MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

JAILHOUSE LOVE: Dutch killer Joran Van der Sloot to marry pregnant girlfriend behind Peruvian bars

The 26-year-old convict, who's currently serving 28 years for murder, will exchange vows in an intimate, midday ceremony with girlfriend, Leidy Figueroa, in Lima's Piedras Gordas penitentiary, his attorney announced Thursday.

ARTHUR'S MIGHT: Storm strengthens to Category 2 hurricane as it howls across North Carolina causing 18,000 power outages

In addition to coastal flooding, the National Weather Service is warning of dangerous rip currents impacting much of the East Coast through the weekend.

EXCLUSIVE Asylum-seeking immigrants file class-action suit against federal government over interview backlog

More than 40,000 immigrants who are seeking asylum in the U.S. are stuck in a federal limbo waiting up to two years to be interviewed about their applications, a bombshell lawsuit charges.

Gonzalez: California town is battle ground of immigration crisis as residents vow repeat protest

On this Fourth of July, Murrieta, Calif., has suddenly become ground zero for an immigration crisis the politicians in Washington keep failing to tackle.

Police union boss blasts NYPD plan to combat gun violence

The NYPD’s plan to yank 400 cops from office jobs and put them on the streets during the summer is like putting a Band-Aid on the rise in shootings, the city’s biggest police union said Thursday.

GOING FOURTH: Find out where the hottest celebs are partying

BREAKING Andy Coulson, former News of the World editor, gets 18 months for phone hacking

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson, a onetime aide to British Prime Minister David Cameron, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for participating in a conspiracy to hack the phones of celebrities, politicians and crime victims.

Lupica: A-Rod getting a ‘therapeutic exemption’ is just latest example of tainted slugger cheating the game

This story isn't about drug testing, it is about a drug user, the way the Lance Armstrong story was about a drug user, and his alternate reality.

Texas man arrested in drunken-driving crash tells cops he swerved to avoid TURTLE, CAT and SQUIRREL

BRYAN, Texas — A man arrested for drunken driving blamed a turtle, a cat, a squirrel and an overhanging tree in a Texas wreck, cops said.

Trailer full of fireworks explodes in Texas, killing 1 and seriously injuring 3

COMANCHE, Texas — A trailer loaded with fireworks exploded Thursday near a Texas high school, killing one person and injuring three other people who were setting up for a Fourth of July show, authorities said.

Mya denies Jay Z affair after Bey sparks cheating rumors

Phil Jackson, Knicks to meet with Carmelo Anthony in L.A Thursday night, hoping for verbal deal

Phil Jackson is hoping to finalize a contract extension with Carmelo Anthony Thursday night in Los Angeles following a scheduled meeting with Knicks officials.

Veteran died while waiting for ambulance in New Mexico VA hospital, despite emergency room being 500 YARDS away

A veteran who collapsed in an Albuquerque Veteran Affairs hospital cafeteria — 500 yards from the emergency room — died after waiting 30 minutes for an ambulance, officials confirmed Thursday.

Mississippi politician offers $1,000 'reward' for dirt on primary winner

State Sen. Chris McDaniel is offering big bounty — while asking for donations to fund it — to anyone who has info that can help bring down Sen. Thad Cochran, after the Republican beat him in a primary runoff.

U.S. Jihadis being recruited by ISIS via Skype to attack overseas — or at home

Shannon Maureen Conley, 19, of Colorado, who was busted before she could join the Islamic fanatics fighting in Syria and Iraq, was seduced via Skype into joining ISIS by a smooth-talking Tunisian terrorist.

Orphan who campaigned for new family is back in Florida after Ohio adoption fails

After 16 years of in foster care and publicly begging for someone to adopt him, Davion Only thought he finally found a family, but now he's back in Florida, upset and embarrassed, unwilling to talk.

Guess who! Reality star flaunts her baby bump by the pool

Al Qaeda bombs that airpots can't detect are new threat

The potentially deadly explosives — which have no metal parts — are the sick brainchild of Saudi bomb maker Ibrahim Al-Asiri, the chief explosives creator for Al Qaeda.

