MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Family of slain Brooklyn boy, 6, stabbed in elevator by madman, files $281M suit against NYCHA for having just 1 camera for protection

Mikayla Capers (bottom right) was with P.J. Avitto (top right) when they were attacked while riding the elevator of their apartment building. Nicholas Avitto, P.J.'s father, points out the only camera at Boulevard Houses in East New York, which monitors an entryway that has a broken lock.

Wife of anti-gay Texas activist has divorced him — to be with a woman: court documents

While Texas Values' president Jonathan Saenz was preaching through a megaphone against same-sex couples in Texas his soon-to-be ex-wife was cozying up with a woman, court documents have revealed.

Pope Francis calls for peaceas North Korea fires projectiles into sea

The Pope has called for renewed efforts to forge peace on the war-divided Korean Peninsula and for both sides to avoid 'fruitless' criticisms and shows of force, opening a five-day visit to South Korea with a message of reconciliation as Seoul's rival, North Korea, fired five projectiles into the sea.

'Tony Stewart was the only one... who didn’t see him': Kevin Ward Jr.’s father RIPS driver for son’s death

“Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night,” Kevin Ward Sr. told an upstate New York newspaper. “Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there’s no reason for it.”

Mom says she was kicked out of Texas pizzeria for changing baby’s diaper

Miranda Sowers filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau about Brother’s Pizza Express in Spring after changing her daughter’s diaper in the restaurant. She also said a staff member was rude to her.

Ariana: 'I don’t feel confident in my sexuality or fashion'

EXCLUSIVE Autistic boy, 11, punched by city educator at Brooklyn school

Milton Parker, 58, a paraprofessional at Public School 225 in Brighton Beach, attacked the youngster last Thursday after he had spilled water on the floor, according to the boy's father, Anatoly Veltman.

Move over Big Apple! Philadelphia makes pitch to host 2016 Democratic convention

Philly went head to head — and swag bag to swag bag — with the Big Apple on Wednesday in the battle to host the 2016 Democratic convention.

SEE IT WHOPPER: Teenage girl pummeled in Mississippi Burger King as worker does NOTHING to help

A 17-year-old girl was viciously beaten inside a Mississippi fast food restaurant as at least one worker stood nearby and did nothing to call for help, cops said.

Ebola kills physician who treated patients with the disease in Sierra Leone

Another of Sierra Leone’s leading physicians has died from Ebola, officials said Wednesday.

Kathie Lee & Hoda: Robin's laughter will live forever

Artist claiming bridge white banner credit was ‘flagged’ on surveillance video: NYPD source

One of the two German artists claiming responsibility for stealing two U.S. flags and replacing them with white ones on the Brooklyn Bridge was captured on surveillance video, a police source says.

GENTLEMAN'S CURSE: Man defending group of women gets knocked out by cat-calling men in Philadelphia

A man visiting Philadelphia ended up in the hospital after trying to help a group of women in Rittenhouse Square who were being taunted by men in a car, police said.

Would-be serial stowaway gets 177 days in jail for catching free plane rides at California airports

Marilyn Hartman, 62, who just can’t seem to stop trying to catch free rides on commercial airliners, is going to jail for 177 days, a Los Angeles judge ruled Wednesday.

That was fast! N.Y. State Senate hopeful quits after extramarital affair she began just DAYS ago

Gia Arnold, a 24-year-old conservative Republican candidate for state Senate from the Niagara Falls area, abruptly called a halt to her campaign early this morning.

Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy is in charge as Cuomo is in Israel

With Gov. Cuomo in Israel, Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy is technically in charge — and he seems to be enjoying himself.

HAIR-LARIOUS! Mickey sports wild, long locks

Cincinnati radio host allegedly shot wife after she tried to kick him out

In a desperate 911 call, Blake Seylhouwer, 37, who has a talk show on 55KRC Radio, cried that the shooting was 'an accident' after removing his rifle from his car Tuesday afternoon.

Six people dead after police try to defuse bomb in Gaza

Six people — including an Associated Press video journalist and his translator — were killed Wednesday when leftover ordnance blew up in the Gaza Strip.

ISIS supporters seen handing out Islamic propaganda across London that encourages people to move to Middle East

Recruiters for the bloodthirsty Islamic terrorist group ISIS have infiltrated London, according to local residents, with several supporters of the Jihadists passing out flyers across town encouraging lawful Brits to join the fight in Iraq and Syria.

Canadian man stabbed in the chest after bumping into people while texting, police say

A pedestrian in downtown Toronto was stabbed in the heart Wednesday after bumping shoulders with two other men while sending messages on his mobile device, police said.

South Carolina man arrested for bigamy after allegedly found having FOUR wives

Darnell Pixley, 49, was arrested Wednesday after wife number three allegedly found out about wife number four and contacted authorities, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Department.

New York

Brooklyn teen charged as adult for alleged sex attacks inside apartment building staircase

Jadeocus Muhammad, 16, was arraigned Tuesday night for a duo of disgusting attacks in which he allegedly tried to chat up random women around in Crown Heights, then sexually assaulted them after getting rebuffed.

Too hot for tots! Brooklyn Public Library yanks two iPads after adult content constantly pops up

Officials have permanently yanked two iPads out of the children’s reading section of the Kensington branch after kids and some parents kept sneaking off with the devices to shop, play violent video games and view porn sites, sources said.

