MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

EARTHQUAKE SHAKES LOS ANGELES: 5.1 tremor sparks more than 40 aftershocks, overturning cars, wrecking stores and bringing Disneyland to a halt — 'It just didn't feel like it would end'

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake was widely felt in the Los Angeles area and surrounding counties Friday evening, but authorities said there were no immediate reports of significant damages or injuries. read full story »

ALL UNRAVELING? Top Christie ally resigns from Port Authority post as fired Bridgegate aide reveals she is now willing to testify

New Jersey Gov. Christie’s top appointee at the Port Authority — one of the key figures in the Bridgegate probe — resigned his position Friday with the bistate agency.

VICIOUS ATTACK: Ohio sisters stripped of their clothes and humiliated in shocking video posted to Facebook

A night at the club led to a vicious attack at a Cincinnati housing project where two sisters were stripped of their clothes while bystanders recorded the assault and did nothing.

Pennsylvania woman admits smothering, hiding newborn in sports bar bathroom toilet tank

A woman who gave birth in a sports bar, smothered the newborn in a trash bag and stuffed it in a toilet tank has admitted to the heinous crime to avoid the death penalty.

World Trade Center top security official resigns after being urged to step down

A top official responsible for protecting 1 World Trade Center tendered his resignation Friday amid a flurry of security flops.

Myers: Are Jets his next Gang? Idzik should stay away from Jackson

Aaron Hernandez had just signed a five-year, $40 million contract with a $12.5 million bonus, $50,000 of which he immediately donated to the Myra Kraft Giving Back Fund.

Lady Gaga goes over-the-top as Roseland's last act

5-year-old Pa. boy started fire that killed his 2-year-old cousin: DA

A 5-year-old Pennsylvania boy used a cigarette lighter to spark a deadly fire that killed his 2-year-old cousin, authorities said.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT British man cuts off own hand with homemade guillotine after years of suffering from nerve pain

United Kingdom man Mark Goddard fashioned a makeshift guillotine to cut his own hand off after he said he couldn’t tolerate the pain radiating from the nerve endings.

Fugitive pig surrenders to California cops after short foot pursuit

Sophie the pet pig sent Santa Monica police on a wild hog chase Wednesday afternoon after deciding to make a break for it.

Florida man pulls gun on teen after finding him in stepdaughter's closet, then makes her do squats as punishment

Timothy Estes, 39, allegedly aimed the pistol at the 16-year-old boy's head and walked him out of his house before slapping the 14-year-old girl and making her do a number of exercises.

General Motors recalling 824,000 more cars linked to defective ignition switches

The company will add vehicles from the 2008-2011 model years to a recall that initially covered cars only through the 2007 model year.

Scientists use ‘mind reading’ brain scanners to reconstruct faces people are thinking about

An astounding new study using brain scanners has demonstrated its ability to blindly reconstruct faces seen in people's thoughts.

SKIN DEEP: New York model sues for $21 million after slashing by jealous rival at high school: suit

Jazmin Drain, now 18, says a classmate cut her face last May at Freeport High School, according to her $21 million Brooklyn Federal Court suit

Ex-Florida A&M marching band member gets one-year sentence for hazing death

A circuit judge in Orange County, Fla., sentenced a former member of Florida A&M University's marching band to one year in jail for the death of a drum major during a hazing ritual.

SEE IT Michigan gas station employee leaves note on door to boss: 'Learn to be on time'

The employee taped a passive-aggressive note to the window of the Eastown, Mich. gas station where customers could see. He even posted a 'Help Wanted' sign.

Katherine Webb and QB AJ McCarron ENGAGED

Alleged gangbanger arrested just DAYS after he's placed on 'Most Wanted' list in execution slay of girlfriend, her son, 2

Juan Elias Garcia, 21, was nabbed near the U.S. embassy in Managua by local police just two days after the FBI added him to their “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list and offered a $100,000 reward for his head.

Rihanna and Drake flaunt relationship in London

President Obama urges Vladimir Putin to pull back Russian troops from Ukraine border

Obama urges Russia to offer a written response to a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine crisis. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergie Lavrov to discuss further steps.

Suspect killed after opening fire, wounding cop, in Ontario courthouse

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said a man entered the court house in Brampton, Ontario and fired shots, injuring a police officer in the security screening area before being shot dead by police.

JAHI'S MOM STILL HAS HOPE: Mother says teen declared brain dead after tonsil surgery has shown signs of life

Jahi McMath, 13, who was at the center of a heated right-to-life fight, moves in bed and bends at the waist but her mom admits that she’s still 'asleep.'

Extreme hoarder who had been missing for weeks found dead in home underneath layers of garbage

The unidentified elderly man's home was so filled to the brim with debris, including jars of urine and feces, that hazmat crews had to enter through the roof.

Raissman: Derek Jeter farewell coverage could become difficult for YES if Yankees Captain struggles

Is it YES or JES? Considering the amount of time the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network has devoted to promoting “The Captain’s Final Quest,” renaming the outlet the Jeter Entertainment & Sports Network would be totally appropriate, something we fully endorse.

Oklahoma man wades through dump to find lost wedding ring

Animal doctor Gary McNeill's ring had fallen into the trash during post-op cleaning and the garbage had already been emptied into the office's Dumpster — which was headed to the dump.

Little League family terrorized for YEARS in New York by crazed parent

Little League coach's family in the Long Island town of East Meadow says they were terrorized by upset mom whose son didn't make the travel team.

