Peter Atitebi

The Federal Aviation Administration enacted temporary drone flight restrictions on Wednesday covering nearly two dozen New Jersey communities, responding to recent reports of unexplained aerial activity in night skies. The temporary flight restrictions (TFR), extending through January 17, prohibit drone operations over designated critical infrastructure across central and northern New Jersey. The affected area spans from Hancocks Bridge in the south to Cedar Grove and Clifton in the north, including major population centers like Elizabeth, Camden, and Bayonne. Over the past month, residents have reported sightings of illuminated objects in the night sky, though no entity has claimed responsibility for the reported drone activities. Some observers have suggested the sightings might be misidentified stars or conventional aircraft rather than drones. The restrictions come amid growing concerns from residents and political leaders seeking answers about the nature and purpose of these […]

President Joe Biden and US intelligence officials have sought to calm public speculation surrounding recent drone sightings along the US East Coast, characterizing the phenomenon as routine and without national security implications. Multiple drone observations in New Jersey and neighboring states, sometimes near air bases, have sparked widespread curiosity and conspiracy theories. However, government authorities consistently emphasize that these sightings are largely misunderstood and do not represent a significant threat. Members of the US House Intelligence Committee who received a closed-door briefing unanimously affirmed this perspective. Representative Chrissy Houlahan explicitly stated that investigations have not uncovered evidence of foreign influence or extraordinary circumstances. Connecticut Representative Jim Himes provided additional context, noting that the "vast majority" of sightings involve legally operated aircraft or drones. He highlighted the substantial drone ecosystem in the United States, including approximately 800,000 registered drones weighing over […]