Mexico holds referendum on prosecuting ex-presidents

sMexico City - Mexicans vote Sunday in a national referendum promoted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on whether to investigate and prosecute his predecessors for alleged corruption. Lopez Obrador, a self-styled anti-graft crusader, says the public consultation will strengthen participatory democracy, but critics see it as little more than a political stunt. To be binding, 37.4 million people -- 40 percent of the electoral roll -- must participate, but many voters appear unenthusiastic. While the “yes” vote could win up to 90 percent, it will be difficult to achieve even 30 percent turnout, said Roy Campos, director of the polling company Mitofsky. Rosario Gomez is among those who plan to vote at one of 57,000 ballot boxes set up by the electoral institute, compared with more than 160,000 for June’s legislative and local elections. “It’s about time these thieves pay!” the 52-year-old market vendor said.

India reports 41,831 new COVID-19 cases, 541 more deaths

NEW DELHI - India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 31,655,824 on Sunday as 41,831 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry’s latest data. As many as 541 deaths were recorded since Saturday morning, taking the death toll to 424,351. There are still 410,952 active cases in the country with an increase of 2,032 during the period. A total of 30,820,521 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, with 39,258 new recoveries.