Biden says shot-down objects were probably scientific and not China-linked

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View online February 16, 2023 1/ Biden says shot-down objects were probably scientific and not China-linked President Joe Biden said the trio of objects shot down by US fighters over the last week were most likely "balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions" and not linked to the Chinese espionage program responsible for a larger airship that traveled through US airspace earlier this month.   Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Mr Biden said US and Canadian forces "acted in accordance with established parameters for determining how to deal with and fight aerial objects in US airspace" and recommended that the objects be shot down.   He said he heeded the recommendations and ordered them downed "due to hazards to civilian commercial air traffic, and because we could not rule out the surveillance risk of sensitive facilities".   Mr Biden added that the US and Canadian defence forces are most likely seeing more such objects because of steps taken to increase the sensitivity of radar systems after the appearance of the Chinese espionage airship over the US earlier this month.  2/ John Fetterman checks himself into Walter Reed Medical Center to treat 'severe' depression Pennsylvania senator's office said he had experienced periods of depression throughout his life. 3/ Their town is shrouded in toxic chemicals — but the people of East Palestine still can't get answers East Palestine residents gather at a town meeting - only to leave with more questions than answers on their fears of catastrophic chemicals. 4/ Witnesses in Trump election meddling probe 'may have lied under oath' Rudy Giuliani and Lindsey Graham were among 75 who gave sworn testimony. 5/ I used ChatGPT AI for dating and it somehow went even worse than I expected With ChatGPT's capabilities increasing daily, Chelsea Ritschel wondered if it could help her secure a date. Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our welcome offer when you join today. The Big Question How many train derailments have there been in the US in 2023 so far? The recent Ohio train derailment, in which carriages from a 150-car freight liner carrying toxic chemicals crashed off the tracks in the town of East Palestine, is just one of more than a dozen rail accidents reported to have already taken place in the US since the start of 2023.   The accident was not even the first to have occurred in Ohio this year, with another derailment having taken place on 19 January between Trinway and Adam's Mill.   Rail accidents like this are actually relatively common in the US, although the consequences are seldom so dramatic. Here's a look at the statistics. Read the full story > Watch/ Key points from Trump's infamous Georgia call NUMBER OF THE DAY 50% – The proportion of Russia's pre-invasion fleet of modern T-72B3 and T-72B3M main battle tanks that it has lost in the war in Ukraine since the conflict began, according to an estimate by military think-tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Elon, quit Kinks-shaming." – A Twitter user joins The Kinks' Dave Davies in begging Elon Musk to stop putting 'sensitive content' warnings on everything posted relating to the legendary British rock band because of their name. We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE Other stories you might like Climate protester interrupts Josh Hawley speech before being dragged off stage US women's chess champion accuses grandmaster of sexually abusing her Tesla recalling more than 350,000 self-driving vehicles over crash fears Articles available exclusively to subscribers Sean O'Grady - Could a new Brexit deal really end the Northern Ireland protocol saga? Other newsletters you might like The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White Sign up Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by Joe Sommerlad Sign up If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.