World in brief: Merkel scolds pope over bishop’s return

German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a stern rebuke Tuesday to Pope Benedict XVI, accusing the Vatican of giving “the impression that Holocaust denial might be tolerated” by welcoming a disgraced bishop back into the church.

Benedict, the first German pope in 500 years, has faced a fierce backlash from his home country for reversing the excommunication of a bishop who has questioned whether the Nazis systematically killed 6 million Jews during the Holocaust.

Several leading German Catholics have joined in the criticism in recent days, openly wondering whether Benedict and the Vatican knew what they were doing in rehabilitating the bishop, Richard Williamson.

Mexico City

Drug violence hits tourist destination

The wave of drug violence sweeping across Mexico reached the popular tourist destination of Cancun on Tuesday with the execution of an army general who was a top security adviser for the resort city.

The body of Brig. Gen. Mauro Enrique Tello Quinonez and two other men were found in an SUV along a highway outside Cancun early Tuesday, police said. Their hands and feet were tied and their bodies sprayed with gunfire.

Cancun Mayor Gregorio Sanchez Martinez Sanchez said the men were slain “while carrying out their duties,” but he did not provide details.