At least 120 dead in quake...US carries out airstrikes in Syria...More requests for flood aid

AMATRICE, Italy (AP) — Italian Premier Matteo Renzi says the death toll from the quake that hit central Italy has risen to 120. He spoke in the provincial capital after visiting rescue crews and survivors in the hard-hit town of Amatrice (ah-mah-TREE'-cheh) and flying over other demolished towns in the region. Renzi says the priority in the coming days will be rescuing any survivors.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — There are still no details on how many people may have been killed or wounded in a militant attack today on the American University of Afghanistan. An Associated Press photographer who was in a class there at the time says when he went to the window after hearing an explosion, someone shot at him. Students then barricaded themselves into the classroom. The school's president says security forces arrived on the scene soon after the attack began.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. defense official says American planes are conducting airstrikes as part of the ongoing operation to drive Islamic State militants from the northern Syrian town of Jarablus. The official says that U.S. A-10 and F-16 fighter jets are participating in the cross-border operation launched by Turkey and Syrian rebel groups today. The U.S. is also providing assistance with intelligence and surveillance aircraft overhead. Syrian opposition forces say they are in control of the town but still battling pockets of IS fighters.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is applauding the prospect of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry mounting a primary challenge against Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018, saying "boy, will he do well." At an Austin fundraiser yesterday, Trump was asked about Perry trying to unseat Trump's former primary rival. On a recording of the event released by a Democratic group, Trump says he's been "hearing a lot about that" and isn't sure what Perry will do. But he calls Perry a "great governor" saying, "People love him in Texas." Trump's comments could be payback for Cruz refusing to endorse him during last month's Republican National Convention.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The number of people registering for federal disaster aid after Louisiana's heavy flooding continues to rise. The state says the number of registrants with the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reached 119,000. More than $132 million has been approved by the federal agency in grants for temporary rental assistance, home repairs and other disaster response aid.

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