Meteorology & Hydrology Laws, Scotland Alcohol, Legacy Update, More: Saturday Afternoon ResearchBuzz, December 13, 2025
NEW RESOURCES
World Meteorological Organization: New WMO Database on National Laws and Decrees Regulating Meteorology & Hydrology. “The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is pleased to announce the launch of a new database that compiles national laws and decrees governing meteorology and hydrology across all WMO Members. This resource provides a clear, accessible overview of the legal frameworks that define and reinforce the role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services…
Meteorology & Hydrology Laws, Scotland Alcohol, Legacy Update, More: Saturday Afternoon ResearchBuzz, December 13, 2025
NEW RESOURCES
World Meteorological Organization: New WMO Database on National Laws and Decrees Regulating Meteorology & Hydrology. “The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is pleased to announce the launch of a new database that compiles national laws and decrees governing meteorology and hydrology across all WMO Members. This resource provides a clear, accessible overview of the legal frameworks that define and reinforce the role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs).”
The Drinks Business: Brewery and distillery search engine launches. “A new internet search engine, dedicated to helping put beer and whisky drinkers in touch with some of the best breweries and distilleries in Scotland, will debut this week.”
TWEAKS AND UPDATES
The Register: Legacy Update expands archive of vanished Microsoft downloads. “Legacy Update has for years been a tremendously useful site and tool for those wanting to keep older versions of Windows alive and in active use. The site has updated its archive of files that Microsoft used to make available for free download in the official Download Center, but has in its finite wisdom removed.”
AROUND THE SEARCH AND SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD
New York Times: A.I. Videos Have Flooded Social Media. No One Was Ready.. This link goes to a gift article. “In the two months since Sora arrived, deceptive videos have surged on TikTok, X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, according to experts who track them…. Most of the major social media companies have policies that require disclosure of artificial intelligence use and broadly prohibit content intended to deceive. But those guardrails have proved woefully inadequate for the kind of technological leaps OpenAI’s tools represent.”
Associated Press: Vermont rescue team sees increase of calls as social media lures skiers into danger. “A rescue team that covers Vermont’s tallest mountain has seen a rise in calls from inexperienced skiers who end up getting lost and in dangerous locations after being influenced by videos on social media.”
MakeUseOf: This website literally walks you through the coolest parts of the internet. “I once discovered a website that allows me to listen to radio stations from around the world for free. But this time, I might have found one that’s even better: Viralwalk, a website that allows me to discover some of the coolest sites on the web. I’d give fair warning: don’t visit this website if you don’t want to waste a few hours.”
SECURITY & LEGAL
Mashable: Petco reveals a hack exposed customer data in these states. “Petco has confirmed that its data security breach exposed sensitive customer information. The company initially acknowledged a breach without detailing what was compromised, legal notices that were required in several states are starting to show the scope of the hack.”
Reuters: Indian AI royalty proposal targets data practices of OpenAI, Google. “An Indian government panel has proposed requiring AI companies to pay content creators a share of revenue for using their work to train models, a setback for companies such as OpenAI and Google that back free access to publicly available data.”
SF Gate: Calif. woman sentenced after bragging about luxury lifestyle on Instagram. “Mary Ann Magdamit, a 31-year-old former mail carrier with the United States Postal Service, worked at the Torrance Main Post Office, where she stole checks and sensitive personal information from at least 2022 until July 2025. … Under the Instagram handle @yourfawkenmom, Magdamit posted photos flaunting $100 bills, luxury goods and her international travels.”
RESEARCH & OPINION
Engadget: Nearly one-third of teens use AI chatbots daily. “AI chatbots haven’t come close to replacing teens’ social media habits, but they are playing a significant role in their online habits. Nearly one-third of US teens report using AI chatbots daily or more, according to a new report from Pew Research.” Good afternoon, Internet…
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