The Latest Breaking News from John Kirby

Administration officials acknowledge that there was no indication that three low-altitude objects shot down in recent days were being used for surveillance purposes.

The downing of three unknown aerial objects in as many days by U.S. fighter jets has prompted wild speculation about what they were and where they came from

The shootdowns came in steady succession over the weekend, after alarms were raised in early February over an object spotted over Montana.

Washington (AFP) - The White House responded Monday to growing and at times fevered speculation over the shooting down of unidentified aerial objects by saying the targets could be anything from commercial craft to espionage devices, while denying that US balloons spy on China.

The Pentagon has an office to study what it describes as ‘unknown aerial phenomenon’ but the White House says the objects shot down by US and Canadian planes over the last few days show no ‘indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity’

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White House officials go on offence amid criticism from Republicans

The US National Security Council's John Kirby said the US and Canada have been scrutinising airspace more closely after sightings of balloons. The objects are now being shot down

Four objects have been shot down in the past eight days