Chinese authorities said Friday that a suspected Beijing-operated spy balloon spotted hovering over sensitive U.S. airspace was in fact a civilian airship intended for scientific research. China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that westerly wind had caused the airship to stray into U.S. territory, describing the incident as a result of “force majeure” — or greater force — for which it was not responsible. … Continue reading China says suspected spy balloon over U.S. skies is a civilian airship

A huge, high-altitude Chinese balloon sailed across the U.S. on Friday, drawing severe Pentagon accusations of spying and sending excited or alarmed Americans outside with binoculars. Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled a high-stakes Beijing trip aimed at easing U..S.-China tensions. The cancelation came despite China’s claim that the balloon was a weather research “airship” that had blown off course. The Pentagon rejected that … Continue reading Chinese balloon now over central US as Blinken cancels visit

A New Jersey councilwoman was shot and killed in a possible attack outside her home, an incident officials are calling “shocking” and “senseless.” Eunice Dwumfour was the first sitting elected official in recent memory who had been shot and killed in office in the state, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters Thursday. “I am stunned by the news of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour’s murder … Continue reading NJ councilwoman killed in shooting outside home

The U.S. military has been monitoring a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been hovering over the northern U.S. for the past few days, and military and defense leaders have discussed shooting it out of the sky, according to two U.S. officials and a senior defense official. “The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental … Continue reading Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over northern U.S.

After more than a year of debate about whether a Chinese company’s plan to build a corn mill in North Dakota was an economic boon or a geopolitical risk, an assistant secretary of the Air Force has weighed in with a warning that the “project presents a significant threat to national security.” The letter from Assistant Secretary Andrew P. Hunter, released publicly on Tuesday by … Continue reading Air Force Says Proposed Chinese-Owned Mill in North Dakota Is ‘Significant Threat’

This time, Tom Brady says he’s done for good. The seven-time Super Bowl winner with New England and Tampa Bay announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, exactly one year after first saying his playing days were over, by posting a brief video lasting just under one minute on social media. Unlike last winter, though, the most successful quarterback in league history, as well … Continue reading Tom Brady retires at 45, insisting this time it’s ‘for good’