The Israeli soldiers were killed in two separate incidents, one inside the Gaza Strip and the other from a motor on the Gaza border. Israel responded with firing. Palestinian officials said at least ten people, including three children were killed. The incidents came after a one-day cease-fire over the weekends sparked hopes that the three-weeks of fighting that have killed at least a thousand Palestinians and fifty Israelis were nearing their end.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel wants to see a demilitarized Gaza Strip, and that "neutralizing the tunnels is the first step". Netanyahu said the situation in which Israeli citizens live under the threat of rocket fire from the sky, and infiltrations into Israel from underground is non acceptable. From NPR news, I am Linda Gradstein, in Jerusalem.

 

In the decision that could lead to the ultimate sale of the Los Angeles Clippers, a judge today has ruled against owner Donald Sterling. There's efforts to block a proposed two-billion sale of the ball club. In a tentative ruling, a superior court judge's siding with Sterling's estranged wife, despite her husband's objections, the sell to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer should be allowed to proceed. In this ruling the judge determined Shelly Sterling acted properly when she removed her husband as trustee of the family trust that owns the team.

 

National Association of Realtors reports fewer Americans signing contracts to buy homes in June. NPR's Chris Arnold reports it's the latest sign US real estate market cool during the summer. 

One thing economists look at when they want to see where the housing market headed is the monthly report on pending home sales. That is sales that in the works but that haven't actually closed yet. Analysts were predicting that number would rise 0.5% in June, but instead pending home sales fail 1% and they are down 7% compared to a year ago. Back then the housing market looked like it was started to pick up steam and get back to normal, but then has it slumped again during the long cold winter. The warmer months overall have bought some more house sales but still not back to last year's levels. The National Association of Realtors says that in part because most Americans' wages remain flat and mortgage credit is tight. Chris Arnold, NPR news.

 

Major merge involving number two and three deep discount chains: Dollar Tree announced today its buying level discount of family dollar in a cash and stock deal was around 8.5 billion dollars. Merged capital have more than 13,000 locations, making Dollar Tree bigger than the current number one deep discount chain, Dollar General. 

 

A mixed close on Wall Street today, the Dow's up 22 points, the 16, 982. The NASDAQ drop to a point the S&P 500 was up for fraction. You are listening to NPR news, in Washington.

 

Software maker Microsoft is looking like *the way as US companies be targeted by China in an anti-trust investigation, with government officials paying a visit to the company's Chinese offices today, * representatives from China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce which is responsible for enforcing business laws. They visited two Microsoft offices in Beijing, Shanghai and two other locations. Government agency declined to comment on why the visits were paid. Microsoft says the company was happy to answer the government's questions, but also provided no other details. 

 

Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a 12-million-dollar civil fine against Southwest Airlines for allegedly not complying with repairs on some of its jetliners. NPR's Craig Windham reports the *intinent decided by the FAA related to repairs to Boeing 737 planes.

The FAA alleges that starting 2006, Southwest and the contractor did not follow proper procedures when replacing the aluminum fuselage skins on 44 planes to eliminate potential cracking. The FAA says Southwest returned those planes to service when they were not in compliance with federal regulations. Inspectors later approve the repairs. A spokeswoman for Southwest says the FAA's letter focuses on the repair issue that were addressed years ago, issues which do not affect any of the airlines' current fleet of planes. Southwest has 30 days to reply formally to the FAA's letter. Craig Windham, NPR news, Washington.

 

British banking firm is agreeing to pay off 369 million dollars in fines. US and British regulators settled charges the firm sought to manipulating a key interest rate banks choose to borrow from one another. Charges in the cases was Lloyds Banking Groups tried to manipulate the LIBOR which was used to save trillions of dollars of contracts around the world.