* Former Catalan leader briefly detained in Belgium (Adds clashes in centre, police estimate for protest numbers)

Tesla Inc's attempts to humble Porsche with a new lap record on Germany's legendary Nordschleife racetrack have reignited a controversy about the value of lap times, as the circuit steps in to quash claims of cheating.

When Donald Trump won the White House, the sprawling aluminum smelter that hugs the Ohio River here was operating at less than half its capacity, and most of its skeleton crew of 270 remaining workers were fearful about their future.

* Shares down 1.8% (Add CEO comment, analyst, shares, detail)

The $100 billion Vision Fund of Japan's SoftBank Group Corp has in just over two years burnt through much of its capital investing in money-losing, late-stage tech startups in areas as varied as autonomous driving, healthcare and finance.

The following are some of the factors that may move German stocks on Friday:

The following are the top stories in the Wall Street Journal. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The U.S. Trade Representative's office told industry that its planned 10% and 25% tariffs on selected European Union goods would take effect as planned on Friday, after the World Trade Organization authorized the move this week.

The United Auto Workers union said on Thursday workers at General Motors Co will stay off the job while they vote on a proposed contract that delivers higher pay for full-time workers and better terms for temporary workers, but allows the automaker to close three U.S. plants.

* Dozens injured in overnight clashes in Barcelona (Adds color on riots, political context)