MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

INSIDE NYC'S PRICIEST RENTAL: Lux penthouses featuring 2-story crystal chandelier, terrace hot tub and stunning views ask a king's ransom at $250K per month —or $3 MILLION a year

The three-bedroom residences — a "Jewel" suite designed by bling-maker to the stars Martin Katz, and a “Champagne” version that features a refrigerated room to keep your bubbly cool — are perfect for the 1% of the 1%. read full story »

MURDER ON TAPE: Listen to chilling audio released by courts of Minn. homeowner as he guns down teens in basement

WARNING: GRAPHIC AUDIO A day after Byron Smith, pictured right, was found guilty of premeditated murder, jurors said the audio of the Thanksgiving Day 2012 killings of two unarmed teens — a recording that the 65-year-old switched on before the break-in occurred — was key in his conviction.

Minnesota teen made bombs, stockpiled guns in preparation for school massacre: cops

A Minnesota teen who emulated school mass murderers planned his own reign of terror in rural Waseca, plotting to slay his entire family before bombing his high school and shooting up surviving students.

Drunk NYPD cop’s shooting victim saved by heroic hockey teammate, friend says

The victim of a drunken NYPD officer who shot him six times was saved by his goalie, who rushed him to a Bronx hospital after cop Brendan Cronin allegedly emptied his gun into their car.

RAGING FOOL: Nephew of director Martin Scorsese busted for dealing heroin in NY

The nephew of legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese was busted for dealing heroin on Staten Island, a law enforcement source said Thursday.

Raissman: Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s stuck in rough waters

In an era when the next news cycle is two seconds away, it was fitting that NBA commissioner Adam Silver appeared to deliver five-minute finality Tuesday afternoon when he exiled Donald Sterling from the Billionaire Boys Club and vowed to take his basketball team away from him, too.

Mayweather accuses ex of aborting their twins in sick slam

Two Alaska State Troopers shot dead in tiny village, suspect caught

Two Alaska State Troopers were killed in a tiny village in the center of the nation’s biggest state, the agency said Thursday.

Victim of Cleveland sicko Ariel Castro, changes her name ahead of book release

Michelle Knight, one of the three women who escaped from Cleveland monster Ariel Castro’s house of horrors, has chosen a new name to go with her new life.

'I deeply regret the message': Mass. officials apologize for offensive 'sexual assault is always avoidable' tweet

The tweet reading 'sexual assault is always avoidable' on Mass.gov's account Wednesday led to a barrage of anger by readers who felt it ignorantly placed blame on sexual assault victims.

Gonzalez: A little respect was all that was needed for de Blasio, teachers’ union to make agreement

Mayor de Blasio hugs United Federation of Teachers boss Michael Mulgrew (left) after they settled a bitter five-year conflict which provides teachers with long-overdue pay raises.

Port Authority cops act as midwives as woman gives birth in cab

The yellow cab driver had just driven the woman and her companion out of the tunnel and was on an exit ramp near Laight and Hudson Sts. at about 11:30 p.m. when she went into labor.

Fired employee claims NYC transit boss masturbated in front of him while claiming to have Mt. Everest-sized manhood

Hector Prowse contends his supervisor, NYC Transit Manager Frederick Lynch, masturbated in front of him, grabbed his buttocks, and massaged his neck and back.

Jean McConville’s son says he knows who in IRA killed his mother, ‘They were neighbors. I recognized some of them’

The son of a Northern Ireland woman allegedly murdered by members of the Irish Republican Army said he knows the names of the killers and occasionally bumps into them on the street more than 40 years later.

Maryland police department plans to live-tweet prostitution sting

The Prince George's County Police Department hopes announcing the tactic publically will scare off potential 'customers.'

New Jersey Gov. Christie flying high with 106 helicopter rides in 2013 alone

Gov. Chris Christie is a frequent flyer. Despite rides costing $2,500 an hour, Christie flew the state’s choppers 106 times in 2013, more than tripling his use from his first year in office.

