MR GRADY'S DAILY BLOG: AMERICAS EARLY BIRD NEWS

Transgender inmate sues to stop 'torture' in Georgia prisons — after denied hormone treatment, subjected to sexual assault and forced to 'act like a man'

Three years without hormone therapy is reversing everything that Ashley Diamond (left in 2014, right in undated photo) has fought for.

TOWERING INFERNO: Dubai's Marina Torch — one of the world's tallest residential skyscrapers — engulfed in flames; no injuries reported

Flames were reportedly seen shooting out from two sides of the 1,082-foot-tall skyscraper as shimmering glass and metal rained down into the densely populated marina district.

New Jersey mom holds down Port Authority cop as daughter throws punches at Newark Airport: authorities

Katrina Dansby, 42, and Nephatira Dansby, 24, flew into a rage and attacked a Port Authority cop at Newark Airport, authorities said Friday.

Washington Heights couple goes to court over too-cold apartment with temperatures in the 40s

Janine Avril, 38, and Hicha Chmielnicki, 34, was in Housing Court trying to get their landlord to do something about the “icebox” that is their apartment.

‘It will work out’: Man will continue fight to prove Jay Z is his dad, godmother says

Prank caller tricks employees into DESTROYING Circle K convenience store, causing about $30,000 in damage: cops

The loyal-to-a-fault workers believed they were abiding by the guidance of a security company — and they caused about $30,000 in damage before figuring out the trick, police said.

North Idaho College administrator offered scholarship money for sex with students: cops

Former financial aid director, Joseph Bekken, of North Idaho College admitted to offering the school's scholarship money to students in exchange for sex.

‘Everything was going perfect in her life’: Death of Arizona woman found in her home baffles family

The grieving family members of Arizona woman Allison Feldman are baffled by her death, which police are investigating as a homicide.

'When Porn Stars Attack' actress busted in the most ironic way possible

SEE IT Jeep ice sculpture left in North Carolina parking lot

A very cool piece of ice was left standing in the parking lot of a North Carolina medical center.

President Obama will host Prince Charles, wife at White House in March

President Obama will host Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, at the White House in March.

'If they were rich students ... would you still have this crisis?': Cuomo slams system for leaving kids stuck in failing schools

Andrew Cuomo said a staggering 9,200 kids are stuck in failing schools because the system makes change nearly impossible.

Britain's new royal couple? Prince Harry is 'smitten' with Emma Watson

Bus carrying mentally handicapped adults fatally strikes man in Brooklyn

A man was hit and killed by a private bus transporting a group of mentally handicapped adults through Brooklyn Friday, officials said.

'ENTITLED TO JUSTICE': Fund set up for burial of Shannan Gilbert, found dead on Long Island beach in 2011

The 23-year-old escort’s family members have created a GoFundMe page and raised $720 to help pay for her funeral.

'I thought we lost them': Barn collapse kills 2 horses, injures 5 as massive snow drifts create Mass. threat

Two horses were killed when the Massachusetts barn they were in collapsed under the weight of a massive snow drift Friday.

New York

'WE'LL KEEP FIGHTING': Doves, balloons released to mark three months since Akai Gurley was gunned down by NYPD cop

Mourners of a man shot by police in the stairwell of a Brooklyn housing complex released doves and balloons Friday to mark his death.

'Gumball Bandit' accused of stealing more than 100 candy machines gets extra day before lineup

Jason Bietsch, suspected of stealing more than 100 gumball machines during his sweet spree, won’t face a lineup involving witnesses in the case until Saturday, officials said.

SAY WHAT?! De Blasio, DNC chairwoman slam Giuliani's comments that Obama doesn't love America

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz unloaded on the Republican former mayor after he questioned the commander-in-chief’s dedication to his country.

Accused Al Qaeda terrorist representing self in court will take witness stand in his own defense

Abid Naseer will be questioned in the direct portion of his testimony by the stand-by lawyer, James Neuman, who has been assisting the alleged jihadist in his own defense against charges of plotting to blow up a shopping mall in Manchester, England.

LATEST FROM AROUND NEW YORK

Boyfriend eyed in death of Bronx woman found with stab wounds in chest and back: police sources

Delores Scott, 52, was fatally stabbed in the Bronx — and cops are eyeing her boyfriend Brandi Simmons, 42, in the heinous act, police sources said.

De Blasio moving with plan to convert Queens rail yard into affordable housing despite Cuomo's opposition

Mayor de Blasio is going full steam ahead with his plan to convert a Queens rail yard into affordable housing.

