Arizona
How an Arizona “spy balloon” company is connected to Sen. Mark Kelly and China
Photograph: Courtesy of World View Enterprises
An Arizona firm that manufactures and operates high-altitude surveillance balloons, and contracts with the federal authorities, faces renewed consideration within the aftermath of the destruction of a spy balloon despatched by the Chinese language authorities that entered U.S. airspace earlier this month.
- As lately as seven years in the past, the corporate secured funds from Chinese language buyers.
Context: Tucson-based World View, cofounded by now-U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly in 2012, obtained enterprise capital from Tencent — among the many largest tech firms in China — each in 2013 and 2016.
- Tencent, like most Chinese language tech giants, has shut ties to the Chinese language Communist Get together.
- Sure, however: World View president and CEO Ryan Hartman advised The Arizona Republic in 2020 that Tencent had “zero entry, zero enter and 0 management” over the corporate.
Of notice: When Tencent made its investments, World View was principally centered on house tourism. Tencent says it stopped investing after the Arizona firm pivoted to a defense-oriented enterprise.
- Right this moment, World View contracts with the U.S. authorities and personal firms to supply aerial surveillance through balloon.
- About 65% of the corporate’s work final yr was “protection associated,” Hartman advised Breaking Protection.
- The Pentagon’s Protection Counterintelligence Safety Company examined World View in 2019 and cleared the corporate to deal with army work, The Republic reported.
State of play: A high-altitude balloon despatched by the Chinese language authorities was downed by an American fighter plane off the coast of South Carolina in early February. The U.S. authorities believes it was getting used for surveillance functions.
Why it issues: That occasion escalated tensions between the U.S. and China and raised considerations over Chinese language authorities surveillance and affect in American companies.
- Claire Chu, senior China analyst at protection intelligence firm Janes, tells Axios Phoenix the balloon gives a possibility to extra rigorously look at Chinese language holdings in essential U.S. industries, together with Tencent’s funding in World View.
- “It is simply not look to have one of many largest Chinese language buyers, a Chinese language firm that is concerned in a variety of essential applied sciences again dwelling, concerned in potential U.S. surveillance capabilities right here,” she says.
What they’re saying: Nationwide safety and world financial specialists advised us Tencent’s funding in World View was “odd” however not essentially trigger for concern.
- American Enterprise Institute researcher Derek Scissors tells us many Chinese language firms invested in seemingly random U.S. leisure and tourism companies round 2016 in an try to maneuver cash out of China.
- “We now have a really small stake within the firm, with no board seat or funding rights,” Tencent stated in a press release to Axios. “We invested when the enterprise mannequin centered on house tourism. As soon as the enterprise shifted, we stopped investing and now not have any energetic communications with the corporate.”
Zoom out: Kelly stopped working with World View in 2019, forward of his first Senate run.
- In 2021, he positioned his World View inventory, price at the least $100,000, in a blind belief, in line with federal monetary disclosure paperwork.
- “As a fight veteran, he is pleased with the essential function that Arizona performs in growing applied sciences in partnership with our army to maintain our nation protected,” Jacob Peters, a spokesperson for Kelly, advised us of the senator’s involvement.
Flashback: In 2014, former World View CEO Jane Poynter advised Chinese language information outlet Pengpai that Kelly met with Tencent USA head David Wallerstein and “launched house tourism expertise to him,” Poynter stated. “David was very and keen to take a position at this stage” after talking with Kelly, in line with the article translated from Chinese language.
- In 2020, Kelly advised The Arizona Republic, “I had a really temporary dialog with one particular person [from Tencent] that lasted about 30 seconds, perhaps a minute.”
The large image: Chinese language funding within the U.S. exploded in 2016, after the Chinese language authorities allowed its companies to hunt extra outdoors investments, Mark Witzke of Rhodium Group tells Axios.
- Funding dropped once more in 2018 after China reversed its insurance policies, the U.S. elevated regulation of worldwide funding and the geopolitical relationship between the 2 nations grew strained.
By the numbers: Chinese language firms invested greater than $85 billion in American companies between 2016 and 2017, greater than the earlier 15 years mixed, per Rhodium Group information. Quick-forward and investments dropped as little as $5.8 billion in 2021.
