Neuralink’s brain implants get green light, Debt ceiling crisis looms in US, and Dubai’s 3-Day Super Sale kicks off, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on May 26

NEURALINK - A NEW ERA OF MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS? Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-implant company, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence its first in-human clinical study. This marks a significant milestone for Neuralink as it aims to develop a brain implant that can treat severe conditions such as paralysis and blindness. The FDA had initially rejected Neuralink's application due to concerns regarding the device's battery, potential migration of implant wires within the brain, and the safe extraction of the device without causing damage to brain tissue. However, the company seems to have addressed these concerns. We may be staring at a bold future where both disabled and healthy individuals can receive surgical implants to treat various conditions, including obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia, as well as to enable capabilities like web browsing and telepathy. With appropriate safeguards in place, the development of innovative medical technologies like Neuralink has the potential to improve the lives of countless individuals, ushering in a new era of medical advancements for the betterment of humanity. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

HUGE SALE KICKS OFF: Dubai’s 3-Day Super Sale (3DSS) kicks off today (May 26-28, 2023) with more than 500 companies and brand offering huge discounts for a relatively short time. There’s a great variety of items, i.e. electronics, watches, jewellery, home goods, clothing, and much more, up for grabs. A lot of popular brands have signed up with this edition. Many of them offer excellent value, and shoppers are sure to find irresistible deals. Such incredible bargains — coupled with ease, safety and innovative experiences the city offers — form a unique package that has made Dubai a global shopping and tourist destination. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

HOW LONG SHOULD THIS US DEBT CEILING SHADOW HANG OVER MARKETS? Agreed – there’s no denying the kind of imprint the US and its economy leaves on markets and investor sentiments elsewhere. More reason why the latest attempts at a resolution of yet another crisis over the US’ gargantuan debt ceiling talks needs speedier resolutions. The markets could do less with this added uncertainty, playing out far longer than it should ever have. Not at a time when so much hinges for the global economy to squeeze itself out of any additional crises that lurks on the side-lines in the near future. Fingers do remain crossed on a deal being made – with some measure of urgency. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

FOR ALONSO, BRAWN AND BRAIN GO HAND IN HAND: Sport is all about mind games. A contest is won or lost in the mind, but it could be even turned in your favour by playing on your rival’s mind. Fernando Alonso, the veteran driver who has been in the Formula 1 circuit for over two decades, has started playing the mind games with his younger rival Max Verstappen ahead of the Monaco races. The two-time world champion, who has become a main threat to the Dutch world champion in this season, threw down the gauntlet by saying that his Aston Martin car is not fast in the straights, but very good in the corners… it is good for circuits like Monaco, Budapest and Singapore. He has conveyed the message very subtly as the next race is to be held this weekend on the streets of Monaco. Brawn and brain go hand in hand for Alonso. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

TOM HANKS’ INTERESTING SPEECH AT HARVARD: The Hollywood actor was at the Harvard University yesterday to deliver a keynote speech and receive an honorary degree. The ‘Terminal’, ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Cast Away’ star, in an inspiring speech, told the graduates to be ‘superheroes’ in their defence of truth. “For the truth to some is no longer empirical. It’s no longer based on data, nor common sense, nor even common decency,” said the two-time Academy Award winner. “It’s the same option for all grownups who have to decide to be one of three types of Americans: Those who embrace liberty and freedom for all; those who won’t; or those who are indifferent,” he said. “Only the first do the work of creating a more perfect union, a nation indivisible.” He also made fun of the fact that he received a degree without having to enter the Harvard library even once. The speech should resonate with an America where divisions are growing. And going by his speech, Hanks seems to have spoken his mind. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)