Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Qatar reduces death sentences for Indian Navy personnel

In October, India said it was “shocked” after a Qatari court had sentenced them to death

Qatar reduces death sentences for Indian Navy personnel

INDIA's foreign ministry said Thursday (28) that Qatar had reduced the sentence of eight ex-navy personnel, arrested reportedly for spying for Israel and put on death row.

Indian media have reported that the eight Indian nationals -- among them former high-ranking and decorated officers, including captains who once commanded warships -- were arrested in Doha in August 2022.


In October, India said it was "shocked" after a Qatari court had sentenced them to death.

On Thursday, the foreign ministry said in a statement that the "sentences have been reduced", without giving further details.

Qatar has not commented on the case and the charges have not been made public.

India's ambassador and family members were in court for the appeal hearing, New Delhi said, adding that the government will "continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities".

It said further comment was not appropriate "due to the confidential and sensitive nature" of the case.

The eight men were employees of Al Dahra, a Gulf-based company that offers "complete support solutions" to the aerospace, security and defence sectors, according to its website.

The Hindu newspaper reported the men were spying for a "third country", while the Times of India has said that "various reports claimed they were accused of spying for Israel".

Israel's government has not commented on the case.

Qatar, which hosts a political bureau for Hamas and has provided financial aid to Gaza, has been linked to mediation efforts for a prisoner exchange between the Palestinian armed group and Israel.

(AFP)

More For You

Saad Qureshi’s 'Tower of Now' sculpture celebrates Bradford’s shared histories

Saad Qureshi

Saad Qureshi’s 'Tower of Now' sculpture celebrates Bradford’s shared histories

A NEW public artwork reflecting Bradford’s history and cultural communities will be unveiled in the city this week.

Titled Tower of Now, the 15-metre sculpture by artist Saad Qureshi will be opened on April 26 at Hall Ings as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

Keep ReadingShow less
kashmir attack

Indian security forces personnel escort an ambulance carrying the bodies of tourists who were killed in the attack near Pahalgam, outside the police control room in Srinagar.

Reuters

India hunts gunmen as world condemns deadly Kashmir attack

INDIAN security forces launched a major search operation on Wednesday, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists in Kashmir, killing 26 people. The attack was the deadliest on civilians in the region since 2000.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, who returned early from a state visit to Saudi Arabia, condemned the attack and said the attackers “will be brought to justice.”

Keep ReadingShow less
pope-francis-funeral-getty

Cardinals pay their respects as the body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Basilica St Peter on April 23, 2025 in Vatican City.

Getty Images

Pope Francis’s body lies in state ahead of Saturday funeral

POPE FRANCIS's coffin was moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday as he began lying in state, with thousands of people arriving to pay their respects ahead of Saturday’s funeral.

Crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square from early morning to see the Argentine pope, who died on Monday aged 88. Public viewing inside the basilica began at 11:00 am (0900 GMT).

Keep ReadingShow less
UK Tourism Growth Hit by Government Policies, Says Travel Body

UK remained one of the world’s most‑visited countries

Getty

Travel body blames government for harming UK tourism growth

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has accused the UK government of “sabotaging” the country’s tourism sector after international visitor spending fell by over £2 billion in 2024 compared with pre‑pandemic levels. In a new WTTC study, visitors to the UK spent £40.3 billion last year—a 5.3 per cent decline on the £42.6 billion recorded in 2019.

The WTTC, which represents the global travel and tourism private sector, said ministers had made “deliberate policy choices” that erected “barriers to travel” and discouraged high‑value tourists. Policies cited include the removal of tax‑free shopping, rising air passenger duty (APD) rates and the introduction—and subsequent fee increase—of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme for non‑UK nationals.

Keep ReadingShow less
pope-francis-getty

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the office. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Key moments in the life of Pope Francis

POPE FRANCIS, who has died at the age of 88, led the Catholic Church through a period of reform, challenge, and global engagement.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the office.

Keep ReadingShow less