Comedian Bill Maher condemned the sexualization of children and push to expose them to drag and trans ideology, warning that the “tribal” nature of American politics is leading people to abandon the long-held consensus that “exposing kids to an adult world of lurid costumes and garish makeup borders on abuse.”

Maher concluded the satirical segment “New Rules” on his HBO show “Real Time” Friday by asking his audience if they had watched the new documentary “Quiet on Set” that detailed what he described as “the child stars of their day being subjected to obviously inappropriate, highly sexualized degradation” at the children’s programming network Nickelodeon.

He said the revelations exposed on “Quiet on Set” had spread rapidly in Hollywood because “it didn’t just expose a dangerous workplace, it also exposed hypocrisy.”

The comedian tied the concerns about sexualization of children highlighted in the documentary to contemporary political topics that have dominated the headlines in American politics. “When the evil governor of Florida was saying the exact same thing about kids and creepy stuff at Disney that liberals now find intolerable at Nickelodeon, he was dismissed as a hick and a bigot,” he said. 

Maher was referring to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ collaboration with the state Legislature to revoke the special tax status awarded to the Walt Disney World Resort in his state after its parent company spoke out against a bill requiring school officials to refrain from discussing topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity with children in kindergarten through third grade. 

“Why would a kids’ content factory like Disney be all that different than the one at Nickelodeon?” Maher asked. Noting that a 2014 CNN report detailed how “at least 35 Disney employees had been arrested for sex crimes against children,” and that former child star Cole Sprouse had alleged that young actresses at Disney were “heavily sexualized,” Maher asserted that “DeSantis wasn’t wrong.” 

The comedian lamented that “we’re so tribal now, the left will overlook child-f—ing if the guy from the wrong party calls it out.”

Maher spent the rest of his monologue condemning the sexualization of children that extends beyond Hollywood and industries that cater directly to children, specifically calling out “Instagram moms … who are practically OnlyFansing their itty-bitty beauty queen daughters by having them wear skimpy bikinis and eat bananas to help them build social media stardom.” He referred to these parents as “pimps.”

“People who believe in social justice have agreed this is wrong and this is bad and exposing kids to an adult world of lurid costumes and garish makeup borders on abuse,” he said.

Maher suggested that such individuals were abandoning this principle as of late: “Hurry up and get in the car. We’re late for drag queen story hour.”

While Maher stressed that he doesn’t believe there’s “anything wrong with being a drag queen,” he contended that “maybe it’s time to admit that sometimes drag queen story hour is more for the queen than the kids.”

“When I see a 5-year-old tipping, tipping at a bar under a sign that says, ‘It’s not gonna lick itself,’ do I have to pretend that’s cool in order to keep my liberal ID card? Sorry, I can’t do that.”

Maher added, “If you want kids to be more tolerant, why not have handicapped people read them stories? Kids are more likely to encounter disabled people than drag queens in life.” 

“Wokeness is not an extension of liberalism anymore,” he continued. “It’s more often taking something so far that it becomes the opposite. Teaching kids not to hate or judge those who are different? Great. Proud we got there. All for that. But at a certain point, inclusion becomes promotion.”

After sharing his opinion that children are “gullible morons” who will “believe anything and just want to please grown-ups,” Maher warned that “endlessly talking about gender to 6-year-olds isn’t just inappropriate, it’s what the law would call entrapment, which means enticing people into doing something they wouldn’t ordinarily do.”

In response to those who don’t think entrapment is going on with regard to “gender in schools,” Maher suggested they must “not watching enough TikTok videos.”

Maher played two video clips of teachers who work with children at unspecified grade levels discussing or demonstrating how they put their LGBT activism on display in the classroom. He cited these teachers as examples of “a certain kind of activist these days who wants to take heterosexuality: old school, old fashioned, boring, minding its own business heterosexuality, and lump it in with patriarchy and sexism and racism and tell kids ‘wouldn’t it be cool if you were anything but that?’” 

