Especially since the agency’s political overlords have resorted to a new toll, the “congestion pricing” scheme, to make up the difference.
After stonewalling our reporters for a week, the MTA is rushing to explain things aren’t that bad, but it did in fact cite the $5.1 billion figure as it looked to hire bill collectors.
And it’ll need them, since the loss will surely grow with the new congestion-pricing tolls — which look unlikely to bring in as much as the agency loses to toll-evaders.
It’s hard to think of a more fundamental breach of the social contract: The MTA — or, rather, its political masters in Albany — is charging the law-abiding more because it’s unable to collect its due cut from scofflaws.
And so encouraging a vicious cycle in which ever more folks look to evade all tolls.
At issue is failed collections since the MTA went for cashless tolling on its bridges and tunnels: License-plate readers are supposed to collect the info for vehicles lacking EZ-Pass to allow billing-by-mail.
But obscured plates, or paper ones, frustrate the readers, while most other states won’t enforce New York tolls by penalizing their residents.
As for the MTA’s damage control: Its bridges-and-tunnels chief assures The Post that 96% of tolls are collected each year, and roughly half of unpaid tolls get collected eventually — though we haven’t seen numbers on how much it costs to collect from the deadbeats.
And none of it gets away from the fact that the agency is quietly advertising a need to collect unpaid bills that will soon approach $2 billion a year.
Again, the MTA is ultimately a creature of its masters in Albany, so don’t take out all your anger on CEO Janno Lieber and his minions.
In the end, it’s the politicians who run state government who are once again slamming the law-abiding rather than making the law-breakers pay.
The pound has fallen sharply against the US dollar in recent weeks. Many FTSE 250 stocks have been under pressure as investors worry about geopolitics, potential trade tariffs, and domestic growth.
The US dollar has continued to rise as investors bet that the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. This, coupled with concerns over domestic economic growth in the UK, means we are seeing sterling under pressure.
However, when the pound weakens, UK companies with significant offshore earnings can do well. Trainline (LSE: TRN) is one of the FTSE 250 stocks that I think could be a beneficiary.
What does Trainline do?
Trainline is a leading online platform for train and coach ticketing services across Europe. While it has a strong presence in the UK, Europe represents a key growth market given the sheer number of journeys taken on the mainland.
In its half-year results to 31 August, Tranline reported an 18% increase in first half transactions to over 110m. This helped boost Trainline’s net ticket sales by 14% year on year to £3bn. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 44% to £82m. A growing share of the company’s revenue now comes from international markets, reducing its reliance on the UK economy.
Valuation
The company’s share price has been volatile over the past year, climbing 11.5% to £3.64 per share as I write on 27 January. The majority of those gains came in the final quarter following its results release, which included a second profit upgrade in the space of two months.
The company’s stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 31. That’s well above the FTSE 250 average of 13. I think the key here is how well the company can scale its business model and keep growing its revenues.
Beneficiary of weaker sterling?
Trainline is quite clearly focusing on Europe as a growth market. A significant portion of its revenue is generated in euros, which can translate into higher local currency revenue when sterling weakens.
Another defensive quality is the group’s relatively limited exposure to the US. While investors are concerned about tariffs and other barriers for foreign companies in the US under the new administration, I think Trainline is relatively well insulated from these.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The company is consumer-facing and relies on the health of the consumer and travel industry. It continues to gain market share in the commuter segment, which is a positive, but there are large risks to growth from both consumer spending reductions and potential new regulations in the UK.
Verdict
Trainline’s international exposure and growth potential in Europe leave it well-placed to benefit from weaker sterling. However, the stock isn’t one that I’ll be buying right now.
The P/E ratio does look quite high enough given the consumer-facing nature of its operations and fierce competition. While weaker sterling is on my mind at the moment, I’m investing with at least a 3- to 5-year horizon. Given where I think we’re at in the economic cycle, I am looking for more defensive exposure in industries like pharmaceuticals when I get some spare funds.
