***DUPLICATION ALERTS:
Bus crash also moved as a separate.
AAS: Bee attack has Texas connection. Check you lineup.
***LOCAL INTEREST:
AJC: Note Atlanta connection in Equifax lawsuit.
OHIO: Note recall brief.***
ISRAEL
Netanyahu to free 104 Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday that he has agreed to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom have served 20 years or more for attacks on Israelis, to pave the way for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in Washington in the coming days. Netanyahu took the unusual measure of issuing what he called “an open letter to the citizens of Israel” to explain the contentious move, which many Israelis oppose, ahead of a Cabinet vote today. The talks are expected to begin Tuesday after months of intense shuttle diplomacy by Secretary of State John Kerry.
INDIANA
Three killed in bus crash
A bus carrying teens coming home from a church camp crashed Saturday after exiting an interstate in Indianapolis, killing three people and sending 26 others to hospitals, officials said. Indianapolis Fire Department Lt. Ato McTush said the dead included a man and a woman. He did not have information about the third victim. Witnesses said the bus came speeding off an interstate highway on Saturday afternoon, struck a retaining wall as it tried to round a curve and overturned. WTHR-TV reported the bus driver told witnesses his brakes failed.
SPAIN
Train driver charged with manslaughter
The driver of a Spanish train that derailed, killing 78 people, has been charged with manslaughter, Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said Saturday. Francisco Jose Garzon, 52, who was injured in the accident, was released from a hospital Saturday and taken to a police station in Santiago de Compostela, the minister said. One of Europe’s worst rail accidents occurred late Wednesday on a curve in the tracks at Angrois near Santiago de Compostela in the northwest region of Spain. The train derailed and split apart.
OREGON
Millions awarded in credit report suit
A federal jury in Oregon awarded $18.6 million to a woman who spent two years unsuccessfully trying to get Equifax Information Services to fix major mistakes on her credit report. Friday’s award against one of the nation’s major credit bureaus is likely to be appealed, The Oregonian reported. Julie Miller contacted Equifax eight times between 2009 and 2011 in an effort to correct inaccuracies, including erroneous accounts and collection attempts, as well as a wrong Social Security number and birthday. Her lawsuit alleged the Atlanta-based company failed to correct the mistakes. Tim Klein, an Equifax spokesman, declined to comment on specifics of the case.
TEXAS
Bees attack couple, kill two horses
A large swarm of bees attacked a North Texas couple as they exercised their miniature horses, stinging the animals so many times they died. Kristen Beauregard, 44, was stung about 200 times, and her boyfriend about 50 times, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Saturday. The horses could not be saved. The bees are being tested to see whether they are “killer” bees. It is unclear what prompted them to leave the hive. The bees also killed five hens, and stung the couple’s dog.
MICHIGAN
Ford recalls 33,021 C-Max hybrids
Ford Motor Co. is recalling 33,021 C-Max hybrid cars because they may not protect occupants’ heads in a crash. Vehicles involved were made between Jan. 19, 2012, and June 25, 2013 and don’t have panoramic roofs. C-Max hybrids with panoramic glass roofs aren’t involved in the recall. Ford will notify owners of the recall next month. Dealers will install additional energy absorbing material between the car’s headliner and the roof. Ford said no injuries have been reported.
IRAQ
Security officials detained in prison raid
Iraq’s prime minister ordered the detention of several senior security officials in connection with a major prison break in which hundreds of inmates escaped, including members of al-Qaida. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s office Saturday said those detained include the chief of staff of the federal police’s fourth division, and other police, prison and intelligence officials. The statement called the escape of inmates from the notorious Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad July 21 a “grave matter.” Al-Qaida’s Iraq arm claimed responsibility for the attack.
SYRIA
Troops capture historic mosque
Syrian government forces captured a historic mosque in the central city of Homs on Saturday, expelling rebel forces who had been in control of the 13th century landmark for more than a year and dealing a symbolic blow to opposition forces. State-run news agency SANA quoted an unnamed military official as saying that troops took control of the Khalid Ibn al-Walid Mosque in the heavily disputed northern neighborhood of Khaldiyeh. The mosque, famous for its nine domes and two minarets, has been a symbol for rebels in the city that is known as “the capital of the revolution.”
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