<p>The deadly earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this week has left a vast trail of devastation with tens of thousands declared dead so far. But with the successful rescue of children and infants as young as two-months old from under the rubble of collapsed buildings, a small stream of miracles too has become the part and parcel of the rescue operations amid devastation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Saturday, a two-month-old baby was rescued from earthquake rubble after 128 hours in southern Turkey. The baby survived the deadly disaster and was immediately taken to the hospital for medical checks, Anadolu Agency reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-earthquake-in-a-miraculous-rescue-pregnant-woman-and-daughter-pulled-from-rubble-alive-560812">Turkey quake: In a miracle, pregnant woman and daughter pulled out from rubble alive</a></strong></p>

<p>Such a stream of miracles continue to stick together the hopes of thousands of Turkish and Syrian citizens who hope their missing kin&nbsp;to be alive under the rubble after&nbsp;the massive quake realigned the region's topography with a vast trail of destruction on February 6th.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Rescue workers save a dog trapped under rubble</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Turkey earthquake tragedy: Miracle rescues continue</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier in the day, a couple was rescued in Turkey's southeastern Adiyaman province. Before that, a 13-year-old boy in Turkey's southern Hatay province was rescued from the rubble.</p>

<p>Previously, an Azerbaijani rescue team pulled a 50-year-old woman out of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras province 120 hours after the earthquake hit the region.</p>

<p>On Saturday, the Turkey-Armenia border was reopened for the first time in 35 years to carry humanitarian aid to quake-affected people in Turkey.&nbsp;Death toll from Monday's powerful earthquakes climbed to 21,043 in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 were centred in the country's Kahramanmaras province. They were felt by 13 million people across 10 provinces of the country.</p>

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The deadly earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this week has left a vast trail of devastation with tens of thousands declared dead so far. But with the successful rescue of children and infants as young as two-months old from under the rubble of collapsed buildings, a small stream of miracles too has become the part and parcel of the rescue operations amid devastation.

The deadly earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this week has left a vast trail of devastation with tens of thousands declared dead so far. But with the successful rescue of children and infants as young as two-months old from under the rubble of collapsed buildings, a small stream of miracles too has become the part and parcel of the rescue operations amid devastation. On Saturday, a two-month-old baby was rescued from earthquake rubble after 128 hours in southern Turkey. The baby survived the deadly disaster and was immediately taken to the hospital for medical checks, Anadolu Agency reported. ALSO READ | Turkey quake: In a miracle, pregnant woman and daughter pulled out from rubble alive Such a stream of miracles continue to stick together the hopes of thousands of Turkish and Syrian citizens who hope their missing kin to be alive under the rubble after the massive quake realigned the region's topography with a vast trail of destruction on February 6th. ALSO WATCH | Rescue workers save a dog trapped under rubble × Turkey earthquake tragedy: Miracle rescues continue Earlier in the day, a couple was rescued in Turkey's southeastern Adiyaman province. Before that, a 13-year-old boy in Turkey's southern Hatay province was rescued from the rubble. Previously, an Azerbaijani rescue team pulled a 50-year-old woman out of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras province 120 hours after the earthquake hit the region. On Saturday, the Turkey-Armenia border was reopened for the first time in 35 years to carry humanitarian aid to quake-affected people in Turkey. Death toll from Monday's powerful earthquakes climbed to 21,043 in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed. The earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 were centred in the country's Kahramanmaras province. They were felt by 13 million people across 10 provinces of the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Turkey quake aftermath: Miracle rescue saves 2-month-old baby after 128 hours from debris

<p>A land border crossing between Turkey and Armenia was opened for the first time in 35 years on Saturday with Yerevan agreeing to aid Ankara's quake-related rescue and rehabilitation mission by opening the Alican border crossing. Five trucks with aid including food and water arrived in Turkey from the Alican border crossing, tweeted Serdar Kilic, Turkey's special envoy for dialogue with Armenia.</p>

<p>The assistance comes after a series of earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria this week, killing nearly 25,000 people in both countries.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-quake-aftermath-miracle-rescue-saves-2-month-old-baby-after-128-hours-in-debris-560961">Turkey quake aftermath: Miracle rescue saves 2-month-old baby after 128 hours in debris</a></strong></p>

<p>According to state news agency Anadolu, this was the first time the crossing had opened since 1988. In 1988, Turkey sent aid to Armenia after the country was hit by a similarly deadly earthquake that killed between 25,000 to 30,000.</p>

<p>Kilic also thanked Armenia and the Armenian national assembly's vice president Ruben Rubinyan. The aid also included medicine, he said.</p>

<p>"Happy to have been able to assist," Rubinyan said on Twitter.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-armenia-to-myanmar-accusations-of-genocide-in-the-past-464634">From Armenia to Myanmar: Accusations of genocide in the past</a></strong></p>

<p>Turkey and Armenia have never established formal diplomatic relations and their shared border has been closed since 1993. The relationship is strained due to genocide of Armenian people that was committed by the Ottoman Empire during the first World War, a description which Ankara fiercely contests.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-armenian-president-calls-turkey-creator-of-the-conflict-332120">Gravitas: Armenia - Azerbaijan conflict: Armenian President calls Turkey 'Creator of the Conflict'</a></strong></p>

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<p>However, in December 2021, the two countries appointed special envoys to help normalise relations. The development occurred a year after Armenia lost to Turkey's ally Azerbaijan in a war for control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In February 2022, Turkey and Armenia resumed their first commercial flights in two years.</p>

<p>The land border between the two countries has remained closed since 1993 however, due to which transport trucks are required to transit through Georgia or Iran.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A land border crossing between Turkey and Armenia was opened for the first time in 35 years on Saturday with Yerevan agreeing to aid Ankara's quake-related rescue and rehabilitation mission by opening the Alican border crossing.

