including the sensitive subject of the release of the lockerbie bomber. the american secretary of state hillary clinton has begun the latest stage of her asian tour in south korea for what she called a show of solidarity. the man in charge of china's three gorges dam said it prevented the flood from turning into a major disaster. an afghan army recruit has turned on foreigners. this time, two american civilians were shot. an afghan soldier and the gunman were killed. it is the second such incident in as many weeks and comes as representatives of 70 countries descended to discuss the country's future. president karzai told the conference he wants afghan troops to take total responsibility to the country's security by the end of 2014. our correspondent reports. >> he is the president of a nation at war. he has been accused of presiding incompetency and corruption. he is courted now is the man who could turn things around. in return, he promised to take charge of security in four years. repeating a pledge that his troops will took over -- takeover in 2014. w

the release of the lockerbie bomber, al-megrahi, as mistake. he was suffering from cancer and only expected to live another three months. he is still alive. the u.s. has pressed for an investigation into the decision to free him and into allegations that bp lobby for his release. from washington, james reynolds reports. >> here is the problem facing britain and america. al-megrahi is free and not yet dead. the scottish government released him a year ago because the -- doctors said he had three months to live. 11 months have gone by, and he is still alive. al-megrahi is the only man convicted of the bombing of pan am flight 103. 270 people were killed when it exploded over the town of lockerbie. he was jailed for life. which is why his release last year and third so many in britain in america, despite -- angered so many in britain and america. scottish authorities decided to allow him to go home to die in libya. now hillary clinton has spoken to william hague about the growing concern. >> it is an insult to the families of the victims of the bom

in our meeting we had what we called a violent agreement, which is this releasing the lockerbie bombing, a mass murderer of 270 people, the largest act of terrorism ever committed in the united kingdom, was completely wrong. he showed his victims no compassion. they were not allowed to die in their beds at home surrounded by their families. in my view, neither should that callous killer have been given that luxury. that was not a decision taken by bp. it was a decision taken by the scottish government. we have to accept that under the laws of my country where power and decisions were involved in scotland, this was a decision for the scott as executive, a decision that they took. >> david cameron knows that americans are concerned, so he said he would ask to look again at all the paperwork to see whether more documents should now be made public, but the prime minister said that at the present time, he did not see any case for having a full public inquiry into lockerbie. >> thanks very much. officials in china say the three gorges dam on the river yangtze has now with its highest flood wa

and britain have criticized the release of the lockerbie bomber. que.ere killed in dacia mosco the prime minister of australia has called for an election. she was elected by a third-party three weeks ago after ousting her predecessor. >> this morning, i asked her excellency, the governor general to dissolve the house of representatives so that elections could occur for the house and half of the senate on saturday august 21. this selection presents australians with a very clear choice. this election is about the choice as to whether we moved australia for work or go back. >> she is taking a big gamble calling an election so soon. >> she is australia's first female prime minister. she has only been in the job for just over three weeks. it is a political gamble. she now faces the biggest fight of her political life. this campaign will be fought over the economy, domestic issues, health reform, and education, and border security and the asylum seekers. this will be a very bruising campaign between her governing labor party and the conservative tony abb

." -- >> british witnesses refuse to attend the hearing of why the lockerbie bomb was freed. more changes at the top as bp sense aside $30 billion to cover the oil spill. -- sets aside $30 billion. locking horns, the protest on whether to ban bullfighting in spain. >> welcome to "bbc world news," broadcast to viewers around the world. american politicians investigating whether the man convicted of the lockerbie bombing was released in exchange for oil a deals -- oil deals. former u.k. justice secretary and the chairman of bp all said no. he said -- senator called it disappointing. a postponement of the hearing was announced by an angry senator robert menendez. it was home to 38 of those who died in the bombing. he accused the reluctant witnesses of lacking courage and said all had washed their hands of the suspicions following the controversial release of the bomber last august. >> it is disappointing and pretty outrageous that none of these key witnesses will cooperate with our request to answer questions. they have stonewalled us. each side has claimed innocence. each side