BUSTED! Bronx man arrested for 'borrowing' badge, gun from gal pal's dad and pretending to be a cop

A Bronx man with a penchant for playing a phony police officer, stole the badge and gun of his girlfriend's retired cop father but was caught pretending by police, authorities said on Wednesday.

'I'm the one that got away': Wisconsin stripper says she narrowly escaped from 'suitcase killer' in 2001

An unidentified woman said she narrowly escaped a 2001 attack by Steven Zelich, a former cop accused of killing two women — one in 2012 and another in 2013 — and stuffing their bodies in suitcases.

U.S. does not need to launch military assault against ISIS unless homeland is threatened: official

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is not close to launching a military assault against an Iraqi insurgent group, but “may get to that point” if the militants become a threat to the American homeland, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday.

Hillary Clinton on life with Bill after Monica Lewinsky affair: 'Forgiveness is a choice'

The former secretary of state, who's still mulling a presidential run, said she's "grateful" she forgave her husband over his 1998 affair with Monica Lewinsky.

New York

NY Senate's Ruben Diaz calls Regents exam racist, maybe before doing his homework

State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. fired off an inflammatory open letter to Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, suggesting instructions on History and Government exams perpetuated racial inequality.

Dems will formally investigate Brooklyn for 2016 convention

The Democratic National Committee will send a contingent to the borough next month to size up the city’s bid to host the party’s 2016 convention at the Barclays Center in Mayor de Blasio’s beloved home borough.

Father left 2-year-old daughter in 120 degree pickup truck while he shopped: cops

Melvin Marroquin, 30, didn't even crack a window for the toddler as he shopped in a Marshalls Thursday afternoon, cops said.

Pet lovers hold dogs a little closer after Chelsea woman killed while chasing pooch

The tragic death of Chelsea resident Jackie Haeflinger as she chased her runaway dog beneath a city garbage truck resonated Thursday among her fellow local pet lovers.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Airbnb to be hospitality sponsor of the NYC Marathon, upsetting local hotel industry

The popular apartment-sharing web site will serve as the official hospitality partner of the annual running event, which attracts tourists from 100 countries and is estimated to bring in $65 million-a-year in revenue for the hotel industry.

HOLD YOUR CELEBRATION: Sparklers and small fireworks still illegal in New York State

The Legislature this year again passed a bill to legalize sparklers and other small fireworks outside of New York City — hoping that maybe, just maybe, it would be signed in time for the 4th of July.

Brooklyn cabbie convicted of arranging revenge “honor killing” of daughter’s lover’s family

A Brooklyn cabbie who felt humiliated because his daughter fled an arranged marriage, was convicted Thursday of directing the revenge murders of her lover's family members in Pakistan. A Brooklyn cabbie who felt humiliated because his daughter fled an arranged marriage, was convicted Thursday of directing the revenge murders of her lover's family members in Pakistan.

Hough on Seacrest relationship: 'There was nothing right'

NYCLASS accuses horse carriage driver of working past stoppage in extreme heat

Animal rights activists determined to ban the horse carriage industry got themselves in a lather Thursday, accusing a driver of keeping a horse outside in extreme heat.

BONEHEADED MOVE: Dad leaves 11-year-old home alone with loaded gun while he gets head tattoo

John Ruiz was charged with child endangerment after he left his daughter with his loaded .22 pistol so he could make a stop at a tattoo shop.

Drunken NYPD cop who shot at two amateur hockey players in Westchester indicted for attempted murder: authorities

Officer Brendan Cronin allegedly fired 14 shots at Robert Borrelli and Joseph Felice on April 29 in Pelham, authorities said.

Men would rather give themselves electric shocks than stew in their own thoughts, study finds

Men would literally rather give themselves electric shocks than sit quietly with their thoughts, says a new study published in journal Science.

U.S. warns of terror threat against Uganda airport

The U.S. Embassy in Uganda warned on Thursday of a specific threat by an unknown terrorist group to attack the country’s only international airport.

FIRST LOOK: Cavill's Superman in 'Dawn of Justice'

Man wanted in deadly Bourbon Street mass shooting turns self in

Justin Odom, 20, was taken into custody by police Thursday afternoon. His arrest comes four days after a spray of bullets injured nine people and killed a 21-year-old woman.

