thetorontostar--2020-02-04--China’s virus outbreak weighs on global business

BEIJING - Global business is catching a chill from China ’ s virus outbreak , with even the gaming industry taking a hit .
Mink breeders in Denmark called off a fur auction because Chinese buyers can ’ t attend due to travel curbs imposed to contain the disease .
Airlines have cancelled 25,000 flights to and within China , according to travel data provider OAG .
General Motors Co. and other automakers are telling employees to limit travel to China , their biggest market .
On Tuesday , the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau announced it was closing casinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The territory is a major revenue source for U.S. casino operators Wynn Resorts Ltd. and Las Vegas Sands Corp .
Global companies increasingly rely on China , the world ’ s No .
2 economy , as a major buyer of food , cars , movie tickets and other goods .
But that has left them more exposed than ever to the pain of its latest abrupt slump .
The Singapore Air Show , due to open next week , announced Tuesday it was cancelling a business conference due to the absence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other Asian destinations that rely on China for up to 30 % of their foreign visitors plunged after Beijing cancelled group tours .
Businesspeople were told to put off foreign trips .
“ Many national as well as international events are now already cancelled , ” the chief executive of Kopenhagen Fur , Jesper Lauge Christensen , said in a statement .
The co-operative of 1,500 Danish breeders who account for 40 per cent of global mink production called off this month ’ s auction of 2 million skins .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China and Hong Kong .
China already was dealing with the impact of a tariff war with Washington and a separate outbreak of African swine fever that does not infect people but has disrupted pork supplies , causing food prices to soar .
Authorities have suspended most access to Wuhan , a manufacturing centre at the centre of the outbreak , and surrounding cities in Hubei province with a total of 50 million people .
The eastern city of Hangzhou , the home of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and a centre for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement in the city and said checkpoints will be set up to measure temperatures of passersby .
The government extended the end of the Lunar New Year holiday to keep the public at home and reduce chances infection might spread .
Streets and subways in many cities are still largely empty even after most of China officially returned to work this week .
Thousands restaurants and cinemas have been closed to prevent crowds from gathering — causing Hollywood studios to lose out on Lunar New Year ticket sales , usually a revenue high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence China can weather the latest trouble but forecasters say it could knock up to 1 percentage point off this year ’ s growth , which might fall to as low as 5.2 % .
The economy already was expected to slow after hitting a multi-decade low of 6.1 % last year .
Forecasters including Barclays and Morgan Stanley say the outbreak could depress this year ’ s global economic growth by 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points .
China suffered similar woes during the 2003 outbreak of SARS , or severe acute respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the global impact was limited .
This time , even if China recovers quickly , the worldwide impact could be bigger than SARS , since China now accounts for 16.3 % of global economic activity , more than triple 2003 ’ s share of 4.3 % , according to the International Monetary Fund .
The anti-virus measures will drag down Chinese activity this quarter , which “ will pose pressure on the global economy and spark fears in financial markets , ” Louis Kuijs , head of Asia economics for Oxford Economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown of Wuhan , a manufacturing centre of 11 million , has disrupted production of liquid crystal and light-emitting diode panels , according to IHS Markit technology research , now a part of Informa Tech .
That has depressed supplies and pushed up prices for manufacturers that use them in computer displays , TV sets and other products .
As the curbs wear on , the impact could spread , depressing auto production and sales and prices of oil , iron ore and other materials from Australia , Brazil and African suppliers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
China is the world ’ s biggest importer of many commodities , including oil .
The price of Brent crude , the benchmark for international oil trading , has fallen to about $ 56 per barrel from $ 70 in early January , partly due to weak Chinese demand .
Lower oil prices mean cheaper gas for Western consumers but they hurt exporters such as Indonesia that use the revenues to help pay for schools , health care and social services .
Demand and prices “ will depend on how quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal levels , ” said Fitch Ratings in a report .
Even smaller companies are directly affected by the outbreak because of increasingly tight links with China ’ s nimble , efficient manufacturers .
Many manufacturers have yet to feel the impact , because factories closed for up to three weeks ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday .
But forecasters say delays in reopening will quickly depress demand for imported components and materials such as copper and steel .
AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit ; AP Economics Writer Paul Wiseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Copenhagen ; AP Business Writers Anne D ’ Innocenzio and Nick Jesdanun in New York and AP Airlines Writer David Koenig in Dallas contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--UN envoy hopes Libya talks will stem inflow of foreign arms

GENEVA - The U.N. ’ s special representative for Libya said he hopes cease-fire talks that officially began Tuesday between the country ’ s warring sides will reach a deal that can convince foreign powers to stop pouring in weapons and breaking an international arms embargo .
Ghassan Salame , the head of the United Nations support mission in Libya , lamented how the embargo has been “ incessantly ” violated since the fall of longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 , and said an international conference in Berlin last month sought to renew respect for it .
The weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country ’ s west .
Led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj , it ’ s backed by Turkey and to a lesser degree Qatar and Italy .
On the other side of the civil war is Gen. Khalifa Hifter , based in the country ’ s east .
His forces have been fighting to capture the capital for months , and are backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as well as France and Russia .
Sarraj and Hifter have each named five members of a military committee to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more permanent cease-fire .
Salame , speaking in Arabic through a translator , noted a “ genuine will for both parties to sit together and start negotiations ” in the talks , which quietly got underway Monday .
“ If we come to a lasting cease-fire ... at least the parties in Libya will not need more weapons or more fighters , “ he said .
” If these talks succeed , at least the pull factor will disappear .
Because with the violation of the arms embargo , there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If you agree on a lasting cease-fire , the pull factor will certainly weaken , ” Salame said , pointing to ” more than 20 million pieces of weapons in the country and that is enough .
The country doesn ’ t need more.
“ Salame also noted that a blockade by Hifter ’ s forces has slowed Libya ’ s oil output to a trickle .
“ I call on countries to support the U.N. attempts to resume production , ” he said .
“ Production has been hit severely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing offshore , which is 72,000 barrels a day compared to 1.3 million barrels a day before the closure.
” Libya has the ninth largest known oil reserves in the world and the biggest oil reserves in Africa .

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thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Iran to execute alleged spy who gave nuclear secrets to CIA

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran said Tuesday that its top court confirmed a death sentence for an Iranian man convicted of spying for the CIA , with state media alleging that he had shared details of the Islamic Republic ’ s nuclear program with the American spy agency .
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili identified the purported spy as Amir Rahimpour and said he would be executed soon .
Esmaili did not elaborate on what Rahimpour was accused of doing , nor on his age or background .
State media did not immediately name Rahimpour ’ s lawyer .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency alleged that Rahimpour received money from the CIA to share details of Iran ’ s nuclear program .
“ While being in touch with the spy agency , he earned a lot of money as wages as he tried to deliver some information from Iran ’ s nuclear program to the American agency , ” the IRNA report said .
Rahimpour “ had been identified and prosecuted and sentenced to death and recently , the country ’ s National Supreme Court confirmed the sentence and , God willing , he will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to a request for comment .
Esmaili said two other alleged spies for the CIA each received 15-year prison sentences — 10 years for spying and five years for acting against national security charges .
Esmaili did not name those arrested , only saying they worked in the “ charitable field , ” without elaborating .
Iran in the past has sentenced alleged American and Israeli spies to death .
The last such spy executed was Shahram Amiri , who defected to the U.S. at the height of Western efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When he returned in 2010 , he was welcomed with flowers by government leaders and even went on the Iranian talk-show circuit .
Then he mysteriously disappeared .
He was hanged in August 2016 , the same week that Tehran executed a group of militants and a year after Iran agreed to a landmark accord to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions .
Tensions remain high between Iran and the U.S. since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal .
A U.S. drone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad , a targeted killing that prompted Tehran to launch a retaliatory ballistic missile strike on Iraqi bases housing American troops .
Before the deal , a computer virus believed to be designed by the U.S. and Israel destroyed Iranian centrifuges .
Meanwhile , Iranian nuclear scientists were targeted in a series of assassinations .
Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Former Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi dies at 95

