A rally takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to call for fairer elections in the country.

One hundred and twenty-five people are killed when S7 Airlines Flight 778, an Airbus A310 passenger jet, veers off the runway while landing in wet conditions at Irkutsk Airport in Siberia.

Italy win their fourth World Cup title, defeating France 5–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time.

The Senate Report on Iraqi WMD Intelligence is released by the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, casting doubt on the rationale for the Iraq War.

The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The organization's first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa.

Days of student protests begin after Iranian police and hardliners attack a student dormitory at the University of Tehran.