US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls off China visit due to 'spy balloon' floating over US airspace

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a visit to China that had been expected to start yesterday after a Chinese spy balloon was tracked flying across the United States in what US officials called a "clear violation" of US sovereignty. The Pentagon said on Thursday it was tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon over the continental United States. Officials said military leaders considered shooting it down over Montana on Wednesday but eventually recommended against this to President Joe Biden because of the safety risk from debris. Yesterday, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said the balloon had changed course and…