MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

Man who was freed by DNA evidence after serving 32 years in prison for rape, murder of 3-year-old girl faces new charges in teen's killing

Andre Davis was exonerated for a 1980 murder after prosecutors decided not to retry the case after DNA evidence overturned his conviction. But Davis is back behind bars in killing of 19-year-old.

Man attempting to row from NYC to Scotland Atlantic Ocean suffers 'serious injury' after strong storms

Niall Iain Macdonald, 39, launched his 24-foot ocean-rowing craft Alliance Trust from Liberty Landing Marina on Thursday and began his 3,400-mile adventure to Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis.

Ukraine ministry: Pro-Russian separatists down packed military aircraft, killing dozens

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that pro-Russian separatists have shot down a large military transport plane in the country's unsettled east and that service personnel aboard were killed.

PIZZA PARLOR HORROR: Three shot, including 9-year-old girl, at Yonkers pizzeria

A 9-year-old girl was shot in the chest at a Yonkers pizzeria Friday, police said. An unidentified gunman opened fire outside Pizza D’Oria on Palisades Ave. near Elm St. at about 6 p.m., hitting the child.

Race to replace Majority Leader Cantor shifts right as Tea Party-backed Rep. Labrador jumps in

A Tea Party-backed congressman jum ped into the race for House majority leader on Friday, giving conservative Republicans an alternative to the establishment pick, Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

Kim puts on a show in sheer top at Bonnaroo

Hero who saved 4 kids from Brooklyn fire dies of injuries suffered during daring rescue

James Frye, 47, was staying with his pal Adrienne Mitchell while his apartment was being renovated when a fire broke out in her Brooklyn apartment on June 2. Frye helped rescue Mitchell’s four grandchildren.

AT IT AGAIN: Ex-serial sexter Anthony Weiner explains ‘favoriting’ tweet about ‘ultimate sext machine’

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner caused a stir Friday on Twitter when it was revealed he ‘favorited’ a tweet that said, “Tinder will now be the ultimate sext machine.”

Harrison Ford remains in hospital after suffering broken ankle during 'Star Wars' filming

Actor Harrison Ford suffered a broken ankle in the on-set “Star Wars” mishap that sent a tremor through the Force, studio officials confirmed Friday.

Dad left 14-month-old girl to drown in overflowing bathtub, cops say

The father of a 14-month-old Bronx girl who died after being left unattended in an overflowing bathtub has been charged with manslaughter, law enforcement sources said Friday.

A DAME: Actress earns new title for overseas work

Twisted Florida man allegedly plotted to slay family, film girl's rape for DVD, cops say

A Florida man's twisted plot to lure a family into an abandoned home before raping the child on camera and then killing them all was nearly successful until the would-be victims became suspicious and left.

Undercover cop, motorcycle crew involved in road rage beatdown of dad possibly headed to trial

The defendants — including NYPD Det. Wojciech Braszczok — have so far rejected plea deals in the gang assault case, sources said. All but one of the defendants face up to 25 years behind bars.

Two Brown University football players accused of raping 'incapacitated' freshman asked to leave school: report

A freshman at Providence College accused the football players, also freshmen, of raping her while she was incapacitated in a dorm room on Brown's campus in November of 2013, according to local media.

Facebook, Twitter reportedly blocked by Iraqi government

Social media websites have been reported blocked in Iraq, with some outlets reporting that the country’s government has begun blocking access to social media to stop militants from using them.

Pornstar agency trying to steal Maxim thunder: suit

Bergdahl ‘looked good’ after landing in Texas, as report says he was in solitary confinement for TWO YEARS

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl settled in at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Friday and “looked good” as he continues reintegration process on U.S. soil after five years as a Taliban prisoner, official said.

American teen among 3 people abducted by extremist group in West Bank

The Israeli military said that several of its soldiers are in the West Bank looking for 3 teenagers who were reported missing. Some reports say they were kidnapped by Palestinian militants.

THAT'S NO CROUTON: Arizona woman finds unwelcome addition — a razor blade — to Burger King salad

Yep, there really was a razor in her salad. The old fashioned, single-edged kind used in everything from woodworking to removing stubborn price stickers.

Atlanta police arrest man allegedly filmed tossing elderly man with walker off commuter train

Loren Hooks, 43, was busted for allegedly tossing a 68-year-old man off a metro train in Atlanta earlier this month. The alleged assault was filmed by other riders and posted online.

New York

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg funding march on City Hall against gun violence

A small army of Americans fed up with gun violence will be marching Saturday on City Hall. And they will be marching on Michael Bloomberg’s dime.

EXCLUSIVE Shooting threat scrawled on desk causes alarm in Queens high school

A student’s threat to shoot up Long Island City High School with an assault rifle prompted tightened security after a teacher discovered a chilling message etched on a classroom desk Wednesday.

Rep. Michael Grimm's campaign fundraising slows after indictment, campaign filings show

Fundraising by Rep. Michael Grimm of Staten Island slowed dramatically after his indictment on fraud and tax evasion charges, new campaign filings show.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Swanky salon gives high school students professional makeovers for prom

For some Professional Performing Arts School students, prom night Friday passed glamour and went all the way to miracle.

