1. Finally waking up to the reality that special status may not be granted to AP anytime soon, the TDP government has decided to give up its campaign for seeking the same and instead plead for a financial package from the Centre amounting to nearly Rs 50,000 crore. Read a Times of India report.
2. The two Telugu men still under the captivity of alleged terrorists in Libya are safe, the Andhra Pradesh government said on Monday. The state's representative in New Delhi, K. Rammohan Rao, spoke to Indian diplomat in Tripoli, Mohammad Rashid Khan over phone, and was told that the dean at the University of Sirte is in regular touch with the abductees. Read more.
3. The Hyderabad High Court on Monday directed the SIT to record the supplementary statements of three witnesses in the Seshachalam encounter case in Tamil Nadu and submit a report before the court. The counsel appearing for the victims said that the SIT team had threatened the witnesses while recording their statements at Tirupati. The team denied these accusations, Deccan Chronicle reports.
4. Farmers of about 21 lakh acres ayacut served by Nagarjunasagar project (NSP) are left with no choice but to pray to the rain gods. Poor or “zero” inflows into Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs have plummeted their water levels, forcing the authorities to postpone decision on release of water till “getting adequate inflows.” Read The Hindu's report.
5. Sand smuggling is continuing unabated in Kurnool district despite the ‘preventive measures’ by the officials, as the sand mafia allegedly enjoys the support of political leaders. The mafia is minting money by transporting sand from Tungabhadra, Hagari and Handri river using tractors, mini-trucks and bullock carts. K Madhusudhakar reports for The New Indian Express.