REUTERS NEWS SCHEDULE AT 10 p.m. GMT/6 a.m. SGT

Here are the top stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 10 p.m. GMT/6 a.m. SGT. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect https://www.reutersconnect.com/planning. TOP STORIES

GLOBAL CHINA-HEALTH

Passengers leave coronavirus cruise ship at last as Japan control efforts come under fire Hundreds of passengers trundled off a cruise ship in Japan on Wednesday after being held on board in quarantine for more than two weeks, as criticism mounted of Japan's handling of the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside China.

VENEZUELA-VIOLENCE/POLICE Convicted criminals are among the special police terrorizing Venezuela

Since President Nicolas Maduro founded the Special Action Force of Venezuela's National Police two-and-a-half years ago, the squad has earned a fearsome reputation in poor neighborhoods across Venezuela. U.S.

USA-TRUMP/PARDONS-BLAGOJEVICH Former Illinois governor Blagojevich thanks Trump for commuting sentence

Rod Blagojevich, a former Illinois governor forced out of office for trying to peddle Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat, thanked President Donald Trump on Wednesday for commuting his prison sentence and again proclaimed his innocence. USA-PENTAGON/ROOD

Key Pentagon official to resign at Trump's request amid Huawei trade spat A key Pentagon official said on Wednesday he would leave his post at President Donald Trump's request, according to a copy of his resignation letter seen by Reuters, after a battle between government agencies over a bid to crack down on exports to China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd

BUSINESS USA-ECONOMY

U.S. housing starts fall, building permits near 13-year high U.S. homebuilding fell less than expected in January while permits surged to a near 13-year high, pointing to sustained housing market strength that could help keep the longest economic expansion in history on track.

USA-FED/MINUTES Fed policymakers cautiously optimistic on U.S. economy despite new risks, minutes show

Federal Reserve policymakers were cautiously optimistic about their ability to hold interest rates steady this year, minutes of the central bank's last policy meeting showed, even as they acknowledged new risks caused by the coronavirus outbreak. ENTERTAINMENT

BRITAIN-ROYALS Royal no more? Harry and Meghan face possible loss of family brand

The British royal family is discussing with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan the use of the word "royal" in their branding after they abruptly decided to start a new life in Canada. PEOPLE-HARVEY WEINSTEIN

Weinstein rape trial deliberations resume after defense tries to oust juror The jury in former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's rape trial resumed deliberations on Wednesday, as his lawyers failed in their effort to get a juror removed for writing a review of a novel partly set in the #MeToo era during the trial.

SPORTS BASEBALL-MLB-HOU

Astros cheating scandal may be good news for MLB, experts say The Houston Astros' cheating scandal may be hanging over Major League Baseball like a dark cloud but the sign-stealing scheme could actually boost interest in the game rather than turn fans away, experts said on Wednesday.

SOCCER-ENGLAND-MCI City CEO says allegations untrue and "about politics"

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano says the allegations made against his club, which have led to a two year ban from European football by UEFA, are untrue and politically motivated. UPCOMING

POLITICS / INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS USA-ELECTION/DEBATE (PIX) (TV)

Ninth Democratic debate takes place in Las Vegas NBC News & MSNBC will host the ninth Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada – in partnership with The Nevada Independent.

19 Feb 18:00 ET / 23:00 GMT TOGO-ELECTION/AFRICA-PRESIDENTS

FACTBOX: Africa's longest-ruling leaders Ahead of Togo's presidential election, in which incumbent Faure Gnassingbe will attempt to extend his 15-year hold on power, a look at Africa's longest-serving leaders.

20 Feb CHINA-HEALTH/USA-QUARANTINE

Stigma lingers after quarantine lifts, Americans exposed to coronavirus find Americans ending coronavirus quarantines at military bases, or home quarantines, are being shunned once they return to daily lives as people fear they have the virus. The discrimination is being aimed at Americans of all races, stoked by misinformation and fear.

