MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

FALLEN HERO: FDNY firefighter who saved boy trapped in rolling gate dies after suffering burns, heart attack during fire battle

Lt. Gordon Matthew Ambelas (inset) a 14-year veteran of the FDNY, was searching for victims as he and members of Ladder 119 beat back flames on the 19th floor of the Independence Towers on Wilson St.

Of NSA-intercepted conversations, 90% were NOT the intended targets — but personal records on extramarital affairs, money woes still kept

The Washington Post revealed the high percentage of innocent web crawlers snared in the NSA’s web after a four-month examination of documents turned over by ex-agency contractor Edward Snowden.

'The mujahedeen have been rewarded victory by God after years of jihad': Video claims to show leader of ISIS terrorist group

A video posted online claimed to depict Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, head of the insurgent Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, delivering a sermon at a mosque in Iraq in a brazen display of power.

11 passengers dead, 1 seriously injured after small skydiving plane crashes in Polish orchard

The doomed flight took off Saturday, but crashed into an orchard near the village of Topolow and burst into flames. 11 were killed on the sky dive training flight, but one survived with injuries.

INDEPENDENCE DAY TRAGEDY: 3 boats collide in Miami after July 4 fireworks show killing 4, injuring dozens

Rescuers were alerted by one of the boaters at about 10:45 p.m. He said he'd been hit by another vessel and that his 36-foot pleasure craft was taking on water, authorities said.

NEWLYWEDS, THE SEQUEL: Simpson marries ex-NFLer

EXCLUSIVE NYPD reassigns cops to Brooklyn and the Bronx in effort to combat gun violence

The overwhelming majority of the more than 300 extra cops that will hit the city’s streets on Monday will be deployed in Brooklyn and the Bronx, the Daily News has learned.

Lupica: Carmelo Anthony, not Phil Jackson, is making the power moves with the Knicks

What we are finding out, and will find out officially if Carmelo Anthony gets the deal he wants from the Knicks and returns to them for the rest of his NBA prime, is that Anthony is the most powerful guy in town.

Pope Francis decrees staying open on Sundays is not good for society, has negative impact on family and friends

Pope Francis lamented Saturday the abandoning of the traditionally Christian practice of not working on Sundays, saying it has a negative impact on families and friendships.

Florida mom accused of trying to drown her child admitted to attempting to poison him with adult cough syrup, police say

Speaking for the first time about the incident, nurse Maureen Brown told how she saved the baby's life when she the youngster in grass in Miramar, Florida, as she drove past.

Joan storms off CNN stage after telling anchor to 'shut up'

SEE IT Woman claims she's been contacted by her dead grandmother — who sent her a selfie

Gina Mihai said the picture sent from beyond the grave is a sign that her dead relative is reaching out for help and that she was being punished "in the other life".

Two people injured when Nevada bouncy slide goes airborne during July 4th party

A blow-up slide was whipped 300 feet in the air during an Independence Day party in Sparks, Nev.

Houston, we almost had a problem! Two planes got too close above Texas airport: FAA

Two commercial planes got a little too close above Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport Thursday night but corrected their courses before it was too late.

Mexican officials locate stolen radioactive material from stolen truck

A small amount of Iridium-192 that was missing from a stolen truck has been found just north of Mexico City. Authorities say the pen-sized case that houses a tiny radioactive device is still intact.

Chris Brown shares cheeky photo of gal pal Karruche Tran

VIDEO Shocking tape of transgender woman being attacked in Atlanta prompts investigation

Atlanta cops say they had no report of an attack, but the video on Vine has led them to look into it.

Founder of British non-profit once backed by Princess Diana accused of using $370K in donations to pay for kids' private school

The Halo Trust suspended its chief executive, Guy Willoughby, after a newspaper investigation found the humanitarian received thousands of dollars every year to send his kids to pricey boarding schools.

9 Ukrainian soldiers die as gov't troops press offensive against pro-Russian rebels

KIEV, Ukraine — Fighting left at least nine Ukrainian soldiers dead Friday, as government troops pressed their offensive against pro-Russian rebels using heavy artillery and combat jets, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

Taliban insurgents set fire to nearly 200 oil tanker trucks outside Kabul

Taliban insurgents set fire on Saturday to about 200 oil tanker trucks supplying fuel for NATO forces in an attack just outside the Afghan capital Kabul, police said.

New York

Friends of Brooklyn teen who was fatally stabbed start petition to solve her murder

Frustrated friends of Tanaya Grant’s have put together an online petition demanding cops step up their investigation into the beloved band member’s slaying — which they say may have already been solved.

Thug steals purse from wheelchair-bound woman, 98, in Brooklyn

A heartless bike-riding crook ripped a pocketbook away from a defenseless, wheelchair-bound 98-year-old woman in Brooklyn, cops said Friday.

