Government agencies in the Philippines have been attacked by cyberwarfare operations linked to the Chinese government, Hacker News reported in November 2023. Mustang Panda is the most recent name used by the Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), a moniker given to any organization that is highly skilled and organized with the resources to pull off complex attacks.
Unit 42, an expert in incident response was quoted by the Hacker News as stating Mustang Panda attacks were “aimed at an unnamed Southeast Asian government to distribute a variant of a backdoor called TONESHELL.” The breach was facilitated by a “spear-phishing” campaign, a version of phishing that is targeted at specific persons with a high level of detail and preparations. The attacks focus primarily on theft of proprietary and confidential information, which is sent back to the APT. Mustang Panda has been identified through its “trademark” attack strategies under at least six different names, across several different attacks.
A 2023 report on the evolution of Chinese cyber-attacks on Southeast Asian countries found that in 2015 a “systematic and disciplined shift in targeting patterns occurred across China’s entire cyber operations platform.” These new attacks targeted critical infrastructure and sensitive services in Southeast Asia. The change in targets was also found to coincide with the replacement of key military leaders, such as the head of the Ministry of State Security.
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While noting that “obtaining reliable facts and data is a continuous and significant ongoing challenge,” given the “sensitive and amorphous nature of Chinese state-backed cyber operations,” the report’s conclusion noted “advancements across the full spectrum of cyber operations-relevant technologies in support of China’s revised strategic industrial priorities and plans” and the appearance of “direct PLA [People’s Liberation Army] control… over the most capable cyber-operations units in China.”
Cyber-attacks are reported on with some regularity by US establishment news media; however, only a minute fraction of all cyber-attacks outside of the security community receive coverage. Attacks outside of the United States and other western nations are under-reported, perhaps deliberately. Until recently, Chinese cyber-attacks were often overshadowed, in establishment reporting, by attacks originating from Russia or North Korea. Stories such as the Hacker News report on Mustang Panda are often ignored as a result of their complexity.
Source:“Mustang Panda Hackers Targets Philippines Government Amid South China Sea Tensions,” Hacker News, November 21, 2023.
Student Researcher: Elliot Jordan (Saint Michael’s College)
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Faculty Evaluator: Rob Williams (Saint Michael’s College)
A couple who were left with life-changing injuries after their Uber crashed have been told they cannot sue the company because of the terms they accepted when using the app.
Georgia and John McGinty, from New Jersey, in the US, are bound by a clause saying they could not take the case to a jury in a court of law.
State judges ruled they had clicked a “confirm” button on the app on more than one occasion when asked if they agreed with Uber’s terms of use.
The McGintys argue they had not understood they were forfeiting their right to sue the company.
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They told the BBC the most recent time the terms were agreed to was when their daughter, then 12, had accepted them prior to ordering a pizza on Uber Eats.
“How would I ever remotely think that my ability to protect my constitutional rights to a trial would be waived by me ordering food?” said Mrs McGinty.
Uber told BBC News: “Our Terms of Use are clear that these types of claims should be resolved in arbitration. It’s important to highlight that the court concluded the plaintiff herself, not her daughter, agreed to Uber’s Terms of Use on multiple occasions.”
Arbitration means the dispute is settled through a third party rather than in court – in this case a lawyer appointed by Uber.
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Legal experts say it tends to result in smaller financial settlements.
The case has parallels with Disney’s attempt to avoid being sued over a death at Disney World – in its case over the terms of a Disney+ membership – before the company changed its mind.
Pain every day
In March 2022, Georgia and John McGinty were riding in an Uber in New Jersey when it crashed, and they suffered extensive injuries.
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Mrs McGinty’s injuries included spine fractures and traumatic injuries to her abdominal wall.
“I was in the critical care unit for a week,” she told the BBC.
“I had a horrible post-operative infection and almost died during this time, I wasn’t able to care for my child who was suffering from unrelated injury,” she said.
John fractured his sternum and sustained injuries to his hand.
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“I shattered my wrist, broke my hand, and I have a steel rod with about nine pins in it. I don’t have full function of my left hand,” he said.
