Trimming the Times: Grounded F.A.A.; Cuban Real Estate
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 home page leads with the still-closed Federal Aviation Administration, where 4,000 employees and thousands more construction contractors are furloughed as a congressional stalemate cuts off funding. Also big news this morning, Hosni Mubarak has gone to his first day in court in Egypt, wheeled in on a hospital bed inside a mesh cage. But our pick for the day has got to be the Cuban real estate feature, leading the World section below.
World: There's a great feature on Cuba's plans to legalize the buying and selling of real estate at the end of this year, and the would-be entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the new industry. The story about allegations of military complicity in Mexican drug rings is also fascinating. And while it's not an exclusive, the story about Chinese officials and construction workers getting prison time after last November's deadly high-rise fire is worth a click.
U.S.: Another big news feature on violence within a Massachusetts mental health facility makes for a good read as the Times follows this aspect of public health quite closely. And a report on a new spy drone set to replace the U2 spy plane brings up some interesting details in the military's surveillance game -- for instance, did you even know they still used U2 spy planes?
Business: As the U.S. wrings its hands over keeping its AAA credit rating, Eric Dash has a very good article reminding us that the top grade became an "anachronism" in business a long time ago. And even non gear-heads may be interested to read about how the Honda Civic, once the pinnacle of mid-range car quality, has failed to get a Consumer Reports recommendation two years in a row.
Technology: You should read the main story, on a McAfee report about a massive, five-year cyber attack on governments and corporations -- more details are coming out elsewhere, but it's a good start. Also, Facebook bought an e-book publisher, and Bits' Nick Bilton wants to know why.
Health: It would be worth it to click the report on a study that found anti-psychotic drugs ineffective in easing post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans.
Sports: Something about the feature on Adam Dunn's disastrous season with the White Sox feels mean spirited -- at least it's certainly a bummer. Cheer up a bit with the daily sports slide show, which includes shots of skiing in New Zealand.
Opinion: In the lead op-ed, Georgetown professor Joseph McCartin argues that Ronald Reagan's tactics in putting down the airport controller's strike 30 years ago helped pave the way for modern politics that are more anti-labor than Reagan ever was.
Arts: The story to read here is the latest report from the struggling New York City Opera, which is now losing its music director.
Dining and Wine: The lead story on high-quality boxed wines is good, but strikes a lot of the same notes as an Eater feature from January. A little more unexpected is the report on hydroponic vegetables, grown in the city and starting to make an appearance in high-end New York restaurants.