“I never used the phrase ‘gay agenda’ because I thought it was mostly nonsense and it is, mostly,” he said.

After playing a clip of a Disney director talking about how she had a “not-at-all secret gay agenda” that consisted of “basically adding queerness” to children’s programming as much as possible, Maher urged fellow liberals to “think about giving kids a break from our culture wars for a minute or at least until the election is over.”

While Maher identifies with the political Left, he has been known to express doubts about certain aspects of progressive orthodoxy in the past. He most recently went viral for acknowledging that abortion was “kind of” murder on “Real Time” last week while insisting that he was “OK with it.”

 Source:The Christian Post, Author: Ryan Foley

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Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness – a former National Enquirer publisher – was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president.

Each side got their first chance to lay out a theory of the case for jurors. Prosecutors told jurors that the reimbursement of hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels was part of a larger conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election by hiding damaging information about Trump.

The former president’s attorneys responded by telling the jury that Trump was innocent and not involved in the creation of the 34 business records he’s charged with falsifying. They also pointedly added that there’s “nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.”

Trump continued to rail against the case as he entered and left the courtroom. On Tuesday, before the trial resumes, Judge Juan Merchan is holding a hearing on the district attorney’s motion to sanction Trump for violating the judge’s gag order barring discussion of witnesses.

Here are the key takeaways from Monday:

Prosecutors: Trump schemed ‘to corrupt the 2016 presidential election’

The district attorney’s office framed the case for jurors as illegal payments to try to influence illicitly influence the 2016 election that Trump then tried to illegally cover up by falsifying business records.

“The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election,” said prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors. “Then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his New York business records over and over and over again.”

Colangelo walked the jury through Trump’s efforts, along with Cohen and former American Media Inc., chief David Pecker, to keep damaging information from coming to light during the 2016 election.

During his opening statement, Colangelo also addressed questions about Cohen’s veracity as a witness, both because it’s a key part of the prosecution’s case and also to get ahead of criticism from Trump’s lawyers. But he told the jurors to remember that whatever issues they might have with Cohen’s credibility, to remember that what he’s saying is backed up by other witnesses and documents in the case.

“Tune out the noise,” Colangelo said.

Defense: Donald Trump is innocent

Defense attorney Todd Blanche began his opening statement with a simple assertion: “Donald Trump is innocent.”

Blanche told the jury that the story isn’t as simple as prosecutors laid out and argued that Trump was not involved with any of the business records he’s accused of falsifying beyond signing the checks.

“President Trump had nothing to do, had nothing to do with the invoice, with the check being generated, or with the entry on the ledger,” he said.

Blanche didn’t dispute the paper trail existed, but he argued to the jury there was nothing illegal about signing non-disclosure agreements – or with trying to influence an election.

“I have a spoiler alert: There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy,” he added.

Blanche also began his efforts to discredit Cohen’s testimony, which will be a significant factor in the ultimate outcome of the case. Blanche said that Cohen has an “obsession with getting President Trump” and noted that even last night he was still posting on social media about Trump.

“His entire financial livelihood depends on President Trump’s destruction,” Blanche said. “You cannot make a serious decision about President Trump relying on the words of Michael Cohen.”

At the end of his statement, Blanche asked the jurors to use “common sense” and said he was confident they would find a not guilty verdict.

“You told all of us, you told the court, you told me, you will put aside whatever views you have of President Trump,” Blanche said as he ended his opening statement.

Tabloid publisher in alleged ‘catch and kill’ scheme testifies first

Prosecutors called former AMI CEO David Pecker as the first witness in their case against Trump. He testified for less than 30 minutes Monday morning before the trial adjourned for the day. He’s expected to continue testifying Tuesday.

Calling Pecker a co-conspirator during his opening statement, Colangelo teed up the former tabloid publisher as a key player in Trump’s “catch and kill” scheme to control the public narrative about him ahead of the 2016 election.

