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ABC News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
More countries join deep sea mining moratorium
The United Nations Oceans Conference has started in the French city of Nice with Pacific nations rallying support for a new High Seas Treaty. Meanwhile, opposition against deep-sea mining is growing on the sidelines of the meeting with Pacific nations signing up to a moratorium against the industry. Cook Islands ocean conservationist Louisa Castledine, who's in Nice, told Pacific Beat that four more countries joined the campaign against deep-sea mining. "Prior to UNOC there were 33 countries …I was in the room when Marshall Islands announced that they too were taking up a moratorium against deep-sea mining." "Obviously, for me, I'm disappointed that the Cook Islands isn't in that league…but it just means that we need to work even harder in the Cook Islands," Ms Castledine said. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, James Marape from Papua New Guinea, Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior, Jeremiah Manele from the Solomons and Moetai Brotherson from French Polynesia are among Pacific taking part in the UN meeting.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Cook Islands PM leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia
By Losirene Lacanivalu , Cook Islands News Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Tiana Haxton Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an "open dialogue" on seabed exploration activities. The Cook Islands government held a similar consultation tour in New Zealand in November last year, which Brown, also the Minister for Seabed Minerals, declared a significant success. According to the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the delegation will travel to Australia from 28 May to 6 June to engage Cook Islands communities in Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. The face-to-face sessions will focus on the Cook Islands' journey towards a "science-led, environmentally responsible, and sovereign approach to seabed minerals exploration". In a statement, SBMA said that this engagement marks the next step in strengthening the relationship between government and diaspora, "built on a shared commitment to sustainable progress and guardianship of our moana". The consultation is facilitated by SBMA in collaboration with community leaders "clarifying what is happening, what is not, and how Cook Islanders remain at the centre of this seabed minerals journey". Brown said that this was not about extraction or shortcuts. "This is about science, stewardship, and sovereignty. We are exploring, carefully, transparently, and with the future of our people and ocean in mind." Brown reiterated that no mining has been approved. All current activities are exploratory only, governed by Cook Islands legislation and robust environmental frameworks, and informed by global best practices, he added. "These conversations reaffirm who we are and what we stand for. Our diaspora carries our culture and pride with them. They are part of our national direction, and their voice matters," Brown added. According to SBMA, this national strategy is about building Cook Islands capacity to lead in environmental science, global research and sustainable ocean economies. "Public trust, transparent governance, and cultural legitimacy underpin every step of the process," SBMA said. "The Cook Islands vision is clear: to be a leader and steward in a sustainable minerals future, delivering benefits not just in revenue but in knowledge, capability, and intergenerational wellbeing." Consultation will start on 29 May in Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and ending in Melbourne on 5-6 June. -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .
WIRED
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- WIRED
A Gaming YouTuber Says an AI-Generated Clone of His Voice Is Being Used to Narrate 'Doom' Videos
May 21, 2025 2:00 PM Mark Brown, who posts game explainers to his Game Maker's Toolkit channel, says his persona has been plagiarized. Photo-Illustration:On a little known YouTube channel, a breezy, British narrator is explaining the ins and outs of Doom: The Dark Ages ' story. Though not named, his voice may be familiar to video game fans as that of Mark Brown. The trouble is, Brown had nothing to do with the video. Brown, who goes by Game Maker's Toolkit, is a content creator and developer who's covered video game design for over a decade. His channel has 220 videos, broadcast to over 1.65 million subscribers, where he gives in-depth explanations on things like puzzle mechanics in Blue Prince or addresses UI problems in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom . (Brown has also previously written for WIRED UK.) The Doom video, posted to a channel called Game Offline Lore, is not Brown's typical content. But the problem is actually bigger than that: Brown never actually narrated this video. Instead, he says, the creator of Game Offline Lore has used an AI version of his voice without his knowledge or consent. 'The thought that someone else would do it in order to copy my persona in this way—it's just so weird and invasive,' he says. 'It's kinda like plagiarism, but more personal. It's not my work or my labor, it's a distinct part of who I am.' AI-driven fraud is on the rise. Deepfakes, once confined to damaging videos affecting celebrities and average citizens alike, is now advanced enough to happen in real time. As AI seeps into every aspect of our lives, from work to emotional support, YouTubers like Brown are facing a growing problem: theft not just of their work, but of their very voices. Brown filed a privacy complaint to YouTube, which typically gives the offender 48 hours to remove their video before YouTube officially gets involved. Typically, he says, YouTube 'has pretty robust systems' and tools to get these videos taken down. But Brown says it's been over 48 hours now since he reached out. Both videos remain live. Their creator, he says, has been removing comments where people say they've stolen Brown's voice. YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon tells WIRED that it expanded its privacy request policy last year 'to allow users to request the removal of AI-generated or other synthetic or altered content that simulates their face or voice.' Malon says the company is reviewing the content to determine if a violation has been made. 'We'll take action if the content violates our policies,' he says. WIRED was unable to find contact information for the person behind Game Offline Lore. Brown tells WIRED that his videos are often the product of over 100 hours of work, researching material, writing scripts, recording gameplay, and editing. 'Each one is a significant project that takes two or three weeks to produce—with no shortcuts like using AI,' he says. He says he learned about the Doom video after it was sent to him by someone who'd watched it; they thought it sounded like an AI version of his voice and wanted to alert him. A second video that appears to feature his voice is also online, this one about the series' lore. Brown was shocked. He knew such a thing was possible—Brown had made his own AI bot to replicate his voice for scratch vocals, before he replaces it with his final, recorded audio—but finding someone else had lifted his voice was unbelievable. Game Offline Lore, the channel in question, is small, with only 7.43 thousand subscribers. Many of its 259 videos are shorts, and those with narration are clearly AI. But the full-length video featuring Brown's apparent AI-generated voice is more popular than many of the others, with over 60K views. Furthermore, Brown says, it's likely collecting 'a fair amount' of ad money. As a content creator, Brown says he is used to his work being lifted in various ways. He's dealt with people streaming themselves watching his videos, or even flat out uploading his work to their channels. He hasn't spoken to the person who runs Game Offline Lore. 'I do not believe anyone who would do this would be empathetic in the slightest,' he says. 'Much in the same way that it would be frustrating for someone to profit after plagiarizing your work, it's frustrating for someone to profit from using your persona.'
