http://syn2.thecanadianpress.com:8080/mrss/feed/fcf7391a2f354311807f0501c16bde6a MSN - AP World Copyright © 2010-2018 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved. http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Tue, 13 May 2025 07:52:58 +0000 http://syn2.thecanadianpress.com:8080/mrss/feed/fcf7391a2f354311807f0501c16bde6a/130c58f213804da7842f301899aa055f 130c58f213804da7842f301899aa055f Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:25:16 +0000 SHOTLIST:RESTRICTION SUMMARY: MUST CREDIT CHASE DOAKVALIDATED UGC - MUST CREDIT CHASE DOAK++USER GENERATED CONTENT: This video has been authenticated by AP based on the following validation checks:++Video and audio content checked by regional experts against known locations and events++Video is consistent with independent AP reporting++Video cleared for use by all AP clients by content creator Chase Doak++Mandatory on-screen credit Chase DoakBillings, Montana - 1 February 2023HEADLINE: Large white balloon lingers over Montana sky1. Large white balloon over the Billings areaANNOTATION: The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace.ANNOTATION: Suspected sightings of the balloon over Billings, Montana, came around a two-hour shutdown of the city's airport.ANNOTATION: A senior defense official said the U.S. did get fighter jets ready to shoot down the balloon if ordered to by the White House.ANNOTATION: The Pentagon ultimately recommended against it over risks of harm for people on the ground.++COMMENTARY AS INCOMING++STORYLINE: The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, but the Pentagon decided not to shoot it down due to risks of harm for people on the ground, officials said Thursday. The discovery of the balloon puts a further strain on U.S.-China relations at a time of heightened tensions.A senior defense official told Pentagon reporters that the U.S. has "very high confidence" it is a Chinese high-altitude balloon and it was flying over sensitive sites to collect information.One of the places the balloon was spotted was Montana, which is home to one of the nation's three nuclear missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information.The defense official said the U.S. has "engaged" Chinese officials through multiple channels and communicated the seriousness of the matter.The senior defense official said the U.S. did get fighter jets, including F-22s, ready to shoot down the balloon if ordered to by the White House. The Pentagon ultimately recommended against it, noting that even as the balloon was over a sparsely populated area of Montana, its size would create a debris field large enough that it could have put people at risk.The official would not specify the size of the balloon, but said it was large enough that despite its high altitude, commercial pilots could see it. All air traffic was halted at Montana's Billings Logan International Airport from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, as the military provided options to the White House. A photograph of a large white balloon lingering over the area was captured by The Billings Gazette, but the Pentagon would not confirm if that was the surveillance balloon. The balloon could be seen drifting in and out of clouds and had what appeared to be a solar array hanging from the bottom, said Gazette photographer Larry Mayer.The defense official said what concerned them about this launch was the altitude the balloon was flying at and the length of time it lingered over a location, without providing specifics. Some Montana residents reported seeing an unusual object in the sky around the time of the airport shutdown Wednesday, but it's not clear that what they were seeing was the balloon.From an office window in Billings, Chase Doak said he saw a "big white circle in the sky" that he said was too small to be the moon.He took some photos, then ran home to get a camera with a stronger lens and took more photos and video. He could see it for about 45 minutes and it appeared stationary, but Doak said the video suggested it was slowly moving.===========================================================Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. Large white balloon lingers over Montana sky