this is bbc news. the headlines... 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 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 on saturday as part of new measures to contain coronavirus.

police in russia have detained more than 2,000 people at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. large gatherings have been taking place across the country, 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. i'm joined now by dr mark galeotti, honorary professor at university college london and expert in modern russia politics. fees protests today, they happened after alexei navalny called for them to happen. how significant is that and how much of a game changer is this? we and how much of a game changer is this? ~ , ., ., , and how much of a game changer is this? ~ ,., ., , this? we should always be careful but on assumptions _ this? we should always be careful but on assumptions about - this? we should always be careful but on assumptions about the - this? we should always be careful l but on assumptions about the game changer. if these protests turned out to be a nonevent, that probably would have been a game changer in

undermining navalny, but given they have been so extremely successful and particularly given that it has reached out to different constituents in different cities and regions, what it does show is not so much anything about navalny�*s popularity but about the level of dissatisfaction that is in the country as a whole.- dissatisfaction that is in the country as a whole. from different urou s, country as a whole. from different grows. and _ country as a whole. from different grows. and why? _ country as a whole. from different groups, and why? it's _ country as a whole. from different groups, and why? it's a _ country as a whole. from different i groups, and why? it's a combination of thins. groups, and why? it's a combination of thinqs- you _ groups, and why? it's a combination of things. you have _ groups, and why? it's a combination of things. you have got _ groups, and why? it's a combination of things. you have got the - groups, and why? it's a combination of things. you have got the fact - of things. you have got the fact that the economy has been stagnant for years now, you have a sense that the government is less and less able to offer russians what it promised in terms of quality—of—life. when put to change the constitution to allow him to stay on for another 12 years, there was a feeling the country was sliding back into authoritarianism, and then the poisoning became back into a catalyst for all other discontents to come together in a way of showing the kremlin, we are not happy with

what is going on. 50 the kremlin, we are not happy with what is going on.— the kremlin, we are not happy with what is going on. so the crowds have shown that — what is going on. so the crowds have shown that. what _ what is going on. so the crowds have shown that. what can _ what is going on. so the crowds have shown that. what can we _ what is going on. so the crowds have shown that. what can we now- what is going on. so the crowds have shown that. what can we now expect from the kremlin? it’s shown that. what can we now expect from the kremlin?— from the kremlin? it's interesting because however _ from the kremlin? it's interesting because however violent - from the kremlin? it's interesting because however violent and - because however violent and unpleasant the teens were, nonetheless, we have seen in the past the kremlin being even more vicious in its crackdowns on protests so they try to manage rather than suppress the protests. the question will be, do they feel that they absolutely have to go all out? my suspicion is they will try to outlast the protests, they will continue to pick of individuals, put pressure, but hope that after one, two, three, four weeks this sort dies down. the kremlin would much rather out weight rather than out to fight its own people.— rather out weight rather than out to fight its own people. meanwhile, the world is watching. _ fight its own people. meanwhile, the world is watching. can _ fight its own people. meanwhile, the world is watching. can we _ fight its own people. meanwhile, the world is watching. can we expect - fight its own people. meanwhile, the world is watching. can we expect any international pressure to be put on the kremlin? i international pressure to be put on the kremlin?— the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly _ the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly there _ the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly there has _ the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly there has to - the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly there has to be. - the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly there has to be. if. the kremlin? i think there will be and frankly there has to be. if we don't, it will be a massive betrayal

of the entrance of the rush of people but also we betray everything we say. —— betrayal of the russian people. we have already seen names suggested by navalny himself before he flew back to russia. more broadly, there is a lot more that the outside world can do, just to show that it is watching and concerned and that that concern has real meaning. concerned and that that concern has real meaning-— here in the uk, senior doctors have called for the 12—week gap between administering the first and second doses of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine to be halved. the british government chose to extend the maximum wait from three to 12 weeks, claiming it could saves lives by allowing more people to receive a firstjab more quickly. 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". 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's 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—i9 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.