NAIROBI , Kenya - Daniel arap Moi , a former schoolteacher who became Kenya ’ s longest-serving president and presided over years of repression and economic turmoil fueled by runaway corruption , has died .
He was 95 .
Moi ’ s death was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement Tuesday .
Moi , who ruled Kenya for 24 years , had been in and out of hospital for months .
He died peacefully this morning , said Moi ’ s son Senator Gideon Moi at the Nairobi hospital .
Kenyatta ordered national flags to fly half-mast from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the burial .
He said Moi , Kenya ’ s second president , was a leader in the struggle for independence and an ardent Pan-Africanist .
Despite being called a dictator by critics , Moi enjoyed strong support from many Kenyans and was seen as a uniting figure when he took power after the East African country ’ s founding president Jomo Kenyatta died in office in 1978 .
Some allies of the ailing Kenyatta , however , had tried to change the constitution to prevent Moi , then the vice-president , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
So wary was Moi of any threat during that uncertain period that he fled his Rift Valley home when he heard of Kenyatta ’ s death , returning only after receiving assurances of his safety .
In 1982 Moi ’ s government pushed through parliament a constitutional amendment that made Kenya effectively a one-party state .
Later that year the army quelled a coup attempt plotted by opposition members and some air force officers .
At least 159 people were killed .
Moi ’ s government then became more repressive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report by the government ’ s Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission that assessed his rule .
Political activists and others who dared oppose Moi ’ s rule were routinely detained and tortured , the report said , noting unlawful detentions and assassinations , including the killing of a foreign affairs minister , Robert Ouko .
“ The judiciary became an accomplice in the perpetuation of violations , while parliament was transformed into a puppet controlled by the heavy hand of the executive , ” the report said .
Corruption , especially the illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report said , while economic power was centralized in the hands of a few .
In 1991 , Moi yielded to demands for a multi-party state due to internal pressure , including a demonstration in 1991 during which police killed more than 20 people , and external pressure from the West .
Multi-party elections in 1992 and 1997 were marred by political and ethnic violence that critics asserted were caused by the state .
By the time Moi left power in 2002 , corruption had caused Kenya ’ s economy , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract .
Moi often blamed the West for bad publicity and the economic hardships many Kenyans had to endure during his rule .
As with his predecessor , Kenyatta , many government projects , buildings and currency notes and coins were named after Moi .
Fed up , Kenyans voted for a new constitution that was implemented in 2010 and made provisions to bar personality cults .
Commentator Patrick Gathara said in a tweet that Tuesday was a day to remember Moi ’ s victims “ as well as the thousands who stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is a day to remember that the current crop of politicians helped him escape justice for his crimes.
” Salim Lone , a former U.N. spokesman who fled into exile because of harassment under Moi , said the former president began so well and “ so many supported your promise of a free more inclusive , corruption-free Kenya.
” He said that Moi at the beginning of his rule released political prisoners and famously said it was better to eat sukuma wiki ( kale ) and sleep in peace than seek riches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not for now , ” Lone said in a tweet .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Sons of Confederate Veterans appeals Christmas parade denial

NEW ORLEANS - A group that was denied permission to march in a Louisiana city ’ s Christmas parade when it insisted on carrying Confederate battle flags asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to revive its lawsuit alleging constitutional violations .
The permit for the Louisiana Sons of Confederate Veterans was denied in late 2015 , months after the slayings of nine black worshippers at a South Carolina church by white supremacist Dylann Roof .
Pictures on social media of Roof posing with Confederate battle flags led to renewed opposition to public displays of Confederate iconography around the nation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-profit group that organized the annual parade denied a permit to the SCV after city officials expressed concerns that some in the city would be offended by the display of Confederate battle flags , and that protests might disrupt the procession .
Judges with the 5th U.S .
Circuit court of Appeals panel that heard arguments Tuesday made clear that the Confederate group had legitimate freedom of speech issues if a governmental agency denied them a permit — even amid security concerns .
Judge Catharina Haynes rhetorically asked whether African Americans could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if white supremacists threatened to disrupt the event .
But the case hinges largely on the role of a non-profit group — the Historic District Business Association .
That group , which runs the parade under an agreement with the city , denied the permit .
Last year , U.S. District Judge Dee Drell dismissed the lawsuit , which named the city and the HDBA as defendants , saying the HDBA was not a government agency , or “ a state actor ” in legal terms , and that the city did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SCV , attorney Dick Knadler cited a letter written by the mayor and concerns expressed at city public hearings .
He argued that the HDBA acted at the behest of the city and in a government role .
“ My client is not a government entity , ” responded Jack Truitt , attorney for the HDBA .
And attorney Ronald Corkern , arguing for the city , insisted that permitting was not a city decision .
Attorneys questioned both sides closely on how city officials ’ actions might have influenced the HDBA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meetings , ” Judge Jennifer Elrod noted when Corkern discussed city officials ’ efforts to reach a compromise with the SCV .
Questioning Knadler , Haynes questioned whether the mayor ’ s public opposition was a binding city policy , absent a vote by the City Council .
The three-judge panel — Elrod , Haynes and Leslie Southwick — gave no indication when they would rule .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Oregon senator predicts court battle over pipeline proposal

SALEM , Ore. - A state senator told demonstrators opposed to a plan to build a natural gas pipeline and marine export terminal in Oregon that he expects the battle to go to the courts if the Trump administration tries to ram the project through despite a lack of state permits .
Demonstrators gathered outside the Department of State Lands on Tuesday to thank its director , Vicki Walker , for refusing to grant another extension to Pembina , an energy company based in Calgary , Canada , for a decision on a removal-fill permit .
The permit is required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Oregon ’ s southern coast , for the marine export terminal , and to construct a 230-mile ( 370-kilometre ) feeder pipeline through and under waterways in southern Oregon .
Pembina reacted by withdrawing its application for the state permit .
Another state agency , the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality , has already denied a water quality certification for the proposed Jordan Cove natural gas export project .
Jordan Cove said it is awaiting a final determination by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 13 before deciding how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August proposed streamlining approval of gas pipelines and other energy projects by limiting states ’ certification authorities under the U.S. Clean Water Act .
State Sen. Jeff Golden , a Democrat and former river guide in southern Oregon ’ s Rogue Valley , told the several dozen red-shirted demonstrators that he sees a court battle on the horizon .
“ I think the evidence is very clear that the strategy now for this project is to wholly ignore Oregon and its requirements and to have the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approve it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that that Oregon law , that quite clearly can ’ t be preempted by the federal government , can be , ” Golden said .
He spoke of a “ legal fight that almost certainly is coming , to uphold the law of the land and tell the Trump administration you don ’ t get to cancel environmental safeguards all over this country on behalf of the fossil fuel industry.
” Supporters of the project , which would permit shipment of natural gas from the United States and Canada to Asia , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it would ruin habitat and that the increased use of a fossil fuel would contribute to global warming .
Mike Washburn , whose property near Coos Bay lies on the path of the proposed pipeline , said he hopes Gov .
Kate Brown , a Democrat , will intercede .
“ I hope the governor will protect Oregon ’ s authority to stop Jordan Cove even if the federal government decides to try to change the rules , ” Washburn told fellow demonstrators , who held signs depicting salmon , which environmentalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hurt by the project .
On Nov. 21 , demonstrators occupied the governor ’ s office , demanding that she speak out against the Jordan Cove project .
Brown declined to do so , saying she did not want to interfere in state processes .
But she shared a letter that she sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opposing its attempts to remove the state ’ s authority in the permitting process .
U.S .
Senator Ron Wyden , D-Oregon , on Jan. 27 wrote to President Donald Trump , noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacancies .
Wyden urged the president to appoint a full and bipartisan five-member commission before the agency rules on the Jordan Cove Energy Project .
He said failure to do so would mean any decision could be interpreted as lacking full , fair consideration and therefore being politically motivated .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Last man charged in border agent’s death faces Arizona trial

TUCSON , Ariz. - The last of seven defendants charged in the 2010 fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in a case that exposed a botched federal gun operation known as “ Fast and Furious ” has been extradited to Arizona to stand trial .
Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga , who was arrested in Mexico in October 2017 , was extradited last Friday .
Court documents show a plea of not guilty was entered on Favela-Astorga ’ s behalf at his arraignment Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Tucson and a March 17 trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seven men charged in Agent Brian Terry ’ s killing are serving long prison terms after pleading guilty or being convicted of first-degree murder .
Three of the defendants got life in prison .
A sixth man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and was sentenced to eight years in prison .
Terry , 40 , was killed in a firefight north of the Arizona-Mexico border on Dec. 14 , 2010 .
He was part of a four-man team in an elite Border Patrol unit staking out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find “ rip-off ” crew members who rob drug smugglers .
They encountered a group and identified themselves as police .
The men refused to stop , prompting an agent to fire bean bags at them .
They responded by firing AK-47-type assault rifles .
Terry was struck in the back and died soon after .
Terry ’ s death exposed the “ Fast and Furious ” operation , in which U.S. federal agents allowed criminals to buy firearms with the intention of tracking them to criminal organizations .
But the U.S. Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Explosives lost track of most of the guns , including two found at the scene of Terry ’ s death .
Authorities who conducted the investigation faced criticism for allowing suspected gun buyers for a smuggling ring to walk away from gun shops in Arizona with weapons , rather than arrest them and seize the guns .
The investigation ’ s failures were later examined in congressional hearings .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Man convicted of killings escapes Panama prison a 2nd time

PANAMA CITY - A Dominican man convicted of kidnapping and murdering five young people of Chinese descent has escaped from a Panamanian prison for a second time , presumably with help from police , authorities in the Central American nation said Tuesday .
The Ministry of Public Security said there was an operation underway to search for Gilberto Ventura Ceballos , the man blamed for one of the country ’ s most horrifying crimes .
It was another black eye for a penitentiary system that recently came under criticism following a December prison inmate massacre that was the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly when Ventura Ceballos escaped from the Mega Joya lockup on the outskirts of Panama City — part of the same prison complex where the massacre took place .
According to early information , the last time he was known to be inside was 10:30 p.m. Monday , the ministry said .
“ There are signs registered by the prison ’ s security cameras that there was participation by police officers assigned to security in the penitentiary , ” it said in a statement .
Ventura Ceballos was sentenced along with an accomplice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abduction and killing of the five university students about a decade ago .
He acknowledged murdering them and burying them beneath the floor of a home in the town of La Chorrera west of Panama City , authorities say .
Investigators said at least two were buried alive .
Ventura Ceballos escaped the first time in December 2016 .
He was recaptured in Costa Rica the following September .
“ We are so disappointed , ” said Judith Chen , whose daughter was one of the victims , on Tuesday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s security institutions.
” Fifteen people were killed in the Dec. 17 massacre at the prison complex in gunfire between jailed members of the same gang in a cellblock housing over 500 inmates .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Buttigieg, Sanders lead as Iowa releases partial results