A land border crossing between Turkey and Armenia was opened for the first time in 35 years on Saturday with Yerevan agreeing to aid Ankara's quake-related rescue and rehabilitation mission by opening the Alican border crossing. Five trucks with aid including food and water arrived in Turkey from the Alican border crossing, tweeted Serdar Kilic, Turkey's special envoy for dialogue with Armenia. The assistance comes after a series of earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria this week, killing nearly 25,000 people in both countries. ALSO READ | Turkey quake aftermath: Miracle rescue saves 2-month-old baby after 128 hours in debris According to state news agency Anadolu, this was the first time the crossing had opened since 1988. In 1988, Turkey sent aid to Armenia after the country was hit by a similarly deadly earthquake that killed between 25,000 to 30,000. Kilic also thanked Armenia and the Armenian national assembly's vice president Ruben Rubinyan. The aid also included medicine, he said. "Happy to have been able to assist," Rubinyan said on Twitter. ALSO READ | From Armenia to Myanmar: Accusations of genocide in the past Turkey and Armenia have never established formal diplomatic relations and their shared border has been closed since 1993. The relationship is strained due to genocide of Armenian people that was committed by the Ottoman Empire during the first World War, a description which Ankara fiercely contests. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Armenia - Azerbaijan conflict: Armenian President calls Turkey 'Creator of the Conflict' × However, in December 2021, the two countries appointed special envoys to help normalise relations. The development occurred a year after Armenia lost to Turkey's ally Azerbaijan in a war for control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In February 2022, Turkey and Armenia resumed their first commercial flights in two years. The land border between the two countries has remained closed since 1993 however, due to which transport trucks are required to transit through Georgia or Iran. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

To allow aid to quake-hit Turkey, Armenia briefly buries old hatchet of tensions

<p>In the United States, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said on Friday that it may soon declare bankruptcy due to "staggering" legal costs in nearly 400 lawsuits that allege priests and church functionaries sexually abused children over the decades. A diocese refers to a territory that has a number of churches under a bishop. It was revealed that it would cost the diocese up to $550 million to settle the cases.</p>

<p>In a letter that was expected to be shared with parishioners this weekend, Bishop Robert McElroy said the cases were filed after California lifted a statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catholic-jesuit-order-hit-by-priest-abuse-scandal-548035">Catholic Jesuit order rocked by claims of sexual abuse of several women by prominent priest</a></strong></p>

<p>Assembly Bill 218, which was signed into law in 2019, allows alleged victims to sue up until age 40. It also opened a three-year window for filing lawsuits without age limitations since 2019.</p>

<p>The sexual abuses cited in the lawsuits allegedly took place 50 to 75 years ago, and the earliest claim dates to 1945, Kevin Eckery, communications director for the diocese, said at a Friday news conference, KNSD-TV reported.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Catholic Jesuit order hit by priest abuse scandal</strong></p>

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<p>In his letter, the bishop said none of the suits involve allegations against any currently serving priest.</p>

<p>"This reflects the reality that the Church has taken enormous steps to root out the sexual abuse of minors in its life and to promote the protection of minors," McElroy claimed.</p>

<h2><strong>Why Bankruptcy?</strong></h2>

<p>Bankruptcy would "provide a pathway" for the diocese to compensate sexual abuse victims while continuing to run its ministries, the bishop said.</p>

<p>The diocese has more than 100 active priests and covers San Diego and Imperial counties, an area of more than 8,800 square miles (about 22,800 square kilometres) with a Catholic population of nearly 1.4 million, according to its website.</p>

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In the United States, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said on Friday that it may soon declare bankruptcy due to "staggering" legal costs in nearly 400 lawsuits that allege priests and church functionaries sexually abused children over the decades.

In the United States, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said on Friday that it may soon declare bankruptcy due to "staggering" legal costs in nearly 400 lawsuits that allege priests and church functionaries sexually abused children over the decades. A diocese refers to a territory that has a number of churches under a bishop. It was revealed that it would cost the diocese up to $550 million to settle the cases. In a letter that was expected to be shared with parishioners this weekend, Bishop Robert McElroy said the cases were filed after California lifted a statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims. ALSO READ | Catholic Jesuit order rocked by claims of sexual abuse of several women by prominent priest Assembly Bill 218, which was signed into law in 2019, allows alleged victims to sue up until age 40. It also opened a three-year window for filing lawsuits without age limitations since 2019. The sexual abuses cited in the lawsuits allegedly took place 50 to 75 years ago, and the earliest claim dates to 1945, Kevin Eckery, communications director for the diocese, said at a Friday news conference, KNSD-TV reported. ALSO WATCH | Catholic Jesuit order hit by priest abuse scandal × In his letter, the bishop said none of the suits involve allegations against any currently serving priest. "This reflects the reality that the Church has taken enormous steps to root out the sexual abuse of minors in its life and to promote the protection of minors," McElroy claimed. Why Bankruptcy? Bankruptcy would "provide a pathway" for the diocese to compensate sexual abuse victims while continuing to run its ministries, the bishop said. The diocese has more than 100 active priests and covers San Diego and Imperial counties, an area of more than 8,800 square miles (about 22,800 square kilometres) with a Catholic population of nearly 1.4 million, according to its website. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Staggering legal costs of over 400 child sex abuse lawsuits threaten bankruptcy for US church

<p>Britain's decision to exit the European Union after a 2016 referendum, in what popularly came to be known as 'Brexit', is shaping up as Bregret – a term that has come into vogue to depict the sense of regret associated with Brexit.&nbsp;'Brexit has failed' was among the top trends in Britain this weekend, with people referring to the reports suggesting that it is taking far more time for British businesses to execute imports and exports with other European countries after Brexit.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-woes-haunt-uk-with-shortfall-of-330000-non-eu-workers-553942">Brexit woes haunt UK with shortfall of 330,000 non-EU workers: Think tanks</a></strong></p>

<p>"Incredible isn't it (sic), that a commercial business would choose to invest in a country where there are no barriers to trade across 27 EU states and numerous well negotiated trade deals with the rest of the world. Who saw that one coming?," a user wrote on Twitter with hashtags saying 'Brexit has failed' and 'Brexit Reality'. The user was referring to a report of vaccine-major AstraZeneca choosing to set up a £320 million factory in Ireland instead of Britain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Never mind all those trade deals we were supposed to be raking in after Brexit, it seems this Tory Brexit government can’t even make a trade deal with a company headquartered in Cambridge!," wrote another user on the micro-blogging site on a report citing AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer (CEO) that discouraging UK tax policies and business climate have been factors that are deterring investments.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>From Brexit to Bregret: The young-old divide in Britain</strong></h2>

<p>A YouGov poll conducted shortly after Brexit had said that 64 per cent of voters over 65 had opted to leave the EU, while the youngest category, 18- to 24-year olds, had voted by 71 per cent to 29 per cent to stay.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-pm-rishi-sunak-hails-brexit-as-huge-opportunity-557589">UK PM Rishi Sunak hails Brexit as 'Huge opportunity'</a></strong></p>

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<p>But at the end of 2022, the oldest group of Britons continued to believe that Brexit was right. However, about 70 per cent of Britons born between 1985 and 1994 said that the Brexit decision was the wrong one.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Britain withdrew from the European Union on January 31, 2020 under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a top Conservative Party leader. The UK had been a member state of the EU and its predecessor the European Communities (EC) since January 1973.&nbsp;<br />
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Britain's decision to exit the European Union after a 2016 referendum, in what popularly came to be known as 'Brexit', is shaping up as Bregret – a term that has come into vogue to depict the sense of regret associated with Brexit.

