Drugs warning: Governments were told yesterday that the ambitious United Nations target of a world free of illegal drugs by 2008 would not be reached unless the present emphasis on repressive policies is replaced by a more balanced strategy (Rory Watson in Brussels writes). The demand for a change of approach was presented by an influential working group established by seven European foundations. It came just 24 hours after Belgium had adopted more liberal legislation towards cannabis.

ASIA

Talks with rebels: Preliminary peace talks between the Government and Maoist rebels will begin next week in an effort to end the seven years of unrest that have cost more than 7,800 lives in Nepal. Both sides declared a ceasefire in January. Babu Ram Bhattarai, the rebel leader who has been in hiding since 1996, arrived in Kathmandu yesterday. The Maoists, who have been seeking to establish a communist republic, have been demanding the withdrawal of criminal charges against more than 100 rebel leaders as a precondition for talks.(AFP)

AFRICA

Forced rom homes: The head of a German charity voiced concern for thousands of people who have been forced out of their homes in southern Sudan to make way for oil drilling. “They do not have access to healthcare; their sanitation is pathetic; most children are suffering from malnutrition. They need help,” said Reimund Reubelt, executive director of Hoffnungszeichen (Sign of Hope), after a visit to the region. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Boy charged: New Jersey police have charged a ten-year-old boy with the murder of a toddler, who was beaten with a baseball bat, sexually assaulted and left to die in a storm drain. Amir Beeks, aged three, who lived near his alleged killer, was found on Wednesday but died in hospital. Bruce Kaplan, a prosecutor, said that the boy could not be tried as an adult but could face a 20-year prison term for murder. He would not elaborate on the sexual charge. Neighbours who discovered who the unidentified suspect was said that he was a troubled loner. (AFP)

Flight to exile: Carlos Ortega, the Venezuelan union leader charged with treason for leading a two-month strike aimed at ousting President Chávez, right, has gone into exile in Costa Rica. Señor Ortega, 56, flew in accompanied by Ricardo Lizano, Costa Rica’s Ambassador to Venezuela. Earlier he pledged to continue fighting to oust Señor Chávez, whom he called “a dictator in training”. (AFP)

Boy charged: New Jersey police have charged a ten-year-old boy with the murder of a toddler, who was beaten with a baseball bat, sexually assaulted and left to die in a storm drain. Amir Beeks, aged three, who lived near his alleged killer, was found on Wednesday but died in hospital. Bruce Kaplan, a prosecutor, said that the boy could not be tried as an adult but could face a 20-year prison term for murder. Neighbours who discovered who the unidentified suspect was said that he was a troubled loner. (AFP)

Drugs warning: Governments were told yesterday that the ambitious United Nations target of a world free of illegal drugs by 2008 would not be reached unless the present emphasis on repressive policies is replaced by a more balanced strategy (Rory Watson in Brussels writes). The demand for a change of approach was presented by an influential working group established by seven European foundations. It came just 24 hours after Belgium had adopted more liberal legislation towards cannabis.

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