DES MOINES , Iowa - The Iowa Democratic Party released partial results of its kickoff presidential caucus after a daylong delay late Tuesday showing a former Midwestern mayor , Pete Buttigieg , and an outspoken progressive senator from Vermont , Bernie Sanders , leading the opening contest of the party ’ s 2020 primary season .
The results followed 24 hours of chaos as technical issues marred the complicated caucus process , forcing state officials to apologize and raising questions about Iowa ’ s traditional place atop the presidential primary calendar .
It was too early to call a winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , former Vice-President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar were trailing in the tally of State Delegate Equivalents , according to data released for the first time by the state Democratic Party nearly 24 hours after voting concluded .
The results reflected 62 % of precincts in the state .
The two early leaders , Buttigieg and Sanders , were separated by 40 years in age , conflicting ideology and different campaign approaches .
Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary delegates .
“ We don ’ t know all of the numbers , but we know this much : A campaign that started a year ago with four staff members , no name recognition , no money , just a big idea — a campaign that some said should have no business even making this attempt — has taken its place at the front of this race , ” Buttigieg declared , his voice filled with emotion , as he campaigned in next-up New Hampshire .
While each campaign was eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was little immediate indication that the incomplete results erased the confusion and concern that loomed over the Iowa contest .
It was unclear when the full results would be released .
During a private conference call with campaigns earlier in the day , state party chairman Troy Price declined to answer pointed questions about the specific timeline -- even whether it would be a matter of days or weeks .
“ We have been working day and night to make sure these results are accurate , “ Price said at a subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in New Hampshire , which votes in just seven days .
And billionaire Democrat Michael Bloomberg sensed opportunity , saying he would double his already massive advertising campaign and expand his sprawling staff focused on a series of delegate-rich states voting next month .
The party ’ s caucus crisis was an embarrassing twist after months of promoting Iowa as a chance for Democrats to find some clarity in a jumbled field .
Instead , after a buildup that featured seven rounds of debates , nearly $ 1 billion spent nationwide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day ended with no winner , no official results and many fresh questions about whether Iowa can retain its coveted “ first ” status .
Iowa marked the first contest in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending at the party ’ s national convention in mid-July .
Buttigieg ’ s early strength reflected his aggressive political pursuit of rural and small-town voters , including some Republicans , who prefer a more moderate approach to address the nation ’ s political problems .
The other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic socialist , has spent decades fighting to fundamentally change the nation ’ s politics and economy .
He has attracted significant support from young voters in particular .
Before he left Iowa late Monday , the Sanders ’ campaign told supporters that its internal monitoring showed him in the lead with nearly half the vote in .
Sanders himself said late Monday , “ Today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.
“ For the first time , the Iowa Democratic Party reported three sets of results : a tally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote totals from the “ final alignment ” after supporters of lower-ranking candidates were able to make a second choice , and the total number of State Delegate Equivalents each candidate received .
With more than one-third of all precincts left to report , Sanders led on the first alignment .
The Associated Press will declare a winner based on the number of state delegates each candidate wins , which has been the traditional standard .
Early polling had suggested Sanders entered the night with a narrow lead , but any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Warren and Buttigieg — was positioned to score a victory .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who represents neighbouring Minnesota , was also in the running , while outsider candidates including entrepreneur Andrew Yang , billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard lagged behind .
Campaigning in New Hampshire on Tuesday , Warren also said she was “ feeling good ” about her performance in Iowa .
Biden ’ s team downplayed the impact of the contest after predicting the results would be close .
The state party told campaigns Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ coding issue in the reporting system ” that it said had since been fixed .
It said it had verified the accuracy of the collected data and said the problem was not a result of “ a hack or an intrusion.
“ A Biden campaign representative objected to the party ’ s plan to release partial results before checking them against paper records , saying in the conference call that the plan didn ’ t address “ growing reports ” about problems on caucus night , such as precinct captains unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report results .
Sanders adviser Jeff Weaver thanked party officials , and encouraged other campaigns not to undermine the party .
“ Folks who are just trying to delay the return of this because of their relative positioning in the results last night , I think that ’ s a bit disingenuous , ” Weaver said .
Sensing opportunity amid the chaos , Bloomberg ’ s campaign announced plans to double its national television advertising spending — which has already exceeded $ 100 million — as it expands its paid staff to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to next month , having decided to bypass Iowa ’ s contest and the three other states voting this month in favour of the delegate-rich states in March .
“ After more than a year of this primary , the field is as unsettled as ever , ” Bloomberg spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said .
“ No one has made the sale or even come close to it .
Meanwhile , Mike is taking the fight to Trump every day , doubling down on the national campaign strategy we ’ ve been running from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debacle invited fresh criticism about Iowa caucuses , a complicated set of political meetings staged in a state that is whiter and older than the Democratic Party .
Many used the moment to question whether it was a quaint political tradition whose time had passed .
“ I think Iowa is a dumpster fire , ” said Dick Harpootlian , a South Carolina state senator and longtime Biden supporter , who served as an Iowa precinct captain for Biden on Monday .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game .
”

Steve Peoples, Thomas Beaumont And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Hyundai halts Korea output as China outbreak fallout spreads

WASHINGTON - Hyundai Motors is suspending production in South Korea , a sign that the economic fallout from China ’ s viral outbreak is spreading .
For other companies bracing for losses from coronavirus , the damage has so far been delayed , thanks to a stroke of timing : The outbreak hit just when Chinese factories and many businesses were closed anyway to let workers travel home for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday .
But the respite won ’ t last .
If much of industrial China remains on lockdown for the next few weeks , a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies and manufacturers that depend on Chinese imports will start to run out of the goods they depend on .
In order to meet deadlines for summer goods , retail experts say that Chinese factories would need to start ramping up production by March 15 .
If Chinese factories were instead to remain idle through May 1 , it would likely cripple retailers ’ crucial back-to-school and fall seasons .
“ There ’ s complete uncertainty , ’ ’ said Steve Pasierb , CEO of the Toy Industry Association .
“ This could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months.
’ ’ Wuhan , the Chinese city where the outbreak hit hardest , is a centre of automotive production .
It ’ s been closed off , along with neighbouring cities , isolating more than 50 million people and bringing factories to a standstill .
So far , U.S. automakers haven ’ t had to curb production for want of Chinese parts .
But David Closs , professor emeritus at Michigan State University ’ s Department of Supply Chain Management , said the clock is ticking .
“ I would say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ Closs said .
“ One to two to three weeks.
’ ’ Hyundai said Tuesday that it was suspending production in South Korea “ due to disruptions in the supply of parts resulting from the coronavirus outbreak in China ’ ’ and that it “ was seeking alternative suppliers in other regions.
’ ’ The partial shutdown of Wuhan has already harmed the production of TV display panels and raised prices , according to a report by research group IHS Markit .
The city has five factories making liquid crystal displays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light-emitting diodes , known as OLEDs , both of which are used for television and laptop monitors .
China accounts for more than half of the global production capacity for making these display panels .
David Hsieh , an analyst at IHS Markit , said in a report that “ these factories are facing shortages of both labour and key components as a result of mandates designed to limit the contagion ’ s spread , ” leading suppliers to raise panel prices more aggressively .
Phone-maker Motorola , which has a facility in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it expects little impact because it has a flexible global supply chain and multiple factories around the world .
Its priority has been the welfare of local employees , Motorola , which is owned by the Chinese electronics giant Lenovo , said in a statement .
Apple CEO Tim Cook told analysts last week that the company ’ s contractors in China had been forced to delay reopening factories that closed for the Lunar New Year holiday .
Cook said the company is seeking ways to minimize supply disruptions .
Some of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province at the centre of the outbreak .
Most of Apple ’ s iPhones and other devices are made in China .
In the meantime , economists are sharply downgrading the outlook for China ’ s economy , the world ’ s second-biggest .
Tommy Wu and Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics have slashed their forecast for Chinese economic growth this year from 6 % to 5.4 % .
They expect most of the damage to be inflicted in the first three months of 2020 .
“ But a more serious and long-lasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ they wrote Monday .
Forecasters are contending with unknowns .
No one knows how long the outbreak will last , how much damage it will cause or how policymakers will respond to the threat .
“ We ’ re grasping for precedents , ’ ’ said Phil Levy , chief economist at the freight company Flexport who was an economic adviser in the administration of President George W. Bush .
Some look back to the SARS outbreak , which paralyzed the Chinese economy for the first few months of 2003 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : China was booming again by year ’ s end .
And the world economy emerged mostly unscathed .
But times have changed in ways that are not favourable to containing the economic damage .
Back then , China was the world ’ s workshop for cheap goods — toys and sneakers , for instance .
Now , China has moved up to sophisticated machine parts and electronics like LCDs .
And it accounts for about 16 % of global economic output , up significantly from just 4 % in 2003 .
Levy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines reacted to the coronavirus : They suspended flights between the United States and mainland China for weeks — American airlines through March 27 , United through March 28 and Delta until April 30 .
The move doesn ’ t just affect tourists , students and business travellers .
Caryn Livingston , editor of Air Cargo World , noted that about half of air cargo has historically been transported in the bellies of passenger aircraft .
“ When you see them loading those big 747s , that ’ s not just your luggage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That can be pallets full of electronics and other things.
’ ’ The health crisis coincides with an especially difficult time for China ’ s factories .
A 19-month trade war with the United States — in which the Trump administration imposed tariffs on $ 360 billion of Chinese imports — has already led U.S.-based multinational corporations to look for alternatives to Chinese suppliers .
Many are moving to Vietnam or other low-wage countries to dodge President Donald Trump ’ s taxes on Chinese-made goods .
The Trump administration and Beijing last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to step up purchases of U.S. imports by $ 200 billion this year and next .
But Trump ’ s top economic adviser , Larry Kudlow , told Fox Business Network on Tuesday that the viral outbreak means that the expected “ export boom from that trade deal will take longer.
” The coronavirus , along with fears that U.S.-China tensions over trade and geopolitics will persist , gives them one more reason to reduce their reliance on China .
Among multinational firms , there is “ increasing unease that China is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ said Johan Gott , an independent consultant who specializes in political risks for businesses .
But it isn ’ t easy to completely abandon China , where specialized suppliers cluster in manufacturing centres and make it convenient for factories to obtain parts when they need them .
Basic Fun , a toy company based in Boca Raton , Florida , has sought suppliers in Vietnam and India with no luck yet .
Its CEO , Jay Foreman , said he is hoping that the factories in China will resume production by early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario .
But he fears that any more delays could mean that the factories don ’ t start to ramp up production until after May 1 .
The stakes are high .
Basic Fun gets about 90 % of its toys from China .
And Foreman has been contending with the trade war and disruptive protests in Hong Kong .
The coronavirus , he said , is “ just a continuation of sitting on the knife ’ s edge ... sleeping on the bed of nails from tariffs to the riots in Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t get a break.
” D ’ Innocenzio reported from New York .
AP Business Writers Tom Krisher in Detroit , David Koenig in Dallas and Matt O ’ Brien in Providence , Rhode Island , contributed to this report .

