Qatar offers visa-free entry to India, 79 other nations amid Gulf crisis

Energy-rich Qatar's economy took a hit since Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain moved to isolate it

Qatar announced on Wednesday it was scrapping visa requirements for visitors from 80 countries as it weathers a boycott by four Arab states and gears up to host the World Cup in 2022.

Under the new policy announced by Qatar Airways and authorities, citizens of 33 mostly European countries can enter without a visa for 90 days in single or multiple trips during a 180-day period.

Americans, Britons, Canadians and citizens of 44 other countries can enter visa-free for an initial 30 days on single or multiple trips, and can extend that for a further 30 days.

Energy-rich Qatar's economy has taken a hit since Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain moved to isolate it two months ago over allegations it supports extremists.

Also Read : Current Affairs on News

The quartet of Arab nations is particularly irked by Qatar's ties with Iran and its support of Islamist opposition groups. Qatar denies it backs terror groups and says the allegations against Doha are politically motivated.

The four countries cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar in June, and barred Qatar from using their airspace and shipping lanes.

In a related development, the UAE and Bahrain today sought to clarify a statement made the day before by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which said both countries had agreed to open up some of their airspace, including new "temporary or contingency" routes, for Qatar Airways.

The two, in statements carried on the UAE's and Bahrain's state-run news agencies, said that they had not agreed to open up their airspace in full to Qatari flights but to only allow Qatari aircraft to use their airspace located above international waters.

Brad Pitt in Mumbai to attend War Machine screening, meets Shah Rukh Khan

The 53-year-old actor plays a US General posted in Afghanistan

Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt is in India to promote his latest film, the Netflix satire "War Machine".

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan will be moderating a special chat session here with Pitt, in which the two actors will discuss the project.

In the movie, the 53-year-old actor plays a US General posted in Afghanistan.

Directed by David Michod, of "Animal Kingdom" fame, the Netflix Original film is inspired by the book "The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan" by late journalist Michael Hastings.

An investment in the range of $60 million also makes it Netflix's biggest-budget feature to date.

Also Read :

There is a big fear of Hollywood taking over Bollywood: SRK

Surprise! Brad Pitt in India to promote 'War Machine'

Pitt's character is loosely based on General Stanley A McChrystal, a retired United States Army general best-known for his command of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

His last assignment was as Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, US Forces Afghanistan.

Hastings's blistering profile on McChrystal led to his firing by Obama.

Pitt's company Plan B is also one of the producers of the film.

The first big-budget Hollywood movie on Netflix will be released on May 26.

Children among many feared dead in Italy avalanche

Several children were among more than 25 people unaccounted for, feared dead, today after an avalanche engulfed a mountain hotel in earthquake-ravaged central Italy.

The national civil protection agency said the Hotel Rigopiano had suffered a direct hit by a two-metre high wall of snow yesterday.

Emergency services were struggling to get ambulances and excavation equipment to the remote site with the first snow plough only arriving just before midday.

Italian broadcasters showed images of piles of masonry and rubble inside the hotel, which had been moved some ten metres from its original location by the force of the snow.

Local officials confirmed that one body had been recovered from the ruins and that two guests who were not inside when the avalanche struck had been saved.

Civil protection chief Fabrizio Curcio said there had been around 30 guests and staff at the small ski hotel on the eastern lower slopes of the Gran Sasso mountain when the first of four powerful tremors rattled the region on Wednesday morning.

Francesco Provolo, the head of the Pescara province where the disaster occurred, said there had been around 20 people staying at the hotel, including "several children" along with seven or eight staff.

Specialist mountain police who had reached the hotel on skis or by helicopter overnight had begun trying to move the rubble with spades.

They were quoted as saying there were no signs of life inside the building while one of their commanding officers told reporters: "There are many dead."

