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LONDON (AP) — An American anti-drone system proven to work againstRussian drones in Ukrainewill soon be sent to the Middle East to bolster U.S. defenses against Iranian drones, two U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Friday.

While the U.S. has used Patriot and THAAD missile systems totake down Iranian missilessuccessfully, there are limited effective anti-drone defenses now in the Middle East, according to a U.S. defense official, one of two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.

The U.S. response to countering Iran's Shahed drones has been "disappointing," the other U.S. official said, particularly because the drones fired by Iran are a much more basic version of the same drone that Russia is continuously refining and updating in its war in Ukraine.

The effort to bolster U.S. anti-drone capabilities in the Middle East underscores concerns about the planning for anIranian retaliatory responseacross the region to the American and Israeli strikes. Persian Gulf countries have complained they werenot given adequate timeto prepare for the torrent of Iranian drones and missiles bombarding their territory.

Thesystem that is being sent, known as Merops, flies drones against drones. It is small enough to fit in the back of a midsize pickup truck, can identify drones and close in on them, usingartificial intelligenceto navigate when satellite and electronic communications are jammed.

Drones are hard to pinpoint on radar systems calibrated for spotting high-speed missiles and can be mistaken for birds or planes. The Merops system is designed to spot them and take them down. Crucially, the system also is cheaper than firing a missile that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars at a drone that costs less than $50,000.

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, said this week that "we're pretty good at taking missiles down. What is much more problematic for us is the huge inventory of Iranian drones, which are hard to detect and hard to take down."

Himes said the drone attacks present a "math problem" in that the U.S. cannot keep relying on expensive military interceptors, like Patriot systems, to down the quickly and cheaply made Iranian drones.

"It's really, really expensive to take down a cheap drone," he said. "A giant missile going after a tiny little crappy drone."

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Merops was deployed in NATO nationsPoland and Romania in NovemberafterRussian attack dronesrepeatedly entered NATO airspace. The U.S. defense official says America has learned lessons from the deployment of the system and others like it in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that the U.S. asked forhis country's helpin combating Iran's Shahed drones, which Russia has used in huge numbers in Ukraine. Zelenskyy did not specify the type of assistance Ukraine would provide, but the U.S. defense official said the Merops system is a part of it.

When asked about Zelenskyy's comments, Trump told Reuters on Thursday: "Certainly, I'll take, you know, any assistance from any country."

In the Middle East, Merops will be deployed to various locations, including where U.S. forces are not present, the defense official said. Most of the systems will be sent directly by Perennial Autonomy — the manufacturer backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — and will not affect defenses in Europe, the official said.

Perennial Autonomy did not immediately respond to questions about the use of Merops in the Middle East.

Pentagon officials conceded this week in closed-door briefings with lawmakers they are struggling to stop waves of drones launched by Iran, leaving some U.S. targets in the Gulf region vulnerable.

"This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defense and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offense," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters this week.

Michael Robbins, president and CEO of AUVSI, a drone industry group, said lessons from the Middle East and Ukraine show that the U.S. must accelerate deployment of sophisticated counter-drone technologies, so "our forces can defend bases and populations without spending a million dollars to stop a $50,000 threat."

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Didi Tang, David Klepper, Michelle L. Price, Ben Finley and Seung Min Kim contributed to this report from Washington.

CHICAGO (AP) — From former presidents to an NBA Hall of Famer to prominent pastors, stories ofthe Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'sinfluence on politics, corporate boardrooms and picket lines loomed large Friday at a celebration honoring the late civil rights leader.

APTOPIX Jesse Jackson Memorial

The public tribute — with appearances by Grammy-winning gospel singers and Jennifer Hudson — felt at times like a church service and others like a political rally. Many, from former President Bill Clinton to the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader and founder of the National Action Network, likened Jackson's death to a call to action, from speaking out against justice to voting in the midterms.

Former President Barack Obama said Jackson's presidential runs in the 1980s set the stage for other Black leaders, including his own successful 2009 presidency and reelection.

"The message he sent to a 22-year-old child of a single mother with a funny name, an outsider, was that maybe there wasn't any place or any room where we didn't belong," Obama said to the boisterous crowd of thousands. "He paved the road for so many others to follow."

