The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration agreed to conduct anti-drone laser tests in New Mexico after the military's deployment of the lasers led the FAA to suddenly close airspace in Texas twice in the last month.
The newly announced testing was being carried out to “specifically address FAA safety concerns,” the military said Friday in a statement. It was to take place Saturday and Sunday at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Lawmakers were concerned about an apparent lack of coordination after the Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser in early February without notifying the FAA. The federal agency that ensures safety in the skies decided to close the airspace over El Paso for a few hours, stranding many travelers.
The Trump administration said it was working to halt an incursion by Mexican cartel drones, which are not uncommon along the southern border.
On Feb. 26 the U.S. military used the laser to shoot down a “seemingly threatening” drone flying near the U.S.-Mexico border. It turned out the drone belonged to Customs and Border Protection, lawmakers said.
The incident led the FAA to close the airspace around Fort Hancock, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of El Paso.
“We appreciate the coordination with the Department of War to help ensure public safety,” the FAA said of the testing, in a separate statement. “The FAA and DOW are working with interagency partners to address emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems while maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System.”
The military is required to formally notify the FAA when it takes any counter-drone action inside U.S. airspace.
Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the ranking member on the Senate’s Aviation Subcommittee, called previously for an independent investigation after the two February incidents.
FILE - A Federal Aviation Administration sign hangs in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, March 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — India scored an imposing 255-5 in the final of cricket's T20 World Cup against New Zealand on Sunday but could be forgiven for leaving the field disappointed at not getting even more runs.
The tournament co-hosts had reached 203-1 in only 15 overs before James Neesham (3-46) took three key wickets in the 16th over at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket ground in the world with a crowd in excess of 100,000 on Sunday.
Neesham dismissed Indian opener Sanju Samson for a brilliant 46-ball 89, which included eight sixes and five boundaries, and also claimed the wickets of Ishan Kishan (54 in 25) and captain Suryakumar Yadav, for a golden duck.
Abhishek Sharma hit a 21-ball 52 and Shivam Dube needed only eight deliveries in his 26 not out.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had won the toss and chosen to bat against the defending champions.
New Zealand is aiming for its first T20 World Cup triumph. It finished as runner-up in the 2021 final, losing to Australia in Dubai.
India could become the first team to lift this trophy for a third time.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
India's Sanju Samson celebrates his fifty runs during the T20 World Cup cricket final match between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
India's Ishan Kishan celebrates his fifty runs during the T20 World Cup cricket final match between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
New Zealand's James Neesham celebrates the wicket of India's captain Suryakumar Yadav, right, during the T20 World Cup cricket final match between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
India's Abhishek Sharma celebrates his fifty runs with during the T20 World Cup cricket final match between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
India's Sanju Samson hits a boundary during the T20 World Cup cricket final match between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