Paul Wiseman And Anne D'Innocenzio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--The Latest: Klobuchar team says Iowa shows a ‘5-person race’

DES MOINES , Iowa - The Latest on the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses ( all times local ) : The campaign manager for Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar says early results from the Iowa caucuses indicate “ that this is a five-person race.
“ The Iowa Democratic Party released partial results Tuesday after technological failures caused a daylong delay .
The numbers show former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders leading the first-in-the-nation contest .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , former Vice-President Joe Biden and Klobuchar are all trailing .
The results reflected 62 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar campaign manager Justin Buoen tweeted : “ Some of Amy ’ s strongest counties haven ’ t been fully reported and the current data doesn ’ t tell the full story .
We ’ re in a virtual tie with VP Biden and we look forward to making our case in New Hampshire.
“ The Minnesota senator is holding three town halls in New Hampshire on Tuesday .
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg appeared to choke up as he addressed supporters in New Hampshire after initial voting results from Iowa showed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Buttigieg said Tuesday at a middle school in Laconia that his success “ validates for a kid somewhere in a community wondering if he belongs , or she belongs , or they belong , in their own family that if you believe in yourself and your country , there ’ s a lot backing up that belief.
“ It was an apparent nod to his status as the first openly gay candidate to be a major contender for the presidential nomination .
The 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was standing in the back of the room as Buttigieg spoke .
Both have spoken of the difficulties of being gay in a conservative state .
Buttigieg notes that he is now in “ a state that famously thinks for itself.
” He said he has never been more confident in his campaign , his team and his vision for America .
Initial data released by the Iowa Democratic Party shows Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders ahead in the state ’ s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses .
The tally of state delegate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar trailing behind .
The party released 62 % of results from all 99 counties after a daylong delay sparked by technical problems .
It was unclear when the remaining results will be released by the party , which says it is still verifying data from caucuses across the state .
Earlier Tuesday , Buttigieg claimed on “ CBS This Morning ” that his performance in Iowa was “ phenomenal , ” especially given the fact that he had started his presidential campaign with little name recognition .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomplete results of Monday ’ s Democratic caucuses after a daylong delay sparked by technical problems .
Three sets of results will be reported .
They are the “ first alignment ” of caucusgoers , the “ final alignment ” and the number of “ state delegate equivalents ” won by each candidate .
The Associated Press will declare the winner of the Iowa caucuses based on the number of state delegate equivalents each candidate receives .
That ’ s because Democrats choose their overall nominee based on delegates .
While the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state delegate equivalents have the most direct bearing on the metric Democrats use to pick their nominee .
The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party says the delay in caucus reporting results was “ unacceptable.
” Troy Price said Tuesday that the party will conduct a “ thorough , transparent and independent examination ” of what caused the delays .
He apologized for the breakdown in the process but says the results the party will begin to release on Tuesday are accurate .
The party has faced fierce criticism from presidential candidates who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reporting delays , which were sparked by technical issues with an app , also revived questions about whether Iowa should hold the nation ’ s first contest .
Price says results from 62 % of precincts from all of Iowa ’ s 99 counties will soon be reported .
The company at the centre of the Iowa caucus fiasco says it regrets that an app it designed had technical glitches that delayed the release of the results from the first nominating contest of 2020 .
But while Shadow Inc. pledged on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it stopped short of apologizing .
The company said in a series of tweets : “ We sincerely regret the delay in the reporting of the results of last night ’ s Iowa caucuses and the uncertainty it has caused to the candidates , their campaigns , and Democratic caucus-goers.
” Monday ’ s first-in-the-nation Iowa contest was supposed to bring clarity to a muddled field of contenders with no clear front-runner .
But instead , election officials across the state struggled to report the outcomes of individual caucuses using the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race still wasn ’ t clear on Tuesday .
Campaign finance records show the Iowa Democratic Party spent about $ 60,000 on the app .
Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds is defending the state ’ s first-in-the-nation caucus status as Democrats struggle to get results released .
The Republican governor said Tuesday that the state must fight to remain first after a mobile app created to compile and report caucus results malfunctioned , delaying the count .
No results have been released yet .
The Iowa Democratic Party says it will release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reynolds says that Iowa fights every year to stay first and that political leaders must demonstrate that adequate measures have been taken to ensure accurate results .
She says the parties worked together after the 2012 caucuses to maintain faith in the system after Republicans named Mitt Romney the winner , only to find out later that Rick Santorum had more votes .
The campaign is back on .
As uncertainty reigns over the results of Iowa ’ s caucuses , Joe Biden is in New Hampshire criticizing his 2020 rival Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During his first campaign stop of the day in Nashua , Biden said the Vermont senator has talked about single-payer health care for “ 30 years now.
” “ Hasn ’ t moved it an inch , ” the former vice-president said Tuesday .
Sanders remains popular in New Hampshire and has touted his signature health care policy idea frequently during his campaign trips in the state .
Supporters often point to his consistency on issues as a reason they plan to vote for Sanders .
“ It ’ s not going anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for All .
“ The speaker of the House isn ’ t for it .
Most Democrats in Congress are not for it .
So how ’ s it going to pass ?
How ’ s it going to move ?
How does it get done ?
You can ’ t give a speech about it .
It actually has to get done.
” New Hampshire is the second state in the nation to vote , holding its presidential primary on Feb. 11 .
Democrats are still awaiting the results of Monday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by technical issues .
The Iowa Democratic Party says it will release a majority of the results later Tuesday .
The Nevada Democratic Party is trying to quell fears it will face a chaotic reporting system at its Feb. 22 caucuses .
The party says it can “ confidently say ” that the problems Iowa Democrats experienced with reporting their caucus results Monday “ will not happen in Nevada.
” Nevada Democratic party chair William McCurdy II said in a statement Tuesday morning that Nevada will not be employing the same app or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The party had previously announced plans to use an app to tabulate results at caucuses , as Iowa did , along with a second app that would be preloaded onto tablets available for voters to use at caucus sites during four days of early voting .
McCurdy said Nevada Democrats had already developed “ a series of backups and redundant reporting systems and are currently evaluating the best path forward.
” The party did not respond to a follow-up message asking if the party had already planned to use a different app and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in the wake of Iowa ’ s delayed results and technical problems .
The Iowa Democratic Party says it plans to release at least 50 % of results from Monday ’ s caucuses on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. Party chairman Troy Price tells presidential campaigns on a conference call that “ we are going to release the majority of results that we have by 4 p.m. today.
” Technical problems have delayed the release of results from the first-in-the-nation contest , leaving campaigns and the public in the dark .
Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from more than 1,600 caucus sites “ to make sure we have all of the documented information in place.
” Price says results from about 50 % of precincts should be released Tuesday .
It was not clear when the final results would be available .
New Hampshire ’ s top elections official says the state has “ kept it simple ” when it comes to elections and that he doesn ’ t expect New Hampshire to encounter problems in its Feb. 11 primary .
He says , “ The more moving parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the more room there is for something to not function right.
” Bill Gardner ’ s remarks Tuesday came as the Iowa Democratic Party still hasn ’ t released the results of its caucuses the night before .
New Hampshire runs a primary , not a caucus .
People will vote via paper ballots that about 85 per cent of towns will count electronically .
Gardner says , “ you can ’ t hack a pencil.
” Gardner says he ’ s not worried about New Hampshire losing its status as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s lack of diversity .
He says the same conversation happens every four years .
The Iowa Democratic Party says delays in reporting the outcome of Monday ’ s caucuses were due to a coding issue that has been fixed .
The party says it hopes to release results “ as soon as possible.
” In a statement Tuesday , Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price says , “ We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cyber security intrusion.
” Price says independent cybersecurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caucuses .
Candidates left Iowa Monday night for New Hampshire without the outcome of the contest being announced , a debacle that renewed criticism of Iowa ’ s first-in-the-nation status and the caucus format .
Price says as results came in Monday night from more than 1,600 caucus sites the state party ran them through “ an accuracy and quality check ” and “ it became clear there were inconsistencies with the reports.
” Price says it took time to investigate the cause , which was later determined to be a coding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using to report some data .
Price says state party staff used “ pre-planned measures and entered data manually , “ which took longer than expected .
He says the party has used required back-up paper documentation to verify data recorded in the app was accurate and to calculate delegate counts .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden has picked up the endorsement of Caroline Kennedy , daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy .
As the Democratic presidential hopefuls turn to New Hampshire , Kennedy called Biden the party ’ s “ best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the gains we made in the House , and put the Senate in play.
” The former ambassador to Japan announced her decision to endorse Biden in an opinion article Tuesday in the Boston Globe .
The endorsement comes the day after Iowa ’ s caucuses , which ran into technical problems that resulted in delays in results being released .
Several Democratic candidates headed to New Hampshire , which holds its presidential primary next week .
Pete Buttigieg is starting his day in New Hampshire visiting with a local mayor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Iowa .
He told Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess , who endorsed him Tuesday morning , that the lack of timely Iowa results was “ frustrating.
” But he claimed on “ CBS This Morning ” that his performance in Iowa was “ phenomenal , ” especially given the fact that he had started his presidential campaign with little name recognition .
“ They said we shouldn ’ t even be here .
And now , here we are , in the position that we are in , coming into New Hampshire for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night a week from today , ” he said .
Buttigieg has back-to-back events planned around the state on Tuesday .
His supporters , including Donchess , say the New Hampshire primary will matter even more after Iowa was slow to report results .
Activist Dan Weeks told Buttigieg an oft-repeated phrase in the state : “ Iowa picks corn .
New Hampshire picks presidents.
” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren says her Democratic presidential campaign is built to compete across the country .
Stepping off a charter flight from Iowa to New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our organizers in Iowa are now leaving there and going to all the other places where we ’ re on the ground.
“ She says her campaign is active in 31 states and involves 1,000 people nationwide .
Warren says , “ This is an organization that is built for the long haul.
“ She didn ’ t answer a question about other candidates who declared victory in Monday night ’ s Iowa caucuses .
Technology problems and reporting “ inconsistencies ” had kept Iowa Democratic Party officials from releasing results .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call and it still is.
” The Iowa Democratic Party says it expects to release data from the Iowa caucuses later Tuesday .
Chairman Troy Price says the party is manually verifying its data against paper backups but says systems are taking “ longer than expected.
” He said the delays were the result of a reporting issue , not a hack or intrusion .
Price addressed reporters shortly after the party updated presidential campaigns about the status of the delayed results in the kickoff caucuses .
He did not take any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even without official results , some candidates have tried to declare victory and claim momentum based on their own internal data .
The Associated Press has not called a winner of Monday ’ s caucuses .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--California may pause student fitness tests due to bullying