Britain's decision to exit the European Union after a 2016 referendum, in what popularly came to be known as 'Brexit', is shaping up as Bregret – a term that has come into vogue to depict the sense of regret associated with Brexit. 'Brexit has failed' was among the top trends in Britain this weekend, with people referring to the reports suggesting that it is taking far more time for British businesses to execute imports and exports with other European countries after Brexit. ALSO READ | Brexit woes haunt UK with shortfall of 330,000 non-EU workers: Think tanks "Incredible isn't it (sic), that a commercial business would choose to invest in a country where there are no barriers to trade across 27 EU states and numerous well negotiated trade deals with the rest of the world. Who saw that one coming?," a user wrote on Twitter with hashtags saying 'Brexit has failed' and 'Brexit Reality'. The user was referring to a report of vaccine-major AstraZeneca choosing to set up a £320 million factory in Ireland instead of Britain. "Never mind all those trade deals we were supposed to be raking in after Brexit, it seems this Tory Brexit government can’t even make a trade deal with a company headquartered in Cambridge!," wrote another user on the micro-blogging site on a report citing AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer (CEO) that discouraging UK tax policies and business climate have been factors that are deterring investments. From Brexit to Bregret: The young-old divide in Britain A YouGov poll conducted shortly after Brexit had said that 64 per cent of voters over 65 had opted to leave the EU, while the youngest category, 18- to 24-year olds, had voted by 71 per cent to 29 per cent to stay. ALSO WATCH | UK PM Rishi Sunak hails Brexit as 'Huge opportunity' × But at the end of 2022, the oldest group of Britons continued to believe that Brexit was right. However, about 70 per cent of Britons born between 1985 and 1994 said that the Brexit decision was the wrong one. Britain withdrew from the European Union on January 31, 2020 under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a top Conservative Party leader. The UK had been a member state of the EU and its predecessor the European Communities (EC) since January 1973. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

From Brexit to 'Bregret': More young Britons vent discontent, say 'Brexit has failed'

<p>A Singapore-based hair removal chain, 'Ministry of Wax', became a hot topic on Chinese social media after its advertisement implied that women who do not remove their body hair are like Orangutans. The&nbsp;advertisements featured&nbsp;photos of hairy orangutans against attractive human models. As the advertisement surfaced on Chinese social media platforms Weibo and Douyin,&nbsp;it immediately stoked people to call out, what they said, was an act of misogyny by the company.</p>

<h2><strong>What does the advertisement show?</strong></h2>

<p>In one advertisement, a disinterested Orangutan stands beside a door, while a hairless woman poses confidently on the other side while sporting a dress identical to the Orangutan. In another, an Orangutan cannonballed into a lake along with two bikini-clad models, which the Chinese social media users said, highlighted the stark contrast between the two in a manner favourable to the models.</p>

<p>"I have already reported the business as inappropriate,"&nbsp;one social media user commented. "By portraying unshaven women as orangutans, this company is belittling and objectifying women for business and causing body anxiety (amongst women)."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-campaign-shows-fatherhood-masculinity-as-factors-affecting-road-safety-560045">French campaign shows fatherhood, masculinity as factors affecting road safety</a></strong></p>

<p>An employee from Strip Shanghai confirmed that the posters were supplied from the company’s headquarters in Singapore, reported South Morning China Post.</p>

<p>"The Orangutan represents a person with more body hair," an anonymous employee from Strip Shanghai told Xinhao Caijing.</p>

<p>"If you don’t undergo hair removal, you will look like an Orangutan. After hair removal, you become more beautiful,"&nbsp;the employee added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Massive backlash on Chinese social media platforms</strong></h2>

<p>Weibo users expressed displeasure&nbsp;over the portrayal of women in the ads.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Advertisements for shops with female clientele but cause women discomfort…[hope they] go out of business as soon as possible,"&nbsp;said a user, according to Today Online portal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-social-media-a-breeding-ground-for-misogyny-550855">Gravitas: Social Media: a breeding ground for misogyny</a></strong></p>

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<p>In an official statement, the brand in question called the backlash towards the ads a "misinterpretation of the brand’s campaign visual".</p>

<p>"Some netizens may have drawn some wrong conclusions from our use of the image of an orangutan. Our mascot was inspired by the beloved tourism icon of Singapore and has been present since the brand started 20 years ago," said the company in an official statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ah Meng, an Orangutan from the Singapore Zoo, was a tourism icon of Singapore until its death in 2008.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Strip was created with the aim for women to be completely body confident. By using inventive, humorous advertising and marketing campaigns, (Strip) injects a dose of humour and fun into both the message and the actual waxing treatments, taking the embarrassment out of this sensitive subject," said the company.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A Singapore-based hair removal chain, 'Ministry of Wax', became a hot topic on Chinese social media after its advertisement implied that women who do not remove their body hair are like Orangutans.

