Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Blinken Scraps Rare Beijing Trip over Alleged China Spy Balloon

Antony Blinken Joe Biden China Beijing Pentagon Republican Party United States Donald Trump Lloyd Austin Pat Ryder
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, July 9, 2022. (AP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday scrapped a rare Beijing trip aimed at easing escalating tensions between the two global powers, after the Pentagon said that China sent a spy balloon over the United States.

Moments before the decision, China issued a rare statement of regret and blamed winds for blowing over what it called a civilian airship.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Former Black Midi frontman cancels US tour after sexual misconduct allegations
Flyers containing the accusations were handed out at show in Vancouver, Canada
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Why Is There So Much Liquid in Packaged Chicken?
If you have ever opened a package of raw chicken and found a puddle of liquid inside, you are not alone. The amount can sometimes be surprising, especially when the chicken looks like it is sitting in water. However, that liquid does not necessarily mean the chicken is spoiled or…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
LeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can’t stand
The city has embraced its new superstar with open arms, even as he choppers in from Manhattan and makes no secret of the fact that Philadelphia was never his first choice
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Geordie Greep denies sexual assault allegations from stage in Vancouver
While some heard the former Black Midi frontman out, others made for the exit as he addressed accusations
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
A woman goes to pour Walmart chicken broth dated 2027, but something is clogging the spout: ‘What the heck is that?’
That’s not how broth pours.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
A man buys three limited-edition BrüMate cups at Target after two failed trips, then says a woman stopped him on the way out and demanded them back
Didn't see that coming.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play