Tesla CEO Elon Musk resolved a defamation suit filed against him by Sikh american, Randeep Hothi, an outspoken critic and independent researcher who produced original investigative work throwing doubt on several of Tesla's assertions regarding its technological capabilities, production capacity, and profitability.

Hothi filed the lawsuit in 2019 accusing the CEO of defaming him in an email to a reporter, for his criticism of Tesla. The firm in 2019 had accused Hothi of harassing and injuring their employees but dropped the case eventually.

According to Hothi's lawyer, Musk in the email to the reporter accused  Hothi of "actively harassing" and "almost killing[ing]" Tesla employees. However, following a long legal battle, Musk offered to settle the matter in March 2023 and Hothi accepted his settlement offer.

"I brought this case to defend my work, clear my name, and send a message," said Hothi in an official statement. "I believe I've accomplished that, thanks in no small part to Musk, whose own behaviour over the last year has highlighted the need to scrutinize his every word and deed. This case was about taking a stand, not seeking fame or money. I feel vindicated."

D. Gill Sperlein, one of Hothi's lawyers, said: "Last year, Musk famously promised that he would never 'settle an unjust case.' Yet, he has asked Mr. Hothi to accommodate him. We welcome Musk's belated acknowledgment that this case was just." Sperlein, who has represented Hothi since 2019, added: "Freedom of speech is undermined when the rich and powerful improperly act to silence and intimidate their critics."

Organizers are confident they can avoid the calamities of last time when India hosts the Commonwealth Games, but there are many challenges for a country that also has Olympic ambitions.

Ahmedabad, in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat, was confirmed Nov. 26 as the venue for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

It is seen in India as a stepping stone towards the goal of hosting the 2036 Olympics, and authorities hope it will establish the world's most populous nation as a sporting destination.

A successful Commonwealth Games will also help erase the memories of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which were marred by accusations of corruption and construction delays.

Ahmedabad already boasts the world's largest cricket stadium, a 130,000-seat arena named after Modi, which most likely will stage the opening and closing ceremonies.

But beyond that, massive investment in roads, subway lines, and sporting facilities is needed to reshape the city of more than seven million people.

Barely five years until the competition is a comparatively short timeframe to get it all done.

Ashwani Kumar, a senior Gujarat official who looks after sports, said Ahmedabad's existing venues were capable of hosting the Games "with some modifications."

New arenas will also be built by "late 2028 or early 2029."

"We are very confident, and we have done good homework as a team," Kumar told reporters, adding that a budget had been worked out already, without giving figures.

Manpower issue

Aside from competition venues, India will need to boost infrastructure for the thousands of athletes, spectators, and officials flooding into the city.

Hotels are expected to add thousands of new rooms, while the local airport will start construction on a new terminal next year.

"Five years is enough for building our capacity," said Narendra Somani, president of the Hotels and Restaurants' Association of Gujarat.

"Also, we expect the government to come up with some industry-friendly policies that would boost the outlook further."

Somani admitted personnel challenges.

"We have a shortage of skilled workers in the hotel industry in Gujarat. We will have to hire workers from other states like Assam and Punjab," he told AFP on Nov. 28.

Bad memories

The specter of the 2010 Commonwealth Games looms large.

At the time the Games were meant to showcase India's status as an emerging global power, but headlines were instead about delays, shoddy construction, and budget overruns.

English and Australian swimmers blamed Delhi's swimming pool for contracting a stomach virus, while some athletes complained of finding a cobra in the Games village accommodation.

India's national auditor accused the Delhi government of wasteful spending to the tune of at least $29 million during its "ill-conceived and ill-planned" program to beautify the city in the run-up to the Games.

A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General also listed several examples of alleged rigged bidding for lucrative contracts to supply timekeeping equipment, lighting fixtures for the glitzy opening ceremony, and catering services.

The auditors blamed the organizing committee for hyping up projected revenues from the Games to an astronomical 17.8 billion rupees.

"In reality the total committed revenues amounted to just 6.8 billion rupees," the report said.

'Well prepared'

The Gujarat government official Kumar admitted that there were "some challenges" in 2010 but said this time was different.

"We all are well prepared. We are very confident that we will deliver the Games, which will be remembered in years to come," said Kumar.

But he also added a note of caution: "We don't want to overcommit on anything and would rather learn from the past editions of the Games elsewhere in the world."