February 18 2020 news

Here are some of the top news stories from February 18, 2020:

Coronavirus:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency, citing the rapid spread of the virus to over 25 countries.
• The number of confirmed cases worldwide surpassed 75,000, with over 2,000 deaths reported.
• The Chinese government announced a ban on the sale of wildlife in markets and a crackdown on the trade of exotic animals to prevent the spread of the virus.

Politics:

• The Democratic Party in the United States held its 11th presidential debate, with candidates including Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg.
• The Trump administration announced plans to withdraw the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia, citing Russia's alleged violations of the treaty.

Business:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 1,000 points, or 3.6%, amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus and its impact on the global economy.
• The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point to 1.5% to help stabilize the economy.

Sports:

• The NBA announced that it would suspend its season indefinitely due to the spread of the coronavirus, following a game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder in which a player tested positive for the virus.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo would go ahead as scheduled, despite concerns over the spread of the virus.

Other News:

• A powerful earthquake struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, killing at least 34 people and injuring hundreds.
• A massive fire broke out at a chemical plant in Houston, Texas, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents.
• The European Union announced plans to ban single-use plastics, including straws, bags, and cutlery, in an effort to reduce waste and protect the environment.

These are just a few of the top news stories from February 18, 2020. If you're looking for more information on a specific topic, feel free to ask!