World News Briefs -- July 16, 2012

Syrian Fighting Reaches Capital -- Voice of America

Syria moved armored vehicles into the capital Damascus as opposition fighters battled Syrian government forces in what residents described as the fiercest fighting yet inside the capital.

Activists said Monday the fighting had spread to several neighborhoods and in the center of the city.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria: Fierce fighting in Damascus - live updates.

Red Cross declares Syrian conflict to be civil war.

Syria war deepens: Damascus sees worst fighting yet.

Russia says West using 'blackmail' over Syria.

Iran renews Hormuz closure threats.

Clinton confers with Israeli leaders about Syria, Egypt, Iran.

Saudi Arabia considers law against insulting Islam.

Malnutrition soars in conflict-ridden Yemen.

ASIA

Official: Suspected Taliban militants attack Pakistani police station.

Japan’s ambassador to China returns for talks amid new fight over islands.

Taiwan mulls extending runway in Spratlys: report.

More than 100,000 protest nuclear power in Tokyo.

Anger in India after floods leave 109 dead, 400,000 homeless.

AFRICA

AU seeks regional response to conflicts.

Rwanda and DRC agree to AU military force.

Mali rebels say have dropped separatist goal.

Radical Islamists in Mali enlist new militia.

Eritrea reduces support for al Shabaab: UN report.

Sudan refugee crisis worsening, Save The Children warns.

Egypt's Mubarak ordered back to prison.

EUROPE

Olympic athletes start arriving for London Games.

UK could use "lethal force" to protect airspace.

Court delay, Spanish doubts hinder Merkel euro response.

Italy eyeing public asset sale to slash debt.

Christine Lagarde and Nicolas Sarkozy embroiled in new corruption inquiry.

AMERICAS

Mexican President: Drug murders down 15-20 percent.

In Mexico, Central American immigrants under fire.

Honduran seizures raise fear of wider conflicts.

Peru's Humala approval rating suffers as conflicts flare.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Syrian rebels flying Al-Qaeda battle flags in parts of Aleppo and Idlib.

Port security: U.S. fails to meet deadline for scanning of cargo containers.

Israel PM accuses Hezbollah of Cyprus attack plot.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Microsoft, NBC dissolve MSNBC.com joint venture.

China eases taxes for foreign companies.

Barclays: 'Other banks to face Libor revelations'.

Cross-border criminals make $870 billion a year: U.N.

Global recovery still under threat, says IMF outlook.