The mass transit system needs higher fares to shore up its finances. But Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo opposes the increase.

Cuomo’s Blunt Subway Strategy: Humiliate the M.T.A. to Force Change

With “Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.,” the Museum of Jewish Heritage will devote much of its building to artifacts from that Nazi death camp.

The Horrors of Auschwitz at a Museum in New York

In many Oscar bait movies, interracial friendships come with a paycheck, and follow the white character’s journey to enlightenment.

Why Do the Oscars Keep Falling for Racial Reconciliation Fantasies?

President Nicolás Maduro, facing a direct challenge to his hold on power, told American diplomats to leave, an order the United States said it would ignore.

After U.S. Backs Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s Leader, Maduro Cuts Ties

The former vice president’s address in October helped Fred Upton, a vulnerable Republican, win re-election in Michigan. Mr. Biden earned $200,000 for the speech.

Joe Biden’s Paid Speech Buoyed the G.O.P. in Midwest Battleground

The characters in “Broad City,” “High Maintenance” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” have learned to love New York in the era of gentrification.

How Three Quirky Sitcoms Capture the New York Hustle

Mr. Cohen’s lawyer cited verbal attacks by President Trump as his reason for bowing out of the hearing, which was to be a marquee moment in Democrats’ plan to showcase their oversight of Mr. Trump.

Michael Cohen Indefinitely Postpones Testimony to Congress

Democratic leaders said they were prepared to match the amount requested by President Trump, but only if the money was used for security measures like drones and refitted ports of entry — not a wall.

Trump Says He’ll Delay Speech Until After Shutdown, as Democrats Draft Border Security Plan

Accessories and data may not take up much physical space, but they contribute to frustration and anxiety. Here are ways to keep e-junk at bay, Marie Kondo-style.

How to Declutter and Organize Your Personal Tech in a Few Simple Steps

Executives are playing down the threats posed by a trade war and other headwinds, much as they dismissed the possibility of a government shutdown right before it started.

Corporate Chiefs Look Past Economic Risks and Pin Hopes on Trump for Trade Deal

Can Silicon Valley survivor Julie Wainwright’s luxury consignment company, the RealReal, save retail?

Tycoon of the Pre-Owned

There was heartening news for an academy that nearly introduced a popular-film award. But accusations against the director of “Bohemian Rhapsody” show the group’s limits.

Blockbusters, #MeToo and More: 4 Takeaways From the Oscar Nominations

Some U.S. researchers knew of a Chinese scientist’s intentions to implant edited embryos but were unable to stop him. Now scientific institutions are trying to devise global safeguards.

How to Stop Rogue Gene-Editing of Human Embryos?

About 15 percent of its work force will be cut, or about 200 employees across the company’s departments, including the news division.

BuzzFeed Plans Layoffs as It Aims to Turn Profit

The comedian from “Adam Ruins Everything” always takes along drawing materials, a fidget spinner and a Nintendo switch to make a cross-country flight go faster.

What Adam Conover Can’t Travel Without

Mr. Stanley’s thrillingly authoritative debut opened the winter season — and a triple bill of Balanchine-Stravinsky ballets — on a high note.

Review: At City Ballet, Taylor Stanley Is a God for Our Time

Plants and soil absorb carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change. But global warming will degrade that ability, scientists say.

As Climate Warms, Plants Will Absorb Less CO₂, Study Finds

The acclaimed performers will perform a revival of the intense and intimate Terrence McNally play starting in May.

Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon to Star in ‘Frankie and Johnny’ on Broadway

The consulting firm is the subject of another complaint by a retired turnaround specialist who accused McKinsey of working with a bankrupt company to improperly route its payments.

McKinsey & Company Is Again Accused of Misdeeds in Bankruptcy Case

Why People Ghost — and How to Get Over It

Quotation of the Day for Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

Quotation of the Day: A Tourist Family’s Bad Behavior Has New Zealand Rethinking Its Welcome Mat

It is unclear how much of the book, if any, will deal with Hillary Clinton’s two campaigns for president, or if Mr. Clinton will address criticisms of his policy record or his misconduct with women.

Bill Clinton Is Writing a Book About His Post-Presidential Life

The show, “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” will run this fall, from Oct. 29 to Dec. 1, at the James M. Nederlander Theater.

Michael Jackson Musical to Open in Chicago

Four new and under-the-radar labels to help you get there. 

How to Feel Cool in the New Year

About 5,000 books, often heavily annotated, that John Ashbery left behind have been acquired by Harvard, which also owns some 250 linear feet of his personal archive.

For John Ashbery’s Personal Library, a Spot on the Shelves at Harvard

Aloysius Pang Wei Chong was a Singaporean actor once managed under NoonTalk Media, best known for his involvement in multiple Mediacorp dramas.

Aloysius Pang, Singaporean actor (born 1990)

Aloysius_Pang

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region.

January 23, 2019

Headlines from January 23, 2019

Cuomo’s Blunt Subway Strategy: Humiliate the M.T.A. to Force Change

The Horrors of Auschwitz at a Museum in New York

Why Do the Oscars Keep Falling for Racial Reconciliation Fantasies?

After U.S. Backs Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s Leader, Maduro Cuts Ties

Joe Biden’s Paid Speech Buoyed the G.O.P. in Midwest Battleground

Billboard 200

Hoodie SZN

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

I Am > I Was

beerbongs & bentleys

Championships

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for January 23, 2019