DealBook: Alibaba's Founder to Give Up C.E.O. Title, but Will Remain Chairman

After 14 years of building up the Alibaba Group into one of the biggest Internet companies in the world, Jack Ma is taking a step back from the chief executive role of the Chinese e-commerce giant.But Mr. Ma isn’t leaving entirely; he will hold on to the role of executive chairman, he told DealBook in an interview on Monday. He plans to name his successor when his title change becomes effective on...

Read More..

Chuck Hagel's opponents switched gears

WASHINGTON — For all the controversy over President Obama's choice for Defense secretary, many of Chuck Hagel's most outspoken...

Read More..

The FBI Needs Hackers, Not Backdoors

Just imagine if all the applications and services you saw or heard about at CES last week had to be designed to be “wiretap ready” before they could be offered on the market. Before regular people like you or me could use them.Yet that’s a real possibility. For the last few years, the FBI’s been warning that its surveillance capabilities are “going dark,” because internet communications technologies...

Read More..

“Struck by Lightning” review: Chris Colfer’s coming-of-age comedy not just for Gleeks

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Want to feel like a layabout and as if you’re already way behind schedule in your life?At just 22 years of age, Chris Colfer has starred in a TV series, “Glee,” for the past four seasons, winning a Golden Globe award and two Emmy nominations for his performance in the breakout role of gay high-school chorister Kurt Hummel.Now Colfer has written a movie and stars in it and...

Read More..

Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Psychologist Who Studied Depression in Women, Dies at 53

Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, a psychologist and writer whose work helped explain why women are twice as prone to depression as men and why such low moods can be so hard to shake, died on Jan. 2 in New Haven. She was 53. Andrew SacksSusan Nolen-Hoeksema at the University of Michigan in 2003. Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema's research showed that women were more prone to ruminate, or dwell on the sources of...

Read More..

Disruptions: Disruptions: Design Is Driving Technology Forward

Last year, at Apple’s event to announce the iPad Mini, I was wandering around the gadget petting zoo the company sets up after each product unveiling. As I turned a corner, I bumped into Timothy D. Cook, Apple’s chief executive, who immediately wanted to show me something.“Nick, just look at this,” Mr. Cook said as he held the miniaturized iPad in the air, brushing his hand along its edge as if he...

Read More..

Egyptian court orders new trial for Mubarak

CAIRO— ...

Read More..

<em>Firefly</em> Fan Tries to Retroactively Save Dead Character With NASA Data

Spoiler warning: Firefly ended over 10 years ago and it’s been 7 years since its subsequent film, Serenity, came out, so the spoiler statute of limitations is officially up. Proceed at your own risk.Like many fans of the Joss Whedon space western Firefly, Kyle Hill was shocked by the end of the Serenity movie, when fan-favorite character Wash (Alan Tudyk) was unceremoniously...

Read More..

Britney Spears says quitting

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Pop star Britney Spears confirmed on Friday she was leaving “The X Factor” talent show after just one year as a celebrity judge, saying it was time to get back to making music.Calling it a “very difficult decision,” Spears said in a statement: “I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens but it’s time for me to get back...

Read More..

City Room: Cuomo Declares Public Health Emergency Over Flu Outbreak

With the nation in the grip of a severe influenza outbreak that has seen deaths reach epidemic levels, New York State declared a public health emergency on Saturday, making access to vaccines more easily available.There have been nearly 20,000 cases of flu reported across the state so far this season, officials said. Last season, 4,400 positive laboratory tests were reported.“We are experiencing...

Read More..