A private bus caught fire in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district early Thursday, with several feared dead and many injured. The bus was en route to Shivamogga from Bengaluru. In a separate incident, a state-run bus in Tamil Nadu collided with two vehicles after a tyre burst, killing nine people.

PM Modi wished the nation a Merry Christmas, emphasising peace, compassion, and hope. He highlighted the role of Jesus Christ’s teachings in promoting harmony within society.

Commercial operations will begin at the Adani Group-promoted Navi Mumbai International Airport on Thursday, easing pressure on Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure.