World News Briefs -- March 9, 2020

Reuters: Wall Street pummeled by crude crash, virus spread

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street tumbled on Monday and recession fears loomed large as plummeting oil prices and ongoing coronavirus worries sparked a panic-driven sell-off, sending investors fleeing risk for safety on the anniversary of the U.S. stock market’s longest-ever bull run.

All three major U.S. stock averages opened sharply lower in a plunge so steep it triggered a trading halt due to safeguards put in place to avoid a repeat of 1987’s “Black Monday” crash. The Dow dropped a record 2,000 out of the starting gate.

S&P 500 was on track for its largest one-day percentage drop since December 2008, the height of the financial crisis.

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MIDDLE EAST

Russian military to start talks on Idlib issue in Ankara on March 10, says ministry.

Spotlight returns to Iran's nuclear programme. UN watchdog: Iran providing access to active nuclear sites.

Saudi crackdown widens amid reports of further arrests of royals.

Lebanon to default on debt payments for first time as crisis deepens.

Iraq calls on citizens to avoid visiting sacred cities and sites.

‘Open the gates’ to migrants, Erdogan tells Greece before EU talks.

Benjamin Netanyahu's rivals eye new government. Israel readies for more tricky coalition talks.

ASIA

Rival Afghan 'presidents' hold parallel inaugurations. Afghans dismayed as both Ghani and Abdullah claim presidency.

US begins troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, official says.

China reports no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases outside epicenter.

Coronavirus: Philippines declares public health emergency, sets ‘no-touch’ rule on Duterte, as cases rise to 20.

North Korea fires projectiles after threatening 'momentous' action.

Embassies close in North Korea as diplomats evacuated over virus.

Nine years on, state of the clean-up at Fukushima's nuclear plant.

AFRICA

Dozens killed in northern Burkina Faso attack.

Mali militants say they are open to talks if foreign troops leave.

Libya's Haftar committed to signing ceasefire: French presidency.

Sudanese prime minister survives assassination attempt. ‘Additional push to the wheel of change’: Sudan’s PM tweets that he is fine after surviving assassination attempt.

In starving South Sudan, peace is no guarantee of a meal.

Ethiopians mourn Boeing MAX crash victims a year on from disaster.

South Africa: Gangs refuse to hand in firearms despite amnesty.

35 killed in Ghana bus collision and fire.

EUROPE

European stocks close 7% lower and enter bear market territory as oil prices crash.

Europe told to act now as coronavirus locks down north Italy and markets plunge.

Erdogan, EU leaders meet over refugee crisis at Greek border.

EU to take in some child migrants stuck in Greece.

Murder trial begins in Netherlands court for MH17 shootdown.

Russia 'hired network of Britons to go after enemies of Putin'.

Prince Andrew won't voluntarily cooperate in Epstein inquiry, prosecutor says.

AMERICAS

The U.S. doesn't have enough ICU beds or ventilators to deal with even a moderate coronavirus outbreak.

New York City officials not ruling out shutting down mass transit in wake of coronavirus.

Ex-rival Booker endorses Biden ahead of crucial Democratic primaries.

Venezuelan government detains more than 30 PDVSA workers.

Venezuela fire: Thousands of voting machines burned.

Mexican women launch general strike to protest the high rate of femicide.

Exclusive: Millions of masks stockpiled in Canada's Ontario expired before coronavirus hit.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Two US troops killed in anti-ISIS mission in northern Iraq.

Airstrike takes out a top terrorist suspected of involvement in attack on US personnel in Kenya.

Judge orders medical review for Saudi held at Guantanamo.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Global stock markets, oil prices plunge amid coronavirus fears.

Oil prices plummet on OPEC tangle, coronavirus fears.

Saudi Arabia price war wipes billions from value of major oil firms .

IEA expects OPEC+ to extend cooperation amid rising production capacity surplus.

Big banks brace for the coronavirus.

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