It's a real dogfight! East Side couple suing coop board for making them choose between their multimillion dollar duplex and aging pooch

Two East Side lawyers are suing their coop board for forcing them to choose between their ailing elderly dog and their duplex apartment in the shadow of the United Nations.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Deranged Queens dad accused of beating daughter with wife must stay away from ex: court

A deranged Queens dad who lost custody of his 12-year-old after she was savagely beaten and tortured was ordered to steer clear of his ex-wife as well.

De Blasio: City is 'blessed" to have Bratton as commish, Sharpton's call for his removal is 'idiotic'

Mayor de Blasio staunchly defended his police commissioner Wednesday and called the idea he would dump him over tensions with Al Sharpton “idiotic.”

Parents outraged over mystery pole dancer in Ocean City, Md.

SEE IT SEE IT: Maryland state trooper saves man trying to jump off bridge

A young Maryland state trooper relied on his time as a high school football player to yank a suicidal man off the ledge of a bridge some 90 feet above the Susquehanna River.

Pope Francis urges UN to work toward 'end of humanitarian tragedy' in Iraq

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is increasingly indicating support for military action in Iraq to protect Christians and other religious minorities from persecution by the Islamic State.

Oregon mom accused of drugging toddler with cold medicine before drowning her smiles and WINKS at judge in court appearance

Garbed in a yellow jumpsuit, Jessica Smith, 40, sat poised on a live video feed from jail, smiled and even winked during a Tuesday court appearance.

Woman, 7 months pregnant, forced to deliver baby after getting shot in Los Angeles

A woman who was seven months pregnant was forced to deliver her baby after she was shot multiple times on Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Times reports.

New Jersey police station targeted in drive-by shooting

Police are offering a $25,750 reward for information on the shooting at a West Deptford Police station early Tuesday. An on-duty cop was working on papers and had to duck for cover.

Celebrity BFFs! Some stars just naturally clique — PHOTOS

Man brings home 2 women after meeting at bar, they run off with his $26K watch: police

A Greenwich Village Lothario took two young women back to his place then wound up chasing them through the neighborhood after they stole his $26,000 watch, police said.

Philly carjack suspect seeks forgiveness for wreck that killed 4

Minutes after learning a mother had also died from a Philadelphia carjacking crash that killed three of her children, a teen suspect blurted out a lament during a brief court hearing Wednesday.

University of Illinois rescinds professorship offer after academic’s anti-Israel tweets

The University of Illinois dropped a hire just days before he was to begin a professorship because the “brilliant, ethical and prolific” educator blasted Israel in hundreds of tweets, supporters say.

Florida police distance department from reports accused killer asked Siri how to 'hide' his roommate

Det. Matt Goeckel of the Gainesville Police Department was said to have presented this new evidence about Pedro Bravo's cellphone in the courtroom on Tuesday.

Chilean priest who helped steal babies from unwed mothers will be moved to Spain, Catholic Church confirms

The church confirmed Tuesday that Father Gerardo Joannon “actively participated” in the forced adoptions of at least two babies, who were snatched from their unwed single mothers more than thirty years ago.

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ co-star remembers Williams as 'incredibly kind'

Williams' daughter quits social media over harassment

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, U.S. World Cup star, in a league of his own

Tim Howard, the bearded, tattooed brick wall between the pipes, captured the hearts and minds of not only Americans across the nation, but soccer fans all over the world with his exploits during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Check out the Premier League's must-watch games for the 2014-15 season

Whether you are a life long fan or newcomer to the party, here is a guide to the games you must see this season.

Raissman: Premier League starting to use its head on concussions

Headed into the Premier League season, it is not as if Kyle Martino didn’t have enough to talk about. Then league suits threw another log on the fire, adopting a stricter concussion protocol. The move will be fodder for many discussions in NBC’s Premier League studio where Martino serves as lead yakker.

An inside look at the best and worst signings — and which manager will be sacked first

Catch up with the Premier League's biggest signings, transfers, who will rebound and who will win it all.

Sports

Terry Collins likely to return as manager as Mets fall to Nationals, 3-2

Barring a collapse or some unforeseen calamity in the final games of the 2014 season, Terry Collins is likely to be back as the Mets manager in 2015, a team source confirmed. That was probably a little tougher for Mets fans to stomach after Wednesday night’s game.

Potential Selig heirs make pitch as vote for new MLB commish comes Thursday

The big-league conclave has commenced. Major League Baseball team owners gathered here Wednesday to begin choosing the game’s first new commissioner in 22 years, the man who will ostensibly succeed Bud Selig.

Yankees loss to Orioles hurts as Betances gives up lead in third inning of relief

The Yankees’ official tragic number in the American League East is 36, but Wednesday’s loss may have been the one that knocked the Bombers out of the division race for good.

Mehta: Damon Harrison — known as 'Snacks' — has appetite for destruction

Damon Harrison deserves to be slapped. A good old-fashioned, open-palmed whack across the face. He’s had it coming for two years. Harrison is the no-name making a name, sandwiched between heavyweights Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. He toils in anonymity, the middle man with a Canton-bound nickname.