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| What we know about mysterious drones over New Jersey and other states | What we know about mysterious drones over New Jersey and other states |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November | Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November |
| Mystery continues to swirl after nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey and other US states, alarming some residents. | Mystery continues to swirl after nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey and other US states, alarming some residents. |
| US authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers, saying only that the objects are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security. | US authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers, saying only that the objects are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security. |
| On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the sightings included drones, as well as manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones. | On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the sightings included drones, as well as manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones. |
| He added that he knows of "no foreign involvement" to do with the unmanned aerial vehicles. | He added that he knows of "no foreign involvement" to do with the unmanned aerial vehicles. |
| Some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drone reports and the lack of public information. | Some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drone reports and the lack of public information. |
| Here's what we know. | Here's what we know. |
| Where have drones been spotted? | Where have drones been spotted? |
| Dozens of drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey since 18 November, but others have been reported around the US north-east. | Dozens of drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey since 18 November, but others have been reported around the US north-east. |
| Some of the flights were spotted near Picatinny Arsenal - a sensitive military research facility - as well as near President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey. | Some of the flights were spotted near Picatinny Arsenal - a sensitive military research facility - as well as near President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey. |
| The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since issued temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny. | The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since issued temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny. |
| Sightings have also been reported in several other states: | Sightings have also been reported in several other states: |
| In New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on 12 December | In New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on 12 December |
| Stewart Airfield in New York state had to shut down for about an hour on 13 December because of drone activity, Governor Kathy Hochul said | Stewart Airfield in New York state had to shut down for about an hour on 13 December because of drone activity, Governor Kathy Hochul said |
| In Connecticut, police confirmed "suspicious drone activity". A drone detection system is now in use near the towns of Groton and New London | In Connecticut, police confirmed "suspicious drone activity". A drone detection system is now in use near the towns of Groton and New London |
| In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan said he saw what appeared to be "dozens" of drones over his home in Davidsonville | In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan said he saw what appeared to be "dozens" of drones over his home in Davidsonville |
| In Massachusetts, two men were arrested on 14 December after a "hazardous drone operation" near Logan International Airport's airspace in Boston, police said | In Massachusetts, two men were arrested on 14 December after a "hazardous drone operation" near Logan International Airport's airspace in Boston, police said |
| Multiple sightings have been reported in eastern Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia | Multiple sightings have been reported in eastern Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia |
| In October, the Wall Street Journal reported that mysterious drones were seen for 17 days near US military facilities in Virginia | In October, the Wall Street Journal reported that mysterious drones were seen for 17 days near US military facilities in Virginia |
| In late November, drones were also spotted over three US airbases in the UK, with British defence sources telling the BBC suspicion had fallen on a "state actor". | In late November, drones were also spotted over three US airbases in the UK, with British defence sources telling the BBC suspicion had fallen on a "state actor". |
| Drones were also reported near the Ramstein US military airbase in Germany in early December. | Drones were also reported near the Ramstein US military airbase in Germany in early December. |
| Are mystery drones above US bases in England something sinister? | Are mystery drones above US bases in England something sinister? |
| What have investigators said about the drones? | What have investigators said about the drones? |
| In a call with reporters, officials from several US agencies said there was no evidence of any threat to public safety. | In a call with reporters, officials from several US agencies said there was no evidence of any threat to public safety. |
| "I think there has been a slight overreaction," an official from the FBI said. | "I think there has been a slight overreaction," an official from the FBI said. |
| The homeland security secretary told ABC News on Sunday he knows of "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east". | The homeland security secretary told ABC News on Sunday he knows of "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east". |
| "And we are vigilant in investigating this matter," he said. | "And we are vigilant in investigating this matter," he said. |
| Mayorkas added: "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly." | Mayorkas added: "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly." |
| What are these flying objects? | What are these flying objects? |
| Following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on 11 December, New Jersey assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said the drones appeared to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio. | Following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on 11 December, New Jersey assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said the drones appeared to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio. |
| Fantasia said the aircraft were up to 6ft (1.8m) in diameter, travelling with lights turned off and "operate in a co-ordinated manner". | Fantasia said the aircraft were up to 6ft (1.8m) in diameter, travelling with lights turned off and "operate in a co-ordinated manner". |
| Secretary Mayorkas told ABC that an explanation for the uptick in drone sightings could be to do with a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night. | Secretary Mayorkas told ABC that an explanation for the uptick in drone sightings could be to do with a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night. |
| "That may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk," he said. | "That may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk," he said. |
| Where are they coming from? | Where are they coming from? |
| It is unclear who might be operating them. | It is unclear who might be operating them. |
| New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew said that the drones were coming from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic, while Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi said there was a "non-trivial" chance that China could be involved. | New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew said that the drones were coming from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic, while Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi said there was a "non-trivial" chance that China could be involved. |
| The Pentagon, White House and homeland security department have all insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects. | The Pentagon, White House and homeland security department have all insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects. |
| A northern California man was charged on with flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base, located near Santa Barbara, on 30 November. | A northern California man was charged on with flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base, located near Santa Barbara, on 30 November. |
| The man, 39-year-old Chinese national Yinpiao Zhou was arrested just before he boarded a flight to China. | The man, 39-year-old Chinese national Yinpiao Zhou was arrested just before he boarded a flight to China. |
| But there has been no suggestion this incident has any connection with the spate of drone reports on the other side of the country. | But there has been no suggestion this incident has any connection with the spate of drone reports on the other side of the country. |
| The Pentagon says there is no foreign origin for the objects | The Pentagon says there is no foreign origin for the objects |
| Can the drones be stopped? | Can the drones be stopped? |
| President-elect Trump has suggested the drones couldn't be flying without the government's knowledge. | President-elect Trump has suggested the drones couldn't be flying without the government's knowledge. |
| "Let the public know, and now," he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. "Otherwise, shoot them down." | "Let the public know, and now," he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. "Otherwise, shoot them down." |
| Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, also said the drones should be shot down. | |
| Shooting down drones is illegal, however. | |
| New York State Governor Hochul has called on the federal government to allow states to crack down on the drones. | New York State Governor Hochul has called on the federal government to allow states to crack down on the drones. |
| Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has requested that federal officials send drone detection systems to New York and New Jersey. | Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has requested that federal officials send drone detection systems to New York and New Jersey. |
| In a statement, the FAA warned that drone operators who conduct unsafe or dangerous operations could face fines of up to $75,000 (£59,000) and have their drone pilot certificates revoked. |