Canadian pilots flying over the Prairie provinces, Ontario and Quebec were warned to be on the lookout for an “untethered balloon” on Thursday — warnings that came as a suspected Chinese spy balloon was also reported in American airspace.
Sources had told Global News the surveillance balloon spent time in Canadian airspace, but the details of when and for how long have not been made clear by Canadian authorities.
But a series of NOTAMs (Notice to Air Mission) sent by NAV Canada and reviewed by Global News warned pilots flying into and out of airports in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City to exercise “vigilance” over the object.
The warnings were issued Thursday evening and also covered several smaller regional airports between western Alberta and eastern Quebec, and are in effect until Feb. 6.
U.S. defence officials confirmed on Friday they expect the surveillance balloon to remain in U.S. airspace over the next few days. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters the balloon contained surveillance equipment along with a “large payload” underneath it, while not elaborating on what that payload could be.
Later Friday, the Pentagon acknowledged reports of a second balloon flying over Latin America. “We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement, declining to offer further information such as where it was spotted.
Suspected Chinese spy balloon entered Canadian airspace: defence sources
Canadian officials confirmed on Friday that the movements of a high-altitude surveillance balloon are being actively tracked by NORAD. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said in a Twitter post Friday she had spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the matter.
Canada, Joly said, is working with the U.S. to “take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada’s sensitive information.”
The incident, as well as the American reports, prompted Ottawa to summon China’s ambassador to Canada.
“Yesterday, China’s Ambassador to Canada was summoned by officials at Global Affairs Canada regarding the situation described in the statement issued by the Department of National Defence,” said Maéva Proteau, a spokesperson for Joly, in an email to Global News Friday.
“We will continue to vigorously express our position to Chinese officials through multiple channels.”
Pentagon says Chinese surveillance balloon poses no ‘physical or military threat’
Department of National Defence officials said that Canadians are safe and that the federal government is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a second potential incident.
“Canada’s intelligence agencies are working with American partners and continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada’s sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats,” a spokesperson for the defence department said on Thursday night.
Blinken was set to visit Beijing this weekend, and his visit would have made him the highest-ranking member of Biden’s administration to visit China. On Friday, he confirmed he had informed his Chinese counterpart that he was postponing the trip “in light of China’s unacceptable action.”
Why is China using a spy balloon in the age of advanced technology?
“Conditions were not conducive for a constructive visit at this time,” Blinken said during a media appearance with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin at the White House.
He added the Pentagon and U.S. State Department officials are “confident this is a Chinese surveillance balloon” and have taken steps to protect against the collection of sensitive U.S. information.
Blinken would not speculate on when the trip might be rescheduled, stressing the “first step” the U.S. is focused on “is getting the surveillance asset out of our airspace.”
Focus is on removing Chinese surveillance balloon from U.S. airspace: Blinken
I spoke to @SecBlinken about the security of our airspace.
We are collaborating with our American partners and continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada’s sensitive information.
Canadian officials have yet to publicly confirm when or where the balloon entered Canadian airspace. But the locations confirmed by the NOTAMs appear to align with the reported locations of the balloon over the U.S.
On Thursday, the balloon was spotted over Montana, which is home to one of America’s three nuclear missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information.
A photograph of a large white balloon lingering over the area was captured by The Billings Gazette. 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.
On Friday, the balloon was reported to be flying about 18,300 metres (60,000 feet) as it headed eastward toward Kansas and Missouri.
China’s foreign ministry said on Friday that the balloon was for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes, and that it regrets that the airship strayed into U.S. airspace. It added that it will continue to maintain communications with the United States to properly handle the unexpected situation.
The explanation was rejected by Pentagon spokesperson Ryder, who reiterated the object was a “surveillance balloon” that violated American airspace and international law.
A senior defence official told Pentagon reporters Thursday that the U.S. has “very high confidence” that the object was a Chinese high-altitude balloon and was flying over sensitive sites to collect information.
A high altitude balloon floats over Billings, Mont., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. 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. (Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette via AP)
Ryder said NORAD continues to monitor the balloon’s course, which was over the centre of the continental United States. He did not elaborate further. The balloon was not a threat to people on the ground, he added.
Canadian political reaction started pouring in on Friday, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre calling the report “outrageous.”
“It’s outrageous, it’s very concerning that a hostile foreign government had a spy balloon in our airspace that continued to transit into the northwestern United States,” he told reporters in Ottawa.
“We as Canadians should never tolerate espionage by foreign regimes and we should work with our partners in the United States to hold the regime in Beijing accountable.”
Deputy Prime Minister said Canada’s intelligence agencies were working with their American partners to safeguard Canada from foreign intelligence threats.
“We take this very seriously,” she told reporters Friday afternoon.
Poilievre denounces ‘outrageous intrusion’ over reports suspected Chinese surveillance balloon entered Canadian airspace
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised against taking “kinetic action” because of risks to the safety of people on the ground, the Pentagon confirmed. President Joe Biden accepted that recommendation.
Biden declined to comment on the matter when questioned at an economic event. Two 2024 reelection challengers, former President Donald Trump, and Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, said the U.S. should immediately shoot down the balloon.
Biden was first briefed about the Chinese surveillance balloon on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. She did not shed light on why the administration waited until Thursday to make its concerns public.
The defence official said the U.S. has “engaged” Chinese officials through multiple channels and communicated the seriousness of the matter.
Suspected Chinese surveillance balloon flying over U.S., won’t be shot down: Pentagon
The balloon’s appearance adds to national security concerns among lawmakers over China’s influence in the U.S., ranging from the prevalence of the hugely popular smartphone app TikTok to purchases of American farmland.
Canadian relations with China have been tense over several years, intensifying in recent months over allegations of attempts to influence and interfere in Canadian affairs.
Global News reported on Nov. 7 that Canadian intelligence officials have warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that China has allegedly been targeting Canada with a vast campaign of attempted foreign interference, and RCMP have asked anyone with experience of Chinese influence through so-called “police stations” believed to be operating in Canada to come forward.
Late last year, Ottawa released its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy, with Joly calling China an “increasingly disruptive global power” in a region where multiple countries are showing major economic growth.
“The Indo-Pacific is the fastest growing economic region of the world. By 2030, it will be home to two-thirds of the global middle class and by 2040, it will account for more than half of the global economy,” Joly said.
“Every issue that matters to Canadians, our national security, our economic prosperity, democratic values, climate change or human rights will be shaped by the relationship Canada has with Indo-Pacific countries.”
— with files from The Associated Press, Reuters and Global News
MONTREAL – Laurent Courtois knows his team is struggling.
With CF Montreal on a slide and their Major League Soccer season hanging in the balance, the head coach needs his players to keep their heads high.
“Keep the course,” Courtois said. “Keep the course no matter what happens because we know what we are capable of doing.
“Most of us are extremely convinced we can still make the playoffs. We have suffered a lot lately, but let’s not drag our feet — let’s move forward boldly. In the end, there’s nothing to lose, so give it your all.”
Montreal (6-12-9) is winless in its last four MLS games heading into Saturday’s match against Charlotte FC (10-9-8) at Saputo Stadium.
Courtois’s men slipped to 13th in the Eastern Conference after back-to-back emphatic defeats before the international break. Montreal lost 5-0 at home to the New England Revolution on Aug. 24 before falling 4-1 on the road to FC Cincinnati on Aug. 31.
The team now sits five points behind the playoff line with seven games remaining in the regular season.
Asked what Montreal needs to do to turn things around, midfielder Bryce Duke put it bluntly.
“Win,” he said. “That’s as simple as the answer can get, just win games.
“Stick to the game plan, don’t give up easy goals. Don’t shut off. Obviously, a team is going to score on us, but we just can’t let that situation be ‘Okay, they scored on us, game’s over.’”
Caden Clark, acquired on Aug. 8 from Minnesota United FC, has only experienced defeat since moving to Montreal.
The 21-year-old midfielder said he doesn’t see a team that’s playing poorly but echoed that Montreal has lacked resolve.
“At least in the home game (against New England), we played good soccer,” he said. “We kept the ball, had possession, and tried to create chances through that.
“It’s just a lack of mental focus at certain times that gets us in trouble. That game shouldn’t have been 5-0.”
Montreal has the worst goal differential (minus-23) and has conceded the most goals (58) in the East after the lopsided losses.
Charlotte, meanwhile, has allowed only 29 goals, which ranks second-best in the conference.
Courtois identified Charlotte’s patience, compete level and experience as reasons for its defensive success.
But the visiting side is also looking for a better result on Saturday with two losses and three draws in its last five games. Head coach Dean Smith said Charlotte won’t take Montreal lightly despite what its record might suggest.
“They’ve conceded a lot of goals, so I’m expecting them to look to tighten up,” he told reporters in Charlotte. “But if you don’t respect them, that’ll be at your peril, because they’re a good footballing team. They play in tight situations and a lot of one-touch football. They’re looking to entice you into playing behind you, so we have to be at our best.”