In the alert, the company urged admins to take action, saying, “If your servers are so much out of date [pre-March 2023], please update your servers ASAP to secure your email workload and re-enable your Exchange server to check for EEMS rules.”
The Microsoft blog is “alarming,” said Andrew Grotto, a research scholar at Stanford University’s Centre of International Security and Co-operation and the senior director for cybersecurity policy at the White House in both the Obama and Trump administrations. “It shows how sticky [on-premises] Exchange is.”
Exchange mitigations are essentially hot fixes that plug holes, Shipley explained. Shifting to the software-as-a-service M365 doesn’t solve all security problems for the email service, he acknowledged, but, he added, it does solve the problem of threat actors being able to exploit unpatched or aged versions of the server, because Microsoft installs fixes for Microsoft 365 as soon as it creates them.
Yes, Google Maps is renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America,” but you won’t see it when you open the app just yet. In a series of tweets, the News from Google account has revealed that the Maps app will roll out an update with the name change after the US government updates the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which serves as the “federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature.” Google Maps will also change the name of the highest mountain peak in North America from Denali, the name given to it by Alaskan Natives, to Mount McKinley when GNIS reflects its new official designation.
To view this content, you’ll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the “Content and social-media partners” setting to do so.
When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America.
Google said it’s a longstanding practice for the company to apply name changes in Maps only after they’ve been updated in official government resources. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to change the body of water’s name, and the Interior Department announced on Friday that it’s now officially known as the Gulf of America.
However, only users in the US will see it labeled as such. It will still be called the Gulf of Mexico for users in Mexico, while users from outside either country will see both names in their Google Maps app. Google said that another official longstanding practice is to show official local names when they vary between countries, and as Reuters notes, it has applied the rule to many other areas with naming and territorial disputes like the Sea of Japan.
Tax season has arrived, and everyone will be scrambling to get their returns. As taxpayers compile all of their W-2 forms, 1099s and other documentation to file their refunds, many are asking when exactly the internal revenue service (IRS) will start accepting returns.
According to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, they’ve reformed tax filing tools for Americans. Per the IRS’ website, Werfel said that this “has been a historic period of improvement for the IRS, and people will see additional tools and features to help them with filing their taxes this tax season.”
“These taxpayer-focused improvements we’ve done so far are important, but they are just the beginning of what the IRS needs to do,” the commissioner added. “More can be done with continued investment in the nation’s tax system.”
Everything you need to know about this year’s tax season is below.
The nation’s tax season begins today — the #IRS will now start accepting and processing 2024 tax returns. This filing season will continue reflecting our focus on improving services for taxpayers. Find out more: https://t.co/kjgLuiVjGI
January 27, 2025, is the first day that the IRS will accept returns from taxpayers, according to the federal service. The IRS noted that it expects “more than 140 million individual tax returns for tax year 2024 to be filed ahead” of the 2025 deadline, which comes in the spring. Additionally, the IRS estimates than more than half of all returns are projected to be filed with assistance from a tax professional.
“The 2025 tax filing season will reflect continued IRS progress to modernize and add new tools and features to help taxpayers,” the service’s website reads. “Since last tax season, the improvements include more access to tax account information from text and voice virtual assistants, expanded features on the IRS Individual Online Account, more access to dozens of tax forms through cell phones and tablets and expanded alerts for scams and schemes that threaten taxpayers.”
When Is the 2025 Tax Deadline?
April 15, 2025, is the federal deadline for taxpayers to submit their returns this year.
Where Is it Best to File Tax Returns?
Taxpayers use various tools to file their taxes, some of which include TurboTax or H&R Block; others may hire an in-person accountant to handle their taxes.
The IRS also provides taxpayers the “Direct File” tool for anyone to file their federal returns. However, Direct File is only available in 25 states.
Africa is home to some of the most epic beaches offering everything you can imagine for a sun-drenched paradise.
In fact, Africa’s 38 coastal countries and island states hold an impressive 18,950 miles of golden coastlines, with many boasting of being untouched beaches on Earth.