The event drew a slew of elected U.S. leaders. Other notable attendees included actor and producer Tyler Perry, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and political activist and theologian Cornel West. Detroit Pistons great and Chicago native Isiah Thomas also spoke at the event that lasted five hours.

The crowd gave an especially warm welcome to Obama, who launched his political career in Chicago, and credited Jackson with keeping him on his toes. He said he was grateful to Jackson for providing a "legacy of hope" in contrast with the current Republican leadership in Washington.

"We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope," Obama said. "Each day we wake up to some new assault to our democratic institutions. Another setback to the idea of the rule of law, an offense to common decency. Every day you wake up to things you just didn't think were possible."

Clinton said Jackson made him a better president, while former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris talked about Jackson's inspiring 1980s presidential runs and showed off campaign memorabilia she had kept from them. Former President Joe Biden also spoke during the service.

President Donald Trump, who praised Jackson on social media after he died and also shared photos of the two of them, did not attend.

Thousands attend Jackson memorial service

The event honoring the protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate followed memorial servicesthat drew large crowds in ChicagoandSouth Carolina,where Jackson was born. Friday's celebration — at an influential Black church with a 10,000-seat arena — was the largest.

Attendees waited in long lines outside the church as television screens played excerpts of some of Jackson's most famous speeches. Inside, vendors sold pins with his 1984 presidential slogan and hoodies with his "I Am Somebody" mantra.

Marketing professional Chelsia Bryan said Friday that she decided to attend for the "chance to be part of something historic."

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"As a Black woman, knowing that someone pretty much gave their life, dedicated their life to make sure I can do the things that I can do now, he's worth honoring," Bryan said.

Jackson Jr.: Everyone has a Jackson story

Jackson died last month at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and ability to speak. His final public appearances included the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

"Every single person in here has a Jesse Jackson story," his eldest son,Jesse Jackson Jr.,said to the crowd. "The time he shook your hand, the time he prayed for you, the time he held you up, the time he prayed the funeral for somebody you know ... and he prayed you to a new course of existence."

Sitting in the crowd was 90-year-old Mary Lovett. She said Jackson's advocacy inspired her many times, from when she moved from Mississippi to Chicago in the 1960s, taught elementary school and became a mom. She voted for Jackson during his presidential runs and appreciated how he always spoke up for underrepresented people.

"He's gone, but I hope his legacy lives," she said. "I hope we can remember what he tried to teach us."

Jackson's service was to the poor, underrepresented

Jackson's pursuits were countless, taking him to all corners of the globe: Advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, health care, job opportunities and education. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders, and through Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a more open and equitable society.

Sharpton, who considered the late reverend a lifelong mentor, said he hoped attendees would take home some of the "Jackson fire."

"Don't sit here so holy and sanctified and act like you have no assignment yourself," he said to the increasingly boisterous crowd. "We didn't come this far to turn around now."

Another son, Yusef Jackson, who runs the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, recalled how his father carried a well-worn Bible but also showed his faith by showing up to picket lines.

"He lived a revolutionary Christian faith rooted in justice, nonviolence and the moral righteousness," he said. "He was deeply involved in the political struggles of his time, but his gift was that he could rise above them. It's not about the left wing or the right wing. It takes two wings to fly. For him, the goal was always the moral center."

A final homegoing service was scheduled for Saturday at Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Services in Washington, D.C., were tabled after a request to allow Jackson to lie in honor in the United States Capitol rotundawas denied byHouse Speaker Mike Johnson, who said the space is typically reserved for select officials, including former presidents.

A "large and extremely dangerous tornado" touched down multiple times in Three Rivers, Michigan, on March 6, causing significant damage, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service office in Northern Indiana.

The tornado popped up in a severe thunderstorm moving through the area. Storm chasers and emergency management staff in St. Joseph County reported to the weather service the tornado touched down multiple times before causing damage on the southwest side of Three Rivers just before 4 p.m. local time.

Local officials also reported to the weather service that a person had been trapped in debris and needed extrication between Niles and Edwardsburg in neighboring Cass County, Michigan. A tornado warning had been issued for portions of Cass and St. Joseph counties around 3:14 p.m. local time, and then continued at 3:52 p.m.

