good afternoon. senior doctors have called for the maximum 12—week gap between administering the first and second doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccination which the government had decided upon, to be halved. in a private letter to england's chief medical officer, which has been seen by the bbc, the doctors union, the bma, called

the delay "difficult to justify". the government argues the longer gap can saves lives by allowing more people to receive a first jab more quickly. our health correspondent anna collinson reports. it's the largest vaccination programme in british history and to many so far, it's been a success but there are calls for the pfizer/biontech second dose to be given more quickly. the manufacturers have no data to back up the 12 week delay and some senior doctors want it reduced to six weeks. that would still allow many more people to have a first dose compared to a three week interval, but at least it will be in keeping with international best practice guidance. there is no other nation internationally that has adopted a 12 week delay. during yesterday's downing street briefing, england's chief medical officer said extending the gap to 12 weeks was a public health decision, a view many agree with. i totally support the decision to extend the gap between doses.

i think, looking at the evidence in total, i think that is strongly supported and i think on this particular occasion the bma has probably got it wrong. the government says the current system will be kept under review but believes it is the right thing to do. it enables people to get the first jab as quickly as possible and the high level of protection that one jab alone provides to them and then of course those individuals will be invited back for their second jab within 12 weeks. questions are also being asked about the more infectious variants. vaccines are still expected to be effective but evidence suggests it may be more deadly, though more research is needed. we can expect more reminders to stay at home and to keep our distance for weeks, maybe months to come. and anna joins me now. so anna, we're learning more about the new strain of the virus, and the effect it has on patients.

absolutely. this variant first emerged in the south of england at the end of last year and has spread widely and we know for sure it is more transmissible but one thing we don't yet know is how deadly it is. borisjohnson don't yet know is how deadly it is. boris johnson says don't yet know is how deadly it is. borisjohnson says there is some evidence suggesting it may be associated with a high degree of mortality. an example of what that means is if you took 1000 men aged 60 and they were infected with the old variant, sadly around ten would die but with the new variant it is around 13. scientists are keen to stress two things. firstly, it is too early to draw any conclusions, some are questioning whether they should be made public and this isn't seen as a game changer. the way one scientist put it is it will make a very bad thing slightly worse. blind very bad thing slightly worse. anna collinson, thank _ very bad thing slightly worse. anna collinson, thank you. _ police in russia have made hundreds of arrests at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader,

alexei navalny. demonstrations have been taking place across russia, including the eastern cities of vladivostok and khabarovsk. in the siberian city protesters braved temperatures of —50 degrees. the largest gatherings are ongoing in the capital, moscow. 0ur diplomatic editor, james landale, reports. in the freezing cold, out they came. thousands of protesters taking to the streets to demand change. here in vladivostok in the far east, there were scuffles with police as they try to disrupt protests. the kremlin says are illegal. putin is a thief, they shouted. freedom to alexei navalny. there were reports that hundreds had been arrested at rallies and up to 60 cities across the vast breadth of russia. they were out for one man. the opposition leader, alexei navalny. he may

remain injail but his leader, alexei navalny. he may remain in jail but his supporters were in full voice. translation: i am tired. just like many, i am tired. iam i am tired. just like many, i am tired. i am 26, i am tired. just like many, i am tired. iam 26, i have i am tired. just like many, i am tired. i am 26, i have lived my whole life under putin and every yeari whole life under putin and every year i hear the same old promises. in russia the current authorities are doing — in russia the current authorities are doing everything they can in order_ are doing everything they can in order to — are doing everything they can in order to cement their power. more than 5000 miles _ order to cement their power. more than 5000 miles to _ order to cement their power. more than 5000 miles to the _ order to cement their power. more than 5000 miles to the west, - order to cement their power. me than 5000 miles to the west, many thousands gathered to protest on the streets of moscow. russia without putin, they chanted. police detained hundreds before the protests even began. how can you look your children in the eyes? this man asked them. the question now is whether them. the question now is whether the protesters can keep up the momentum in the days and weeks ahead in the face of the police and the bits russia winter. james landale, bbc news. students from more than 50 universities are taking part in a rent strike in protest at how

