This is bbc news. Welcome if youre watching here in the uk, on pbs in america or around the globe. Im james reynolds. Our top stories more cases of coronavirus outside china the World Health Organization warns of a closing window of opportunity to stop it spreading. Us intelligence agencies say russia is attempting to interfere in this years president ial election. A seven day reduction in hostilities begins in afghanistan, paving the way for further talks between the us and the taliban. And has romes founder been found . Some italian archaelogists think this could be his grave. The World Health Organisation says we could be heading towards a Tipping Point in the coronavirus outbreak. Its warned countries to act quickly as more cases are found in people who cannot be linked to any travel to china. The latest developments have seen the first cases reported in israel and lebanon, and the first death in europe, as cases in italy rose. There was also a warning from iran that the virus could be in all its major cities. But most concern is focussed on south korea where there are 346 confirmed cases so far. 142 of them announced in just the last 2a hours. Most of them from people treated at one hospital in cheongdo and others in nearby daegu. The emergence of these clusters of cases has lead to the who warning the window to contain the virus is narrowing. Although the window of opportunity is narrowing to contain the outbreak, we still have a chance to contain it. But while doing that, we have to prepare at the same time, for any eventualities because this outbreak could go any direction. It could even be messy. Its in our hands now. If we do well within the narrow window of opportunity, we can reverse oi avert any serious crisis. Meanwhile, a plane carrying around half of the britons who had been trapped on a cruise ship struck by the virus, is on its way to the uk. The Foreign Office says 32 british and european tourists are being brought back after testing negative for the virus and spending more than two weeks stuck on the boat in a port injapan from where Rupert Wingfield hayes reports. They have had to wait longer than almost anyone else to get off the diamond princess, but tonight, finally, after 17 days of isolation, the british passengers were loaded onto buses and began their long journey home. On board one of the buses, Elaine Spencer and her husband. Before they left their cabin, they recorded this thank you message. Thank you to the government for deciding to bring us home. We are coming home, we are seeing our family, and we cant wait, but also in a way it is strange, it feels like it has been our home for all that time. Thank you. Hopefully we are going to be home and i will see my family or ourfamilies, in the next couple of weeks. Bye bye. Bye bye. Nearby in his cabin, alan sanford told me he and his wife are feeling the strain of such a long confinement. We have not stepped out of this cabin since we were quarantined on 4 february, and it is now sort of the 21st, even though the quarantine on the ship is over,
were going to go on an aeroplane, get to the wirral, and do another 14 days of quarantine. Thats going to make about 31 days altogether. We are going to have to deal with that, i mean, theres a lot of people worse off than that in the world but, wow, the thought we are only halfway through it. It may seem a little unfair that the british passengers leaving the ship tonight are now going to have to spend another 14 days in quarantine when they get back to the uk, having spent two weeks or more shut in their cabins on board the ship. But what we have seen with the americans, and now the australians, is that some of the passengers whove tested negative for the virus when they left the ship, are now testing positive when theyve got back home. 164 australians flew back to darwin on wednesday. Two of them have now tested positive for the virus, and been sent to hospital. As you know, we carefully screened everybody before they left the ship, before they got on the plane and during the flight, but as people also know, there has been ongoing
detection of infection on the diamond princess cruise ship over the last few days, so it is not unexpected that some people might have been incubating the virus. Meanwhile, in south korea, the number of cases of the virus has leapt and a second death has been reported. The outbreak is thought to have begun at this church, in the city of daegu. The streets of the city are now empty, and a massive disinfecting operation is under way. Russia has been told to stay out of american elections by one of the frontrunners for the Democratic Partys president ial nomination, Bernie Sanders. He was responding to reports that us officials have warned that russia is trying to interfere to help his campaign. Earlier President Trump dismissed russian interference claims as a hoax. Our washngton correspondent Chris Buckler told me more about how this alleged interference has been described. That russia tried to interfere and meddle and the us president ial election in 2016 and in a briefing last week to members of congress, they