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - The governor of California wants to pause physical education tests for students over concerns with bullying and discrimination .
During a three-year suspension , the state would study whether the current test for children in fifth , seventh , and ninth grades can be modified or a new assessment should be drawn up .
The proposal , first reported by Politico , was tucked inside Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s education budget bill for next year .
H.D .
Palmer , spokesman for the Department of Finance , said the state has received complaints that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body mass index is discriminatory to non-binary students .
A measurement calculated from weight and height , BMI screenings require students to select “ male ” or “ female , ” he said .
Physical education classes would continue to be a requirement for graduation , however .
“ The issue of BMI screening plays a role in the issues of both body shaming and bullying , ” Palmer wrote in an email .
The move comes after other steps taken in California to address the health of students , including a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high schools in the nation ’ s most populous state can ’ t begin before 8:30 a.m. and middle schools can ’ t start before 8 a.m .
It was aimed at easing sleep deprivation for students .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Macy’s to close 125 stores, shed 2,000 corporate jobs

NEW YORK - Macy ’ s said Tuesday it is closing 125 of its least productive stores and cutting 2,000 corporate jobs as the struggling department store tries to reinvent itself in the age of online shopping .
The store closures represent about one fifth of Macy ’ s current total .
They include about 30 that are in the process of closing and account for $ 1.4 billion in annual sales .
Macy ’ s didn ’ t specify how many jobs would be lost at the shuttered stores .
The corporate jobs will be shed as Macy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco , leaving New York as its sole corporate headquarters .
Macy ’ s is also testing a new smaller-store format that ’ s located at a strip centre , instead of a mall .
The store will feature a mixture of Macy ’ s merchandise and local goods as well as food and beverage options .
It will open its first so-called Market by Macy ’ s in Dallas on Thursday .
Macy ’ s , like its peers Nordstrom and J.C. Penney , is dealing with stiffer competition and shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing their customers increasingly head to off-price stores like T.J. Maxx for fat discounts on name brands .
They ’ re also renting and buying second-hand goods online .
Macy ’ s has pursued a number of strategies as a way to lure people back .
Those include recently teaming up with resale site ThredUp .
The company ’ s Bloomingdale ’ s division launched a rental service last year .
And it ’ s been expanding its off-price concept called Backstage in many of its stores .
It has also been upgrading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in healthy malls .
Still , that hasn ’ t been enough .
Macy ’ s reported a steeper-than-expected 3.5 % drop in sales at stores opened at least a year in its fiscal third quarter , which ended in Nov. 2 .
That marked Macy ’ s first quarterly comparable store sales decline in almost two years .
Its business during November and December showed some improvement — same store sales fell 0.6 % .
But analysts say that the department store is losing market share .
The company is set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We will focus our resources on the healthy parts of our business , directly address the unhealthy parts of the business and explore new revenue streams , ” said Jeff Gennette .
who took the reins as CEO in early 2017 .
The moves announced Tuesday come ahead of Macy ’ s annual investor meeting where Gennette is expected to unveil a three-year reinvention plan .
Shares in Macy ’ s Inc. slipped 8 cents to $ 16.55 in after-hours trading following the company ’ s announcement .
Over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined nearly 36 % .

Anne D'Innocenzio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Disney Plus hits nearly 29M subscribers in 3 months

NEW YORK - Disney said its Disney Plus streaming service reached nearly 29 million paid subscribers in less than three months , an impressive start for what the company has positioned as its future as more people drop cable subscriptions .
But as expected , starting up a new service comes with huge expenses , contributing to a 23 % profit decline for the company in the latest quarter .
Disney Plus launched in November to compete with online video services like Netflix .
Disney had 26.5 million Disney Plus subscribers as of Dec. 28 , the end of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28.6 million as of Monday , well on the way to Disney ’ s target of 60 million to 90 million worldwide by 2024 .
Original series on Disney Plus include the “ Star Wars “ series “ The Mandalorian.
” One of the hit characters from the show resembles a baby version of Yoda .
Disney CEO Bob Iger told analysts Tuesday that “ Baby Yoda “ consumer products will go on sale in the coming months .
He said the “ sensational response ” to the character said a lot about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second season for “ The Mandalorian “ is coming in October and said the priority for “ Star Wars ” going forward is through the streaming service .
After 42 years , the franchise just concluded its nine-part core series with “ Star Wars : The Rise of Skywalker “ in theatres .
Disney has said the next “ Star Wars ” theatrical movie , which is to be set outside the Skywalker saga , isn ’ t scheduled for release until 2022 .
Disney also had 30.4 million Hulu customers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 28 , big gains for both from a year ago .
Disney offers a bundle of the three streaming services .
Disney Plus is currently available in the U.S. , Canada , The Netherlands , Australia , and New Zealand .
Disney expects growth in the near term to come primarily from further expansion abroad , as the service launches over the next two years in Western Europe , India and Latin America .
Disney also plans to roll out Hulu outside the U.S. next year after getting Disney Plus off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning to heavy promotions to boost Disney Plus in the early months .
Disney , for example , struck a deal with Verizon to give some customers a free year .
Disney said about 20 % of its subscribers came through Verizon .
About half signed up directly through Disney , and the rest from other channels .
Disney earned $ 2.13 billion in the latest quarter , or $ 1.17 per share .
Adjusted for one-time items , earnings came to $ 1.53 per share .
Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to $ 20.9 billion .
Wall Street expected revenue of $ 20.7 billion .
Disney shares gained 27 cents , or less than 1 % , to $ 145 in after-hours trading after the release of results .
The direct-to-consumer business that includes Disney Plus posted revenue of $ 4 billion , up from $ 918 million a year ago , while its operating loss widened to $ 693 million from $ 136 million .
Disney expects the business to lose another $ 900 million during the current quarter .
Revenue at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3.8 billion thanks to “ Frozen II ” and the new “ Star Wars “ movie in theatres .
Revenue slid at Disney ’ s cable networks division , by 20 % to $ 4.8 billion .
It said ESPN weighed on its profit because of higher programming and production costs and lower ad revenue as viewers decline .
The broadcasting arm ’ s revenue rose 34 % to $ 2.6 billion , while the parks division ’ s sales rose 8 % to $ 7.4 billion .
Disney said attendance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of “ recent events.
“ The company said that there has been “ a significant decrease in visitation to Hong Kong Disneyland from China and other parts of Asia ” but didn ’ t otherwise elaborate .
There have been anti-government protests in Hong Kong .
That was offset by growth in Shanghai , though a virus outbreak in China could impede travel and attendance .
Both parks are currently closed because of the virus .
Assuming a two-month shutdown , impact to operating income in the current quarter will be $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of visitors at this time of year .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Judge: Mississippi parole officers ‘underpaid & overworked’