the pandemic has affected their studies. many courses have moved to remote learning which has caused some students to go back home. with mental health also a big concern, the higher education regulator is calling for more financial and emotional support for students. adina campbell reports. a lonely figure in one of the uk's largest cities. life in sheffield for third—year student, harry smith, isn't what it used to be. stuck indoors in a tiny room, he's one of a handful of people left in this block of flats normally home to hundreds. his only contact with the outside world — working part—time at the local supermarket. i've told my university many times, you should have told us to stay at home and do a virtual degree. it would have saved £5,000 for me on rent, it would have saved coming here, switching jobs, ruining my mental health, that sort of thing. but i think now, i think someone needs to step in, the government, the accommodation themselves, the university to alleviate these contracts that we are tied up to.

sheffield hallam university says it quickly communicated that teaching would be online until the end of february and has prioritised mental health support. harry has just about managed to pay his rent for the next few months, but others are choosing not to and are taking part in a rent strike campaign at more than 50 universities in the uk. this is not the university experience students ever imagined they'd be facing. normally this part of sheffield is full of people making their way to and from lectures, or catching up in cafes and pubs. but instead, it's eerily quiet and more like a ghost town. the department of education and governments in scotland, wales and northern ireland say millions of pounds has been made available to help those experiencing financial difficulties as well as funding for better access to online learning. adina campbell, bbc

news, in sheffield. the conservative leader in the welsh parliament has resigned after being seen drinking with other politicians in the senedd, days into a pub alcohol ban. paul davies said his actions had "damaged the trust and respect" he'd built with the people of wales. his colleague, darren millar ms, who was also seen drinking, has also resigned. two railway routes which were closed more than 50 years ago are to be reopened. the next phase of east west rail, connecting oxford and cambridge, was confirmed by the government in november — it has been awarded £760 million. and the northumberland line, which still carries freight, will get £34 million to restart passenger services. our transport correspondent caroline davies reports. some train lines cut in the 19605 are being brought back. the government have announced £760 million to continue work on the bicester to bletchley line which hasn't run since 1968.

but life after covid could look very different. and it could take a while for the numbers using the railways to bounce back. why are you investing this amount of money now? i think it's really important that we are thinking about the future and fortunately with the jabs going into people's arms, we see there will be a life after coronavirus. we want people to be able to get about, connect communities. there is also £34 million to restore a line in northumberland, closed in 1964 but still running freight. it means towns like ashington will have a train station after decades without them. although it is welcome, some say much more is needed. the northumberland line is one piece of the jigsaw but if you don't invest in other critical infrastructure, in particular in the wider rail network, then the north—east will never benefit from projects like hs2 northern powerhouse rail. both services will run on diesel initially rather than greener alternatives. the government say they are looking to bring back more

lines previously cut. caroline davies, bbc news. cricket, and the second test between england and sri lanka is finely poised after england ended day two on 98 for two. earlier, they bowled sri lanka out for 381 in theirfirst innings, with yet another starring role from james anderson. joe wilson reports. another day, another year and who is grinning? england without anderson is still unthinkable. now he wasn't sure about this wicked, nobody was. took a review and replays but seemed to reveal the faint sound of bat on ball. angelo mathews trudged away for 110. step forward. he was building his best score for sri lanka. england's spin bowlers failed to take a single wicket. send for you know who. on 92 and caught byjack leach. another wicket forjames anderson. five in the innings, well way to

second, make it six. zach crawley catching anderson once more outstanding. but sri lanka was still going. by the time parreira had finished his fun, they had taken their total to 381. that solid batting. the match perspective now depended on england's response. lbw dom sibley gone for zero. crikey, now crawley. sri lanka's spinner, well, easy. batting demands concentration, improvisation. joe root showed how. choose when to attack. ronnie bester is capable. england are starting to put pressure back on sri lanka. two yorkshireman are showing nerve in galle. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. the next news on bbc one is at just after five. bye for now.

