 "White House clears the air on New Jersey 'drone' sightings: 'No threat to national security'")
The White House has cleared the air on large mysterious drones which were reported to be flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks, saying none of them were sighted in any restricted airspace.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the US Coast Guard had not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
The statements were made by Kirby after a review of drones that were spotted flying over parts of New Jersey over the past few days which showed many of them actually being manned aircraft flown lawfully.
’no evidence that drone sightings pose national security'
Echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey’s governor Phil Murphy, Kirby said: “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus."
Starting November, dozens of mysterious night-time flights have started which raised concern among residents and officials.
At first, the drones were spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the Round Valley Reservoir, the state’s largest aquifer, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of New York City.
But soon sightings were reported statewide and people started getting more worried after the flying objects were spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a US military research and manufacturing facility and over US President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
The aircraft was also recently been spotted in coastal areas.
In New Jersey, drones are legal but only for recreational and commercial use. However, they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be certified by the FAA.
Impact Shorts
View AllAs per reports, most of the drones which were spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
The number of sightings of drones has increased in recent days. A report by The Guardian quoted officials as saying that many of the objects that were sighted could be planes rather than drones and it could also be possible that a single drone has been reported more than once.
On Wednesday, a Pentagon spokesperson, Sabrina Singh said, “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”
The FBI, however, continues with its investigation and has asked residents to share photos, videos and all relevant information they may have.
The coast guard is also assisting the FBI and state agencies in the investigation.
Meanwhile, several municipal lawmakers have called for more restrictions on who is entitled to fly the unmanned devices. One of them even proposed a temporary ban on drone flights in the state.
With inputs from agencies.
 "Zelenskyy calls Alaska summit ‘personal victory’ for Putin, says it delays sanctions, ends Russian leader's isolation")
 "National Guard moves into DC as Trump’s law-and-order push sparks backlash from mayors")
 "Perplexity offers $34.5bn for Google’s Chrome in bid to challenge search dominance")
 "Foreign ministers of 25 countries urge Israel to let aid into Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens")
 "Zelenskyy calls Alaska summit ‘personal victory’ for Putin, says it delays sanctions, ends Russian leader's isolation")
 "National Guard moves into DC as Trump’s law-and-order push sparks backlash from mayors")
 "Perplexity offers $34.5bn for Google’s Chrome in bid to challenge search dominance")
 "Foreign ministers of 25 countries urge Israel to let aid into Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens")
