We open in the United States. Last month we reported that Joe Biden was coming under pressure to commute the death sentences of federal death row prisoners to life imprisonment. Now we can report that he has done just that.

And there is more good news, this time from Zimbabwe where the death penalty has just been abolished in law.

Not so positive is our next story about an Indian nurse who has been sentenced to death in Yemen and is now relying on the victim’s family to spare her life.

Then we return to the USA with a story about the increasing availability and use of Nitrogen Hypoxia as an execution method. We also bring you an update on our ‘adopt a state’ campaign. There will be further updates in February so look out for that.

Our death penalty video takes an interesting look at the history and facts behind the death penalty in the USA.

Finally, following Joe Biden’s announcement our death penalty fact takes a quick look at the history of the federal death penalty.