MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

BREAKING: More than 200 firefighters battling 5-alarm blaze at Bronx supermarket which left 3 injured, including a minor

More than 200 fire fighters were battling a 5-alarm blaze in a Bronx supermarket that left three people injured and was still smoldering after more than five hours Thursday morning, authorities said.

Michelle Obama’s new pro-obesity campaign: Write big, fat checks

Michelle Obama was back in her hometown of Chicago Thursday and headlined a fundraiser where she was unabashed about the role of money in politics.

Alabama judge delays ex-teacher’s sentencing after Facebook post declaring her innocence

Jennifer McNeill, who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old in May, has been ordered to explain the origin of the Facebook post written from her account. ‘The plea was the best decision for my family,' the controversial post read in part.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES Enraged Indian mob beats rape suspect to death after finding 7-year-old girl’s body hanging from a tree

An outraged mob reportedly beat an Indian village tantric to death after he was accused of raping and killing a young girl .

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE Is that an engagement ring on Charlize's left hand?

Retired NYPD cop is first New Yorker to win $1,000 per day for life — she bought winning ticket after seeing psychic

A retired NYPD cop considers her new lottery jackpot divine — in a supernatural sense. Edna Aguayo of Ozone Park, Queens, is the city's first person to win $1,000 a day for the rest of her life through New York Lottery's Cash4Life game.

Mother accused of fatally stabbing 2 young daughters 76 TIMES is free in Canada

It is a heartbreaking and complex story of violence and mental illness involving a small Caribbean island and a tormented Canadian mother accused of viciously stabbing to death her two small daughters.

Yankees' Derek Jeter is most powerful person in New York sports, according to Daily News readers

Derek Jeter has more than just the Re2pect from an adoring public — he’s the most powerful sports person in New York, according to Daily News readers. After The News’ publication of New York’s 50 Most Powerful People in Sports on Thursday, readers got their chance to weigh in on the debate.

Lil Wayne signs up Ronaldo for new management biz

Habitual felon, 30, in Brooklyn gets 20 years to life in latest home invasion

A three-time loser with a long record and two prior felony convictions for robbery got sentenced Thursday to 20 years to life in prison — and he can blame his libido in addition to his past.

HOMETOWN HERO: Philippines-born math teacher in Queens inspires students

Queens math teacher Ramil Buenaventura achieved his American dream by emigrating from the Philippines a decade ago. Now he draws on that experience to help students achieve their dreams.

Woman in labor blocked from entering Los Angeles hospital, stuck waiting 30 minutes as Obama's motorcade passes

Security for the President's motorcade prevented a pregnant woman in labor from crossing the street to a Los Angeles hospital on Wednesday afternoon, police and witnesses said.

Alabama mass murder suspect was having sex with female corrections officer: chief deputy

Montgomery County corrections officer Shermarra Montgomery was arrested Tuesday for allegedly having sex with suspected killer Desmonte Leonard.

'GUESS' WHO? Justin hunting down sexy jeans model

Moreland Commission as deputies could bite back at Cuomo

With U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara looking into Cuomo's handling of the commission, some legal experts say the fact that Cuomo had Attorney General Eric Schneiderman deputize the panel’s members could call into question the governor’s argument that he was free to do with the panel as he saw fit.

Raissman: Tony Dungy’s Michael Sam sham could bring eyes to NBC

Tony Dungy was always more than a football coach. At least that’s what the football media told us. He has been portrayed as thoughtful, cerebral and pious. Not exactly the type central casting would send over to a producer in search of an NFL pregame show analyst.

'ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE': New Jersey couple dead, son critically wounded as tornado slams Virginia campground

Lord Balatbat and Lolabeth Ortega of Jersey City, N.J., killed when tree fell on their tent. Their 13-year-old son is hospitalized in critical condition.

Two North Carolina men charged with murder in mugging death of UNC professor

A mugging near the Chapel Hill campus of the University of North Carolina went horribly wrong and left a beloved professor dying in the street in broad daylight, police said.

New York

HEAR IT 'He took the officers' gun': Dramatic 911 call released in shooting of rookie Jersey City cop by thug who bragged about becoming famous

The ex-con who swiped the weapon used it a short time later to fatally shoot Jersey City Police Detective Melvin Santiago, 23, outside the Walgreens on Communipaw Ave. on July 13.

