First Voice

Bank of Korea's newly appointed governor has voiced support for central bank digital currencies while avoiding any clear position on stablecoins. The remarks signal the country's monetary authority remains focused on a state-issued digital won rather than privately issued tokens, leaving Korea's approach to stablecoin regulation an open question for markets and crypto firms.

PSV Eindhoven left-back Mauro Junior says he never gave up on his dream of playing for Brazil, as Carlo Ancelotti takes charge of the national team. The 26-year-old, who has been a regular in the Eredivisie, is hoping a call-up to the Seleção could finally materialize under the Italian coach, and fans are debating whether he deserves a spot.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced a new housing programme, including plans to revive a Help to Buy-style scheme aimed at boosting housebuilding and helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder. The Financial Times reports the initiative is designed to stimulate construction, while The Times highlights its focus on getting young people into home ownership. The proposals position Burnham as an active voice on housing policy.

A court in Japan has ruled that a person's voice is legally protected, in a case involving TikTok and artificial intelligence. The decision is being watched as an early test of how existing law applies to AI systems that can replicate human voices, with potential implications for performers, voice actors and technology companies operating in Japan.

A Japanese court has ruled that human voices deserve legal protection, in a decision being described as a landmark for the AI era. The ruling could restrict AI systems that clone or imitate people's voices without consent. Observers say it may set a precedent for how voice rights are handled worldwide as voice synthesis technology spreads.

Spanish actress Irene Escolar has weighed in on the case of Maricarmen, the woman facing eviction from a Madrid apartment block, saying that whoever buys a building of homes has a first responsibility to know who lives there. Her remarks, made in an interview with Onda Cero, add a well-known cultural voice to an ongoing debate in Spain about housing, evictions and the responsibilities of property owners.

The European Central Bank has started looking for a replacement for Isabel Schnabel, widely seen as the first move in shaping the institution's leadership beyond Christine Lagarde's tenure. Schnabel, the ECB's influential executive board member, has been a key voice on monetary policy. The search signals early manoeuvring over the bank's future direction as attention turns to who will fill senior roles next.

Middle East Eye has launched a new podcast aimed at bringing voices from Gaza to listeners around the world. The outlet says the series is intended to amplify first-hand accounts and perspectives from people living through the war. Details on format, contributors and release schedule have not yet been widely reported.

Ashley Gantt has endorsed Ken Welch's bid for re-election as mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida. The endorsement adds a local political voice to Welch's campaign as the 2027 mayoral race takes shape. Welch, the city's first Black mayor, is seeking a second term, and backers are already lining up support ahead of the contest.

Family Guy is releasing a new Halloween special that sends the show's characters to hell, with Kieran Culkin voicing the Devil. The first trailer for the episode has been released, and fans of the long-running animated comedy are sharing and discussing the preview as the Halloween season approaches.

A Russian military blogger has publicly acknowledged that Russia's offensive in Ukraine has failed, a rare admission from within the pro-war commentator community. Such bloggers, who command large followings in Russia, are often among the first to voice criticism of the military leadership. The statement is drawing attention as evidence of growing pessimism about the campaign even among supporters of the war.

Disney is promoting a new animated film called Hexed for Disney+, sharing its trailer, release date and cast. The studio has opened a full promotional push for the movie on its streaming service, giving audiences a first look at the story and voice talent behind it.

Peacock has announced that Seth MacFarlane's 'Ted: The Animated Series' will premiere on Thursday, December 17, and has released the first teaser trailer. The series extends the Ted film franchise into animation, following the foul-mouthed teddy bear character MacFarlane voices. Entertainment outlets are sharing the trailer as fans react to the franchise's return on the streaming service.

A Tokyo court has ruled that an AI tool that replicated the distinctive voice of Japanese actor Kenjiro Tsuda, described as 'lustrous', violated his rights. The case is seen as a significant test for voice protection in the age of generative AI, with observers watching closely for how it shapes disputes between performers and AI developers in Japan and beyond.

A first-person account from a front-line election defender has been published, offering a personal perspective on defending democratic processes. The piece, framed under the theme 'For Country', gives an insider's view of the work done to protect elections. It is drawing attention as readers look for on-the-ground voices amid ongoing debates about election integrity.

A Tokyo court has ruled that an AI tool which replicated an actor's distinctive, 'lustrous' voice without permission violated his rights. The decision is being closely watched as one of the first in Japan to address voice cloning, and could set a precedent for how performers' voices are protected from unauthorised AI reproduction.