Happy Monday, dear friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. We had a big storm here and the weather has turned cold, but the sun is still shining on a beautiful new day.
Let’s get right down to business with the news, so you can all get on with your day.
To begin, we focus on two important issues in Egypt, and then we bounce around from there.
Egypt purges judges who show allegiance to old regime.
In July of 2013, President Mohamed Morsi was removed from power in Egypt. He ruled for one year, and his term was tumultuous. Morsi was affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, and Egyptian authorities wish to remove any ties to this extremist group.
This Sunday, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary suspended 56 judges and remanded them for disciplinary action. Sources indicated that they had signed a pro-Morsi statement during protests that followed his ousting. Many other judges have been removed from service in the past year. This is part of a plan to cleanse the Egyptian judiciary of any dissidence against the current regime.
More Egyptian judges suspended for pro-Morsi accusations by El-Sayed Gamal El-Din for Ahram Online
Egyptian journalists reject blanket approval of the government.
Egyptian journalists are at odds with their editors over a recent policy declaration. The editors promised complete devotion to the government. They also banned criticism of the military, police and judiciary. The editors wish to show a united front against terrorism.
Over 350 journalists have signed a rejection of the policy this weekend, after union discussions on the future of local media. The journalists do not want to surrender their freedom of expression in the face of crackdowns against both pro-democracy activists and Islamists. They believe the editors and government want a one-voice media, in order to direct national consciousness. They are standing up for diversity in Egyptian journalism. They are also taking a stand against the roll-back of increased freedoms, that were realized after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
Egypt journalists defy editors on freedoms by Hamza Hendawi on AP News
Moving on…
US Federal Trade Commissions sues AT&T over data throttling.
The US Federal Trade Commission sued AT&T, the nation’s second-largest wireless carrier, on behalf of 3.5 million data plan users. AT&T promised unlimited mobile data, but then decreased the speed of the service by as much as 90%. This made mobile internet browsing and live streaming video almost impossible for many users.
AT&T denies any wrong-doing, saying they advised customers of service changes in their billing materials and in a press release. The bottom line is deceptive advertising, as customers believed they were truly getting unlimited data, not a slowed down version of what they used to get.
Cell service regulators have been cracking down on many deceptive practices in the cell phone industry. They just settled with Verizon Wireless, in a case where the company was illegally billing customers for third-party services.
Computer coding is so easy, even a five year old can do it.
These days children seem to have a knack for technology. Not long ago, my 85 year old father was shocked when his 18 month old grand daughter called him on Skype. She snuck onto her father’s computer, brought up the program and called Pop Pop.
The UK sees the tech potential in its youngest generation, and has just completely overhauled the computer curriculum for all public-schools. Children, as young as five, are learning the basics of coding in fun and interactive ways. The government has set aside funding to train the teachers, but many are so excited, they have trained themselves on the new software. The children seem to revel in creating and commanding their own virtual reality. Businesses believe these skills are essential in a technology driven world.
Five-year-olds learn coding as Britain eyes digital future on CTV News
And finally…
Using the sun to clean up water .
Many companies have been able to create water purification processes for use in remote areas, when they know what the water is contaminated with. What happens when water needs to be cleaned, but the contaminants are not known?
This problem has been addressed, using nanotechnology and the power of the sun, by Puralytic’s new SolarBags. The bag is simply filled with water, and placed in the sun. The heat creates chemical reactions, with a teabag-like structure that attracts the contaminants, and breaks up their molecules.
Water can be purified for use, in as little as 3 hours. The bag can be reused hundreds of times, and can be stored for seven years without degrading. The company sees applications in developing areas, where pure drinking water is a major issue. They also believe it will be of benefit in emergency situations and after natural disasters.
SolarBags Use Sunshine to Break Down Water Contaminants by Michelle Burwell for Truth Atlas
That’s the news for today! Have wonderful day. I hope to see you back here tomorrow for more news!
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex