MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

COPS SHUN MAYOR: NYPD, police from across U.S. turn their backs on de Blasio as he eulogizes Officer Rafael Ramos

Dozens of police officers turned their backs in silent protest Saturday as Mayor de Blasio eulogized slain colleague Officer Rafael Ramos.

NOT AGAIN: Missing AirAsia QZ 8501 is the latest flight mystery in a long list of aerial disasters

Here are some of the biggest flight mysteries in stretching back to the 1997 disappearance of an Indian Air Force cargo plane.

Fire breaks out on ferry to Italy with 466 people aboard; evacuation ordered but heavy winds hinder efforts

Nearby ships have been instructed to take passengers and crew members from the ferry Norman Atlantic, west of the island of Corfu.

Hacker group releases 13,000 passwords, credit card numbers linked to Walmart, Amazon, porn sites

The hacker group leaked the sensitive information on the document sharing site Ghostbin. Information from popular online shopping sites and registration codes for computer games were included.

Rookie Arizona cop, 24, shot, killed during gunfire exchange after responding to domestic violence call

A rookie Arizona cop has been shot in the face while investigating a domestic violence call, local reports said.

Miley Cyrus 'frees the nipple' in topless Instagram pic

'Are you really going to let Bill Cosby perform?': Judd Apatow thinks theaters should cancel appearances by the comedian

Judd Apatow thinks a pair of Canadian theaters should cancel appearances by disgraced comedian Bill Cosby.

Cuomo, Gov. Christie shoot down bill that set out to reform Port Authority, push their own reform package

$Governor Andrew Cuomo pictured at the cabinet meeting discussing fracking on Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 2014 in Albany, NY. (Martin Benjamin/for the New York Daily News)$ Legislation designed to reform the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was expected to be vetoed Saturday by Cuomo.

NSA analysts spied on their own spouses, girlfriends, cache of new documents reveal

Analysts with the NSA have been abusing surveillance data to spy on significant others and spouses for more than a decade, documents show.

JETER MAGIC: Penn State kicker uses Yank's old locker, scores game-winning extra point in Pinstripe Bowl

Penn State kicker Sam Ficken enjoyed his week in New York for the Pinstripe Bowl, from opening to stock exchange to sharing the locker of the recently retired Yankee shortshop Derek Jeter.

Thousands attend Officer Rafael Ramos' funeral in Queens — SEE THE PHOTOS

Mourners from all over U.S. attend funeral for Rafael Ramos

A Texas police chief traveled light to reach Officer Rafael Ramos’ funeral: He brought only a Bible signed by his entire department.

Tournament disinvites high school teams over 'I Can't Breathe' tees

A California high school was disinvited from a basketball tournament over 'I Can't Breathe' t-shirts.

Editorial: New York can only hope de Blasio will emerge from humiliating adversity

Warren: Vice President Biden's eulogy at Ramos funeral a knockout

Vice President Joe Biden spoke poignantly and insightfully at the Saturday funeral of murdered New York police officer Rafael Ramos.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP: Daily News fund for slain NYPD cops' families tops $100K

The milestone was reached Saturday as a Queens funeral was held for Ramos.

Klum with a view! Heidi on holiday letting it all hang out

U.S. building in Havana to become new embassy

The United States’ seven-story mission building will become its new embassy as the countries work to re-establish diplomatic relations.

Syria says it’s ready to hold peace talks moderated by Russia to end war

Syria said on Saturday it was willing to participate in “preliminary consultations” in Moscow for peace talks to end its civil war.

Ohio hubby accidentally blasts wife with shotgun, but docs find undiagnosed heart ailment

The son of a woman who was struck with birdshot by her husband while sitting in a recliner says the accident may have saved her life.

Salma Hayek is fit and fabulous in slinky black bikini

Florida cop remembered as ‘phenomenal’ father and officer

As a sea of blue uniforms attended a fallen NYPD officer’s funeral, a lone bagpiper marked a Florida cop being laid to rest.

Washington teacher charged in child porn bust: report

Porn-hunting federal agents in Washington busted a teacher with hundreds of sickening pictures and videos of young boys, authorities said.

Pittsburgh woman steals sick neighbor's dog, euthanizes it

A Pittsburgh woman has been found guilty of stealing a terminally ill neighbor's dog and having the dog euthanized.

New York

Brave Long Island boy, 4, who suffered over a dozen strokes, loses battle with rare disorder

Adam Lefkowitz, the 4-year-old Long Island boy who suffered more than 15 strokes after contracting a mysterious illness, has died.

FIND THESE GIRLS: Missing Staten Island teens were last seen visiting Rockefeller Center tree on Christmas Day

The three girls from Staten Island were last seen at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on Thursday, at about 9:40 p.m., police said.

Man, 19, strangles fellow patient at Bronx mental facility

A 19-year-old strangled a 51-year-old fellow patient when a dispute turned deadly in a Bronx mental institution.

