Deep Editor - The Purbottar

29 Jan

Iranian Political Prisoners Face Imminent Execution Amid Crackdown

Deep EditorIran

Iranian political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani are facing imminent execution on charges related to their alleged membership in a banned opposition party. This development is part of a broader crackdown by Iran's regime, which has seen an increase in executions, with reports indicating up to 1,000 executions in the past year alone. Both prisoners were subjected to torture and transferred to Qezelhessar Prison, known for its execution practices. Defiant inmates have responded with chants against the regime, while families and advocates have made urgent pleas for international awareness and intervention. The regime's brutal tactics, including public floggings and…

28 Jan

Significant number of devotees from Northeast to take part in Maha Kumbh

Deep EditorNorth East

For the first time in the history of the Maha Kumbh, a special camp dedicated to the Northeast has been set up, attracting a significant number of devotees from the region. Over 20 saints and ascetics from remote parts of the Northeast will join the akharas to take part in the 'Amrit Snan' on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' on Wednesday. At the "Pragjyotish Kshetra" camp in Sector 7, Mahant Keshav Das Ji Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar of the Nirvani Ani Akhara, told reporters, "On Mauni Amavasya, 22 saints from the Northeast will take part in the Amrit Snan with the akharas.…

28 Jan

Citigroup Restructures Private Banking Leadership Following Ida Liu’s Departure

Deep EditorUK

Citigroup has overhauled its private banking senior leadership after the departure of global head Ida Liu. Andy Sieg, head of Citi Wealth, announced changes to simplify the structure and elevate key regions. James Holder has been appointed as the head of Citi Private Bank for the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Antonio Gonzales and Steven Lo will lead the Latin America and Asia South private banking businesses, respectively, while Cayman Wills has been promoted to interim head of North America. Christian Zeinler has been recruited from UBS as head of strategy for Citi Wealth and business execution. These leaders…

28 Jan

Tasmanian Government Nears Decision on Spirit of Tasmania IV Ferry

Deep EditorTasmanian

The Tasmanian state government is approaching a decision on whether to return the Spirit of Tasmania IV ferry to the state. Currently, efforts are underway to lease the vessel in the northern hemisphere until Devonport's berthing infrastructure is prepared. Labor has criticized the government for spending over $1 million on berthing and associated costs in Scotland. Premier Jeremy Rockliff emphasized the importance of due diligence to ensure value for taxpayers. Transport Minister Eric Abetz noted that crewing costs for the completed ship are $380,000 per month, with additional storage expenses. To mitigate the tourism industry's annual revenue loss of $500…

28 Jan

Assam DGP GP Singh released from state, to become CRPF DG

Deep EditorAssam

After a two-year stint as the DGP of Assam, Gyanendra Pratap Singh was on Monday released from state services to join the Central Reserve Police Force as Director General, according to an official order. The 1991-batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer has been the Director General of Assam Police since February 1, 2023. "The officer is hereby released from the date of handing over of charges," the Home and Political Commissioner & Secretary, Biswajit Pegu, said in a notification.

28 Jan

Assam’s Bodo Council seeks inclusion in Article 280 for more funds

Deep EditorAssam

The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), an autonomous administrative authority in Assam's Bodo tribal areas, has demanded its inclusion in Article 280 of the Constitution to get more funds for the development of some remote districts that suffered decades of insurgency and are now on a peace path. Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of the BTR's governing body Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), told a group of journalists here that he was "trying to sustain" the peace that was achieved after four decades of instability, fear, uncertainty and threat. Monday marked the successful five years of the tripartite Bodo Peace Accord…

27 Jan

Riyan Parag to lead Assam in Ranji Trophy

Deep EditorAssam

Riyan Parag has been declared fit to return to cricket in the seventh round of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, which begins on January 30. Parag will lead Assam in their final league match against Saurashtra in Rajkot. Parag's last competitive appearance was in the third T201 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in October last year. He subsequently missed the T201 series against South Africa and the ongoing series against England due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. While he was also absent from India's Champions Trophy squad, this return to match action could help him regain match fitness should…

27 Jan

Assam to have Dibrugarh as second capital

Deep EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the district headquarters of Dibrugarh will be developed as the second capital of the state within the next three years. Unfurling the national flag here on the occasion of Republic Day, Sarma said the government will construct a permanent building of the assembly in this city on the southern bank of Brahmaputra in Upper Assam. "Today is an important day in Dibrugarh's journey to become the second capital of Assam. For the first time, state celebrations are taking place in this historical city," he said.

27 Jan

CIA Concludes COVID-19 Likely Originated from Chinese Lab Leak

Deep EditorCOVID 19

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has shifted its stance, now supporting the theory that COVID-19 most likely originated from a laboratory leak in China. This "low confidence" assessment aligns the CIA with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Energy, both of which also favor the lab leak theory. The reassessment occurred shortly after John Ratcliffe was appointed as the new CIA director. Despite lacking substantial new evidence, this position contrasts with four other agencies and the National Intelligence Council, which continue to support the zoonotic theory, suggesting the virus mutated naturally from bats to humans, possibly…

27 Jan

Violent Stabbing on Bronx Subway Leaves Passenger Critically Injured

Deep EditorACCIDENT

A 25-year-old man was repeatedly stabbed aboard a northbound 5 train in the Bronx on Sunday morning. The attack occurred near Grand Concourse and East 149th Street, with the assailant fleeing the scene. The victim was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in critical but stable condition. The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, last seen wearing a red sweatshirt, black vest, dark pants, and dark shoes. Authorities have yet to identify him, and the investigation is ongoing. This incident follows a particularly violent year for New York City's subway system, which saw 10 passengers murdered…