this is bbc news with the latest headlines: more than a thousand people have been arrested in russia as police crack down on protests by supporters of the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny. one of those detained is alexei navalny�*s wife, yulia, who was at a demonstration attended by thousands in moscow. senior doctors call for changes in the vaccine roll—out in the uk — they want the 12—week gap between the first and second dose of the pfizerjab to be halved. what we do need to be assured of is that people are properly protected, because if the level of protection with the second dose is compromised by a longer delay, that of course will impact on the doctors that i represent, because they are facing the virus

at close quarters as they look after patients. paul davies has resigned as the leader of the welsh conservatives after admitting consuming alcohol on the senedd estate, days after a ban was enforced. and the american broadcaster and talk show host larry king has died at the age of 87. police in russia have made more than a thousand arrests at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader, alexei navalny, including his wife yulia. demonstrations have been taking place across russia, including the eastern cities of vladivostok and khabarovsk.

in the siberian city of yakutsk, protesters braved temperatures of —50 degrees. mr navalny was arrested last week after he flew back to moscow from berlin, where he had been recovering from a near—fatal nerve agent attack in russia last august. on his return, he was immediately taken into custody and found guilty of violating parole conditions. he described it as a trumped—up case designed to silence him. the largest gatherings are ongoing in the capital, moscow. our diplomatic correspondent, james landale, reports. in the freezing cold, out they came. thousands of protesters taking it to the streets to demand change. here in a in the far east of the country, there were scuffles with the police as they try to disrupt protests the

kremlin says are illegal. putin is a feast, they shout. freedom to navalny. there were reports that hundreds had been arrested at rallies in up to 60 cities across the vast breadth of russia. they were out for one man, the opposition leader, alexi navalny. he may remain injail but his leader, alexi navalny. he may remain in jail but his supporters were in full voice. translation: �* g , fullvoice. translation: �* , ~ translation: i'm tired. just like many russians. — translation: i'm tired. just like many russians, i'm _ translation: i'm tired. just like many russians, i'm tired. - translation: i'm tired. just like many russians, i'm tired. i'm - translation: i'm tired. just like many russians, i'm tired. i'm 26| many russians, i'm tired. i'm 26 years old, i've of my whole life under putin, and every year, i hear the same promises. in under putin, and every year, i hear the same promises.— the same promises. in russia, the current authorities _ the same promises. in russia, the current authorities are _ the same promises. in russia, the current authorities are doing - current authorities are doing everything they can in order to cement— everything they can in order to cement their power, you know, so that it _ cement their power, you know, so that it will— cement their power, you know, so that it will never change. but what are we _ that it will never change. but what are we for? — that it will never change. but what are we for? we are for a transfer of powen _ are we for? we are for a transfer of ower. ~ ., ., z: z: z: , are we for? we are for a transfer of -ower. a, ., z: z: z: , ., power. more than 5000 miles to the west, power. more than 5000 miles to the west. many — power. more than 5000 miles to the west, many thousands _ power. more than 5000 miles to the west, many thousands gathered - power. more than 5000 miles to the west, many thousands gathered to l west, many thousands gathered to protest on the streets. russia

without putin, they chanted. police detained hundreds before the protest even began. how can you look your children in the eyes, this man asks. the question now is whether protesters can keep up the momentum in the days and weeks ahead in the face of the police and the better russian winter. our moscow correspondent, oleg boldyrev, joins us. let's bring you some live pictures now from moscow, where hundreds have gathered to protest. the crowd are mixing with security forces don't own riot gear, and members of the public. hopefully we'll be returning to moscow live to get the latest situation there, but at the moment, things are looking relatively calm as the evening continues.