warned that russia was doing the same thing again in 2020. They havent been specific about exactly how this is happening but it seems to be a disinformation campaign, essentially getting involved on the internet and trying to sow division, which might be why they are actually trying to help the campaigns of two people who are political polar opposites in terms of american politics the very conservative donald trump and the very liberal and progressive senator Bernie Sanders. As you mentioned donald trump has been very dismissive of this whole idea, in fact so dismissive that he got rid of the acting director of national intelligence, such apparently was his fury at this being handed out and information being given to members of the Democratic Party as part of those congress
who were consulted about this. On the other hand we had a very different response from Bernie Sanders. The senator has released a statement saying he acknowledges some russian interference. He says he also went on to talk about the fact that some of what he described as ugly stuff on the internet thats been attributed to his campaign has not come from him. Instead he says its likely to have come from russia and more specifically, vladimir putin. Let me just say a word about russia. Mr putin is a thug, he is an autocrat, he may be a friend of donald trump but is not a friend of mine. Let me tell mr putin. The american people, whether republicans, democrats or independents are sick and tired of seeing russia and other countries interfering in our elections. The Intelligence Community has been very clear about it, whether trump recognises it or not or acknowledges it or not, they did interfere in 2016, the Intelligence Community is telling us they are interfering in this campaign right now in 2020. And what i say to mr putin, if elected president , trust me, you are not going to be interfering in american elections. Chris, in 2016, russia was accused of interfering in order to favour donald trump. Now in 2020, its been accused of interfering to favour trumps potential opponent Bernie Sanders. How does that work . I understand some people are going to be a bit confused by this, but actually what seems to have been suggested is that they are interfering to try and support both Bernie Sanders and donald trump. And if you think about it, in america, this country has been split by this presidency, its caused a great deal of division. It is actually pretty much split down the middle between those who are fans of donald trump and those who are against him. And the suggestion from the Intelligence Services here is actually what is happening is russia is involving itself in both
campaigns, trying to really cause more division, really trying to sow yet more discord as this country prepares for an election. In the argument potentially coming forward is that as far as they are concerned, that could be good for russia, it could create more destabilising influences in america. We should say russia deny this entirely and beyond that, donald trump continues to make an argument that actually there is no way they would be supporting him, although he did seem to suggest earlier at a rally in las vegas that perhaps they might want to support Bernie Sanders given that he had honeymooned in the soviet union. Lets get some of the days other news jurors in the Sexual Assault trial of the american film producer, harvey weinstein, have ended four days of deliberations. The judge has instructed the jury to resume on monday. Earlier, the jurors asked judgejames burke if they could give split decisions on two of the most serious charges. Thejudge directed them to continue to seek unanimity. Voting has ended in parliamentary elections in iran, after polling was extended several times to allow late comers to cast their ballots. The field of candidates is dominated by conservatives and ha rdliners loyal to the Supreme Leader ayatollah ali khamenei. The authorities banned thousands of moderate would be candidates from running. A man will appear in court later, charged with a stabbing inside londons central mosque. 29 year old Daniel Horton is accused of attacking Raafat Maglad during afternoon prayers on thursday. Mr maglad, whos in his 70s, suffered stab wounds to his neck, but has now been released from hospital. An agreement on a week long reduction in hostilities has come into effect in afghanistan. The deal was reached between american and taliban negotiators after more than a year of talks. If the truce holds, the two sides will begin the first phase of a process aimed
at bringing an end to the 18 year conflict. Murid partaw is a former Afghan Senior National Representative to the us central command, currently a lecturer at the university of south florida. Hejoins me from there now. Eventually, the taliban will have to sit down and talk to the Afghan Government but, at the Afghan Government but, at the moment, ashraf ghani and Abdullah Abdullah cannot agree which one the president ial election so how would government and the taliban talks even work . Actually, that is one of the questions that, while the International Division could not complicate the nature of peace talks in afghanistan but definitely the internal Political Divisions in afghanistan which is right now going to be as a political crisis and the future will
