World in brief: Ferry capsizes, claiming at least 9

MANILA, Philippines – Passengers leapt into the sea and dropped children into life rafts when a ferry carrying nearly 1,000 people capsized in the southern Philippines.

Nine people died and more than 30 were missing, though rescue efforts saved about 900 terrified victims on the Superferry 9 early Sunday after it turned on its side nine miles off Zamboanga del Norte province.

Rescuers transferred 926 of 968 passengers and crewmen to two nearby commercial ships, a navy gunboat and a fishing boat, coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said. A search was under way for 33 missing people.

German leader seeks new coalition

BERLIN – Chancellor Angela Merkel has kicked off her conservative party’s campaign for the Sept. 27 German election by calling for a center-right coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats.

At a rally Sunday, Merkel called for a new partner in government after four years of an uneasy coalition with her party’s main rival, the Social Democrats.

The chancellor pledged to create jobs, increase public-funded child care and boost the number of electric-powered cars.

Mother questioned about sale of child

MEXICO CITY – Mexican authorities detained a mother on suspicion of selling her 8-month-old daughter in exchange for a house and undisclosed payments.

Prosecutors in western Michoacan state said Sunday that the baby’s maternal grandmother told authorities her daughter gave the girl to a local couple and talked of getting a house in return. The couple were also detained.

The mother was identified as a 19-year-old.