NATO's senior civilian in Afghanistan, Mark Sedwill says kids in Kabul have little to worry about: "The children are probably safer here than they would be in London, New York or Glasgow." Meanwhile, civilian deaths are "soaring" across the country.

[Jennifer Aniston on the set of her new film 'Wanderlust' in New York. Image via Splash.]

Robbing a Baskin Robbins is not a good way to raise capital for your fledgling record label.

Food crusader Mayor Michael Bloomberg has found a way to save the city around $350,000 a year — by cutting the calorie intake of Rikers Island inmates by 160 a day. And no more chocolate pudding! Or black pepper.

The SoHo apartment where actor Heath Ledger passed away is on the market for $5M. It's a huge 4400sq.ft. loft with three bedrooms and a private balcony. So, if you can deal with a tragic ghost, it's a steal.

According to the New York Attorney General's office, there are three ongoing investigations into New York Gov. David Paterson that may be interested in looking at reporters' e-mails with Paterson's press aides. Why?

The Nashville-based actress bought this 3,785sq.ft. West Side aerie for $8M in 2003 and now, rather than selling, she's leasing the barely-lived-in modernist box. She's apparently purchased a new penthouse in way-west Chelsea for when she visits the city.

The number crunchers at The Daily Beast ranked the country's 27 largest airports, and the three that serve the New York metropolitan area all ranked near the bottom of the list. The worst airport in the country: It's Newark.

New York Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo has picked former "9/11 Mayor" Rudy Giuliani to co-chair his public safety transition team and help select candidates for top positions. Will these recommended candidates prove to be scumbag crooks and go to jail, too?

[John Mayer walks down the street after seeing Pee Wee Herman's Broadway Show. Image via Splash.]

Students at Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School like to smoke weed between classes in an outdoor spot called "The Alcove." But an administrator smelled the sweet stench of burning buds through her office window and now the party's over. Stupid kids.

The woman who records the announcements for New York's subway system has never ridden the subway

[Did you know there's a 'Qudditch World Cup,'? There is, and it's happening today in New York City's Hells Kitchen neighborhood. Here's what you're all missing. (Don't worry, Quidditch dude. It gets better.) Image via Splash.]

Why pay for an overpriced, tiny hotel room in Manhattan when you can sleep for free high up in one of Central Park's 24,000 trees? That's what Cory and Dana Foht have been doing for the past two months.

[We may not be ready for Christmas yet, but Rockefeller Center certainly is after a 12-ton, 74-foot Norway spruce was hoisted into place today. Image via AP]

New York City swinging venues—spots for couples looking to swap spouses—are reporting a 20-60 percent decrease in attendance because of the economy. At $110-150 per couple, it's no wonder sex isn't selling! Maybe they need coupons?

Today the New York Times tells us that the urban locavore purist population of New York's still-hippest neighborhood, Brooklyn's Williamsburg, are furious about the encroachment of Duane Reade and Starbucks into their 'hood. Well, most residents are, anyway.

And it is! $8.5m expensive. The Marie Clare editor/wise Project Runway judge and her husband, Guggenheim Partners managing director David Conrod, combined two units on E. 66th St. to form this simple-but-sprawling sky palace. Now they're selling. Y'know, they're out.

A lot of people have been wondering why New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg tapped former Hearst chief Cathie Black to run the city's school system. Add Black to the list: Bloomberg never even interviewed her before offering her the job.

Photographer Greg Schmigel has dedicated himself to taking beautiful shots of New York City street life. He doesn't do it with a big fancy camera, though. He uses nothing more than his amazing eye and an iPhone.