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

Published

2 months ago

April 27, 2026

Preport

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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Sen Jang Opposes Indigene Certificates for Hausa/Fulani Residents, Raises Concerns Over Plateau Identity

Published

1 hour ago

June 14, 2026

Preport

Former Plateau State Governor and elder statesman, Senator Jonah David Jang, has voiced strong opposition to proposals that would allow Hausa/Fulani residents in Plateau State to obtain indigene certificates, describing the issue as one with far-reaching implications for the state’s cultural heritage, identity, and indigenous rights. Jang made his position known while addressing ongoing debates surrounding citizenship, residency, and indigeneity, topics that have remained at the center of political and social discussions in Plateau State for decades.

According to the former governor, indigene certificates are historically linked to communities and ethnic groups recognized as the original inhabitants of Plateau State and should not be granted solely on the basis of long-term residence. He argued that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful activities anywhere in the country, such rights should not automatically translate into indigene status, which he said carries unique cultural and historical significance.

Jang further maintained that preserving the distinction between residents and indigenes is necessary to protect the interests, heritage, and political representation of indigenous communities. He warned that altering the existing framework could create tensions and undermine the rights of groups that have historically been recognized as native to the state. The former governor emphasized the need for careful consideration of any policy changes relating to indigene certificates to avoid unintended consequences.

The comments have since generated mixed reactions among stakeholders across the state and beyond. While supporters of Jang’s position argue that protecting indigenous identity is essential for maintaining social and cultural balance, others contend that individuals who have lived in Plateau for generations should be afforded broader recognition and inclusion. The debate continues to spark conversations on the broader issues of citizenship, belonging, and equal opportunities within Nigeria’s diverse society.

News

Vincent Ugwoke Makes Nigerian Athletics History with NCAA Discus Bronze

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Preport

Nigerian thrower Vincent Ugwoke produced one of the most significant performances in Nigerian field event history, launching a massive personal best of 63.89 metres to claim the bronze medal in the men’s discus throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Sports247 reports that the outstanding effort not only secured Ugwoke a place on the podium but also elevated him into the history books, recording the furthest discus throw by a Nigerian athlete since 2004.

Competing against one of the strongest collegiate fields in the world, Ugwoke delivered when it mattered most, producing a career-best mark to earn his first NCAA medal and underline his growing status among Nigeria’s elite field athletes.

The event was won by Jamaican star Ralford Mullings, who captured gold with a throw of 65.81m, while compatriot Racquil Broderick secured silver with a personal best of 64.15m. Ugwoke’s 63.89m throw completed the podium and ensured Nigeria was represented among the medal winners.

Beyond the medal itself, the significance of the performance lies in its historical context. Nigerian athletics has traditionally been known for its success in sprinting and jumping events, making Ugwoke’s achievement particularly noteworthy.

His mark stands as the best by a Nigerian discus thrower in more than two decades, highlighting both the quality of his performance and its importance for the development of field events in the country.

The bronze medal also caps an impressive season of progress for the Nigerian, whose steady improvement culminated in a breakthrough performance on one of collegiate athletics’ biggest stages.

Delivering a personal best under championship pressure is a testament to both his preparation and competitive mindset.

For Nigerian athletics, Ugwoke’s achievement serves as a reminder of the growing depth of talent emerging across different disciplines.

His success could provide inspiration for a new generation of throwers looking to make their mark nationally and internationally.

With a personal best, an NCAA bronze medal, and a place in the record books now secured, Vincent Ugwoke leaves the championships having achieved a truly memorable milestone.

His 63.89m throw will be remembered as one of the finest Nigerian discus performances of the modern era and a significant moment in the resurgence of Nigerian field events.