Think warm waters, pristine natural beauty, a vibrant marine life, diverse ecosystems and often secluded settings and you’ll get an idea of what is on offer when it comes to beaches in Africa.
African holiday experts at go2africa have rounded up the best beaches in Africa, with this “private paradise” coming out on top.
Located just off the northeast coast of Unguja, it’s the largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago and has been described as the pinnacle of barefoot luxury.
Mnemba Island in Tanzania boasts of pristine white sand beaches with one of the most vibrant coral reefs around.
The area is also a protected marine conservation area with an array of diverse marine life on offer.
Those brave enough to embark on a spot of snorkelling or diving will be rewarded with sights of dolphins and turtles soaking up the beauty beside you.
The beach is also far more secluded than many other paradise spots thanks to its private island status.
It’s truly an exclusive and luxurious getaway experience with an unblemished beachfront with calm turquoise waters lapping away.
Mnemba’s 0.9-mile circumference may be smaller than most beaches but it packs a punch and is hardly the place to fight over towel space.
The swimming conditions here are described as being ideal with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you entertained.
Scuba diving, paddle boarding, fly fishing, kayaking, deep sea fishing and even a chance to swim with the dolphins are on offer at Mnemba when all the sunbathing gets too much.
And for the lucky few, a chance to watch the hatchlings of green turtles making their way to the great and grand ocean is also available with February and March being the best time to spot them.
After a hedonistic day in paradise, the exquisite Mnemba Island Lodge offers a one-of-a-kind stay and is the only accommodation on the islet that’s perfectly nestled among the island’s tropical forest.
“Swimming with the dolphins was a great experience with excellent snorkelling, fresh fruits on the sandbank, it was perfect,” read one Tripadvisor review of Mnemba Islands.
Another shared the love too, reading: “For snorkelling lovers I highly recommend Mnemba with beautiful corals, lots of fish – we had an amazing”.
In the first season of The Night Agent, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) was the main character. He continues as such in Season 2, once again helped by Rose Larkin. She’s initially a damsel in distress, but soon proves she’s far more useful than anyone realizes.
The same goes for Season 2, as Rose gets caught up in Peter’s dangerous situation once again. But this time, she is beyond helpful. She’s like a Chloe O’Brien to his Jack Bauer from 24, but in an even bigger sense. Much of what Peter accomplishes couldn’t have been done without her, making Rose arguably the best character in the second season of the massive hit series.
In Season 1, the plot begins when Peter receives a frantic call from Rose, played by New Zealand-based actor Luciane Buchanan. Her aunt and uncle were just murdered. An assassin is after her and all she knows is to call this number if she’s ever in trouble. As it turns out, Rose is not just a scared young woman. She’s a skilled coder who knows her way around a computer better than just about anyone. She uses these skills throughout season one to help Peter keep tabs on enemies, take down those involved in a conspiracy, and literally save lives.
She does the same in Season 2. But this time, Rose is even craftier and more brazen. She is not only a killer behind a computer screen, she’s also a lethal force in the field, too. She is able to think on her toes and make moves to keep herself, and others, out of precarious positions.
How Rose Tracks Peter Down
It all begins with how she finds Peter in the first place. Separated for 10 months now that he is a Night Action agent and can’t disclose his location nor what he’s doing, she has moved back to California. She is working for an advertising company, coding marketing software that would help them identify and target potential buyers by building profiles on them based on data mining information from the internet.
When she gets a call from a mysterious man looking for Peter, she starts to think he’s in trouble. So, she tweaks the code she created to use it essentially for surveillance. She scrubs the entire internet, looking for any capture of Peter’s face using the program’s advanced facial recognition software. Eventually, she gets a hit. He’s in the background of a woman’s selfie from a walk-in clinic in New York.
She travels there and manages to connect Peter to a nearby shelter. From there, she learns that he was helping a young boy by coaching him at basketball. She finds the young boy at the outdoor basketball court and learns that Peter has his cell phone, apparently having taken it accidentally. With this piece of information and the phone number, Rose tracks the phone right to where Peter is. As it happens, he’s in the middle of running from enemies shooting at him, and so begins their dangerous journey once again. Even Peter’s boss Caroline (Amanda Warner) is amazed that she couldn’t find Peter using all the resources of the FBI at her disposal, yet Rose managed to do it in a span of days.