Three artists will share their Bronx tales at popular Bronx Museum of the Arts' series Friday

A storyteller, a hip-hop artist and a poet are poised to share their Bronx stories on Friday.

'The community is being targeted': Murder of Bengali leader in Queens spurs calls for more police presence and foot patrols

Friends and family of a beloved Bengali community leader murdered earlier this month during a robbery in Ozone Park will rally on Friday to ask for better police protection.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Brooklyn principal changing James Madison High’s rep, steering away from notorious 'Horndog High' scandal

This educator has been through thick and thin at James Madison High School. Jodie Cohen started teaching at her Marine Park alma mater 22 years ago, and watched as it became the butt of jokes across the city, beginning in 2009.

Horse carriage foes pressure City Council to introduce a bill banning the industry

Opponents of the 156-year-old iconic industry say they're working behind closed doors with City Council members to introduce a bill that would outlaw the industry, but some elected officials are not convinced.

TGIF! Check out the hottest celeb photos of the week

City worker charged with stealing $500G in welfare funds

A welfare worker was busted Thursday and charged with stealing half a million dollars intended for needy New Yorkers.

'Pure innocence is what's leaving our world': Chicago teen charged with firing stray bullet that killed 11-year-old girl

Chicago cops have charged 18-year-old Tevin Lee for the death of Shamiya Adams, who was killed after a stray bullet crashed through a bedroom window during a sleepover.

Alaska’s normally sleepy city of Wasilla, the stomping grounds of Sarah Palin, is having a busy crime month

The former governor and town mayor gets expensive speeding ticket, elderly woman opens fire at burglars. Teenager charged with killing his foster mother and trying to burn down the house.

British prisoner who only had TWO DAYS left of lockup gouges own eyes to protest sweltering heat

The prisoner — who only had two days left in lockup before he would be released — and others were complaining of temperatures reaching above 80 degrees.

REVIEW Hoffman shines in final film 'A Most Wanted Man'

NO RESPECT: Family of Malaysia Airlines plane crash victim forced to cancel his credit cards after people 'abused' them in Ukraine

If the credit cards were taken from Dalziel’s wallet at the crash site, it coincides with reports of looting in the days following the crash as luggage and bodies sat in fields for several days in the scorching heat.

Odds of dying in plane crash in U.S. are equal to being struck by lightning SEVEN times: expert

Phil Derner Jr., founder and president of NYCAviation, assured it's an 'unfortunate coincidence,' but deserving no concern over aviation safety — especially if flying stateside.

'You don't know what excruciating is': Victims’ family says Arizona killer who took 2 hours to die 'deserved it'

Relatives of death row killer Joseph Wood's victims said they don't believe the 55-year-old suffered during his two hour execution Wednesday, adding that he deserved to die.

Alabama man had penis mistakenly AMPUTATED during circumcision: lawsuit

An Alabama man who went into surgery for what was supposed to be a routine circumcision filed a lawsuit contending doctors mistakenly amputated his penis, but a hospital said Thursday the claims were without merit.

Sports

See who sports experts pick as Top 5 most powerful NY sports figures

For longtime football executive and former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, there was no hesitation when asked to name the person who wields the most clout across the New York sports landscape.

Giants' Tyree reverses field on gay stance

David Tyree, who became as famous for his anti-gay comments as he did for the amazing reception that helped the Giants defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, has had a big change of heart.

Dillon Gee struggles again, Brewers blast Mets 9-1

Within 36 hours, the Mets went from flirting with perfection to being imperfect in just about every way. A day after Bartolo Colon nearly threw a perfect game against Mariners, Dillon Gee and the Mets were blown out by the Brewers and two-hit over eight innings by starter Matt Garza.

Myers: If Revis is healthy, he creates options for Patriots

It’s a nightmare for Jets fans: Darrelle Revis, in his blue No. 24 Patriots jersey and bright yellow cleats, staring down his new pal Tom Brady in New England’s first training camp practice of the summer. It will be even worse for Jets Nation if Revis and Brady are lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy together in February.