Cops arrest suspect accused of fatally shooting man in fight over parking spot in Queens

An ex-con suspected in the shooting death of another man in Queens during a fight over a parking spot was arrested Thursday in Georgia, law enforcement sources said.

The new Miss USA is in hot water — for a second time

Mother of DJ killed in hit-and-run accident vows to make his music live on

Xochil (Zach) Fortune, 27, who performed as DJ Furoche, collided with the open door of a parked vehicle in Brooklyn Tuesday and fell into oncoming traffic, cops said. He was then hit by a vehicle that took off.

Wisconsin gay marriages halted during appeal of ruling

Same-sex marriages have been put on hold in Wisconsin by a federal judge who last week struck down the state’s gay marriage ban as unconstitutional.

Man with fake mayor Twitter account sues Peoria, Illinois, mayor over real police raid

The mayor of Peoria, Illinois, thought a Twitter account mocking him had to go, so he ordered a full criminal probe that led to a police raid, according to a lawsuit brought by the owner of the parody profile.

THREAT AVERTED: Two teens had weapons, plotted shooting spree at Tennessee high school: cops

Two Tennessee teenagers were arrested with a cache of weapons and journals detailing plans to carry out a mass shooting at their high school, authorities said Friday.

Which celeb is flaunting her tan in this sexy shot?

MAD COW SCARE: Company recalls potentially tainted beef sent to New York restaurant

Missouri-based Fruitland American Meat is recalling a total of 4,012 pounds of beef, some of which was sent to an unnamed eatery, over concerns it may have cattle parts carrying mad cow disease, USDA said.

Judge unseals Denver jail abuse records, calling it a 'scam'

U.S. District Judge John Kane also took the unusual step Thursday of unsealing internal police reports that showed officers who were investigating jailhouse abuse instead ran "a scam," the jurist said.

Russia has sent convoy of tanks, rocket launchers into Ukraine: U.S. officials

Russia has sent several tanks, rocket launchers and armored vehicles into Ukraine, the U.S. State Department confirmed Friday following hotly contested video appearing to capture the unwelcomed presence.

Carmelo Anthony responds to rumors he'll join LeBron with Miami Heat: 'Nothing is legit until a deal is signed'

Anthony responded to reports that he will join LeBron James this summer and sign with the Miami Heat by saying "nothing is legit until a deal is signed."

Sports

Rangers Insider: Kreider's second-period goal powers Alain's patience

Patience was a virtue for Alain Vigneault and the Rangers power play unit on Friday night when Chris Kreider scored 15:37 into the second period after a brilliant feed by Ryan McDonagh.

All the King’s men need to step it up

Most NBA players like to turn back the clock, but the NBA Finals are starting to look like a repeat of 2010 for LeBron James. And that’s a year he’d rather not return to. Four years ago, after losing in the playoffs to Boston as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, James admitted to himself that he needed to find some help to continue his quest for his first championship.

Bondy: Botched calls early on put World Cup spotlight on refs

Two days into the World Cup, and already the only thing anybody is talking about in Brazil are the referees. If you thought this could possibly be otherwise, then you are as naïve, incompetent, or indifferent, as FIFA.

Super Steelers legend Noll dies at 82

Hall of FAME coach Chuck Noll, the leader of one of the great dynasties in NFL history when the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years in the ’70s, died Friday night. He was 82.

We show a RED CARD to the ugliest World Cup uniforms

LATEST NEWS: Soccer fans react to Spain's loss to the Netherlands in World Cup match; Bondy's World Cup Diary: At least the pineapples are good; Bondy: Botched calls early on put World Cup spotlight on refs; Tim Howard the vocal leader for a young U.S. defense; Sanchez's goal, assist lead Chile over Australia, 3-1, in Group B match; View All

Candice Swanepoel tops Maxim Hot 100 for 2014

22 reasons why we love Kate Upton on her 22nd birthday

Woman reveals she had sex with dolphin during 1960s experiment

A female animal researcher has admitted to sex with a male dolphin during a 1960s NASA-funded experiment. Margaret Howe Lovatt was stationed on the U.S.

Bill Murray crashes young couple's engagement shoot in Charleston

No, that's not PhotoShop. It's Bill Murray. The "Ghostbusters" actor, 63, crashed a young couple's engagement photo shoot in Charleston last month.

Miss Indiana USA 'proud' of her 'normal' body

The beauty queen, who made it to the top 20 at Sunday night’s Miss USA pageant, has responded to the praise that flooded social media about her trim but not stick-thin figure.

Anna Kendrick: I haven’t been hit on in five years

In an interview with Elle magazine, the "Pitch Perfect" star, 28, said she "honest to God" hasn't been subject to attention from men since 2009.

Eastwood moved in with new girlfriend 'months ago': report

THE 'WORLD'S RICHEST TERROR GROUP': Radical Islamists sweeping through Iraq now worth more than the Taliban after looting $450M from bank

The radical Islamists surging through Iraq's heartland are flush with cash after looting a large bank in an oil-rich hub in the country's north, making off with nearly half a billion dollars, officials say.

'I don't know why someone would do this me': Imposter impersonates Arizona 12-year-old on Instagram and harasses her friends

While Instagram removed the phony profile, police said they can't do anything because Reve isn't a victim: In Arizona, impersonating someone online isn't a crime.