Ambulances were blocked by two metres of snow in the nearest village, Farindola, some nine kilometres away, according to the civil protection agency. Read more

Ind vs ENG: विराट कोहली की कप्‍तानी में टीम इंडिया ने तोड़ा जीत का 29 साल पुराना रिकॉर्ड

भारत ने इंग्‍लैंड को चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट में एक पारी और 75 रन से हरा दिया है। इस जीत के साथ ही टीम इंडिया ने पांच टेस्‍ट की सीरीज 4-0 से जीत ली।

भारत ने इंग्‍लैंड को चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट में एक पारी और 75 रन से हरा दिया है। इस जीत के साथ ही टीम इंडिया ने पांच टेस्‍ट की सीरीज 4-0 से जीत ली। भारत ने लगातार दूसरे टेस्‍ट में इंग्‍लैंड को पारी से हराया है। चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट बिना हारे भारत का लगातार 18वां टेस्‍ट मैच है। यह नया रिकॉर्ड है। इससे पहले भारत ने 29 साल पहले लगातार 17 टेस्‍ट मैच बिना हारे खेले थे। विराट कोहली की कप्‍तानी में सितम्‍बर 2015 के बाद से भारत ने लगातार पांचवीं टेस्‍ट सीरीज जीती है। इस विजयी रथ में खास बात यह भी है कि भारत ने एक भी मैच नहीं हारा है। यहां तक देश हो या विदेश किसी भी जगह पर कोई भी टीम सितम्‍बर 2015 के बाद से भारत को टेस्‍ट में हरा नहीं पाई हैं। भारत ने इस दौरान दक्षिण अफ्रीका, वेस्‍ट इंडीज, न्‍यूजीलैंड को हराया है। इससे पहले भारत ने श्रीलंका को 2-1 से हराया था।

चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट में इंग्‍लैंड ने टॉस जीतकर पहले खेलते हुए मोईन अली (146) की शतकीय पारी के बूते 477 रन बनाए थे। इसके जवाब में भारत ने करुण नायर(303 नाबाद) और केएल राहुल (199) के शतकों के बूते 7 विकेट पर 759 रन बनाकर पारी घोषित कर दी थी। इसके जवाब में इंग्‍लैंड दूसरी पारी में 207 रन पर सिमट गया। मेहमान टीम दूसरी पारी में रवींद्र जडेजा (48-7) की गेंदबाजी के आगे घुटने टेक बैठी। इसी के साथ एंथनी डी मेलो ट्रॉफी टीम इंडिया के नाम हो गई। भारत ने साल 2008 के बाद पहली बार इंग्‍लैंड को टेस्‍ट सीरीज में हराया था। इसके बाद टीम इंडिया को लगातार तीन टेस्‍ट सीरीज में अंग्रेजों ने हराया था।

रवींद्र जडेजा को उनके शानदार कैच के लिए ‘बेस्ट कैच ऑफ द मैच’ के खिताब से नवाजा गया। वहीं नाबाद 303 रन की पारी खेलने वाले करुण नैयर को मैन ऑफ द मैच चुना गया। कप्‍तान विराट कोहली को मैन ऑफ द सीरीज चुना गया। उन्‍होंने इस सीरीज में 655 रन बनाए, जिसमें एक दोहरा शतक भी शामिल है। 22 टेस्‍ट मैच के बाद सबसे ज्‍यादा जीत के मामले में कोहली दुनिया में तीसरे नंबर पर आ गए हैं। उनके नेतृत्‍व में टीम इंडिया ने अभी तक 14 टेस्‍ट जीतेेहैं। वे इंग्‍लैंड के माइकल वॉन, मार्क ब्रेयरली और एल हेसेट के बराबर हैुंं। यह रिकॉर्ड ऑस्‍ट्रेलिया के स्‍टीव वॉ के नाम हैं जिन्‍होंने 17 मैच जीते थे।

