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)