepdaughter, 3, to death

A 3-year-old Florida girl was raped and beaten by her new stepfather before she died Monday, police said.

Blue Christmas! Bey shares festive snap of her little girl

ISIS allegedly stones two Syrian men to death for being gay

Throwback! Gisele channels Raquel Welch for shoot

Puerto Rico police seize $11.5M worth of cocaine

Autos

Photos Auto show girls' sexiest, wackiest moments

There doesn't get to be a much better combination than women and cars. Objects of beauty, amazing curves, and stunning power...see the sexiest model-meets-car moments.