A "tsunami generation" of children are likely to suffer more

A "tsunami generation" of children are likely to suffer more than adults as rebuilding efforts get under way in devastated Indian Ocean states, the United Nations warned on Tuesday. Children account for at least a third of the 150,000 killed by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami. Those who survived may now struggle to secure food, water and sanitation aid, and to withstand diseases that frequently follow catastrophes, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said. Up to half the population in some affected areas is under 19. -- Reuters

U.S. drops out of 'freest' economies

The United States has dropped out of the world's top 10 "freest economies" in a ranking released on Tuesday by the conservative Heritage Foundation. The organization, which promotes low taxes and limited government regulation, said the United States was tied for 12th place with Switzerland in the 2005 Index of Economic Freedom. Hong Kong retained its top ranking in the survey, followed by Singapore, Luxembourg and Estonia. Ireland and New Zealand tied for fifth place, followed by Britain, Denmark, Iceland and Australia in the top 10. Chile ranked 11th. The report, compiled with the Wall Street Journal, "demonstrates that the countries with the greatest degrees of economic freedom also enjoy the highest living standards," Heritage said. -- AFP

Pinochet to face trial (2x15)

Chile's Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an application by former dictator Augusto Pinochet to strike out charges of human rights abuses brought against him. The ruling means that the 89- year-old will probably face trial for crimes committed during his rule from 1973 to 1990.The judge rejected an appeal by Pinochet's defense team filed in December following a decision by Judge Juan Guzman to file criminal charges against Pinochet and to put him under house arrest. Guzman said at the time that the trial would focus on Pinochet's role in the kidnappings of nine people and a homicide that were part of Operation Condor. A number of South American countries cooperated in Operation Condor, a plan in the 1970s by military dictatorships in the region to capture, torture and kill regime opponents who had fled to neighboring nations. -- DPA