iPhone

In the aftermath of the FBI's surprising request on Monday to postpone a hearing in its legal crusade to unlock Apple cellphones, many wondered who it was that had succeeded in penetrating the supposedly unhackable smartphone. Earlier today Reuters provided the answer: the FBI's effort is being assisted by Israel's Cellebrite, a provider of mobile forensic software, which is now helping the Feds in their attempt to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino, California shooters, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The FBI have said that they may found help from a “third party” who will be able to assist them in unlocking the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters.  Despite Apple’s refusal to comply with demands from the FBI to unlock the iPhone and supply them with the source code – the federal agency may have found a possible way in which to hack open the encrypted iPhone without the need for Apple to cooperate.

• Brussels Rocked by Deadly Attacks With Blasts at Airport, Subway (BBG)
• Death count climbs in Brussels blasts (Reuters)
• Europe on High Alert After Blasts in Belgium (WSJ)
• Brussels Phone Users Urged to Text Not Call as Networks Jammed (BBG)
• U.S. Embassy Urges Citizens in Brussels to Shelter in Place (BBG)
• Oil prices swept lower after Brussels blasts spook investors (Reuters)
• Democratic Party workers pore over videos in bid to hobble Trump (Reuters)
• Trump's Republican Turnout Boost Extends to Battleground States (BBG)

This morning's Brussels bomb attacks have led to risk-off sentiment across European asset classes, with Bunds higher and equities firmly in the red, although if the Paris terrorist attacks of November are any indication, today's tragic events may be just the catalyst the S&P500 needs to surge back to all time highs. FX markets have also been dominated by events in Brussels, with USD and JPY strengthening, while EUR and GBP softening throughout the European morning.

Following a mysterious "third party"'s willingness to show The FBI how to unlock San Bernardino killer Farook's iPhone, court records indicate that the US government wishes to cancel tomorrow's showdown with Apple, filing a motion to vacate the hearing.

Hours after Tim Cook explcitly told the world (marketed) his firm would never sell out their privacy...

The US government filed a motion on Monday to vacate Tuesday’s hearing against Apple.