Lesson #552

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How one white balloon escalated tensions between two superpowers

U.S. Navy personnel recover the Chinese balloon after it was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Thompson, Public Domain via Defense.gov

March 6, 2023:

A white balloon floating high above American airspace originated in China. The two sides don't agree on much more than that. The Americans say it was loaded with surveillance equipment and was used to spy on sensitive military sites. China says it was used for weather research and was blown off course. The U.S. shot it down over the Atlantic Ocean, and the two sides are barely speaking. Plus, learn the English phrase "blown off course."

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