“I am in pain every day.”
He added that they “accumulated a tremendous amount of medical debt” and still need further medical treatment in the future, including a possible third operation for Georgia.
The couple attempted to sue Uber over the crash, citing the seventh amendment of the US Constitution, which grants people the right to a trial by jury.
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But the tech firm argued that the couple could not take the case in front of a jury because of a clause in Uber’s US Terms of Use.
New Jersey’s Supreme Court agreed.
“We hold that the arbitration provision contained in the agreement under review, which Georgia or her minor daughter, while using her cell phone agreed to, is valid and enforceable,” its judgement says.
The judgment found the child had clicked the button to say she was 18 despite not being.
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Referring to her daughter’s use of Uber Eats, Mrs McGinty says she does not know how it can be right that she is considered to have “authorised my child to waive our rights to go to a trial if we’re injured in a car accident.”
“I don’t know how anybody makes that leap,” she said.
How does arbitration work?
Arbitration clauses are “very common,” especially when dealing with large corporations, said Ted Spaulding, a personal injury lawyer based in the state of Georgia.
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An arbitrator is “most often a lawyer who does this for a living,” he said, who can “act like a judge and a jury”.
They decide on an outcome after weighing up arguments from both sides, and their fee is often split between both parties.
In the US, the enforceability of arbitration clauses differs state by state.
In its case, Disney used the arbitration clause in their terms to argue that a man whose wife died at Disney World could not sue them in a court of law.
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Jeffrey Piccolo filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Disney after his wife, Dr Kanokporn Tangsuan, died following an allergic reaction at a restaurant, run by a third party, at Disney World Florida in 2023.
Disney said Mr Piccolo had waived his right to a jury trial when he signed up to a free trial of Disney+ in 2019.
Disney later withdrew its claim to arbitration and opted to proceed with a jury trial after media coverage of the lawsuit.
“We believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss,” Disney executive Josh D’Amaro told the BBC in a statement in August.
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Mr Spaulding says: “The law understandably says, ‘Look, you have the duty to know what you’re signing’,” referring to the terms and conditions people often accept when using a product or a service.
However, he says “the scope should be within the transaction that you’re agreeing to”.
Georgia and John McGinty say the Uber case has been “absolutely devastating” to their family.
Georgia says their daughter, now 14, “suffered a lot of trauma as a result”.
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She had a separate physical health issue which she was going through at the time, which her parents found difficult to help with while going through their own injuries.
“Years of her life with her parents… were taken away,” she says.
“Luckily, she’s a fighter, like her parents are,” says John.
“We are inadvertently teaching her adversity and strength and family and prayer and resilience.”
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Uber told BBC News: “The court concluded that on multiple occasions the plaintiff herself agreed to Uber’s Terms of Use, including the arbitration agreement.”
The company added: “We are dedicated to road safety.”
Amelia Hunter’s letter (“Our built environment lacks a collective notion of beauty”, September 21) says that “form follows function” was a dictum of Le Corbusier.
In fact the expression was first used by Louis H Sullivan, the noted Chicago architect.
THEY are the companies you trust the most with your precious holidays.
The 2024 Sun Travel Awards saw you voting in your tens of thousands for the travel providers you love to head away with, both home and abroad.
And last week, The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot presented the very special accolades to the winners at an awards lunch at our London HQ hosted by the TV and radio presenter Alexis Conran.
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Here’s who won your vote.
BEST AIRLINE – EMIRATES
PICKING up the award for the second year running, Emirates is obviously a hit with Sun readers for its extensive network that carries you across the globe.
The airline’s generous seat sizes and baggage allowances in economy are probably why — as well as comprehensive in-flight entertainment and warm hospitality.
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Second place went to the original flag carrier, British Airways, with airline and tour op giant Jet2 in third.
BEST SHORT-HAUL OPERATOR – JET2 HOLIDAYS
THE northern airline that has transformed itself into the UK’s largest tour operator has won the award for the second year in a row.