italy is accusing pfizer and astrazeneca of serious contract violations after the drug—makers said they wouldn't be able to deliver the agreed amount of coronavirus vaccine on time. prime minister giuseppe conte says the delays are unacceptable and doing enormous damage to italy and other european countries. he says the government will use all legal means to make sure the companies meet their obligations. the two companies say production problems have forced them to more than halve the amount of doses they can deliver. 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.

introducing the types of rules they had ruled out as too draconian and unnecessary for a law—abiding nation like the netherlands. the curfew a stay at home between 9pm and 4:30am local time. this is designed to try to end the social gatherings. since the bars and restaurants close last month, there has been a real increase in house parties and underground raves, and then exceptions to this rule exist, so you can go out if there's an emergency or you have a valid reason. you need to carry a piece of paper from your employer saying you need to be out between those times. also if you are attending the funeral all court proceedings or travelling into or out of the country, and the one up exception that exists is you can have a dog on a lead, and actually there are reports that has been an increase in the number of people who are signing up the number of people who are signing up to offer to walk people's dogs as

a way to get round these curfew rules. 0n a way to get round these curfew rules. on top of this, the flight ban hasjust come into rules. on top of this, the flight ban has just come into force, rules. on top of this, the flight ban hasjust come into force, so this is affecting flights from areas considered to be high risk weather new strains of the virus were first detected and are spreading rapidly, so no more planes for at least a month from the uk, south africa and south american countries. that will be at least a month or until they change the legislation here so they can make the ten day quarantine rule obligatory for anyone arriving in the country. the authorities in hong kong have ordered the residents ofjordan in the south of the kowloon peninsula to stay at home for two days to halt the spread of an coronavirus outbreak. the government plans to test everyone in the densely populated area and process the results within 48 hours. those who test negative will then be allowed to return to work on monday morning. pub and restaurant owners in the czech republic have protested against a coronavirus lockdown in force since october.

some establishments opened their doors for the day while others posted petitions against the restrictions. the leaders of the campaign argue the government is misguided in its policies. you're watching bbc news. the us coronavirus immunisation programme has been thrown a curveball by pfizer. it says six doses of vaccine can be extracted from every vial supplied to pharmacies rather than the five previously announced. the us drug—maker now plans to provide fewer vials to meet its commitment to supply 200 million doses by the end ofjuly. dr aaron s kesselheim is professor of medicine at the harvard medical school and he studies drug pricing. so the distinction here is between

doses and piles?— doses and piles? that's right. it was discovered _ doses and piles? that's right. it was discovered a _ doses and piles? that's right. it was discovered a few _ doses and piles? that's right. it was discovered a few months i doses and piles? that's right. it. was discovered a few months ago doses and piles? that's right. it - was discovered a few months ago that using certain tools pharmacists were able to extract an extra dose out of the normal shipment of five viles and had been doing that to vaccinate more people, so in response to that, pfizer is now officially saying you can get six doses out of the pack and is saying that will now count towards its responsibility to provide certain doses under the us contract. ., . ., , , ., contract. how much does pfizer stand to aain contract. how much does pfizer stand to gain financially _ contract. how much does pfizer stand to gain financially from _ contract. how much does pfizer stand to gain financially from this? - contract. how much does pfizer stand to gain financially from this? quite i to gain financially from this? quite a bit, to gain financially from this? quite a bit. actually. _ to gain financially from this? quite a bit, actually. this _ to gain financially from this? quite a bit, actually. this allows - to gain financially from this? qt te: a bit, actually. this allows pfizer to finish its commitment for the current doses which it's selling at about $20 a dose, and then to

