US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon

US military fighter aircraft shot down a suspected spy balloon from China as it floated off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, drawing to a close a dramatic saga that shone a spotlight on worsening China-US relations. The balloon, which Beijing claimed was a weather observation airship and had strayed off its course, was considered a "clear violation" of US sovereignty and resulted in US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponing his visit to China.