Telangana

Aditya Vardhan will captain Hyderabad in the Vijay Merchant Trophy under-16 fifth-round match against Himachal Pradesh at Mulapadu, Vijayawada, from December 29 to 31

Telangana’s Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty reached the singles semifinal of the Solapur Open Women’s ITF tennis tournament after defeating Maya Rajeshwaran

Rishiket Sisodia’s 161 powered Deccan Wanderers to an eight-wicket win over Sporting XI, while N Rakesh and Shashank Lokesh guided Cambridge XI past East Marredpally in the A-Division league knock-out semifinals

The Cricket Federation of Hyderabad will host the 19th All India Rajiv Gandhi Invitational under-19 T-20 cricket championship from January 7 to 10. Matches will be played at LB Stadium and other venues, with teams from India and abroad participating

The All India Inter-University inter-zonal women’s table tennis tournament begins at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute, Hyderabad, from December 27 to 29

Carrom champions from Telangana, including world medallists K Srinivas and S Aditya, have expressed disappointment over the lack of government recognition and support. While Tamil Nadu offers cash incentives and jobs to its players, Telangana’s achievers continue to struggle for acknowledgment

Viswak Reddy of Telangana and Bhrithi Velladandi of Karnataka won the under-16 singles titles at the AITA Championship Series tennis tournament in Hyderabad

Army Public School, Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1, Golconda, and TMREIS dominated the Dr Dipti Sur Memorial multi-sports championship for girls in Hyderabad. Organised by SCF, the two-day event saw 600 athletes compete across cricket, volleyball, basketball, badminton, athletics, kabaddi and kho kho

A domestic dispute in Hanamkonda’s Atmakur turned violent when a man allegedly attacked his wife, leaving her with critical injuries, including a slit throat. Locals rushed her to hospital, while police began investigating the case.

Residents of Yangampally thanda in Somasila and nearby villages have been anxious after reports of tiger movement across River Krishna from the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Forest officials confirmed pug marks in fields but assured there is no immediate danger.

The gram panchayat elections in erstwhile Medak district have marked a generational shift, with nearly 64 per cent of elected sarpanches aged below 40. While older candidates once dominated, voters now prefer younger and educated leaders, believing they can deliver more effectively.

A farmer from Goyagaon village in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district was critically injured after being attacked by wild boars while returning from his field. Locals rushed to his aid and shifted him to hospitals in Tiryani and later Mancherial.

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay has drawn sharp criticism for accusing Congress and BRS leaders of reducing Telangana politics to abusive language. His comments, posted on X, sparked a backlash as users recalled his own campaign speeches filled with personal attacks, particularly during the 2023 Assembly elections.

Villagers from Penchikalpet mandal in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district have accused a computer operator of collecting Rs 26 lakh in bribes for land titles and partitioning of assets on the Bhu Bharati portal. The accused is said to have cheated many more applicants and faced similar corruption charges earlier at Rebbena MRO’s office.

A 21-year-old pregnant woman died by suicide in Adavisrirampur, Peddapalli district, allegedly due to harassment from her husband and in-laws for additional dowry. Police registered a case based on her parents’ complaint and have begun an investigation.

In a major political development, around 150 Congress leaders and activists from Jadcherla constituency joined the BRS, marking a setback for the Congress in Mahbubnagar district. BRS working president KT Rama Rao inducted them at Erravelli, while former CM K Chandrashekhar Rao had earlier received their support.

Farmers across Warangal district are once again facing a shortage of urea for Yasangi crops, forcing them to wait in long queues in freezing cold. At Mahabubabad PACS, farmers staged a road protest after officials failed to supply fertiliser.

Residents of Rampur and surrounding villages in Hanamkonda are preparing to intensify protests against the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation’s failure to relocate the Rampur dumping yard. The 31-acre landfill has accumulated over three lakh tonnes of waste, causing severe air, water, and soil pollution. Despite promises, the GWMC’s bio-mining plant has failed to deliver results.

Former Minister T Harish Rao held a review meeting with irrigation officials in Siddipet, urging them to expedite the Irkode and Chandlapur lift irrigation projects and complete pending distributary canals under the Kaleshwaram project. He stressed the need for desilting canals to ensure water reaches tail-end fields.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) staged a bike rally in Godavarikhani, Peddapalli, protesting the demolition of Sirisetti Jayasudha’s shop. Activists, who have been fasting at Gandhi Chowk for six days, marched to Rajiv Rahadari and later demonstrated at the Ramagundam Municipal Corporation office.

Villagers of Lakshmi Sagar in Sangareddy district were left shocked after five liquor outlets with belt shops suddenly opened despite a panchayat resolution banning liquor sales five years ago. When sarpanch Uppari Lakshman complained, Jogipet Excise Inspector Sagar Reddy urged him to support liquor sales, a reply that was recorded and widely condemned.

A birthday celebration for government advisor Vem Narendar Reddy in Mahabubabad turned controversial after legislator Murali Naik involved schoolchildren in the event and burst hand-held crackers, causing panic among them. Videos of the incident, showing Congress leaders laughing as children fled sparks and smoke, went viral on social media.

The CPI(M)-affiliated Telangana Rythu Sangham has accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of attempting to dismantle the cooperative system by nominating Congress workers to cooperative societies. District secretary Bonthu Rambabu announced district-wide protests beginning December 27, warning that abandoning farmer-led elections would harm the cooperative structure.

Hyderabad Police have launched a Zero Drugs Policy ahead of New Year’s Eve. Surveillance teams, checkpoints, and monitoring of known offenders will ensure drug-free celebrations. Pubs and restaurants must close by 1 am, with strict action against violators.