Macron orders France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean

PARIS (AP) — French PresidentEmmanuel Macronon Tuesday ordered France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to help protect allied assets during thewar in the Middle East.

France Defense

Macron said the Charles de Gaulle carrier will be escorted by frigates and its air wing. In a prerecorded speech on French TV, Macron added that Rafale fighter jets, air-defense systems and airborne radar systems have been deployed over the past few hours in the Middle East.

"And we will continue this effort as much as necessary," Macron said.

France, the U.K. and Germany have previously said that they weren't involved in the strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel that began late last week, but were prepared to take defensive action to destroy Iran's capability to fire missiles and drones.

Macron, however, said that French forces had shot down drones "in legitimate self-defense in the very first hours of the conflict, to defend the airspace of our allies, who know they can rely on us." He did not elaborate.

In explaining the need to move France's aircraft carrier, Macron cited Monday's strike on a British air force base onCyprus, adding that Cyprus was a member of the European Union with which France has recently signed a strategic partnership.

"This requires our support," Macron said.

Macron also said that France has defense agreements binding the EU nation to Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as strong commitments to Jordan and Iraq.

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Noting that the war had spread to Lebanon, Macron said the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group made "the grave mistake of striking Israel" and putting the Lebanese people in danger but warned against Israel launching a ground operation.

"This, too, would be a dangerous escalation and a strategic error," he said. "Hezbollah must imperatively cease all strikes, and I call on Israel to respect Lebanese territory and its integrity."

Reflecting France's traditional support for rules‑based international order, Macron noted that France "cannot approve" of the strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran because they were carried outside of the framework of "international law."

He said it would it be "desirable" to end the strikes as quickly as possible, and that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through the resumption of diplomatic negotiations.

"And I also wish here to express the hope that the Iranian people may themselves freely decide their own destiny," Macron added.

"That said, history never weeps for the executioners of their own people, and none of them will be mourned," he said in reference to the killings ofIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneiand other Iran top officials.

Macron also insisted on Iran's responsibility for the conflict.

"It is Iran that developed a dangerous nuclear program and unprecedented ballistic capabilities; that armed and financed terrorist groups in neighboring countries—Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq—and that supported Hamas, while always affirming its objective of destroying the State of Israel," he said.

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Macron orders France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean

PARIS (AP) — French PresidentEmmanuel Macronon Tuesday ordered France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move from...

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Some baby formula brands contain heavy metals, Consumer Reports says

Some popular baby formula brands contain heavy metals, including arsenic, lead and PFAS, or "forever" chemicals, according to a new report fromConsumer Reports.

The nonprofit consumer advocacy organization found that more than half of the 49 powdered, liquid, and alternative protein and hypoallergenic formulas it tested contained "potentially concerning levels" of harmful contaminants.

"Repeated exposure to these contaminants can lead to negative health consequences for babies, especially because they are so small and all of their organ systems are still developing," Sana Mujahid, Consumer Reports' manager of food safety research and testing, told CBS News. "And sometimes, this isn't their only source of exposure to these contaminants, which can also come from water."

While the market for infant formula is regulated, such products don't always "escape the effects of environmental pollution or process contamination," Consumer Reports said. There are also no limits on the levels of contaminants allowed in baby formulas in the U.S., while manufacturers aren't required to test formula for their presence.

In an investigation last year, Consumer Reports found lead and arsenic in a number of powdered infant formulas. At the time, government food regulators pledged toincrease oversightand testing of such products.

Safe brands available

Consumer Reports found that, among the 23 liquid baby formulas it evaluated, eight were either free of any heavy metals or contained low levels.

"Fortunately, the results of our tests show that there are still many safe, inexpensive options for parents on the market today," Consumer Reports said, noting that many such products are available through subsidized programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

About half of all baby formula purchased in the U.S. is made by two companies, Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson, Consumer Reports noted. Perrigo also makes many store-brand formulas.

Abbott and Mead Johnson challenged Consumer Reports' findings, saying that trace levels of heavy metals occur naturally in the environment and throughout the food supply.

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"Abbott's infant formulas are safe, and parents can use them confidently," a company spokesperson told Consumer Reports, adding that its infant formulas sold in the U.S. comply with heavy metal regulations in the EU and Canada.

Mead Johnson told the publication it employs "stringent testing protocols" and takes steps to "reduce the levels of unintended materials in our products, which meet all safety and quality standards set by U.S. and global regulatory bodies."

Perrigo also said it assesses its products for risks and tests for contaminants.

The companies didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from CBS News.

Bill to tighten federal rules

Mujahid encouraged parents to speak with their child's pediatrician about the formula they use and discuss any concerns. Consumer Reports also advises parents not to make their own formula and to ensure they use clean water when mixing powdered formula.

A bill introduced by Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan last year, the Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act, would require infant formula makers to notify the Food and Drug Administration within one business day of discovering contamination, misbranding or adulteration of infant formula. The measure passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in January.

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Some baby formula brands contain heavy metals, Consumer Reports says

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Rahm says European tour is 'extorting' LIV players by making them play more events to rejoin tour

Jon Rahm tore into the European tour Tuesday over its offer for him and other LIV Golf players to rejoin, claiming the tour was "extorting players" by forcing them to play additional tournaments.

LIV Golf

Rahm, competing this week in LIV Golf Hong Kong, spoke publicly for the first timesince the European tour announced a dealthat would require LIV players to pay previous fines for not getting releases and to compete in additional events designated by the tour.

