Taiwan detects four Chinese balloons near major air base ahead of presidential election

News Snapshot:

Four Chinese balloons were detected moving across the median line separating Taiwan from China, with three flying directly above the island, as tensions with Beijing flare ahead of the self-ruled democracy’s presidential election this month. According to a graphic released by Taipei’s defence ministry, three balloons headed northeast above Taiwan after appearing “southwest of Ching-Chuan-Kang”, home to a military airbase in the western city of Taichung. The lowest altitude measured for one of them was 12,000 feet (3,658 metres). The balloons were spotted between 8:27 a.m. and 6:41 pm Tuesday, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. They continued traveling...