The storm that spawned the tornado was still showing organization and potential strengthening as it moved into Central Michigan, within the boundaries of the weather service region in Grand Rapids, the weather service reported. The weather service has warned additional severe storms may be possible through the evening of March 6 in the region.

Social media videos posted from in St. Joseph and Cass counties showed a section of roof being lifted off a Menards store in Three Rivers and debris being hurled around in the air.

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At 5 p.m., the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Officeshared a Facebook post asking"everyone to please stay away from the north end" of the county until further notice. "Emergency personnel are currently responding to an active situation in that area, and it is critical that our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS, and other emergency workers have clear access," the office stated.

The Three Rivers tornado is among several that have struck the United States since March 5.

In Oklahoma,a woman and her daughter diedwhen their van was caught by a tornado March 5. Weather service meteorologists were still surveying the damage from those storms on the afternoon of March 6.

Tornado warnings

Storm risk forecast for the afternoon of March 6

Tornado warning issued in Three Rivers

This warning was issued just after 3 p.m. on March 6. An update, at 3:52 p.m., warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" as a large and extremely dangerous tornado moved northeast over Three Rivers at 40 mph.

Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tornado hits southern Michigan as severe weather moves through

Sprinter Fred Kerley received a two-year ban Friday for missing drug tests — a suspension that shouldn't impact the 30-year-old former world champion because he has signed to run in aleague that does not prohibit performance enhancers.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees doping cases for World Athletics, announced the suspension, quoting from a ruling that called the 100-meter champion in 2022 "'negligent and, to a certain extent, reckless'" in not adhering to anti-doping regulations."

The decision said Kerley's missed tests occurred from May through December of 2024. Last September, he became the biggest name in sprinting to announce he would run in the Enhanced Games, a start-up league that will not penalize athletes for using banned substances.

Shortly after the ban was announced, Kerley released aflurry of social media posts, one of which featured him and a picture of him bursting through a phalanx of men dressed like military police wearing uniforms with "AIU," "WADA" (World Anti-Doping Agency) and "USADA" (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) on them.

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"I'm tired of holding everything in," it said. "You can't control me, and the truth is louder than silence."

Anotherpost, which could have been a reference to the doping-control officers that arrived on one of the days he missed a test, said "A random number from Mexico that looked like a scam call and I'm supposed to answer that? I live in USA why is a number calling my phone from Mexico."

Kerley's suspension will run through Aug. 11, 2027.

AP sports:https://apnews.com/sports

Daniel Berger opened up a five-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after a steady round Friday at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla.

Berger built on Thursday's 63 with a 4-under-par 68 to climb to 13 under at the halfway mark of the $20 million signature event. Akshay Bhatia posted a 66 to take sole possession of second at 8 under.

Also in striking distance are Sahith Theegala (67), Collin Morikawa (71) and Sweden's Ludvig Aberg (71), who are tied for third at 7 under, and Rickie Fowler, who's alone in sixth at 6 under after his second consecutive 69. Xander Schauffele (71) and defending champion Russell Henley (69) are tied at 5 under.

Berger, a former World No. 12 and 2021 Ryder Cup winner, hasn't won on the PGA Tour since the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He missed 18 months with a back injury and struggled to regain his old form once he returned.

On Friday, he rolled in five birdies while limiting himself to one bogey. He ranks second this week in strokes gained approaching the green and third in strokes gained putting.

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Bhatia is the closest to chasing him down after he poured in seven birdies on Friday and saved par from the bunker at the difficult par-4 18th.

Rory McIlroy improved on his opening round by four shots, the Northern Irishman's 68 vaulting him to 4 under and part of a tie for ninth. Scottie Scheffler (71) is at 3 under.

This is one of three signature events with a 36-hole cut. Only the top 50 and ties will make the weekend. U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun (3 over), Irishman Shane Lowry (3 over), Australia's Jason Day (4 over), Patrick Cantlay (4 over) and Keegan Bradley (5 over) are among those in line to miss the cut, projected to be 2 over par.

Justin Thomas shot two straight rounds of 79 in his first start of the season following November back surgery. He finished in dead last among 72 players at 14 over.

--Field Level Media

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum faced a lengthy recovery after he went down witha torn Achilleslast May. While there was some doubt about whether he would be able to play this season, Tatum always kept hope alive, sayinghe wasn't ruling himself outback in September.

