BBC在线收听下载:韩国的新型冠状病毒肺炎确诊病例激增

BBC News. Hello, I'm Jerry Smit.

There's been a surge in cases of COVID-19 in South Korea with the numbers now reaching over 430. That's more than double the figure reported on Friday. Many of the new infections were linked to a hospital near the city of Daegu, which treats long-term mentally ill and elderly patients. Here's Laura Becca. Two people have died. Five nurses and a paramedic have also contracted the virus. Thousands of members of the Shincheonji Church had visited the hospital over several days to attend a funeral. All 9000 church members will be quarantined and over 500 of them have told officials they have symptoms of the virus. But while the outbreak centers around the fourth largest city Daegu, cases have appeared across the country from the southern island of Jeju to the capital Seoul. The government is considering a ban on some overseas arrivals as the battle to curb the spread of this virus continues.

A 7-day reduction in violence is underway in Afghanistan with the Taliban, the Afghan army and US-led international forces agreeing not to launch major attacks against each other. It's the sort of a process that could bring an end to the 17-year conflict there. From Kabul, Secunder Kermani. On the streets of Kabul today, the mood is one of cautious optimism, with many expressing hope that what happens over the next week could eventually lead to a longer lasting ceasefire. Underlining the need for peace, the UN revealed that more than 3000 Afghan civilians had been killed last year as a result of the conflict. So far, the reduction in violence appears to be holding. The intensity of the fighting is generally lower during the winter months in any case. If this continues for the next week, the US and Taliban will sign an agreement setting out a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces.

The front-runner in the race to be the Democratic candidate in November's presidential election has warned Russia not to meddle in US elections. Bernie Sanders confirmed a report in the Washington Post that US intelligence officials had told him Moscow was trying to help his campaign. Mr. Sanders said he didn't want President Putin's support, and that the Russian leader should keep out of US affairs. Mr. Putin is a thug. He is an autocrat. He may be a friend of Donald Trump's. He's not a friend of mine. Let me tell Mr. Putin: The American people, whether you're Republicans, Democrats, independents, are sick and tired of seeing Russia and other countries interfering in our elections.

Togo is holding a presidential election. The incumbent Faure Gnassingbe is expected to win another five year term and extend his family's control of the West African country. It's been 53 years since anyone other than Mr. Gnassingbe and his father Eyadema held the office of president. Mr. Gnassingbe survive violent demonstrati ons against his rule three years ago.

World news from the BBC.