नए साल में मिल सकती है सौगात

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की नोटबंदी की योजना को शुरुआत में जन समर्थन मिला था लेकिन अब यह स्थिति सरकार पर भारी पड़ सकती है। हालांकि सरकार के सलाहकारों का दावा है कि नकदी संकट का बुरा दौर जल्दी ही खत्म हो जाएगा। नोटबंदी को लेकर लोगों के बीच बन रही नकारात्मक धारणा को दूर के लिए प्रधानमंत्री मध्य वर्ग और गरीबों के लिए नए वर्ष के अवसर पर योजनाओं की झड़ी लगाने की तैयारी में हैं।


अधिकारियों के मुताबिक 20 दिसंबर के बाद नकदी संकट दूर होने के संकेत मिलने लगेंगे और 10 जनवरी के बाद स्थिति में उल्लेखनीय सुधार आएगा क्योंकि तब तक 500 रुपये के पर्याप्त नोट चलन में आ जाएंगे। वित्त मंत्री अरुण जेटली ने भी आज संकेत दिया कि अगले 3 सप्ताह में स्थिति में सुधार आना चाहिए। नोटबंदी के बारे में लोगों में बनी नकारात्मक धारणा को दूर करने के लिए प्रधानमंत्री और उनकी सरकार उन वर्गों के लिए कई योजनाओं की घोषणा कर सकती है जिन्हें नोटबंदी के कारण परेशानी हुई है। इनमें किसान, मध्य वर्ग (खासकर छोटे व्यापारी व उद्यमी) और युवा वर्ग शामिल है। इनमें से कुछ घोषणाएं 2 जनवरी को लखनऊ की जनसभा में हो सकती हैं। इन योजनाओं की रूपरेखा तैयार करने के लिए भाजपा के वरिष्ठ नेताओं, आरएसएस नेतृत्व और सरकार के अहम मंत्रालयों के बीच विचार-विमर्श का दौर जारी है।


लखनऊ में 2 जनवरी को होने वाली मोदी की जनसभा पहले 24 दिसंबर को प्रस्तावित थी। इस दिन उत्तर प्रदेश में भाजपा की परिवर्तन यात्रा का लखनऊ में समापन होना है। लेकिन 31 दिसंबर को समाप्त हो रही नोटबंदी की समयसीमा को देखते हुए इसे आगे बढ़ाया गया है। उत्तर प्रदेश सहित पांच राज्यों में विधानसभा चुनाव फरवरी-मार्च में होने हैं। मध्य वर्ग बजट से करों में राहत की उम्मीद लगाए बैठा है और कई मंत्रियों में सार्वजनिक तौर पर इसकी संभावना जताई है।

वरिष्ठ अधिकारी नोटबंदी के बाद काले धन को सफेद बनाने वालों के खिलाफ कार्रवाई की रणनीति बनाने में जुटे हैं। आय कर विभाग का कहना है कि उसके पास पर्याप्त कर्मचारी नहीं हैं। ऐसे में सरकार यह संभावना तलाश रही है कि बड़ी मछलियों को ही निशाना बनाए और छोटी मछलियों को निकलने दिया जाए ताकि नोटबंदी के कारण हुए नुकसान की भरपाई हो सके। Read more