Its huge network of regional holidays and commitment to customer service is obviously a hit with Sun readers.
Second came its arch-rival, Tui, closely followed by new kid on the block easyJet Holidays — popular with you for its generous luggage allowances and huge network of city and beach destinations.
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BEST LONG-HAUL OPERATOR – VIRGIN HOLIDAYS
THIS year celebrating 40 years flying, Virgin Holidays continues to be the go-to tour operator for us when we’re heading across the pond to places including Orlando, Miami, New York and Las Vegas.
And its new Maldives flights are proving as popular — along with packages to the Far East, Mauritius and the Caribbean.
Second was Tui with its reasonably priced offerings to Florida and Thailand. British Airways Holidays took third place.
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BEST IN CRUISE – ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
IT took delivery of the world’s largest ever cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, this year and Royal Caribbean remains hugely popular with Sun readers for its incredible family-friendly offering.
Coming in second was the British cruise experts P&O Cruises and third was all-inclusive favourite Marella Cruises.
BEST OF BRITISH – NATIONAL TRUST
THIS new award for 2024 sought to celebrate the people, places and British institutions at the very heart of your staycations.
The charitable organisation is dedicated to preserving and protecting the historic places and natural spaces we enjoy on every day out, weekend away or summer holiday. Established in 1895, it manages more than 500 heritage properties, playing a crucial role in conservation and ensuring they are accessible for future generations.
In second place came our go-to for a bargain pint and decent fry-up, pub giant Wetherspoons. And in third, Premier Inn, popular for its reliable, value rooms and oh-so-comfy beds.
BEST SHORT-HAUL DESTINATION – SPAIN
WITH its stunning coastlines and guaranteed sunshine, it’s no surprise that Spain took the top spot in this category.
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We love our traditional favourite and are exploring beyond the norm more than ever before.
But closely snapping at its heels was Greece, with Italy in third place.
BEST LONG-HAUL DESTINATION – CARIBBEAN
IT’S clear Sun readers love a totally tropical escape and when it comes to heading further for our holidays, the Caribbean’s intoxicating mix of culture and relaxation has helped it take the top slot.
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Second is the USA, with tempting Thailand coming third.
MOST TRUSTED TRAVEL COMPANY – TUI
THIS award is important for Sun Travel readers — they want to know they are spending their precious holiday pounds with a company that will look after them, provide support when things go wrong and strive to treat their customers fairly.
It’s always a closely fought race and there was very little between our top three. Tui triumphed, with last year’s winner Jet2 second and British Airways Holidays third.
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BEST UK HOLIDAY PROVIDER – HAVEN
WITH their good-value breaks and fabulous facilities, Haven grabbed the top slot — the self-catering giant even welcomed the first-ever Wetherspoons at a holiday park this year.
In second place came Hoseasons, and in third, Park Resorts.
BEST UK ATTRACTION – ALTON TOWERS
WE couldn’t get enough of the revamped classic, Nemesis Reborn at this year’s winner, Alton Towers. The natural wonders of Cornish gem The Eden Project won you over to bag second place, with Legoland Windsor third.
BEST GLOBAL ATTRACTION – WALT DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA
WALT Disney World Resort in Orlando claimed victory — and this year announced even more plans to expand its Florida empire with new lands coming in the next few years.
In second place it’s Universal Orlando Resort, which is looking forward to the opening of a new park, Epic Universe, in 2025.
TODAY, across the UK, in some very special places you will hear screams of delight and gasps of wonder.
Young and old will be learning about our nation’s history, amazing wildlife and nature, and scaring themselves silly on adrenaline-charged rides.
They will be escaping the everyday and indulging in some unadulterated fun.
My Editor’s Choice award this year went to Merlin Entertainment. Its roster of theme parks and attractions create unforgettable memories for millions every year.
Through our SuperDays promotions we know just how popular a visit to our greatest attractions are – from the thrills of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park to the wonders of SeaLife and Legoland.
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Merlin continues to innovate across its stable. This year has seen the much-anticipated launch of Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers and the terrifying Hyperia at Thorpe Park.
