In brief

US keeps smallpox stock: The United States has decided to keep its stock of smallpox and to delay the global destruction of the virus. President Clinton and Donna Shalala, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, cited the growing threat of bioterrorism, the shortage of smallpox vaccines, and the potential to advance research in infectious disease as the main reasons for not destroying the virus. World Health Organisation member states had voted in 1996 to destroy remaining smallpox stocks by 30 June 1999.

UK government announces cancer plan: The UK prime minister last week announced a 10 year plan to improve cancer services. Measures include a new target of cutting by one fifth the number of deaths from all cancers in people under the age of 75 by the year 2010. A new Cancer Action Team will work with the NHS to raise the standards of cancer care in hospitals that are not meeting those achieved in the best centres. An extra 400 cancer specialists and up to 15000 extra nurses will be employed, with funding coming from the additional £21bn ($33.6bn) already allocated to the NHS.

Health budget for Wales: Health authorities in Wales will receive more than £2bn ($3.2bn) this year—an increase of 10.2%or £193m.

Staphylococcus vaccine candidate: US researchers have identified a molecule on the surface of Staphylococcus aureus which may be useful in the development of vaccines to protect against the organism, a common cause of infections acquired in hospital. It is hoped that a vaccine could overcome the growing problem of antibiotic resistance (Science 1999;284:1523-7).

GMC president defeats opponent: The president of the UK's General Medical Council, Sir Donald Irvine, has defeated a challenge to his leadership from Mrs Wendy Savage by 56 votes to 26 (22 May, p 1373).