negotiate the next contract or some other contract more quickly than it would have before. imilli other contract more quickly than it would have before.— would have before. will this make any difference _ would have before. will this make any difference to _ would have before. will this make any difference to the _ would have before. will this make any difference to the biden - any difference to the biden administration's plan to buy an extra 100 million doses from pfizer? i think that pfizer will say they will be able to provide this and a certain amount of doses based on six doses per pack amount that they are saying but the problem is that it takes certain specialised pipettes in order to extract that extra dose and a lot of pharmacists do not have that so a lot of people will not be able to get those six doses but pfizer will consider all the dose packs it sends out as having six doses in it. packs it sends out as having six doses in it— doses in it. does pfizer provide that specific — doses in it. does pfizer provide that specific pipette _ doses in it. does pfizer provide that specific pipette that - doses in it. does pfizer provide that specific pipette that is - that specific pipette that is needed? it that specific pipette that is needed? .,, that specific pipette that is needed? ., , ., , �* needed? it does not, but the biden administration _ needed? it does not, but the biden administration is _ needed? it does not, but the biden administration is looking _ needed? it does not, but the biden administration is looking into - needed? it does not, but the biden administration is looking into using| administration is looking into using various manoeuvres to produce more of them to try to get more of that specialised tool out there, but also

takes certain specialised training and expert pharmacists in order to do it so it's not something that can easily be scaled up.— easily be scaled up. there is widesnread _ easily be scaled up. there is widespread admiration - easily be scaled up. there is widespread admiration for. easily be scaled up. there is - widespread admiration for these big companies who have produced this vaccine and a lot of gratitude. what does this particular row mean for pfizer's reputation? are they being seen to be profiteering from what is essentially a global crisis? that seen to be profiteering from what is essentially a global crisis?— essentially a global crisis? at the end of the day. — essentially a global crisis? at the end of the day, it's _ essentially a global crisis? at the end of the day, it's important - essentially a global crisis? at the end of the day, it's important to l end of the day, it's important to recognise that faster and other large pharmaceutical companies are for profit companies and they have a responsibility to extract the maximum amount of profit that they can. obviously there has been positive feeling about the fact that vaccine development has gone rapidly and the vaccines out there are excellent at preventing the severe outcomes from covid—19, so those are

all positive things, but here again we see a drug company doing what drug companies will do which is to extract the maximum amount they can out of the market.— out of the market. does this feed into a wider _ out of the market. does this feed into a wider question _ out of the market. does this feed into a wider question about - out of the market. does this feed into a wider question about drug | into a wider question about drug affordability, something the biden administration will look at? i affordability, something the biden administration will look at?- administration will look at? i think it does. administration will look at? i think it does- it's _ administration will look at? i think it does. it's important _ administration will look at? i think it does. it's important to - administration will look at? i think| it does. it's important to recognise that patients in the united states pay much more for branded drugs and vaccines than patients and people in other parts of the world and that's because in the us we allow pharmaceutical companies to charge whatever they want. president biden when he was a candidate talked about different strategies he might take to try to address that issue in terms of better negotiating with companies and putting caps on price increases over time, and i think again this provides good evidence as to why that... why those measures are useful to try to ensure that

prices are fair and that the manufacturer gets the appropriate revenue and incentive they need but that the government is not paying extra for the products they get. very good to talk to you, thank you so much. 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 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 point 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. i'm joined now by lisa daftari from la. lisa is a journalist and a friend of larry king. how did you meet larry? it is actually a _ how did you meet larry? it is actually a crazy _ how did you meet larry? it is actually a crazy story. - how did you meet larry? it is actually a crazy story. i - how did you meet larry? it 3 actually a crazy story. i went to journalism school in los angeles, i went to get coffee one morning with my mum, we pulled up to the coffee shop, my mother was in the car, i went out and got the copies, in the