senior doctors have called for the maximum i2—week gap between the first and second doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccination 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 i2—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 i2—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 supportove of that 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. back now to the protests in russia. our moscow correspondent, oleg boldyrev, joins us. thank you for updating us. we are getting news that alexia knocked down the's wife may been arrested, what more do you know? —— alexei navalny�*s wife. she what more do you know? -- alexei navalny's wife-— navalny's wife. she posted a dark imaue on navalny's wife. she posted a dark image on instagram, _ navalny's wife. she posted a dark image on instagram, saying, - navalny's wife. she posted a dark| image on instagram, saying, sorry for the lighting, it is dark in the police station. that was an hour ago, there was thousands of likes, if you can apply likes to this photo, on instagram and thousands of comments, showing how much support she has. and out of that

anti—corruption foundation navalny anti—corru ption foundation navalny is anti—corruption foundation navalny is hidden, only one person, as far as i can tell, is still free, the rest of them are either apprehended or arrested in a pushkin square in moscow. h0 or arrested in a pushkin square in moscow. ., . , or arrested in a pushkin square in moscow. ., ., , ., , , ., moscow. no tammy many people who aren't aware — moscow. no tammy many people who aren't aware of— moscow. no tammy many people who aren't aware of yulia's _ moscow. no tammy many people who aren't aware of yulia's rice _ moscow. no tammy many people who aren't aware of yulia's rice in - moscow. no tammy many people who aren't aware of yulia's rice in the - aren't aware of yulia's rice in the political scene, she has been speaking up more and more? she had an unfortunate _ speaking up more and more? she had an unfortunate platform _ speaking up more and more? she had an unfortunate platform to _ speaking up more and more? she had an unfortunate platform to speak- an unfortunate platform to speak from on many occasions when her husband had been put into detention. she was going to keep the fight on, she was telling the people not to be afraid and to keep protesting. there has been encouragement and rumours that she might replace navalny if he is jailed for a long time, so far, those rumours have not been substantiated. she has not had any formal role but she is by his side, flying with him when he was poisoned

in siberia, she was on the plane that brought navalny in a coma to berlin and she stayed there and then came back on a plane last sunday. i remember in august, hilary clinton are very vocally gave her support on twitter, mentioning yulia, and what's likely to happen to her next? she's been arrested by the russian security forces, so what normally happens? this is where people get very concerned, don't they? if i’m very concerned, don't they? if i'm not mistaken. _ very concerned, don't they? if i'm not mistaken, this _ very concerned, don't they? if i'm not mistaken, this is _ very concerned, don't they? if i'm not mistaken, this is the - very concerned, don't they? if i'm not mistaken, this is the first - not mistaken, this is the first attention, normally in this case, a fine is applied. in some cases, people are being let out free after checks by the police. there is a broad scope in what the police and state can do to you. if you've been arrested, i think, state can do to you. if you've been arrested, ithink, several times, there is a threat of a criminal prosecution. for example, another

woman who has been waging hunger strikes since the summer of 2019, she was trying to run for moscow parliament, she has been heavily fined yesterday, i think, over 2000 euros she has been fined, but today, she has been detained. these prosecutions carry a threat. the russian state does not hesitate to prosecute those who have been protesting. prosecute those who have been protesting-— prosecute those who have been ”rotestin. ., ~' , ., . , protesting. thank you. pictures here from moscow. _ protesting. thank you. pictures here from moscow, very _ protesting. thank you. pictures here from moscow, very quiet _ protesting. thank you. pictures here from moscow, very quiet at - protesting. thank you. pictures here from moscow, very quiet at the - from moscow, very quiet at the moment but a high presence of riot police security forces. let's speak to our moscow correspondent sarah rainsford —

who's on the ground with protestors in moscow. what's like on the ground? there are olice on what's like on the ground? there are police on the — what's like on the ground? there are police on the seem _ what's like on the ground? there are police on the seem to _ what's like on the ground? there are police on the seem to be _ what's like on the ground? there are police on the seem to be in - what's like on the ground? there are police on the seem to be in control. police on the seem to be in control for now, they have been peer illogically moving into the crowd, plucking people out entertaining them. —— periodically moving into them. —— periodically moving into the crowd. they are trying to move protesters off pushkin square but there are lot of places like where i am where there are still christmas lights up above, but there are protesters being attacked who have been shouting for alexei navalny to been shouting for alexei navalny to be free from prison, also chanting against president putin. they came out because they wanted to be heard and to be heard by the kremlin, which isjust down and to be heard by the kremlin, which is just down the road, and to be heard by the kremlin, which isjust down the road, a very short distance from here. the traffic is getting on the move again after standing here for some time.

