US condemns coup, suspends aid

NOUAKCHOTT - Leaders of a military coup in Mauritania promised yesterday to hold a free and transparent presidential election as soon as possible, but the United States suspended aid and demanded an immediate return to civilian rule. Soldiers ousted the nation's first freely elected president, Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, on Wednesday after he tried to dismiss military chiefs widely seen to have turned against him. The coup drew broad condemnation abroad and demands for Abdallahi's release and reinstatement. (Reuters)

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy's political opponents heaped criticism on him yesterday for avoiding a meeting with the Dalai Lama when he comes to France this month. Sarkozy had been under pressure from human rights groups to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader - especially since the president backed down from a threat to boycott the opening of the Beijing Olympics over China's crackdown in Tibet. Sarkozy plans to attend the ceremony today. The president's critics accused him of bowing to Chinese pressure and wanting to secure major Chinese contracts for French companies. (AP)

MEXICO CITY - Amid broad outrage over the slaying of a 14-year-old kidnap victim, Mexican President Felipe Calderon urged Congress yesterday to toughen punishments for convicted kidnappers to include up to life in prison. The proposal would make kidnapping in some cases subject to the harshest criminal sentence in Mexico, which formally abolished its long-dormant death penalty three years ago. (Los Angeles Times)