hello. we still have two severe flood warnings along the river dee. more rain in the forecast next week but for this weekend it is cold and there is more snow around. over the last few hours it has been falling across northern and western scotland, down into north—west england, north wales, now pushing into the midlands and east anglia. elsewhere there will be spells good afternoon — i'm gavin ramjaun... and this is your latest sports news. sri lanka are in the driving seat, after day two of the second test in galle — despite another brilliant he took his tally to six for the innings, adding three more today and mark wood struck twice, but sri lanka still built a big score, reaching 381. and england made a terrible start to their reply — lasith embuldeniya removing both openers cheaply, leaving them on 5—2

it was once again left tojoe root and jonny bairstow to steady things they closed on 98—2. the day's fa cup action is already under way — it's southampton against arsenal in the early kick—off southampton have taken a deserved lead, thanks to an own goal from gabriel after neat work from james ward—prowse and kyle walker—peters. wolves will be watching this match more intently than most — they play the winners in the fifth round. the manchester city squad will be getting changed in a bar later, when they visit league two cheltenham in a match live on bbc one at 5:30. city have won the fa cup six times and league two cheltenham will be making the most of the chance to play against a team of superstars. you're in the fa cup for moments like this. so you've just got to give it your best shot. will we win? probably not, but all we've got to do is try and give a really good account of ourselves and you never know what might happen. it is the fa cup. so we've got things like a long throw, we've got people who are good in the air in terms of set plays. the key is, can you get a throw—in there to start with.

we'll do our work, we will do everything we can to make it as difficult for them as possible, and you never know. we also have action under way in the women's super league. reading took the lead over aston villa within three minutes of the start, angharad james with the goal. both sides' form has been up and down of late — but villa are in greater need of the points, sitting second from bottom in the table. it's very tight at the top of the leaderboard approaching the end of the third round at the abu dhabi championship. rory mcilroy moved clear with a superb chip in for eagle at the tenth. he's now 13—under—par, just one ahead of tyrrell hatton, with clubhouse leader tommy fleetwood a further shot back. elvyn evans suffered a frustrating day at the monte carlo rally, losing his lead to sebastien ogier. the welshman saw his seven second overnight advantage evaporate — and he admitted he was far too careful during the first stage and struggled on the second. but not by enough to retake the lead from his toyota team—mate and world champion ogier. the frenchman is now 13 seconds ahead, with just four stages to go tomorrow. not super happy, to be honest, with how things have gone. i think there

was more to get out of it today. i just was not brave enough really. there was a potential to do a little bit more but it's a balance in these conditions. you have to do what you're feeling tells you. it's about finding a balance and so far i haven't quite struck it. and ben ainslie's hopes of becoming the first british skipper to win the america's cup, have been given a major boost. his team ineos beat the italians, to win their qualifying competition so they now go on to take on either italy again, or the usa, next month, for the right to face new zealand for the one of sport's oldest trophies in march. it's a great moment for the team because we've had a tough start, a tough build—up to this competition, so i'm incredibly proud of everyone. that said, we know we've still got a long way to go on this road, so whilst we got ourselves into the cup final, it's just one step along the road i know

we've got to focus on trying to win that and then, after that, the cup, so one step at a time. that's all the sport for now. we'll be back with more for you later this afternoon. the death of one of the giants of us broadcasting has been announced. larry king was 87 and was best known for hosting his talk show on cnn for 25 years. he was being treated in hospital after being found to have had coronavirus. for more than 60 years, he interviewed everybody who was anybody. tonight, the legendary liza minnelli on marriage. would you marry again? are you nuts? oscar winners. start spreading the news, the legendary liza minnelli is here. presidents. a candid conversation with president george w and laura bush from the white house.

do you ever think you would say, maybe i was wrong? the decision to remove saddam hussein was the right decision. | not friends any more! if you were in the public eye, you came to the court of larry king. were you with the president at times intimately and he would also be conducting affairs of state, the story that he was on the phone talking to congressman? yes. it is the witching hour, miami - beach's midnight flyer programme... born in brooklyn, he rose to fame in his 20s, as a discjockey in florida. spoofing his role in this 19605 tv crime series based in miami. from the nation's capital, you're listening to the larry king show. by the 19705, he was broadcasting his late—night radio show coast—to—coa5t. preparing not to prepare to much phone interview and simply let the conversation unfold. i like spontaneity. that is the kind of broadcaster i am.

