US government moves to cancel hearing with Apple

Los Angeles: The US Justice Department filed a request to postpone a crucial hearing with Apple on accessing the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino attackers, citing new leads in the case.

"On Sunday, March 20, 2016, an outside party demonstrated to the FBI a possible method for unlocking (Syed) Farook's iPhone," prosecutors said in a filing yesterday.

"Testing is required to determine whether it is a viable method that will not compromise date on Farook's iPhone.

"If the method is viable, it should eliminate the need for the assistance from Apple Inc. Set forth in the All Writs Act Order in this case."