definitely complicate an impact peace talks with afghan taliban. As you mentioned, this is just taliban. As you mentioned, this isjust an taliban. As you mentioned, this is just an agreement between the United States and the taliban. The second phase would be afghan negotiations, which is an important one from the us and international perspective. As for the afghan perspective because afghans need to come and figure out a political settlement. The internal Political Division due to the recent disputed elections is very significant and may complicate the nature of future peace talks with the afghan taliban. If a deal eventually happens, most of the 13,000 us
troops currently stationed in afghanistan would go home. How would the Afghan Government managed to leave, to get by without those us troops to have relied on for 18 years. Managed to live. National securities have become very capable during the last two decades, especially the afghan commandos and special forces. They are able to fight and defend at least urban areas, cities, from the taliban and other extremist groups but the problem is if the us leaves afghanistan and are not support the Afghan Government in terms of finance because most of the Afghan National security salaries are paid by the United States and the international community, i think that would be a big. They would have a big impact on
the Afghan Government and eventually the Afghan Government or Security Forces could not sustain itself. I do not think that there will be a full withdrawal to begin with. They will be some significant forces alongside the afghan Security Forces at least two train but even if a full agreement is reached, there will be some forces. I see. To will be some forces. I see. To train and advise. Thank you very much. For speaking to us. Stay with us on bbc news. Still to come stranger in the neighbourhood. The wild bear taking a stroll through the california suburbs. Nine years and 15,000 deaths after going into afghanistan, the last soviet troops were finally coming home. The withdrawal completed in good order, but the army defeated in the task it had been sent to perform. Malcolm has been murdered. That has a terrible effect on the morale of the people. I am terrified of the repercussions on the streets. One wonders who is next. As the airlift got under way, there was no let up in the eruption itself. Lava streams from a vent low in the crater flow down to the sea on the east of the island, away from the town for the time being, but it could start flowing again at any time. The russians heralded their new Generation Space station with a spectacular night launch. They called it mir, the russian for peace. This is bbc world news. The latest headlines more Coronavirus Infections have been detected outside china, notably in the middle east. The World Health Organization has warned the window of opportunity to contain the virus is narrowing. Lets stay with that story now. We can speak to michael] mina, an assistant professor at Harvard Th Chan School of Public Health in boston. Professor, of Public Health in boston. What is your interpretation professor, what is your interpretation of the current spread of the virus . I think the current spread, especially as its hitting multiple countries outside of china, i think that its really showing us think that its really showing us its true colours, in a way, and it its demonstrating that it is most likely to be sticking with us for quite awhile and spreading globally. Is this something that ordinary people should be worried about . Because everyone is talking about it, but should they be worried about it, or should the scientists just be left to get on with it, without people worrying . I think theres. People have to worry about themselves and their families in the sense that they should really be continuing to take as many precautions as they can, in the same way that they would worry about influenza and other infections. I do think, as things really start progressing, we are going to see more and more cases that are occurring in our hometowns, potentially, and really across the world. And at that point i think people will have to do just be very vigilant, and they will have to be some changes in behaviour, potentially, in terms of really being sure to prevent further spread of the infection. You said at the beginning we are seeing the true colours of the virus. What are the things that we dont know about the virus, that we need to know . I think one of
