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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A ceasefire agreement has been

reached in southwest Syria. That's according to a Syrian state media report. The Syrian War

Monitor says hundreds of people have been killed in clashes between Syrian government troops

and the Drew's religious minority.

NPR's Daniel Estrin reports Israel has intervened striking the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Israel's militaries has it launched airstrikes on Syrian military headquarters and in an area near the presidential palace.

It has also targeted Syrian troops and tanks,

trying to prevent Syrian troops from attacking the Druze majority area of Swayda.

An Israeli military official speaking on condition of anonymity told reporters

Israel is trying to enforce a demilitarized zone in southern Syria near Israeli-controlled

territory, and that it's also intervening to

protect the Druze religious minority which straddles Syria and Israel. This comes at a delicate

time for Syria and Israel. Syria's new government is struggling to unify the country's diverse

sects after a long civil war, and the U.S. has been trying to create ties between Syria and Israel.

Daniel Esther in NPR News, Tel Aviv. Congress has passed a law to help thousands of veterans avoid

foreclosure. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports on a rare bipartisan effort to address a crisis with the VA's home loan program.

Veterans groups and the mortgage industry are applauding passage of the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act.

Once signed by the president, it should restore a crucial safety net for veterans and active

duty forces to keep their homes if they hit hard times. The popular VA home loan is credited with giving millions of veterans a leg up into the middle class

...