In the day's other news: The United States declared a public health emergency over the
coronavirus outbreak. China has now confirmed more than 11,000 cases and nearly 250 deaths.
The U.S. confirmed a seventh case today
In Washington, the secretary of health and human services, Alex Azar, said the U.S. is
barring foreigners who recently traveled to China and is working to corral the outbreak.
ALEX AZAR, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary: The most important thing that we
could be doing is what we are doing, which is offering to help the Chinese government
and assist them in helping them to control the spread of the novel coronavirus in China,
working with them as closely as possible, as well as the World Health Organization.
Second, the risk to Americans is low.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Nearly 200 Americans who were flown back from China this week will stay
quarantined at a military base in Southern California for two weeks. The State Department
also warned Americans not to travel to China. And Delta and American Airlines have suspended
all flights to and from China.
Fears of economic fallout from the virus sparked a new sell-off on Wall Street. The Dow Jones
industrial average slumped more than 600 points to close at 28256, down 2 percent. The Nasdaq
fell 148 points, and the S&P 500 gave up 58 points.
The Trump administration added six countries today to its list of nations subject to travel
restrictions into the United States. They are Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria,
Sudan, and Tanzania. Citizens of those nations will face new requirements on whether they
can enter the U.S.
We will get the details after the news summary.
Britain has officially left the European Union tonight, after 3.5 years of political wrangling.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson celebrated the event, amid continuing questions about the
fallout from Brexit.
Gary Gibbon of Independent Television News has our report.
QUESTION: Have you split the country in two at the Brexit, Prime Minister?
BORIS JOHNSON, British Prime Minister: Well, well.
QUESTION: Prime Minister, if you could lean in a little bit, that would be lovely.
GARY GIBBON: A symbolic Cabinet meeting in Sunderland, where leave triumphed and where
Brexit swung Labor votes to the Tories last month.
On Monday in a speech, the prime minister will say he wants a trade deal like Canada
has with the E.U., openly acknowledging for the first time that approach means expensive
delays, as products are checked at the border to the E.U.
The government's estimates and the consensus amongst economists is, that will hurt areas
like the Northeast. In Brussels, the U.K.'s E.U. office lowered its E.U. flag. Its staff
members now go up with the extra pressures of being outside the E.U. club. That club
today was on a show of chin-up unity.
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, President, European Commission (through translator): As the sun
rises tomorrow, a new chapter for our union of 27 will start.
GARY GIBBON: Whitehall was lit up this evening. The day of the referendum, civil servants
spoke of stress and despair. Back then, nearly three-quarters of all M.P.s backed remain.
DAVID CAMERON, Former British Prime Minister: We're one of the biggest economies in the
world, perhaps the biggest in the world. We can make a success of the choice that we can
make, and I'm sure that's exactly what we will do. And I wish the government well in
all their endeavors to make sure that happens.
GARY GIBBON: A couple of hundred pro-remain demonstrators serenaded the E.U.'s office
in London. One said, "We will be back."
The E.U. officials looked touched, not convinced.
JUDY WOODRUFF: That report from Gary Gibbon of Independent Television News.
Israeli troops clashed with Palestinians today, as they protested the Trump administration's
peace plan that heavily favors Israel. In the West Bank, soldiers fired tear gas and
stun grenades at protesters who threw stones. In Gaza, thousands of Palestinians took to
the streets and burned Israeli flags.
In Australia, the national capital region around Canberra has declared an emergency,
as a major wildfire burns out of control. It is the first fire emergency for the area
since 2003.
Since Monday, the fire on the city's southern fringe has charred more than 53,000 acres,
scorching plant and wildlife. Officials say the situation is only getting worse.
GEORGEINA WHELAN, Australian Capital Territory Emergency Controller: The fire activity is
increasing. It has been unpredictable. It remains challenging. It is difficult to access.
This fire could create its own weather system.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Extreme heat and drought have fed one of Australia's worst fire seasons
on record. At least 33 people have been killed, and more than 3,000 homes destroyed since
September.
Back in this country, President Trump ended limits on the use of land mines outside the
Korean Peninsula. The policy dated from the Obama era. U.S. officials said the move addresses
a potential conflict with China or Russia. Advocacy groups cited the long history of
land mines killing and maiming civilians, even after wars end.
A woman accusing Harvey Weinstein of rape testified today at his trial in New York.
Actress Jessica Mann cried as she said the former movie mogul raped her in a New York
hotel room in 2013. She said if he heard the word no, it was like a trigger. Weinstein's
lawyers say the relationship was consensual.
And another Democrat has quit the presidential race just ahead of the Iowa caucuses on Monday.
Former Congressman John Delaney of Maryland dropped out today. He had campaigned as a
moderate, but failed to gain any traction. Eleven Democrats are still running.
Still to come on the "NewsHour": the Trump administration expands the reach of its controversial
travel ban; on the ground in Iowa, where caucus-goers are gearing up to make a choice; David Brooks
and Ruth Marcus break down the latest from the Senate impeachment trial; plus, remembering
Jim Lehrer, memories of our friend and co-founder, as we say goodbye.