The paramilitary leaders have actually been talking about a two or three-day ceasefire just to facilitate this investigation. But there are reports of fighting today within earshot of (the) where the wreckage was, I mean, people were hearing missiles and so forth, it's going off in the background. So it doesn't sound like there is going to at least right now, there is going to be an opportunity for people to get in there safely and conduct kind of investigation. That's going to satisfy world opinions.

 

So far it's not clear who shot down the jet, though the president says the missile came from eastern Ukraine in an area held by pro-Russia separatists. 

 

The death toll is rising as Israel continues its ground incursion into Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, more than 30 Palestinians have died since the offensive began yesterday, taking the Palestinian death toll to more than 280. Israel says it's going to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties. The White House said the president defended Israel's right to defend itself but also said he hopes the country honors that pledge.

 

We are hopeful that Israel will continue to approach this process in a way that minimises civilian casualties and that all of us are working hard to return to the cease-fire that was reached in November 2012.

 

Israel says it's seeking to halt rocket attacks aimed at cities and destroy the network of Hamas tunnels into Israel. 

 

US Supreme Court has issued an emergency stay blocking full spousal benefits for same-sex married couples in Utah. NPR's Howard Berkes reports the benefits were set to take effect Monday.

 

The Supreme Court's stay means that more than 1,000  married gay couples in Utah won't be able to participate as spouses, in adoption proceedings, child custody cases and other legal matters until appeals are resolved. The same-sex couples were married during a 17-day period between court decisions. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals became the first federal appeals court in the country, to strike down a state banning gay marriage. That was Utah's law, and state officials say they will now appeal directly to the Supreme Court justices. Utah pleaded for clarity and finality  on gay marriage, before being forced to recognise full spousal benefits for married gay couples. Howard Berkes, NPR News, Salt Lake city.

 

Business research group, the Conference Board, says the index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3% in June that was slightly below analysts estimates. 

 

On Wall Street today, the Dow was up 123 points to close at 17,100.

 

This is NPR.

 

Known for their white cowboy hats and silver stars, the nearly 200-year-old Texas Rangers law enforcement group now has its first female lieutenant. Wende Wakeman, who started with Texas Department of Public Safety as a highway patrol trooper in 1998, has been a Ranger since 2008 with her new appointment on August 1st becomes the highest ranking woman in Texas Ranger history. It's only been since 1993 women were even allowed into the Rangers after an order signed by Governor Ann Richards. Created in 1823, the Texas Rangers is (are 口误) the oldest law enforcement body in North America. 

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is still counting on a close partnership between her country and the US, despite the escalating spying scandal in Germany. NPR's Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson reports from Berlin the chancellor also wants answers from the Obama administration about US spying practices. 

 

Merkel told a news conference that she's pursuing "sensible talks with the US to help heal the rift over American spying on German's soil". Her remarks came a week after she ordered the departure of the CIA station chief in Berlin, following revelations that at least two German government workers had received money to spy for the US. The chancellor's comments suggest she's still trying for a no-spy agreement, although Washington has dismissed the prospect. Merkel also said Germany will not grant former NSA contractor Edward Snowden asylum. German lawmakers investigating US spying here want to interview Snowden. Although he has refused to talk unless they bring him to Germany. Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, NPR News, Berlin.

 

Crude Oil Futures closed lower today. The price of oil was down six cents a barrel to end the session at $103.13 a barrel in the New York Mercantile Exchange. 

 

I'm Jack Speer, NPR News, in Washington.