this is bbc news. the headlines at 6... more than 2,000 people have been arrested in russia at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. mr navalny�*s wife, yulia, was briefly detained then released. senior doctors call for the maximum 12—week gap between administering the first and second doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccionations to be halved. a curfew will come into force in the netherlands tonight as part of new measures to contain coronavirus. and the american broadcaster and talk show host larry king has died at the age of 87.

police in russia have detained an estimated 2,131 people at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. large gatherings 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. the main demonstration was in the capital, moscow, from where our correspondent, steve rosenberg, reports. in moscow, you can feel the anger. police had warned people any protests would be broken up. any protester risked arrest.

but thousands came to pushkin square to support the kremlin�*s fiercest critic, alexei navalny. "freedom to navalny," they cried. and, "russia without putin." on her way to the protest, mr navalny�*s wife, yulia, was detained by police. so were hundreds of others for taking part in what the authorities called an unsanctioned gathering. for years, the russian authorities made out that alexei navalny had minimal support across the country, that he was in no way a threat to them, but these scenes of riot police and detentions suggest the kremlin is more worried than they've been letting on. in a direct challenge to vladimir putin, whom he accuses of ordering the nerve agent attack on him, alexei navalny returned to russia last weekend and was arrested for an alleged parole violation.

russia isn't investigating his poisoning, it's investigating him. the kremlin denies any involvement in the attack. there were pro—navalny rallies across russia today. things heated up in vladivostok. in yakutsk, it was —50, but there were protests here too. but the kremlin rarely gives in to pressure, especially from the street. instead of compromise, expect a crackdown. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. 0ur moscow correspondent, sarah rainsford, was at the protests earlier today. tell us what you experienced and what the latest is as well. it tell us what you experienced and what the latest is as well.- tell us what you experienced and what the latest is as well. it was a reall bi what the latest is as well. it was a really big crowd _ what the latest is as well. it was a really big crowd crammed - what the latest is as well. it was a really big crowd crammed into - really big crowd crammed into pushkin square and all the streets around but there was a huge presence of riot police there as well. at the

beginning, they were swooping in and grabbing people at random from the crowd, detaining them, and then everyone milling around for a couple of hours, people chanting, freedom to alexei navalny! calling for his release and chanting against vladimir putin as well. a defiant crowd that turned out but after a couple of hours it seems the police lost patience with the crowd, the crowd started pushing and shoving, there were scuffles and altercations and a few flares that went off as well and eventually the riot police pushed the main crowd back from the square and began to clear the streets, and we now know that hundreds of people have been detained across russia, some 2000 at the latest count on what is obviously the beginning of a crackdown on this active resistance by supporters of alexei navalny. any by supporters of alexei navalny. any eo - le by supporters of alexei navalny. any people really pointing to the fact that the numbers that turned out a

pretty significant. i that the numbers that turned out a pretty significant-— pretty significant. i think they are, pretty significant. i think they are. yes- _ pretty significant. i think they are, yes. alexei _ pretty significant. i think they are, yes. alexei navalny- pretty significant. i think they i are, yes. alexei navalny himself called for this day of protest across the nation and it's significant that so many people heeded that call right from the far east of russia to hear in the western side of the country. it was the scope, breadth and depth of those protests that are significant, but it's really as well what happened here in moscow that the authorities in the kremlin, vladimir putin himself, will be looking to because alexei navalny has been sent to police custody many times before, he has been in police detention centres but he has never actually beenin centres but he has never actually been in prison, he has not been sentenced to a jail sentence because the kremlin always feared the backlash, they made their calculations and decided it was better to leave him free. he is now facing a serious prison sentence so it seems the kremlin�*s calculations

