Friday News Bites: HIV Treatment Advances, Obituaries + More

This past week, several notable people have passed away, but we’ve also got some bright spots in the world of medicine and music to share. Let’s get to it.

Another baby appears to be cured of HIV, according to doctors in California who administered anti-retroviral drugs hours after birth. The now nine-month-old child tests HIV-negative and is the second baby in the U.S. to respond positively to the same treatment.

According to The New York Times, President Obama will soon call for an end to N.S.A. bulk data collection. (My somewhat cynical view is that you can call for it all you like, but that doesn’t mean the NSA will actually stop, nor should we be surprised when they don’t.)

Did you know that half of the U.S. population lives in just 146 out of its more than 3000 counties? (I used to live in that eastern Washington county, and the traffic on one particular road makes me believe it.)

So, Apple had a bit of an unfortunate ad placement this week. Whoops.

Tennessee lawmakers apparently think it’s okay to pass a law saying it’s okay to bully LGBT kids because “religious freedom.” Gross.

In Guinea, dozens have died from ebola, and the virus has possibly spread to neighboring country Sierra Leone.

In R.I.P. News:

Actor James Rebhorn — perhaps most familiar as “that guy” with decades of character acting — died from melanoma at age 65. Interestingly (and touchingly), Rebhorn wrote his own obituary.

Original Yes guitarist Peter Banks also died at age 65 this week, reportedly from heart failure.

GWAR frontman Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, died on March 23 at age 50. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

In better music news: Christine McVie has rejoined Fleetwood Mac, and the band will be touring again starting in September.

Finally, this made me giggle:

See you next time, friends.

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