Iran's leader denied visit to Ground Zero

Hello on this Thursday, September 20, 2007. I'm Rebecca Field in for Kristin Volk today with a UPI top news update.

New York city officials are reportedly banning Iran's President from visiting ground zero. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad apparently wanted to visit the site where the World Trade Center buildings collapsed to pay tribute to victims of 9/11. Ahmadinejad will be in New York next week for the U.N. General Assembly. A police spokesman says they denied the President's request because the site is under construction. U.S. officials consider Iran a supporter of terrorism and possible threat. The Iranian president called the decision unfortunate.

Osama Bin Laden is expected to declare war on Pakistan in a new tape. An Islamic website says in the tape the Al-Qaida leader will threaten the country's President Pervez Musharraf and his army. The video is expected to be released sometime today. This comes shortly after the group released another video by bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri saying that the U.S. is being defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan. The videos are part of a string of messages released to surround the anniversary of September 11.

One Lebanese lawmaker and at least 4 others are dead after a massive explosion in Beirut. Antoine Ghanem, known for his anti-Syrian stance, was believed to have been the target in the attack. He was killed when the blast erupted in a Christian neighborhood outside of Beirut. This comes right before Lebanon prepares to elect a new president. Many are blaming Syria for trying to destabilize Lebanon but Syrian officials deny involvement.

Mattel's chairman and CEO is promising to ensure the company keeps toys safe for kids. Robert Eckert testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce yesterday on Capital Hill to discuss toy safety. Mattel recalled millions of toys made in China last month which had nearly 200 times the U.S. legal amount of lead in the paint. Eckert outlined a plan to ensure such problems never happened again including a three stage lead paint check and adding more auditors to monitor manufacturing.

That's all for now. Check out upi.com tomorrow for our weekly white house wrap up. Thanks for watching.

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• Ahmadinejad
• terrorism
• Mattel
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• bin-laden
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[1melahat]

Why is the Al Queda leader's picture tagged to this video?? Ahmadinejad is not a hater and he met with "rabbis against zionism" in New York. Watch it on youtube.

[supercat1997]

so?

[shadowmalik]

Well that would have just shattered the illusion the US govt need to portray

of Ahmadinajad. He cant be seen doing anything good like paying his respects to the victims of 9/11 as it might make the American public question what they are being told about him and Iran.

[jdub221981]

Oh and by the way, silly me, that's right Iran doesn't have any gays in it's country either.... God what a joke

[jdub221981]

Why don't I have a problem with this ....AT ALL

[mythexposer]

The US has 100's of TV, Radio, & Newspapers- all with different views. In Iran everything is censord & they have nothing even close to resemblimg a Democratic election. So I guess you choose to listen to a state controlled media vs 100's of different opinions!

[mythexposer]

How about Ahmadinajad saying "there are no gays in Iran"Could that be a lie? How about Iran financing Hezbolah who's trying to overthrow a democratically elected government in Lebanon. That's a lie too? Or the iranian serial #'s on the IED's that are killing Americans. Also a lie?

[qillaq786]

IT's OFFICIAL!!! - iran also has links with al qaeda. there's no lies about it, ur trustworthy government officials & media outlets have said it!!!!

BUT WAIT - didn't i hear that very same line with iraq & am i rite in sayin that all that shit was false propaganda?!?!

ur decisions are based on the lies, half-truths, intentional mistranslations and war mongering that come from your OWN government and main stream media.

are u going to do anything about it, or do you prefer it this way?!?!

[DontBelieveJewsNews]

What boorish American response to a visit from Ahmadinejed who has A RIGHT to attend UN.

Almost everything the Jew York Times, MSNBC, Fox, CNN, CBS, etc. are saying about him are based on the same lies. Lies about threatening to "wipe countries off the map", lies about supporting terrorism (for simply speaking out against Israel's american backed terrorism). Lies about an imaginary "nuclear weapons program"...Lies about denying the holocaust..etc. same thing the same people they did to the Shah

[Corrine22960]

irans leader wanted 2 pay respect 2 hijackers, fuk him