i'm coming on the air 5aying, "good evening, my guest tonight is..." i have no idea what my questions are going to be. in the 19805, king joined a new 24—hour tv news station, cnn. gently probing everyone from donald trump... rumblings in the trump camp as far as the presidency. i have no intention of running for president, but i have a point to get across. we have a great country, but it will not be great for long if we are going to continue to lose $200 billion a year. to frank sinatra. i tremble every time i walk out onto the wing onto the - stage because i keep thinkingl to myself, i wonder if it will be there. after leaving cnn, those famous braces could be seen until recently, on larry king now. cut! what is she doing?!

his new talk show was criticised for being syndicated on a russian sponsored tv network, rt. but with guests like oprah, larry king proved that even in his 805, he still had unrivalled pulling power. the us broadcaster and talk show host, larry king, who has died at the age of 87. let's get more now on our main story. hundreds of people have been arrested by police in russia during demonstrations across the country in support of the jailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. among those detained is mr navalny�*s wife, yulia. she announced her arrest in a post on social media, while she was being held in a prison van. our correspondent, sarah rainsford has this from pushkin square. drivers who are passing through here, the roads haven't been closed, but a lot of drivers have been tooting their horns and getting

cheers back from the crowd as they pass. so there is a fair amount of solidarity with the protests here on the square. and people have been crammed onto the pavement. they are crammed onto the pavement in front of me. they have been shouting, "freedom for alexei navalny", they have been shouting, "let him go! "let him out of prison!" they have been shouting chants against vladimir putin, the president, as well. "putin is a thief," they have been chanting. that is one of the cries you often hear at gatherings of mr navalny�*s supporters. but it is a very diverse crowd here today, both in terms of age — i've seen a lot of young people, a lot of students, but also older people, too. one couple, an older woman and her daughter, had come. i said, "why are you here?" they looked at me and sort of grinned through their facemasks. their eyes were grinning. and they said, "we have just come for a walk." but obviously they had come to take part in the protest. they said they were worried about alexei navalny, they were worried about russia, and they were worried about what might happen to mr navalny now he is in prison,

actually worried for his safety. so they felt that by being here today, by coming out onto the streets, they could show their support and try to protect him in some way as much as anything else. and is your sense that the crowd are ready now to kind of disperse? there are clearly not going to be any speeches or banners, because presumably anything of that kind will immediately lead to the police moving in? no, this is about a show of scale. it is about how many people can gather here and just what they can show by their very presence. because this is not a sanctioned protest. it is basically an illegal gathering. there is a huge number of police here, including riot police with riot gear. they have been plucking people out of the crowd, but actually, for the last hour or so, i haven't seen much of that. and where i am, just to one side of the protest, there's a huge number of people here and the riot police had been keeping a distance. now, from past experience, that doesn't usually last. they normally wait for the numbers to reduce, they wait for people to get bored and start going home and then they begin detaining the sort of hard—core of the protesters. and i guess that is probably

going to happen at the moment. certainly, as i say, there are a lot of riot police here, but for the moment, they're well outnumbered. tonia samsonova is a blogger and entrepeneur, who's worked as a foreign correspondent for russian radio and is a friend of the navalny family. i asked her how surprised she was at the scale of today's protests. to be honest, yes, i'm really surprised because today's protest mark the tenth anniversary. it all started under putin's time in 2011 before the parliament elections in russia and, in the beginning, it was like russian protests and i'm surprised that it's been ten years. in the beginning, it wasn't dangerous to go into the streets and in 2011 if somebody is detained, the crowd would be outraged, but gradually, as people saw that some are detained and some are beaten, most questioned whether they should

