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Capital punishment in India

The Supreme Court in India has directed that capital punishment be carried out only in "the rarest of rare cases" - cases involving exceptional brutality or crimes against the state.

The death sentence is handed down often, but it is rarely implemented. So while there are roughly 470 people currently on death row in India, only four people have been hanged since 1995.

Hanging is still the state's method of execution. In 1983, when this technique was challenged in court as barbaric, a Supreme Court decision rejected the petition, declaring that hanging did not involve torture or barbarism of any sort.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Constantine, the most beautiful city you've never heard of

Famous for its dramatic bridges, the eastern Algerian city of Constantine has been selected as the 'Arab Capital of Culture' for 2015. Photo: Lindsay Mackenzie for the National.

Most people don't know anything about the Algerian city selected by the Arab League's cultural arm to be the capital of Arab culture in 2015. Alice Fordham reports from Constantine  Constantine, the most beautiful city you've never heard of

America's hidden agenda in Syria's war

EDITORS NOTE: RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -- MANDATORY CREDIT

Exclusive: Influential Syrian rebel commander claims US intelligence officers are trying to enlist rebels to fight their fellow insurgents, the Al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Al Nusra, instead of helping them overthrow Bashar Al Assad. Phil Sands reports   America's hidden agenda in Syria's war

Egypt's pursuit of Mubarak's cronies falters

Egyptcronies

Egypt vowed to pursue men like Hussein Salem, the 'Father of Sharm El Sheikh', for riches gained under ousted premier Hosni Mubarak. But hard times may have blunted its zeal. Bradley Hope reports from Cairo  Egypt's pursuit of Mubarak's cronies falters

Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus

Members of the Free Syrian Army walk with their weapons in Al Izaa district in Aleppo February 16, 2013. REUTERS/Muzaffar Salman (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) *** Local Caption *** SYR09_SYRIA-CRISIS-_0216_11.JPG

Brotherhood opens direct contacts with opposition groups in Damascus, providing them with cash for the first time and promising political influence in an effort to gain their support. Phil Sands reports  Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus

Cypriots draw on spirit of '74 to see them through euro crisis

Caption:Greek Cypriots refugees wait for their departure to the South of the island, under control of Greek Cypriots authorities, after Turkish authorities give the authorisation, Nicosia, on November 14, 1974. During Atilla II, second stage of Turkish operation on August 14, 1974, more than 30 per cent of the land (in the North) came under Turkish occupation, and in the process, many Greek Cypriots who made up 82 per cent of the population in the north became refugees behind the ceasefire line, called the

Cypriots rekindle courage from Turkish invasion, saying they have endured far worse than the current economic slump, even as harrowing tales emerge daily of poverty and hunger. Michael Theodoulou reports from Nicosia  Cypriots draw on spirit of '74 to see them through euro crisis

Back from Iraq, US veterans fight the effects of war

Ryan Charles, 24, served with an infantry division in Iraq for two years. He began experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder last year when he returned to the United States. Michael Falco for The National

Troops who have served in America's 'war on terror' suffer at historic levels from psychological wounds and brain injuries. Taimur Khan reports from New York  Back from Iraq, US veterans fight the effects of war

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Sir Bu Nair Island in charge of Sharjah government. One of the UAE’s untouched, natural islands is to be partially developed under new plans by Sharjah to promote eco-tourism.(Photos)

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