Connect with us

CBS News

Under new arrangement, Americans can visit Qatar for longer and Qataris can travel to U.S. without visas

Avatar

Published

on


U.S. passports can now be renewed online


U.S. passports can now be renewed online

03:10

A new arrangement will soon allow American citizens to visit the Gulf country of Qatar for longer periods of time and give Qataris access to visa-free travel to the U.S. for tourism or business purposes, the Biden administration announced Tuesday.

Qatar will become the latest country — and first Gulf nation — to join the Visa Waiver Program, which allows certain foreigners to travel to the U.S. without visas if their countries’ governments agree to enhance security and information-sharing arrangements with Washington. The arrangements with Qatar include the U.S. government gaining access to passenger records and databases on serious criminals and known or suspected terrorists, U.S. officials said on a call with reporters.

While American officials said they are still working on finalizing a specific date, visa-free travel to the U.S. for Qataris is set to start before December.

As part of the arrangement, the government in Doha will allow American travelers to stay longer in Qatar. American tourists and business travelers already enjoy visa-free travel to the Gulf country. But starting on Oct. 1, they will be able to stay there for up to 90 days — instead of the current 30-day limit.

“Qatar’s fulfillment of the stringent security requirements to join the Visa Waiver Program will deepen our strategic partnership and enhance the flow of people and commerce between our two countries,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. “Qatar’s entry will make travel between the United States and Qatar safer, more secure, and easier for both Americans and Qataris.”

The Visa Waiver Program applies to nationals of 42 countries, most of them U.S. allies in Europe. While it allows citizens of those countries to travel to the U.S. without visas, the program’s participants are still screened by American officials before being permitted to enter the country.

Qatar would be the third country added to the program under the Biden administration, which has also made Croatia and Israel part of the initiative. 



Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

Polls open in Pennsylvania, voters line up in Pittsburgh

Avatar

Published

on


Polls open in Pennsylvania, voters line up in Pittsburgh – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Election Day is upon us and voters have begun to line up in the important battleground state of Pennsylvania. CBS News campaign reporter Allison Novelo reports from a polling place in Pittsburgh and takes a look at some of the state’s early voting numbers.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

Montana 2024 Senate race has Jon Tester facing reelection challenge from Tim Sheehy

Avatar

Published

on


Sen. Jon Tester and Republican challenger Tim Sheehy are facing off in Montana as the Democratic incumbent fights to hold onto his seat in the Senate in a race that’s key to determining which party controls the upper chamber. 

Considered the most endangered Democrat seeking reelection in the Senate this cycle, Tester, a moderate in deep-red Montana, has been under the political microscope for months as he campaigns to keep the seat he’s held for nearly two decades. Although the 68-year-old has fended off previous challenges, shifting demographics and political dynamics in the state appeared to enhance the pickup opportunity for Republicans in the 2024 election

Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and founder of an aerial firefighting company, received his party’s backing as the candidate to take on Tester. The 38-year-old worked to draw a contrast with Tester, portraying himself as an outsider during the campaign while painting the Democrat as an establishment candidate with deep ties to Washington. He also touted bringing jobs to Montana with his business, which made him wealthy enough to help fund his campaign. 

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) and Republican candidate Tim Sheehy
L-R: Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) and Republican candidate Tim Sheehy.

Getty Images


Sheehy, who grew up in Minnesota, has faced criticism for lacking the deep roots that Tester has in the state. He has also faced questions about discrepancies in his story of how he sustained a gunshot wound. Meanwhile, Tester sought to portray his opponent as an out-of-touch carpetbagger, likening the GOP candidate to rich out-of-staters who have flocked to Montana in recent years. 

Tester is a third-generation Montana farmer. First elected to the Senate in 2006, his brand is well known in the state, and despite its more conservative politics, he’s won reelection twice as a moderate Democrat. 

But Montana’s political landscape has changed. In 2020, Donald Trump won Montana by more than 16 points, and trends suggest that an influx of new residents in the state is made up largely of Republicans. The state’s changing dynamics posed a serious hurdle for Tester — the sole Democrat serving in statewide office in Montana.

The Montana Senate seat is a key target for Republicans looking to build a GOP majority in the upper chamber. And it marks among the final Democratic holdouts in the Great Plains, and in red states more broadly. 

With a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, Democrats have little room for error. After Sen. Joe Manchin opted not to seek reelection, all but guaranteeing a GOP flip of his seat in West Virginia, Republicans looked to Tester’s seat as the next best opportunity to gain ground.



Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

Polls open, Election Day underway after Harris, Trump make final campaign pitches

Avatar

Published

on


Polls open, Election Day underway after Harris, Trump make final campaign pitches – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have reached the end of their campaign trails and the polls have opened for Election Day across America. CBS News’ Aaron Navarro, Libby Cathey and Fin Gómez have the latest on the candidates’ last messages for voters and when we can expect to see results.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024 Breaking MN

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.