That prediction turned out to be true, as Tatum will return to action Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks,the Celtics announced. The team initially listed Tatum as questionable on its injury report before upgrading him to available.

His comeback follows an up-and-down rehab. At times,Tatum showed off incredible progress, offering hope he could get back before the year was over. But in January, a report emerged suggesting the 27-year-old starcould shut it down and prepare for next season.

Shortly after that report, Tatum's return started to look more realistic. In February, it was reported that Tatum was taking part in controlled scrimmages. He was assigned to the team's G League affiliate to start taking part in practices. Eventually, Tatum found himself listed on the Celtics' injury report, a sign he was getting close to a return.

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That culminated in Friday's news ahead of Tatum's long-awaited but inspiring return from a devastating injury.

Despite being without Tatum — and trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday — the Celtics have performed much better than expected. The team sits near the top of the Eastern Conference, with forward Jaylen Brown in the midst of an MVP-caliber season.

While it's impossible to know whether Tatum will fully return to form upon his comeback, the forward should make an impact, even if he's not at full strength. Tatum has made the All-Star team in each of the past six seasons in which he was healthy, and while he hasn't won an MVP award just yet, he's been in contention for that honor multiple times over that period.

Last season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. Those numbers earned him his fourth straight appearance on the first team All-NBA team.

The move comes at the perfect time. With the Celtics rapidly approaching the playoffs, Tatum should have enough time to work himself into form before the end of the regular season. If the team can get him back to full strength in time for the playoffs, the Celtics could be bound for a miraculous championship run during a year most wrote the team off.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Pakistani business owner whotried to hire hit mento kill a U.S. politician was convicted Friday in a trial that showcasedallegations of Iran-backed plottingon American soil.

As theIran warunfolded in the Mideast, Asif Merchant acknowledged in a U.S. court that he sought to put an assassination in motion during the 2024 presidential campaign — a plot that was quickly disrupted by American investigators before it had a chance to proceed.

A jury in Brooklyn convicted Merchant on terrorism and murder for hire charges.

After showing an acquaintance what he had in mind by usingobjects on a napkinto depict a shooting at a rally, Merchant was introduced to two supposed assassins — actually undercover FBI agents who were secretly recording him, as had the acquaintance.

Merchant told the supposed hit men he needed services that could include killing "some political person" and paid them $5,000 in cash in a parked car in Manhattan.

In remarkable testimony in a New York federal court, Merchant said he was carrying out instructions from a contact in the Islamic Republic's powerfulparamilitary Revolutionary Guard. According to Merchant, the handler never specified a target but broached names including then-candidateDonald Trump, then-PresidentJoe BidenandNikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who was also in the race for a time.

The Iranian government has denied trying to kill U.S. officials.

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Merchant, 47, worked for Pakistani banks for decades before going into clothing and other businesses. He has two families, in Pakistan and Iran, and he sometimes visited the U.S. for his garment business.

Merchant testified that he met a Revolutionary Guard intelligence operative about three years ago. The contact gave him countersurveillance training and assignments including the assassination scheme, Merchant said.

He maintained that he had to do his handler's bidding to protect loved ones in Iran. The defendant said he reluctantly went through the motions but thought he'd be arrested and explain his situation to authorities before anyone was killed.

"I was going along with it," he said, speaking in Urdu through a court interpreter.

Prosecutors emphasized that Merchant admitted taking steps to enact the plan on behalf of the Revolutionary Guard, which the U.S. considers a foreign terrorist organization, and he didn't proactively go to authorities.

Instead, he was packing for a flight to Pakistan whenhe was arrestedon July 12, 2024, a day before an unrelatedattempt on Trump's lifein Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials said it appeared the Butler gunman acted alone but thatthey had been trackinga threat on Trump's life from Iran, a claim that the Islamic Republic called "unsubstantiated and malicious."

When Merchant subsequently spoke to FBI agents to explore the possibility of a cooperation agreement, he didn't say he had acted out of fear for his family.

Prosecutors argued that he didn't back up a defense of acting under duress. Merchant sought to persuade jurors he simply didn't think the agents would believe him because they seemed to "think that I am some type of super-spy," which he said he was "absolutely not."