Author: Supriya Jena

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After Alabama’s first execution using nitrogen gas last January, the attorney general encouraged other states to try this method, and now some are starting to act. For instance, Louisiana plans to execute a man using nitrogen gas on March 18, and Arkansas lawmakers are considering it too after a long break from executions.

Nitrogen gas is seen as a way for states to continue carrying out death sentences because they are running low on the drugs used for lethal injections. However, there are many arguments about whether this method is right, especially because of what some inmates experienced during their executions.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall believes nitrogen hypoxia is a humane way to execute someone. But critics, like Rev. Jeff Hood, who saw the first nitrogen execution in Alabama, think it’s cruel.

How does nitrogen execution work?
In this method, an inmate breathes pure nitrogen gas, which takes away the oxygen they need. In Alabama, the person is strapped to a gurney and wears a gas mask, with nitrogen being pumped in for several minutes after their heart stops.

What happened in Alabama’s executions?
Alabama has carried out four nitrogen executions. People in the room reported that the inmates seemed to shake and gasp during the process. A doctor observing inmate Alan Miller said it looked painful, comparing it to waterboarding. State officials, however, say these movements are normal reactions to lack of oxygen.

Louisiana’s plans to use nitrogen
Louisiana plans to use a gas mask for the execution of Jessie Hoffman on March 18. If this goes through, it will be the second state to use nitrogen gas for executions after Alabama. Hoffman’s lawyers argue that he is being used as a test case for this new method.

Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill mentioned that they expect to carry out multiple executions this year in order to provide justice for the victims’ families.

Arkansas lawmakers consider nitrogen execution
In Arkansas, lawmakers recently approved a bill to allow nitrogen gas for executions. Supporters believe this will help the state resume executions, as they haven’t killed anyone since 2017. The bill passed with many votes and needs Senate approval, with some lawmakers pushing for it after hearing from victims’ families.

Many drug companies do not want their products used in lethal injections, which is why there’s a push for alternatives like nitrogen. Arkansas has 25 inmates on death row, but Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders hasn’t stated her plans regarding the new legislation yet.

Experts are concerned about the secrecy surrounding these executions, questioning why states are moving to this “experimental” method. Legal challenges are expected in Arkansas, especially after the issues faced in Alabama executions.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two astronauts from NASA, are getting ready to return to Earth after spending nine months in space. However, they cannot leave until their replacements arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) next week.

In a recent press conference, Sunita Williams responded to a suggestion made by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Musk said that the ISS should be retired earlier than planned. Williams disagreed and stated that the ISS is still important for science. “This place is amazing right now. We shouldn’t quit just yet,” she said.

Williams also shared that she is looking forward to seeing her Labrador retrievers again. She explained that waiting to go home has been tough. “It’s been a roller coaster for our families, more than for us,” she said. “Every day is exciting for us because we are in space and it’s a lot of fun.”

When Williams and Wilmore left Earth in June on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, they were only supposed to be in space for about a week. But, NASA found some serious problems with the Starliner. They decided it was not safe for transporting people back to Earth, which delayed their return.

NASA said that the next crew will launch on March 12 using a used SpaceX capsule. Before Williams and Wilmore head back home with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, the two crews will spend almost a week together in space.

On Wednesday, China shared its plans for economic growth and spending for 2025. Here are the five most important points to know:

1. Growth Goals: China has set a goal to grow its economy by about 5% in 2025. This is what many experts expected, but the country is having a tough time recovering from COVID-19 due to issues like problems in the property market, low consumer spending, and high unemployment among youth.

2. Focus on Domestic Demand: Premier Li Qiang said that boosting domestic demand will be crucial for economic growth. However, he admitted that getting people to spend more money is a challenge. He noted that there isn’t enough strong demand to support steady recovery.

3. Job Creation and Inflation: China plans to create around 12 million new jobs in cities this year and aims to keep inflation at around 2%. They will also issue 1.3 trillion yuan (about $181 billion) in special bonds, which is more than the previous year’s one trillion yuan.

4. Defense Spending and Social Programs: China will raise its defense budget by 7.2% in 2025. This increase is important as China tries to modernize its military amid tensions with the U.S. Additionally, China will raise the minimum pension for elderly citizens and improve care for older people, especially in rural areas. They also plan to support parents by subsidizing childcare and eventually making preschool free.

5. Support for Private Companies: Premier Li promised to help private companies grow, saying that China would protect their rights and interests. However, experts warn that this growth will depend on how well these companies align with China’s government goals.

Li stressed that the global environment is becoming more challenging, with rising protectionism and trade barriers. He said China will resist such actions, without naming specific countries.