Prosecutors allege that an August 2015 meeting at Trump Tower with Pecker and Cohen sparked the conspiracy that ultimately led to the criminal charges against Trump. They claim Pecker agreed to act as the “eyes and ears of the campaign” gathering information from tabloid sources.

The scheme, the prosecutor said, was three-pronged: AMI would publish flattering stories about Trump, publish hit stories on Trump’s political opponents and kill negative stories that could harm Trump’s campaign. The “catch and kill” practice was at the “core” of the conspiracy, Colangelo told the jury.

Pecker is expected to later testify about the scheme and his role in orchestrating two nondisclosure agreements for negative stories about Trump. Pecker’s AMI paid Karen McDougal – who was alleging an affair with Trump in the months before the 2016 election – $150,000 for the rights to her story. (Trump has denied the affairs.)

As Pecker stepped down from the jury box, he smiled and said “hi” to Trump’s table.

Trump was thinking about the $175 million bond hearing down the street

As opening statements got underway in criminal court, other lawyers for Trump were in a courtroom a block away arguing over the legitimacy of the $175 million bond Trump posted to appeal the judgment in his civil fraud trial, where the former president was found liable for fraudulently inflating his asset values to obtain better loan terms.

Trump, who could not attend the civil hearing because he’s required to attend each day of the criminal trial, railed against Attorney General Letitia James on his way in and out of the courtroom Monday.

At the hearing, Trump’s attorneys came to an agreement with the New York attorney general’s office on the terms of that $175 million bond. James’ team had previously challenged the bond, questioning the financial wherewithal of the underwriter, Knight Specialty Insurance Company.

Trump’s attorneys representing him in the civil matter later stopped by the criminal trial and spoke to cameras in the hallway outside the courtroom where Trump sat at the defense table.

“He should not have two teams of lawyers here today,” Alina Habba said. “He should not even be here today, because he did nothing wrong. It is an epitome of a witch hunt.”

Gag order hearing will lead off court on Tuesday

Before the trial resumes Tuesday, Merchan is holding a hearing on allegations that Trump violated the judge’s gag order barring discussion of witnesses.

The district attorney’s office asked the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of several gag order violations leading up to and since the trial started. In addition to the fines, prosecutors want the judge to remind Trump he could be imprisoned if he continues to disobey the judge’s order.

“We think that it is important for the court to remind Mr. Trump that he is a criminal defendant,” prosecutor Chris Conroy said last week. “And like all criminal defendants he’s subject to court supervision.”

Trump’s lawyers have argued that his social media posts do not actually violate the gag order. Trump attorney Emil Bove argued last week that Cohen had been attacking Trump in “connection to the campaign” and Trump’s responses were related to the campaign.

Trump spoke about Cohen while addressing the cameras after court ended Monday. “The things he got in trouble for were things that had nothing to do with me. He got in trouble. He went to jail. This has nothing to do with me,” Trump said.

The jury has been instructed to arrive at 11 a.m. ET to begin the second day of the trial. Merchan said if arguments over the gag order were not finished by then, they would finish another time.

Court is only in session until 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday because of the Passover holiday.

Source: CNN, Author: Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle , Kara Scannell, CNN

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The resolution voted on Thursday afternoon would have raised the Palestinians’ status from a non-member observer state to full membership.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the council the U.S. veto “does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties.”

This is the second Palestinian attempt for full membership and it comes as the war in Gaza has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage.

Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council who introduced the resolution, called Palestine’s admission said that “Peace will come from Palestine’s inclusion, not from its exclusion.”

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Source: africanews.com

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The administration of United States President Joe Biden has imposed new sanctions on Iran in response to its missile and drone attack on Israel, as tensions mount over the possibility of further escalation in the Middle East.

In a statement on Thursday, Biden said the sanctions targeted “leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone program that enabled” the April 13 attack on Israel.

“As I discussed with my fellow G7 [Group of Seven] leaders the morning after the attack, we are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran,” the US president said.

“And our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran’s destabilizing military programs.”

Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in the early hours on Sunday, in retaliation for the deadly bombing of the Iranian consulate in Syria’s capital, Damascus, earlier this month.

