BEIRUT (AP) – Syria’s military said Israel struck a military installation southwest of Damascus International Airport before dawn, setting off a series of explosions and raising tensions further between the two neighbors. Apparently seeking to interrupt weapons transfers to the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, Israel has struck inside Syria with increasing frequency in recent weeks, making the war-torn country a proxy theater for Israel’s wider war with Iran.
The increasing tempo of attacks risks inflaming a highly combustible situation drawing in Israel, Syria and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, a staunch ally of President Bashar Assad’s government with thousands of fighters in Syria.
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) – Chaos swept into Macedonia’s parliament when protesters stormed the building and attacked lawmakers to protest the election of a new speaker despite a months-old deadlock in efforts to form a new government. Violence also swirled outside, with police firing stun grenades and clashing with demonstrators massed in front of the parliament building and several people were injured.
Authorities did not immediately confirm local television reports that up to 48 people had been hurt, including protesters and police officers. Many of the protesters were supporters of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, whose conservative party won elections in December but didn’t get enough votes to form a government of its own.
CHICAGO (AP) – The passenger who was dragged off a flight after refusing to give up his seat settled with United for an undisclosed sum in an apparent attempt by the airline to put the fiasco behind it as quickly as possible. David Dao’s legal team said the agreement includes a provision that the amount will remain confidential.
Dao’s lawyers praised United CEO Oscar Munoz. “Munoz said he was going to do the right thing and he has, attorney Thomas Demetrio said in a brief statement. “In addition, United has taken full responsibility for what happened without attempting to blame others, including the city of Chicago.” The settlement came less than three weeks after the episode and before Dao had even sued.