Washington / AFP Flooding in the US state of West Virginia killed 23 people and stranded others who had to be plucked from rooftops and rescued from fast-moving waters, state officials said. “The damage is widespread and devastating. Our focus remains on search and rescue,” Governor Earl Ray Tomblin told a news conference after floods caused by a day of …

  LAKE ISABELLA / AP A deadly wildfire that roared through dry brush and trees in the mountains of central California gave residents little time to flee as flames burned dozens of homes to the ground, propane tanks exploded, and smoke obscured the path to safety. An elderly couple trying to flee from the flames were overcome with smoke outside …

Caracas / AFP Opposition leaders in Venezuela said they have finished the process of authenticating signatures on a petition to recall President Nicolas Maduro, and have enough to hold a referendum on removing him. “The number of signatures has clearly exceeded the minimum needed,” said Vicente Bello, coordinator for the referendum effort. Government election authorities now have 20 days to …