Chinese officials are relying on evidence from Xu Ming, a businessman with close ties to the former Politburo member Bo Xilai.

China Boss’s Fall Puts Focus on a Business Ally

Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and other companies that once dominated the industry are struggling as users turn to cloud computing services and mobile phones.

Shifting Tech Scene Unsettles Big Players

In announcing a move that will affect about 15,000 employees, United Parcel Service cited costs associated with the federal health care law.

U.P.S. to End Health Benefits for Spouses of Some Workers

Dealers are now traveling to art fairs from Miami to Hong Kong to Basel to São Paulo, but this globalization of the market is easier for galleries with deep pockets — smaller ones are at a disadvantage.

For Art Dealers, a New Life on the Fair Circuit

President Obama announced a ranking system for colleges based on tuition, graduation rates and the percentage of lower-income students who attend, and he ultimately wants to link those ratings to federal aid.

Obama’s Plan Aims to Lower Cost of College

Amid a growing belief that chemical weapons were used in the attack, senior officials met at the White House on Thursday to debate options that could range from a cruise missile strike to a more sustained air campaign.

Obama Officials Weigh Response to Syria Assault

How do you please Lorne Michaels? Twenty-two “Saturday Night Live” cast members – and one who came close – share tales of the audition that can make or break a career.

The God of ‘SNL’ Will See You Now

The nations most affected have been India and Indonesia, where many domestic and foreign investors are now rushing for the exits.

Muted Fears of Contagion as Asian Currencies Fall

Ben S. Bernanke was a shy, methodical academic. But he turned out to be one of the most daring leaders in the Fed’s history — even if his goals have not been fully realized.

The Audacious Pragmatist

As companies work to make traveling by private plane easier and cheaper, the question remains: Is it for you?

Private Flying for (Some of) the Rest of Us

A problem at the Nasdaq stock market halted trading in all Nasdaq-listed stocks on Thursday. Nasdaq began reopening stocks for trading soon after 3 p.m.

Pricing Problem Suspends Nasdaq for Three Hours

On a trip around this Croatian peninsula, the author renews his romance with a regional wine and discovers another  culinary product to savor: local olive oil.

Sipping the Pleasures of Istria

Amanda Ripley follows three Americans abroad to examine how and why other nations educate their students so much more effectively than we do.

Likely to Succeed

Saturday night is increasingly known for TV movies with women in prominent roles, like the coming “Escape From Polygamy” and “After All These Years.”

Oh, Yes, Saturday TV Is Ladies Night

Classical music critics choose their favorite recordings of Wagner, including selected performances of “Tristan und Isolde” and “Lohengrin,” as well as parts of the “Ring”

It’s Wagner’s Birthday, but We Get the Gifts

The City Council voted Thursday to greatly increase oversight of the New York Police Department and of its widespread use of stop-and-frisk tactics.

Council Reverses Bloomberg Veto of Policing Bills

Wong Kar-wai’s “Grandmaster” is a film about Ip Man, a 20th-century Chinese martial arts legend, but also an exploration of opposing forces like loyalty and love.

Style and Kinetics Triumph in a Turbulent China

As the company’s fortunes spiral down, a look back shows little reward for loyal shareholders even in its heyday. But executives did well.

How BlackBerry Handled Past Wealth 

Thirty years after MTV’s first Video Music Awards, videos are as important as ever for music success. But it is now the YouTube hit that labels covet.

Pop Music Videos? I Want My YouTube!

Government experts on computer vulnerabilities are heading to Silicon Valley to create technology start-ups specializing in tools aimed at thwarting online threats.

The Pentagon as Silicon Valley’s Incubator

A decision to hold the line at 8 Spruce Street is not exactly being copied elsewhere.

Surprise! No Rent Increases!

Matthew Schrier, a photographer, says he was held for seven months by jihadi fighters opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. After being robbed, tortured and accused of being an American spy, he escaped in July.

American Tells of Odyssey as Prisoner of Syrian Rebels

Quotation of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2013.

Quotation of the Day for Thursday, August 22, 2013

The chief of an Internet-based phone service says human beings want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Wain Kellum of Vocalocity on Winning Over Employees

The drummer Jimmy Cobb, 84, the last remaining musician to have played on “Kind of Blue,” led a quartet on Wednesday at Village Vanguard.

Still Keeping Time, Staying True to the Past While Living in the Present

Paul Howard Poberezny was an American aviator, entrepreneur, and aircraft designer. He founded the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1953, and spent the greater part of his life promoting homebuilt aircraft.

Paul Poberezny, American pilot and businessman, founded the Experimental Aircraft Association (born 1921)

Paul_Poberezny

Andrea Servi was an Italian professional footballer who played as a defender.

August 22, 2013

Headlines from August 22, 2013

China Boss’s Fall Puts Focus on a Business Ally

Shifting Tech Scene Unsettles Big Players

U.P.S. to End Health Benefits for Spouses of Some Workers

For Art Dealers, a New Life on the Fair Circuit

Obama’s Plan Aims to Lower Cost of College

Billboard 200

The Civil Wars

NOW 47

Blurred Lines

Magna Carta... Holy Grail

From Death To Destiny

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for August 22, 2013