World News Briefs -- August 10, 2018

Business Insider: Global stocks are getting slammed and major currencies are going haywire on a wild Friday in markets

* Global markets are in turmoil on Friday, with a historic plunge in the Turkish lira at the center of the chaos.
* The lira's decline caps a week of political news that's unnerved investors, as the US ramped up sanctions on Turkey and Russia, and the United Kingdom fretted over a no-deal Brexit.
* US investors shifted focus from strong corporate earnings to the rout in Europe, sending the major stock-market indexes lower.

A slew of unnerving headlines all week from the United Kingdom, Russia, and Turkey has culminated in a wild Friday for global markets.

Turkey is front and center of the chaos on Friday, with its currency plunging to a record low against the US dollar. A diplomatic tussle between the US and its NATO ally deepened Friday after President Donald Trump said he had authorized the doubling of sanctions on the country's steel and aluminum.

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MIDDLE EAST

Gaza tensions: Hamas says a truce agreed with Israel. Calm returns to Gaza-Israel border - for now.

Saudi Arabia intercepts two missiles fired by Yemen's Houthis on Jizan: Arabiya TV.

Yemen war: Saudis to probe air strike child deaths.

UN reaches out to Ankara as Assad coils around Idlib.

Turkey's Erdogan calls on Turks to buy lira for 'national battle'.

Political parties in Lebanon struggle to form government.

Gaza feels bite of US cuts to Palestinian aid.

ASIA

Taliban launches attack in Afghanistan; U.S. forces respond.

North, South Korea to discuss plans for leaders' next summit.

Russia turns down U.S. North Korea sanctions at U.N.. China helps Russia thwart US bid to freeze bank’s assets over ‘North Korea sanctions dodge’.

North Korea slams U.S. calls for 'preemptive denuclearization'.

Security Council backs US plan for humanitarian aid in North Korea.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo chooses conservative Muslim cleric for running mate.

U.N. says it has credible reports that China holds million Uighurs in secret camps.

Demonstrators halt plan to demolish massive mosque in China.

AFRICA

Ethiopia: Ethnic tensions continue to smolder in Somali region.

Nigeria farm violence: Military operation to combat gunmen begins.

Mali: Sunday's election runoff goes ahead despite fraud claims.

Sudan: Ruling party chooses Bashir as candidate for 2020 election.

Zimbabwe election: MDC's Chamisa mounts legal challenge against result.

Uganda's Museveni urges South Sudan refugees to return home.

New Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo kills 37 in first week.

EUROPE

U.S. strongly condemns Russia's poisoning of former spy: White House.

Russia: New US sanctions a 'declaration of economic war'.

Greece decries Russia's tit-for-tat move to expel diplomats.

Deal on Caspian Sea's legal status to be signed on Sunday: Kremlin.

Romanian expats return home for major anti-government protest.

Pussy Riot activist defies travel ban to flee Russia for Edinburgh.

AMERICAS

Venezuela: Maduro critic rejects 'absurd' claim he plotted to kill president.

Ecuador declares state of emergency over Venezuela migrant influx.

Record 63,880 people murdered in Brazil in 2017.

Puerto Rico says hurricane-linked deaths may top 1,400.

Trump renews attacks on NFL players, calling for suspensions.

Omarosa says Trump is a racist who uses N-word – and claims there's tape to prove it.

Canada shooting: police among four killed in Fredericton.

Police choppers thump over Mexico City as drug crime rises.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

CIA cables reveal new details of waterboarding at prison run by Haspel.

Shabaab claims deadly IED blast in Kenya.

UK Muslim convert admits plotting carnage with Oxford Street attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China paper rebuts trade war criticism, says 'an elephant can't hide'.

Mazda, Suzuki, Yamaha acknowledge false emissions tests.

Facebook pages with large U.S. following to require more authorization.