Tracing the bird flu outbreak in U.S. poultry flocks

(Reuters) – Two highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza (HPAI) have been found in 14 U.S. states since December, prompting partial to total bans on imports of U.S. poultry and egg products to other countries that were valued at more than $6 billion last year. The H5N2 strain has been reported in Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. The H5N8 strain has been identified in California and also in Idaho, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Following is a timeline of the spread of the viruses, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and responses by the industry and trade partners.

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White House slams GOP defense budget

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is vigorously pushing back against provisions in a proposed $604 billion Republican defense budget plan that contradict President Barack Obama’s national security priorities on issues ranging from the detention facility at Guantanmo Bay to changes in weapons systems.

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State dinner offers new chef _ and chopsticks for the brave

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new chef and new china are on the menu for Tuesday's big White House dinner for Japan — and chopsticks for guests brave enough to go there.

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Jet with engine fire makes emergency landing in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Authorities say a plane made an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport after one of its two engines caught fire. One passenger was taken to a hospital after reporting chest pains.

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Texas inmate facing execution wins reprieve from state judge

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge has halted the execution of an inmate convicted of stabbing a corrections officer to death more than 15 years ago.

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California teen charged with murder in boy’s stabbing

MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) — The 18-year-old Northern California man charged with fatally stabbing a 9-year-old boy will not face the death penalty.

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Obama criticizes black deaths by police, but also rioters

WASHINGTON (AP) — Urging Americans to "do some soul-searching," President Barack Obama expressed deep frustration Tuesday over recurring black deaths at the hands of police, rioters responding with senseless violence and a society that will only "feign concern" without addressing the root causes.

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Obama, Abe declare progress, but no breakthrough, on trade

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama acknowledged Tuesday the challenge he faces winning congressional support for a major Asia-Pacific trade deal that has become a cornerstone of his second term agenda. "It's never fun passing a trade bill in this town," the president said as he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared their determination to seeing the deal through.

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Baltimore on edge: National Guardsmen take up positions

Baltimore was a city on edge Tuesday as hundreds of National Guardsmen patrolled the streets against unrest for the first time since 1968, hoping to prevent another outbreak of rioting.

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1 of 1,000: Chester student awarded Gates Millennium Scholarship

A young woman from Chester will not have to pay a dime to pursue a college education and everyone who knows her says there's nobody more deserving.

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