Telangana

Ahead of the third phase of gram panchayat elections in Telangana, villagers in Nagarkurnool and Mancherial districts reportedly intercepted Congress leaders attempting to distribute cash and saris. Polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm, followed by counting at 2 pm.

A Hyderabad moneylender, Mohammad Tashawar, was arrested in Adilabad for allegedly transferring borrower Yasmin Firdouse’s house to his name. She had borrowed Rs 15 lakh at 6% interest. Police warned the public against exploitative moneylenders

A defeated gram panchayat ward member candidate allegedly attacked two women voters in Molangur village of Karimnagar district, blaming them for her loss in the elections. One of the victims was injured and admitted to hospital, and a police complaint was lodged

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has appealed to the Union Finance Minister to exempt SPC loans for 105 Young India Integrated Residential Schools from FRBM limits. He also requested an IIM for Hyderabad and new Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya schools across Telangana

Hyderabad Traffic Police have announced traffic restrictions across several areas from December 17 to 22 due to President Droupadi Murmu’s visit. Commuters may face congestion and diversions, especially near major junctions. A helpline is available for updates.

Chandrayangutta police arrested a 31-year-old painter for allegedly killing his 11-year-old stepson by slamming the child’s head against a road during an argument. The boy died after five days of treatment. CCTV footage confirmed the assault.

Renowned handloom artist Nalla Vijay from Sircilla offered a specially woven saree embedded with two grams of gold to Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the Yadagirigutta temple.He personally handed over the offering to the temple’s chief priest and the Assistant Executive Officer during a simple ceremony.

The final phase of Gram Panchayat elections in the erstwhile Karimnagar district will be held on Wednesday, with polling scheduled from 7 am to 1 pm. Authorities have deployed additional police forces, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, and arranged webcasting and CCTV monitoring at sensitive stations.

Former Minister T Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of encouraging violence during the Gram Panchayat elections, citing incidents in Kamareddy and Nalgonda districts where BRS workers were attacked. He alleged that the Congress leadership was responsible for the breakdown of law and order and demanded immediate arrests of those involved.

In a unique outcome in Kothagudem’s gram panchayat polls, Tejavath Saritha was elected sarpanch of Venkateshwara Colony GP, while her husband Tejavath Ratan Naik secured the deputy sarpanch post. The victory was credited to collective BRS cadre efforts

Former MLA Mynampally Hanumanth Rao, who joined the Congress from the BRS, alleged that covert BRS elements within the Congress were responsible for the party’s defeat in sarpanch elections across Telangana. Speaking to the media, he claimed that election strategies were leaked to rivals and accused the BRS of using financial resources to influence voters.

Tolichowki police solved the murder of 23-year-old auto driver Mohd Irfan within 24 hours, arresting main suspect Shaik Bilal and two women. The attack stemmed from a dispute over alleged rumours. A fourth accused is still absconding.

Kaveri University received the Telangana Best University Award at the Pride of Nation Awards 2025 in New Delhi. The university was recognised for excellence in academics, nation-building, youth empowerment, leadership, and community service.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao expressed grief over the death of Vellalacheruvu Sambasiva Rao, father of TV9 Telugu Managing Editor V Rajinikanth. He extended condolences to the family and recalled Sambasiva Rao’s long association with trade unions

Dubbak MLA Kotha Prabhakar Reddy said the victory of BRS-backed candidates in gram panchayat elections reflected people’s loss of faith in the Congress government, with the party winning 84 of 141 panchayats in the first two phases

Telangana government has directed officials to complete the takeover of Hyderabad Metro Rail from L&T by the end of this financial year. Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao emphasised a smooth transfer, with L&T cooperation and a 100-day action plan.

ETS hosted the TOEFL Experience Days in Hyderabad, offering educators and partners a preview of the enhanced TOEFL iBT set to launch on 21 January 2026. Participants explored the updated format, fairness principles, and preparation strategies.

BRS leader S Niranjan Reddy criticised the Congress government’s app-based urea distribution system, calling it flawed and anti-farmer. He alleged that the policy could worsen shortages, burden farmers with extra costs and create divisions among cultivators.

Osmania University’s CBCS has released Flora of Osmania University, documenting 839 plant species across the campus. The book highlights biodiversity, native and introduced species, and aims to raise awareness for conservation and sustainable campus management.

A Telangana Thalli statue installed at the Global Summit venue in Future City was found abandoned after the event, triggering criticism against the Congress government. The incident has sparked political backlash, with the BRS accusing the government of neglect and wasteful spending

Family rivalries have marked the final phase of gram panchayat elections in Julurpad mandal, with five members of one family contesting in Kothur village and another family face-off witnessed in Machinenipet panchayat.

Forest officials in Medak have placed villages near the Kamareddy border on alert following renewed movement of a tiger in the neighbouring district. Awareness programmes were conducted, and farmers were advised to take precautions until the animal retreats into the forest

A suspected Hyderabad connection has emerged in the Sydney Hanukkah mass shooting that killed 15 people. Australian authorities have declared it a terrorist attack, while Telangana Police say there is no evidence linking the accused’s radicalisation to India.

ACB officials arrested an Osmania University deputy executive engineer for allegedly accepting an Rs 11,000 bribe to clear renovation bills worth Rs 7.37 lakh. The official received part of the bribe online and the rest in cash before being trapped by ACB officials