FBI brings alleged China-linked hacker to US in rare extradition as Patel defends Italy trip

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the extradition of Chinese national Xu Zewei, accused of hacking U.S. COVID-19 research, to the U.S. after a coordinated effort with Italian authorities. Patel defended his 2026 Italy trip as critical to the arrest, despite earlier criticism, and highlighted Chinese intelligence's alleged involvement in the cyber campaign.