have changed. they have seen his crowds on the streets, do they think they can afford to push on and sent him to prison? the thinking is they can put what we have seen is only the beginning of the protests that supporters have been promising. zhanna nemtsova is the daughter of the assasinated russian opposition politican, boris nemtsov. she took part in one of today's protests in nizhny novgorod in central russia and joins me now. how would the protests that you? you went out on the streets, what was it like? �* , ., , went out on the streets, what was it like? �* , .,, ., ., went out on the streets, what was it like?�* , ., ., ., like? i'm pleased to 'oin you today. i took to the _ like? i'm pleased to 'oin you today. i took to the streets — like? i'm pleased to join you today. i took to the streets for _ like? i'm pleased to join you today. i took to the streets for the - like? i'm pleased to join you today. i took to the streets for the first - i took to the streets for the first time. normally, ijoined i took to the streets for the first time. normally, i joined the time. normally, ijoined the protests in moscow and the marchers

in the name of my father, was very much surprised with numbers. i think that... it's difficult to estimate but i think around 10,000 people took to the streets today, lots of young people, and i guess that it is the biggest protest in nizhny novgorod since the early 90s and all protests were peaceful and i very much proud of my fellow citizens and those people. much proud of my fellow citizens and those maple-— those people. were you not afraid to take art those people. were you not afraid to take part in — those people. were you not afraid to take part in these _ those people. were you not afraid to take part in these protests? - those people. were you not afraid to take part in these protests? i- those people. were you not afraid to take part in these protests? i was i take part in these protests? i was not afraid- _ take part in these protests? i was not afraid- i _ take part in these protests? i was not afraid. i wasn't _ take part in these protests? i was not afraid. i wasn't ready - take part in these protests? i was not afraid. i wasn't ready for- not afraid. i wasn't ready for everything. i was ready to be detained. i was not. there were some detentions, for example, the head of

navalny�*s office was detained earlier in the morning, he was not able tojoin the earlier in the morning, he was not able to join the protests here, there were other detentions, but i was not afraid at all, i was ready. the are a lot of young people really pushing and on the streets leading these protests, does this now become more of a threat to president putin? stand there were measures or threats to try and cut access to social media. i to try and cut access to social media. ~ ., ., _, , , media. i think that ten of course is very much — media. i think that ten of course is very much afraid _ media. i think that ten of course is very much afraid of _ media. i think that ten of course is very much afraid of those - media. i think that ten of course is very much afraid of those crowds l very much afraid of those crowds that we saw today. —— putin. all over russia. and i don't know what his response might be but these protests do not only support alexei navalny, of course he was an

important factor, that people especially young people see no future for themselves in russia. they want change so they are really wary of the current political leadership. they don't want to give birth to their children here. i asked some young people why they took to the streets today, and that was one of the responses that i got when i asked a young woman about that. so of course i can get a big challenge for putin. at the same time, it is a turning point, in political terms. and it all depends on whether they will follow the scenario we are now witnessing in belarus or they will reflect violence, and i want to say to you

that navalny�*s ali has just announced new protests in russia next week. it’s announced new protests in russia next week-— announced new protests in russia next week. �*, . , , ., ., , next week. it's a pretty dangerous lace to next week. it's a pretty dangerous place to be — next week. it's a pretty dangerous place to be in _ next week. it's a pretty dangerous place to be in opposition - next week. it's a pretty dangerous place to be in opposition or- next week. it's a pretty dangerous place to be in opposition or a - place to be in opposition or a critic of the kremlin or putin. you say that people are not afraid, do you really think that the people protesting, notjust for navalny, but the bigger picture, will get what they want? i but the bigger picture, will get what they want?— what they want? i think that it takes time _ what they want? i think that it takes time and _ what they want? i think that it takes time and people - what they want? i think that it - takes time and people understand it. i think that young people, from what i think that young people, from what i saw today, are really brave and actually most of them have nothing to lose. they want to fight for a better future, to lose. they want to fight for a betterfuture, they to lose. they want to fight for a better future, they want to fight for a betterfuture better future, they want to fight for a better future for themselves, and they are left with no choice but to take to the streets of my city,

and the same goes on in other russian cities. this is the problem. there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor, and people who have no connections here cannot pursue any decent career, they do not see any prospects because there are no prospects because there are no prospects for those people who do not agree with the government. and of course they are wary of the political leadership because putin has been around for more than 20 years, almost 21. just has been around for more than 20 years, almost 21.— has been around for more than 20 years, almost 21. just talking about timelines, how— years, almost 21. just talking about timelines, how have _ years, almost 21. just talking about timelines, how have things - years, almost 21. just talking about| timelines, how have things changed from 2015 when you lost your data that assassination to now, to today? it has significantly changed. first of all because of economic downturn that we are now having in russia. i think people are now poorer than