Turning a day out into a minibreak has become easier with Woodland Village at Legoland Windsor and Warwick Castle hotel.
They deserve recognition for never resting on their laurels and finding ever more wonderful ways to entertain.
A young capybara’s escape from a zoo a fortnight ago gripped animal lovers across the globe.
Cinnamon’s Friday 13th flit from Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Shropshire has inspired memes, merchandise, and a song, which staff have on repeat.
Her keepers tell the BBC about the stress and celebrations of the week she went Awol and the impact on the small, family-run site.
‘Living her best life’
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Cinnamon fled her enclosure via a gate left accidentally open on 13 September, after being startled by a tractor mower.
Keepers realised within minutes the springer spaniel-sized rodent had slunk off to an adjacent area of long grass and woodland, and began to stake it out.
But, by the following night she had escaped beyond the zoo’s perimeter and owners Will and Becky Dorrell issued an appeal for help.
She was quickly located by a thermal drone in a zoo-owned conservation area, just 200m from its perimeter.
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As rescuers slowly zoomed in, reluctant to scare her away, people around the world began to delight in the coverage of her escapades.
“Every single story I’d see pop up on Facebook or everything else had that quote in it,” Will said. “There’s so much bad news about I think people wanted a bit of light relief.”
Meanwhile, zoo staff who had volunteered to work around the clock to find her were running on adrenalin.
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Will said: “For my wife and I it was a terrible week. We were both living on about two hours sleep a night.”
He described her eventual capture on 20 September as “a bit of a hairy situation”, with rescuers wading into a pond to coax her into a cage.
“None of us wanted to celebrate or anything else until she was back in the paddock.”
Only then did the tired staff breathe a huge, collective sigh of relief. “We’re all exceptionally happy over it,” he added. “There was a big celebration for the staff.”
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The team has been shocked by the interest in Cinnamon’s story.
“It was really nice… that everyone wanted an update – everyone seemed invested in the story,” Will said.
But global coverage also ramped up the pressure. “We obviously got the best possible outcome… We got her back, she was fit, healthy,” he said.
“But things can go wrong, and things can go catastrophically wrong, and that was always our concern.”
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Other than a minor graze on her nose, the capybara was remarkably unharmed by her exploits and even “had a bit of a belly” after a week of fending for herself.
“She’s got a little bit cheekier because she’s looking round her paddock now and sticking her head up to look over the other side,” Will said.
“She’s clever, which is probably why she managed to escape and why she took so long to catch.”
One comment on the zoo’s Facebook page following her recapture summed up the public mood: “Awww so glad she’s back safe! Never been so worried about an animal I’ve never met.”
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While Cinnamon retreated from the limelight for a week for some R and R, other followers suggested what the zoo might do next.
“They should write a children’s book now to sell! Cinnamon, the great Escape or Cinnamon’s – living her best life! 😂 think of the merch they can make now!” said one.
‘Rumours of a movie’
The zoo confirmed its new star attraction would get a belated first birthday party on 12 October, featuring a hunt for her pictures around the site.
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Now the danger has passed, “we’d probably be stupid not to capitalise a little bit”, Will said.
Cinnamon teddies, magnets and clothing are now available, with 100 orders in the first day alone.
“Now that we know that she’s fit and healthy and she’s safe, we can have a bit of fun with it,” he added.
A children’s book is in the works, and even rumours about a film.
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But, Will confirmed Hollywood had not called yet. “I keep hearing rumours of a movie, but we haven’t yet been approached by anyone.”
Cinnamon is back on public display on Saturday, and is expected to pull in the crowds.
“Last Saturday was very, very busy – busier than we would expect it to be for a Saturday in September,” Will said. “I’d say the proof will be in the next couple of weeks.”
What an inspirational view you have given us in your City Living Special (House & Home, September 21). Oh that it were possible to regenerate our city environment and create a greener, softer and healthier landscape which is so good for the mind, body and soul. We can make that difference — from the ground up. Thank you for showing us a way.
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