A Singapore-based hair removal chain, 'Ministry of Wax', became a hot topic on Chinese social media after its advertisement implied that women who do not remove their body hair are like Orangutans. The advertisements featured photos of hairy orangutans against attractive human models. As the advertisement surfaced on Chinese social media platforms Weibo and Douyin, it immediately stoked people to call out, what they said, was an act of misogyny by the company. What does the advertisement show? In one advertisement, a disinterested Orangutan stands beside a door, while a hairless woman poses confidently on the other side while sporting a dress identical to the Orangutan. In another, an Orangutan cannonballed into a lake along with two bikini-clad models, which the Chinese social media users said, highlighted the stark contrast between the two in a manner favourable to the models. "I have already reported the business as inappropriate," one social media user commented. "By portraying unshaven women as orangutans, this company is belittling and objectifying women for business and causing body anxiety (amongst women)." ALSO READ | French campaign shows fatherhood, masculinity as factors affecting road safety An employee from Strip Shanghai confirmed that the posters were supplied from the company’s headquarters in Singapore, reported South Morning China Post. "The Orangutan represents a person with more body hair," an anonymous employee from Strip Shanghai told Xinhao Caijing. "If you don’t undergo hair removal, you will look like an Orangutan. After hair removal, you become more beautiful," the employee added. Massive backlash on Chinese social media platforms Weibo users expressed displeasure over the portrayal of women in the ads. "Advertisements for shops with female clientele but cause women discomfort…[hope they] go out of business as soon as possible," said a user, according to Today Online portal. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Social Media: a breeding ground for misogyny × In an official statement, the brand in question called the backlash towards the ads a "misinterpretation of the brand’s campaign visual". "Some netizens may have drawn some wrong conclusions from our use of the image of an orangutan. Our mascot was inspired by the beloved tourism icon of Singapore and has been present since the brand started 20 years ago," said the company in an official statement. Ah Meng, an Orangutan from the Singapore Zoo, was a tourism icon of Singapore until its death in 2008. "Strip was created with the aim for women to be completely body confident. By using inventive, humorous advertising and marketing campaigns, (Strip) injects a dose of humour and fun into both the message and the actual waxing treatments, taking the embarrassment out of this sensitive subject," said the company. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese lambast hair removal ad campaign comparing hairy women with orangutans

<p>In a development that may worsen the already dire straits of the Pakistani economy, the country's bid for a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hit a snag.</p>

<p>The international body has asked for more time for negotiations with Pakistan over a deal that would unlock $1.1 billion in much-needed funds for the country, part of the&nbsp;IMF's $6.5 billion bailout aimed at warding off an economic meltdown.</p>

<p>"Virtual discussions will continue in the coming days," IMF Pakistan Mission Chief Nathan Porter said in a statement, adding that considerable progress had been made.</p>

<p>"Considerable progress was made during the mission on policy measures to address domestic and external imbalances," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The staff level agreement between Pakistan and&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;will be reached soon," Sheikh, a senior official at the Ministry of Finance, said in a statement to Reuters. "The&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;mission asked for more time for staff-level negotiations."</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-0"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explained-with-pm-abroad-pakistanis-struggle-to-put-food-on-table-economy-on-track-551157">Explained: With PM abroad, Pakistanis struggle to put food on table, economy on track</a></strong></p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-0">The first round of talks between Pakistan and the IMF began on January 31.&nbsp;The talks, which continued through February&nbsp;9, were meant to clear the IMF’s 9th review of its Extended Fund Facility, aimed at helping countries facing balance-of-payments crises.</p>

<p>The IMF mission to Pakistan had a virtual session with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, besides a face-to-face engagement with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.</p>

<h2 data-testid="paragraph-0"><strong>Pakistan economic crisis: What are the IMF's&nbsp;conditions and demands?</strong></h2>

<p data-testid="paragraph-0">The IMF wants Islamabad to make efforts to&nbsp;boost its&nbsp;incredibly low tax base. It further wants Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government&nbsp;to end the tax exemptions for the export sector. The most brutal point of contention, according to the reports in Pakistani media, is the IMF's expectation to hike&nbsp;petrol, electricity, and gas prices — that Islamabad says are&nbsp;meant to help low-income families.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-0">The IMF is also pushing for Pakistan to keep a sustainable amount of US dollars in the bank through guarantees of further support from friendly nations Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE, as well as the World Bank.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Dispatch: Pakistan left with only three-weeks of forex cover</strong></p>

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<p>As per IMF conditions, a&nbsp;country should achieve a primary budget surplus of 0.2 per cent of the national output for the new financial year to revive the bailout package. For Pakistan, this amounts to Rs 153 billion.&nbsp;The IMF also demanded records of flood rehabilitation expenditures as a condition for giving Pakistan an exemption of&nbsp;Rs 475 billion in its primary budget deficit.</p>

<h2><strong>Pakistan economic crisis: How bad is it?</strong></h2>

<p>A prospect of national bankruptcy is looming in Pakistan amid the global energy crisis and damage caused by devastating floods last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government loosened controls on the rupee to rein in a rampant black market in US dollars -- a step that caused the currency to plunge to a record low -- and hiked petrol prices by 16 per cent.</p>

<p>"IMF is not satisfied with the current prices of petroleum and energy,"&nbsp;a government official, who asked not to be named, told AFP.</p>

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In a development that may worsen the already dire straits of the Pakistani economy, the country's bid for a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hit a snag.

In a development that may worsen the already dire straits of the Pakistani economy, the country's bid for a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hit a snag. The international body has asked for more time for negotiations with Pakistan over a deal that would unlock $1.1 billion in much-needed funds for the country, part of the IMF's $6.5 billion bailout aimed at warding off an economic meltdown. "Virtual discussions will continue in the coming days," IMF Pakistan Mission Chief Nathan Porter said in a statement, adding that considerable progress had been made. "Considerable progress was made during the mission on policy measures to address domestic and external imbalances," the statement said. "The staff level agreement between Pakistan and IMF will be reached soon," Sheikh, a senior official at the Ministry of Finance, said in a statement to Reuters. "The IMF mission asked for more time for staff-level negotiations." ALSO READ | Explained: With PM abroad, Pakistanis struggle to put food on table, economy on track The first round of talks between Pakistan and the IMF began on January 31. The talks, which continued through February 9, were meant to clear the IMF’s 9th review of its Extended Fund Facility, aimed at helping countries facing balance-of-payments crises. The IMF mission to Pakistan had a virtual session with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, besides a face-to-face engagement with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Pakistan economic crisis: What are the IMF's conditions and demands? The IMF wants Islamabad to make efforts to boost its incredibly low tax base. It further wants Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government to end the tax exemptions for the export sector. The most brutal point of contention, according to the reports in Pakistani media, is the IMF's expectation to hike petrol, electricity, and gas prices — that Islamabad says are meant to help low-income families. The IMF is also pushing for Pakistan to keep a sustainable amount of US dollars in the bank through guarantees of further support from friendly nations Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE, as well as the World Bank. WATCH | WION Dispatch: Pakistan left with only three-weeks of forex cover × As per IMF conditions, a country should achieve a primary budget surplus of 0.2 per cent of the national output for the new financial year to revive the bailout package. For Pakistan, this amounts to Rs 153 billion. The IMF also demanded records of flood rehabilitation expenditures as a condition for giving Pakistan an exemption of Rs 475 billion in its primary budget deficit. Pakistan economic crisis: How bad is it? A prospect of national bankruptcy is looming in Pakistan amid the global energy crisis and damage caused by devastating floods last year. The government loosened controls on the rupee to rein in a rampant black market in US dollars -- a step that caused the currency to plunge to a record low -- and hiked petrol prices by 16 per cent. "IMF is not satisfied with the current prices of petroleum and energy," a government official, who asked not to be named, told AFP. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

