The Latest Breaking News from South Carolina

U.S. blocks vessels from area near balloon shoot down

The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday it is imposing a temporary security zone in the waters off Surfside Beach, South Carolina in the area where the U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon.

Reuters · Feb 6, 2023

Alex Murdaugh trial - live: Disgraced lawyer’s alleged financial crimes allowed as evidence in murder case

Third week of testimony underway at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina where Alex Murdaugh stands trial for murders of wife Maggie and son Paul

The Independent UK · Feb 6, 2023

US moves to recover Chinese balloon while weighing retaliation

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government launched a mission to salvage what officials say is spy equipment from the Chinese balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, as pressure mounted on President Joe Biden to hit back at Beijing over the incident with new export controls on…

Tribune News Service · Feb 6, 2023

What are ‘spy balloons’ and why are they used?

Surveillance balloons have a long history in espionage, and continue to provide some spying advantages, experts say.

Al Jazeera · Feb 5, 2023

China Strongly Opposes US Move to Shoot Down Balloon, Issues Threat

China's foreign ministry said on Sunday that it expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition towards the United States' use of force to attack its airship. A US military fighter jet shot down the airship, which Washington has described as a suspected Chinese spy balloon, off the coast of South Carolina on…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 5, 2023

US downing of Chinese spy balloon ends chapter in diplomatic crisis

WASHINGTON: The United States shot down a Chinese spy balloon Saturday that had spent the past week traversing the country, an explosive end to a drama that put a diplomatic crisis between the world’s two great powers onto television screens in real time.

Bangkok Post · Feb 5, 2023

Chinese balloon's downing creates spectacle over tourism hub

The downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon just off South Carolina’s coast created a spectacle over one of the state’s tourism hubs that drew reactions ranging from bewilderment to cheers

The Independent UK · Feb 5, 2023

US downs Chinese balloon, prompting protests from Beijing

The U.S. shot down an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon off the South Carolina coast on Saturday, capping days of waiting as it traversed the country and injected new tension into relations with China.

Tribune News Service · Feb 5, 2023

Democrats vote to boost Georgia in 2024 lineup despite obstacles

ATLANTA — National Democrats voted Saturday to overhaul the presidential primary process and put Georgia near the start of the schedule. But the party’s plan to elevate Georgia won’t mean anything without support from state Republicans so far unwilling to endorse the change.

Tribune News Service · Feb 4, 2023

U.S. shoots downs Chinese balloon off South Carolina coast

U.S. defense and military officials said Saturday that the balloon entered the U.S. air defense zone north of the Aleutian Islands on Jan. 28 and moved largely over land across Alaska and then into Canadian airspace in the Northwest Territories on Monday.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 4, 2023