The Hindu Editorial (A quiet reprieve) – Dec 30, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (A quiet reprieve) – Dec 30, 2023:

reprieve (noun) – cancellation, suspension, postponement (of a punishment or something undesirable event); stay of execution.
personnel (noun) – forces, crew, employees, workforce, staff.
channel (noun) – means of communication, medium, vehicle, approach, instrument, mechanism, apparatus.
limelight (noun) – the focus of attention, public attention, public notice.
court of appeals or appellate court (adjective) – a higher court that is dealing with cases on appeal to review the decision of a lower court or a trial court.
capital punishment (noun) – death penalty, execution, killing (by hanging) as a punishment.
hand down (phrasal verb) – give, declare, announce (a verdict/judgement).
spell (verb) – cause, lead to, result in, bring about, point to; signify, signal, augur, herald, promise.
pursue (verb) – engage in, conduct, take part in (an activity).
diplomatic (adjective) – tactful, sensitive, subtle, delicate; consular, foreign-policy.
leniency (noun) – mercy, clemency, forgiveness/forbearance, soft-heartedness.
await (verb) – wait for.
pronouncement (noun) – judgement, decree, adjudication, formal statement, declaration.
the upholding (verb) – confirmation, justification, endorsement, approval, vindication, validation.
uphold (verb) – confirm, stand by, justify, endorse/approve, vindicate/validate.
conviction (noun) – sentence, judgement, verdict.
reassess (noun) – reevaluate, reappraise, reexamine
strategy (noun) – plan of action (in order to achieve a more expansive set of political, economic, and security interests).
innocence (noun) – the condition of being innocent of a crime; clean hands, freedom from guilt.
review petition (noun) – a petition applied by an aggrieved person to the court to review the order/judgment given by the same court.
mercy petition (noun) – a written petition by the convict to the President to grant pardon or show mercy to the death sentence given by the apex court.
curative petition (noun) – a petition by a person whose review petition has been dismissed by the Supreme Court and it is the last constitutional remedy available to that person.
writ petition (noun) – an application to a court for a writ (a formal written order) when when any of the fundamental rights are violated.
Court of Cassation (noun) – the highest court in the Qatari judicial system. It is responsible for deciding on the appeals filed against the judgment issued from the Court of Appeal.
avenue (noun) – method, way.
appeal (noun) – plea, request, petition, entreaty, application.
exhaust (verb) – use up, utilize, absorb, deplete, finish, drain, consume, go through.
press (verb) – urge, push, insist on, prevail on.
clemency (noun) – mercy, leniency, forgiveness/forbearance.
ask for (phrasal verb) – try to obtain (by requesting); request, appeal for, seek.
pardon (noun) – it means completely absolving the person of the crime and letting him go free; reprieve, acquittal/discharge, exoneration, general pardon.
serve (verb) – spend (a period) in prison.
term (noun) – period, period of time, duration, length of time, spell, stretch.
length (noun) – period, duration, term.
incarceration (noun) – confinement, custody, detention, restraint, arrest, imprisonment.
bilateral (adjective) – involving two groups or countries.
Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons to India (noun) – India has entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence. A prisoner who wants to be transferred should notify the Indian embassy or consulate of his or her desire. The application then must be approved by the foreign country and the Government of India. For the prisoner to serve the rest of his/her sentence in India, there must not be a standing appeal against his committal to prison in the foreign country.
reverse (verb) – cancel, quash, rescind, overrule, repeal, annul, nullify, negate, disallow, invalidate, abolish.
extent (noun) – level, range, degree.
development (noun) – progress, progression, advancement, improvement, growth.
outreach (noun) – the level of reaching out/activity/effort; involvement.
on the sidelines of (phrase) – it refers to a meeting/forum occurs at the same time as the scheduled meeting/forum, but is not itself an item on the agenda.
COP28 (noun) – The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCC convened from 30 November to 12 December 2023. It has taken place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
mission (noun) – delegation, commission, task force.
productive (adjective) – successful, effectual, efficacious, effective, constructive.
moot point (noun) – an issue or dispute that remains unsettled or open to debate
commendable (adjective) – praiseworthy, laudable, applaudable, admirable, impressive, excellent.
in contrast to (phrase) – in opposition to.
stand (noun) – stance, standpoint, point of view, position, posture, approach, perspective, opinion.
allegation (noun) – charge, accusation, indictment.
rhetoric (noun) – bombast, loftiness, hyperbole/extravagant language.
move (noun) – action, act, step, measure.
counterproductive (adjective) – harmful, damaging, dangerous/destructive.
implicate (verb) – accuse, frame, blame, involve.
in any way (phrase) – under any circumstances/conditions.
intelligence (noun) – (military/political) information, facts, details, particulars.
operation (noun) – action/activity.
jeopardise (verb) – imperil, threaten, put at risk, put in danger, endanger.
overseas (adverb) – in a foreign country.
hostage (noun) – a person captured or held as security for the fulfilment of certain conditions/terms; security, surety.
tensions (noun) – strained relations, strain, unease.
bombardment (noun) – bombing, shelling (continuous attack).
Gaza (noun) – a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip. Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel and Egypt.
consistently (adverb) – invariably, constantly, regularly.
calibrated (adjective) – carefully assessed/analysed.
sensitivity (noun) – responsiveness, diplomacy, delicacy, finer feelings, reactivity, susceptibility, perception.
couple with (verb) – combine, connect, link.
determined (adjective) – resolute, firm, dedicated, committed, insistent, steadfast, relentless.
push (noun) – a spirited/determined effort to do something.
bring back (verb) – to cause (someone) to return to.
back home (phrase) – in/to one’s (own) country.