IMF seeks more time for negotiations over $1.1 billion deal for Pakistan

<p>Credit Suisse Group reported its fifth-straight quarterly loss on February 9, which totalled as Swiss moneylender's biggest annual loss since the financial crisis of 2008. The lender on Thursday posted a loss of 1.4 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion) taking its full-year loss to 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($7.9 billion). In 2008, Credit Suisse made a loss of 8.2 billion Swiss francs ($8.9 billion).</p>

<p>The bank’s shares fell 5 per cent in early trade. The stock has declined 65 per cent over the past 12 months.</p>

<p>Credit Suisse said in a statement that the fourth-quarter performance was impacted by "the challenging economic and market environment, significant deposit and net asset outflows at the beginning of the quarter, and the execution of our strategic actions." The company said that it expects to make another "substantial loss" in 2023.</p>

<p>Customers withdrew 111 billion Swiss francs ($121 billion) in the final three months of 2022 when the bank was hit by social media speculation that it was on the brink of collapse.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;W<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-business-news-credit-suisse-looks-to-mideast-for-capital-boost-526350">ION Business News: Credit Suisse to slash 9000 jobs, raise $4 billion</a></strong></p>

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<p>Since 2021, Credit Suisse has headed off a major restructuring plan that includes cutting 9,000 full-time jobs. The company, in its bid to align its focus from investment banking to wealth, announced on Thursday the acquisition of M. Klein &amp; Company, an investment banking business.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-whats-us-debt-ceiling-why-is-it-such-a-big-deal-554338">EXPLAINED: What is US debt ceiling and why is it such a big deal?</a></strong></p>

<p>Credit Suisse CEO Ulrich Körner said the deal "marks another milestone in the carve-out of CS First Boston as a leading independent capital markets and advisory business."</p>

<p>"We have a clear plan to create a new Credit Suisse and intend to continue to deliver on our three-year strategic transformation by reshaping our portfolio, reallocating capital, right-sizing our cost base, and building on our leading franchises," Körner said in the statement.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Credit Suisse Group reported its fifth-straight quarterly loss on February 9, which totalled as Swiss moneylender's biggest annual loss since the financial crisis of 2008.

Credit Suisse Group reported its fifth-straight quarterly loss on February 9, which totalled as Swiss moneylender's biggest annual loss since the financial crisis of 2008. The lender on Thursday posted a loss of 1.4 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion) taking its full-year loss to 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($7.9 billion). In 2008, Credit Suisse made a loss of 8.2 billion Swiss francs ($8.9 billion). The bank’s shares fell 5 per cent in early trade. The stock has declined 65 per cent over the past 12 months. Credit Suisse said in a statement that the fourth-quarter performance was impacted by "the challenging economic and market environment, significant deposit and net asset outflows at the beginning of the quarter, and the execution of our strategic actions." The company said that it expects to make another "substantial loss" in 2023. Customers withdrew 111 billion Swiss francs ($121 billion) in the final three months of 2022 when the bank was hit by social media speculation that it was on the brink of collapse. ALSO WATCH | WION Business News: Credit Suisse to slash 9000 jobs, raise $4 billion × Since 2021, Credit Suisse has headed off a major restructuring plan that includes cutting 9,000 full-time jobs. The company, in its bid to align its focus from investment banking to wealth, announced on Thursday the acquisition of M. Klein & Company, an investment banking business. ALSO READ | EXPLAINED: What is US debt ceiling and why is it such a big deal? Credit Suisse CEO Ulrich Körner said the deal "marks another milestone in the carve-out of CS First Boston as a leading independent capital markets and advisory business." "We have a clear plan to create a new Credit Suisse and intend to continue to deliver on our three-year strategic transformation by reshaping our portfolio, reallocating capital, right-sizing our cost base, and building on our leading franchises," Körner said in the statement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Credit Suisse posts biggest loss since 2008 amid ongoing 21,000 job cuts

<p>The concept of fatherhood is changing, rather evolving with the concept of stay-at-home dad gaining currency in the era of post-pandemic layoffs. Data from the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics indicate that the Covid pandemic may have triggered a substantial rise in the number of stay-at-home dads across the UK. One in nine stay-at-home parents were fathers in 2022, compared with just one in 14 in 2019.</p>

<h2><strong>Stay-at-home dads: What does the data say?</strong></h2>

<p>According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 2.1 million fathers were stay-at-home dads in 2021, up 8 per cent since 1989. The increase is attributed, in large part, to women out-earning their male partners. The data does not take into account the layoff spree that began in late 2022 that resulted in job cuts for thousands of men across the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-study-discovers-link-between-poor-co-parenting-depression-in-fathers-556767">Study discovers link between poor co-parenting, depression in fathers</a></strong></p>

<p>As of November 2022, over seven million men between the ages of 25 and 54, who were previously working, were not working or were looking for work.</p>

<h2><strong>Stay-at-home dads: What has changed?</strong></h2>

<p>The data from Pew Research Center suggests that over last 5 decades, fathers have become more active parents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2016, fathers in the United States self-reported spending about eight hours a week on childcare. This amount of time was roughly three times what a dad spent with the&nbsp;children in 1965, the research said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dads reported engaging in around 10 hours a week on household chores, an uptick of four hours compared to 1965. Similarly, data reveals that in 2016, mothers spent an average of 14 hours a week on childcare and around 18 hours per week on housework.</p>

<h2><strong>Stay-at-home dads: The social effects</strong></h2>

<p>A BBC survey on stay-at-home dads in the United Kingdom showed that 65 per cent of partnered fathers reported improved relationships with their children while 48 per cent said they felt more competent as a parent after the Covid lockdown.</p>

<p>However, the survey also found multiple difficulties for stay-at-home dads. These included a tendency for mothers to lead parental decision-making, and nurseries, schools and other institutions preferring to communicate with mothers. The report added that fathers also found it difficult to integrate with "mother-centered" communities of parents, and their gender continued to be a barrier at times, with the mother sometimes regarded as the "default" caregiver.</p>

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The concept of fatherhood is changing, rather evolving with the concept of stay-at-home dad gaining currency in the era of post-pandemic layoffs. Data from the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics indicate that the Covid pandemic may have triggered a substantial rise in the number of stay-at-home dads across the UK.