there has been a lot of comment made on the size of these crowds further, some people saying the largest since 2019, some as far back as 2017, as significant is it that people have come out across the country in support of mr navalny? i come out across the country in support of mr navalny?- come out across the country in support of mr navalny? i think it's im ortant support of mr navalny? i think it's important for _ support of mr navalny? i think it's important for mr _ support of mr navalny? i think it's important for mr navalny - support of mr navalny? i think it's important for mr navalny and - support of mr navalny? i think it's important for mr navalny and his l important for mr navalny and his supporters, because he wanted to show they have broad support as well as significant numbers, but of course, moscow is the big ascetics would have had the biggest turnout is. you can hear people chanting and shouting all around. the mood is determined, people are not deterred by the very big police presence, the very real risks they face by coming out to protest like this. of course, these are unauthorised protest, it is difficult to have an authorised protest in russia in normal times but this is the middle of a pandemic as well, so gatherings are completely banned here. but people have come out because they wanted to

express their anger with what happens, the fact he was poisoned, the fact he is now in a prison cell, he has been detained by police before, but he is now facing a potential long prison sentence and people are angry about that. thank ou. guernsey has gone into lockdown with immediate effect and islanders are being asked to stay at home. it follows confirmation of four new positive cases of covid—19. it is not immediately clear how the infected people contracted the virus. i'm joined by bbc�*s euan duncan. what do we know? and immediate lockdown, not the first looked out, but what's the latest? this lockdown, not the first looked out, but what's the latest?— but what's the latest? this is our second lockdown _ but what's the latest? this is our second lockdown in _ but what's the latest? this is our second lockdown in guernsey, i but what's the latest? this is our. second lockdown in guernsey, and but what's the latest? this is our - second lockdown in guernsey, and it follows in the footsteps of the isle

of man, who performed a similar measure when they found cases of community seating in their community. we were told today at the press conference, which was called very suddenly this morning, that it is three adults and one teenager who have contracted the virus. this is a bitter blow to the 63,000 residents who live here in guernsey, who enjoyed coming out of lockdown in june of 2020 and we've enjoy the freedoms that come with that. we haven't had to socially distanced in well over six months and our festive period has been seen as a tainted nativity plays and switch on christmas lights and enjoy time with family, which we know we are lucky to do in this smalljurisdiction, which we haven't been able to do in the uk or even injersey, so we know this is a better blow. we are now back on the island in the same

position we were almost one year ago, back into lockdown, and that was announced today for an indefinite period. we know will get a review after two weeks where we should find out more information but it is key to say that, even though this is happening, coventry will continue to vaccinate islanders against the covid—19 virus that is going around. the community vaccination centre which is due to open on monday next week has been designed specifically for social distancing in mind, even though at the time it was due to open, we didn't have to socially distanced here. the government are now saying that will not affect the vaccine roll—out and they are hoping 3000 people per week here in guernsey. of course, the care home residents have already been done and front—line health workers as well, but the island does know it has been in a unique unfortunate position here to have avoided the sanctions we have had in the uk for so long at. we are so grateful that we've been in this

position but now we need to think hard and fast about controlling the spread of this. we don't know yet how many cases we will find, our contact tracing at team are working solidly, they encountered this last night at 7:30pm, the government were meeting this morning at 6am and the press conference was called at 12pm, will have another one tomorrow and find out more information, but until then, the island just hoped desperately that this can be contained very quickly. a; desperately that this can be contained very quickly. 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 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. an update on the latest figures, we are being told another number of

deaths have been registered for those who tested positive with covid—19 in last 28 days. there are 1307 new cases of the disease reported in the last 2a hours. that compares to 180 yesterday. we are also getting figures coming in from nhs england. in england, where interest and a further 710 people tested positive for covid—19 have died, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported while in hospital to 65,000 814. the deaths were between... it goes back, actually, and says patients aged between 28 and 93 who did have underlying conversions. there is a lot of concern about the new variant