lockerby roll role of b.p. is for b.p. to explain shoots down need for inquiry into b.p. lockerbie yes max in the united states apparently senators and congresspeople want an investigation into b.p. because they're shocked to discover that the terrorist who was accused or charged with downing the lockerbie plane pan am flight one hundred three hundred ninety americans died yes they're only now saying oh we're shocked that b.p. was behind this but at the time two thousand and seven remember you can see the photos of tony blair standing with moammar gadhafi in front of the farting camels of tripoli and he and they were out doing the deal to release this you know terrorist in prison and right away b.p. got a deal you know like a billion dollars with libya young this is blood for oil this is tony blair's epitaph blood for oil tony blair but it wasn't an issue then it wasn't it was reported widely at the time that's why he was in libya that's why it helps to have a media company and the mainstream media under your thumb in the united states because you can distract and bambooz

he is the only person convicted of the bombing that killed to under 70 people over lockerbie, including 109 americans. >> in may 2007, and tony blair looks on as the bp chief tony hayward signed a multimillion oil field in libya. fast forward to august 2009, at the lockerbie bomber arrives home, having been released by the scottish government on compassionate grounds. senators in washington are considering whether the issues were at their -- were ever linked. they want to talk to jack straw. he has declined their invitation. earlier, he gave this explanation. >> i cannot help them on the key issue, which i found out is the central concern from their letter. which is, why was it mr. al- megrahi released on compassionate grounds? i literally had nothing to do without. >> problems the justice secretary has said he will not be going to washington, and nor will the massacre at -- medical advisers. >> it was agreed by the united nations and all parties. the matter is one for which i am accountable to the scottish parliament. i have accounted to the scottish parliament for that. >> bp is alrea

senate hearing over the decision to free the convicted lockerbie bomber. the foreign relations committee is investigating whether it was linked to a libyan oil deal involving bp. earlier, i suggested to our correspondent at the list seems to be growing. >> it seems to be, but at the moment it is far easier to say who is not attending perry when no various scottish ministers and officials have been invited, but they're not going because they don't have anything more to add. jack straw, who was the british justice secretary at the time said he is considering it. he does not have any object in principle, but he wants to discuss it with some of his former colleagues, including gordon brown, first. there is a list and a hearing is due next week, but we're not sure yet who will be attending. >> these senators have high- level backing, secretary of state hillary clinton who said she was deeply troubled by the decision to release the lockerbie bomber is backing them. >> she is, and was feeling that she added to the momentum of the subject and the emotion behind it

controversy opens old wounds for the families of the 189 americans killed in the lockerbie bombing. bert ammerman's brother tom was among the victims. >> this is ugly. this is immoral, it's unethical, it's illegal. the fingerprints and the blood is on the hands of the united kingdom government, the scottish government, the american government as well as big business. >> reporter: now, even if b.p. broke no laws at all, the new controversy is certainly more bad p.r. for the embattled oil giant. meanwhile, megrahi will remain free since at this point no one can do anything about that. katie? >> couric: and, bob, how will u.s. officials get to the bottom of all this? >> reporter: well, mostly they'll have to use public outrage to pressure officials in the u.k. for better answers about potential links between b.p. and the terrorists and there will be plenty of political noise, congress has a hearing later this month. also, the british p.m. is in town to meet president obama next week and b.p. will certainly be on the agenda. >> couric: in other news tonight, one way the government plans

the british prime minister says it was wrong to release the lockerbie bomber, but he rejects calls for an investigation into whether b.p. played a role. i'm katie couric. on day 92, a new plan for the ruptured well. kill it now by pumping mud and cement through the containment cap. the heated debate over plans to build a mosque in the shadows of the world trade center site. and why was a black official from the department of agriculture ousted by the obama administration? the strange tale of shirley sherrod. captioning sponsored by cbs from cbs news world headquarters in new york, this is the "cbs evening news" with katie couric. >> couric: good evening, everyone, president obama welcomed britain's new prime minister to the white house today, but there wasn't much time for pleasantries. there's a bit of tension between the two allies, in part because of the b.p. oil spill, but also because of the decision last year by a scottish court to release a libyan terrorist. and questions about the role b.p. might have played in that. chip reid is our chief white house correspondent. chip, the p