The concept of fatherhood is changing, rather evolving with the concept of stay-at-home dad gaining currency in the era of post-pandemic layoffs. Data from the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics indicate that the Covid pandemic may have triggered a substantial rise in the number of stay-at-home dads across the UK. One in nine stay-at-home parents were fathers in 2022, compared with just one in 14 in 2019. Stay-at-home dads: What does the data say? According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 2.1 million fathers were stay-at-home dads in 2021, up 8 per cent since 1989. The increase is attributed, in large part, to women out-earning their male partners. The data does not take into account the layoff spree that began in late 2022 that resulted in job cuts for thousands of men across the world. ALSO READ | Study discovers link between poor co-parenting, depression in fathers As of November 2022, over seven million men between the ages of 25 and 54, who were previously working, were not working or were looking for work. Stay-at-home dads: What has changed? The data from Pew Research Center suggests that over last 5 decades, fathers have become more active parents. In 2016, fathers in the United States self-reported spending about eight hours a week on childcare. This amount of time was roughly three times what a dad spent with the children in 1965, the research said. Dads reported engaging in around 10 hours a week on household chores, an uptick of four hours compared to 1965. Similarly, data reveals that in 2016, mothers spent an average of 14 hours a week on childcare and around 18 hours per week on housework. Stay-at-home dads: The social effects A BBC survey on stay-at-home dads in the United Kingdom showed that 65 per cent of partnered fathers reported improved relationships with their children while 48 per cent said they felt more competent as a parent after the Covid lockdown. However, the survey also found multiple difficulties for stay-at-home dads. These included a tendency for mothers to lead parental decision-making, and nurseries, schools and other institutions preferring to communicate with mothers. The report added that fathers also found it difficult to integrate with "mother-centered" communities of parents, and their gender continued to be a barrier at times, with the mother sometimes regarded as the "default" caregiver. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Covid lockdown, layoffs pave the way for an era of stay-at-home dads

<p>Squirrels have been trained in China to detect&nbsp;the presence of drugs at train stations, airports, warehouses, and border checkpoints.&nbsp;The police in the southwest city of Chongqing, over 1700 km southwest of the Chinese capital Beijing,&nbsp;say that they have trained the country’s first batch of six sniffer squirrels in an attempt to find a more feasible&nbsp;replacement for sniffer dogs.</p>

<p>"Squirrels have a quite acute sense of smell, but we didn’t have sniffer squirrels in the past because we didn’t have mature techniques to train rodents,” Yin Jin, a trainer of the local squad of police dogs, told a state-run news platform&nbsp;Shangyou News. He said that the authorities used the same training system they use to train sniffer dogs for similar operations.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Squirrels to replace dogs? But aren't dogs better at sniffing?</strong></h2>

<p>Dogs are considered conventionally better at sniffing than other animals, even rodents. But rodents such as squirrels are good at sniffing out drugs and related illicit substances with "complex environments" full of packages and tight corners, and they can reach spots that are high up, which the dogs cannot.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How will squirrels notify that drugs have been found?</strong></h2>

<p>Once a squirrel&nbsp;finds the suspect drugs, a trained squirrel will notify its trainer by scratching an&nbsp;object, Chinese anti-drugs police spokesperson said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-drugs-worth-12-billion-seized-from-two-cities-former-pilot-among-six-arrested-523308">India: Drugs worth $1.2 billion seized from two cities, former pilot among six arrested</a></strong></p>

<p>It is not the first time authorities have tried to find an alternative to sniffer dogs. Police in the Netherlands in 2013 trained rats to sniff out drugs and gunpowder with a success rate of 95 per cent. In 1993 in America, the Department of Justice put on trial the&nbsp;use of pot-bellied pigs to sniff out narcotics.</p>

<h2><strong>China's anti-drugs campaign</strong></h2>

<p>China has a zero-tolerance policy on illicit drugs. Individuals convicted of drug crimes often face severe punishments, including death.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-medicine-shortage-humiliates-china-546183">Gravitas: Medicine Shortage 'humiliates' China</a></strong></p>

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<p>The country reportedly had nearly 1.5 million drug users at the end of 2021. China in 2021 solved more than 54,000 drug cases, arrested 77,000 suspects and seized 27 tonnes of drugs, according to the latest report on anti-drug efforts cited by The Times newspaper.&nbsp;</p>


Squirrels have been trained in China to detect the presence of drugs at train stations, airports, warehouses, and border checkpoints. The police in the southwest city of Chongqing, over 1700 km southwest of the Chinese capital Beijing, say that they have trained the country’s first batch of six sniffer squirrels in an attempt to find a more feasible replacement for sniffer dogs.

Squirrels have been trained in China to detect the presence of drugs at train stations, airports, warehouses, and border checkpoints. The police in the southwest city of Chongqing, over 1700 km southwest of the Chinese capital Beijing, say that they have trained the country’s first batch of six sniffer squirrels in an attempt to find a more feasible replacement for sniffer dogs. "Squirrels have a quite acute sense of smell, but we didn’t have sniffer squirrels in the past because we didn’t have mature techniques to train rodents,” Yin Jin, a trainer of the local squad of police dogs, told a state-run news platform Shangyou News. He said that the authorities used the same training system they use to train sniffer dogs for similar operations. Squirrels to replace dogs? But aren't dogs better at sniffing? Dogs are considered conventionally better at sniffing than other animals, even rodents. But rodents such as squirrels are good at sniffing out drugs and related illicit substances with "complex environments" full of packages and tight corners, and they can reach spots that are high up, which the dogs cannot. How will squirrels notify that drugs have been found? Once a squirrel finds the suspect drugs, a trained squirrel will notify its trainer by scratching an object, Chinese anti-drugs police spokesperson said. ALSO READ | India: Drugs worth $1.2 billion seized from two cities, former pilot among six arrested It is not the first time authorities have tried to find an alternative to sniffer dogs. Police in the Netherlands in 2013 trained rats to sniff out drugs and gunpowder with a success rate of 95 per cent. In 1993 in America, the Department of Justice put on trial the use of pot-bellied pigs to sniff out narcotics. China's anti-drugs campaign China has a zero-tolerance policy on illicit drugs. Individuals convicted of drug crimes often face severe punishments, including death. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Medicine Shortage 'humiliates' China × The country reportedly had nearly 1.5 million drug users at the end of 2021. China in 2021 solved more than 54,000 drug cases, arrested 77,000 suspects and seized 27 tonnes of drugs, according to the latest report on anti-drug efforts cited by The Times newspaper.

