Hyderabad

Punjagutta Police arrested freelance journalist Munige Mahender, associated with SKS FLY TV, for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 40 lakh from SSL Infra by publishing defamatory videos about its Peacock Avenue project in Vikarabad. Police said Mahender, along with four others from different YouTube channels, created misleading content and threatened the company to remove the videos only if paid.

Senior BRS leader and former Health Minister T. Harish Rao accused the Congress government of systematically weakening the Telangana Police Health Scheme by restricting treatment to NIMS Hospital and delaying payments to private hospitals. He cited the death of Sub-Inspector Janardhan Rao, who was denied treatment under the police health card, as evidence of the scheme’s collapse.

Telangana DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy reviewed security and logistical arrangements for the upcoming Global Summit at Future City, Kandukur. Accompanied by senior officials, he inspected the venue and emphasised flawless coordination. To manage traffic, 1,000 personnel will be deployed with diversions planned to ease congestion.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy dismissed allegations that his son was involved in land grabbing at Gandipet, stating police followed normal procedure. He said any irregularity would face punishment and criticised the opposition for making false charges against the government.

Former Telangana chief minister and BRS supremo K. Chandrashekhar Rao described the decade-long BRS rule as the golden era of rural transformation, citing uninterrupted power, irrigation, and welfare schemes.

South Central Railway revised the weekly non-operational days of four Vande Bharat Express trains. Kacheguda–Yesvantpur now cancelled on Fridays, Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam on Mondays. Timings and stoppages remain unchanged. Changes aim to improve maintenance, fleet utilisation, and punctuality.

Telangana government plans to reclaim unoccupied double bedroom houses in Kollur and other projects. About 6,500 units remain locked. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy says new housing schemes for the urban poor and middle class will be announced soon

A 63-year-old retired man from Nallakunta lost Rs 29.5 lakh to a fake online trading app promoted via WhatsApp. Cybercrime Police are investigating the scam and urge the public to report cyber fraud through 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

The RNCC unit of Eagle Force and GRP arrested three drug peddlers in two train operations in Hyderabad. Officers seized 8.1 kg of marijuana from the Konark Express and LTT Express. Citizens were urged to report drug activities through the 1908 helpline

A Hyderabad court granted Police three more days custody of Immadi Ravi, accused of running the iBomma piracy platform. Cybercrime officials said fresh cases were registered and more digital evidence must be collected. His bail hearing has been postponed to next Monday

A 59-year-old man from Banjara Hills lost Rs 2.4 lakh after falling for a fake DHL re-delivery SMS link. Hyderabad Cybercrime Police warn citizens to verify deliveries via official websites and report any cyber fraud immediately.

Sai Eshwar Chari, 32, died at Gandhi Hospital after attempting self-immolation over the 42% BC reservation issue in Hyderabad. The incident outside MLC Chintapandu Naveen’s YouTube office sparked protests by BC organisations, with police deployed to maintain order.

Bowenpally Police seized Rs 4 crore in hawala money near Shamirpet on Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road. The cash, hidden under car seats and tyre compartments, was being moved from Mumbai and Gujarat. Suspects have been detained for questioning to trace the network.

Three alleged drug peddlers – Mohd Gulam Jilani, Suleman Khan, and Feroz Bin Ali – were arrested near Prasad’s IMAX in Hyderabad. Police seized heroin and marijuana worth Rs 23.5 lakh. The case is under further investigation by Saifabad and Rajendranagar Police.

The Premia Academy celebrated its Annual Day 2025 with the theme ‘Udbhavini: Rise of the Lioness’, showcasing nine inspiring women through student performances. The junior school presented ‘The Colours of Joy’, highlighting core values. The event celebrated strength, values and creativity.

VNR VJIET in Hyderabad has been chosen by the Ministry of Education as a Nodal Centre to host the Smart India Hackathon 2025 Hardware Edition Grand Finale. The event will bring 150 top students from 22 institutes to compete for national honours.

The Education department has been unable to move forward with the announcement of the Class X examination schedule, as there is no clarity from the government on the closed holidays for the next year. In fact, the department, a couple of weeks ago, proposed to hold exams either on March 16 or 18. However, a detailed timetable could not be finalised due to uncertainty over holidays for festivals - Ramzan and Sri Rama Navami.

Osmania University started well in the Khelo India women’s tennis final after Saumya won the first singles, but MDU bounced back by winning the second singles and the deciding doubles match. MDU claimed the championship with a strong comeback in Jaipur.

The Telangana government plans to reclaim unoccupied double-bedroom houses, particularly in Kollur and other outskirts projects, and reallocate them to genuine poor beneficiaries. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said policy details for new urban and affordable housing schemes will be announced soon

BRS leader B Vinod Kumar condemned the Centre’s four new labour codes, introduced without worker or trade union consultation. A Round Table on December 6 at Telangana Bhavan, chaired by KT Rama Rao, will gather feedback for a unified response 

Hyderabad police arrested four men, including a receiver, in connection with a Rs 40 lakh robbery at Talabkatta on November 30. Cash, mobile phones, two-wheelers, and a knife were recovered. Key suspect Mohd Zahid tipped off his associates

A study by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) finds that reducing salt intake to WHO-recommended levels (under 5g/day) is safe for Indians and will not cause iodine deficiency. The research supports public health efforts to cut sodium consumption, helping prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases while maintaining adequate iodine intake

AWCS, in collaboration with Rak Social Group, has set up 20 insulated cabins for street dogs in Hyderabad to help them survive the winter. The NGO seeks industrial donations of pallets and plastic drums for expanding the initiative

BRS MLA Danam Nagender from Khairthabad says he is ready to resign if directed by the Chief Minister amid the ongoing Speaker hearing on MLAs’ defections. The matter also remains pending in the Supreme Court