s center has urged the scottish government to reconsider the release of the lockerbie bombing. the british royal family hit the high seas for the holiday special. >> hello and welcome. north korea says it will use the nuclear deterrent in response to a joint u.s./south korea military exercises this weekend. according to officials, it is ready to launch in retaliation war. washington says the word games are a deterrent of north korean aggression. this weekend joint exercise is a response to the sinking of a south korea warship in march. >> this was a statement from the country's powerful national defence commission, reported by north korea's of fish a news agency. it repeated the denial of any involvement in the sinking of a south korean war ship in march. these exercises are taking place involving south korean and american ships. it is a response to the allegations that north korea sink the warship. the national defense commission spokesman went on to say that the exercises threatened north korea's sovereignty and security. it will launch a retaliatory assaults or. -- sacred wa

the prime minister says that the lockerbie bombing should not have been released. officials in china say the three gorges dam has withstood its highest flood water levels since it was finished four years ago. weeks of floods and mudslides in central and southern china have left several hundred people dead or missing. overnight, the increase in the dam was the fifth fastest ever recorded. >> this is the fourth of the chinese flood season. this house was toppled. rivers turned to torrance high in the mountains. this is the result. -- rivers turned to torrents high in the mountains. people are stranded. this is the worst flood they have seen since 1847. the old town, submerged cents monday, half a million people affected. had to this house, we found this couple trying valiantly to shift the salt and much of that now coats their hardware shop. -- mud that now coats their hardware shop. he tells me that it was up to the ceiling. it will take many years to recover. these floods pose a real challenge to china as a whole because the rain has been falling across this region

when they crashed it crashed in lockerbie, scotland killing 270 people, most americans. the obama administration asked the uk to review why the convicted terrorists magrahi. they claim hello bied them for lucrative leases. >> it was a decision taken by the sko scottish government. >> the bottom line is we all disagreed with it. it was a bad skigs. >> reporter: david cameron appeared defensive of the british company and repeatedly urged that the gulf oil spill that be confuse with the libyan bomber. the senate voted today to extend long-term unemployment benefits. the vote was 60-40. the democrats got the 60th vote when they swore in the success to the late robert byrd. the democrats want to finance the extension with added federal debt. most republicans demanding other programs be cut. the unemployment rate dropped to 9.5% in june. 39 states say the decrease is mainly because more people gave up searching for work. california's unemployment rate is 12.3%. that's the third highest in the nation. >>> and the senate judiciary committee today approved eleay kay gin's nominat

and the release of the lockerbie bomber, abdel baset al-megrahi, was a prime topic at the white house today. president obama and british prime minister cameron were questioned about it repeatedly after their meeting. the british prime minister turned aside calls for his government to launch a new inquiry into the man's release. >> the role of b.p. and any lobbying they might have done is an issue for b.p. and an issue that they should explain themselves. i mean the decision to release the man though was a decision made by the scottish government. i haven't seen anything to suggest that the scottish government were in any way swayed by b.p.. >> reporter: for his part president obama said it is important to get all the facts. >> i think all of us here in the united states were surprised, disappointed and angry about the release of the lockerbie bomber. so we welcome any additional information that will give us insights and a better understanding of why the decision was made. >> sreenivasan: the man got a life sentence for bombing a pan am jetliner over lockerbie scotland in 198. all 259

where there are allegations about the release of the lockerbie bombing. families called for an investigation into what happened in the lead up to the release of mr. al-megrahi last year. when i spoke to the spokesperson, i i asked what is pushing them to bring up this again, and to call the release of him a mistake, and this is what he said. >> the american people are distressed. we see him a free man in libya. he should have served out the rest of his life in a scottish prison, which was the original agreement. in doing so, she indicated that congress will be having hearings, having questions. she hopes that the british government will provide help. this was the decision by scottish authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds. >> the can ask all the questions they want. there is little doubt there is not much of both governments can do to turn the clock back. he is still alive, despite the prognostic a the time, which said he only had three months to live. >> they're going to investigate the circumstances leading up to his release. the bad feeling

