Trimming the Times: Obama and Jobs; Farewell Clamshells
A guide to what's in the New York Times for those worried about hitting its pay wall
.Now that the New York Times pay wall is live, you only get 20 free clicks a month. For those worried about hitting their limit, we're taking a look through the paper each morning to find the stories that can make your clicks count.
The top story on the home page today points out that since Franklin Delano Roosevelt, no president has won an election with unemployment above 7.2 percent, but Obama will have to if he wants to stay in the White House. Also high in the news: Russia has banned all European vegetable imports over an E. coli scare. But as insignificant as it seems, the Business story on high oil prices spelling the end of clamshell packaging is our pick for today because it's one of those times when a huge global issue manifests in an unexpected (and in this case quite welcome) way.
World: The story on China's plan to redirect massive amounts of Yangtze River water to its parched north is a good read on an incredible-sounding project. And in other river news, Brazil has approved a giant hydroelectric dam on the Amazon. And in an interesting follow-up to a 20-year-old story, Spain has just issued arrest warrants for military leaders in El Salvador who it says planned and carried out the killings of six Jesuit priests.
U.S.: The top story, on the scramble for space shuttle parts as Endeavour is prepared for mothball, leaves one wondering if the ship is really as obsolete as it seemed. The story on a flotilla of jellyfish that took over 10 miles of Florida beach over Memorial Day makes for a good summer report. But the best read of this section today is the report on the Arizona wildfire and the rumors about its start, which may reveal prejudices.
Business: After yesterday's stock slide of more than 2 percent, Asian and European markets also fell. But forget international financial news--the big deal today is that in an unexpected beneficial side effect of skyrocketing oil prices, manufacturers are doing away with that horrible plastic clamshell packaging.
Technology: The only real in-depth story in Tech is the one about Google getting hacked by somebody in China, which of course you can see elsewhere.
Science: This section is also slim on new content, but the story on studying ancient humans' teeth is pretty good.
Health: In a disturbing finding, many more recent war veterans may have suffered subtle brain damage than previously thought.
Sports: It's time to put the NBA finals on hold for a moment and turn our attention to the ice, where the Canuks squeaked past the Bruins to win the first game in the Stanley Cup finals. Also of interest: Scandal-tainted FIFA president Sepp Blatter won a vote to stay at the head of the organization.
Opinion: In today's op-ed, Earth Policy Institute president Lester Brown has a warning that land-grabs in Africa may affect food supply in Egypt.
Arts: In an interesting bit of analysis, Ben Sisario looks at Lady Gaga's new album as evidence of a shift in the way music is marketed and monetized. And do check out the Arts Beat news that a Rocky musical is in the works.
Travel: Practical Traveler has tips on getting loyalty rewards from small hotel chains.