NEW RESOURCES

Data Descriptor: An open database on global coal and metal mine production . “… presenting an open database on global coal and metal mine production on the level of individual mines. It is based on manually gathered information from more than 1900 freely available reports of mining companies, where every data point is linked to its source document, ensuring full transparency.”

Aberystwyth University: Language teachers could ditch essays in favour of graphic novels. “… a team of Modern Languages academics are inspiring teachers and students to adopt new and creative ways of researching language and assessing language learning – through art. The team have launched the Creative Modern Languages Hub, a free online resource which provides examples of creative assessment and artistic research from the UK and beyond.”

TWEAKS AND UPDATES

Engadget: Microsoft expands its pact with OpenAI in ‘multibillion dollar’ deal. “Microsoft is once again pouring money into OpenAI as part of an expanded partnership. The tech giant is making a ‘multibillion dollar’ investment that will lead to wider uses of OpenAI’s technology, as well as stronger behind-the-scenes support.”

USEFUL STUFF

Larry Ferlazzo: The Best New – & Free – Artificial Intelligence Tools That Could Be Used In The Classroom. “I also thought it would be helpful to readers – and to me – to begin yet another AI list where I collect various free (or ones that let you do enough free stuff to make it worth our time before they start charging) AI tools. I’ll add them to various specific other ‘Best’ lists too – if they fit and as I have time – but this list will also be more-or-less an AI potpourri of sorts. Who knows how long this list is going to end up being!”

AROUND THE INTERNET WORLD

Hollywood Reporter: Elon Musk’s Twitter Bows to India Request to Censor Links to BBC’s Narendra Modi Doc. “Despite the Twitter owner’s self-proclaimed stance as a ‘free speech absolutist,’ the platform has removed all links to videos from a documentary exploring allegations against Modi for fanning the flames of prejudice against Indian Muslims.”

Inverness Courier: Highland Archive staff rescue records after heavy snow falls. “Staff with the Highland Archive service sprang to the rescue after a leak was spotted at one of its records stores due to heavy snow falls. The incident happened on Friday after the Inverness area was hit by wintry weather and freezing temperatures.”

The Nation: The Growing Political Power of TikTok. “Because of the short-form video platform’s unique content-sharing algorithm and vertical-swipe interface, TikTok allows tens of millions of users to quickly access political information directly from community organizers, candidates, and journalists. Crucially, though, it’s the platform’s video-first focus that sets the app apart from competitors like Twitter.”

SECURITY & LEGAL

Associated Press: Classified records pose conundrum stretching back to Carter. “It turns out former officials from all levels of government discover they are in possession of classified material and turn them over to the authorities at least several times a year, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of classified documents.”

The Hindu: Blogger arrested for throwing currency notes from flyover to garner social media attention. “Commotion prevailed at the busy City Market junction and the flyover above it, as a man with a wall clock around his neck, carrying a bag, stopped his scooter and started showering currency notes from the flyover on to the road below on January 24, Tuesday. As motorists stopped their vehicles abruptly, and people cheered and gathered to pick the ₹10 currency notes, traffic on the flyover and the junction below came to a grinding halt.”

Bloomberg: Twitter Sued in Germany Over Vetting of Anti-Semitic Posts. “Twitter Inc. was hit by a lawsuit in Germany by an anti-hate speech organization and a European group of Jewish students in a bid to force the platform to remove antisemitic content. HateAid and the European Union of Jewish Students filed the suit against Twitter to require the platform to clarify basic obligations when moderating criminal content, according to a statement on Wednesday.”

RESEARCH & OPINION

Curtin University: Everyday Aussies’ social media posts help find missing plant species . “Scientists have identified six new or rediscovered Western Australian plant species from photos taken and uploaded to the internet by members of public, including a nature photographer from Jurien Bay, a pair of wildflower enthusiasts from Dongara and a farmer from near the Stirling Range National Park.”

Sydney Morning Herald: ‘An ethical and moral imperative’: One woman’s quest to save Australia’s dying songs. “Australia sits at the centre of an extraordinary web of linguistic and cultural diversity. More than 2000 of the world’s 6000 languages are spoken in Australia, the South Pacific and South-East Asia. Within the next 100 years, the number is predicted to dwindle to just a few hundred as communities age, traditions break down, and the climate crisis claims islands across the Pacific. The archive contains field recordings from the village of Tahal Nessa on Paama Island – a part of Vanuatu that is no longer inhabitable due to climate change.” Good morning, Internet…

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