पाकिस्तान के बम निरोधक दस्ते से जुड़ी पहली महिला

पाकिस्तान के बम निरोधक दस्ते से जुड़ी पहली महिला शिक्षित परिवार से ताल्लुक रखने वाली राफिया ने कहा कि सात साल पहले एक कोर्ट के पास धमाका हुआ था जिससे वह बल से जुड़ने के लिए प्रेरित हुई। पेशावर, प्रेट्र : पाकिस्तान के अशांत खैबर पख्तूनख्वा प्रांत की 29 वर्षीय राफिया कासिम बेग बम निरोधक दस्ते से जुड़ने वाली देश की पहली महिला बन गई हैं। इस प्रांत में अक्सर ही आतंकी हमले होते रहते हैं। स्थानीय मीडिया के अनुसार, सात साल पहले बतौर कांस्टेबल पुलिस बल से जुड़ने वाली राफिया अब दस्ते के साथ काम करेंगी। इसके लिए वह नौशेरा के बम निरोधक स्कूल में 15 दिनों की ट्रेनिंग ले रही हैं। उनके साथ 31 पुरुष सदस्य भी ट्रेनिंग ले रहे हैं। इस दौरान राफिया को विभिन्न तरह के बमों के बारे में जानकारी दी जाएगी। उनको बम पहचानने और उन्हें निष्कि्रय करने के तरीके बताए जाएंगे। शिक्षित परिवार से ताल्लुक रखने वाली राफिया ने कहा कि सात साल पहले एक कोर्ट के पास धमाका हुआ था जिससे वह बल से जुड़ने के लिए प्रेरित हुई। अंतरराष्ट्रीय संबंधों और अर्थशास्त्र की पढ़ाई करने वाली राफिया को कई कंपनियों से नौकरी का प्रस्ताव मिला, लेकिन उन्होंने पुलिस की नौकरी को चुना। राफिया उस टीम की इकलौती महिला सदस्य भी रह चुकी हैं जिसने लेडी रीडिंग अस्पताल के चिकित्सक को बचाया था। इस चिकित्सक को 2010 में अगवा कर लिया गया था। पढ़ें- वित्तीय अनियमितता में लेगार्ड के खिलाफ मुकदमा चलेगा पढ़ें- इस्लामाबाद में मंदिर और श्मशान के लिए भूमि आवंटित

Rahane out of Test series, Manish Pandey called up

Ind vs Eng: Manish replaces Rahane, Shardul called in as Shami’s backup

Manish Pandey, the Karnataka batsman, has been called up to the Indian Test team as a replacement for Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth Test to be played in Mumbai starting Thursday (December 8).

Rahane was hit on the hand while practicing in the nets on Wednesday and the blow resulted in an avulsion fracture on the right index finger. The Mumbai middle-order batsman and India Test vice-captain has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against England. 

BCCI confirmed the news through a media release, saying: "Ajinkya Rahane sustained an avulsion fracture on his right index finger and has been ruled out for the remaining two Test matches of the Paytm series 2016 against England. A ball stuck Rahane during the practice session today." 

Rahane has not had the best of series thus far, with a top score of 26 in five innings so far, but his injury will still come as a big blow for the Indian side which has already suffered some injury setbacks. 

Their pace spearhead, Mohammed Shami is a doubt for the Test, too, and a back-up in the form of Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur has been called up. Shami has been suffering from a sore knee and a call on whether he can play in Mumbai will be taken on the eve of the Test.

"Mumbai medium pacer Shardul Thakur has been called as back up for India pacer Mohammed Shami, who is nursing a sore knee. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring his progress and a decision on his participation will be taken before the start of the fourth Test match," the BCCI release said. 

Read more related Articles:

Confident India ready to wrap up series against England

India aim to extend winning run in fourth Test vs England (Preview)

India-England Test match in Chennai in balance post Jayalalithaa's death

Latest News

Kashmir violence: India tears into Pakistan's ulterior motive at UN

Tearing into Pakistan's ulterior motive to cash in on the protest-related deaths in the Kashmir Valley by racking up the issue at the UN platform, India has dubbed it as "an attempt to misuse the UN platform by a country that covets the territory of others and uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end".

Gym instructor arrested for stabbing live-in partner

A gym instructor allegedly stabbed his live-in partner 32 times in a house in sector 73 here, leaving her in a critical condition, police said today. The accused Varun Goyal (28), who runs a gym in Ghaziabad, has been arrested.Varun had heated arguments with the woman, a divorcee, as she was apparently pressurising him for marriage.

All you need to know about NATGRID and its new CEO Ashok Patnaik

Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ashok Patnaik, who is also the son-in-law of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, was on Wednesday appointed as the CEO of NationalIntelligence Grid (NATGRID), a robust intelligence gathering mechanism being set up to track terror suspects and incidents.

