In Brief

Keeping tabs: A stiff dose of preventives is set to find its way into the European Union's (EU) prescription for curbing the illegal trade of low-cost antiretroviral drugs. The proposal comes in the face of the recent revelation that shipments of cheaper AIDS drugs intended for Africa were intercepted, flown back to Europe and sold at increased rates.

Washout: In view of the strong resentment expressed by the hygiene-conscious Keralites about an international 'washing hands with soap' project, the authorities in the state have decided to shelve the scheme. The pilot scheme had several collaborators including the World Bank.

No respite: Despite tighter emission standards, a study has found that air pollution continues to pose a threat to city-dwellers in 26 European cities. It pointed out that reducing particulates alone could prevent 12,000 premature deaths a year in cities across Europe.