making news in america this morning -- the president's pitch. barack obama lays out the options for syria during a prime-time speech, complete with tough talk and a possible diplomatic solution. we have new reaction overnight. day of observance. ceremonies will commemorate september 11th as we remember the attacks on the 12th anniversary. video of george zimmerman, following his domestic dispute. a surprise move by his lawyer. and acrobatic athlete. a young soccer player scoring an amazing goal from the sideline. good wednesday morning. the president has tried to make his case to the american people about the crisis in syria. >> president obama acknowledges

that a diplomatic solution may be in the works. there are high-level meetings in geneva tomorrow. but he wants the military option just in case. we have live team coverage this morning. and we begin with abc's tahman bradley in washington. good morning, tahman. >> reporter: good morning, diana. good morning, john. it was a rare prime-time address. the president of the united states speaking to the american people about the need for military action in syria, even as he explores a diplomatic solution. from the east room of the white house, president obama told the nation, the strike on syria is on hold, while he gives diplomacy a shot. >> over the last few days we've seen some encouraging signs. in part, because of the credible threat of u.s. military action. >> reporter: syria says it has agreed to a russian plan to turn over its chemical weapons to international authorities. sensing the proposal may be his best option, the president says he will continue talks with russian president vladimir putin, while secretary of state john kerry heads to europe for

high-level meetings. but if diplomacy fails, the president argued that a u.s. military strike is in the national interest, and that the horrors committed by the assad regime demand a response. >> when, with modest effort and risk, we can stop children from being gassed to death, and thereby make our own children safer over the long run, i believe we should act. >> reporter: but in both the house and senate, more members oppose a strike on syria than support it. the same is true of the public. nearly two-thirds of americans are opposed. >> my short answer to this is not no. but hell, no. >> reporter: the president tried to address critics who say a limited military strike won't make a difference. >> let me make something clear. the united states military doesn't do pinpricks. even a limited strike will send a message to assad that no other nation can deliver. >> reporter: the president did not say how long he's willing to wait for this russian plan to work. nor did he say what would make it credible in his mind. john, diana? >> abc's tahman bradley, live in

washington for us this morning. thank you. president obama's address to the nation last night is getting a lot of attention overseas. >> alex marquardt live in beirut this morning. where he talked about the general pulse of the public in the region, following these overnight developments. >> assad has bought more time to avoid a u.s. strike. it's about as much of a win-win situation as assad could have. there won't be a strike, at least for now. he can continue carrying out the campaign, fighting against the rebels, which he's been doing for the last 2 1/2 years. we move on to breaking news from libya, where a bomb has caused serious damage to the foreign ministry building in benghazi. witnesses say that the explosion was caused by a car bomb the explosion comes on the first anniversary attack on the u.s. consulate in benghazi. four americans, including the u.s. ambassador were killed in that attack. today is the 12th anniversary of the terror attacks that changed our nation. and it's a day of remembrance

for those who were killed. this morning, two enormous beams of light stretched into the night sky in lower manhattan. and that's where the twin towers once stood. there will be moments of silence this morning, and the names of those killed will be read aloud. there will also be a remembrance at the pentagon. the president will speak before he participates in a volunteer event this afternoon. and in shanksville, pennsylvania, victims of flight 93 helped out at a ceremonial groundbreaking yesterday. it was the start of construction on a visitors center that will be built over the next two years. when it's done, it will offer visitors a clear view of the site where flight 93 crashed. the names of those who were on the plane will also be read aloud today. new this morning, new york city voters have given a resounding no to the comebacks of eliot spitzer and anthony weiner. the former congressman received just 5% of the vote in the democratic mayoral primary in the big apple. weiner's campaign imploded amid