the blast over lockerbie killed more than 100 americans. >>> another argument against smart meters. this one has nothing to do with money. what marin county leaders want before it will welcome the meters in its community. >> and santa cruz waters will be a little safer this summer thanks to a non-profit group who stepped into save those who may save you. >> and the free fix will cost plenty. the tab apple is footing to provide covers for all iphone 4s. >>> meteorologist norm con green. will it be too cold to get in those companies tal waters. that fog, we'll talk about that many cog up next. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, . >>> eyewitness news is brought to you by the 2010 honda clearance sale. >>> scientists monitoring the gulf coast say that the capped well does appear to be holding. they say seepage detected along the sea floor actually is coming from an older well that is no longer in use and they are not worried about the cap buckling and giving way. >> a very small drips, i would say, we don't consider them consequential to involving the integrity of the wellhead. >> the cap has success

are calling for an inquiry into the release of the lockerbie bomber last year but british prime minister david cameron rejected the idea and denied b.p. had been involved in the release during his first official visit to the white house says believe. his release may have followed lobbying by the oil giant around two hundred seventy people were killed when a plane was blown up over the scottish village of lockerbie nineteen eighty eight. in france air traffic controllers are on strike protesting it plans to merge european aviation services a concern that major job losses could follow flights are being canceled at the country's two main international airports charles de gaulle and only at the height of the holiday season the industrial action is expected to last until thursday morning. and that brings up to date for the moment here on the other updates in about ten minutes from now and as promised the latest business news is next with daniel. hungry for the full story we've got it for. the biggest issues get a human voice face to face with the news makers on. every month we give you the fu

the calling for an inquiry into the release of the lockerbie bomber last year but british prime ministerdavid cameron rejected the idea and denied b.p. had been involved in the release during his first official visit to the one said it is believed abdullah best said his release may have followed lobbying by the oil giant around two hundred seventy people were killed when a plane was blown up over the scottish village of lockerbie in one nine hundred eighty eight. in france as traffic controllers are on strike protesting it plans to merge european aviation services they're concerned that major job losses could follow were flights have been counseled at the country's two main international airports charles ago and ole at the height of holiday season industrial action is expected to last until tuesday thursday while the morning. ok ten minutes from now treatments page hiv come under the scrutiny of people of alan's cross-talk guest but before that let's check out there is business news for daniel . hungry for the full story we've got it first hand the biggest issues get a human voice face t

the blast over lockerbie killed more than 100 americans. >>> another argument against smart meters.e has nothing to do with money. what marin county leaders want before it will welcome the meters in its community. >> and santa cruz waters will be a little safer this summer thanks to a non-profit group who stepped into save those who may save you. >> and the free fix will cost plenty. the tab apple is footing to provide covers for all iphone 4s. >>> meteorologist norm con green. will it be too cold to get i'm bored with my toys. sally, you don't need toys when you have... ♪ imagination ♪ imagination ♪ imagination ♪ helps you see the world in different ways ♪ yay! yay! ♪ this is a pony ♪ and this is a choo-choo ♪ [ male announcer ] it's movie time. and this is a... [ male announcer ] with a wii twist. what is this? [ male announcer ] netflix now delivers unlimited tv episodes and movies instantly through wii. plus dvds by mail. all for only 9 bucks a month. yep. but that's just the start. we have a great loyalty program. i'm listening. stick with us, and you keep earning bigger discou

