देश-विदेश

  BUDAPEST: At least 12 people were killed and dozens more injured after a tourist bus carrying Polish passengers veered off a motorway and plunged into a ravine in Hungary, according to police and emergency authorities. The tragic accident took place on Sunday when the bus left the M3 motorway, which connects the Hungarian capital Budapest with the northeastern city of Nyiregyhaza, before crashing into a ravine. Authorities said the passengers travelling on the bus were Polish nationals. Police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Initial findings suggest that the accident may have occurred after the driver fell asleep while driving. Following the incident, police took the bus driver into custody as investigators began examining the possible causes of the crash. According to Hungary’s public broadcaster, a total of 57 passengers and two drivers were travelling on the bus when it crashed. Rescue teams immediately arrived at the scene and began a difficult operation to evacuate the passengers and recover those trapped inside or beneath the heavily damaged vehicle. Emergency workers faced significant challenges because of the size and weight of the bus. The vehicle reportedly weighed around 24 tonnes, making it difficult to move using conventional rescue equipment. Before cranes arrived at the scene, rescue workers attempted to lift the rear axle of the bus in an effort to reach and rescue people who were trapped underneath it. After the necessary heavy equipment arrived, cranes were used to lift the entire bus and assist rescuers in completing the operation. The rescue effort continued as emergency personnel searched the wreckage and surrounding area for injured passengers and victims. Hungary’s ambulance service said that 10 people sustained serious injuries in the accident. They were provided with emergency medical treatment at the scene before being transported to hospitals for further care. Another 37 passengers suffered minor injuries and were also treated by emergency teams. The authorities continued to assess the condition of the injured and investigate the exact circumstances that led to the crash. Officials are expected to examine the driver’s condition, the vehicle’s mechanical state, road conditions and other possible factors that may have contributed to the accident. The deadly crash has caused grief in both Hungary and Poland, particularly among the families of those who were travelling on the bus. The incident also highlighted the challenges faced by emergency services when dealing with large vehicles involved in serious road accidents. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. He also conveyed his sympathies to those injured in the crash and wished them a speedy recovery. Authorities have continued their investigation into the accident, while emergency and medical teams have remained engaged in providing assistance to the injured. Further details about the identities of the victims and the final cause of the crash are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. The incident is among the latest serious road accidents involving tourist transportation in Europe and has raised renewed concerns about passenger safety, driver fatigue and road safety measures on major highways.

  ABU DHABI: A rare “Super White” falcon has been sold for AED 250,000 (approximately Rs18.9 million) at an international falconry auction in Abu Dhabi, attracting considerable attention from falcon enthusiasts and bidders. The auction took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) as part of the opening auction evening of the international exhibition dedicated to falconry and related traditions. The event became particularly memorable when Emirati bidder Khalid bin Saifan made a dramatic jump in the bidding to secure the rare bird. The bidding had reached AED 210,000 when Khalid bin Saifan suddenly increased the offer to AED 250,000 in a single bid. His unexpected move surprised the audience gathered in the hall and immediately secured the “Super White” falcon for him. The significant increase demonstrated the high value placed on rare and distinctive falcons among enthusiasts and collectors in the region. Following his successful bid, Khalid bin Saifan expressed his happiness by reciting a traditional Emirati poetic verse. His celebration added a cultural dimension to an auction that highlighted the long-standing importance of falconry in Emirati heritage. A total of seven rare birds were presented during the Saturday evening auction. Among them, the “Super White Gyr” emerged as the highest-priced falcon sold during the event. Its exceptional appearance and rarity contributed to the strong interest it received from bidders. Falconry has deep historical and cultural roots in the United Arab Emirates and remains an important part of the country’s heritage. Events such as these auctions provide falcon enthusiasts with opportunities to acquire rare birds while also promoting traditional practices associated with falconry. The falcons purchased through the auction will also have an opportunity to obtain an “ADIHEX badge.” The badge will allow eligible falcons to participate in the historic President’s Cup Falconry Competition for the 2026–27 season. The competition is considered an important event in the regional falconry calendar and provides an opportunity for skilled falcons and their handlers to compete at a high level. The international exhibition itself is scheduled to run from August 28 to September 6. During the exhibition, a total of eight different auctions will be held, giving participants multiple opportunities to bid for rare falcons and other valuable birds. Both online and in-person bidding options will be available during the upcoming auctions. This approach is expected to attract participants from inside the UAE as well as falconry enthusiasts and collectors from other countries. The sale of the “Super White Gyr” for AED 250,000 highlights the continuing demand for rare falcons and the financial value attached to exceptional birds. It also demonstrates how traditional Emirati heritage continues to attract interest through modern events that combine cultural preservation, international participation and competitive auctions. With seven birds already presented during the opening auction evening and seven more auctions scheduled during the exhibition, further high-value sales could take place in the coming days. The event is expected to remain a major gathering for falconers, breeders, collectors and enthusiasts interested in the preservation and development of falconry traditions. The successful sale of the rare “Super White” falcon has therefore provided an impressive start to the auction programme, while also underscoring the cultural significance and enduring popularity of falconry in the UAE.

  PUNJAB, INDIA: An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel has allegedly killed his wife while he was home on leave in Punjab, with the incident taking place in Hoshiarpur district, according to Indian media reports. The BSF personnel has been accused of murdering his wife and allegedly attempting to conceal the circumstances surrounding her death by claiming that she had accidentally fallen from the roof of their house. According to reports, the couple had been married for around 12 years and had two children. Family members reportedly said that tensions between the husband and wife had been frequent because of the man’s alleged behaviour. The victim’s family has accused him of repeatedly subjecting her to physical abuse during their marriage. In an application submitted to the police, the victim’s family alleged that the accused reached home on August 13 and severely assaulted his wife shortly after arriving. The family claimed that the incident resulted in serious injuries to the woman. According to the complaint, the victim’s parents were informed the following morning that their daughter was in critical condition and had been taken to a hospital. They immediately went to the hospital, where they were reportedly informed that she had succumbed to her injuries. The victim’s family said they observed multiple severe marks of physical assault on her body. Based on the condition of the body and the family’s previous concerns about the couple’s relationship, they raised suspicions about the explanation that she had fallen from the roof. The victim’s father accused his son-in-law of having an extremely aggressive and violent temperament. He alleged that the accused had physically abused his daughter repeatedly since their marriage and had subjected her to violence on several occasions. The father further alleged that the accused beat his wife to death and then attempted to avoid arrest and legal consequences by portraying the incident as an accidental fall from the roof. Following the complaint, police registered a case against the accused husband as well as his uncle and aunt. The BSF personnel has been arrested in connection with the case, while the other two named suspects are reportedly absconding. Police teams are conducting searches to locate and arrest them. The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and are expected to examine evidence collected from the scene, statements from family members and other relevant material. The allegations made by the victim’s family will also be subject to investigation and legal proceedings. The case has drawn attention to concerns surrounding domestic violence and the difficulties victims and their families can face when allegations of repeated abuse are involved. The victim’s family has maintained that the woman’s death was not an accident and has demanded legal action against those responsible. The investigation will determine whether the injuries were caused by an assault and whether the accused deliberately attempted to misrepresent the circumstances of his wife’s death. Police have not yet announced the final findings of the investigation. The arrested BSF personnel will face further legal proceedings as authorities continue investigating the case, while efforts remain underway to locate the two other suspects named in the complaint.