Safari repeatedly requires log in to NY Times on MacBook Pro running macOS Sequoia

When using an RSS reader, and clicking an article link to open that article in Safari, Safari asks for username and password to log in to NY Times. This requires inputting the password for the Mac, which auto-fills the user email, and then another click (or RETURN) to have Safari / Mac insert the password, before the Times page opens.

This is a real nuisance. Why? How to solve? Clearing caches, history, no help.

Installing the LastPass password management Safari extension changed nothing.

MacBook Pro - 2022 M-1

[Re-Titled by Moderator]