kidnapping

Escalating violence related to the cross-border drug trade has caused Texas authorities to advise spring break revelers to avoid Mexico. The Mexico Tourism Board countered that traveling south of the border remains safe. At stake is a big chunk of the $12 billion that tourists spend in Mexico each year.

I have heard about the kidnapping of dogs. A recent dognapping case ended up with a $10,000 ransom being paid. I have heard about a lobster being held for ransom. That was a case of using the release of an unusually large lobster to solicit donations for a food pantry.But I have never, until now,...

The saga of New York Times reporter David Rohde (right), held captive by Taliban militants for seven months, had a happy ending: Rohde escaped unharmed. But the warm glow of that outcome is now tinged somewhat by the disclosure, reported by New York magazine, that The New York Times Co. offered, in...