The Associated PressVerified account

BREAKING: The toll has risen to at least 227 deaths, with hundreds injured and missing, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he was rushing aid to damaged towns and hospitals overwhelmed with casualties.http://apne.ws/Jyd3nCR 

Spain has set a new provisional heat record of 47.2 degrees Celsius (116.96 Fahrenheit) as Southern Europe swelters under a relentless summer sun. Nations across Southern Europe are dealing with extreme heat and wildfire risks.http://apne.ws/H7eESq5 

Global donations of coronavirus vaccines have become a political contest. “We should have the American flag on every vial,” said one lawmaker as China announced plans to share 2 billion doses by the end of the year.http://apne.ws/3E9j8Ny 

Lifeline airport: As a Taliban offensive nears the Afghan capital, the city's airport is the only way out for people fleeing the war, fearful the insurgents are poised to take over Kabul. By @TameemAkhgar and @jongambrellAP.http://apne.ws/gZg8AzQ 

An Afghan lawmaker says the eastern province of Kunar has fallen to the Taliban without a fight. The Taliban now control more than 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.http://apne.ws/VWmhVp1 

The Taliban's capture of a large, heavily defended city in northern Afghanistan in a major setback for the government. Insurgents are approaching the capital less than three weeks before the U.S. hopes to complete its troop withdrawal.http://apne.ws/6YwBTpi 

David Mikkelson, co-founder and CEO of the Snopes fact-checking site, has acknowledged plagiarizing from dozens of articles produced by mainstream news outlets. He's been suspended from editorial production pending the conclusion of an internal review.http://apne.ws/koOUE0l 

"I just want to bring my guys back. That’s all I care about. I want to bring them home.’’ As the U.S. ends its combat role in Afghanistan, many question if the war was worth the cost: tens of thousands of lives and trillions of dollars.http://apne.ws/V0jrQeg 

BREAKING: An Afghan lawmaker says the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, has fallen to the Taliban after the insurgents launched a major assault there.http://apne.ws/e1dsgD7 

Michigan has surpassed 20,000 deaths from COVID-19, with those 70 years and older accounting for 69% of the total deaths. African Americans account for about 22% of deaths, while Blacks comprise only 14% of the state’s population.http://apne.ws/SpHpC4Z 

At least 29 people were killed when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti.http://apne.ws/AXDzvfH 

The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation's unvaccinated population. Hospitals in virus hot spots say they are seeing more admissions and deaths among people under the age of 65.http://apne.ws/ZKVPn5H 

Haiti’s new prime minister, Ariel Henry, said on Twitter that the ″violent quake″ had caused loss of life and damage in various parts of the country. He said he would mobilize all available government resources to help victims.http://apne.ws/2WG0Rvb 

A quarter century after a parasite nearly killed off Connecticut's oyster industry, it's thriving. Efforts to clean up Long Island Sound, develop disease resistant shellfish and find new markets have helped aquaculture become a $30 million a year business.http://apne.ws/OSA35ek 

A former accounts manager for a nonprofit affiliated with the University of South Florida’s medical school has pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $13 million. Ralph Puglisi spent most of the funds at an adult website. He faces up to 20 years in prison.http://apne.ws/S3KBSyn 

The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake in Haiti was stronger than it initially reported: magnitude 7.2. The epicenter was about 75 miles west of the capital Port-au-Prince, where people felt the tremor and rushed into the streets in fear.http://apne.ws/sPFYVmW