MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Bronx veterinarian driven to suicide following online attacks, bitter custody battle with animal rescuer for stray cat

A bitter stray cat custody battle between a Bronx veterinarian and an animal rescuer has ended in tragedy. Dr. Shirley Koshi, 55, owner of Gentle Hands veterinary clinic in Riverdale, was found dead of an apparent suicide. read full story »

'I may be white boy, but I can jump': Joe Biden brags about basketball skills at Black History reception, challenges Obama to game

Is that Woody Harrelson in the White House? Joe Biden has apparently got some serious basketball skills - and he ain't afraid to use them.

GOLD RUSH REDUX? California couple find about $10 MILLION in rare coins buried at home

A Northern California couple out walking their dog on their property stumbled across a modern-day bonanza: $10 million in rare, mint-condition gold coins buried in the shadow of an old tree.

COP'S NAME BLUNDER: Florida officer sent innocent teen to jail on rape charges for 35 DAYS in mix-up: report

Cody Lee Williams, pictured left, was arrested for sexual battery in August 2012 and spent 35 days in jail. But Cody Raymond Williams, right, was the one actually accused of the crime.

Stats show 185 people in Massachusetts have died of heroin in four months

The scourge of heroin has hit Massachusetts hard, where 185 people have died from overdosing on the deadly drug since Nov. 1 in a startling epidemic, state police announced Tuesday.

George Soros’ ex-girlfriend sobs as she pleads with panel of judges to keep her suit against billionaire

Adriana Ferreyr, 30, spoke before the normally sedate Appellate Division in Manhattan on Tuesday, as she begged the jurists to let her suit against Soros to continue.

Hoffman pal settles ‘gay’ lawsuit against National Enquirer

Golfer writes homophobic tweet about gay college football star

Ten-time PGA Tour winner Steve Elkington is under fire for confusing satire with anti-gay bigotry in an ill-advised tweet about Michael Sam, a former University of Missouri student who came out two weeks ago.

Oklahoma boy, 4, dies after uncle falls on him with knife, stabs him in chest: cops

A 4-year-old Oklahoma boy died after a relative holding a knife fell on the tot and the blade accidentally pierced through his chest, police said.

San Diego family suing Petco after boy dies of bacterial infection from pet rat

Aidan Pankey, 10, died last June from rat-bite fever after his San Diego family purchased him a pet female rat at their local Petco store.

SEE IT VILE INSULT: Virginia women called 'b---- a-- h---’ on Burger King receipt

It was a flame-broiled slap in the face when an unidentified woman and her daughter-in-law were insulted at a fast-food drive-thru. The employee who wrote the slurs has yet to be identified.

Barclays Center installs insulated ceiling panels to muffle concert noise from angry neighbors

Arena management installed 1,800 acoustic baffles following nearby residents' complaints about the thumping bass at Jay Z and Kanye West concerts.

Mt. Gox, top bitcoin exchange, shuts down after $365M heist

Mt. Gox, the world’s biggest bitcoin exchange, mysteriously went dark on Tuesday, raising fears it has gone under as rumors swirled that it had fallen victim to a massive theft of the virtual currency.

SEE IT Viral video of harsh Bronx arrest prompts demands for NYPD probe

A video of a police stop in the Bronx has gone viral on Facebook, eliciting hundreds of anti-NYPD comments and leading to a change.org petition to have the officers in the video investigated.

Boy, 4, hit and killed by father's car near Oklahoma City

An Oklahoma community is mourning the death of a preschooler who was hit by a car driven by his father about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Kerry Kennedy ate carrots, cappuccino and Ambien for breakfast on day of DWI arrest

It wasn't exactly a breakfast of champions. On the morning Kerry Kennedy was busted for driving drugged, she had fortified herself for a workout at the gym with carrots, cappuccino — and an Ambien sleeping pill.

U.S. expels three Venezuelan diplomats in response to similar action against three U.S. officials

The Venezuelan diplomats were given 48 hours to leave the U.S. in a decision that followed the South American country's boot of three U.S. consular officials in Caracas.

Guess who's doing yoga in the nude!

Punishments for subway grinders equal those of pervs who grope

Subway grinders are guilty of as serious an offense as pervs who squeeze, grab or pinch, the state’s highest court ruled Tuesday. The Court of Appeals ruled that rubbing your private parts against another person is enough to merit the charge of “forcible touching” and punishments of up to a year in jail.