they used to be in 2015. and of course people are not now inspired with the annexation of crimea because if you remember our political developments here in russia in 2015, the level of support putin was really high. i mean, literally, he was supported by 87% of russians. it has changed. he lost a lot of his support and he does not know how to build up his support base right now. he has no idea. people are poor, they have no prospects, and of course they understand that something should change, so they take to the streets. and also i want to highlight an important thing. i think that many people today took to the streets not because of politics, but it was purely a moral choice for them

because they saw what had happened to alexei navalny. it was completely unlawful, this trial that he had at the police stations and all the other things, the fact he was detained on return from berlin, and also there was an attempted poisoning with a nerve agent and he managed to survive, said the situation has changed, and a few people, 20—30%, still support putin... i people, 20-3096, still support putin... , ., ., , , putin... i 'ust want to “ump very ruickl . putin... i just want to “ump very quickly. when h putin... i just want to “ump very quickly. when you _ putin... i just want to jump very quickly. when you listen - putin... i just want to jump very quickly. when you listen to - putin... i just want to jump very quickly. when you listen to your putin... i just want to jump very - quickly. when you listen to your gut instinct, what do you think will be the fate for alexei navalny? it’s a the fate for alexei navalny? it's a very tough _ the fate for alexei navalny? it's a very tough question _ the fate for alexei navalny? it's a very tough question to _ the fate for alexei navalny? it�*s —. very tough question to answer. i'm really worried, he is my friend. i'm

really worried, he is my friend. i'm really worried, he is my friend. i'm really worried about him. i want him to be russia's president. that is what i want. to be russia's president. that is what i want-— to be russia's president. that is what i want. to be russia's president. that is whatlwant. ., ,, , . ., what i want. thank you very much for our what i want. thank you very much for your time- — what i want. thank you very much for your time. really _ what i want. thank you very much for your time. really appreciate - what i want. thank you very much for your time. really appreciate it, - your time. really appreciate it, thank you. senior doctors in the uk have called for the maximum 12—week gap between administering 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 time delay which the government had decided "difficult tojustify". the government argues the longer gap can saves lives by allowing more people to receive a first jab more quickly. 0ur 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. health officials have called extending the gap to 12 weeks a public health decision. the government says the current system is 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 early evidence suggests it may be more deadly, though more research is needed. the question about then - whether it is more dangerous in terms of mortality i think - is still open, but there is evidence that it is more dangerous. but on the other hand, - this is a very dangerous virus so it's not a game—changer, it's a very bad thing - that's slightly worse. we can expect more reminders to stay at home and to keep our distance for weeks and maybe months to come. anna collinson, bbc news. let's look at the latest uk government figures. there were 33,552 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 37,157. there were 37,899 people in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to thursday.

1,348 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 1,248 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 97,329. the uk's programme of mass vaccinations continues to ramp up with a new daily record for the rollout. 478,248 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 24—hour period. it takes the overall number of people who've had their firstjab to 5,861,351. a curfew will come into force in the netherlands on saturday night

as part of further measures to contain the coronavirus. the stay at home order runs from 9pm to 4:30am. anyone outdoors will need a valid work reason or it must be an emergency. anna holligan reports from the hague. this is a reflection of how serious dutch politicians see the threat posed by these mutated strains. they're now bringing in new rules they previously ruled out as too draconian and excessive for a rule—abiding nation. the curfew�*s designed to reduce social gatherings. since bars and restaurants closed last month, there's been a significant increase in the number of house parties and underground raves. flights are now banned from areas considered high risk where the new variants were first detected, so the uk, south africa and south america. this ban will stay in place for at least a month

or until the law changes to make the ten—day quarantine period obligatory. there is one other exception to the curfew rule — people are allowed to walk their dogs on a lead at any time. the channel island of guernsey has gone into lockdown with immediate effect today after four people from different households tested positive for covid—19. islanders had been free from social distancing since june last year. euan duncan reports. for guernsey's 63,000 residents, this is a bitter blow. the island has been blessed with daily life as close to normal for over six months, but now guernsey is back to where they were last march. queues began to form early this morning as news of a potential lockdown spread — a move which was officially announced at an emergency

