Apple asks judge to reverse orderWASHINGTON — Apple on Thursday asked a federal magistrate to reverse her order that the company help the FBI hack into a locked iPhone, accusing the federal government of seeking “dangerous power” through the courts and of trampling on its constitutional rights.The filing represents Apple’s first official response since the judge’s order last week and builds upon arguments voiced by the company’s chief executive and supporters. It marks the latest salvo in a court fight that could create meaningful precedent and establish new legal boundaries in the policy battle between national security and digital privacy.

Struggling Sears cuts 250 positionsCHICAGO — The parent of struggling retailers Sears and Kmart said Thursday it eliminated 250 positions after posting fourth-quarter losses following a dismal holiday shopping season.The layoffs at Sears Holdings represent a “mix of positions in various units and roles across the organization,” spokesman Chris Brathwaite said. Brathwaite also said 151 open corporate office positions will not be filled.While the company has several administrative outposts, including locations in New York, Seattle and a call center in Troy, Mich., the bulk of the layoffs and the open positions that will not be filled will come from its Chicago-area headquarters.For years, Sears has struggled to stem its losses and transform into a profitable retailer.

Kraft posts profit, tops expectationsPITTSBURGH — Kraft Heinz on Thursday reported a fourth-quarter profit of $285 million.The Pittsburgh-based company said it had net income of 23 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for nonrecurring costs, were 62 cents per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 58 cents per share.