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North and South Korea have exchanged gunfire in the Demilitarised Zone which divides the two countries.

Seoul's military said shots from the North hit a guard post in the central border town of Cheorwon. It said it returned fire and delivered a warning announcement.

Such incidents across the world's most heavily fortified border are rare.<!--more--><!--more-->

South Korea's military says the shots were not likely to have been intentional.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also told US media the shots from the North were believed to be "accidental".

No injuries were reported in the incident. Military officials in the South say there was no sign of unusual troop movements.

The last time the North opened fire on the South happened in 2017 when a North Korean soldier made a dash across the military demarcation line to defect.
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NEWSBAR:

​ COVID-19: A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

RUSSIA'S CASES SURGE BY 10,000 IN ONE DAY
In the highest daily rise since the outbreak began in the country, Russia has recorded 10,633 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours.

The increase brings Russia's total number of coronavirus cases to 134,686, the seventh highest tally in the world.

VO:

But Russia's mortality rate remains low relative to other countries, such as the US, Italy and Spain.

On Sunday, 58 coronavirus-related deaths were announced, bringing the total to 1,280 in the country.

Moscow has been hit particularly hard by the virus, leaving its healthcare system struggling to cope.

​ A strict lockdown has been imposed in Moscow, where its 12 million residents have been ordered to stay at home with few exceptions.

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