20 Feb USA-ELECTION/FUNDRAISING

Presidential candidates detail spending, fundraising in new filings Presidential candidate file new monthly disclosures with the Federal Election Commission that detail fundraising and spending.

20 Feb RUSSIA-POLITICS/

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives interview to TASS news agency Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to TASS news agency.

20 Feb USA-IMMIGRATION/ASYLUM SEEKERS (PIX) (TV)

WIDER IMAGE - Rio Grande Valley Border In the first half of 2019, a short stretch of the meandering Rio Grande river that marks the border between the United States and Mexico, became a scene of chaos and misery as unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers fleeing poverty and gang violence at home sought to cross at a record rate, overwhelming the facilities of border patrol agents on the U.S. side.

20 Feb PORTUGAL-PARLIAMENT/EUTHANASIA (TV)

Portugal's parliament debates euthanasia bills Portuguese lawmakers to attend a parliamentary debate on five bills proposing the legalisation of euthanasia in the Catholic-majority country.

20 Feb TOGO-ELECTION/ (PIX) (TV)

Togolese to vote in election which could extend family's 50-year rule Togo's longtime ruler Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled the West African country for over half a century, is running for a fourth term on Feb 22. He faces six rivals, including main opposition candidate Jean Pierre Fabre, who contested Gnassingbe's win in 2015. Candidates hold final rallies on February 20 when campaigning officially ends.

20 Feb USA-TRUMP/RUSSIA-STONE (PIX) (TV)

Roger Stone, longtime Trump adviser, to be sentenced in case that roiled Washington Roger Stone, a longtime associate of President Donald Trump, will be sentenced on Thursday in a criminal case that has roiled the Justice Department and drawn the president's ire.

20 Feb 06:00 ET / 11:00 GMT IRELAND-POLITICS/ (TV)

Irish parliament to meet for first time with no majority in sight Ireland's parliament meets for the first time since an inconclusive Feb. 8 election with Prime Minister Leo Varadkar obliged to put forward his name for re-election amid slow moving government formation talks. He will assume the role in a caretaker capacity if, as is almost certain, no party leader secures a majority to replace him.

20 Feb 07:00 ET / 12:00 GMT USA-IMMIGRATION/VIDEO GAME (PIX) (TV)

From refugee camp to video game maker Lual Mayen learned to code in a refugee camp after fleeing South Sudan. Now, he's a video game developer in Washington, DC, who's using his talents toward inspiring empathy for others like him. Mayen's creation, called "Salaam" ("peace" in Arabic) - which will launch this summer - puts players in the shoes of a refugee fleeing a war torn region.

20 Feb 07:00 ET / 12:00 GMT EU-BUDGET/ (PIX) (TV) (GRAPHIC)

EU Council meets to decide on the EU's long-term budget The 27 EU countries meet to discuss the 2021-2027 budget. They are split about it because of Britain's withdrawal from the bloc and due to different priorities such as tackling climate change and migration on top of traditional heavy spending areas such as agriculture and regional development

20 Feb 08:00 ET / 13:00 GMT BUSINESS / ECONOMICS

CLIMATE-CHANGE/AUSTRALIA-LOBBYING (PIX) Fires and climate fears rattle Australia's giant coal lobby

INSIGHT- As bushfires and floods fuel public concerns in Australia about global warming, the country's powerful mining lobby is facing increasing pressure from investors to drop support for new coal mines, according to a dozen interviews with shareholders in global mining companies.. 20 Feb 20:00 ET / 01:00 GMT

BRITAIN-BOE/NOTE (PIX) Bank of England launch a new £20 note featuring the artist JMW Turner

A new British banknote featuring a self-portrait by the 19th century painter J.M.W. Turner entered circulation on Thursday. 20 Feb

LLOYDS-RESULTS/ Lloyds Banking Group to announce 2019 results

Britain's biggest domestic bank Lloyds reports full-year results for 2019, with investors looking to see how the lender has fared in tough trading conditions. 20 Feb 02:00 ET / 07:00 GMT

