USDA moves to limit salmonella in raw poultry products

(AP) — Federal officials are moving to set new limits on salmonella in raw poultry products in the U.S. The Agriculture Department’s proposal is aimed at reducing the number of people who get sick. The testing requirements would block the sale of any products that don’t meet the new standard and allow for recalls. Industry representatives say the rule would raise the price of chicken. Experts say the changes would help, but will take time. The proposed rule is three years in the making. It would be finalized after a public comment period.

California firefighters make progress as wildfires push devastation

FOREST RANCH, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters have made progress in the battle against wildfires covering massive areas and leaving a trail of damage in the western United States. The Park Fire in California had scorched an area greater than Los Angeles and was one of more than 100 blazes burning in the U.S. Monday. Some were sparked by the weather during blistering heat and bone-dry conditions. A man accused of setting the Park Fire is due in court Monday. Firefighters increased containment to 12% on Saturday, aided by cooler temperatures and more humidity. About 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate because of a fire sweeping through Southern California’s Sequoia National Forest. Air quality alerts have been issued for Monday in the northwestern U.S. and western Canada.

Blood test for colon cancer screening is approved by US regulators

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators have approved a blood test for colon cancer, offering a new way of screening for a leading cause of cancer deaths. Medical manufacturer Guardant said Monday the Food and Drug Administration approved its Shield test for screening adults 45 and older. The approval is expected to increase insurance coverage of the test, which is already available for nearly $900. The test looks for DNA fragments shed by tumor cells and precancerous growths. In a study published in March, the test caught 83% of the cancers but very few of the precancerous growths found by colonoscopy, the gold standard for colon cancer screening.

US will send $1.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has announced that it will send $1.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including an array of munitions for air defense systems, artillery, mortars and anti-tank and anti-ship missiles. The package announced Monday includes $1.5 billion in funding for long-term contracts through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and $200 million in immediate military aid taken from Pentagon stockpiles. The latest infusion of weapons comes a bit more than two weeks after the NATO summit in Washington, where allies focused a significant amount of time on shoring up support for Ukraine.