Rose’s Most Impressive Moves in Season 2
Rose Proves Herself
At first, Peter wants Rose to leave, getting her out of harm’s way. Caroline feels much the same. But she starts to change her tune when she discovers what Rose can do. They actually need Rose. She’s not a nuisance to keep around. She’s a valuable asset. Using her same software, Rose finds records of the man who was shooting at them, and who killed Peter’s partner Alice (Brittany Snow). Once they have his identity, they track down his sister to get more information. This proves invaluable to the case as finding this man is what helps lead the team to the person he works for, and to whom people have been selling government secrets.
Keeping Cool Under Pressure
Later, she guides Peter through a building where she recognizes that the people they are hiding from not only know they’re there but are listening in on their coms. She helps direct him away from the perpetrators, all the while hiding the fact that she knows they’re listening. Using the security cameras to which she has tapped into, she gets Peter to pretend he has hopped on a bus that just stopped nearby, thwarting a major attack.
Quick Thinking
Finding herself in another dangerous situation, she is asked to attend a party as the date of a foreign diplomat, a means to help them get the Iranian diplomat’s key card to enter his private office and get to a briefcase. Peter is supposed to handle the job of sneaking into the office. But when he is called away and can’t get the key card from Noor (Arienne Mandi), Rose bravely springs into action.
‘The Night Agent’ might tell a new story when the series returns for Season 2, but that doesn’t mean it will lack entertaining political drama.
She sneaks away instead, breaks into the briefcase, snaps photos of the contents, and leaves. Even when she is caught coming downstairs, her quick thinking gets her out of an otherwise scary situation. She says she was looking for a bathroom since the downstairs one had a long line and happened to come across the phone on the banister of the staircase.
Dipping a Toe Into Chemical Warfare
Finally, while captured by Markus and his men when visiting the professor, she uses quick thinking once again to pretend that she is his research assistant. While she is proficient when it comes to computers, she knows nothing about chemistry. But she manages to fool them.
While helping him make the chemical weapon, Rose comes up with yet another idea to save them, and one the professor ought to have come up with on his own. Even though she doesn’t know how, or even if it’s possible, she suggests he concocts some type of chemical gas they can send through the vents that will temporarily knock out Markus’ men long enough for them to get away. It’s a brilliant plan and it works, though Markus manages to get back in time and find a mask of his own to make their escape difficult.
Rose Is the Underrated Star of the Show
In many instances, Rose is right by Peter’s side helping him get out of trouble. While he helps her on numerous occasions as well, her value is just as much as his. So much so that even Caroline leans on her, despite knowing that Rose isn’t a trained agent, and they are putting her in harm’s way. She’s far too skilled to send back home: they need her.
Rose proves that while her primary skill set is behind a computer screen, she parlays that into so much more. She learned from the first experience in Season 1, though it has left her dealing with debilitating nightmares and in therapy. But to just call her a computer coder and a hacker sells short everything she’s capable of doing, and did through Season 2.
Fans of the political conspiracy genre will undoubtedly want to check out ‘Bodyguard,’ starring ‘Game of Thrones’ star Richard Madden.
Thus, when considering every situation, Rose is arguably the best character in The Night Agent Season 2. Fans still love seeing Peter’s incredible fighting skills and his personal journey to finding himself and escaping from behind his father’s shadow. But it’s Rose who steals every scene. Some believe the unassuming young woman is just Peter’s weakness. But what some fail to see is that, in many ways, she’s also his strength.
The cast of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle—Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Demi Moore—recently celebrated Moore’s Oscar nomination for her role in The Substance. Nearly two decades before this body horror movie, Barrymore, Diaz, and Liu appeared in the 2000 action-comedy Charlie’s Angels before reuniting as the crime-fighting detectives once more in Full Throttle, where Moore encounters the iconic trio as a former Angel turned villainous mastermind. The film marked Moore’s return to acting after a four-year hiatus, allowing her to embrace a new role while building a bond with her co-stars that has endured for over two decades.
