Launch setback
NASA has postponed the launch of the space shuttle Discovery until July, following concerns that ice on the rocket鈥檚 fuel tanks could break off during launch and damage the shuttle. It was a piece of insulating foam from the tank that hit the shuttle Columbia鈥檚 wing, causing it to disintegrate on re-entry on 1 February 2003.
Nelly sell-off
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Zimbabwe鈥檚 National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority plans to sell elephants in order to ease the pressure on parks caused by increased numbers, according to the state-controlled Herald newspaper. Buyers must live in Zimbabwe and own enough land to keep the animals. The authority says it wants to encourage wildlife farming.
Putting out feelers
The Mars Express spacecraft that is orbiting the Red Planet started deploying its radar on Monday to look for water nearly 5 kilometres beneath the surface. The radar鈥檚 antenna elements 鈥� two 20 metres long and one 7 metres long 鈥� will unfold over the next few days. ESA scientists had delayed the unfolding for over a year because of fears that the booms could swing back and hit the spacecraft, damaging other precious instruments.
Swedish road charge
Stockholm will next year become Europe鈥檚 second city to launch a road-pricing scheme to combat traffic congestion. London鈥檚 scheme, launched in 2003, has been hailed a success. Stockholm will host a seven-month trial in the new year, and residents will vote in September 2006 on whether to make the system permanent.
Black-and-white diplomacy
China announced on Tuesday that it is offering two giant pandas to Taiwan as a token of diplomatic goodwill. The gesture is part of a group of measures put forward at the end of a visit to China from Taiwanese opposition leader Lien Chan.