Today’s Big Story

The Next Big Hair-Loss Solution?

In an effort to tackle thinning thatches, men are trying a buzzy treatment involving scalp injections

No matter how much hair you’ve got, most men of a certain age would always like a little more, right? And so if you’ve got cash, a little time and are brave enough to give some blood, you can ensure a full, lustrous head of hair. At least that’s the promise of a buzzy new treatment—platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

The pricey, gory-sounding procedure involves injecting a patient’s own plasma into their scalp. It can be done over a lunch break, but be warned: Continued treatments are needed, likely indefinitely. Seems like a good business and after all, the market is big. Hair loss triggers anxiety in many men, with almost 85% of guys experiencing “significantly thinning hair” by 50, according to the American Hair Loss Association.

Of course, those with thinning thatches can turn to nonsurgical remedies including minoxidil and finasteride in myriad forms, from pills to sprays, as well as supplements. And modern, direct-to-consumer brands like Hims make these easier to access and more affordable than ever. But for those who want extra help and aren’t yet ready to book those flights to Turkey for a transplant, an increasingly popular option is PRP therapy.

Great Many, a New York hair-growth clinic that opened last June, now sees over 100 male PRP patients a week, its co-founder Steve Klebanow told the Wall Street Journal. Two-thirds, he said, are aged 25 to 39. Dr. Caren Campbell, a San Francisco dermatologist, has offered PRP since 2018 but has noticed a recent uptick in requests among male patients, who typically range from 30 to 50. How exactly does it work? Blood is drawn from your arm and spun in a centrifuge to separate plasma from red blood cells. The plasma, a yellowish substance rich in repair-stimulating platelets, is then injected about 30 times across the scalp using a fine needle.

If that sounds painful, well, you’re right. Multiple male celebrities have owned up to trying it and, as comedian/actor Ike Barinholtz says, it works well, but he only does it now with the use of laughing gas. And, like with most medical interventions, catching it early is best. Dermatologists say PRP therapy has been shown to be most effective in patients with early-stage male-pattern baldness (which typically affects the hairline and crown). In other words, it’s unlikely to transform a shiny dome into a busy mane.

Joe Biden Diagnosed With Cancer

His office said the ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer has spread to the bone but can be managed effectively

Former President Joe Biden is battling an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, his office announced on Sunday. Officially, his cancer was “characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the statement said. Biden’s cancer diagnosis comes after a small nodule was found in the former president’s prostate after “a routine physical exam” last Tuesday. The discovery of the nodule “necessitated further evaluation,” his spokesperson said at the time.

The statement said the diagnosis “represents a more aggressive form of the disease,” but that the cancer appears to be sensitive to hormone therapy, “which allows for effective management.” It added, “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.” There’s no suggestion of any connection between Biden’s newfound cancer and the verbal and physical struggles that prompted questions last year about his ability to serve another term.

However, according to the Washington Post, the news comes at an extraordinary moment for Biden, 82, and his party, as Democrats in recent days have been second-guessing their handling of the 2024 election, especially the aging Biden’s insistence on running for reelection until a stumbling debate performance forced him from the race. On Sunday, President Donald Trump said he and the first lady were “saddened” after learning that former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer, wishing him a “fast and successful recovery.”

Israel Launches Major New Ground Offensive

But it also announced ceasefire talks with Hamas and humanitarian aid

Israel has launched “extensive” new ground operations across Gaza, as reported by Reuters, amid a wave of airstrikes that killed at least 103 Palestinians overnight, including dozens of children, according to hospitals and medical personnel. Israel’s military, which recently called up tens of thousands of reservists, said the ground operations are throughout Gaza’s north and south. Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, said that plans include “dissecting” the strip.

The ground operation comes following an intensified week of Israeli airstrikes—which Gaza health officials say have killed around 500 Palestinians in the last five days, including many women and children. According to NPR, Israel is targeting hundreds of Hamas sites and killed dozens of militants, and is vowing to gradually expand its offensive to increase military pressure on Hamas. This pressure could be what’s being discussed as ceasefire talks with Hamas began Saturday in Qatar and are continuing this week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS's Face the Nation that the U.S. is “actively engaged” in the ceasefire talks, which are aiming to try to free more Israeli hostages.

Israel also announced Sunday it will allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza after a nearly three-month blockade, days after global experts on food security warned of famine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a “starvation crisis” would jeopardize Israel’s new military offensive in Gaza, and his Cabinet approved a decision to allow a “basic” amount of food into the territory of over 2 million people. But it wasn’t immediately clear when aid would enter Gaza, or how. Israel has been trying to impose a new aid system, despite objections by aid workers. Netanyahu said Israel would work to ensure that aid does not reach militants.

Consumer Sentiment Is Shrinking

It just slid to second-lowest on record as inflation expectations jump after tariffs

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. tumbled further this month as the impacts of President Trump's tariff policies remained top of mind for Americans. The latest University of Michigan survey released Friday showed sentiment hit its second-lowest reading on record. The index slid to a reading of 50.8, below the 52.2 seen last month and the 53.4 expected by economists. The reading was just shy of the all-time low of 50 seen in June 2022.

“Uncertainty over trade policy continues to dominate consumers' thinking about the economy,“ Survey of Consumers director Joanne Hsu wrote in the release. Hsu added that nearly 75% of respondents mentioned tariffs “spontaneously,” up from almost 60% in April. However, Fortune reports that stock markets remain unfazed. Over the weekend, President Trump said he will unilaterally impose tax rates on goods from scores of countries because it was “not possible to meet the number of people that want to see us.”

ABC News reports that inflation eased slightly last month, dropping to its lowest level since 2021. And, the economy continues to add jobs at a solid pace. Still, uncertainty looms over the economic outlook. Consumers showed signs of weakness last month as retail sales slowed, indicating shoppers may be pulling back as they await possible fallout from tariffs. The trend poses a risk for the wider economy, since consumer spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of economic activity.

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