Telangana

After suffering a setback in the Gram Panchayat elections in the erstwhile Adilabad district, the Congress is reportedly attempting damage control by wooing winning sarpanches with cash offers and development promises, particularly in the Chennur Assembly constituency.

The Centre’s decision to revise the MGNREGA cost-sharing ratio to 60:40 under the revamped VB–G RAM G scheme is expected to impose an additional Rs. 1,600 crore burden on Telangana, worsening the financial stress faced by panchayats.

A tiger was sighted on the outskirts of Malyalapally village in Ramagundam mandal, a week after it moved through Medipally opencast mine and Godavari river areas. Forest officials confirmed its presence and advised villagers to remain alert.

Despite rapid urbanisation and soaring property prices, Ibrahimpatnam continues to preserve its traditional Wednesday shanty. The weekly market, once known for livestock trade, remains a vital hub for local vendors and residents, reflecting the suburb’s enduring cultural identity.

In a major administrative reshuffle, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar transferred 65 Task Force personnel to CAR Headquarters amid allegations of corruption and indiscipline. The move follows complaints and ongoing inquiries into irregularities and illegal collections.

A man-eater tiger responsible for killing four people in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district was captured by Forest officials after protests by villagers. The tiger has been shifted to a transit treatment centre in Nagpur.

Teachers’ associations in Khammam urged the district administration to revoke the suspension of a ZPHS headmaster and termination of a KGBV special officer, saying the actions were unjustified and hurt teacher morale.

Telangana has accused Andhra Pradesh of unauthorised expansions of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, alleging excessive Krishna water drawals that threaten its share and aggravate the inter-State river dispute amid low reservoir levels.

A nine-year-old girl who went missing from Attapur was traced by Hyderabad police after two days and reunited with her parents. She was earlier found wandering in Rajendranagar and kept in a shelter before being identified.

Roongta Cinemas has entered South India with the launch of a luxury multiplex at Novum, near Nampally Metro Station in Hyderabad. The property, opening Friday, features Dolby Atmos sound, high-definition projection, plush seating, and acoustically optimised interiors.

The Telangana School Education department is set to introduce QR codes in SSC hall tickets from March 2026, enabling Class X students to easily locate their examination centres, estimate travel time, and access real-time traffic updates.

Hyderabad’s inter-school under-14 cricket knock-outs saw standout performances with five-wicket hauls from Nikil Sekhar, Dhruv and Ganesh Rao, and centuries by Shreyas Ande and Sai Suchit Reddy. DPS Nacharam posted 399, while women’s under-15 matches highlighted Sai Dhruvigna and Yamuna

Hyderabad Traffic Police have announced traffic restrictions on December 20 between 5 pm and 10 pm due to Christmas celebrations at LB Stadium, attended by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. RTC buses will also be diverted as required.

Two international patients from the USA and Australia underwent complex ENT surgeries at Care Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Both surgeries, led by Dr. N. Vishnu Swaroop Reddy, restored function and improved quality of life.

A farmer in Nizamabad attempted to deposit Rs 2.08 lakh in counterfeit notes at a Canara Bank branch in Varni, triggering alarm among officials. The farmer fled the scene and remains absconding, while police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

The IMD-Hyderabad forecasted that cold wave conditions will persist across several districts of Telangana for the next two days, with minimum temperatures dipping 3°C to 4°C below normal. Districts including Adilabad, Warangal, Siddipet, and Medak are expected to experience severe chill.

The Heritage Department and Narayanpet district administration have launched measures to conserve the Mudumala Megalithic site, recently added to the UNESCO tentative list. Evidence at the site links menhir structures to the Ursa Major constellation, highlighting its cultural significance.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) announced that it will provide temple essentials such as mic sets, umbrellas, Sesha Vastram, and stone and Panchaloha idols at subsidised rates to Hindu temples.

BRS leader S Niranjan Reddy hailed the party’s performance in gram panchayat polls as proof of growing public discontent with the Congress government. He accused the ruling party of misusing power but said BRS still secured significant victories.

Paloncha police arrested four individuals, including a forest beat officer and a local reporter, in connection with the murder of Dharavath Harinath.

Over 3,500 retired NABARD employees protested at headquarters and regional offices nationwide, demanding pension revision for retirees up to November 2017, removal of upper ceiling on family pension, and fixation based on last pay or 10-month average

Vritti Agarwal of Osmania University won gold in the 1500m freestyle at the All India Inter-University Swimming and Diving Championship in Chennai. Shirin of VTU took silver, while Ashmitha Chandra of Jain University claimed bronze

Varsha Thirupothu of Satyam International School won the girls under-15 event at the UBS Athletics Kids Cup in Hyderabad. Telangana ministers attended the inaugural, while athletes from schools across the State excelled in long jump, throw and sprint events

Deputy Mayor Mothe Srilatha Reddy inaugurated the five-day D Sons Patola Art Exhibition in Banjara Hills, showcasing Patola art sarees, handloom and silk products from across India, aimed at promoting weavers and supporting the handloom industry