MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

FOREVER BEAUTIFUL! An intimate look back at the stunning life of 1960s screen siren Sharon Tate — SEE THE PHOTOS

The life of stunning 1960s screen siren Sharon Tate is remembered in a new book 'Sharon Tate: Recollection.' read full story »

TERROR TRADE: U.S. swaps 5 prisoners for G.I. held 5 years in Afghanistan

President Obama announced Saturday that 28-year-old Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl (top left) has been freed following negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban mediated by the government of Qatar.

Expert: Trading Taliban leaders for release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl endangers Americans

Like all Americans, we celebrate the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from terrorist captivity.

EDITORIAL Obama kept promise to soldiers with release of prisoner

After five years in captivity, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is free at last. After five years, America’s only prisoner of war in Afghanistan will see his parents, his friends and countrymen who kept the faith that he would return.

Man busted at LAX for traveling with hand grenade in carry-on: TSA

Officials at Los Angeles International Airport arrested a man who had a grenade in his carry-on luggage, TSA said Friday. The grenade was destroyed offsite, but the incident delayed five flights at the airport.

Lupica: Glen Sather has gone from criticized to praised through NY Rangers Stanley Cup playoffs run

It was three weeks ago that they were coming after Glen Sather again, and were right to do it. But look where Sather is now. But look where Sather is now. He has a chance to be back on top for the first time in a long time in hockey, and fans to whom the Rangers matter, and deeply, want to carry the guy around on their shoulders.

BLUNT FORCE: Emily relishes action role in 'Edge of Tomorrow'

DEVELOPING Seven dead after private plane crashes, bursts into flames in Massachusetts

BEDFORD, Mass. — A private plane with seven people aboard crashed and erupted into fire Saturday night as it was leaving Hanscom Field in Massachusetts, authorities said.

Phil Mickelson is back at golf tournament after saying he did 'nothing wrong' in insider-trading probe

Golfing great Phil Mickelson was back in the swing of things Saturday, returning to the course after declaring his innocence in an insider-trading probe.

Six missing climbers on Washington’s Mount Rainier presumed dead

Park rangers have launched an aerial search for six climbers that went missing on Washington’s Mount Rainier, reports say.

Hamill: American Airlines workers who took pay cut after 9/11 lose privileges

They helped save the airline that they will picket on Thursday. Flight attendant Mary McKenna and her American Airlines co-workers took a 35% pay cut after 9/11 to help salvage the nose-diving company.

Bon Jovi's wife hospitalized after slicing hand

Rematch! Spurs top Thunder in OT, set to face Heat again in Finals

A year ago, the Spurs-Heat matchup in the NBA Finals was considered a classic. And now, an encore awaits. For the first time since 1998, the NBA Finals is a rematch.

Washington robbery suspect friends victim on Facebook, cops say

He doesn't appear to be the sharpest tool in the shed. Riley Allen Mullins, 28, of Port Orchard, Wash., was charged Friday with second-degree robbery after authorities say he tried to friend his victim on Facebook.

SEE IT: Weather radar picks up swarm of GRASSHOPPERS over Albuquerque

New Mexico weather officials thought their radar was malfunctioning after it displayed a few unexplained clusters four nights in a row. Turns out, the mysterious images were swarms of grasshoppers.

EXCLUSIVE NY Knicks Raymond Felton nears plea deal for pistol possession

New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton is nearing a plea deal in his pistol possession case, the Daily News has learned.

US deploys first advanced drones to Japan

The Air Force has deployed two advanced long-distance surveillance drones to a base in Japan over the past week, enhancing its ability to monitor nuclear activities in North Korea and Chinese naval operations.

RED-HOT: Michelle Lewin sports bikini on Miami beach

EuroMillions lottery winner plans to give away large portion of $95 million to charities

A generous French Lottery winner is to give away almost all off his $98 million win. The lucky winner said he will give away two-thirds — around $65 million - to French charities.

Son of murdered Texas couple arrested in connection with their deaths

Ryan Walton, 20, was wanted for questioning because police were unable to contact him after his parents, 54-year-old Michael Walton and 52-year-old Lynda Walton, were found dead in their Katy home Thursday.

Google gets 12,000 European requests to be 'forgotten' by giant search engine firm

An awful lot of people do not want to be remembered by Google. The giant Internet search engine company received 12,000 requests to be “forgotten” on the first day of offering the service.

Getty photographer raising funds for homeless photojournalist he met on the streets of New York

A Getty photographer discovered a shocking connection with a homeless man panhandling in New York—and is now trying to get his comrade back on his feet.

Raissman: Emrick's artful play-by-play on display again during NHL playoffs

When you have a virtuoso performer (in the current world of sports broadcasting you can count them on one hand), he should fly solo.

Gwyneth ripped by Green Beret in scathing article

Third suspect arrested in gang-rape, hanging of two sisters in India

Police arrested a third suspect Saturday in the gang rape and slaying of two teenage cousins found hanging from a tree in northern India, as a top state official said he was recommending a federal investigation.

Campaign against UES garbage transfer station postpones TV ads

Opponents of an Upper East Side garbage transfer station have postponed a planned TV ad blitz at the last minute in a sign that a deal with the city over the controversial project may be imminent.

Six Cleveland cops indicted in chase that resulted in two deaths.

A grand jury on Friday indicted six police officers involved in a November 2012 car chase that ended in the deaths of two unarmed people, was decried by critics as a racially motivated execution and is part of a wide-ranging federal investigation.

