Your Evening Briefing

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The coronavirus outbreak is on track to become a pandemic with most new cases now arising outside China. Norway has its first case as does Brazil. And while there are only 15 confirmed infections in the U.S. so far, emergencies are being declared in California and almost 100 people on New York’s Long Island—the eastern suburbs of America’s largest city—are being monitored for signs of the pathogen. So far, the global death toll stands at almost 2,800 with more than 81,000 ill. Markets fell, albeit more gingerly than the beginning of the week. 

Here are today’s top stories

Senator Bernie Sanders was, as expected, the focus of attack at Tuesday night’s debate in South Carolina. Democrats aligned with the party’s center are expressing fear that he could hurt candidates in more moderate districts.

Another concern voiced by candidates whose names aren’t Bernie Sanders or Michael Bloomberg is that either man may have a hard time unifying the party. Sanders’ camp likely exacerbated those worries when it announced that, should the Vermont senator win the nomination, he wouldn’t accept financial assistance from the billionaire ex-mayor.

Joe Biden isn’t out of the running. He scored a big boost when South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn endorsed him. The former vice president leads in the state, which holds its primary Saturday. Nationally, however, Sanders has widened his lead and overtaken Biden among African Americans, a new poll showed.

Ford’s incoming chief operating officer says the automaker operates best with its back against the wall. Ford’s back is against the wall.

Nokia is exploring potential asset sales or even a merger, thanks to fierce competition that’s been badly hurting earnings.

Millions of people in India could soon end up in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s detention camps.

What’s Joe Weisenthal thinking about? The Bloomberg news director opines that gold will continue to rise thanks to market volatility and maybe more Fed easing. For example, gold exchange-traded funds are going nuts.

What you’ll need to know tomorrow

• Saudi Aramco prepares for an international listing.
• Oracle funds a conservative group fighting against other tech giants.
• Businessweek: Reddit’s greedy traders shake up the stock market.
• Rejected twice over virus fears, a cruise ship heads to Mexico.
• The world’s  most China-reliant economy is reeling.
• Microsoft cuts its sales forecast, blaming the coronavirus.
• Global travel is falling too, for the same reason.

What you’ll want to read in Bloomberg Pursuits

Already one of the most popular airlines in the world, Air New Zealand has come up with something to make long-haul passengers (safely) swoon. Lie-flat seats, in coach. The carrier announced it plans to install the new economy-cabin concept for direct flights between New York and Auckland that begin this October. The new route is the first-ever nonstop between the two cities. How much they will cost is another matter.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Joshua Petri at jpetri4@bloomberg.net

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