MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

Lupica: On D-Day's 70th anniversary, a pall is drawn over ceremony for W.W.II heroes following Bergdahl debacle

Seventy years later, the ceremonies honoring the heroes of D-Day play out in France, on the beaches of Normandy and in solemn, holy places like the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.

North Korea detains American tourist that entered the secretive country as a tourist in April and broke the law

SEOUL, South Korea — An American tourist has been detained in North Korea of allegations of committing an unspecified crime, the country’s official news agency reported Friday.

'BLACK WIDOW' BUSTED: Fugitive wanted in ex-husband’s 2008 murder arrested in Peru

Nazira Maria Cross, 48, was taken into custody by Peruvian National Police Thursday, ending a four-year international manhunt after her husband's body was found buried at his Nevada ranch in 2008, the FBI said.

SEE IT Gunman shoots Indianapolis clerk in head before skipping from crime scene

The cowardly thief was filmed pulling a gun on an Indianapolis gas station's clerks Wednesday night before, without provocation, firing three shots at an employee, according to Indianapolis Metro Police.

Obama, Putin dine apart with French president

French President Francois Hollande engaged in some deft dinnertime diplomacy Thursday night — hosting separate meals so President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin wouldn’t have to break bread together.

Pair arrested in heist of Miley's Maserati

Droppin' Like It's Hot: LeBron leaves with cramps as Spurs top Heat in AC-less arena

Some like it hot. Namely, Danny Green. But apparently not LeBron James. With the air conditioning system in the AT&T Center on the fritz, turning the San Antonio Spurs' arena into a sweat-box for the Finals opener, James fell victim to the steamy conditions during the Miami Heat's 110-95 loss.

Groceries looted from car after Texas car wreck killed mom and left two children injured

Thieves ignored two injured kids and their dead mother as they looted a Houston car of its groceries after they smashed into a tree.

EXCLUSIVE Nearly 30,000 city homeowners could lose home to foreclosure: report

ALBANY — Nearly 30,000 city homeowners — most of them in minority communities — are in danger of losing their properties to foreclosure, an alarming new report by Senate co-leader Jeffrey Klein says.

Texas newlyweds driving in separate cars die after head-on crash: police

A heartbreaking crash took the lives of two Texas newlyweds after they smashed head-on into each other as they drove in separate cars near their workplace, police said.

The News tries out Obama's viral workout

Women allege Brooklyn teacher abused them in '60s

The women who attended the progressive, now-shuttered Woodward School in Clinton Hill allege that Bob Rusch was a charismatic predator who assaulted numerous students.

Ex-NYPD Commissioner Kerik's attorney collecting complaints against Joe Tacopina for legal war

Bernard Kerik has a message for fellow former clients of celebrity attorney Joe Tacopina: If you saw something, say something.

Finnish police find 5 dead babies in apartment cellar, arrest female resident

Police in Finland have arrested a mother in Oulu, about 500 miles north of Helsinki, in connection with five infant bodies found in the basement of her apartment building.

Brooklyn kid slay suspect should have been given proper medication, after-care following prison time

It’s worrisome that Daniel St. Hubert, reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis, could have been released from prison without medication or an after-care plan.

Miss Pennsylvania opens up on being 'a product of rape'

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault tells team 'B' game won't due against Kings

Call it the ABC’s of A.V., and call it a stern message delivered to his team Thursday by Rangers coach Alain Vigneault. After the Blueshirts blew a two-goal lead and lost, 3-2, in overtime, Vigneault proclaimed that the majority of his team must play better.

Raissman: No sure bet to see Triple Crown Trophy

The most elusive trophy in sports actually got its own seat on the flight from Louisville, Ky., to New York on Tuesday morning.

FROM CHILL TO KILL: Friend of Canada cop killing suspect describes him as 'life of the party' as mounted police intensify hunt and terrified town remains on lockdown

Canadian police said armed shooter Justin Bourque is on the loose and urged Moncton, New Brunswick, residents to stay inside Thursday.

Hillary Clinton on Iraq War Vote: I 'got it wrong'

Hillary Clinton says she “got it“wrong. Plain and simple” when she voted as a U.S. senator to authorize the war in Iraq, according to her new memoir, "Hard Choices."

Legendary model B. Smith opens up about battle with Alzheimer's

Rep. Rangel supported scaling back Wall Street reform to aid donors, not constituents: rival

REP. Charles Rangel’s campaign contributions from Citigroup and his support of legislation that would benefit the big bank emerged Wednesday as a flash point in his battle to keep his seat in Congress.

Facebook, Google, tech CEOs urge Senate to limit personal data collection, push for more transparency

During the one-year anniversary of Edward Snowden exposing the NSA’s surveillance programs, the CEOs of major tech companies such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft are banding together.

President Obama to hold live Q&A on Tumblr centered around education, student debt

President Obama will be taking to Tumblr on Tuesday for his first-ever Q&A on the social network, the White House announced Thursday.

Sylvia Burwell confirmed as new Secretary of Health and Human Services

The Senate has confirmed Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the nation’s new health secretary and steward of the president’s health care law.

BEAT IT BIEBS! Larry Flint to pull 7-figure spokesman offer from Justin

Widow of Brooklyn man allegedly choked by cop gets 832G

The city has paid an $832,500 settlement to the widow of a Brooklyn man who died after he was allegedly choked by an NYPD cop in Brooklyn, according to court papers.