Port Authority lacks 'compliance and accountability,' but panel suggests no reforms

A special panel formed by Gov. Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie two months ago to review operations at the agency found the PA "lacks an effective culture of compliance and accountability" but did not recommend any specific reforms.

'Send them back!' California town continues immigrant protests after blocking Border Patrol buses

Angry locals in Murrieta, Calif., packed a 750-seat high school gym for a town hall meeting Wednesday night, a day after protesters blocked the streets to prevent the arrival of 140 immigrants.

Award-winning novelist hospitalized after being beaten up at Connecticut hotel while apparently trying to help woman in dispute

The “Let the Great World Spin” author was beaten Saturday night, according to police. Witnesses said the New York writer may have tried to help a woman in a dispute and was then attacked by her companion.

California neighbors had no idea parents allegedly kept autistic son, 11, in cage: family 'seemed really happy'

Two California parents accused of locking their autistic son in a cage were "prefect neighbors" who seemingly raised happy, healthy children, other residents said.

Sports

LeBron James' agent meets with Suns, Rockets, Mavs and Cavs

As the Heat continues to scurry to find talent to put around LeBron James, the four-time MVP has started looking at other teams for a potential move out of South Beach.

Coffey: Serena is drama queen of court

The semifinal round of what is officially known as the Ladies’ Singles Championships was contested here Thursday under a bright summer sun, featuring four players who were not named Serena Williams.

Let's Get Serious! News breaks down World Cup quarterfinals

We’re entering crunch time at the World Cup, where the eight remaining teams will be reduced to four following the quarterfinal round. Move on or go home. That’s what’s at stake this Fourth of July weekend in Brazil.

Nets could lose Paul Pierce to Clippers

The Nets remain in negotiations to retain Paul Pierce, but GM Billy King suggested there's a frugality to this process that perhaps didn't exist when Mikhail Prokhorov was scoffing at the luxury tax..

Let's Get Serious! News breaks down World Cup quarterfinals

LATEST NEWS: Tim Howard's mom is proud of her son; Let's Get Serious! News breaks down World Cup quarterfinals; Germany-France World Cup showdown brings back memories of ‘82 semifinal; Brazil bridge collapse kills 2 in World Cup city; World Cup roundup: All the highlights from Week 3; View All

Star-spangled celebs: See the stars showing American pride

'Conservative' school cancels production of 'Spamalot' due to same-sex marriage scene

South Williamsport Junior Senior High School's director of drama alleges the principal instructed her to pick a new play after saying homosexuality 'does not exist' in their conservative community.

South Carolina man detained for fighting officer who busted him for having sex in public: cops

Christopher Knighton allegedly tried to punch the cop shortly after being busted indulging in a spot of al fresco lovemaking outside his Spartanburg apartment block early Tuesday morning.

U.S., Russia, Iran send weapons into Iraq as bloodthirsty ISIS fighters overruns country

Weapons and aircraft from an unusual troika of nations — the U.S., Russia and Iran — are being delivered to Iraq to help its beleaguered army battle the bloodthirsty jihadists overrunning the country.

TGIF! Check out the hottest celeb pics of the week

South Carolina pit bull returned to high-kill shelter because she 'passes too much gas'

Pit bull Misty's owners reportedly took her back to Greenville County Pet Rescue last month because they couldn't deal with her flatulence.

'We thought it was fireworks': Police arrest man, 19, who shot and wounded 10-year-old boy in Coney Island

Samuel Navarez is facing attempted murder charges for the Saturday evening shooting in which 10-year-old Eddie Abdelrahaman and a 25-year-old man were both shot.

WATCH Cop car dashcam catches meteor shooting across night sky in Britain

Police out on patrol in the West Midlands filmed the mesmerizing incident early Monday morning.

Casey Anthony ready to 'speak out,' lawyer says

SEE IT Rescue team saves horse stuck in Tennessee sinkhole

Jessica Alba sizzles in sexy swimsuit for British GQ

Sarkozy says rivals trying to ‘destroy’ him with charges he took $67M in illegal campaign funds from Libya's Gaddafi

Autos

First Look: 2015 Saleen 302 Mustang

The 2015 Ford Mustang is getting a makeover even before it arrives in showrooms. Saleen is one of the first tuning firms to preview what's to come with Ford's new and improved ponycar.