Cancelling air ticket to not burn a big hole in your pocket

Fliers will soon have a reason to smile, as the revised norms that cap ticket cancellation charges and bar airlines from levying an additional amount for refund are coming into force from August 1.

LG G5: Banking on lights, camera and innovation

LG G5: Banking on lights, camera and innovation

Let's get this straight. LG's latest flagship, the G5 isn't exactly Project Ara. But it is possibly the world's first modular flagship phone. I hadn't received any modules (a release from LG says they would have a camera module, an audio module and a 360° camera module) till the time of going to print, but I was curious about how it performed as a phone.

The metallic G5 is a marked change from its plastic and leather predecessor, the G4. While it feels nice in the hand, I felt its peers have a more premium feel. The G5 sports a unibody design and the phone's "chin" detaches to reveal a removable battery and take in modules; this part doesn't feel flush with the rest of the body. Every time you swap a module, the battery would need to be removed and in turn lead to several reboots. Also, the groove running round the edge felt a bit uncomfortable in sweaty hands.

That said, the power button-cum-fingerprint scanner on the back is extremely intuitive. Gently place your finger on it and the phone unlocks. A caveat: Wet fingers won't work.

Read more.

Two years of Narendra Modi's foreign policy: more misses than hits

Two years of Narendra Modi's foreign policy: more misses than hits

In year one of his tenure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised all who had doubted his ability to negotiate the esoteric world of international diplomacy. Modi came across as a conjurer with a bag of tricks, the likes of which were seldom seen from his predecessors, making even his worst critics reassess their opinion of the former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak. But, foreign policy reverses in year two have given his political rivals an opportunity to point not at the conjurer’s magic trick but his sleight of hand.

In the past two years, Modi’s visits across the world, including the surprise one to Pakistan, have garnered much social and mainstream media coverage. He has also successfully reached out to the substantial Indian diaspora, particularly the wealthier sections living in Europe and North America. There is, however, little to show in terms of brass-tacks — whether geopolitically or investment-wise. But, the PM has continued undeterred to beguile with his foreign policy initiatives, the element of surprise being the leitmotif of his foreign policy.

His inviting South Asian leaders to his swearing-in ceremony, his subsequent visits to the neighbouring countries, the rapturous reception he received from the Indian diaspora in the US and other countries, the surprise invite to US President Barack Obama to be the chief guest at the Republic Day and the audacious visit to Pakistan in end-December — all were delivered with the finesse of a master at work. Modi, as he completed two years, has continued to surprise — this time with his West Asia outreach. His visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August, Saudi Arabia in April and to Iran in May, and his forthcoming visit to Qatar have again left foreign policy wonks intrigued. Year three of Modi’s tenure is likely to see some more surprises — a historic first visit by an Indian PM to Israel is in the works as is a multi-nation visit to the African continent, including to such countries with significant presence of the Indian diaspora such as South Africa and Kenya.Read more.

Indian worker in Australia tells court his pro-ISIS post was 'sarcastic'

Indian worker in Australia tells court his pro-ISIS post was 'sarcastic'

An Indian-origin aviation worker in Australia who was sacked last year for posting pro-Islamic State messages on Facebook has told a court that his comments were "sarcastic".

Nirmal Singh was facing the 'Fair Work Commission' to argue that his dismissal was 'unfair' by his previous employer Aerocare and was seeking $7,000 in lost wages.

The Commission heard Singh had written "We All Support ISIS" above a shared post from HT (Hizb ut-Tahrir) Australia about the shooting of police account Curtis Cheng by Islamic youth Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar in Sydney.

There were five posts in total that concerned Aerocare, two of which included pictures of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Under cross-examination by solicitor Stephen Hughes for Aerocare, Singh said he made the posts on Facebook under a different name and believed he was conversing with a "secret group".(more)