his sexting scandal. after his concession speech last night, he was giving the finger, the middle one, to a local reporter as he left his campaign's event. as for spitzer, the former new york governor that left office amid a prostitution scandal was running for comptroller for the city. that's a position that controls the city's budget. he was defeated despite spending nearly $7 million of his own money. and two democratic state lawmakers in colorado have been kicked out of office in recalled elections. john morse was colorado's senate president. he and the state senator, angela giron, had backed tougher gun laws in the aftermath of recent mass shootings. the national rifle association says their defeat should send a clear message to lawmakers about protecting gun rights. and firefighters in northern california are gaining ground on a wildfire that's destroyed at least 30 homes near redding. the fire in happy valley is now 40% contained after forcing 600 people to flee. one man had his camera rolling as that blaze engulfed on a tree and then spread to a house. it was spreading so quickly, even fire trucks had to leave the area.

the family made it out just before that home went up in flames. well, in the atlantic ocean, a pair of tropical storms churning. one of them likely to become the atlantic's first hurricane of the season. tropical storm gabrielle, taking aim on bermuda with 60-mile-per-hour winds. further out, tropical storm humberto, approaching the cape verde islands, with 70-mile-per-hour winds. it's expected to go to a hurricane. humberto is not expected to hit the u.s. coast. in the midwest, extreme heat is causing problems from chicago to dallas. record-breaking highs in the windy city forced schools to cancel classes yesterday. the heat wave across the nation's midsection is expected to last at least another day. time, now, for the weather across the nation. we'll have some flash flooding likely across the desert southwest. thunderstorms will be scattered from the upper midwest to the ohio valley and into new england. and also, down along the gulf coast. >> the pacific northwest will be unseasonably warm, with a high of 85 in seattle. 93 in portland. meantime, temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than normal from the midwest to the northeast. new york city hitting 91. dallas, a whopping 98 degrees. well, we knew most of the

details. now, we get to see the new iphone. we're going to show you how a new fingerprint feature works. it's pretty cool. >> right. and hands up. and on the ground. police release dashboard camera video of george zimmerman during that domestic dispute as his lawyer makes a surprise announcement. on the defense. diana nyad called to skeptics who question her long-distance swim.

the latest developments in syria boosting markets on wall street.

syria's decision to give up its chemical weapons sent stocks higher tuesday, closing up 127 points. both the nasdaq and the s&p also closing higher. it sent the price of crude oil down by 2%. it had hit a 2 1/2-year high and was on an upward trend since labor day. apple is trying to deliver a one-two punch to competitors with its latest reveal, introducing two new iphones at once. one cheaper, one faster. the 5s will be the company's flagship smartphone, coming in silver, gold and space gray. abc tech editor joann stern got a first-hand look. >> it looks like the iphone 5 but has new tricks. including a new flash, a much faster processor and a trick in the home button. it actually has a fingerprint sensor. you can just use your fingerprint to log-in. >> very cool. the 5s will start at $200. with a two-year contract. and for 99 bucks, the 5c comes in five colors. both iphones will be available on september 20th. the donald is going to d.c. donald trump is opening his first hotel in the nation's

capital. the $200 million building on pennsylvania avenue will include presidential suites with bullet-proof windows. construction won't begin until next year. mcdonald's beefing up its breakfast menu. the fast food chain says steak will be an option on one of its breakfast sandwiches. about 10,000 restaurants will begin offering that beefier breakfast. i'll take it. i'll try anything once. >> if it tastes like its sausage, i'll try it. >> i think it's beef. if it tastes like sausage, that's kind of scary. >> true. an investigation is underway right now for dozens of people claim a popular yogurt made them sick. plus, the suspect confessed on youtube to killing a man. the surprise move in the case that angered the judge. and he shoots. he scores. an incredible soccer shot caught on camera. here we honor the proud thaccomplishmentsss.

of our students and alumni. people like, maria salazar, an executive director at american red cross. or garlin smith, video account director at yahoo. and for every garlin, thousands more are hired by hundreds of top companies. each expanding the influence of our proud university of phoenix network. that's right, university of phoenix. enroll now. we've got a frame waiting for you. you see the "mini" ion my chest?