As reported by Vanity Fair, Barrymore, Diaz, and Liu joined Moore via Zoom to reflect on her transformative performance as Elisabeth Sparkle in Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. Moore’s portrayal of an aging starlet who takes a black market drug to create a younger and brighter version of herself (Margaret Qualley) has earned her widespread acclaim, marking a career milestone with the actor’s first Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win. Check out what some of the Angels had to say below:
Lucy Liu:There’s so much vulnerability in the strength that you are able to put on camera. That moment of you taking the makeup off, to reveal the psychological toll of this kind of unattainable pressure from society of what beauty is and what aging is or what is commercial, what is so shin. It was done in a way where you really captured that rawness: that feeling of being insecure but also comfortable with yourself, but then realizing that other people aren’t comfortable with yourself.
Drew Barrymore:I was like, “This badass has walked away at the height of success and taken time for herself.” It gave me something delicious that I’ve wished for—for every human being, let alone woman—which is that I can live without your acceptance. Seeing your performance in this, it could go so much further for me because I knew that you had your own personal wherewithal to not ask for the outside world’s approval throughout your entire life.
Cameron Diaz: All women, we are conditioned to be objectified—period. Whether we are movie stars [or not], it’s just every woman. Obviously, it’s more extreme in our circumstances, because we’re projected onto a screen and literally objectified. We’ve had dolls made out of us. It’s just so innate. It’s so ingrained in us. We bow down to that. We serve that objectification. We try to meet its request in so many ways…
In watching you give this performance, you don’t have to ask anybody’s permission. It’s as if there was a constitution written in the film industry that laid out what the film industry was, and everybody has been abiding by it for the last however many decades. Y’all went in and just shredded it to pieces and said, I do not agree with this constitution. We are rewriting this. And not only that, but we’re going to in the most audacious, violent, crazy way that you could possibly do it.
What Charlie’s Angels Reunion With Demi Moore Means
Redefining Fame And Womanhood In Hollywood
Moore’s nomination for The Substance signals a powerful shift in Hollywood’s portrayal of women, particularly those navigating middle age. Her character, Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-revered movie star, faces a superficial and youth-obsessed industry “in the most audacious, violent, crazy way.” The substance which Elisabeth takes to create the more perfect version of herself, Sue, unleashes grotesque consequences that call into question the industry’s absurd standards for women and the destructive curse of fame.
As the new Charlie’s Angels movie fast approaches we take a look back at the hidden details of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
Moore’s Oscar-nominated role followed a deliberate withdrawal from acting during her 40s, a time when industry roles for women historically wane. In 1996, she had a particularly divisive period between the critical flack from Striptease and The Juror, and her acclaimed role in HBO’s If These Walls Could Talk. After G.I. Jane, the actor decided to focus on her family. Back on the big screen, Moore brings a powerful rawness to The Substance, and this moment of recognition represents a victory not just for Moore but for all the women creatives who have pushed back against the industry’s biases.
Our Take On The Charlie’s Angels Reunion With Moore
A Heartfelt Reflection On Success And Solidarity
The Charlie’s Angels reunion is more than just a nostalgic trip. Demi Moore’s recognition for The Substance marks a triumphant return to Hollywood after years of navigating its gendered land mine. Barrymore, Diaz, and Liu’s admiration for her return is a heartfelt instance of successful women supporting one another in a competitive industry. Their enduring camaraderie, alongside Moore’s recent acclaim, show how unity and authenticity can give us the courage to challenge societal norms and ultimately redefine what it means to thrive in Hollywood.
Eslabon Armado, Cuco and DannyLux join the long list of acts performing at benefit concerts across the country to aid those impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
The trio of balladeering acts will perform at the Glass House in Pomona on Friday, Jan. 31 as part of the “I Heart L.A.” benefit concert series organized by Viva Music Festival. Indie bands Inner Wave, the Red Pears and Tijuana Panthers will take the same stage the following day, Feb. 1.
