MEXICO
Storm death toll reaches 38
The death toll from the remnants of Hurricane Earl grew to 38 in Mexico on Sunday as a new tropical storm formed off the country’s Pacific Coast. At least 28 people died in multiple mudslides in the mountainous north of Puebla state, National Civil Protection Coordinator Luis Felipe Puente said in an interview with ForoTV. He said 25 of the dead were in various parts of the township of Huauchinango and three were in Tlaola. Rains also set off mudslides in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz that killed 10 people, officials reported.
Turkey
Massive rally fills Istanbul
Turkey will continue fighting whatever powers seek to undermine the government, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Sunday as he addressed a massive flag-waving rally in Istanbul in the wake of the country’s abortive July 15 coup. The Yenikapi meeting area by the Marmara Sea waterfront in Istanbul’s European side was transformed into a sea of red and white, the colors of Turkey’s flag. No official crowd figure was provided, but Turkish media said millions attended. The event was so full that large crowds were turned away at the gates, spilling into surrounding streets.
Thailand
Vote OKs new constitution
Thai voters on Sunday overwhelmingly approved a new junta-backed constitution that lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed — rather than elected — officials. Although near-final results showed that more than 60 percent of voters in a referendum called by the military government approved of the constitution, the vote is likely to be met by some skepticism. The junta imposed severe restrictions on public discussion of the proposed constitution.
Canada
Shirtless leader causes stir
Sightings of a shirtless Justin Trudeau are causing something of a stir across Canada and internationally this summer. The prime minister was most recently photographed shirtless while taking a break from surfing and simultaneously photobombing a couple getting married on a Tofino, British Columbia, beach. A previous sighting gained international attention. The BBC and Time magazine reported on a Canadian family that encountered Trudeau while hiking in Quebec’s Gatineau Park last month and took a selfie with the shirtless prime minister.
Compiled from wire reports