Skeletons of two infants found in Ohio mobile home: police

The skeletons were found in a blue footlocker that belonged to a deceased North Canton woman. They were found by her son who was cleaning out her mobile home in December, according to police.

12-year-old ‘Slenderman’ stabbing victim improving: family

The stabbing victim's condition was upgraded from critical to fair Wednesday. The middle schooler was allegedly attacked Saturday by two classmates who said they wanted to kill her to please Slenderman, a demon they read about online. Slenderman's creator expressed his condolences to the victim and her family.

New York cab driver dies trying to keep SUV from rolling backwards into NYC traffic

A 58-year-old livery cab driver was killed Thursday as he tried to stop his SUV from rolling backward into Midtown traffic, authorities said.

Vanessa Hudgens flaunts her toned abs while hiking

NY Neighborhoods getting 72 hours' notice for city construction

Neighborhoods will now get 72 hours’ notice when city construction projects close down their streets, cut off electricity and water or remove parking spaces.

South Bronx celebrates 100 years of former police precinct, known as Fort Apache

It was known as Fort Apache, but a once-beleaguered Bronx precinct house has risen from its fiery past to celebrate a centennial — and a new era in Bronx history.

Harlem gang leader planned revenge from jail: DA

Sabio Inglesia, 22, who also set up a 15-year-old member to take a gun rap for him, talked about how “people have to die,” according to a lengthy indictment filed by the Manhattan district attorney.

4 out of 10 parents shut out from public school pre-K: officials

Nearly four out of 10 parents who applied for a spot in a public school prekindergarten program got shut out and will have to try their luck at a community-based organization, officials said Thursday.

Feds urge young immigrants to seek renewal through Deferred Action program

The feds Thursday urged young immigrants who got work permits under a special 2012 Obama administration program to renew their status before it expires.

TGIF! Check out the hottest celeb photos of the week

EXCLUSIVE Mayor de Blasio's assets are few with meager retirement fund: report

This Mayor is definitely not in the 1%.

Thomas Juul-Hansen is a man of the masses and a star architect in New York for the 1%

Danish architect Thomas Juul-Hansen builds some of the priciest apartments in New York City, which isn’t easy, given that he’s a socialist.

GOP: Obama has allowed Iran to mock U.S.

Republican critics of President Obama said Thursday they were not surprised Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei believes the U.S. is becoming a paper tiger.

Obama, Cameron set new conditions for Russia's treatment of Ukraine

President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron laid down new markers for Russia Thursday, giving Moscow a month to meet conditions in Ukraine or face further sanctions that will hit key sectors of Russia’s economy.

Disgraced Ga. investment adviser who faked suicide pleads guity

He once called himself 'an expert taster of cocaine,' but in federal court on Thursday his comments were pretty much limited to expressing remorse and saying 'guilty.'

'Wish you were here': Emma Roberts tweets sexy vacation pic

Couple left disappointed when celebrity panda Bao Bao declines wedding invitation despite bamboo dinner offer

The Washington Zoo cub couldn't come to Sara Glickman and Ben Shlesinger's panda-themed wedding, but they bear her no ill will.

Event foundation knew about damaged building that forced woman to relocate her wedding: lawsuit

An NYC woman who had to relocate her wedding just five days before the ceremony because the venue was literally in danger of falling down is suing the foundation that rented her the Lower East Side building.

Teen bicyclist hit by Washington cop dies

The teenage bicyclist hit by a Washington state cop on May 23 at a busy Spokane Valley intersection has died.

Lana Del Rey 'not really that interested' in feminism

Wash. State sheriff's memo: sex not allowed on duty

A memo drafted by a Washington state sheriff clears the air - once and for all - that sex on duty is not allowed.

General Motors fires 15 employees as CEO says recall investigation found pattern of 'incompetence and neglect'

GM CEO Mary Barra said that 15 employees were fired over the company's ignition switch fiasco. She also called the investigation into the recall, which lagged by more than a decade, 'deeply troubling.'

Naked man on drugs punches cop, tries to steal cruiser: police

A naked South Jersey man who was high on drugs punched a cop and tried to steal his police car on Tuesday, authorities said.

Khloe cozies up with J.Lo, French Montana in Bronx

Former Montana Gov. Schweitzer: ‘Of Course’ I’d be a better President than Hillary

Ashanti’s alleged stalker to represent self at NYC trial

The moment Taliban handed over Bergdahl to U.S. forces — VIDEO

Sports

Leonard: Harsh spotlight shines on Rangers' Girardi after miscue

One moment can define an athlete’s entire career. Just ask Bill Buckner. Sometimes it’s not an infamous gaffe, but one glorious triumph that immortalizes a player who otherwise might have been lost in the pages of a franchise’s history. Just ask Stephane Matteau.

LeBron does not sit well in Game 1

LeBron James wanted to return to the Finals opener in the last minutes, even as he was suffering from cramps, but was overruled by Miami coach Erik Spoelstra.

Madden: Zimmer's good humor made him great baseball soul

I grieve today over the loss of my friend, Don Zimmer, who slipped away quietly Wednesday evening. At the same time, I feel a sense of relief and gratitude that the pain and suffering he endured during the last few months of what was otherwise a truly remarkable and fulfilling life, especially for a lifetime .235 hitter, is finally over for him.