Stories from 8 August 2014
Some See a Political Ploy in Trinidad & Tobago's Proposed Constitutional Reform
Given labour strikes, corruption scandals, escalating crime and police state concerns, this sudden interest in reforming the country's constitution reads to some like an act of desperation.
Mexico’s Minimum Wage is Criminally Low. Is It Unconstitutional?
The minimum wage in Mexico is equivalent to $5 US dollars. Just what can you buy with that?
Will Russia Start Blocking Websites in Real Time?
Already plagued by Roskomnadzor blacklists, blogger registration, and the blocking of Twitter accounts, a Russian organization now wants to introduce real-time filtering of online content.
How Much Infuence do Travel Blogs Have?
GV contributor Laura Schneider posts on her blog a survey by travel bloggers to know how much influence do travel blogs have when traveling. You can participte and send your...
Caribbean Court of Justice Mired in Controversy
Barbados Free Press says that few people realise “that the vaunted Caribbean Court of Justice carries no actual power or authority”, partly because compliance with the court's decisions is apparently...
A Man's Fatal Beating Puts Police Brutality Back on the Front Burner in Jamaica
Mario Deane was beaten while in police custody for marijuana possession. This type of violence has plagued the country's political culture from as far back as the 1970s.
More Than a Half Century Later, How Should Jamaica View Its Independence Day?
The learning curve for a people who historically never had a say continues to be a steep one, especially in a climate where corruption was already entrenched.
After a 15-Year-Old's Gruesome Murder, Some Serbians Seek the Death Penalty's Return
The man suspected of abducting and killing 15-year-old Tijana Jurić was arrested on Aug. 7, 2014, in Belgrade. He confessed, sparking public outrage in the small Eastern European country.
Not a Peep From Turkey's ‘Penguin’ Media About the Opposition
On August 10, Turkey chooses its president for the first time. There will be three candidates on the ballot, but the national media, seemingly, have already made their choice.
China Tightens Its Control of Popular Messaging App WeChat With Real-Name Registration
WeChat has grown popular since 2012 and now has almost 400 million active users. It was subject to a crackdown earlier this year, with 100 public accounts shut down.
Cambodia’s Freedom Park, a Site of Protest and Symbol of Free Expression, Reopens
Cambodia's Freedom Park was barricaded by the police after it became the main site of protest actions against the government.
Chinese Soldiers Are Dancing to Viral Hit ‘Little Apple’ to Convince People to Enlist
Some media have called "Little Apple" China's answer to Korean K-pop's "Gangnam Style."