The attacks came amid months of escalating regional tensions linked to Israel’s months-long bombardment of the Gaza strip. The war in Gaza has killed more than 33,900 Palestinians and plunged the coastal enclave into a humanitarian crisis.

The Biden administration — which has faced pressure to curb its support for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza — is now facing calls to restrain the Israeli government’s response to Iran’s attack.

Despite an international push for de-escalation, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have pledged to respond.

This is a moment — given the fact we’re looking into the abyss in terms of the region — that Biden has to be much clearer and much stronger in drawing a red line for Israel and Netanyahu not to bring the entire region into a war,” Trita Parsi of the Washington-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft told Al Jazeera after the Iranian attack.

Thursday’s sanctions targeted 16 people and two entities linked to the production of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, including models that were used in the Iranian attack against Israel, according to the US Treasury.

Washington also sanctioned five companies that provide materials for steel production in Iran, as well as three subsidiaries of an Iranian automaker accused of offering assistance to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Treasury added that the United Kingdom was also imposing sanctions on people and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries.

In a separate statement, the British government said it sanctioned the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, the IRGC Navy and individuals affiliated with Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organisation.

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Source: Al Jazeera

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The FBI has arrested an 18-year-old man from Idaho, for allegedly planning to kill churchgoers in his local town after pledging his allegiance to Islamic State.

Alexander Scott Mercurio is accused of plotting to attack multiple churches in Coeur d’Alene on Sunday, “using weapons, including knives, firearms, and fire”.

According to a statement from the Justice Department, a search of his parents’ home found items consistent with his planned attack, including a “metal pipe, handcuffs, folding saw, head coverings, two canisters of butane fuel, and machete”. Several firearms were also discovered in his father’s bedroom.

Court documents say Mercurio “stated he intended to incapacitate his father with a pipe, handcuff him, and use the firearms locked in the closet to attack the church”.

Mercurio allegedly pledged loyalty to ISIS and sought to attack people attending churches in Idaho on 7th April 2024, before the conclusion of Ramadan.

Mercurio used his school-issued computer to plan the attack after finding ‘purpose’ in ISIS, according to an affidavit. He allegedly outlined plans to “kill as many as possible” at multiple local churches in an act of martyrdom.

“This case should be an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalisation, which is a real threat to our communities,” special agent in charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI said.

He now faces charges of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS – a designated terrorist organisation. If convicted, Mercurio faces up to 20 years in prison.

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Source : Premier Christian News, Author: Heather Preston

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In the hallowed halls of Congress, where politics often reigns supreme, one man stood out not for his rhetoric or his partisanship, but for his unwavering faith and commitment to servant leadership. Speaker Mike Johnson, a congressman from Louisiana, found himself navigating treacherous waters, yet amidst the storm, he remained steadfast in his dedication to honoring God and serving his constituents.

Raised in a devout Christian household, Mike Johnson’s faith was deeply ingrained from a young age. As he embarked on his journey into politics, he carried with him the values of compassion, integrity, and humility instilled by his upbringing. Little did he know that these values would be put to the test in the crucible of Washington, D.C.

Amidst the turbulent political landscape, Mike Johnson found himself facing difficult circumstances. Partisan divides ran deep, and compromise seemed increasingly elusive. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, he remained resolute in his commitment to bridging the gap and seeking common ground.

“I’m just trying to be a servant leader,” Johnson often remarked, a mantra that guided his actions and decisions in Congress. Whether advocating for bipartisan solutions or championing causes close to his heart, such as religious freedom and family values, Johnson approached his role with humility and grace.

But it was during the darkest moments that Johnson’s faith truly shone brightest. When tragedy struck his community, he was there to offer comfort and support, drawing strength from his faith to guide him through the storm. In the aftermath of natural disasters and human tragedies alike, Johnson’s presence provided a beacon of hope for those in need.

