Barack Obama commutes Chelsea Manning’s prison sentence

Barack Obama commutes Chelsea Manning’s prison sentence

President Barack Obama commuted the remaining prison term of Chelsea Manning, the army intelligence analyst who was convicted for 35 years for violations under the Espionage Act. Manning had released American military and diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks. The White House said Manning’s commutation was not influenced by Julian Assange or WikiLeaks. Jan 18, 2017
Brawl breaks out in Turkish parliamentary debate over new constitution

Brawl breaks out in Turkish parliamentary debate over new constitution

Brawls erupted as politicians from AK Party tried to prevent CHP MP, Fatma Kaplan from filming the voting session with her mobile. Politicians from two parties traded kicks and punches as acting parliament speaker adjourned the session. The fights broke out during a debate at general assembly on constitutional changes that would hand President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers as an executive president.Under the reform, President Erdogan will be able to appoint and dismiss government ministers, take back the leadership of the ruling party, and govern until 2029.Erdogan and his supporters argue that Turkey needs the strong leadership of an executive presidency to prevent a return to the fragile coalition governments of the past, but opponents fear the reform will fuel authoritarianism. Jan 12, 2017