Port Authority awash in overtime pay: 131 employees DOUBLED annual salary with OT

The Port Authority is awash in overtime pay: 131 employees doubled annual salary; 13 made more than executive director Pat Foy.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Body of unidentified man found in Bronx River

A man's body was discovered in the Bronx River Saturday morning with a large rock in his backpack, the victim of an apparent suicide.

Ex-con shot in Harlem in June dies

Jorge Briu, 32, and another man were reportedly targeted as part of a dispute over how much money changed hands during a drug deal.

Woman, 72, critically injured in Upper East Side fire

A 72-year-old woman narrowly escaped death after being critically injured in an Upper East Side fire Friday night.

Bronx man charged in violent Christmas rape of woman

A Bronx man surrendered at a police station Friday and was charged with the depraved rape of a woman in Bronxdale on Christmas morning.

Dare to bare: The most shocking red carpet looks of 2014

Eric Garner to Ebola scare, how The News covered 2014's big stories

As 2014 winds down, take a look back at some of the biggest news stories of the year ...

Bizarre crimes of 2014 highlight the odd, wacky side of law

Alleged criminals found new, and weird, ways to get in trouble with the law during 2014 - some of which made us laugh, cringe or cry.

So long, Jeter: The year's top stories in sports

The top 20 most shocking celebrity splits of 2014

They say breaking up is hard to do, but in Hollywood it seems like staying together is the real challenge. Take a look back at the top 20 most shocking celebrity splits of 2014 ...

Celebrating the best celeb beach bodies of 2014 — PHOTOS

As the year comes to an end, check out which celebrities made waves with the hottest beach bodies!

Sports

Sunday Morning QB: At least we get a Jets-Giants game in '15

The only thing missing from this wretched New York football season was a compelling head-to-head Giants-Jets matchup.

Myers: It's been a fun, wild 6 years with Rex Ryan and Jets

There will never be another one like Rex.

Nation, NFL will keep eyes on Mariota, Winston in Rose Bowl

Jimbo Fisher, the head coach of Florida State, had just led his Seminoles to their 22nd consecutive win with QB Jameis Winston.

Armstrong: Penn State QB leads way in Pinstripe Bowl

Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg lined up under center and in the shotgun, running play actions and throwing deep toward the pylons.

Beyonce shares intimate snaps from holiday in Iceland

Adriana Lima works it in sexy leotard for mag calendar

Major differences in Missouri cop shootings of black teens: authorities

Lingering racial tensions in St. Louis were reignited when a white cop killed a young black man Tuesday night.

Doctors in Kansas discover 'Bourbon virus' from ticks

A new tick-borne virus is responsible for killing a Kansas man last summer, the U.S.

Holiday shopper chokes granddaughter in J.C. Penney: cops

Diana Hendren allegedly grabbed her granddaughter by the throat as they searched for presents at J.C. Penney in Albuquerque.

Ho, ho, ho! Palin wishes merry X-mas as sweater falls down

Sarah Palin is getting into the holiday spirit.

SEE IT: Topless Chelsea Handler strikes again!

Texas cop, girlfriend beaten, robbed following crash: police

An off-duty cop and his girlfriend were ambushed, beaten and robbed after a Christmas night car crash, authorities said.

North Korea, irked by release of 'The Interview' and Internet blackout, calls President Obama 'a monkey'

After Sony's "The Interview" sparked controversy over North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's role in the film, the country has not issued a new statement comparing Obama to "a monkey in a tropical forest."

California dog survives 15-foot fall by landing in hot tub

A 13-year-old Boston terrier miraculously survived falling off a 15-story California balcony by landing in a hot tub below.

Missing cruise ship man’s body found on Florida beach: cops

The body of a missing cruise ship worker washed ashore on a beach in Florida Friday, authorities said.

Hollywood PDA: Stars go public with their affection

Mexican woman leaves Ireland after being hit on bus, feels Mexico is safer

A 26-year-old man was arrested but so far no charges have been filed.

Kwanzaa ceremony honored ancestors, called for protests against police brutality

The celebration runs seven days for each corresponding principle in Swahili. The event was held inside 290 Broadway, near the 6.6-acre burial ground where hundreds of slaves were anonymously interred.

TSA screener faces 14 years in prison for stealing $10,000 cash from passengers

Alexandra Schmid, 34, worked at Kennedy Airport when she took the money straight from the passengers' luggage.

WHAT A HOSER! Kansas firefighter takes fire truck for drunken ride: cops

A Kansas volunteer firefighter was arrested after taking a drunken joyride in a fire truck, police said.

Model strips down for LOVE Magazine advent calendar

Third-grade teacher in Boston wins $150,000 — and donates ALL OF IT to her school

Third-grade teacher Nikki Bollerman in Boston won $150,000 in an online contest — then donated her entire winnings to her school.

Christmas sales increase roughly 4%, the best shopping season in three years: experts

Falling gas prices and a better job market helped boost holiday purchases this year, experts say. There were strong sales in women’s clothing, jewelry and consumer electronics.