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.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Man, 42, killed by allegedly drunk driver while crossing Queens street

The driver continued on his collision course as he swerved into the opposite lane and crashed into a parked car and then upended a parking meter before coming to a stop, police and witnesses said.

FIRED UP! New launch point for Fourth of July fireworks over East River, Brooklyn Bridge is a crowd-pleaser

The skies cleared in time for a glorious and patriotic fireworks show Friday night, as tens of thousands of people lined city streets to watch the celebrated Macy’s display on the East River.

Kanye West booed after 20 minute rant on London stage

SEE IT Train carrying plane parts derails, dumps Boeing bodies into Montana river

The train was heading to a Boeing factory in Washington where the jets would have been assembled. Train officials hope to reopen the line by Saturday night.

BRUTAL HONESTY: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford CAN'T promise he'll stay sober if reelected

Crack-smoking Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said Friday that he won’t guarantee he will stay sober if he’s reelected, telling a radio show that people will just have to trust him.

Russian President Putin to Obama: Happy Fourth of July, let's be friends

They've been tussling over Ukraine and barely spoke at D-Day ceremonies, but Russian President Vladimir Putin still remembered to wish President Obama a happy 4th of July.

KEEPING TABS ON FRIENDS? Germany accuses man of spying for U.S., summons ambassador to Berlin

Germany summoned the U.S. ambassador in Berlin Friday following the arrest of a man reported to have spied for the U.S., heightening friction between the two countries over alleged eavesdropping in Germany.

Former Playboy model converts to Islam

Toddler mauled by pit bull and part of KFC ejection hoax to receive new eye in Florida

A Florida prosthetist is offering to provide an artificial eye to a 3-year-old Mississippi girl mauled by her grandfather’s pit bulls.

SEE IT Blue whales capsize 21-foot boat off California coast and almost swallow floundering photographer

Wildlife photographer Dale Frink was snapping away on an expedition to watch the creatures some 12 miles off the San Diego shore Wednesday when tragedy almost struck.

California nurse gets jail time for having sex with woman's corpse

Alejandro Lopez Razo, 62, was sentenced to two years in the Los Angeles County Jail for having sex with an 82-year-old woman's corpse while preparing it for the mortuary.

Canadian police say case of missing 5-year-old, last seen with grandparents, is ‘less of a mystery’

Police in Canada say the disappearance of a small boy and his grandparents is “less of a mystery” but there remains no motive nor suspects in the strange case.

Sports

Madden: Theo Epstein forgets his 'A' game in Moneyball

The stunning Oakland-Cubs trade, in which A’s GM Billy Beane swooped in ahead of a half-dozen other contending teams on Saturday and landed two front-line starting pitchers in Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel for essentially a pair of touted but unproven prospects, prompted some immediate questions such as:

A's complete deal with Cubs for Samardzija, Hammel

The Oakland Athletics have an agreement in place to acquire right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs for three top-line prospects in a surprising trade for baseball’s top team, two people with knowledge of the deal said Friday night.

Lawrence: NBA owners make sure there will be no future Big Threes

If you still don't think that NBA players were crushed at the bargaining table in 2011, this free-agency period is your undeniable proof.

Roger Federer set to write history vs. Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

When Roger Federer won his first Wimbledon title, he was 21 years old, had no kids and had never been beyond the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament. The date was July 6, 2003. Maybe you remember.

SEE IT GIANT insect lands on Colombian star's arm during shot at World Cup

LATEST NEWS: Netherlands beats Costa Rica in penalty shootout to reach World Cup semifinals; Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain knocks Belgium out of World Cup; Tim Howard's neighbors love 'down-to-earth' goalie; Bondy: U.S. needs to find elite creative midfielder to take next step; VIDEO: Neymar says World Cup dream of celebrating title still alive; View All

Iraqi Prime Minister vows to seek another term despite recent violence

Despite pressure to step aside, Nouri al-Maliki vowed Friday not to abandon his bid for another term as prime minister and pledged to stay on until the terrorists taking over much of the country are defeated.

Manhattan woman gives birth to son in the back seat of hired car on the way to the hospital

Thanks for the ride, baby. A Manhattan mom delivered her newborn son in the back seat of a hired car, with the infant arriving eight days early outside the Columbia University Medical Center’s front door.

Fears of undetectable bombs implanted in terrorists’ FLESH prompt heightened security at European airports

Passengers on U.S.-bound flights from Europe endured lengthy security checks Friday amid new fears terrorists could sneak high-tech bombs aboard in cell phones, shoes or even implanted in their flesh.

Gertrude Weaver, oldest living American, celebrates sweet 116 July 4

A southern Arkansas woman who celebrated her 116th birthday Friday is almost half as old as her country — and the oldest confirmed living American.