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WhatsApp is testing username reservation and four-digit keys in its Android beta, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers. Alongside AI features and call scheduling, Meta plans message limits for non-responding contacts to curb spam and improve privacy.

A farmer from Kolamchichpalli village in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, was arrested for illegally cultivating cannabis as an intercrop in his cotton field. Acting on a tip-off, police seized 380 plants

A 32-year-old man from Malakpet lost Rs 6.49 lakh after being duped in an online dating and friendship scam. The cybercrime police said the fraudsters, posing as company agents, persuaded him to transfer money for fake bookings and verifications

In Kumram Bheem Asifabad, moneylenders are offering loans with strict conditions and a Malaysia tour incentive to applicants seeking wine shop licences from December 1. The government has invited applications for 192 outlets, with reservations for SC, ST, and Gouds

A 36-year-old man from Yousufguda lost Rs 1.9 lakh after installing a fake BigBasket app sent by cyber fraudsters posing as customer care staff. Police said the scammers diverted his calls to intercept banking messages and steal funds

Hyderabad Cybercrime police arrested two men from Maharashtra for their role in a ‘digital arrest’ scam that led to the death of a retired doctor. The victim was coerced into transferring Rs 6.6 lakh under threat of arrest using fake documents and impersonation tactics. The mental trauma resulted in a fatal cardiac arrest.

Shaik Irfan, a Tanzania-based NRI from Adilabad, was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly posting derogatory social media messages that sparked communal tension in April. He was detained on arrival after a lookout notice and remanded to judicial custody

At its second Business Summit in Mumbai, WhatsApp launched new tools including in-app payments, AI-powered customer support, centralized ad campaigns, and Status ads. The platform also showcased its role in public service delivery through government chatbots in multiple states.

In a fortnight-long drive, Rachakonda She Teams caught 214 persons, including 120 minors, for harassing women at public places. They booked cases, conducted counselling, and held awareness programmes, while urging women to report harassment through WhatsApp or Dial 100.

WhatsApp has introduced Writing Help, an AI-powered feature that suggests message rewrites in different tones while ensuring privacy through Meta’s Private Processing technology. Initially rolling out in English across select countries, it will expand to more languages later this year.

In a fortnight-long drive, Rachakonda She Teams apprehended 152 persons, including 79 minors, for harassing women across metro trains, stations, bus stops, colleges and workplaces. Offenders underwent counselling, while police also conducted awareness programmes on child marriages

A political clash between Congress and BRS workers escalated at Pedda Shankarampet, Medak, after a verbal dispute in a local WhatsApp group. Police intervened promptly to diffuse tensions, ensuring no injuries were reported.

Two men from Telangana’s Rajanna-Sircilla district were arrested for selling low-quality liquor in branded bottles, duping customers by offering fake premium alcohol at discounted prices through WhatsApp groups.

Sathupally police in Khammam district arrested a woman under the POCSO Act for allegedly kidnapping and marrying a minor boy.

Water tanker services and consumer grievance redressal have been severely disrupted in Hyderabad for the third day due to a data centre malfunction at HMWSSB. Manual operations have led to long queues and delayed services, sparking widespread consumer complaints.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has launched a WhatsApp-based complaint service called 'My GHMC on WhatsApp', enabling citizens to report issues such as overflowing bins, construction debris, and garbage dumped at risk-prone spots.

In a move to make citizen services more accessible, the Hyderabad District Collectorate has launched a dedicated WhatsApp service for senior citizens and Divyangjans who are unable to attend the weekly Prajavani meetings. They can now send petitions remotely, which will be registered digitally and tracked via an ID.

A language-related dispute in Navi Mumbai escalated into violence when four college students allegedly assaulted a classmate, Suraj Pawar, for insisting on communication in Marathi in a WhatsApp group.

Two persons posing as Hydraa employees were booked by Gachibowli police for threatening to demolish a house in Alkapur Township. They fled when questioned by the complainant. Hydraa clarified its role and asked citizens to report fake claims

The court examined evidence presented by the public prosecutor and cross-questioned 10 eyewitnesses before delivering the sentence.