World News Briefs -- July 17, 2012

Syria Crisis: Damascus Clashes Continue - Live Updates -- The Guardian

• Fighting in Damascus enters third day
• Senior defector accuses regime of working with al-Qaida
• Ban Ki-moon travels to China ahead of UNSC vote

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria conflict: Central Damascus hit by clashes.

Syria's top defector says Assad not afraid to use chemical weapons.

Israeli intel chief: jihadis head for Syria border.

Clinton meets Israeli, Palestinian leaders.

Indian fishermen say U.S. boat fired without warning.

ASIA

Rise of North Korea's Kim leaves trail of 20 purged officials.

Analysis: Mickey, miniskirts and military changes signal Kim Jong Un leading NKorea in own way.

Government move sparks East Timor protests.

Taliban's vaccine ban may affect 280,000 children.

WTO: China discriminating against US credit companies.

AFRICA

Nigerian military plans major operation after Jos attacks.

DR Congo, Rwanda agree on 'partial solution' to M23 rebellion. Congo, Rwanda agree to mount force against rebels.

UN report says Somali government corrupt.

Brawls in Egypt court as judges meet on constitution.

Tunisia's Islamists re-elect Ghannouchi as party chief.

EUROPE

Olympics security failure is 'humiliating shambles,' boss concedes.

Protests multiply against cuts in Spain.

France's proposed tax hikes spark 'exodus' of wealthy.

Romania PM sees political paralysis if Basescu survives.

Russian ex-policeman charged over killing of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

AMERICAS

Rise in pill abuse forces new look at U.S. drug fight.

Frack the border: Cartels using oil boom to move drugs.

Worst drought since 1950s in continental U.S.

Number of cholera cases in Cuba continues to rise.

Poll: Chavez leads by 15 points in President race.

Toronto shooting: 2 dead, 19 injured.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Guantánamo judge delays next 9/11 hearing until after Ramadan.

Bagram detainees want to use U.S. Constitution to argue for release.

Afghanistan detainees get their day in US court, again. Why they're back.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

IMF: Global economic growth slowing.

Microsoft Office 15 review: built for touch and the cloud.

LIBOR scandal: Will Feds target not just employees, but a whole bank?

HSBC executives to apologise at US Senate hearing. Senate report: HSBC 'allowed drug money laundering'.