press conference. there was confirmation of community spread as four cases of the virus had been found in islanders without any travel history. the unknown we're facing on this occasion is the emergence of the viral variants and exactly what that impact is going to be. and that was also key to our decision—making. not only did we have these four cases, but we are sitting against the background of a changing situation, and it was that uncertainty that we've always done what we can to try and protect the health and well—being of the population. schools, bars and restaurants are to close, but the government say mass vaccinations will still go ahead. guernsey's community vaccination centre will open its doors on monday. but the centre has already been designed to include social distancing. the island knew it was in a unique and fortunate position to have been living life with the freedoms not enjoyed in largerjurisdictions. no one knows how long this lockdown will last. the island is holding its breath.

two railway routes in england 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 after it was awarded £760 million. also, the northumberland line, which still carries freight, will get £34 million to restart passenger services. 0ur 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? it's really important that we are thinking about the future and, fortunately, with the jabs going into people's arms, we can see that 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 in the jigsaw but, if you do not invest in other critical infrastructure, in particular in the wider rail network, then the north—east will never benefit from projects like hsz and northern powerhouse rail. both services will run on diesel, at least initially, rather than greener alternatives. the government say they're looking to bring back more lines previously cut. caroline davies, bbc news. one of the giants of american broadcasting, larry king, has died. he was 87. he's 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 covid—19. 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? ..0scar winners. .. start spreading the news — the legendary liza minnelli is here. ..presidents. .. tonight, 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? er, 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... across the united states, this is the larry king show, coast to coast... ..preferring not to prepare too much for an interview and simply letting 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 that question's 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 the manhatten magnate be eyeing 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's not going to be great for long if we 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'll be there." - after leaving cnn, those famous braces could be seen, until recently, on larry king now. they go, "cut! cut! "what is she doing?!" his new talk show was criticised for being syndicated on the russian—sponsored tv network, rt. people don't expect you to be sitting at certain board... but with guests like 0prah, 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.

now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. if you free showers today but many places have stayed dry. it's a cold weekend and a widespread frost on the way tonight. after the showers fade away, it could be icy, pupil patches area of rain and sleet and snow heading to south—west england, wales and ireland. stop without widespread frost, icy patches, poke around but focus will be on this next area and it will push into more of wales, towards the south and

west, england, northern ireland, eventually feeding into parts of south—east england is the day goes on. but you see that snow covering to low levels of a few centimetres higher ground, difficult on roads and pavements, affecting southern areas of northern ireland. northern counties of northern england into scotland, sunshine pit for the wintry showers across northern and western scotland, rain in the afternoon heading into parts of the northern isles. as we go on deep into the day, notice how this area of snow does not move very much so if you are within that this is where you are most likely to get that few centimetres even at lower levels. there could be fog patches that linger into parts of the north england, east anglia and southern areas so anywhere any fog linkers will be particularly cold, barely above freezing. any of that snow will gradually fade and as we go on icy behind that, the showers affect

parts of scotland, northern ireland and northern england deeper into sunday night, i seem places and a few centimetres of snow possible in a few spots. another widespread frost as monty begins. a few of those wintry showers will sink southwards through england and wales. as we go on through monday, sunny spells at times and temperatures edging up may lead to four or 5 degrees, higher in south—west england. where we will see weather fronts coming in from the atlantic, tuesday, wednesday, the atlantic, tuesday, wednesday, the rest of the week, that does mean it will turn wetter and with the once again, but it will also turn milder with temperatures heading up quite a bit mid week.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... an estimated 2000 people have been arrested in russia at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny. mr navalny�*s wife, yulia, was briefly detained then released. senior doctors in britain call for the maximum 12—week gap between administering the first and second doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccination to be halved. a curfew will come into force in the netherlands tonight as part of new measures to contain coronavirus. and the american broadcaster and talk show host larry king

has died at the age of 87.