NYPD detective describes fear in the face of suspected Etan Patz killer

Pedro Hernandez is charged with strangling the 6-year-old and discarding his body in 1979.

Who's the most-thanked in Oscar speeches?

SEE IT 'BAILOUT, BAILOUT!': Air Force fighter jet safely lands after losing half a wing in $22.5M mid-air collision

The two F-16Cs were performing a mock dog fight over Kansas when a communication error led to a $22.5 million collision, the Air Force said.

Missing Washington state teen was raped, drowned and dismembered, authorities say

The decomposed and dismembered body of 19-year-old Jesus Isidor-Mendoza was discovered in a duffel bag in February, more than three months after his family reported him missing.

Bernie Madoff’s ex-secretary given permission to drive down to Florida to begin six-year prison sentence

Annette Bongiorno's request to drive to Coleman, Fla. was granted Friday after she told a federal judge she was too afraid to fly.

Bradley Cooper delays Oscar trip to finish 'Elephant Man'

PAINFUL AROUSAL: Oklahoma man woke to girlfriend biting his penis off, police say

A night of drinking and arguing led to the painful arousal when the victim said he found Amber Ellis "biting his (penis) off" as he slept on the couch Thursday, KJRH reported.

Conn. Air Force veteran killed while trying to help hit-and-run crash victims: family

Lauren Mohr, 34, slipped off of an icy New Haven bridge Thursday after stopping to help victims of a hit-and-run, police said.

Florida teens charged with attempted murder in crowbar attack of student over alleged stolen pot: cops

Daniel Vukovich, 17, was clinging to life following a vicious beating with a crowbar, Satellite Beach Police Department Chief Jeff Pearson said, according to WESH-TV.

35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIRACLE ON ICE

U.S. beats pesky West German team 4-2 to reach medal round

They came with young legs and willing hearts, hoping only to survive the first round so they could dare dream of even a bronze medal.

Loss in Miracle on Ice game still stings for the Russians

Alex Ovechkin wasn’t born until 1985, but Russia’s brightest modern star can capture the essence of the United States’ “Miracle on Ice.”

Lupica: Herb Brooks after his own gold medal in Lake Placid

Herb Brooks is the coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team, which has become one of the very best stories at the XII Winter Olympics.

U.S. checks Czechs 7-3 in shocking Olympic hockey upset

A mostly American crowd fell in love with the U.S. hockey team when they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in U.S. hockey history.

35 years ago tiny village of Lake Placid hosted a miracle

It is 35 years ago, and you are on your way to the Winter Olympics. You pass through Albany, decide not to stop and visit, and keep going.

Players cashing in with Miracle on Ice gear

It was a shot heard around the world, from a 7,700-seat arena in upstate Lake Placid all the way to Moscow’s Red Square.

U.S. ties Sweden 2-2 with last-minute Bill Baker goal

The scoreboard clock showed 27 seconds left, and in the middle of the rink it looked like a 19-man human pyramid had just collapsed.

1980 Russian hockey team annihilates Team USA 10-3 at Garden

The score was 10-3, Russia, and could have been higher if the Soviets had exerted themselves a bit.

Sports

Joe Girardi: A-Rod has to prove he deserves playing time

Alex Rodriguez’s spot on the Yankees roster appears safe. His spot in the lineup? That’s an entirely different story.

Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka on his elbow: 'I feel it's healed'

Yankees fans everywhere will likely hold their collective breath every time Masahiro Tanaka takes the mound this year.

Knicks embarrassed by shorthanded Heat, 111-87

During the morning shootaround on Friday, Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about what makes Miami such an appealing destination to players.

Goalie Mackenzie Skapski gets win in debut as Rangers top Sabres, 3-1

Mackenzie Skapski finally got his shot, and at first, he hardly faced any shots. The Rangers’ 20-year-old, third-string goaltender won his NHL debut Friday night, 3-1, over the lowly Sabres, in a game so one-sided through 40 minutes that Skapski stretched to keep warm as play continued far away.

Daily News Kid Critic, 7, assesses Fashion Week

Texas toddler crushed to death by unhinged door as family moves into new home

A heavy door crushed 2-year-old Iva Potter Thursday in her new Lewisville house, police said. Iva, who has a twin sister, would have turned 3 in two weeks, according to a report.

Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell sentenced to prison term for role in bribery scheme

A jury in September found the McDonnells guilty of taking more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company’s nutritional supplements — primarily the tobacco-derived anti-inflammatory Anatabloc.