“We wanted to help more than anything. Although I was not born in Los Angeles, we’ve spent a lot of time there and it hurt us to see what was happening,” said DannyLux.
To date, the L.A. fires has burned more than 57,000 acres of land since Jan. 7. At least 28 people have died, and roughly 16,000 structures have been destroyed, with significant damage across the communities of Altadena and Pacific Palisades — both important hubs and homes for music creatives.
“It’s so beautiful to be able to unite together and enjoy the music we create, with people that support us and that will support a good cause,” said DannyLux.
All proceeds will be donated to MusiCares, an organization that aids musicians in need due to unforeseen emergencies, and provides preventative and recovery healthcare services. Tickets for Friday’s show start at $123.60, while tickets for Saturday’s concert start at $46.51.
Below we’ve compiled more fire relief charity events across the city featuring Latino acts. We will update this list as more events are announced.
Hosted by Chris Garcia, the comedy show will feature “This Fool” creator Chris Estrada, former SNL cast member Melissa Villaseñor, Aparna Nancherla, Sheng Wang and Reggie Watts. When: Thursday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. Where: Nico’s, 3111 Glendale Boulevard #2, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tickets: Start at $43.95; proceeds go to Public Displays of Altadena, which lost their micro-theater in the fire.
Latin Grammy-nominated DJ Deorro will host a benefit concert featuring unnamed guests. When: Thursday, Jan. 30 Where: Exchange L.A., 618 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tickets: Waitlist is pending, VIP starts at $650; 100% of net proceeds will go to charity.
The rock event will feature Omar Romero, Wenzdaze, the Rhythm Shakers, the Desperados, Gizzelle, Alex Vargas, Eddie & thee Scorpions, plus special guests. When: Friday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. Where: The Paramount, 2708 E Cesar E Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033 Tickets: Minimum $25 donation at door.
Organized by Active Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and initiatives in the Latin community, the music show will feature acts by Los Pinguos and Los Silverbacks with special guests Adelaide Pilar and Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli. When: Sunday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. Where: The Venice West, 1717 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 Tickets: $24.17
Taking to his newly-active X account on Monday (Jan. 27), Dylan shared a brief reflection on Hudson’s musical legacy. “Sorry to hear the news about Garth Hudson. He was a beautiful guy and the real driving force behind The Band,” Dylan wrote. “Just listen to the original recording of The Weight and you’ll see.”
Hudson’s death occurred on Jan. 21, almost a week prior to Dylan’s tribute, becoming the final member of The Band’s most famous lineup to pass away in the process.
Hudson officially began his tenure with The Band in 1965, after they had finished a two-year stint as The Hawks, the back-up group for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins. That same year, The Band met Dylan who recruited them to become his backing group for a 1965 U.S. tour and an accompanying world tour in 1966.
The following year, Dylan and The Band recorded the 1967 sessions known as The Basement Tapes which would later form the basis of The Band’s 1968 debut, Music from The Big Pink. Alongside many of their best-known songs, the record also included what is possibly their best-known song, “The Weight”, as referenced by Dylan in his own tribute.
In September 2024, Dylan released the expansive box setThe 1974 Live Recordings, which featured 431 live live tracks documenting the titular 1974 tour with The Band as his backing group.
Alongside his tribute to Hudson, Dylan also announced the initial dates for his 2025 touring plans. Apparently bringing his Rough & Rowdy Ways Tour into the new year, the first four dates see Dylan performing in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Mankato, Minnesota; Wichita, Kansas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma – the latter of which notably features The Bob Dylan Center just a few doors down from the Woody Guthrie Center.
Bob Dylan 2025 Tour Dates
March 25 – Tulsa Theater, Tulsa, OK March 29 – Century II Concert Hall, Wichita, KS April 4 – Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center, Mankato, MN April 6 – The Weidner-Cofrin Family HAll, Green Bay, WI