senators are calling for an inquiry into the release of the lockerbie bomber the u.k. prime minister david cameron refuses to conduct the procure also denies reports that oil giant b.p. was involved in the release b.p. has been accused of lobbying for a gras you to be freed to secure an energy deal griet was freed last year on the grounds he is terminally ill two hundred seventy people mostly americans were killed as a plane was blown up over scotland's lockerbie. and other tropical storm is intensifying and heading towards the south china adding to the weather woes that have slipped to millions in the country it comes as officials announce the death toll of seven hundred in china so far this year from floods caused by torrential rains millions have been forced to flee their homes hundreds remain missing as the bad weather rages on most of the casualties are due to mudslides and landslides resulting from the heavy downpours. time now for business of data you can see and this year with the latest of course and we here in the book making could soon become big business in

the release of the libyan man convicted of the 1989 lockerbie bombing. today, four u.s. senators called on the british government to investigate claims the firm pushed for abdelbaset al megrahi's release last year in exchange for an oil exploration deal in libya worth nearly a billion dollars. >> it's almost too disgusting to fathom. >> reporter: tonight, a bp spokesman told abc news the company did express concern to the british government about quote slow progress on a prisoner transfer agreement with libya, aware this could have a negative impact on bp's exploration agreement. however, bp says it never mentioned megrahi specifically and was not involved in any discussions about his release. 26 libyans were in british prisons at the time of the agreement, though it was megrahi who libya wanted free. for relatives of victims of the lockerbie bombing, the allegation sparked immediate outrage. >> i find it absolutely shocking and horrifying that this could absolutely upturn an entire justice system. >> reporter: the british government in power at the time of the bp deal h

sentences in the us are calling for an inquiry into the release of the lockerbie bomber last year prime minister david cameron rejected the idea denied he had been involved in the released during his first official visit to the white house said it isn't to leave out the best run the us may have followed lobbying by the oil giant around two hundred and seventy people were killed when a plane was blown up over the scottish village of lockerbie in one thousand nine hundred eighty eight. in france that traffic controllers are on strike protesting it plans to merge european aviation services they're concerned that major job losses could follow all flights have been cancelled at the country's two main international airports child to go on or lay at the height of holiday season industrial action is expected to last until thursday morning. as the weather news this hour don't go away there were those as business on the way good danielle. welcome to business circles of new cause in russia are expected to jump fifteen percent this year according to a report from accountants p.w. see the company sa

seven californians died in the lockerbie bombing in 1988. >>> a foster city company is playing a part aids breakthrough. it is a vaginal gel containing an aids drug and is the first hope of protection for women whose partners do not use condoms. in tests the gel reduced the risk of hiv infection by 50%. experts say even partial protection is really important especially in poor countries. >>> time now is 5:45. you're watching nbc bay area morning news. >> we are going to check traffic and weather in just a few minutes but first are we beginning a new era when it comes to medical marijuana? today oakland city leaders could approve a plan to set up marijuana factory farms. nbc bay area's christie smith is live in oakland with what is behind the controversial move. >> reporter: good morning. well, you have to remember here that the city just laid off 80 police officers and also they're facing a huge budget deficit. so what caught the city council's attention is the number of jobs that could be created and also taxes that would be paid if medical marijuana can be big business. so allowing

history, and there is also an investigation into bp's involvement with the release of the lockerbie bomber. more than 100 people died in 1988 as a result of his bomb. he might be the most unpopular company in america right now, and it cast a long shadow over today's meeting, didn't it? >> it is the most hated company in america, even more than goldman sachs. but they called themselves by first names and it was an atmosphere of friendship. but bp was the dominant topic at the press conference, and especially thel ockerbie affair. they are building pressure to have a formal inquiry into the release of the bomber last year. the documents will be reread one more time to find out why this decision was taken back then. he made it clear he was opposed, against the decision a year ago. he still is, and thinks it is the wrong decision. >> he does not want the government to get involved in their own investigation. will he lean on b.p. any other way? >> conerning the oil spill, he said of course bp had a responsibility. they had to clean up, to compensate people who lost jobs and money on the gulf, b