'Horny' and drunk Florida woman arrested for calling 911 to beg cop for sex: report

A Florida woman who described herself as "horny" allegedly summoned a cop to her home and trying to have sex with him, pleading "I haven't been penetrated in years!"

Lupica: Knicks' Felton had potent ammo, no brain power

Raymond Felton, whose bad year with the Knicks on the court just got a lot worse off it, does not become some sort of notorious bad guy because he is charged with a Class D felony over a gun with bad bullets in it, one that he never should have brought anywhere near New York City.

Lawrence: NBA history suggests Felton will continue to suit up for Knicks despite gun charge arrest

Don't expect the NBA to put the hammer down on Knicks guard Raymond Felton after his arrest on weapons charges. Typically, the NBA allows the legal process to play out before a suspending a player.

Timeline: Raymond Felton's career from UNC to NYK

Apr. 4, 2005: Won NCAA national championship as a junior at North Carolina, named all-ACC first team.

Knicks guard Felton busted for carrying pistol with armor-piercing ammo, released after posting $25,000 bond

Knicks guard Raymond Felton waved an unregistered pistol at his estranged wife during a Valentine's Day spat in their tony West Side apartment, police sources said Tuesday.

Isola: More Bullets over Broadway for Dolan's laughingstock Knicks

Always remember that this was the year when James Dolan was expecting to lift the Lawrence O’Brien trophy in June. The Knicks, of course, will be free that month except for point guard Raymond Felton, who will be in a Manhattan courtroom fighting for his career.

Harvey: It's Automatic - type of gun is Felton's problem

New York Knick Raymond Felton was arrested early Tuesday morning for possessing an unlicensed firearm in his Manhattan apartment. And not just any firearm, but a FN 5.7x28MM, the notorious “cop-killer” gun.

Cuomo tells friend de Blasio: My way is better

In an appearance on the Fox Business Network, Cuomo said his approach — spending $1.5 billion over five years to fund statewide pre-K expansion — is better for the state than Mayor de Blasio’s push to tax the rich.

‘As I Lay Dying’ singer Tim Lambesis admits he tried to hire man to kill wife

A Grammy-nominated heavy metal Christian rocker confessed his biggest sin Tuesday, telling a California court he did try to have his estranged wife murdered. Tim Lambesis, the 32-year-old lead singer of the band “As I Lay Dying,” could face up to nine years in prison for asking a personal trainer at his gym last April to off Meggan Lambesis.

‘Star’ treatment given to Metro-North conductor Michael Shaw for apology letter to riders

Michael Shaw, the conductor who made headlines for apologizing to Metro-North riders for giving them bogus travel advice, was lauded by co-workers and passengers alike on the 6:52 a.m. express Tuesday.

Michelle Obama announces new rules for advertising junk food at schools

Even the scoreboards in high school gyms will have to advertise only healthy foods under new rules announced Tuesday by the Obama administration.

'He believed in it enough he died for it, so I won't step down for anyone': Snake handler's son takes up the same rattler that killed his dad

A few days after "Snake Salvation" pastor Jamie Coots succumbed to a venomous bite, his son Cody Coots was spotted at church handling the same snake that killed his dad.

Cop-killer Herman Bell denied parole in murder of two NYPD officers in 1971

The former Black Liberation Army member, convicted of murdering two police officers at a Harlem housing project more than 40 years ago, was denied his request for early release in a decision announced Tuesday.

Obama orders Pentagon to plan for a full U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 if Afghan government doesn't sign security deal

In a call with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Obama said the U.S. could still keep a limited troop presence in Afghanistan after 2014 if the agreement is ultimately signed.

Eddie Murphy's ex-wife has the last laugh in tiny bikini

A broken heart hurts your heart, British study finds

Risk is greater within one month of losing loved one, British study finds. Chance of suffering heart attack or stroke if over the age of 60 has doubled, survey says.

MORNING JOE: Vice President Biden hints at 2016 White House run during ebullient appearance on ABC's 'The View'

It wouldn’t seem easy to follow discussion of breast feeding on airplanes, Robin Thicke’s break-up, legalizing marijuana, Kerry Kennedy’s DUI hearing or Jenny McCarthy’s mention of “peeing in your Cheerios.”