funny, yes? no. i'm huge. flavor? i'm bursting with it. creamy? i ooze it. rich. creamy. and 100% natural cheese. mini babybel. snack a little bigger. you raise her spirits. we tackled your shoulder pain. you make him rookie of the year. we took care of your cold symptoms. you take him on an adventure. tylenol® has been the number 1 doctor recommended brand of pain reliever for over 20 years. but for everything we do, we know you do so much more. tylenol®. but for everything we do, we know you do so much more. (pop) (balloons popping) i can see the edge of my couch! (balloons popping)

welcome back on this september 11th. the towers of light, there climbing into the night sky from new york's ground zero. they're part of remembrances going on nationwide today, honoring those who died in the 9/11 attacks. let's take a look at your morning road conditions. flash floods expected in the desert southwest. while thunderstorms can cause problems from the upper midwest through the ohio valley and into new england. >> and if you're flying, airport delays are possible in salt lake city, las vegas, denver, as well as chicago. and now, to central florida, where a key piece of evidence could make or break george zimmerman in his latest tangle with the law. >> police responding to a 911 call by his wife, shellie, think that they can retrieve video from the ipad she says he grabbed out of her hands and then smashed. abc's matt gutman has the latest. >> get your hands up. get out of the car. >> reporter: this police dash cam video captures the moment police detained george zimmerman. >> get on your knees. >> reporter: they bring him down

to his knees before cuffing him, guns drawn. when police called a domestic disturbance erupted monday afternoon. >> oh, my god. >> reporter: she filed for divorce from zimmerman last week and had come with her father to retrieve her things, when the situation spiraled out of control. >> he punched my dad in the nose. my dad has a mark on his face. and then took my ipad out of my hand and smashed it and cut it with a pocket knife. >> reporter: this surveillance video from the home she shared with his wife, shellie, appears to show zimmerman smashing shellie's ipad, after she says she tried to use it to photograph him. it could be a key piece of evidence. abc news has also obtained pictures of that ipad and the bruise on shellie's father's nose. now, both of them declined to press charges. and shellie even refused to give police a sworn statement. police say they did not find a gun on zimmerman. still, they intend to continue this investigation. and more fallout for zimmerman. his attorney, mark o'meara, tells abc news, he won't represent him in future litigation.

o'meara, on monday, unable to hide his frustration. >> what do you want to tell him? >> he should pay me. >> reporter: matt gutman, abc news, lake mary, florida. a judge in ohio said to be furious after a man who confessed to a deadly drunk driving accident, pled not guilty during a court appearance. matthew cordle admitted in a youtube video to crashing into 61-year-old vincent canzani's car after a night of drinking. in the video, he promised to plead guilty. his lawyers say the not guilty plea that he actually did was just procedural. he will admit guilt during a court appearance later today. two guards were on duty the night ariel castro killed himself have been placed on paid leave. castro hanged himself with a bedsheet earlier this month, just a few weeks into a life sentence for imprisoning three women in his cleveland home. the union official claims the two guards are being made scapegoats. nearly 100 people say they have gotten sick after eating chobani greek yogurt. the company recalled some of its yogurt last week. telling stores to destroy 35

varieties that may have been contaminated by mold. the fda says people complained about nausea and cramps. but there's no confirmed link to the yogurt. the yogurt in question has expiration dates between september 11th and october 7th. diana nyad is taking on her naysayers and defending her 110-mile swim from cuba to key west. in a conference call with critics, nyad said she completed the swim, quote, in squeaky clean ethical fashion. some have questioned whether nyad was helped by riding in or hanging on to a support boat. one critic on that call asked for the observations of currents during the swim to be released. >> having the information out there helps us analyze it, measure it, test it, smell it. >> it should be out there for all the world to see. we're not holding anything from you. >> critics have also cast doubt on claims by nyad's doctors who had said that during the swim she once went seven hours without drinking or eating. yesterday, nyad called those claims mistakes. >> let's hope so. >> yeah.

