Trump, Rivals In Super Tuesday Showdown

The controversial businessman, whose candidacy was once regarded as a joke by some, appears to be on the verge of taking a huge step toward becoming the Republican Party's candidate for the 2016 presidential election, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the Super Tuesday contests. The GOP establishment is rallying around Marco Rubio in a last-ditch effort to thwart Trump's campaign. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton appears to be gaining momentum over rival Bernie Sanders.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, RIGHT NOW. #IBTPulse   Trump Clear GOP Front-Runner In Super Tuesday The controversial businessman, whose candidacy was once regarded as a joke by some, appears to be on the verge of taking a huge step toward becoming the Republican Party's candidate for the 2016 presidential election, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the Super Tuesday contests. The GOP establishment is rallying around Marco Rubio in a last-ditch effort to thwart Trump's campaign. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton appears to be gaining momentum over rival Bernie Sanders. Apple, FBI Take Encryption Battle To Congress The tech giant will be looking to win over public opinion, when its General Counsel Bruce Sewell testifies about the company's refusal to help law enforcement access an iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters. Putting the case for the government will be FBI Director James Comey, who may echo views expressed by the Justice Department that dismissed Apple's stance as a “marketing” exercise. A federal judge on Monday rejected a similar request for Apple to unlock an iPhone in a New York case. Putin In Crisis Meeting With Oil Bosses The Russian president will hold a meeting with top managers from the country's leading oil producers Tuesday. While no firm agenda has been officially set, the global slump in the price of oil — which usually funds half of Russia's budget — is likely to dominate the discussion. Last month, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela began working toward a global deal to freeze oil production levels, but have yet to make any significant progress toward implementing it. France Refugee Camp Clearance To Resume French authorities are resuming the demolition of structures in an unofficial refugee camp in the port city of Calais Tuesday. Overnight, riot police fired tear gas at some of the camp's residents who were throwing stones at the demolition squads. The operation comes days after the EU's migration commissioner warned that the bloc's migration strategy was in danger of collapse as differences over how to deal with the influx of refugees surfaced once again. HERE'S WHAT YOU MISSED LAST NIGHT. West Warns China Over New Security Laws China was warned Monday of serious international concerns regarding new draft laws covering counterterrorism, cybersecurity and foreign charities. In a letter to the public security minister, ambassadors from the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan warned that the new laws would create a “climate of uncertainty” for investors. The proposed laws would give the Chinese government sweeping powers to deal with perceived threats, including strengthened censorship and heightened control over certain technologies. US Warns Against Travel To Southeast Turkey The Department of State issued an advisory late Monday warning travelers against visiting southeastern Turkey amid tensions in the region. It asked American citizens to particularly avoid traveling to areas near the Syrian border, citing terrorist attacks from international and indigenous groups that have targeted popular tourist sites. Deposits In Malaysian PM's Accounts Exceed $1B Over $1 billion was transferred to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal accounts, more than the amount previously identified by probes into state fund 1MDB, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday. Investigators believe that much of the money originated with the state fund. Last month, Malaysian Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali cleared Najib of any wrongdoing into the transfer of $681 million found in his personal account. Hong Kong Bookseller Denies Being Kidnapped Lee Bo, whose disappearance from Hong Kong and reappearance in custody on mainland China sparked international concern, appeared on Chinese television Monday, denying reports that he had been kidnapped. Lee was one of five missing Hong Kong booksellers who sold books critical of China's leadership. Analysts have noted a disturbing new trend, where Chinese authorities are increasingly forcing suspects to make televised “confessions” that many believe have dubious merit. AND THEN THERE'S THIS... Whoops! Google Self-Driving Car Hits A Bus The tech giant admitted that it bears “some responsibility,” after one of its self-piloted Lexus SUVs sideswiped a bus while trying to change lanes. Although the accident was minor – the car was reportedly traveling at just 2 mph – it is the first time one of the company's vehicles has been involved in an accident that was not caused by another driver. The news could dent the company's hopes of bringing the cars to market in the next few years. How Record Labels Buy Social Media Love As record labels increasingly lean on YouTube, Instagram and Vine celebrities to break their records — lavishing them with care packages of free music, or plying them with VIP access at concerts or music festivals — a number of them have begun paying those celebrities to play songs, or lip-sync to them, or endorse them in other ways without disclosing they’ve been paid to do so.   7 Hanover Square, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004 © 2015 IBT Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please add pulse@ibt-mail.com to your contacts Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy