A huge search and rescue operation is under way in northern Turkey after flash floods along the Black Sea coast killed at least 31 people. Kastamonu province is the worst-hit area, accounting for 29 of the deaths. Two others died in Sinop on the coast. Floods, triggered by torrential rain, caused some buildings to collapse, smashed bridges, clogged streets with wrecked cars and cut power supplies. This month Turkey has also had to battle huge wildfires in the south.

Those fires - which are now under control - forced thousands of locals and tourists to flee Marmaris and surrounding areas. Eight people died and more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of vegetation was devastated. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Kastamonu on Friday and attended a funeral for some of the flooding victims.

"We will do whatever we can as a state as quickly as we can," Mr Erdogan said after leading prayers for those who had died. "We can't bring back the citizens we lost, but our state has the means and power to compensate those who lost loved ones." image captionPresident Erdogan (right) inspected the flood damage in Kastamonu Mr Erdogan's government has faced criticism for its handling of Turkey's recent natural disasters. In the flooded areas, helicopters plucked some people from rooftops while others were rescued by boat.

New York Assembly to suspend impeachment probe against Governor Andrew Cuomo

Kaley Cuoco offers to buy horse punched in the Olympics

Fury at ‘appalling’ NSW lockdown move announced on social media