JACKSON , Miss .
- As Mississippi lawmakers seek ways to improve a prison system shaken by recent deadly violence , a related problem is looming : A judge said Tuesday that parole officers are “ woefully underpaid and overworked.
“ Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell said parole officers often handle hundreds of cases each .
That has contributed to an increase in the prison population , because a growing number of ex-inmates are being returned to prison for parole violations .
Mississippi remains one of the nation ’ s poorest states , with one of the highest incarceration rates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mississippi prison system since late December .
Most were in the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman , and many died amid violent conflicts between inmates .
Some were suicides .
Some of Mississippi ’ s prisons also have had longstanding problems with holes in cell walls , broken sinks and toilets in cells and widespread mould in showers .
Mississippi ’ s prison population decreased between early 2012 and early 2016 because of some policy changes .
But the prisons ’ population has crept back up in the past four years because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for violating terms of their parole , said Harrell , who leads a group that evaluates the state ’ s criminal justice system .
Mississippi prisons held nearly 21,500 inmates in January 2012 .
Legislators enacted criminal justice system changes in mid-2014 .
By January 2016 , the prison population had decreased to just over 18,600 .
But by the end of 2019 , it was back up to almost 19,200 .
Senate Judiciary B Committee Chairman Brice Wiggins said Tuesday that it ’ s too early to know whether legislators will set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more probation and parole officers .
“ We realize that this is a significant issue and we ’ ve got to look at that , ” said Wiggins , a Republican from Pascagoula .
Harrell said he has toured all Mississippi prisons .
He said many are in bad shape , and the state should spend money to improve them .
The task force recommends that the state do more to help inmates make the transition from prison to the outside world as they finish their terms or are released on parole .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ transitional housing to help inmates who would otherwise be homeless .
“ For many years , we were guilty in this state of giving them 20 bucks and a bus ticket and saying , ‘ Go be good , ’ “ Harrell said .
The task force also recommends that the state ease the process for some former inmates to receive help through “ intervention courts.
“ Such courts provide guidance for people who have mental health issues or problems with drug use .
Matthew Charles is a former Tennessee prisoner who advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Families for Mandatory Minimums .
He says Mississippi needs to offer better programs to rehabilitate prisoners .
“ They ’ re not learning anything while they ’ re incarcerated because there ’ s no real programming that is able to benefit them so they can actually get out , get a job and make a living wage , ” Charles said Tuesday at the Mississippi Capitol .
In 2014 , Mississippi legislators and then-Gov .
Phil Bryant sought to control prison costs and to reduce the incarceration rate .
Republican Bryant signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas , Georgia and other states with Republican governors who campaigned as being tough on crime .
The Mississippi law said anyone convicted of a violent offence will be required to serve at least 50 % of a sentence , and anyone convicted of a nonviolent offence will have to serve at least 25 % .
It gave judges more flexibility to impose alternate sentences , such as ordering treatment for drug users .

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Guatemala names former drug czar head of new anti-graft body

GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala ’ s recently inaugurated president on Tuesday named an expert on drug-trafficking issues as the head @ @ @ @ @ will investigate corruption in the Central American nation ’ s government .
Oscar Dávila , @ @ @ @ @ who formerly served as an interior vice minister overseeing the fight against narcotics smuggling .
@ @ @ @ @ combat ( corruption ) at the highest level of the executive branch , ” said @ @ @ @ @ took office Jan. 14 .
Giammattei ’ s predecessor , Jimmy Morales , shut down @ @ @ @ @ had won plaudits at home and abroad for its work investigating high-level graft cases .
@ @ @ @ @ the country after its probes implicated him and members of his family .
He denies @ @ @ @ @ prosecution under Guatemalan laws shielding sitting presidents from criminal cases .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Iowa disaster prompts Nevada Dems to drop caucus tech plan

LAS VEGAS - Reacting to tech troubles in Iowa , Nevada Democrats scrapped plans to use similar technology at their caucuses in less than three weeks , as early voting states sought to re-assure the public that they could pull off smooth elections .
Officials in South Carolina and New Hampshire expressed confidence in their primary election systems , while Democrats in Nevada , the third state to vote , said they were taking steps to prevent the chaos seen in Iowa .
Nevada Democratic Party chair William McCurdy II issued a statement Tuesday saying the party “ can confidently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus last night will not happen in Nevada.
” “ We will not be employing the same app or vendor used in the Iowa caucus , “ McCurdy said .
” We had already developed a series of backups and redundant reporting systems , and are currently evaluating the best path forward.
“ Molly Forgey , a spokeswoman for the party , said the party will not use the original app developed by the original vendor , Shadow .
The party is evaluating its options and does not rule out using another app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately have details on the other options .
Democrats in Nevada had planned to use more technology than Iowa in their Feb. 22 caucuses .
They had announced plans to use two apps : one to tabulate results and a second preloaded onto tablets for voters to use at caucus sites to cast online votes during four days of early voting .
The Nevada Democratic Party paid Shadow Inc. $ 58,000 for technology services in August , according to the party ’ s spending reports filed with the Federal Election Commission .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional payments totalling about $ 50,000 in October and December .
Shadow Inc. issued a statement Tuesday saying it regrets the delay in reporting in Iowa but the underlying data it collected was “ sound and accurate.
” Former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid , who is credited with building Nevada ’ s Democratic Party and securing its place as the third state weighing in on the presidential race , issued a public statement saying he is “ 100 % confident that what happened in Iowa will not happen in Nevada.
” The Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the reporting system ” for its delay in reporting results .
Caucus organizers reported problems with the new mobile app that led many precinct leaders to phone in results to the state party headquarters .
Some questioned whether the app-users — volunteer organizers — had been properly trained on the new technology .
Other early voting states also tried to to reassure the public about their plans for the presidential primary .
New Hampshire and South Carolina , which both hold primaries instead of caucuses , said they had faith in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top elections official , Bill Gardner , says the state , which votes second after Iowa , has “ kept it simple ” and he doesn ’ t expect any problems in the Feb. 11 primary .
The South Carolina Democratic Party chairman , Trav Robertson Jr. , said in a statement that his party has “ confidence in our voting system and the professionals who run the South Carolina Election Commission.
” In Nevada , it was unclear how the party would make late-stage changes to its plans .
“ From what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s done everything it can to make for a smooth process .
Unfortunately , there will be some who will look at Iowa and think that process is already damaged , ” said Chris Miller , the former chair of the Las Vegas-based Clark County Democratic Party .
Donna West , the current Clark County chair , said she was not worried .
“ I see this as an opportunity to learn .
We ’ ve got time , ” West said , deferring further questions about the process to the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the top Democratic presidential candidates declined to comment Tuesday .
An official with one Democratic presidential campaign in Nevada who was not authorized to speak publicly said because of the similarity to the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s plans , there was mounting concern about Nevada ’ s ability to pull off a smooth process and Nevada Democrats needed to offer more information to reassure the campaigns .
Shelby Wiltz , the caucus director for the Nevada Democrats , told The Associated Press in a statement in January that that the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most accessible , expansive and transparent caucus yet.
” “ We developed a reporting application in order to streamline the caucus process and provide our volunteers with additional support to run their caucuses as efficiently as possible , ” the statement said .
“ We ’ ve gone through several rounds of testing and continue to work with a team of security experts with varying backgrounds to ensure the integrity of our process.
” Unlike in Iowa , where party officials said they were not allowing precinct chairs to download the new mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada precinct chairs had been practicing with the app for about a month , local Democrats said .
Miller said the state party also held a dry run of the early voting app last weekend at a meeting of its governing members .
The party ’ s central committee members did a mock registration , were given a paper ballot and went to a tablet , where they first cast their votes online , indicating their top candidate and their next choices .
They then filled out paper ballots as a backup record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process was easy .
Associated Press reporters Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City , Frank Bajak in Boston , Kathleen Ronayne in Manchester , N.H. , and Meg Kinnard in Columbia , S.C. , contributed to this report .

