Trimming the Times

A Secret Libyan Arms Deal, the Rise of Ransomware, and David Mamet

The Atlantic Wire / Cyril Bousselet's Flickr
Esther Zuckerman 814 Views Dec 6, 2012

Behind the New York Times pay wall, you only get 10 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.

Top Stories: Medical interest groups, like those representing chiropractors and acupuncturists, are fighting to be included as essential health benefits. 

World: The Obama administration's secret approval that arms be given to Libyan rebels from Qatar became a concern as it became clear they were falling into the hands of Islamic militants.

U.S.: Though in Louisiana the rice business has declined, rice for the sake of crayfish has proved more successful.  

New York: The New York city mayoral race has gone off course, and changed it's tone, because of Sandy. 

Technology: Gangs who virtually kidnap computers in the practice known as ransomware make more than $5 million a year off their ransom. 

Health: Tobacco prevention spending among states over the last two years is at the lowest level "since the national tobacco settlement in 1998." 

Sports: Northern Illinois's inclusion in the Bowl Championship Series and the team's rise "was aided by a series of B.C.S. accounting quirks that kept out some traditional powers like Georgia, Louisiana State and Oklahoma." 

Opinion: Gail Collins on Rick Santorum and how he blocked a UN treaty that would have help the disabled.

Theater: David Mamet has a successful revival of Glengarry Glen Ross, but his new play The Anarchist, is closing abruptly—a dichotomy which raises "questions about the theater business," like whether playwrights should direct their own work. 

Fashion & Style: Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer of Roman & Williams have developed a style—described as "rugged Americana lifted from a make-believe past"—that has captured both homes of celebrities, trendy hotels, and "hip corporate America." 

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at ezuckerman at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.

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