The Air Force scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to monitor the runaway balloon after it shot up to about 4,600 metres in altitude, before returning to Earth, where it dragged its 2-kilometre-long tethering cable across fields and farmlands, striking power cables and causing blackouts.
The story gained brief international attention, with observers poking fun at the Pentagon for letting a very high-tech balloon break free and do some very low-tech damage.
Workers begin the inflation of a Defence Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) aerostat blimp at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in 2014. Photo: US Army
I was working in the Pentagon as a defence reporter at the time and remember the quirky story as providing a moment of levity – sorry – when our attention was otherwise mainly focused on ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
The tale of the rogue blimp faded quickly from the headlines after the military recaptured it without too much damage being done.
I thought the same thing would happen after the Pentagon shot down what it said was a Chinese spy balloon that had been snooping over the American heartland and peering into US military bases.
Beijing, which claims the balloon was a weather station, has denied any surveillance activity and went on to accuse the US of sending its own “high-altitude balloons” over China.
Surely the latest balloon story would drop from the headlines, I assumed, chalked up as an intriguing episode between the world’s two largest economies.
But then things got weird.
The shoot-down of the Chinese balloon off South Carolina on February 4 turned out to be only the start of a bizarre story.
Within days, the Pentagon scrambled fighter jets on three other occasions to intercept what it referred to as “objects” that were spotted in the skies over North America – two in the US and one in Canada.
Each time, the vessel was shot down. And each time, the Pentagon was unable to describe what the craft had been, though defence officials said they were "cylindrical" or "octagonal", but not balloons.
Then on Sunday, Air Force Gen Glen VanHerck, head of North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) and Northern Command, was asked if the objects were extraterrestrial in origin.
Instead of laughing off the question, he said he would “let the intel community and the counter-intelligence community figure that out”.
“I haven't ruled out anything at this point," Gen VanHerck said, noting that the craft could not be categorised as balloons.
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre started her daily briefing with this memorable line: “There is no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns.”
Her statement drew derisive chuckles from journalists, but at the end of the briefing, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated the message, telling America not to freak out.
"I don’t think the American people need to worry about aliens with respect to these craft. Period,” Mr Kirby said.
But he was unable to say how the objects remained airborne, noting they had no obvious propulsion or manoeuvring systems.
Mr Kirby said the fighters that intercepted the unidentified objects whizzed by at hundreds of kilometres per hour, passing, "in terms of relative motion, a stationary object that was not very big". The Pentagon had previously described one of the objects as about the size of a small car.
President Joe Biden started receiving intelligence briefings on the issue in June 2021, Mr Kirby said, the same year that a government report documented more than 140 cases of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, that US military pilots had observed since 2004.
And Mr Biden on Monday directed an interagency team to study the "broader policy implications" of UFOs.
The Pentagon says it won't know more for sure until it can recover debris from the craft, scattered across frozen and remote terrain in North America. It's a process that could take days or weeks as recovery crews grapple with frigid winter conditions.
Many Americans are already deeply suspicious of the US government and are quick to see conspiracies around every corner.
I suspect we will eventually be offered a rather mundane explanation, but until the US provides answers, speculation will only grow as to what these vessels were.
US Navy recovers Chinese balloon – in pictures
US sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 prepare material recovered in the Atlantic Ocean. AP
FBI special agents assigned to the evidence response team process material recovered from the high-altitude balloon recovered off the coast of South Carolina. AP
US officials say the military has finished recovering the remnants of the large balloon and analysis of the debris so far reinforces conclusions that it was a Chinese spy balloon. AP
US Navy frogmen recover debris from the Atlantic Ocean. Reuters
A US fighter jet approaches the large balloon off the coast of South Carolina. AP
US sailors recover a Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down at the weekend off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. US Navy / Reuters
The balloon landed and was recovered in US water. US Navy / EPA
Under orders from US President Joe Biden and with the full support of the Canadian government, American fighter jets shot down the balloon in US airspace. US Navy / EPA
A US Coast Guard helicopter flies over balloon debris during recovery work. US Navy / EPA
US sailors look for more debris. US Navy / EPA
The Department of Defence said the balloon was able to manoeuvre itself to a degree. US Navy / EPA
The Chinese government has insisted that it was a weather research balloon. US Navy / EPA
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Director: Romany Saad Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22
One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
Countries offering golden visas
UK Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
