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Hacker who allegedly carried out cyberattacks for China is extradited to U.S.

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A man accused of carrying out cyberattacks on behalf of the Chinese government has been extradited to the United States, according to his lawyer. 

Last year, the U.S. Justice Department accused Xu Zewei of working as a contractor for the Chinese Ministry of State Security to conduct a series of cyberattacks. Prosecutors alleged Xu and co-conspirator Zhang Yu targeted several U.S. universities in early 2020 to steal research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two also allegedly hacked thousands of email servers running Microsoft Exchange beginning March 2021, as part of an “indiscriminate” campaign attributed to a Chinese-backed hacking group known as Hafnium, and later Silk Typhoon.

Xu was arrested in Italy last year at the request of U.S. authorities. His lawyer in Italy, Simona Candido, told TechCrunch that Xu was extradited to the United States on Saturday, and that he is now in detention in Houston, Texas. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Prison’s website, a man with the same name is in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Houston. 

Xu’s lawyer in the United States, Dan Cogdell, was scheduled to appear at a hearing in Houston on Monday, according to court records. Cogdell told TechCrunch that he found out about the hearing earlier on Monday. 

Angela Dodge, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas, which is prosecuting Xu’s case, acknowledged receipt of an email but did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s questions about Xu.

As the Justice Department said when it initially announced charges against the accused hackers, Xu allegedly worked for Shanghai Powerock Network, a company in China that prosecutors said “conducted hacking” for Beijing. Xu and other hackers allegedly reported their activities directly to Chinese state officials in Shanghai.

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Along with Zhang, he was part of the Hafnium group that allegedly took advantage of previously undiscovered security flaws in Microsoft Exchange servers with the aim of hacking into several American organizations, including defense contractors, law firms, think tanks, and infectious disease researchers. 

According to prosecutors, Hafnium hackers targeted more than 60,000 entities in the U.S. and were successful in hacking more than 12,700 of them. 

The Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. did not respond to a request for comment.  

The Financial Times reported that the Chinese Foreign Ministry opposed Xu’s extradition and accused the U.S. government of “fabricating cases.” 

For years, the U.S. government has charged suspected Chinese hackers, many of whom remain at large. In 2022, Yanjun Xu was sentenced to 20 years in prison for hacking crimes in what the DOJ said was the first case where a Chinese government intelligence officer had been extradited to the United States. 

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Ekiti 2026: Re-elect Oyebanji for second term – Tinubu tells residents

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s performance in office, telling Ekiti voters that the governor came into leadership fully prepared to serve the people.

Speaking ahead of the June 20 governorship election, Tinubu urged residents to re-elect Oyebanji for a second term.

The endorsement came on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress mega rally in Ado-Ekiti. The venue was packed with party faithful, allies from other political groups, and supporters across religious and ethnic lines, all showing solidarity with Oyebanji’s re-election bid.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu praised Ekiti citizens for their loyalty to the APC over the years.

He described the state as fortunate to have Oyebanji at the helm of affairs, noting that the governor’s actions and policies prove that true leadership is about serving people, not oppressing them or undermining their rights.

Tinubu highlighted Oyebanji’s humility, patience, and respect for traditional rulers and past leaders, pointing out the absence of opposition posters across the state as a sign of Oyebanji’s wide acceptance.

“On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better,” Shettima said on Tinubu’s behalf. The President then symbolically handed Oyebanji over to former governors and first ladies, urging them to secure victory for him.

Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, described Oyebanji’s popularity as electrifying.

Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said the party’s visibility in Ekiti was unmatched. He noted that only the APC had campaigned market to market and house to house.

APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwadta, insisted the party’s confidence was rooted in Oyebanji’s connection to the people, not just in being the ruling party.

A visibly elated Governor Oyebanji, joined by his wife Dr Olayemi Oyebanji and Deputy Monisade Afuye, said he was not relying on federal might but on his record and the promises he kept since 2022.

He appealed for a peaceful election and promised that his second term would surpass the achievements of the last three and a half years.

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Nigerian Striker Toyosi Olusanya Completes Permanent Move to Aberdeen on Two-Year Deal

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Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen have secured the permanent signing of London-born Nigerian striker Toyosi Olusanya, with the forward committing his future to the club on a two-year contract after an impressive loan spell.

READ ALSO: Isaac John Turns Heads at Ex-Internationals Cup in Lagos, Declares Himself Ready for the Big Stage 

Sports247 reports that the 28-year-old joins the Dons as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo. His arrival marks another key addition to manager Stephen Robinson’s rebuilding project ahead of the new season.

Olusanya spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Aberdeen, where he quickly adapted to life in Scottish football.

During his stint, he made 18 appearances across all competitions and contributed three goal involvements, earning the confidence of the coaching staff and convincing the club to pursue a permanent deal.

The striker’s work rate, physical presence, and attacking versatility made him a valuable option during his loan spell, and Aberdeen will be hoping he can build on that foundation as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Premiership campaign.

His signing represents the fifth addition to Robinson’s squad during the summer transfer window as the club continues to strengthen its roster with an eye on domestic success and improved performances across all competitions.

Born in London and eligible to represent Nigeria, Olusanya has enjoyed a career spanning English football and Major League Soccer before making the move north of the border.

The permanent transfer offers him the opportunity to continue his development in a familiar environment after settling into the team during his loan period.

For Aberdeen, retaining a player who already understands the club’s style and expectations provides continuity as they reshape the squad for the new season.

Supporters will be eager to see the Nigerian forward translate his promising displays into consistent goals and assists over the course of the campaign.

With his future now secured at Pittodrie, Olusanya begins the next chapter of his career aiming to establish himself as a key figure in Aberdeen’s attack and help the club compete strongly in the Scottish Premiership.

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