time, now, for sports, where soccer is a big headline. >> the u.s. men's team is going to the world cup. here's neil and stan at espn with all the details. >> good morning, america. welcome to our "sportscenter" studios here in los angeles. i'm stan verrett. kicking it with neil everett. >> good morning, america. i just like to say that. i like to say world cup, too. let's see if the united states can secure its invite. qualifier against mexico. happened in columbus, ohio, where the columbus crew plays. and eddie johnson. red, white and blue eddie from the seattle sounders. heads up. 1-0, usa. that was in the 49th minute. then, in the 78th minute, a little insurance. clint dempsey misses. donovan doesn't. and the united states, going to brazil. the yankees and orioles both chasing the rays for that wild card. ivan nova. 2-1. chris davis. his friends call him crush. he should have caught that.

orioles up 4-1. major league leading 49th. you have 49. alfonso soriano says, i have two in this game. and 2 in this game is better than 49 for the season because the 2 in this game gives the yankees a 7-5 win. >> yankees may not be done. >> yeah. somebody's got to get that second wild card spot. >> they're hanging around. that race is pretty tight. you know who is not hanging around -- >> us. >> we're done. back to you. >> bye, guys. a little more soccer for you this morning. and a rather unique goal is why this is our "play of the day." it comes to us from a high school in jersey. >> this is just plain awesome. if you're not watching, watch. watch as this kid there does a forward flip on a throw-in. the ball hits the goalie's hand and goes in the goal. >> nice. >> isn't that incredible? in case you're wondering, it counts. the team, unfortunately, it was their only game and they lost the game 2-1. >> we discovered that it counts because it hit the goalie's hand. >> if it had gone in the net, it wouldn't have been a goal. >> it wouldn't have been a goal because he was touching it with

his hands. coming up next, it's "the pulse," sharon osbourne reveals a fling she had years ago. it's with who that's getting the attention. and from the bottom to the top, a dramatic time lapse have from ground zero. growing wild and free ♪ ♪ all i'd want is you to be my sweet honeybee ♪ ♪ and if was a tree growing tall and green ♪ ♪ all i'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves ♪ grown in america. picked & packed at the peak of ripeness. the same essential nutrients as fresh. del monte. bursting with life™. the same ♪ssential nutrients as fresh.

but do you really? [ female announcer ] neutrogena® makeup remover erases 99% of your most stubborn makeup with one towelette. can your makeup remover do that? [ female announcer ] neutrogena® makeup remover. i get out a lot... except when it's too cold. like the last three weekends. asthma doesn't affect my job... you missed the meeting again last week! it doesn't affect my family. your coughing woke me up again. i wish you'd take me to the park. i don't use my rescue inhaler a lot...

depends on what you mean by a lot. coping with asthma isn't controlling it. test your level of control at asthma.com, then talk to your doctor. there may be more you could do for your asthma. ♪ fling free in the sun summer wind ♪ time to check, "the pulse," starting with a hollywood fling that's the talk of the town. sharon osbourne revealing a mysterious liaison. with a big star, whose name is not obvious. >> no, it's not. osbourne shocked viewers and her co-hosts on "the talk," telling them about how she hooked up with none other than jay leno. she said she was just 25 years old. she saw him at a club, prank called him.