at the moment. so, further 710 people tested positive for covid—19 in hospital in england has been reported, bringing the total number of deaths to 65,814. the leader of the welsh conservatives has resigned after an investigation found he may have broken coronavirus restrictions by drinking alcohol in the senedd tea room. the incident, involving four members of the welsh parliament, happened just days after pubs across wales were banned from selling alcohol. our wales political editor felicity evans is in cardiff. a lot of people saying that this is coming, this action taken, a little bit delayed, why so long?- bit delayed, why so long? you're riaht bit delayed, why so long? you're ri . ht that bit delayed, why so long? you're right that it _ bit delayed, why so long? you're right that it has _ bit delayed, why so long? you're right that it has been _ bit delayed, why so long? you're right that it has been a _ bit delayed, why so long? you're right that it has been a difficult l right that it has been a difficult week for the welsh conservatives, these allegations first emerged on tuesday and at that time, paul

davies the leader of the conservative group in the senate, along with his chief whip, darren miller and a labour men of the senate, alun davies, issued statements in which they said they had had a drink in the tearoom of the senate, which is eight licensed premises, just days after the welsh government had introduced a ban on alcohol being served in licensed premises, although they insisted they did not break coronavirus regulations, because the owners in these new rules was on the licence holder rather than on any drinkers. but in that statement, they accepted it might be perceived they hadn't observed that the spirit of these regulations, although they insisted it was a work meeting and they had only a couple of glasses of wine. since then, pressure has built, the senedd commission has launched its own commission. yesterday, mr davies' group said they had their

unanimous support, but shortly after that, the presiding officer issued a statement in which she confirmed that four elected members had consumed alcohol on the senedd premises and she was referring the matter to the standards commissioner for further investigation and this morning, paul davies and his chief whip, darren miller, have both announced they are standing down from their front bench— one of the giants of american broadcasting, larry king, has died. he was 87. larry king is best known for hosting a nightly talk show on cnn, which ran for 25 years. he was being treated in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. daniella relph looks back on his life. 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 congressmen? yes. it's 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 1960s tv crime series based in miami. hey, creep,... from the nation's capital, you're listening to the larry king show. by the 1970s, he was broadcasting his late—night radio show coast to coast. this is the larry king show. coast to coast... preferring not to prepare too much before interviews and simply let the conversation unfold. i like spontaneity.

that's the kind of broadcaster i am. i'm coming on the air saying, "good evening, my guest tonight is..." i have no idea what my questions are going to be. in the 1980s, 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. could he be interested in the white house or is he just calling a bluff? 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 from the wing onto the stage l because i keep thinking 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! cut!

what is she doing? !" his new talk show was criticised for being syndicated on a russian sponsored tv network, rt. people do not expect to be sitting at any board... but with guests like oprah, larry king proved that even in his 80s, he still had unrivalled pulling power. the us broadcaster and talk show host, larry king, who has died at the age of 87. 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 1960s 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 can see there will be life after coronavirus. we want people to be able to get about, connect communities. there's 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 one. although it's 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

and 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. now it's time for a look at the weather. address are all sorts today! a real mixture today, some have sunshine, others have a sleety mix, snow is the focus of the forecaster of the afternoon, some falling across parts of northern and western scotland, feeding into northwestern england, the midlands and east anglia, bringing accumulation in places. a cold afternoon, just four celsius in the sunshine,. through this evening, the sunshine,. through this evening, the area of snow clears away from east anglia, further showers to the north and west of scotland. this

arriving in the south west, a cold night, widespread frost, ice arrest, temperature widely below freezing, as low as minus figures. through this morning, this pushes into central and southern england, a couple of centimetres in places, perhaps more of a higher ground. wintry showers to the north and west of scotland and also sunshine elsewhere, but once again, another cold day and we will see highs generally of five celsius.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: more than 1,000 people have been arrested in russia as police crack down on protests by supporters of the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny. one of those detained is alexei navalny's wife, yulia, who was at a demonstration attended by thousands in moscow. senior doctors call for changes in the vaccine rollout in the uk — they want the 12—week gap between the first and second dose of the pfizerjab to be halved. what we do need to be assured of is that people are properly protected because if the level of protection with the second dose is compromised by a longer delay, that, of course, will impact on the doctors that i represent

because they are facing the virus at close quarters as they look after patients.