or shouldn't go to the protest because the risk that you will be beaten or you will be imprisoned even for several years is quite high, but if you succeed, what would it actually mean? so with the new navalny film published on youtube about putin, more people got involved in politics in russia. those who were not very interested, who would say that politics is not in scope of their particular interests and they don't follow politics and they're not politicised, became so. so today, i think we see many people who, for whom, it's the first time in ten years to go into the street and to consider such an option for themselves. to what extent do you think this is about political questions in terms of who is the president, how long the president stays, whether mr navalny should be allowed to take part in elections, those kinds of issues,

and how much of this is a distillation of the frustration that some russians feel that their living standards are falling in real terms, they feel poorer than they did feel, and they see a country where, as the video you're referring to dealing with the palace, whether or not it is owned by mr putin, they see lavish wealth, visible wealth, even if it's only on television — is it that contrast that is animating people? i think this protest is mostly about dignity because if you see the crowd, it's usually well—educated people with living standards above average and this is not a protest of the people who are outraged by their living conditions or inequality or something. this is the protest of dignity and of people who just can't,

and the motto that the navalny team chose, that "we are not afraid", actually there is much to be afraid of to go to the protest and this "not afraid" thing and the major topic that was discussed on social media and among those who were discussing whether to go today or not was whether this protest was worth risking your life and security. and for those who decided to go, it was also about, yes, we would go because we don't want to leave, under scary consideration because most of the people remember how it was in the soviet union when it was actually risky to protest and i remember being a young girl, asking my grandparents, "how would you allow this to happen to you during your lifetime? why wouldn't you protest?"

they would explain, "we were not protesting because you can be imprisoned and because of the terror." the generations remember the stalin terror, so now people are balancing between this feeling of being very justified and reasonably feeling afraid, and for the country not to go into a more severe condition when you are afraid of saying something. time for the weather with alena jenkins. there could be cold and snow this

week and there have been some through northern and western scotland, feeding into wales and the midlands and perhaps into east anglia through this afternoon but it is a cold afternoon, to a three celsius the high across the northern half of the uk,. the rain, sleet and snow clears away from east anglia this evening, further showers across northern and western scotland in this area of rain, sleet and snow arrives into southwest england and maybe northern ireland as well. it's another cold, frosty night, ice is also a risk in places and parts of northeast scotland could get into minus eight celsius at least so the rain, sleet and snow pushes slowly eastwards through tomorrow morning but it will bring a couple of centimetres of snow through parts of central, southern england and wales, may be northern ireland as well. elsewhere, in of sunny spells wintry showers.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines: police in russia crackdown on protests in support of alexei

navalny. among them a picture of yulia who says she has been detained at the moscow demonstration. senior doctors want the 12 week gap between the first and second dose of the pfizer jab to be halved. we first and second dose of the pfizer jab to be halved.— jab to be halved. we need to be assured of— jab to be halved. we need to be assured of that _ jab to be halved. we need to be assured of that people - jab to be halved. we need to be assured of that people are - jab to be halved. we need to be i assured of that people are properly protected because if the level of protection with the second dose is compromised by a longer delay, that will impact on the doctors that i represent because they are facing the virus at close quarters as they look after patients. paul the virus at close quarters as they look after patients.— the virus at close quarters as they look after patients. paul davies has resiuned look after patients. paul davies has resigned as — look after patients. paul davies has resigned as leader _ look after patients. paul davies has resigned as leader of _ look after patients. paul davies has resigned as leader of the _ look after patients. paul davies has resigned as leader of the welsh - resigned as leader of the welsh conservatives in the assembly after admitting consuming alcohol on the senedd estate days after a ban was enforced. the american broadcaster and talk show host, larry king, has died at the age of 87.

now on bbc news, bbc newsbeat goes on a road trip to meet young americans and hear how they think their politically divided country can be unified. let us be the nation that we know we can be, a nation united, a nation strengthened, a nation healed! this is america by childish gambino plays. the nightjoe biden won the us presidential election — but right now, the country is looking torn in ways we have never seen before. if violence happens, like, it happens, but we're not going to start it. i'm daniel rosney, a reporter on newsbeat, which goes out on radio 1, 1xtra and the asian network. covering the american election was like nothing i had ever seen before. bbc news? well, you should go back to the uk over there. just looking at the price tags

of the guns, they're not cheap. there's one behind you there for $4,500.