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU AD lays out path for potential Division I move
As Tuskegee University continues to modernize its athletic infrastructure and celebrate record-setting achievements, the conversation around a potential move to NCAA Division I competition continues to linger around the HBCU. While the university has not made any formal declaration, Director of Athletics Reginald Ruffin acknowledged that the decision ultimately lies in the hands of President Dr. Mark Brown and the university's board of trustees. "That will not be a decision alone by me," Ruffin told HBCU Gameday's Steven J. Gaither. "It's going to be President Mark Brown… what he wants to see in the next… three-year plan, his five-year plan-what he sees in athletics." The buzz surrounding Tuskegee's future comes at a time when the university is seeing measurable success across multiple sports. Ruffin noted that during the 2024–25 academic year alone, Tuskegee played for seven conference championships and came away with three titles while finishing as runner-up in four others. "That's a lot of championships," he emphasized. There are currently 23 Division I HBCUs. Twelve of them are in the SWAC, with eight residing in the MEAC and three others in non-HBCU leagues. For Tuskegee, a move up would mean not only meeting NCAA requirements in sports sponsorship and scholarships but also sustaining success and funding at a higher level. Ruffin emphasized that the university's top priority is maintaining full support for its current programs. "You have to also make sure you're maintaining your sports, and not only maintaining sports-you gotta be supporting your sports," he said. According to Ruffin, both President Brown and former interim president Dr. Charlotte Morris made full athletic funding a priority-setting the foundation for what could be a long-term trajectory toward Division I. That administrative support has paid dividends according to Ruffin. However, Ruffin made clear that for now, Tuskegee remains focused on building where it is-with one eye on the future. "For now we're just going to continue to sell out the crowd, and we have to go play FCS schools and be your largest attendance when we play those schools - until the president and the administration, decide, hey, it's time to to make that next step,' Ruffin said. 'But right now, Steven, I think we're grounded where we're planted and we're planted where we grounded. And we are just going to do what we can to continue building the legacy of Tuskegee University, With a revitalized campus, major facility upgrades, and growing support from alumni and the community, the foundation is being laid for the university to make a serious evaluation. But Ruffin reiterated that such a move must align with the university's strategic vision-not just athletic ambition. For now, Tuskegee University remains one of the most successful and tradition-rich programs in HBCU athletics. Whether that legacy will one day extend to the Division I level remains to be seen, but the infrastructure, leadership, and success metrics are increasingly pointing toward the possibility. The post HBCU AD lays out path for potential Division I move appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Former Cook Islands Deputy PM calls on NZ to reclaim control over health and education
By 'Alakihihifo Vailala , PMN Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN A former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands is calling for the nation to reconsider rejoining New Zealand. Prominent lawyer Norman George argues that self-government has failed and urges New Zealand to take control of education, policing, and healthcare in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, sharing the same Head of State, King Charles III. New Zealand has constitutional responsibilities in matters such as foreign affairs, disaster response, and defence. The Cook Islands has been self-governing since August 2025, almost 60 years. Cook Islanders are also New Zealand citizens and hold New Zealand passports. George describes the current political leadership under Prime Minister Mark Brown as undemocratic and dismissive of opposition voices. "Cook Islands sovereignty is a mess, abused by the politicians and there's no democracy," George tells PMN. "Our education system here is an absolute disaster, there's not one single New Zealand-educated teacher. "All our teachers are from other Pacific islands, and by no means, I am not critical of them, but I can tell you in my book, none of them are good enough to teach my children and grandchildren." Ex-Cook Islands Deputy PM and prominent lawyer Norman George. Photo: Cook Islands News / Talaia Mika A veteran Cook Islands politician, George was first elected in 1983. He served over 30 years in parliament including terms as speaker, deputy prime minister, and a cabinet minister. He lost his seat in the 2014 general election. George also suggests that the Cook Islands should have at least three dedicated seats in the New Zealand Parliament, similar to Māori electorates. "With New Zealand's approval and blessing, of course, we certainly are not demanding it. "It's the kind of thing we want discussed because before, when we had internal self-government, nobody ever raised the idea, hey, we shouldn't be in a rush to go for self-government if you let us have some seats in your house." Responding to George's suggestions, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledges the deep constitutional ties between the two nations. "We have a very special relationship with the Cook Islands, it's coming up 60 years, and with that, it's a very special constitutional arrangement where we have certain rights and responsibilities to each other," Luxon says. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks at a post-Cabinet media conference. Photo: Screenshot But, Luxon was cautious about responding to George's specific proposals. "Any change or evolution of those arrangements, we're always up for the conversation, but it would need to come from the Cook Islands people," Luxon says. "I'm not going to react just to an individual's idea. Anything that is concrete and proposed would come through proper channels for proper debate and discussion. "But we do have very strong constitutional arrangements with a realm country arrangement that has obligations on both parties." George recently voiced his views in a letter to the editor of the Cook Islands News to "rattle the cage of thinkers in our community". But he adds integration back to New Zealand needs to be carefully considered, and only progressed with the consent of the people of the Cook Islands and New Zealand. The Cook Islands' Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has been approached for comment. -This article was first published by PMN .
