Binance grapples with problems, Trump leads crowded GOP race, Dubai launches ChatGPT contest, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on June 7

CAN BINANCE MOVE ON BEYOND ITS PROBLEMS IN US? That the world’s biggest cryptocurrency trading platform – Binance – had trouble coming its way from the US SEC was a fact of life in the industry. But the series of measures undertaken by SEC against Binance.US has the gravity to hurt. Deeply. Binance.US has said it plans to counter all SEC moves robustly, but investors are left shaky. Not just the ones exposed to the US operations. Any US court decision upholding an asset freeze is what everyone has to keep watching out for. The wider universe of crypto-assets too is getting its time in court. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

ADVANTAGE TRUMP AS GOP PRESIDENTIAL RACE GETS CROWDED: The race for the Republican presidential nomination has evolved from a two-man battle between former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis into a more crowded field. Last week, Senator Tim Scott, the Senate's only Black Republican and a favored candidate among many GOP donors, announced his candidacy. The list of contenders now includes Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Ryan Binkley, Chris Christie, Larry Elder, Asa Hutchinson, Perry Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Tim Scott. There is potential for more candidates to join in the near future. While Trump currently enjoys a strong position in the polls, the growing number of contenders could only pave the way for his victory, while simultaneously present obstacles for his main competitor, DeSantis. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

NEW LEARNING TOOLS: A contest launched by Dubai encourages the development of educational tools using ChatGPT. The aim is develop teaching materials which teachers can use to create tailored lesson plans for students. The competition was launched by the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office jointly with the Digital School, one of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). Such a forward-looking initiative would help develop easy-to-use and effective learning tools using Generative AI, which should be embraced and enhanced to spread knowledge, and push the boundaries of learning for all. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

GREY'S ANATOMY ACTRESSES KATHERINE HEIGL AND ELLEN POMPEO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE HYPOCRISY WITHIN HOLLYWOOD: Katherine Heigl, renowned for her portrayal of Dr. Izzie Stevens in the beloved medical drama Grey's Anatomy, found herself labeled as difficult following her tumultuous departure from the series. However, in a recent candid conversation with Variety Magazine, Heigl fearlessly delved into the circumstances surrounding her hasty exit. She addressed the society's persistent unease when faced with fiercely confident women. Back in 2008, Heigl made headlines by voluntarily removing herself from Emmy nomination consideration, asserting that the material she had been given during that season did not merit recognition. Her controversial remarks shed light on the toxic work culture and grueling hours within the show, resulting in Heigl being unjustly branded as "difficult." Today, Heigl reflects on her naivety at the time, acknowledging that her intentions were genuine in challenging the mediocrity prevalent in television. Her boldness serves as a reminder of the importance of women who fearlessly speak their truth. Silence should never be seen as golden; instead, Heigl's example encourages empowered women to embrace their voices and stand tall in the face of opposition. (By Manjusha Radharkishnan, Entertainment Editor)