the latest controversy facing bp is over the release of the lockerbie bomber. explain its role in his release. prime minister cameron is meeting with the four u.s. senators from new york and new jersey over the issue as well. >>> this morning the gulf of mexico, the containment cap on bp's ruptured well is leaking oil and gas. but for now, the government is allowing that cap to stay in place. matt gutman is in buras, louisiana, now with the latest on the ongoing well watch. >> reporter: it began as a tense day here in the gulf of mexico. at first, we heard that those leaks, those bubbles that appeared before bp's cameras underwater, may have signaled a significant leak in the well, perhaps even a rupture. >> what we're actually looking for in this case would be methane gas which is sometimes a precursor to oil rising up through the formation. >> the gulf is loaded with seeps of oil and gas and that is one of the challenges that everybody is facing here. what is natural and what is not. >> reporter: so there was talk of perhaps having to go to contain the oil. b

the release and continuing health of the lockerbie bomber. of jill al-megrahi was released last year -- obut he is alive. this afternoon, the white house repeated its anger that al- megrahi is free. >> we opposed his release. we've made that opinion known. i do not know the role that bp played. we were not aware of any role they played in rendering an opinion. >> bp has enough to do under water. the temporary cap under the gulf still holds. the company has stopped the will but not the debate. -- oil but not the debate. theince james's report, prime minister has arrived. he is staying at the mini stry.\ researchers say a medical gel has almost halved the risk of women being infected by hiv. it might be able to protect women from the virus. the world health organization and the un aid agency have called the results groundbreaking. researchers have been trying for years to make a protective jill or tablet or cream that could be inserted before sex and which will prevent the spread of hiv. past efforts have been disappointing. now, researchers in

our viewpoint on the lockerbie bombing was well known. we oppose the release of the lockerbie bomber. we made that opinion known. the government made that -- prime minister camerons government also oppose that released. i anticipate that in some form, yes, this will probably come up. >> do you believe an investigation will happen? >> i think in many ways that will be up to the british government to determine. i do not know the role that bp played. certainly, we were aware -- unaware of rendering a will that be played. -- that we played. >> the treasury department is saying that the administration may have acted hastily in demanding? the close of dealerships -- in demanding the closing of the dishes. >> i think it is safe to say that without the decision that the president and the audit team made, it is not likely that those two auto companies would exist today. and if there had not been assistance for the ceo of ford, it is not likely that company would be in existence today there. it is not like you have dealerships that are supplied by

senate committee investigating the release of the only man convicted of the lockerbie bombing has put off the hearing is scheduled for thursday. robert menendez, who was about to take care, has announced the postponement because key witnesses have refused to appear. he was very critical. >> it is utterly disappointing. it is pretty outrageous that's none of the key witnesses will cooperate with our request to answer questions before the senate foreign relations committee. the have stonewalled. each side has claimed innocence. each side has blamed the other. it is a game of diplomatic tennis that is worthy of wimbledon. but it is not worthy on behalf of the lives and the families who still have to deal with this terrorist act and the consequences of their lost loved ones in their lives. >> senator menendez. the former u.n. chief weapons inspector says that the bush administration invaded iraq because it was high on the idea of military action after 9/11 and thought it could get away with it. it described the british as prisoners on the train. he questioned the judgment of george bush a

he's been getting questions about whether bp had any influence on the decision by gç e lockerbie bombera both condemned recent release but carroll rejected u.s. calls for an investigation saying there is no indication that bp if had swayed the controversial decision. chinese officials are rushing to keep an oil spill from reaching international waters. your looking at the scene and the all see oil has been pouring in the water since to pipelines exploded. this is an area were usual4?rÑ=gi hundreds of fishing boats couch as cleanup crews. environmental group is trying to figure out to have the country's largest reported still is even worse than the chinese are indicating carried >>. traffic look at six city north and southbound bumper-to- bumper readout to the south on highway 24 slow go. a live look to san jose traffic moving pretty smoothly 101 north and south out as you make your way past and that ought to laugh. ]9w these seven interchange south down. but toyota recall lawsuit against the discovery phase. the plaintiffs and defendants toyota will exchange information appeared the ju