More than two dozen new suspects — mostly former cops and firefighters — indicted in massive Social Security disability scam: officials

The new defendants include 16 former cops and firefighters accused of faking stress-related illnesses in order to file disability claim.

Robin 'canceled show, rushed to see wife to save marriage...'

Convicted killer of 15-year-old girl presses appeals as Missouri prepares his execution tonight

Missouri officials were fending off a flurry of late appeals from convicted killer Michael Taylor as they prepared for his execution by lethal injection shortly after midnight.

CHRISTIE'S POPULARITY TANKS: New Jersey governor's job approval down 20 points after Bridgegate scandal

The GOP is showering Chris Christie with love as the New Jersey governor's popularity tanks. A new poll showed his job approval numbers tumbled to 50%, down from the 70% he posted a year ago.

... but is Miley Cyrus to blame after twerking display at VMAs?

Debbie Dingell to run for House seat being vacated by husband, Rep. John Dingell

Democrat Debbie Dingell will run for the House seat currently held by her husband, John, who announced this week that he will retire after the longest congressional career in history, a Democratic official said Tuesday.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee arrested in England, suspected of terrorism tied to Syria

Moazzam Begg, a well-known advocate in England for people accused of terrorism, is one of four detained. He is suspected of attending a terrorist training camp and facilitating terrorism overseas.

Embezzler who allegedly karate chopped news photographers after court hearing gets assault case dismissed

Ziming Shen, 56, allegedly attacked the media following a September 2011 hearing in Brooklyn Federal Court for embezzling more than $3 million in funds meant for schools.

California woman claims ‘Google Glass hate crime’ after she's attacked for wearing device in bar

A male bar goer allegedly ripped the expensive recording device off Sarah Slocum's face and made off with her purse in an attack the woman has since slammed as a Google Glass 'hate crime.'

Florida man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend with machete

Youvens Madeus, 24, of West Palm Beach is charged with first-degree murder after the body of his girlfriend, Horacia Simeus, was found in their shared home Monday morning.

Former Ukrainian president's chief of staff shot and wounded by protestors

A former presidential aide despised by protesters has been shot and wounded, his spokesman said Tuesday, raising fears of retaliation as Ukraine charts a new tumultuous political course.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer expected to veto anti-gay legislation: report

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is expected to veto a controversial bill that would allow business owners to deny service to gays and lesbians, NBC News reported.

DON'T BOTHER WAITING FOR THE COPS: Las Vegas police say they won't respond to fender benders

Sin City police will no longer respond to minor crashes in which no one was injured, traffic division Capt. Mark Tavarez announced this week.

SEE IT Spanish shot putters perform Nazi salute in photo, get thrown from elite national team

Carlos Tobalina, 28, Daniel Martinez, 26, and youth team member Jose Lorenzo Hernandez face backlash after taking the controversial picture during a meal at the high performance center.

Beyoncé strips down, seduces Jay Z in 'Partition' video

Police dash cam video exonerates New Jersey man, leads to indictment of cops

A stunning police dashboard cam video helped exonerate an innocent man — and led to the indictments of two Bloomfield cops who wrongly accused the man and allegedly beat him during the 2012 incident.

Hunt for killer of Swedish Prime Minister takes Stieg Larsson turn

'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' novelist sent 15 boxes of evidence to authorities linking assassination of Prime Minister Olof Palme to South Africa: Swedish report. Slain leader was vocal opponent of apartheid.

Asiana Airlines fined $500K for failure to help passengers’ family

The fine announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation was a first: No airline has broken U.S. laws that require prompt and generous assistance to the loved ones of crash victims.

Sports

OK State's Gilbert puts on a show at Combine

This is how you cement your status as the top cornerback in the NFL draft. Oklahoma State corner Justin Gilbert clocked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Fisk '75 Series souvenir hits market

Game 6 of the 1975 World Series: The score is tied when Carlton Fisk comes to the plate in the bottom of the 12th inning to face Pat Darcy, the eighth pitcher Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson had used that magical night.

Drew catcher had others help him out

Last November, when Matt Kaplon began reading about other gay athletes’ stories through Outsports.com, the Drew University senior says he finally was able to suppress a long-standing fear of his.