Michelle L. Price - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Tech problems with mobile app cause Iowa caucus chaos

IOWA CITY , Iowa - What went wrong with the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s high-tech plan to speed up the reporting of caucus night results ?
Pretty much everything .
A little-known startup company was picked by party leaders to develop a mobile app for reporting unofficial results , with key details such as the name of the firm kept confidential .
While security experts tested the program , many of the people who needed to use it at 1,678 precinct locations across Iowa had little to no training .
And a “ coding issue ” within the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to halt reporting and move to a back-up system to verify the counts .
When it came time to launch the app on Monday night , there was widespread confusion and frustration .
It ’ s similar to the sort of chaos election security experts had been warning about .
But while much of the attention has been on foreign interference like Russia ’ s effort four years ago , the problems in Iowa highlighted how technical errors can be just as serious .
It also underscored the risk of relying on voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If I were prone to Twitter , I would use the hashtag # IToldYouSo , ” said University of Iowa computer science professor Douglas W. Jones , an election security expert .
“ It looks like the worst-case scenario happened.
” Jones , a voting security consultant and co-author of “ Broken Ballots , ” had warned before the caucuses that the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s plan to deploy the unproven app during the high-stakes event was risky and had been undermined by excessive secrecy and a lack of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November election and state primaries administered by state and local election officials , the Iowa caucus was administered by the Iowa Democratic Party .
On Tuesday , Nevada Democrats said they would not be using the same app or vendor for their Feb. 22 caucuses , vowing not to have the same problems .
While the app was available to caucus organizers for downloading on their smartphones a few days earlier , some waited until Monday to do so and encountered difficulties in following the instructions or received error messages .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to delay deploying the app to reduce the risk that a hacker might target it , a decision in favour of security but creating little space for error .
“ A lot of people had difficulty downloading it and were not happy when they did the test on it , ” said Ruth Thompson , who chaired a precinct at Lincoln High School in Des Moines .
“ We came to a consensus not to use it.
” After hearing reports of long delays in answering the phone at state headquarters , Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used calculators to determine the delegate allocation and then texted a photo of the results to Polk County Democratic Party officials , who drove it to state party headquarters .
Although the app was the “ preferred method ” for reporting results , the party did have a phone line available for caucus organizers to report results .
But that quickly became overwhelmed , with some caucus organizers reporting they were on hold for over an hour before they were able to speak with someone .
The reporting problems were exacerbated by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather and submit information to make the process more transparent .
For the first time , each precinct collected data on the number of supporters for each candidate at the beginning of the night and then after supporters of non-viable candidates realigned to new groups .
Party officials defended their decision to delay the release of the results , saying they preferred to have accuracy over speed .
But before Monday ’ s caucuses , they had touted the app ’ s automated ability to calculate delegates and report results as an improvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone calls that the system has long relied upon .
State party officials had said they worked closely with the Democratic National Committee ’ s cybersecurity team to review security protocols .
State party officials had downplayed the potential for problems by noting that counting paper backups would eventually provide an accurate tally , which is what the party was working to do Tuesday .
Microsoft had developed a similar app that was successfully used by both parties in 2016 , but this cycle Democrats turned to a well-connected but little-known startup .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inc. acknowledged after months of confidentiality that it was the firm hired to build the app and apologized for its failure .
The firm includes veterans of previous Democratic presidential campaigns and tech companies and was founded in early 2019 by the Democratic digital advertising group ACRONYM .
“ We sincerely regret the delay in the reporting of the results of last night ’ s Iowa caucuses and the uncertainty it has caused to the candidates , their campaigns , and Democratic caucus-goers , ” the company said .
Shadow said the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sound and accurate , ” but the process for transmitting the results generated by the app to the state party was marred by a coding error that produced inaccurate numbers .
The company said the error was fixed overnight .
Campaign finance records show the Iowa Democratic Party paid $ 63,000 to the company in late 2019 while Nevada Democrats paid Shadow $ 58,000 for technology services in August with additional payments totalling about $ 50,000 in October and December .
At least three Democratic presidential campaigns have used apps developed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Joe Biden .
But Biden ’ s campaign said it dropped Shadow ’ s texting app out of cybersecurity concerns .
Gillibrand has since left the race .
Precinct chairs reported having problems with the app every step of the way .
When they downloaded it on to their personal phones , they received warnings that the app might not be secure since it did not come from a traditional app store .
Those warnings scared off some users at that point , organizers said .
Other users reported problems logging in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which involved a QR code and text message system .
Others who successfully navigated beyond that step reported the app freezing at key times or confusing error messages that popped up when they tried to report results .
In Johnson County , the state ’ s most Democratic , more than 30 precinct chairs gathered at a Coralville hotel after the caucuses trying to call in their results , said precinct chair Jonathan Green .
Green , who works in information technology , said he was able to test the app before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages when he tried to report the results .
The group finally got through late Monday after an hour or more on hold and passed around a cellphone one by one to report their results , Green said .
“ It was just a wreck , ” he said .
“ The system was not prepared to handle the app not working and everybody was overwhelmed.
” Cassidy reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press writers Brian Slodysko and Stephen Ohlemacher in Washington , D.C. , Michelle Price in Las Vegas and Frank Bajak @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ryan J. Foley And Christina A. Cassidy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Who won, who lost, and who to watch after the Iowa caucuses

WASHINGTON , DC—So , the Iowa caucuses .
What the heck was that ?
After a year of hype for the contest that kicks off the U.S. presidential primary season , the big reveal Monday was a bit of a flustercluck .
Problems with the app that was supposed to revolutionize reporting of the quaint , complicated caucus system instead meant there were no results to report at all on caucus night .
A day later , as the Iowa Democratic Party finally revealed some of the results Tuesday afternoon , it ’ s possible to start to form a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — though it ’ s important to note these are only 62 per cent of the precincts and the remainder could certainly change the picture .
The official partial results in the Democratic nomination contest , by percentage of the delegates : Pete Buttigieg 27 , Bernie Sanders 25 , Elizabeth Warren 18 , Joe Biden 16 , Amy Klobuchar 13 .
The thing to understand is that the 41 pledged convention delegates actually at stake in the Iowa caucuses aren ’ t the real measure of victory — there are a tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will choose the eventual nominee .
The caucuses are so influential because they ’ re tea leaves to read about what ’ s about to happen in the rest of the race .
They give everyone a first look at how real voters are reacting to candidates , which shapes the race to come in the minds of voters in the following states and donors who are essential to keeping the campaigns running .
Here ’ s a look at who won , who lost and who to watch after Iowa .
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thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Principal sorry for suggesting Kobe Bryant deserved death

CAMAS , Wash. - A high school principal in Washington has apologized for a post on her personal Facebook page that suggested former NBA star Kobe Bryant ’ s death was deserved .
Liza Sejkora , the principal of Camas High School , wrote on the day of Bryant ’ s death : “ Not gon na lie .
Seems to me that karma caught up with a rapist today.
“ She later deleted the post and apologized Monday in a written statement that called her words “ inappropriate and tasteless , ” The Columbian newspaper reported Tuesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash in California .
Bryant was accused in 2003 of raping a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort .
Prosecutors dropped a felony sexual assault charge at the accuser ’ s request .
The woman later filed a civil suit against Bryant that was settled out of court .
Sejkora , the high school principal , said in a message to families Monday that she wanted “ to apologize for suggesting that a person ’ s death is deserved .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologized for the disruption her post caused at school and referred to it as “ a personal , visceral reaction.
” “ In education , we remind students to think before they post online , especially when feelings are inflamed , ” she said .
“ We also teach our students about context .
My emotions and past experiences got the best of me in that moment .
We also teach our students that what we share online has permanency.
” Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Kansas no longer fighting claims of wrongly convicted man

TOPEKA , Kan. - Kansas is dropping its fight against the compensation claim from a man who spent 23 years in prison for a double homicide before a judge vacated convictions that were secured even though no physical evidence or motive tied him to the crimes , the state ’ s attorney general said Tuesday .
Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in an Associated Press interview that his office made the decision after reviewing 900 pages of documents from Lamonte McIntyre ’ s attorney that had not been provided to it previously .
He also said an ongoing Kansas Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which McIntyre , from Kansas City , Kansas , was charged turned up new information .
Schmidt said his office will work with McIntyre ’ s attorney on a settlement to present to a Shawnee County District Court judge .
He said that under a 2018 Kansas law , McIntyre is likely to receive $ 1.5 million from the state — $ 65,000 for each year he spent in prison — plus money to cover attorney fees and other expenses .
McIntyre ’ s case was one of several that prompted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wrongful convictions , and Schmidt , a Republican , had received bipartisan criticism for resisting McIntyre ’ s compensation claim while agreeing to two others .
“ Because we knew there was evidence that was never placed in front of a court , before we just signed off on a claim , we had an obligation to the new court to collect and review all of the evidence , ” Schmidt said .
“ We ’ ve now done that.
” McIntyre was 17 in 1994 when he was arrested for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Ewing , who were shot in broad daylight .
McIntyre received two life sentences in their deaths , but he was freed in 2017 after a local prosecutor asked the court to vacate his convictions and to drop all charges , calling his case an example of “ manifest injustice.
” Prosecutors ’ case had largely hinged on testimony that was allegedly coerced .
“ Today ’ s decision by the Kansas Attorney General goes one step further , by recognizing that Lamonte qualifies for compensation under the Kansas statute , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement .
“ Lamonte is still dealing with the effects of 23 years of wrongful imprisonment , but the funding and other support provided by the statute will now make his load a little easier to bear.
” When signing the wrongful-conviction compensation law , then-Republican Gov .
Jeff Colyer apologized to McIntyre and the other men and said , “ We will make it right.
” Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly and the top eight leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature would have to review any settlement language .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due health insurance benefits , financial assistance for higher education and counselling and various social services .
___ Associated Press writer Roxana Hegeman in Wichita , Kansas , also contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Tesla stock is soaring. Madness or visionary investing?

