In brief

Swiss approve stem cell research: Two thirds of Swiss voters backed a 2003 Swiss law in a national referendum last Sunday giving the green light to scientists in Switzerland to conduct stem cell research on human embryos left over from infertility treatment. The move was seen as a boost to Switzerland's powerful pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

Bhutan bans tobacco: Bhutan, the landlocked Himalayan kingdom, has become the first nation in the world to ban tobacco. A law passed last week by the health ministry made the sale of tobacco illegal and imposed a fine of £122 ($232; €175) on anyone caught breaking the ban.

WHO urges countries to act on avian flu: The World Health Organization has warned that 25% to 30% of the world's population could be affected by the next influenza pandemic, with seven million deaths a conservative estimate. At a meeting of 13 Asian countries in Bangkok, it urged Asian governments to take urgent action to avert the threat from H5N1 avian flu, which threatens to mutate into a virulent human form of flu.

NHS trust investigated: An investigation has been launched by the Healthcare Commission into allegations of failings at the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. The trust runs the Eastbourne District General Hospital. The inquiry follows allegations of unfair treatment of some staff by managers. See http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/

Girls binge on alcohol more than boys: The number of teenage girls bingeing on alcohol has overtaken rates among boys for the first time, UK figures show. A third of 15 and 16 year old girls admitted at least one binge drinking experience in the last month, compared with a quarter of boys. The team from the European school survey project on alcohol and drugs interviewed more than 2000 pupils last year.