the major things that we still dont know is just how many people are actually getting infected. We know the tip of the iceberg, which is really that people who are in the hospitals, or who are at least sick enough to present. But the real question is, is there this whole big part of the iceberg underneath that we are not actually detecting of people that are getting exposed and really having very mild symptoms, which would ultimately bring down, for example, the overall case mortality rate, or case fatality rate, and that is a number thats very hard to get out, because if you are not sick enough to go and present to get a test, then you wont counted. Thank you very much for joining counted. Thank you very much forjoining us. Democratic party voters in the state of nevada are to decide on saturday who they would prefer to be the candidate to take on donald trump in novembers president ial election. Sophie long reports. 20 years ago, i sell
tacos on the streets. Looking for the better life. So youve come a long way, right . Yeah after 20 years, this is my dream, you know . Mauricio now co owns two restaurants, and has created around a0 jobs, but he says he and people like him get no support from the current president. What do you think about the guy who owns that tower . I want a different president than him, because were looking for a better life for not only for the mexican community, just for all the races, you know . He wants a different president , but hasnt decided who that should be. Autie is unsure too. I dont watch too much politics. But i think the next president , he has to do a better job, you know . To serve our country, and have a better place for everybody. The number of latinx voters in las vegas,
nevada and across the United States is growing significantly. About 4 million have turned 18 since 2016, and will have the opportunity to vote in a president ial election for the first time. The impact they could have on the election in november could be extraordinary, if candidates could get them to vote. How do they do that . Well, not totally ignoring them is a good start. In 2018, 43 of all eligible latino voters received no communication from a campaign or political party. When campaigns and candidates elect to not communicate at all with our community about anything, even about the things that they think that we care about it makes it harder for us to evaluate which candidate to support, to show up and vote at all, right . Well, this time, campaigns have spent thousands on Spanish Language tv ads. Bernie sanderss campaign has spent millions on its latino Outreach Programme in nevada alone. But are they making an impact . I like bernie, a lot. I think you know, i think hes the best, for me, the best candidate. So which candidate do you like . Bernie sanders. Ok, because . Because i think he has better ideas for spanish people. Saturdays caucus will be the first indication of what people think in this racially diverse state. Trump aint that bad to me. He is, though he is bad. I mean, he doesnt know how to put his stuff in words the right way. Hes politically incorrect, but hes about business. Hes about money. Hes bought it hes bought the election. At the end of the day, hes about business. Sophie long, bbc news, las vegas. Archaeologists in italy say they have uncovered a sarcophagus in the remains of an ancient temple in rome which may belong to romulus, the figure who is said to have founded the city along with his twin brother, remus. Rich preston has the story. It is a 2,500 year old mystery that might might have been solved. Beneath romes highest hill, is this the tomb of the once great romulus, father of rome . Translation romulus is the person who founded rome. He gave life to the city. Its thanks to him that the roman people were formed. The tomb was first found under the capitoline hill inside the old roman forum at the start of the last century, but was then lost. Translation we forgot the place and the precise location during these 120 years, and therefore thought we would not find it intact. So for us to find it was a great discovery, to find it exactly as described. Legend says romulus, son of the god mars, founded the city of rome in the year 753 bc. But it came at a cost. In the battle for the city, he killed his twin brother, remus. But experts say we might be getting ahead of ourselves. No bones were found inside. Translation we cant say its the tomb of romulus. We dont have any scientific evidence. We only have a room inside that has been preserved in front of the curia, so the fact that its been preserved makes us understand that this is an important place. And, depending on your beliefs, romulus was either transported up to heaven or torn to pieces by his own senators, jealous of his power. Translation romuluss body is not there, we have to imagine. This is a place of memory, a cenotaph. The citys first king for nearly 3,000 years, nothing more than a legend with a cult following. Now, maybe, a physical memorial at last to this ancient citys beloved, if not possibly
mythical, founder. Rich preston, bbc news. Residents in an upmarket Californian Community have received a somewhat unwelcome guest, a wild black bear. The animal, weighing nearly 200 kg, could be seen wandering around the streets and gardens of monrovia, a town near los angeles. The bbcs tim allman takes up the story. Believe it or not, this isnt exactly an uncommon sight round these parts. Monrovia backs onto the Angeles National forest, so black bears do occasionally take a stroll through the neighbourhood. Stroll being the operative word. This particular animal, described by wildlife officials as an old lady, seemed to be in no particular hurry. From driveways to gardens, she sauntered very much at her own speed. That laid back attitude seemed to be infectious. No one seemed too perturbed. Capturing the moment