HUAWEI TECH-NETWORKS/ Huawei executives present key messages planned for cancelled MWC event

Executives from China's Huawei Technologies give keynote speeches in London, originally in anticipation of the MWC trade fair. After MWC's cancellation, the London briefing will give the company an opportunity to update on its technology, strategy and business, and respond once again to U.S. accusations about its operations. 20 Feb 05:00 ET / 10:00 GMT

CANADA-QUEBEC/ Canadian pension fund at the heart of Alstom-Bombardier deal reports results

Charles Emond, chief executive of the Canadian pension fund at the heart of Alstom's deal to buy Bombardier's rail deal will address reporters at a briefing on its 2019 financial results. 20 Feb 06:00 ET / 11:00 GMT

ARTS / CULTURE / ENTERTAINMENT FASHION-MILAN/ (PIX) (TV)

Milan Fashion Week (Fall/Winter) People witness the launch of the latest seasonal garments designed by popular fashion brands and designers.

20 Feb SPORTS

BOXING-HEAVYWEIGHT-WILDER-FURY/ Boxing-Tyson Fury discusses Wilder rematch with Reuters

British heavyweight Tyson Fury discusses his Feb. 22 rematch with American Deontay Wilder after the two battled to a split decision draw in 2018. 20 Feb

OLYMPICS-2020/FUGU (PIX) (TV) Olympics-Japan's deadly fish: dreams of Olympic revival

Every year, about one person in Japan dies from consuming the deadly delicacy fugu (blowfish). But in Shimonoseki, a harbour city on the southern tip of Honshu, the delicacy is one that holds a deep meaning for the locals – both for its deliciousness and the strong cultural meaning it holds in the area – despite the annual fatalities and numerous victims to the fish's strong poison. The city has Japan's only fugu auction market, and numerous fugu restaurants dot the streets. 20 Feb

DISASTERS / ACCIDENTS CHINA-HEALTH/UKRAINE (TV)

Ukraine evacuates citizens from Wuhan due to coronavirus outbreak Up to 50 Ukrainians are evacuated from Hubei province in China, where the coronavirus epidemic developed, and will be quarantined for two weeks.

20 Feb CONFLICTS / WAR / PEACE

RUSSIA-SECURITY/PUTIN Russian President Vladimir Putin holds meeting with FSB security service

20 Feb USA-CHINA/DEFENSE

U.S. panel holds hearing on China military power projection U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission conducts hearing on "China's Military Power Projection and U.S. National Interests"

20 Feb 09:00 ET / 14:00 GMT CRIME / LAW / JUSTICE

TENNESSEE-EXECUTION/ Tennessee to execute Nicholas Sutton, convicted of two murders

Tennessee is scheduled to execute Nicholas Sutton who was convicted of murdering Carl Estep in 1985 and earlier convicted of murdering his grandmother. 20 Feb

CANADA-PIPELINE/POLICE Canadian police tackle pipeline protesters with patience learning from past mistakes

Canadian police facing indigenous blockades of major rail routes are much more reluctant to intervene physically than they were in the past, thanks to the legacy of two operations against aboriginal protests that are widely regarded as having been disastrously handled 20 Feb

TENNESSEE-EXECUTION/ Tennessee to execute convicted murderer who was accused of killing inmate, grandmother

Tennessee is scheduled to execute Nicholas Todd Sutton, who was convicted of killing his grandmother and then a fellow inmate. 20 Feb

PEOPLE-HARVEY WEINSTEIN/ (PIX) (TV) Jury continues deliberations in Weinstein rape trial

The jury is expected to continue deliberations in Harvey Weinstein's rape trial. 20 Feb 09:30 ET / 14:30 GMT

SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY TELECOMS-5G/

US State Department's Robert Strayer to discuss 5G at roundtable at US embassy Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the U.S. State Department, discusses 5g internet and cybersecurity at a roundtable with reporters at the US embassy in Madrid during a visit to Spain to speak to the government on the same topic.

20 Feb 09:00 ET / 14:00 GMT

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