Moody's Raises India's GDP Forecast to 7% Citing Resilience Amid Middle East Conflict

The Tamil Nadu Public Works Department has issued a circular to officials to tighten norms against corruption and procedural lapses. Under the new directive, no project can be executed without administrative, financial, and technical sanctions. The circular strictly prohibits splitting works into smaller projects to evade scrutiny and mandates that work must commence only after tenders are floated and work orders are issued. The move follows procedural irregularities in the Tambaram Municipal Corporation, where projects were executed without floating tenders.

A 28-year-old Sikh truck driver from Sacramento, California, was stabbed 17 times in an unprovoked attack inside a restroom at the Bitter Creek rest area on Interstate 80 in Wyoming. The victim, identified by his surname Singh, was assaulted from behind while looking into a mirror, sustaining multiple lacerations to his neck, chest, ribs, and arms. After fighting back and escaping, he called 911 before collapsing and was airlifted to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. The incident comes amid heightened concerns over the racial profiling of Sikh truck drivers in the United States.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu claimed that his cavalcade was attacked in Punjab near Batala while he was travelling to Pathankot for the party's Nasha Mukt Yatra. According to details, tomatoes and eggs were thrown at his convoy amid confrontations between political workers. Bittu alleged that individuals linked to the Aam Aadmi Party carried out the attack and accused the Punjab Police of turning a blind eye and failing to facilitate his movement. He stated that his security team apprehended three individuals and warned that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state Director General of Police would be held responsible if anything happened to his safety. Bittu further declared plans to apprise the Union Home Ministry of the incident and demanded an immediate investigation into the security lapse.

The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan challenging summons issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. The inquiry follows Pakistan's Test tour of England, with the agency examining alleged dressing room leaks. Rizwan and fellow batter Imam-ul-Haq previously appeared before the agency, where they were questioned regarding travel, financial history, and personal details. Rizwan challenged the basis of the probe and questioned the agency's jurisdiction, seeking a halt to proceedings. The controversy unfolds alongside a Pakistan Cricket Board disciplinary inquiry after seven players were sent home following defeats in the opening Test matches in England.