on camera seemed to be the priority for some. Barking. And it was hard to work out who was the more ferocious, a big black bear, orsome slightly smaller animals. The local police were alerted and said they were monitoring the situation, adding that the California Department of fish and wildlife were on their way. Eventually they arrived, and the bear was tranquilised and taken away for a checkup. Assuming she is ok, she will be returned to the wild. In the meantime, someone may need to buy a new sign. A reminder of our top story. The World Health Organization says we could be heading towards a Tipping Point in the coronavirus outbreak. It has warned countries to act quickly as more cases are found in people who cannot be linked to any travel to china. More of course on our website. And i am on twitter. Contact me or any
member of the team. Please do stay with us. Hello there. Some of us should see some sunshine this weekend, but its looking decidedly unsettled again. Well have plenty of showers around. Some of these will be heavy, theyll be of snow across the north of the country. And for most of us, particularly today, its going to be very windy, with pretty widespread gales. And you can see why. The pressure chart shows lots of isobars on the charts right across the country. A couple of weather fronts working their way southwards across england and wales. Lots of showers packing into the north and the west of the uk. So it could start quite grey on saturday, with bands of rain spreading south eastwards. Most of them should clear away by the afternoon. And then we should see sunshine and showers, most of these showers across western areas, the odd heavy one, and plenty of snow showers across scotland. Now, the winds a feature, 40 50 mph widely, up to 60 mph for Northern England and into northern ireland, up to 70 mph in exposure across the north and the west of scotland. And these heavy snow showers will continue to pile through, significant accumulations on the hills, and there will be blizzards as well when you factor in the strength of the winds. Cold in the north but mild in the south, 10 13 there through the the afternoon. As we head through saturday evening and overnight, we continue with the snow showers in the north. Further accumulations down the hills, and we see a ripple in that weather front, which will push some rain back northwards to parts of northern ireland. But quite a bit into england and wales, particularly across western areas. Again, itll be milder in the south, cold in the north, with the risk of some ice. On into sunday, this weather front will be slow to clear from england and wales through the day. Eventually it will do, so its a slow improvement though. Quite a wet morning, i think, for many parts of england and wales. Slowly, though, the skies
will brighten up. That rain and cloud will hang back across southern counties of england towards the channel. But elsewhere, some sunshine developing. Further showers across scotland. Again, these will be wintry over the higher ground. This is going to be another chilly day in the north, mild across southern counties of england. So that brief ridge of high pressure, which settles things down for a while later on sunday, early into monday, is short lived. This next deep area of low pressure will hurtle in for monday, bring a spell of severe gales, heavy rain and some snow. Some of the snow could be disruptive across far north of england, the central belt of scotland, for monday morning rush. It will transfer northwards, and itll revert back to rain as temperatures lift a little bit. But widespread gales or severe gales in the north. Further south, a band of a rain sweeps its way eastwards across england and wales, with sunshine following on behind, maybe one or two showers. Again, temperatures 10 12 degrees in the south, feeling cold in the north. This is bbc news. The headlines theres been a growing number of Coronavirus Infections outside china, notably in the middle east. Theres been a sudden spike in cases in italy. The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the window of opportunity to contain the virus is narrowing. The frontrunner for the Democratic Partys president ial nomination, Bernie Sanders, has told russia to stay out of american elections. Earlier President Trump dismissed as a hoax reports of warnings by Us Intelligence of russian interference. A tentative 7 day reduction in hostilities has come into effect in afghanistan after an agreement between american and taliban negotiators. If the agreement holds, the two sides will sign a further deal on security guarantees next saturday. That could pave the way for new talks among afghan representatives. Us forces have been in afghanistan since 2001. From next year in england,
owners of wood burners,