Aaron Hernandez indicted for jailhouse assault of handcuffed inmate, making threats

Massachusetts prosecutors say former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been indicted in a February jail assault and in a November threat at the jail.

George W. Bush says brother Jeb ‘would be great President'

Add former President George W. Bush to the chorus of former first family members who want his brother Jeb to make a move for the White House.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Prince Harry sows his royal oats in Miami

West Village guitar shop founder accused of killing girlfriend with knives

Carmine Street Guitars founder Dennis Guglielmo used multiple knives to stab his girlfriend during the 6:22 p.m. attack in the Downing St. apartment they shared near W. Houston St., officials said.

Woman, 43, sentenced to probation for having sex with best friend’s son, 15

A former Texas woman convicted of sexually abusing her best friend’s son for years, beginning when the boy was only 13 years old, was sentenced to five years of probation Thursday.

SON OF A GUN: Man, friend ran weapons and sold heroin out of parents' basement in Seattle: police

Seattle police and federal investigators raided a couple’s house on a tip that their son and his friend were running guns and dealing heroin from their basement.

JLaw named the Sexiest Woman in the World...

SEE IT At least 60 New Jersey students arrested for trashing school, peeing in hallways for senior prank: 'This is the craziest thing I've ever seen'

Police say a group of seniors broke into Teaneck High School, flipped desks, greased doorknobs and peed in the school. The students could face criminal mischief and burglary charges.

Pennsylvania high court gives green light to warrantless vehicle searches

LANCASTER, Pa. — Pennsylvania's highest court says police don't necessarily need a warrant to search a vehicle, but can do it based on reasonable probable cause.

At least 33 killed when Syrian government strikes civilian-packed street: activists

Syrian government aircraft struck a busy market Thursday in a rebel-held district of Aleppo, killing at least 33 in the latest attack targeting mainly civilians in the contested city, opposition activists said.

Two dead, nearly 100 inmates and corrections officers injured in gas explosion at Florida jail

Kathleen Castro says the explosion happened around 11 p.m. CDT Wednesday in Escambia County jail’s booking facility and caused the building to partially collapse.

... while Mariah Carey gives her a run for her money

Appeals court considers defamation suit targeting gossip site

Sarah Jones, a former cheerleader with the Cincinnati Bengals, sued the owners of thedirty.com in 2012 after they wrote about her sex life.

Terrorism, number of Al Qaeda affiliates both surged from 2012 to 2013: State Department

A surge in the number of aggressive al-Qaida affiliates and like-minded groups the Middle East and North Africa poses a serious threat to U.S. interests and allies, the State Department said Wednesday in reporting a more than 40 percent increase in terrorist attacks worldwide between 2012 and 2013.

Pentagon chief orders Defense Department to fight sexual assaults

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday sexual assaults are a threat to both women and men in uniform and that the Pentagon must do more to fight a culture that discourages victims from reporting crimes.

Oklahoma executions need more oversight: prisons boss

The head of Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections said in a letter to the governor Thursday that the state must change its execution procedures to allow for more oversight inmate's agonizing death this week.

TGIF! Check out the best celeb snaps of the week

Butcher-knife attack after Facebook dispute injures 2: report

Constance Almira Mullins, 29, of Benton Harbor, Mich. was jailed after two of her alleged victims arrived at a local hospital covered in blood Tuesday, MLive.com reported.

OOPS! NYPD retirees mistakenly sent $12K pension payments early in multimillion dollar muck-up

Scores of NYPD retirees got their $12,000 variable supplement — which they receive every December — this week instead, leaving those receiving the additional funds scratching their heads.

Gabby Giffords on Capitol Hill urging senators to address gun violence

The former congresswoman, nearly killed in a shooting massacre in 2011, urged senators Thursday to take up legislation to address domestic violence involving guns.

Texas vet arrested on animal cruelty charges after accusations he kept family's dog alive for blood transfusions

A family says Dr. Millard 'Lou' Tierce (at right) told them their dog needed to be put down, but then kept the pup alive for six months so he could be used for blood transfusions.

