World News Briefs -- July 20, 2010 (Evening Edition)

President Obama met with Prime Minister Cameron of Britain at the White House on Tuesday. Doug Mills/The New York Times

Cameron Doesn’t Push Inquiry on Lockerbie Decision -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, said on Tuesday that he did not see any point to an additional investigation into the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber from a Scottish prison last year, maintaining that such an inquiry would only confirm his belief that the release was ill-advised and wrong.

Mr. Cameron, appearing side by side with President Obama after his first White House visit since his Conservative government formed a ruling coalition, also said that that he had no reason to believe that the British oil giant BP had anything to do with the much debated decision to release Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi to win oil concessions from Libya. The oil company has insisted that its lobbying was limited to the transfer agreement, and did not include pressure for Mr. Megrahi’s release.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran accuses U.S, Pakistan of supporting terrorism.

Turkish court indicts 196 over 'coup plot'.

Iron Dome: enhance Israel's defense, and beyond.

EU Ministers to approve tighter sanctions on Iran.

Iraqi cleric meets with PM candidate in Syria. Sadr calls for new Iraqi Government.

ASIA

Ex-NKorean spy who blew up jetliner visits Japan.

China denies IEA claim on energy consumption.

Taiwan simulates attack from China.

Asean diplomats give Burma 'earful' over its election.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers open regional security meeting.

Clinton, Gates to commemorate Korean War anniversary with visit to DMZ.

Taliban talks: the obstacles to a peace deal in Afghanistan.

Maoists suspected as train crash kills 61 in eastern India.

AFRICA

South Sudan opposition No 2 defects to ruling SPLM.

Rebels hit main army base in C.African town.

Somalia strikes out.

Libya's Gaddafi says will rein in Sudanese rebel.

Rwanda minister denies government role in murders.

No way out: Inside the world’s biggest refugee camp.

EUROPE

More cracks begin to appear in the euro zone as two of its nations suffer setbacks.

Russians learn to beat the heat (or don't).

Hungarian forint falls on IMF concerns.

Germany investigates report of bank aiding Iran.

Cameron raids dormant U.K. accounts as Minister attacks banks.

Northern Cypres plans to become Mediterranean 'Las Vegas'.

AMERICAS

BP caught using altered image of command center.

Cold temperatures cause death, damage in South America.

After car bomb, Mexico braces for an even deadlier drug war.

Shipping at Port of Montreal halts amid labour dispute.

Police seek motive in Mexican attack that killed 18.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Ex-MI5 spy chief: No link between Iraq and 9/11.

Court: Review terror-listing of foes of Tehran.

Qaeda's Zawahri mocks Obama, slams Arab leaders: web.

Guantanamo detainee Naji sent back to Algeria against his will.

Ex-M15 spy chief testifies at UK's Iraq inquiry.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

How well does the Gates Foundation model actually work?

China tops U.S. in energy use.

China to limit foreign trade in index futures: report.

Amazon says E-book sales outpace hardcovers.

Toyota says subpoenaed by U.S. federal grand jury.