then, he came over to her house. they had a little flingy-wingy, as she put it. osbourne says they were both single at the time. >> she was mum when asked about sex with leno. saying it was so long ago, she couldn't remember. that's not what you want to hear as a dude. i can't remember. and speaking of flings, our next story takes us to the hospital bed of a man who reportedly forgot he was married. >> check it out. jason mortenson, a pharmaceutical drug rep, went in for a hernia operation. as he was waking up, he was so doped up, couldn't recognize his own wife. he started flirting with her. >> have we kissed yet? >> keep eating your cracker. >> it's hard. it's hard, baby. it's hard. do we call each other baby? how long have we been married? >> a long time. >> oh, my god. i hit the jackpot. >> wow. the video is admittedly cute. but at least one medical expert says the video looks like a hoax to him because morphine and

surgery would not cause that kind of memory loss. >> i still want to believe it's true. >> he's a good actor. >> yes, he is. so is she. and finally, some truly stunning inspirational video we want to share with you on this morning of september 11th. it's a time lapse movie showing the building of one world trade center. the main building constructed at new york's ground zero. >> the movie strings together hundreds of thousands of high-definition images taken over the last decade. the building stands 1,776 feet tall. it's the tallest in the western hemisphere and very much a symbol of new york's recovery since those terror attacks. it looks like it happened in an instant. i was driving around the battery to get to the harlem tunnel, for ten years through construction workers and heavy traffic. >> and even though it looks complete, there's still construction going on. while the tower is up, there's plenty going on around it that's still under construction. >> it's gorgeous. >> it's beautiful. i've seen the video before. it's beautiful to look at it, no matter how many times you look at it.

>> makes you proud. >> absolutely. ♪ the only thing we have to fear is... fear itself. ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] bob's heart attack didn't come with a warning. today his doctor has him on a bayer aspirin regimen to help reduce the risk of another one. if you've had a heart attack, be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. then you'll love lactose-free lactaid® it's 100% real milk that's easy to digest so you can fully enjoy the dairy you love. lactaid®. for 25 years, easy to digest. easy to love.

that hasn't been cleared yet. ♪ uh! i just want to celebrate [ male announcer ] every time you say no to a cigarette you celebrate a little win. nicorette gum helps calm your cravings and makes you less irritable. double your chances of quitting. e e e right flavor s irritable. to blend our sweet sausages with our savory spices. some people see a hickory and think, cabinet. we see a hickory and think, gumbo. hillshire farm. because it's worth doing right. with an ultra-thin coating and fast absorbing advil ion core™ technology, it stops pain before it gets worse. nothing works faster. new fast acting advil. look for it in the white box.

>> live from the kgo-tv broadcast center this is abc7 news. good wednesday morning. thank you for joining us. >> first up, a check on the weather forecast. is this the same place as yesterday? it feel totally different. >> we have cloud cover. it is warmer. it is dry. there will be patchy drizzle during the commute. you can see the clouds hanging over san francisco. today we will have our low clouds give way to high clouds this afternoon and with the sea breeze our temperatures are going to be below average from 61 to 67 the coast to san francisco and inland east bay is the warmest at 79 to 83 and the rest of us top out at 70 to 78. now the morning commute. leyla gulen? >> we have clear conditions and we have construction, of course,

as we take you into san jose. this is where we are seeing our clearest of conditions. we have projects going on, on 880, at 280. it is causing slowing out there. as far as our drive time traffic, traveling out of tracy to dublin is 23 minutes westbound along highway 4. a quick 15-minute drive from antioch to concord and 101 from san rafael to san francisco is 16 minutes. >> firefighters hope to further contain the intense mt. diablo fire today after the success yesterday allows residents to return home. abc7 news reporter amy hollyfield is at the command post in dublin. they still have to watch the spot fires. >> the spots could glare up. cal fire has a heavy presence at the command post. on the mountain around mt. diablo you do not see fire anymore. instead, you see the damage left

behind by the fire. it burned 3,000 acres. firefighters and residents believe the worst has passed. there isn't any active fire burning right now and the evacuation orders have been lifted. it looks devastating on the hillside no homes were damaged. residents are full of gratitude. >> they are the most dedicated hard working personnel i have ever seen. they have truly cared about everyone. >> firefighters are here to serve. that is what we do. we appreciate the recognition from the folks we serve. >> residents felt especially grateful after living through this on monday night: a huge flare-up came close to homes along morgan territory road. crews found themselves in a firefight. some raced from their not sure if they would see their homes