Stories from 18 December 2014
Cuba: More Money Means More Technology, With or Without State Reforms

What Wednesday's changes mean for Internet access and mobile telephony in Cuba? There are a few things we can glean from what both leaders have said—and haven’t said—so far.
The Russian Internet Is Not Free. A New Tax Might Make It Even Worse.

The Russian government is now considering its own variant of an Internet tax, and wants to make all Russian Internet users pay for consuming copyrighted content online.
Global Voices Contributor Thalia Rahme, ‘a Mix of Everything’
Lebanese blogger and GV volunteer Thalia Rahme talks about what makes her, her city of Beirut and Global Voices unique.
Hong Kong Police's Arrest of Teen ‘Shopping’ Protesters Sparks Concern
Human rights activists worry that Hong Kong police are targeting minors participating in "shopping" pro-democracy protests. Young activists may not be aware of their legal rights.
Freedom of Speech is a Top Target in Erdogan's War on the ‘Parallel State’

In Turkey, 31 journalists and police officers are being charged with directing and founding and belonging to an armed terror organisation.