Morning Edition

Washington is suspending military aid to Pakistan. The aid deferral is due to Pakistan's expulsion of U.S. military advisers and because of its perceived lack of zeal in pursuing militants. But this is only the latest in a series U.S. reprimands for Pakistan.

The U.S. women's soccer team beat Brazil in a stunning penalty-kick shoot-out in the quarterfinals of the women's World Cup Sunday.

Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, the No. 2 U.S. officer in Afghanistan, steps down from his post today. The commander met last month with U.S. troops in Helmand Province.

Shannon Walker, who was selected as an astronaut in 2004, checks in with NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce at Kennedy Space Center, where cheers went up as Atlantis departed for its 33rd and final voyage. Nearby, among throngs of spectators, NPR's Greg Allen talks about the mood along Florida's Space Coast as the shuttle program ends after 30 years. Atlantis will drop supplies at the International Space Station and return to Earth on July 20.

Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne report that Atlantis lifted off from its Florida launchpad on schedule, reached orbit and is on its way to the International Space Station. From Johnson Space Center in Houston, NPR's Wade Goodwyn relays what's happening at Mission Control; and NPR science correspondent Joe Palca talks about what's next for Americans in space.