Portal:Current events/2006 July 3

July 3, 2006 (Monday)

The Space Shuttle Discovery's launch on STS-121 is thrown in doubt when a 3 inch crack is found in the foam insulation of its external tank. Despite the crack, NASA decides to proceed with the launch, scheduled for 2:38 PM ET Tuesday, which would be the first manned launch on the United States Independence Day. (Spaceflight Now/CBS News) (MSNBC) (Reuters)^{[permanent dead link]}
North Korean leaders say that they will respond to any pre-emptive attack from the US with an "annihilating strike and a nuclear war." (Associated Press)
Greece is suspended from international football competition by FIFA due to Greek government interference in the sport. (FIFA.com) (BBC)
At least 41 people die during a lunchtime subway accident in Valencia, Spain when two cars of a train derail and overturn. Early reports indicate the train was travelling too fast. (CNN), (BBC)
The government of Tajikistan renamed the second and the fourth highest peaks of the Pamir Mountains into the Independence Peak and Avicenna Peak, respectively. (Interfax)
Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Operation Summer Rains):
- Israel rejects ultimatum to release all Palestinian female prisoners, prisoners under 18, and an additional 1,000 prisoners by 6 A.M. Tuesday, in exchange for information on its kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Defense Minister of Israel Amir Peretz calls Syrian President Bashar Assad to "open his eyes, because he is responsible". (Haaretz)
- Israel Defense Forces troops kill two Palestinian militants in the northern Gaza Strip, on their way to attack Israeli armoured vehicles. (Haaretz)
- Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov calls for the immediate unconditional release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. (Ynet)