Olivia spotted with baby Otis two weeks after his birth

Nigeria bomb kills 12 ahead of World Economic Forum

An apparent car bomb exploded on a busy road in Nigeria’s capital Thursday night and a hospital worker said at least 12 people died.

Hunter College among 55 colleges under sex probe: U.S. Department of Education

Hunter College is one of 55 colleges and universities nationwide under investigation for possible violations in the handling of sexual violence and harassment complaints, the U.S.

Iowa doctor charged in death of Slipknot bassist acquitted of manslaughter

Dr. Daniel Bandi prescribed drugs to Paul Gray, the heavy metal band Slipknot's bass player who died from an overdose. Bandi was found not guilty on seven counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Texas man plunges to death from hotel balcony after wife refuses four-way sex: report

Michael A. Ochoa, 46, reportedly plunged 18 stories after a fight between him and his wife last week over her unwillingness to get in on the love fest with another couple.

Rapper-on-the-rise Jhene Aiko strips down for GQ

Ex-ethics member: There's dirt to find in state government corruption probe

With a federal probe into state government corruption heating up, a member of Gov. Cuomo’s defunct anti-corruption commission says there is plenty of dirt to dig up.

Teen, 17, charged in man beating death

The 28-year-old man who was viciously beaten by a pair of creeps who whipped him with sticks in the Bronx has died, cops said Wednesday.

Hamill: Mayor de Blasio, these knockout gyms need your help

Former cop Patty Russo set up the Atlas/NYPD Cops and Kids Boxing Program in Brooklyn and Staten Island in response to a Bloods and Crips shootout. Now, he needs a little help to keep them saving lives.

Colorado woman braves razor wire to free brother from jail, ends up arrested

A big sister's love for her little brother saw her clamber razor wire aiming to break into a Colorado jail in a bid to set her brother free. Monique Armstrong, 22, hen tried to smash cell windows Mesa County Jail early on Monday morning.

COVER GIRL: Kate Upton stuns in hot pink for Cosmo

WEAPONS FOR CASH: Buffalo-area state assemblyman to offer guns as door prizes at fundraiser

'This is just something we do out here,' said Republican Assemblyman David DiPietro. 'We hunt and fish. That's what we do for fun. We're rural.'

Florida megachurch pastor resigns after admitting to adultery 'with more than one woman,' watching porn

An ex-cocaine-using megachurch pastor in Florida — who gave up a life of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’roll — has been toppled after committing adultery and having a penchant for porn.

Crews clean up Virginia train derailment, crude spill

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Crews used cranes and other heavy equipment Thursday to clean up a derailment that plunged oil-carrying tanker cars into a Virginia river while state officials worked to determine the environmental impact of the thousands of gallons of spilled crude.

$70 million lawsuit against city, NYPD over fatal shooting can move forward

Key allegations in a $70 million lawsuit over the fatal shooting of an emotionally-disturbed Harlem man by NYPD officers can move forward, a judge ruled Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE Chiara de Blasio stars in comeback of the year

Accused killer of New York landlord Menachem Stark remains jailed with no bond

SEE IT Freight truck rams into car, pushing it for a half-mile

Jason Priestley dishes all the dirt on ‘90210’ drama and co-stars

NYC mayor reaches 9-year agreement with teachers that includes lump-sum payments, bonus for good performance

DJ connected to Philip Seymour Hoffman gets probation for coke charge

Sports

NBA Playoffs: Pacers and Thunder both force a Game 7

David West led Indiana on a 16-4 run to end the game, extending the season for the top-seeded Pacers with a 95-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.

Subban leads Canadiens to 4-3 double OT win over Bruins

Twice the Montreal Canadiens took the lead in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the rival Bruins. Twice they allowed Boston to tie it. Heading into the locker room after a lackluster third period cost them a chance at a regulation victory, Carey Price knew that there was still a chance to recover.