DETROIT - Eight months after it seemed headed for the corporate junkyard , Tesla is now worth more than General Motors , Ford and Fiat Chrysler combined , even though the Big Three together sell more cars and trucks in two weeks than Tesla does in a whole year .
In a reversal of fortune analysts find amazing if not nutty , the stock of the electric vehicle and solar panel maker has rocketed to nearly $ 900 , up over 30 % in just the past two days .
It is now worth five times what it was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy surrounding the company founded by the erratic visionary Elon Musk .
Among the world ’ s automakers , Tesla , with a market value Tuesday just shy of $ 160 billion , ranks behind only Toyota , at $ 232 billion .
Many investors see it as justified for a company that is leading the world in electric vehicle sales amid an expected global transition from the internal combustion engine to batteries .
Others see the meteoric rise as just plain crazy for a company that ’ s never turned a full-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to be closely attached to reality , ” said Gartner analyst Mike Ramsey .
Tesla sold only 367,500 vehicles last year , compared with millions at GM , Ford or Fiat Chrysler .
GM alone sold 7.7 million , 21 times more than Tesla .
While the spectacular run-up in the stock has been attributed in part to rising profits and other encouraging signs from Tesla , it has been amplified , paradoxically , by the many investors who have been betting “ shorting ” the stock — that is , betting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes up , these investors are losing money , so they try to limit their losses by rushing in to buy , driving the price even higher .
Just last spring , Tesla seemed to be in trouble .
Its stock had fallen 40 % largely on concerns that it was running out of buyers for its high-priced vehicles , which start at nearly $ 40,000 and can run well over $ 100,000 .
Big debt payments were looming , the company was burning cash and losses were growing .
Its federal tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the year , and competitors were about to launch their own electric vehicles .
But sales emerged stronger than many expected , production problems were vanquished , and while Tesla lost $ 862 million in 2019 , it turned a profit during the last two quarters of the year , including $ 105 million in quarterly earnings posted last week .
Among the positive news coming from the automaker : Tesla said it expects to exceed production of 500,000 vehicles this year at its factories in Fremont , California , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kinks out of making the Model 3 small car , the company ’ s lowest-priced vehicle .
And it announced it will start producing the Model Y , a small SUV with broad global appeal , sooner than expected .
“ For Tesla worldwide , this will probably be their most important car , ” said Jessica Caldwell , executive director of insights at the Edmunds.com auto pricing site , which provides content for The Associated Press .
Tasha Keeney , an analyst at ARK Invest , one of the firms most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figured out that Tesla is ahead of competitors in such things as battery technology and software .
Also , demand for electric vehicles over the next five years is probably underestimated , she said .
“ We think an electric vehicle will be cost-competitive on a sticker price basis with a gas-powered car by 2022 , and this is what ’ s going to cause an inflection in demand , ” Keeney said .
The run-up in price is , like all stock investments , a bet on the future .
Electric vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle sales , and Tesla is up against well-established competitors such as GM , Ford , Audi and Porsche .
Musk has long railed against “ short sellers , ” or investors who borrow stock in a company and then sell it in hopes of buying it back later at a lower price and pocketing the difference .
Because of persistent doubts about Musk ’ s ability to realize his big ambitions , Tesla is the most heavily shorted company on the U.S. stock market .
Now the short sellers are feeling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems irrational to Gartner ’ s Ramsey , who points out that Tesla is an auto company facing perpetually large capital expenditures on factories , vehicle development and raw materials .
“ It doesn ’ t make sense in a lot of ways , ” he said .
Bussewitz and AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed from New York .

Tom Krisher And Cathy Bussewitz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Senate so far split neatly along party lines on impeachment

WASHINGTON - The Senate is so far cleaving neatly along party lines in advance of Wednesday ’ s virtually certain votes to acquit President Donald Trump on two impeachment charges , with just two or three undecided members even considering breaking with their party .
A leading GOP moderate , Susan Collins of Maine , announced she will vote to acquit Trump , leaving Utah Sen. Mitt Romney as the only potential GOP vote to convict Trump of abusing his office and stonewalling Congress .
Collins said “ it was wrong “ for Trump to ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , but that Trump ’ s conduct , however flawed , does not warrant “ the extreme step of immediate removal from office.
” Collins voted to acquit former President Bill Clinton at his trial in 1999 .
More typical of the GOP side was Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , who again slammed the impeachment drive of House Democrats as “ the most rushed , least fair and least thorough “ in history and confirmed that he will vote to acquit Trump .
The trial is cruising to impeachment tallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the GOP-held Senate , much less the two-thirds required to remove Trump from office and install Vice-President Mike Pence .
The final days of the trial have focused attention on a handful of senators in both parties who were viewed as potential votes to break with their party .
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska called the president ’ s actions “ shameful and wrong “ in a powerful speech late Monday , but she also derided the highly partisan process .
“ I can not vote to convict , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame within the Senate .
“ We are part of the problem , as an institution that can not see beyond the blind political polarization , ’ ’ Murkowski told reporters after her speech .
Other Republicans , such as Sens .
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , Marco Rubio of Florida and Rob Portman of Ohio , also say Trump ’ s actions to withhold military aid from Ukraine while pressing Zelenskiy to announce an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter were inappropriate , but fell short of warranting his removal from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The aid went ; the investigations did not occur , “ Portman said .
Democrat after Democrat took to the Senate floor to announce they would vote to convict Trump , with senior Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse , D-R.I. , outraged by the conduct of White House lawyers , who he said performed for an audience of one — meaning Trump — while playing fast and loose with the facts .
“ The presentation by White House counsel was characterized by smarminess , smear , elision , outright misstatement , and various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would dare to pull before judges , “ said Whitehouse .
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin , perhaps the only Democrat seen as a likely vote to acquit Trump , has floated the idea of censuring Trump instead , though the idea doesn ’ t seem to be gaining much traction .
Sen. Doug Jones , a former federal prosecutor and Democrat seeking reelection in strongly pro-Trump Alabama , told reporters he ’ s likely to announce his vote Wednesday morning .
No member of either party has indicated yet that they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate .
McConnell said the two charges against Trump — that he abused his power and obstructed Congress ’ ensuing investigation — are “ constitutionally incoherent ” and don ’ t “ even approach a case for the first presidential removal in American history.
“ The Kentucky Republican opened the Senate with a scathing assessment of the case presented by House Democrats , but he did not address whether Trump ’ s actions were inappropriate or wrong , as some Senate Republicans have conceded .
McConnell has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions — pressuring Zelenskiy to announce an investigation into the Bidens — were inappropriate .
He led an effort last week to deny Democrats any opportunity to call witnesses before the Senate , and he has worked closely with the Trump White House in shepherding the case through the Senate .
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York weighed in immediately after McConnell ’ s remarks , accusing the Republican leader and his GOP colleagues of sweeping Trump ’ s misconduct under the rug .
“ The administration , its top people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth , “ Schumer said .
The charges are extremely serious .
To interfere in an election , to blackmail a foreign country , to interfere in our elections gets at the very core of what our democracy is about.
” The Senate is scheduled to vote on the two impeachment articles Wednesday afternoon .
Trump is delivering his State of the Union address Tuesday night , a platform in which he appears before Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , the powerful House speaker who orchestrated last year ’ s House impeachment drive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , repeated a question that Chief Justice John Roberts , who is presiding over the trial , refused to read last week .
Roberts ’ staff communicated to McConnell ’ s staff that he did not want to read the whistleblower ’ s name , according to a Republican familiar with the situation who wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record .
Paul denies trying to out the whistleblower and notes his question didn ’ t use the word .
He questions whether the whistleblower may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing the August complaint that triggered impeachment .
U.S. whistleblower laws exist to protect the identity and careers of people who bring forward accusations of wrongdoing by government officials .
Lawmakers in both parties have historically backed those protections .
The Associated Press typically does not reveal the identity of whistleblowers .
Separately , Trump ’ s approval rating , which has generally languished in the mid- to low-40s , hit a new high of 49 % in the latest Gallup polling , which was conducted as the Senate trial was drawing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51 % of the public views the Republican Party favourably , the first time the GOP ’ s number has exceeded 50 % since 2005 .