Courtois’s message to his team? Play freely, stay focused and enjoy being on the pitch.
“We owe ourselves something different,” he said. “There are moments where we did good things but didn’t reward ourselves because we let stuff slip away due to a lack of concentration.
“Enjoy the games, bring out the best version of yourself. We know the elements that will put us in a good spot and the ones we want to avoid against this really solid team defensively. Be disciplined, have fun and give your heart.”
HONOURING NACHO
Former Montreal star Nacho Piatti will be inducted into the club’s Wall of Fame on Saturday. He is the sixth player to receive the honour, joining Patrice Bernier, Mauro Biello, Greg Sutton, Nevio Pizzolitto and Gabriel Gervais — the current team president.
Piatti produced 66 goals and 35 assists in 135 MLS regular-season games over six seasons in Montreal (2014 to 2019). The Argentine winger won the team’s outstanding player award four times in a row and was named an MLS All-Star in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
ON THE SHELF AGAIN
Montreal will likely have to play without winger Lassi Lappalainen, who practised alone during training this week. The 26-year-old from Finland has played sporadically this year, often off the bench, due to ongoing injuries, including a groin issue.
He produced three shots in the second half against New England but only played 31 minutes versus Cincinnati.
“It’s complicated. We know his qualities, but we also know he’s struggling to find a rhythm,” Courtois said. “It’s a shame for him.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
As authorities keep searching for a highway shooter in Kentucky, a Friday night tradition of football, pep bands and cheering fans has been sidelined for some towns.
Games were canceled at a handful of high schools near where the assailant opened fire on Interstate 75 in southeastern Kentucky. Twelve vehicles were hit and five people wounded in the attack last Saturday near London, a city of about 8,000 people roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington.
Security was being bolstered at high school football games that played on Friday evening.
Authorities continue to search a rugged, wooded area where Joseph Couch, the suspected gunman, is presumed to be hiding. The area has cliff beds, sinkholes, caves and dense brush.
Police have urged area residents to be vigilant and look out for their neighbors as searchers try to track down the suspect. Schools have been at the forefront of those safety measures.
Schools remained closed in several area districts, as students shifted to virtual learning. The disruption has paused a range of fall sports, including soccer, volleyball and cross country as well as football.
Among the schools calling off football games were North Laurel, South Laurel and Corbin high schools. The shooting occurred in Laurel County, and Corbin is 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) south of London.
Fans faced an uncharacteristically quiet Friday evening in towns that rally around their football teams.
“Friday night games are huge to our community,” said Tackett Wilson, athletic director at Corbin High School. “It’s a huge part of our community and our school.”
Practices were disrupted as schools took extra precautions while the search for Couch continues.
“Anytime you have a disruption during your season, it’s an issue,” Wilson said by phone Friday. “But you have to error on the side of caution. It’s student safety.”
Corbin officials will try to schedule a makeup football game later in the season, he said.
Amid the disruptions, fans are rooting for the law enforcement officers involved in the search.
“Right now, we are focused on backing our front-line officers and first responders so they can do their job in catching this guy and we can return to a safe and positive environment for our students,” North Laurel athletic director Ethan Eversole said.
He praised the safety plan devised by school district administrators. But students have had a big part of their lives put on hold as athletic activities have been idled.
“Our teams have not been able to practice all week,” Eversole said in an emailed statement.
Kentucky State Police brought in reinforcements to aid with the search, and authorities have bolstered efforts to keep area residents safe as the search continues.
“We will not pull resources away from the search for those other activities,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. “We just want to make sure that people are ready to try to get back to their day-to-day lives, that there’s that extra (law enforcement) presence where people can feel just a little bit better.”
The day after the shooting, law enforcement officers searched an area near where Couch’s vehicle was found, with a view of I-75. There, they found an Army-style duffel bag, ammunition and spent shell casings, authorities said in an arrest warrant affidavit.
A short distance away, they found a Colt AR-15 rifle with a sight mounted to the weapon and several additional magazines. The duffel bag had “Couch” hand-written in black marker. Couch fired 20 to 30 rounds in the attack, investigators said.
EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers signed defenceman Travis Dermott to a professional tryout on Friday.
Dermott, a 27-year-old from Newmarket, Ont., produced two goals, five assists and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season.
The six-foot, 202-pound blueliner has also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto drafted him in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2015 NHL draft.
Over seven NHL seasons, Dermott has 16 goals and 46 assists in 329 games while averaging 16:03 in ice time.
Before the NHL, Dermott played two seasons with Oilers captain Connor McDavid for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. The team was coached by current Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