In China, dogs lose their drugs sniffing jobs to squirrels trained for the task

<p>The United States will seek to take action against individuals or companies linked with&nbsp; China's military that supported the flight of a Chinese spy balloon into the airspace of the United States last week, a senior State Department official said on Thursday. Washington is confident that the manufacturer of the Chinese balloon shot down by the US forces last week, had a "direct relationship" with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).</p>

<p>White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre repeated that the United States would look at taking action against such entities. However, the White House has&nbsp;not specified what measures are under consideration. Jean-Pierre told reporters the United States would also look at broader efforts to "expose and address" China's larger surveillance activities that pose a threat to the national security of the United States as well as its allies and partners.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spy-balloon-row-us-says-balloon-maker-had-direct-ties-with-pla-560498">Spy Balloon row: US says balloon maker had direct ties with PLA</a></strong></p>

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<p>The FBI, which is investigating&nbsp;the spy balloon row, told reporters&nbsp;that it had obtained only limited physical evidence and did not yet have enough information to assess its capabilities.</p>

<p>"It's very early for us in this process, and the evidence that has been recovered and brought to the FBI is extremely limited," a bureau official said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/house-votes-to-condemn-chinese-spy-balloon-incursion-us-may-target-pla-linked-entities-560453">US may target PLA-linked entities as House votes to condemn Chinese 'spy' balloon incursion</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, on Thursday, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that the flight of the Chinese balloon was yet another sign of Beijing's efforts to reshape the international order.</p>

<p>"This irresponsible act put on full display what we've long recognised: that the PRC (People's Republic of China) has become more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad," Sherman told a hearing of&nbsp;Senate Foreign Relations Committee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sherman said Washington would continue to block China from using the US&nbsp;technology to advance its military modernisation.</p>

<h2><strong>China spy balloon row: The PLA link</strong></h2>

<p>In the statement released by the US State Department, a senior official said the balloon manufacturer has a direct relationship with China's military and is an approved vendor of the People's Liberation Army.</p>

<p>The company also advertises balloon products on its website and hosts videos from past flights, which appear to have flown over the US&nbsp;airspace and the airspace of other countries, the official said, without naming the business.</p>

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The United States will seek to take action against individuals or companies linked with China's military that supported the flight of a Chinese spy balloon into the airspace of the United States last week, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

The United States will seek to take action against individuals or companies linked with China's military that supported the flight of a Chinese spy balloon into the airspace of the United States last week, a senior State Department official said on Thursday. Washington is confident that the manufacturer of the Chinese balloon shot down by the US forces last week, had a "direct relationship" with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre repeated that the United States would look at taking action against such entities. However, the White House has not specified what measures are under consideration. Jean-Pierre told reporters the United States would also look at broader efforts to "expose and address" China's larger surveillance activities that pose a threat to the national security of the United States as well as its allies and partners. ALSO WATCH | Spy Balloon row: US says balloon maker had direct ties with PLA × The FBI, which is investigating the spy balloon row, told reporters that it had obtained only limited physical evidence and did not yet have enough information to assess its capabilities. "It's very early for us in this process, and the evidence that has been recovered and brought to the FBI is extremely limited," a bureau official said. ALSO READ | US may target PLA-linked entities as House votes to condemn Chinese 'spy' balloon incursion Meanwhile, on Thursday, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that the flight of the Chinese balloon was yet another sign of Beijing's efforts to reshape the international order. "This irresponsible act put on full display what we've long recognised: that the PRC (People's Republic of China) has become more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad," Sherman told a hearing of Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sherman said Washington would continue to block China from using the US technology to advance its military modernisation. China spy balloon row: The PLA link In the statement released by the US State Department, a senior official said the balloon manufacturer has a direct relationship with China's military and is an approved vendor of the People's Liberation Army. The company also advertises balloon products on its website and hosts videos from past flights, which appear to have flown over the US airspace and the airspace of other countries, the official said, without naming the business. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Biden administration may soon sanction Chinese entities linked with spy balloon row

<p>The United States will resume "domestic visa revalidation" in a selected few categories on a pilot basis. The pilot project is set to launch later in 2023. The move, once fully implemented, would be a big relief for the thousands of Indian professionals in the United States who wouldn't need to get out of the United States to get their passports re-stamped after the expiration of their stay.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b>Which categories of visas are eligible for 'domestic visa revalidation'?</b></h2>

<p>The foreign tech workers on H-1B and L1 visas will be eligible for "domestic visa revalidation".&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are working in earnest on plans to restart this service for certain petition-based NIV categories, and we hope to have a pilot up and running later this year. This would eliminate the need for these applicants to travel abroad to renew visas,"&nbsp;a State Department spokesperson told Press Trust of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-start-receiving-h1b-visa-applications-from-march-1-557101">US to start receiving H1B visa applications from March 1</a></strong></p>

<p>"We cannot comment on how many visa holders would be initially eligible, but the pilot would begin with a small number of cases before scaling over the following 1-2 years,"&nbsp;said the State Department spokesperson in response to a question.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>It means that non-immigrant visa holders in H-1B and L1 categories will be able to renew their visas while staying in the United States. At present, visa re-stamping is not allowed within the United States. The visa holders, after the expiration of their stay, have to go out of the United States,&nbsp;to their country of origin, to get the extension stamped on their passport. Once implemented, the eligible individuals holding H-1B and L1 visas will be able to get their passports re-stamped in the United States itself.</p>

<p>Under the existing rule, that came into force in 2004, the procedure for re-stamping H1-B and L visas is to visit the home country and submit their H1, and L1 visas, passports, and documents by way of a dropbox or interview.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;2023 might be the worst year to apply for H-1B visa</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The much-sought-after H-1B visas are issued for three years at a time.</p>

<p>The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries such as India and China.</p>

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The United States will resume "domestic visa revalidation" in a selected few categories on a pilot basis. The pilot project is set to launch later in 2023. The move, once fully implemented, would be a big relief for the thousands of Indian professionals in the United States who wouldn't need to get out of the United States to get their passports re-stamped after the expiration of their stay.

