Top news: Huge crowds gathered in central Tehran today for the 31st anniversary of the Iranian revolution as opposition protesters clashed with security forces and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a major announcement about the country's nuclear program.
Saying that Iran is now a "nuclear state," Ahmadinejad announced that the country has produced its first batch of 20 percent enriched uranium, but again denied that Iran seeks nuclear weapons.
"We have the capability to enrich uranium more than 20 percent or 80 percent but we don't enrich (to this level) because we don't need it," he said. 90 percent enriched uranium is needed to produce a bomb.
As Ahmadinejad spoke, police fired tear gas to disperse the opposition demonstrators who again used a major public gathering as an opportunity to protest. Authorities blocked roads and stationed police and Basij militia to block the protests. The crackdown extended to cyberspace too where Internet access was slow and the Gmail e-mail service was blocked.
Opposition leaders Mehdi Karroubi and former President Mohammad Khatami were reportedly attacked by security forces while trying to attend the demonstrations.
The Obama administration on Wednesday slapped new sanctions on companies affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Economy: The European parliament rejected a deal to share bank data with the United States.
Europe
- European leaders reached a deal to help Greece recover from its debt crisis.
- Ukrainian Prime Minister and presidential election loser Yulia Tymoshenko appeared in public for the first time this week, but still refused to concede.
- Russian security forces killed 10 militants in Ingushetia, according to local reports.
Asia
- U.S. marines and Taliban exchanged fire ahead of a planned major offensive in Helmand.
- Japan's foreign minister apologized for the occupation of Korea.
- China has denied the appeal of jailed political activist Liu Xiaobo.
Middle East
- Iraq has ordered hundreds of Blackwater security guards to leave the country.
- Israel has begun rerouting its separation barrier to restore land to a Palestinian village after a supreme court ruling.
- Egyptian textile unions clashed with riot police over the planned privatization of a factory.
Africa
- South Africa celebrated the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison.
- Nigeria's interim leader Goodluck Jonathan removed the country's justice minister.
- At least 11 civilians were killed in fighting in Mogadishu.
Americas
- Haiti has retracted to earthquake death toll of 270,000 released yesterday and it's unclear what the latest estimate is..
- A Haitian judge is likely to rule today on whether the 10 U.S. missionaries charged with kidnapping will face trial.
- The former dictator of Uruguay was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images
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