Despite facing criticism and opposition, Johnson remained steadfast in his convictions, unwavering in his commitment to honoring God in all that he did. Whether it was through his work in Congress or his involvement in community outreach programs, he sought to be a light in the darkness, a voice of reason amidst the chaos.

As his tenure in Congress continued, Speaker Mike Johnson’s legacy grew, not for the bills he passed or the policies he advocated, but for the example he set as a servant leader guided by faith. Though the road was fraught with challenges, he remained true to his values, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.

In the annals of history, Speaker Mike Johnson’s story would be remembered not for the titles he held or the power he wielded, but for the humility, compassion, and unwavering faith that defined his journey. Through his example, he reminded us all of the power of servant leadership and the enduring strength of faith in the face of adversity.

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In the intricate tapestry of American politics, few issues are as divisive and emotionally charged as abortion. With each twist and turn, the debate intensifies, weaving its way through the corridors of power and the hearts of the people. Against this backdrop, former President Donald Trump’s proclamation to leave abortion regulation to the states sent shockwaves rippling through the nation, igniting a fierce battle over states’ rights, women’s autonomy, and the sanctity of life.

The announcement came during a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s palatial estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Flanked by advisors and fervent supporters, the former president stood before a sea of reporters, his demeanor confident and his words deliberate.

“It is time to return the issue of abortion to where it rightfully belongs: the states,” Trump declared, his voice resonating with authority. “Each state should have the autonomy to decide its own stance on this deeply personal and morally complex issue. Washington should not dictate morality; it should be left to the people and their elected representatives.”

The statement immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy, with reactions pouring in from all corners of the political spectrum. Conservative allies lauded Trump’s commitment to federalism and states’ rights, praising his efforts to roll back what they saw as federal overreach in matters of moral significance. Meanwhile, liberal opponents condemned the move as a blatant attack on women’s reproductive rights, warning of dire consequences for access to healthcare and bodily autonomy.

As the debate raged on, the implications of Trump’s proclamation became increasingly clear, thrusting state governments into the spotlight and placing them squarely at the center of the abortion debate. In states across the country, lawmakers grappled with the weighty responsibility of crafting legislation that reflected the values and beliefs of their constituents.

In conservative-leaning states, where anti-abortion sentiment ran deep, legislators wasted no time in enacting stringent restrictions on abortion access, drawing inspiration from model legislation crafted by pro-life organizations. Restrictions on late-term abortions, mandatory waiting periods, and stringent clinic regulations became the norm, much to the dismay of pro-choice advocates who saw their hard-fought rights eroded before their eyes.

Conversely, in progressive bastions where reproductive rights were fiercely defended, lawmakers moved swiftly to safeguard access to abortion services, enshrining protections in state law and allocating resources to ensure that clinics remained open and accessible to all who sought their services. But even in these states, the battle was far from over, as legal challenges and political maneuvering threatened to undermine the hard-won victories of the past.

As the states grappled with the complexities of regulating abortion within their borders, the nation watched with bated breath, keenly aware of the high stakes involved. With each new development, the divide between red and blue states deepened, reflecting the broader schism that defined American politics.

In the end, Trump’s call to leave abortion regulation to the states served as a potent reminder of the enduring complexities and moral ambiguities that surround the issue. As the debate rages on, the nation finds itself at a crossroads, torn between competing visions of morality, autonomy, and the role of government in shaping the most intimate aspects of people’s lives. And amidst the turmoil, one thing remains abundantly clear: the fight over abortion is far from over, and its repercussions will be felt for generations to come.

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Abortion to the states???

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In a landmark move aimed at combating climate change and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), the Biden administration revealed its ambitious plan to implement the strictest-ever car emission limits in the United States. The initiative, announced amidst growing concerns over the environmental impact of transportation, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable transportation alternatives.

The new emission standards, hailed as the most rigorous in U.S. history, set stringent limits on the amount of pollutants that vehicles can emit into the atmosphere. By significantly reducing the permissible levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other harmful pollutants, the regulations aim to curb the environmental footprint of the transportation sector, which is a major contributor to air pollution and climate change.