The United States will resume "domestic visa revalidation" in a selected few categories on a pilot basis. The pilot project is set to launch later in 2023. The move, once fully implemented, would be a big relief for the thousands of Indian professionals in the United States who wouldn't need to get out of the United States to get their passports re-stamped after the expiration of their stay. Which categories of visas are eligible for 'domestic visa revalidation'? The foreign tech workers on H-1B and L1 visas will be eligible for "domestic visa revalidation". "We are working in earnest on plans to restart this service for certain petition-based NIV categories, and we hope to have a pilot up and running later this year. This would eliminate the need for these applicants to travel abroad to renew visas," a State Department spokesperson told Press Trust of India. ALSO READ | US to start receiving H1B visa applications from March 1 "We cannot comment on how many visa holders would be initially eligible, but the pilot would begin with a small number of cases before scaling over the following 1-2 years," said the State Department spokesperson in response to a question. What does it mean? It means that non-immigrant visa holders in H-1B and L1 categories will be able to renew their visas while staying in the United States. At present, visa re-stamping is not allowed within the United States. The visa holders, after the expiration of their stay, have to go out of the United States, to their country of origin, to get the extension stamped on their passport. Once implemented, the eligible individuals holding H-1B and L1 visas will be able to get their passports re-stamped in the United States itself. Under the existing rule, that came into force in 2004, the procedure for re-stamping H1-B and L visas is to visit the home country and submit their H1, and L1 visas, passports, and documents by way of a dropbox or interview. ALSO WATCH | 2023 might be the worst year to apply for H-1B visa × The much-sought-after H-1B visas are issued for three years at a time. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries such as India and China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Soon, H1-B, L1 visa holders may get their visa re-stamped in the US itself

<p>In East Jerusalem, a suspected assailant rammed his car into several pedestrians, in which two people, including a child and a 20-year-old, were killed.&nbsp;Five more people, including another child, were wounded. A statement attributed to the Israeli Police confirmed&nbsp;that multiple people were injured in Friday's 'terror' ramming in the Israeli capital. "The suspect was neutralised on the spot," the Israeli police said in a statement that described it as a "terror" attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A pink children's doll was among debris nearby the ramming site, an AFP report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As a result of the ramming, there are two dead and another five injured," an Israeli police statement said. Police forces&nbsp;"arrived quickly at the scene, and fired at the terrorist who was neutralised on the spot," police added in a separate statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-attack-netanyahu-promises-strong-swift-and-precise-response-to-attacks-557067">Israel Attack: Netanyahu promises strong, swift and precise response to attacks</a></strong></p>

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<p>Late last month, an attack killed six Israelis and a Ukrainian outside a synagogue in annexed east Jerusalem, a day after the deadliest Israeli army raid in years in the&nbsp;West Bank claimed 10 people cited as 'terrorists' in the Israeli media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The synagogue attack on the Jewish Sabbath was the deadliest targeting Israeli civilians in more than a decade.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/israel-responds-with-air-strikes-on-gaza-following-overnight-rocket-fire-556373">Israel retaliates with air strikes on Gaza following overnight firing of rockets</a></strong></p>

<p>On Thursday, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian near the West Bank city of Hebron, the Palestinian health ministry said, after what the army called a "stabbing attack".</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the city of Nablus, according to the Palestinian health ministry, with the Israeli army saying he had fired on soldiers.</p>

<p>A day earlier, Israeli forces killed five suspected Palestinian gunmen in a raid in Jericho, in the Jordan Valley, after a days-long search for suspects in a shooting in a restaurant near the city.</p>

<p>The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has seen at least 43 Palestinians -- including attackers, militants and civilians, killed this year, according to official data.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Eight Israeli civilians, including two children, and one Ukrainian have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP tally based on official statements.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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In East Jerusalem, a suspected assailant rammed his car into several pedestrians, in which two people, including a child and a 20-year-old, were killed. Five more people, including another child, were wounded.

In East Jerusalem, a suspected assailant rammed his car into several pedestrians, in which two people, including a child and a 20-year-old, were killed. Five more people, including another child, were wounded. A statement attributed to the Israeli Police confirmed that multiple people were injured in Friday's 'terror' ramming in the Israeli capital. "The suspect was neutralised on the spot," the Israeli police said in a statement that described it as a "terror" attack. A pink children's doll was among debris nearby the ramming site, an AFP report said. "As a result of the ramming, there are two dead and another five injured," an Israeli police statement said. Police forces "arrived quickly at the scene, and fired at the terrorist who was neutralised on the spot," police added in a separate statement. ALSO WATCH | Israel Attack: Netanyahu promises strong, swift and precise response to attacks × Late last month, an attack killed six Israelis and a Ukrainian outside a synagogue in annexed east Jerusalem, a day after the deadliest Israeli army raid in years in the West Bank claimed 10 people cited as 'terrorists' in the Israeli media. The synagogue attack on the Jewish Sabbath was the deadliest targeting Israeli civilians in more than a decade. ALSO READ | Israel retaliates with air strikes on Gaza following overnight firing of rockets On Thursday, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian near the West Bank city of Hebron, the Palestinian health ministry said, after what the army called a "stabbing attack". On Tuesday, Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the city of Nablus, according to the Palestinian health ministry, with the Israeli army saying he had fired on soldiers. A day earlier, Israeli forces killed five suspected Palestinian gunmen in a raid in Jericho, in the Jordan Valley, after a days-long search for suspects in a shooting in a restaurant near the city. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has seen at least 43 Palestinians -- including attackers, militants and civilians, killed this year, according to official data. Eight Israeli civilians, including two children, and one Ukrainian have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP tally based on official statements. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Two people, including a child, killed in East Jerusalem's 'terror' ramming

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