Photos: AP/David Guttenfelder The New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s historic concert in North Korea concluded hours ago, marking the first performance by an American orchestra in the impoverished, totalitarian nation. The event also marked a first for much of the press, who are routinely denied access to North Korea and, once inside, usually find their movements tightly controlled. The Times has a stunning slideshow of photos snapped en route from the airport to the center of......

Part of the NBC 2.0 philosophy has been to put cheap programming on air as a measure to cut corners and save money. Even before the writers' strike this has meant a string of programs that are “unscripted,” such as cheesy game shows and of course the requisite fakeality nonsense. So taking quarterlife, a Web 2.0 based online show/online community from the creators of thirtysomething, My So-Called Life, and Once and Again, and sticking it......

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a burn victim on East 3rd St. and Beverly Rd. in Brooklyn, a shooting on Francis Lewis Blvd. in Queens, and a burn victim on 103rd St. and Park Ave. in Manhattan. Reps for the New York Philharmonic are investigating a planned appearance of the symphony in North Korea. Those excited by news of a George Clooney sighting in Brooklyn Heights yesterday can just go ahead and get giddy......

Congressman Charles Rangel is in the news again, but this time he's not upsetting Southern states - he's scaring the bejesus out of young Americans! He told CBS's Face the Nation that he will will propose legislation to bring back the draft. Why? Because it might act as a war-deterrent, as well as fulfill the need for more troops. There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded......

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a high-rise fire on 31st and Broadway, a pedestrian struck by car on Hester and Bowery, and a "missing prisoner" (!) in the West Village. Charlie Rangel wants to reinstate the draft: "he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars and to bolster U.S. troop levels insufficient to cover potential future action in Iran, North Korea and Iraq." Yikes! Two Long Island pilots are......

Yesterday, the countries on the United Nations Security Council had an emegency meeting after North Korea announced it had tested a nuclear device. The U.S. proposed cargo inspections and limited sanctions to North Korea (including luxury items - and Kim Jong Il loves his Henessy), as well as banning any military trade. The North Korea nuclear tests now bring up some new questions about how the administration handled the situation, making international policy even more......

Doctors Without Borders will be pitching a tent in Central Park this fall. There will be an 8,000 square foot exhibit that looks like a refugee camp placed in Cherry Hill (near Bethesda Fountain) to give an approximation of what's it's like to live in a refugee conditions after disasters. Here's what Doctors Without Borders says:Guided by MSF aid workers, visitors to this outdoor educational exhibit are asked to imagine that they are among the......

Aaron Lubarsky,
co-director/editor,
Seoul Train...

Bobby Fischer, the brilliant but reclusive chess champion, was International > Search for Former Chess Champion Ends at Tokyo Airport" href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Japan-Bobby-Fischer.html">detained at Tokyo's Narita Airport while trying to go to the Philippines. There is talk of extraditing Fischer back to the U.S., because Fischer has been wanted ever since playing a game in Yugoslavia when sports games were sanctioned. A chess player, a wanted criminal, just for playing a game. Yes, sanctions, but it seems......

Talk about a photo opportunity. Or at least an attempt to further intimidate the United States into peace. (P.S., South Korea, I'm glad you have all these buff, angry Korean soldiers attack each other, but is that enough if North Korea is bringing out the nukes?) And they feel that the portrayal Koreans in Die Another Day is over the top and unfounded. Hand to hand combat...shirtless... in the snow? And what would D.A. Miller......