Under the plan, automakers will be required to adhere to progressively stricter emission targets over the coming years, with the ultimate goal of achieving near-zero emissions from new vehicles by a specified timeline. This mandate will incentivize the widespread adoption of electric and zero-emission vehicles, which produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.

Central to the Biden administration’s strategy is the promotion of electric vehicles as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles. In addition to implementing stringent emission standards, the government plans to invest heavily in EV infrastructure, including charging stations and renewable energy sources, to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles across the country.

The unveiling of these unprecedented emission limits reflects the administration’s commitment to tackling climate change and transitioning towards a greener, more sustainable economy. By taking bold action to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, the United States aims to play a leading role in the global effort to combat climate change and build a cleaner, more resilient future for generations to come.

However, the announcement is not without its challenges. Critics argue that the stringent regulations may pose significant financial burdens on automakers, potentially leading to higher vehicle prices for consumers. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the readiness of the EV infrastructure to support mass adoption, highlighting the need for continued investment and innovation in this area.

Despite these challenges, the Biden administration remains steadfast in its commitment to combating climate change and promoting sustainable transportation solutions. With the implementation of the strictest-ever car emission limits, coupled with robust support for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure, the United States is poised to lead the global transition towards a low-carbon future.

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An operation was underway in U.S. territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean to recover debris from the balloon, which had been flying at about 60,000 feet and was estimated to be about the size of three school buses. The balloon was downed by Air Force fighter aircraft, according to two officials who were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

President Joe Biden had told reporters earlier Saturday that “we’re going to take care of it,” when asked about the balloon. The Federal Aviation Administration and Coast Guard worked to clear the airspace and water below the balloon as it reached the ocean.

Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the balloon descending toward the water. U.S. military jets were seen flying in the vicinity and ships were deployed in the water to mount the recovery operation.

Officials were aiming to time the operation so they could recover as much of the debris as possible before it sinks into the ocean. The Pentagon had previously estimated that any debris field would be substantial.

The balloon was spotted Saturday morning over the Carolinas as it approached the coast. In preparation for the operation, the FAA Administration temporarily closed airspace over the Carolina coastline, including the airports in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina. The FAA rerouted air traffic from the area and warned of delays as a result of the flight restrictions.

The Coast Guard advised mariners to immediately leave the area because of U.S. military operations “that present a significant hazard.”

Biden had been inclined to down the balloon over land when he was first briefed on it on Tuesday, but Pentagon officials advised against it, warning that the potential risk to people on the ground outweighed the assessment of potential Chinese intelligence gains.

The public disclosure of the balloon this week prompted the cancellation of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing scheduled for Sunday for talks aimed at reducing U.S.-China tensions. The Chinese government on Saturday sought to play down the cancellation.

“In actuality, the U.S. and China have never announced any visit, the U.S. making any such announcement is their own business, and we respect that,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Saturday morning.

China has continued to claim that the balloon was merely a weather research “airship” that had been blown off course. The Pentagon rejected that out of hand — as well as China’s contention that it was not being used for surveillance and had only limited navigational ability.

The balloon was spotted over Montana, which is home to one of America’s three nuclear missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

The Pentagon also 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.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a question about the second balloon.

Blinken, who had been due to depart Washington for Beijing late Friday, said he had told senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in a phone call that sending the balloon over the U.S. was “an irresponsible act and that (China’s) decision to take this action on the eve of my visit is detrimental to the substantive discussions that we were prepared to have.”

Uncensored reactions on the Chinese internet mirrored the official government stance that the U.S. was hyping the situation. Some used it as a chance to poke fun at U.S. defenses, saying it couldn’t even defend against a balloon, and nationalist influencers leapt to use the news to mock the U.S.

China has denied any claims of spying and said it is a civilian-use balloon intended for meteorology research. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the balloon’s journey was out of its control and urged the U.S. not to “smear” it based on the balloon.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.  

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