Check out the hottest WAGs of the World Cup in Brazil

Anti-dog ‘Islamic area’ sign in London sparks concern

British cops are investigating after a sign was posted in a London park ordering dog walkers to stay away because it was an "Islamic area" and "Muslims do not like dogs".

President Obama’s daughter Malia attends her first prom

A teenage rite of passage has come to the White House — President Obama revealed his eldest daughter Malia recently attended her first prom.

North Koreans create sports drink made from mushrooms

Some people have been getting help from mushrooms for years. But now North Korean scientists have invented a sports drink from mushrooms, which they claim improves athletic performance.

GLORY DAYS: Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.' still rockin' 30 years later

Kathy Hochul vows to take on equality, women's issues and jobs as Cuomo's running mate

Kathy Hochul, Gov. Cuomo’s running mate, vowed to tackle equality, women’s issues and jobs as she was endorsed by top city Democrats Saturday.

LAPD acquires two drones, to consider employing them for 'narrow' use

Los Angeles cops have acquired two small drones, according to a report. The Draganflyer X6 aircraft, which look like small helicopters, are about three feet wide and equipped with cameras and infrared night vision, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Anti-Cuomo activists fight for WFP nomination for Zephyr Teachout

ALBANY — Anti-Cuomo activists in the Working Families Party were not giving up the party’s nomination without a fight Saturday night.

New York man sentenced to life in prison for role in sex-trafficking ring he ran with brother

Manhattan Federal Court Judge Katherine Forrest gave Bonifacio Flores-Mendez, 34, the same sentence she gave his fellow ringleader brother, Isaias — life in prison.

50 CENT DEPOSIT: Rap icon one of the players behind Starz's 'Power'

Defense Secretary Hagel slams China for its claim of jursidction over land and sky

China's aggressive moves to claim jurisdiction over land and sky in Asia-Pacific risk undermining peace and security in the region and beyond, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday.

At least 6 indicted in nursing home death of 72-year-old woman in Long Island

A grand jury indicted at least six employees of a Long Island nursing home in connection with the death of a 72-year-old patient. The Suffolk County indictment accuses Medford Multicare Center for Living, its administrator, respiratory therapy director and several nurses of neglect leading to the October 2012 death of Aurelia Rios of Central Islip.

Las Vegas teen shot and killed older brother, 18, in front of mom: police

A disturbed Las Vegas teen shot and killed his older brother during a heated dispute about the younger boy getting his life together, police say.

Furious Indian villagers claim police did nothing to help missing sisters before they were gang-raped, killed

The villagers claim police ignored a phone call from the girls' father reporting them missing. Police have arrested four men in the gang-rape case.

Ray J arrested after allegedly spitting on police officer

House votes to block interference with state medical marijuana laws

WASHINGTON — Libertarian-minded and moderate Republicans joined forces early Friday morning with Democrats in an early morning House vote to block the federal government from interfering with states that permit the use of medical marijuana.

Massachusetts man, 23, charged with making false statements, destroying records in Boston Marathon bombing probe

Prosecutors said Friday that Khairullozhon Matanov of Quincy is charged with destroying, altering and falsifying records in a federal investigation, and with making false statements in a federal investigation.

Chinese man who stares at phone 'non-stop' suffers detached retina after texting in the dark

The 26-year-old, from Qingdao, started seeing flashes in front of his eyes after spending hour after hour on WeChat.

Kim and Kanye wear matching white outfits in Prague

California man riddled with cancerous tumors denied insurance coverage, then gets it

Funny what a little good publicity can accomplish Anthem Blue Cross first said no to cancer treatment. A day after local TV station reported Jeffrey Rusch’s dilemma, the insurance company said all is fine, family says.

Accused pimp suspected of marrying intern in prosecutor's office to witness tamper acquitted of sex trafficking charges

Jurors said they needed more proof that the alleged victim, a 27-year-old woman who has a child in common with Rodriguez, was abused and forced into prostitution.

Teen sentenced to 44 years in prison for gunning down two in Bronx park

Yenfri Ramirez was just 16 when he killed Edwin Liz and Allan Matos near Devoe Park in April of 2011. The slain pair were part of a group that had gotten into a scuffle with Ramirez’s brother.

DON’T BE CHEEKY! Royals hire ‘minder’ for Kate’s rear

Pa. man accused of stealing $350K of human skin

Stars don their best sundresses for Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

Utah man arrested in 1988 murder of 15-month-old girl

Sports

Fisher wants TO before any talk with Phil

Derek Fisher lingered on the Thunder’s home court after its season ended on Saturday night with a bitter overtime loss to the Spurs, and after he might have played his final game as an NBA player.

Myers: Nothing wrong with Johnny Football going to Sin City

Johnny Manziel went to Vegas and didn’t stay in Vegas and didn’t get into any trouble in Vegas and that’s really the most important news for the Browns.

Madden: BU$TBALL! Breaking the bank for 30-something free agents doesn't pay

In case you haven’t noticed, baseball is wallowing in a sea of mediocrity, none more so than the respective eastern divisions where the Yankees and Mets were both within striking distance of first place at the start of the weekend despite significantly flawed rosters.

Damon says he's out of baseball because he's 'clean'

Everyone’s favorite idiot delivered an interesting theory as to why he hasn’t played baseball since 2012. Former All-Star outfielder Johnny Damon told an Orlando sports talk radio show that he’s being blackballed by baseball for, get this, being “clean.”