HIV Treatment, Alina Habba, & Rat People

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Adam Rogers
December 02, 2025

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A UC San Francisco study shows seven of 10 participants controlled HIV for months without antiretroviral drugs after receiving experimental immunotherapy treatment. One participant showed no viral rebound. Researchers said the results were 'unprecedented,' as HIV typically rebounds within two weeks of stopping medication.
The approach used a therapeutic vaccine to train T cells to attack HIV, followed by antibody cocktails to reduce virus levels. This reprogrammed participants' immune systems so their T cells remained vigilant and expanded dramatically whenever HIV appeared, keeping the virus suppressed.
The treatment could be a possible cure for the 40 million people living with HIV globally. However, the study was small, lacked a control arm, and researchers say the method needs simplification and larger trials before it could replace daily medication.

A Federal appeals judges disqualified Alina Habba from serving as New Jersey’s acting US attorney, affirming a lower-court ruling that her appointment violated federal rules. The 3rd Circuit said the administration’s attempts to keep Habba in the job after her interim term expired created uncertainty for both the public and the office.
The decision highlights mounting challenges to Trump-era prosecutor appointments, several of which defense lawyers argue were installed through irregular or unlawful processes. Just last week, a judge tossed criminal cases in Virginia after ruling that another hastily appointed US attorney lacked legal authority — a decision the Justice Department plans to appeal.
Habba’s tenure had already drawn scrutiny for politically tinged actions and ongoing legal disputes, including charges she brought against Democratic officials and public comments about “turning New Jersey red.” The court’s ruling now puts her recent prosecutorial decisions at risk of invalidation.

The World Health Organization is officially recommending GLP-1 drugs as part of long-term obesity treatment, shifting from its historical focus on counseling, diet, and exercise alone. The new guidance frames obesity as a chronic, treatable disease and says GLP-1 agonists can be used continuously for six months or longer alongside lifestyle support.
The move follows rising global adoption and growing evidence that GLP-1 drugs aid weight loss and reduce related health risks, from hypertension to heart disease. In the US, roughly 1 in 8 adults now reports using a GLP-1 medication for weight loss or conditions like diabetes.
But WHO stressed the guidance is conditional, citing limited long-term safety data, high prices, and uneven access. Popular US drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound still cost over $1,000 per month, though the Trump administration recently announced pricing deals aimed at lowering out-of-pocket costs for some patients.

The Trump administration is investigating whether Minnesota welfare money reached al Shabaab terrorists, though past state audits found no proof of funds flowing overseas. (More)

Luigi Mangione's lawyers want evidence thrown out in his United Health CEO murder case, including a gun and notebook, arguing police illegally searched his backpack without a warrant. (More)

Starting February 1, air travelers without Real IDs must pay $45 to pass through security, while passengers with Real IDs or passports avoid the new fee. (More)

Hong Kong arrested 13 people for manslaughter after a fire killed 151 people at a housing estate, but also arrested two civilians under national security laws for calling for accountability over alleged safety violations. (More)

Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Asfura, backed by Trump, leads by 3,000 votes over Salvador Nasralla with half counted, as fraud accusations and website crashes mar the election. (More)

Pope Leo XIV visited Lebanon on his first Middle East trip since becoming Catholic leader in May, stopping at a saint's tomb and calling for the country to walk in Christ's light amid conflict and economic crisis. (More)

US stock markets closed lower on Monday (S&P -0.53%, Nasdaq -0.38%, Dow -0.90%). Major indexes followed crypto lower, ending five-day green streaks. (More)

Bitcoin fell 8% to $84,305 and ether dropped 10% Monday as crypto sell-offs continued, with analysts blaming $400 million in exchange liquidations. (More)

Airbus shares dropped 10% Monday after the company found quality issues with panels on dozens of A320 planes, delaying some deliveries but not affecting jets already in service. (More)

Ohio State leads College Football Playoff rankings after holding opponents to 16 or fewer points in all 12 games, followed by undefeated Indiana at second and Georgia at third. (More)

The WNBA proposed max player salaries of $1 million in 2026, with revenue sharing pushing total pay above $1.2 million, while average salaries would exceed $500,000. (More)

Disney's "Zootopia 2" became China's highest-grossing foreign animated film ever, earning $276 million in six days. (More)

A UC San Francisco study showed seven out of 10 HIV patients kept the virus at low levels for months without medication after experimental immunotherapy treatment, offering hope for a possible cure. (More)

Scientists discovered the world's largest lithium deposit in Nevada, up to 40 million tons that could power hundreds of millions of EVs. (More)

Netflix removed the ability to cast shows from phones to TVs for most devices, directing users to use their TV remotes instead. (More)

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