Sergio Garcia turns into a paragon of sportsmanship

Maybe Sergio Garcia is trying to win golf's version of the Lady Bing. The impassioned Spaniard, who spent part of last year apologizing to Tiger Woods for that "fried chicken" joke, turned into a paragon of sportsmanship at last week's Accenture Match Play Championship.

Autos

Drop that top! Playboy picks Jaguar F-Type as its 2014 Car of the Year

It’s probably the only Playboy model with its top down that’s safe to view at work.

Latest Autos Reviews

EXCLUSIVE Naomi Campbell living up to her diva rep on 'The Face'

Moms group touts talks with Facebook over gun sale policies

An anti-gun mother’s group says Facebook has agreed to talks over its demand the social networking site bar users from offering to sell guns.

SEE IT The moment a woman on a boat gets slapped in face by whale's tail

Chelsea Crawford got up close and personal with the giant mammal's appendage as she sat in a boat off the Baja California coast.

SEE IT Spanish politician caught sneaking peek at sexy pic tucked inside official binder

Miguel Angel Revilla, 71, insists he was searching for a profile on Caja Madrid bank President Miguel Blesa in the steamy magazine during his peers’ debate.

Florida teen dies after being hit by train as he walked along Daytona Beach tracks

Giovanni Gonzalez was fatally struck by a locomotive near Wilder Boulevard, Daytona Beach, at 8:30 p.m. Monday night.

MEXICO’S UNDERGROUND DRUG WORLD: See the elaborate network of tunnels infamous billionaire drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’ used to elude authorities for 13 years

The astounding photos following Joaquin Guzman's capture after 13 years on the lam show how he was able to scurry between multiple safe houses interconnected through a city's drainage system.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he's hitting the gym and touts 'fantastic track record' in interview on 'Today'

The politician stays upbeat and optimistic on Tuesday during a conversation with Matt Lauer — despite the reality of the Canadian leader's drug-filled past and stripped down power.

Utah teen in court for driving while boyfriend shot and killed deputy, wounded another

A Utah teen faced a judge for the first time after she allegedly drove her boyfriend as he fired on Utah County Sheriff’s deputies, killing one and wounding another during a highway crime spree last month.

SEE IT Grizzly bear protecting cub charges two mountain bikers – runs one 50 feet off a cliff

Brad Paras, 32, of Edmonton, Alberta, was riding his new mountain bike with his cousin on a trail at Jasper National Park last August when he encountered an obstacle he didn't expect — a beast protecting her cub.

Bill Murray pays tribute to estranged friend Harold Ramis

Just kidding: Bieber neighborhood 'protest' was a prank

LUCKY THREE! Philadelphia newlyweds beat one in a million odds by welcoming naturally conceived identical triplets

Allison and Wes Rhoa welcomed tiny daughters Ava, Avery and Alissa into the world at Abington Memorial Hospital earlier this month.

CAMPUS ON ALERT: Multiple rapes over the weekend at UC-Santa Barbara have students on edge

The University of California-Santa Barbara campus is on high alert after two rapes over the weekend — and a gang rape reported little more than a month ago.

Jennifer and Justin reunite in L.A. after weeks apart

THANK GOD! Three thugs shoot Ohio bus driver, who is miraculously saved when his copy of the Bible stops two bullets meant for his chest

An Ohio bus driver can thank the words of God for saving his life after he was shot at three times — but two of the bullets were stopped by a version of the Bible the man had in his front chest pocket.

Michael Sam unimpressive at NFL Scouting Combine, struggles in 40-yard dash and weight room

Michael Sam made a good impression during his media press conference on Saturday. But on on the field Monday he couldn't do the same thing.

Comics & Games

Hidato: Play Now! »

Jumble Solitaire: Play Now! »

Wumo: Read Now! »

Arlo & Janis: Read Now! »

Lupita Nyong'o dazzles on the red carpet

MERKEL'S KAMF: Unfortunate lighting gives German Chancellor Angela Merkel ‘Hitler mustache’ in viral photo

A hilarious photo of German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a shadow over her face resembling a toothbrush mustache made waves across social media Tuesday. The unusual image shows Merkel meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seen pointing to his right.

Pentagon plan to cut active-duty Army is reasonable, but nation's budget is still in trouble: expert

First, if sequestration kicks back in by 2016, deeper cuts will be needed. Then we could find ourselves in strategic trouble. Second, weapons modernization is being spared more than necessary.