MEXICO CITY - A SURVEY by Mexico's National Human Rights Commission shows that thousands of mainly Central American migrants crossing the country to reach the United States are kidnapped for ransom every year.

The commission says an estimated 9,758 migrants were kidnapped in Mexico between September and February, mainly by drug gangs but some migrants reported that authorities were involved.

SAO PAULO - CHARGING that toys sold with meals in fast-food outlets can lead children to develop bad eating habits, a Brazilian prosecutor on Monday asked a judge to ban such sales nationally at chains including McDonald's and Burger King.

The move comes amid global concern over the link between some fast food and illnesses such as diabetes, as the US Congress considers requiring chain restaurants to disclose calories on their menus to help fight endemic obesity.

SOUTH BEND (Indiana) - AN EYE surgeon and his wife were found shot to death on Monday, hours before they were scheduled to surrender to authorities on charges of performing unnecessary surgeries on patients, including children, and bilking money from health insurers.

The bodies of Dr Philip Gabriele, 44, and his 43-year-old wife, Marcella, both of Granger, were found inside his Gabriele Eye Institute in Elkhart by police investigating a possible suicide attempt, Elkhart police spokesman Lieutenant Ed Windbigler said.