CNN 2010-02-20

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full main engine start... two... one... zero... booster ignition.... and liftoff of Shuttle Endeavour with NASA's final space station crew compartment¹ to bring the bay window view to our celestial² backyard.

AZUZ: The second time was the charm for NASA as the space shuttle Endeavour took off early Monday morning. It was supposed to launch on Sunday, but as we told you about yesterday, that plan was delayed because of weather. The shuttle and its crew are on a two-week mission to the international space station. When they get there, they'll deliver some new components³ to the station, and they'll do a few spacewalks. The mission is scheduled to last two weeks, all together. This is actually one of the last missions for the space program. It's scheduled to end in 2011. And with just four more flights to go, Endeavour's 4 a.m. departure might have been the shuttle program's last night launch you'll get to see.

AZUZ: Another story we have for you today, the nation of Iran marking a milestone⁴ later on this week. On Thursday, the country will celebrate the anniversary of when it became an Islamic republic. This goes back to 1979, when supporters of the Ayatollah Khomeini, a religious leader, overthrew⁵ the country's government. Khomeini became the supreme⁶ leader of Iran, and the nation officially became an Islamic state. The United States and the European Union are worried about potential violence during Thursday's celebrations. At similar events recently in Iran, like the one you see right here, anti-government protesters have fought with police. The U.S. and European Union are urging the Middle Eastern nation to "end its abuses against its own people." Iranian leaders have denied any accusations⁷ that the government has abused citizens.

Meantime, Iran's controversial nuclear program, back in the spotlight⁸. The country says it's going to start enriching uranium -- processing it -- to 20 percent. What does that mean? Experts say it's enough to set off a nuclear reaction. Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. The U.S. and other nations disagree; they've accused Iran of trying to create nuclear weapons.