Nine hurt in explosion, acid spill at Indianapolis Rolls-Royce factory

Nine workers were injured after an explosion and acid spill at an Indianapolis Rolls-Royce plant released a chemical cloud of nitric acid.

Oklahoma man killed family cat for peeing in his boots, cops say

Kevin Grace, 43, of Moore, is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly killing his family's cat. His wife said he threw the animal against a closet door inside their home after a fight.

'If you are not afraid of dying then come in and bother me': Minn. dad kills son over refusal to get cable

An elderly Minnesota father fatally shot his son during a dispute over installing cable in the family home, then held a SWAT team at bay during an hours-long standoff, police said.

BREAKFAST WARS: McDonald's to offer free coffee for two weeks

The fast food giant announced that participating U.S. restaurants will offer free small McCafe coffees during breakfast hours from March 31 through April 13.

Evangelical church in New Zealand markets olive oil as cure-all treatment for tumors, schizophrenia, relationship problems

Olive oil has long been hailed for its healthy properties. But can it really shrink tumors, stop schizophrenia and mend broken relationships?

Pilot landing at LaGuardia Airport temporarily blinded by green laser beamed into cockpit

The Delta Airlines flight was approaching LaGuardia at about 8 p.m. Tuesday when the light flashed into his eyes.

Saadi Khadafy, son of Libyan dictator, apologizes to country in TV footage

Libyan state TV has aired footage showing one of late dictator Muammar Khadafy sons jailed in Libya apologizing to the nation and asking for forgiveness.

Get a room! Cara and Michelle get close in public

New Jersey man high on cocaine takes naked ride on child-sized tricycle through apartment complex

Jermaine Jones, 31, was collared after police officers found the nude man chewing glass and tobacco under a stairwell in the Ocean County complex, the Ocean Signal reported.

Calif. Senate votes to suspend Leland Yee after 'guns for campaign cash' allegations

The Democratically controlled California Senate has voted to suspend three Democrats who face criminal charges, after the latest lawmaker to be hauled into court refused to step down.

Kennedys honor George H.W. Bush with Profile of Courage award for 'read my lips' flip flop

George H.W. Bush’s epic “read my lips: no new taxes” promise cost him a second White House term but it’s earning him a 2014 Profile in Courage award from the Kennedy clan.

SEE IT New Jersey teen suspended from high school for flying Confederate flag from pickup truck

Gregory Vied, 17, said he refused to take down his oversized Stars and Bars flag, which he was flying from the back of his truck in the parking lot of Steinert High School in Hamilton Township.

California woman's home burgled by Facebook 'friend' when she was on vacation: cops

Stacey Grant said she posted a note that she was away on vacation with her family in Las Vegas. But hours later, her Facebook friend and two others were arrested for breaking into her home.

Chicago funeral home had camera hidden inside employee bathroom: receptionist

Staff members at Smith and Thomas Funeral Homes were shocked to discover a camera hidden in their employee bathroom. ‘I feel like I’ve been violated,’ the receptionist said.

Georgia man busted for beating 16-year-old boy after catching him in shower with his stepdaughter

Clinton Ward, 49, allegedly attacked the naked 16-year-old boy after he stepped out of the bathroom with the man’s stepdaughter, 16, on Tuesday.

Oscar Pistorius gets 10 day break before taking the stand in his own defense after judge's assistant falls ill

Oscar Pistorius has been given a 10 day reprieve before he can take the stand and try and convince the court he isn't a murderer.

CA-CAW: Gaga dons unusual birthday suit in New York City

WATCH New Snickers ad blasted as sexist for showing construction workers shouting 'empowering' remarks at female passersby

A television advertisement showing outdoor workers yelling at women in Australia has put a new slant on old brand of sexism - and both men and women are criticizing it as sexist.

Armenians flee Syria after rebels seize historic area

When hundreds of residents of the postcard-pretty coastal Syrian village of Kassab fled this week, it bore historic weight: it was the third time since 1900 that ethnic Armenians there felt compelled to leave.

Nick gives Mariah big bling after bragging about bedding Kim

Married people have less heart problems than those who are single

German woman found dead in front of TV after six months

Jessica shows off seriously slim body on Instagram

Teen Omaha carjacker stumped by stick shift: police

Barber accused of fatally stabbing teen in chest with scissors over $40

Sports

Trout, Angels agree to $144.5 million, six-year deal

Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $144.5 million, six-year contract that runs through 2020. The Angels announced the deal Friday night and said Trout and his family will be at a news conference Saturday in Anaheim along with owner Arte Moreno, manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Jerry Dipoto.

NBA power rankings: Sixers hit bottom, but that's the point

The Sixers have proven to be great at only one thing this season: Losing. They can break the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history Saturday night with a loss at home to the Detroit Pistons.

Montreal and Mets show love for Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter

Olympic Park may never have major league baseball again after this weekend, but it will always have the Kid. In a ceremony before Friday night’s exhibition game between the Mets and the Blue Jays, a banner was unveiled in right field at this old ballpark commemorating the life of former Mets and Expos Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter.

Weiss: Kentucky freshmen rally, stun in-state rival Louisville

Kentucky basketball has been a work in progress. When John Calipari signed what was being called the best recruiting class in modern-day history and then suggested the goal for the ’Cats this season was 40-0, he immediately put a target on himself and his team.