Eight players from LIV, including Tyrrell Hatton, accepted the deal. Rahm did not.

"I don't know what game they're trying to play right now," Rahm said. "But it just seems like in a way they're using our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer. In a way, they're extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.

"So I don't like the situation and I'm not going to agree to that."

Players are required to play four tournaments, not including the majors, to keep membership on the European tour. Rahm said the deal would have required LIV members to play six tournaments.

"And they dictate where two of those have to be, among other things that I don't agree with," Rahm said. "I've been a dual member my whole career — PGA Tour and DP World Tour. ... Never once have I been asked for a release to play either one of those tours. So why is it now that we need to be offering this and there's all these penalties?

"I just don't like the situation," he said. "I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do."

The fines stem from playing LIV Golf events opposite European tour events without getting a conflicting-event release. Rahm was able to use the "home tour" policy on the PGA Tour to play in European tour events.

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Rahm said he told the European tour — known as the DP World Tour commercially — that if it lowered the minimum requirement to four tournaments, he would sign the deal.

"They haven't agreed to that," he said. "I just refuse to play six events. I don't want to, and that's not what the rules say."

Rahm and Hatton were among those who appealed their fines for playing LIV. That case has not been heard, but the appeal allowed them to play in the Ryder Cup last year at Bethpage Black.

Now the Spaniard's participation in the 2027 matches in Ireland are in question.

An arbitrational panel in Britain, Sports Resolution, ruled in April 2023 the tour had the right to penalize players as a membership organization. If the panel rules in favor of the tour again, Rahm would be required to settle his fines or lose his membership, which would keep him off the Ryder Cup team next year.

Rory McIlroy said in January about the fines Rahm and Hatton were facing, "We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup, and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There's two guys that can prove it."

Rahm fired back by saying his comment would make more sense if all 12 players were asked to pay, not just him and Hatton.

"There's more intricacy that goes into this whole situation," Rahm said. "I'll gladly pay my way to go on the Ryder Cup, not have to pay to still be a member of the DP World Tour and fulfill a commitment that I'm fully willing to commit."

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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Rahm says European tour is 'extorting' LIV players by making them play more events to rejoin tour

Jon Rahm tore into the European tour Tuesday over its offer for him and other LIV Golf players to rejoin, claiming the to...

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Mexican drug lord 'El Mencho' buried in golden coffin

Infamous Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho", was buried in a golden casket by his family on Monday.

The cartel leader died after being wounded in a firefight between his bodyguards and Mexican special forces personnel deployed to capture him in late February.

The 59-year-old founder of the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was the country's most-wanted man, while the US had offered a $15m (£11.2m) reward for information leading to his arrest.

His death triggered widespread retaliatory violence in which cartel members set fire to vehicles and blockaded roads across 20 Mexican states.

Members of the National Guard were out in force to prevent fresh violence from breaking out during the colourful funeral near Guadalajara in Jalisco state, a stronghold for the cartel.

Large floral tributes were seen being carried into the funeral home ahead of the ceremony, including one shaped like a rooster in a reference to his love of cockfighting.

According to AFP news agency, five lorries were needed to take all the tributes to the cemetery, most of which had been sent anonymously.

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The funeral procession was accompanied by a band playing ranchero music and narcocorridos - songs praising drug lords.

The traditional song El Muchacho Alegre (The Cheerful Boy) was played as Oseguera's gold-coloured coffin arrived at a chapel located inside the cemetery grounds, local media reported.

After an hour-long ceremony, the mourners - many of whom concealed their identities using face masks - followed the coffin as it was carried to the grave.

Mexican media noted that the plot was relatively plain compared with those of other drug lords, which are often topped by large mausoleums.

Under Oseguera's leadership, the CJNG became a powerful transnational criminal organisation which spread from its stronghold in Jalisco into many other Mexican states, where it engages in drug production and trafficking.

Oseguera's killing by Mexican special forces has been seen as a victory for President Claudia Sheinbaum's government, which has come under increasing pressure by her US counterpart Donald Trump to do more to combat drug trafficking.

But there have been fears that the vacuum left behind by the powerful cartel leader could trigger a surge in violence in the short term, as different factions within the criminal group - which is estimated to have tens of thousands of members - fight for control.

• Who was El Mencho, Mexico's most wanted man?

• Threat of further violence looms after Mexican cartel rampage

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Mexican drug lord 'El Mencho' buried in golden coffin

Infamous Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho", was buried in a golden casket...

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Chase Pistone, NASCAR driver in the 2000s, dies at 42

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died at the age of 42.

Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026

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Sports figures we lost in 2026

His older brother, Nick Pistone, posted a message on social media, announcing his death, which did not include a cause or where he died.

But Chase's brothers, Tom and Nick, requested that Legends Nation "post the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is 988 on a phone or text."

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"Chase was not only a wheelman in Legends and Late Models, but his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team was a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track, and they usually walked away with the winner's trophy,"Legends Nation postedon social media.

During his career, Pistone, who is the grandson of two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner Tom Pistone, competed in the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR Xfinity (now NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts) Series.

"Well, my young brother and best friend is gone,"Nick Pastone saidon social media. "I'm broken-hearted and don't know if I'll ever get over this. I miss you Chase already and I hope you are you are in a better place. I love you and I miss you so much already!!!!!!!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former NASCAR racer Chase Pistone dies at 42

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Chase Pistone, NASCAR driver in the 2000s, dies at 42

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died at the age of 42. Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026 " styl...

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