- Actuality examine: These numbers are low, together with solely transactions during which a Chinese language firm took at the least a ten% stake in a U.S. firm. Many smaller investments are stored non-public.
- For example, Tencent’s World View investments usually are not included in these numbers and have become recognized solely as a result of the businesses willingly disclosed the partnership.
Zoom in: Tencent started investing in U.S. firms earlier than 2016, buying California-based esports firm Riot Video games in 2011, and has continued to take a position even after regulatory crackdowns.
However, however, however: Scrutiny of Tencent’s prolific investing, particularly because it pertains to nationwide safety infrastructure, just isn’t with out benefit, Chu stated.
What to look at: Final month, World View entered right into a reverse merger settlement that’ll permit it to go public with an estimated enterprise worth of $350 million.
- As such, will probably be required to disclose extra details about its buyers, however will not essentially must share particulars about previous offers, just like the one with Tencent, Scissors famous.
It’s not much of a secret just what the Arizona Cardinals need from this year’s NFL draft. Spoiler alert: it’s not much different from the position group they targeted early in free agency.
But some of the experts, and quite a few mock drafts, have talked around the possibility of the Cardinals targeting a DB, or even OL with the 16th overall pick.
Previously, it seemed unrealistic, but merely due to the fact that the Cardinals’ DL need was so great, taking any other position seemed irresponsible.
But then they added a pair of top-end players in Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson to the defensive line. Suddenly, other positions seemed less out of the question.
But the string of recent free agent signings might be indicating something else, for the time being.
Every team makes depth signings, and the Cardinals are not exceptions to that rule. After the initial wave of higher-profile signings took place, Arizona signed a trio of depth players in OL Jake Curhan, CB Jaylon Jones and OL Royce Newman.
Granted, none of these players figure to be starters, or even regular platoon players just yet, but it does seem odd that the Cardinals would continue to add depth to both of those position groups if they intended on making a swing for a player at those positions early in the draft.
Maybe GM Monti Ossenfort is simply gathering bodies, and some of these signings will be cut. Maybe OL Jonah Williams departs via trade or release. But Arizona also re-signed Evan Brown and Kelvin Beachum to provide consistency up front.
In the CB room, it’s apparent that HC Jonathan Gannon wants his secondary to be built from the ground up, with players like Garrett Williams, Max Melton, Starling Thomas V and others taking the bulk of the reps.
The Cardinals also looked to add a veteran CB in free agency, and even hosted CB Asante Samuel Jr. for a workout. No deal materialized at the time, but they then signed CB Jaylon Jones as a depth piece.
Granted, the power of BPA is real. If the Cardinals are high on a player like Will Johnson, or any of the various OL options, they’ll draft them. But with the way they’ve approached some of the other needs on the roster (with the exception of WR), it seems like Ossenfort is content to ride with the starters he has, with depth added behind them.
You could argue the DL is a similar situation, but with the exception of the two marquee additions, all the other signings in that unit have been in-house re-signs.
This could all end up becoming white noise if the Cardinals end up cutting some of their depth options or younger players, but that doesn’t necessarily feel likely right now.
It does seem like a pretty good bet that the Cardinals will go with a developmental pass rush option at No. 16 overall, or even work a trade and address one of the deeper positions with a later pick.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.
Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.
Powerball
06-07-25-46-57, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
The Pick
21-22-23-26-35-37
Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
0-6-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Fantasy 5
07-18-20-21-23
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Triple Twist
03-09-14-21-29-39
Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:
Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.
Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.
TEMPE, AZ — Arizona State is hiring Grand Canyon’s Molly Miller as its next women’s basketball coach.
Miller replaces Natasha Adair, who was fired earlier this month after going 29-62 in three seasons.
Miller had a successful run across town at GCU, leading the Lopes to their first Western Athletic Conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance this season. Grand Canyon took a 30-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament before losing to Baylor in the first round.
The 38-year-old Miller went 117-38 in five seasons at GCU after a program-best 32-3 this year.
“We would like to thank coach Molly Miller for leading our program for five seasons, culminating in the first conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance for women’s basketball,” GCU athletic director Jamie Boggs said in a statement on Saturday. “We wish her the best in her new opportunity.”
Miller previously coached at her alma mater, leading Division II Drury to a 180-17 record in six seasons.
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