corner of my eyes i saw larry king put milk in his coffee, i come out of the coffee shop, my mother opens the window, i had two copies to my mother and i am almost shaking, i saw this celebrity. he was someone i admired for such a long time from a distance, i had the copies to my mother and i said, distance, i had the copies to my motherand i said, i have distance, i had the copies to my mother and i said, i have to go say hi. i went up to him, he was walking out of the coffee shop to his car and he stopped and he engaged, i said, i've been such a fan for such a long time, and going so fast, telling him i was injournalist school, he said, tell me your name one more time. and he really took the same energy is the way he would interview one of the presidents or a dignitary, and that isjust interview one of the presidents or a dignitary, and that is just who he was. at that point he said to me, i want to know more about your story, let's have coffee on friday, two days after that, this was years and years ago, and after that we had

breakfast together regularly, and he would really take... he would take stock not only in my future but what i was doing day to day, he would give me expert advice, he would make calls on my behalf, he was truly not just a mental but a friend, someone i looked up to, i wasjust just a mental but a friend, someone i looked up to, i was just blessed to know him. i looked up to, i was 'ust blessed to know ninth i looked up to, i was 'ust blessed to know not i looked up to, i was 'ust blessed to know him. i looked up to, i was 'ust blessed to knowhim. ~ . ., ., , , to know him. what a lovely story! he can't have been _ to know him. what a lovely story! he can't have been like _ to know him. what a lovely story! he can't have been like that _ to know him. what a lovely story! he can't have been like that with - can't have been like that with everybody! he would have been inundated, there would have been thousands of people who would have wanted that concern and care. yes. wanted that concern and care. yes, but i witnessed _ wanted that concern and care. yes, but i witnessed that _ wanted that concern and care. ya: but i witnessed that because when wanted that concern and care. 123 but i witnessed that because when we would have breakfast all kinds of people would walk up to him, and for different reasons, people loved baseball all loved him on cnn, little kids who grew up may be seeing him on the tv. and he would take that kind of approach with most people, even when he was in a rush, he would tell people, come back in a week or i will be here next week with someone else, come meet us

here. he had his regular spots in la and people around town knew him. he was iconic, and i think it was that approach and that demeanour, he was just so humble and approachable. there is one more question i want to ask you, that you were, front foot journalism, what was the best piece of advice he gave you? it journalism, what was the best piece of advice he gave you?— of advice he gave you? it was watchin: of advice he gave you? it was watching his _ of advice he gave you? it was watching his example - of advice he gave you? it was watching his example of- of advice he gave you? it was | watching his example of being exactly who he was on and off camera. he did not prepare as you heard in the intro. he actually was interested in asking questions, he was inquisitive, he was himself, there was no script or fake news, he wanted to actually know who the person was. he instilled that within me, he made me confident as to who i am, he would always ask me about my iranian background in the languages iranian background in the languages i speak, he always said, smart people will always be noticed in

this industry and really encouraged me to go for it all. in those moments, i know! me to go for it all. in those moments, i know i look back now, but evenin moments, i know i look back now, but even in those moments as i was living those moments i knew how lucky i was to be sitting across from him and having him as a mentor in my life. from him and having him as a mentor in m life. :, from him and having him as a mentor in m life. ., ,, ., ,, ., in my life. you speak so well of him, this _ in my life. you speak so well of him, this is _ in my life. you speak so well of him, this is a _ in my life. you speak so well of him, this is a sad _ in my life. you speak so well of him, this is a sad day _ in my life. you speak so well of him, this is a sad day for- in my life. you speak so well of him, this is a sad day for you, i him, this is a sad day for you, thank you so much for sharing your memories and thoughts about larry. thank you for giving me the chance. 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. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. a cold weekend continues with a widespread frost tonight, and

there will be icy patches where we have had showers today and will continue overnight. the showers for north—west, the midlands and east anglia fading away. some fog patches following. wintry showers will continue internal and western scotland and a new area of rain, sleet and snow pushing into south—west england, wales, and southern parts of northern ireland as the night goes on. so a widespread frost to start sunday. we will see further wintry showers towards the north and west of scotland, and some sleet and snow affecting parts of northern ireland to the south, wales, south—west england, gradually putting into words the south and west midlands and parts of south—east england deeper into the day. a few centimetres at lower levels, more to higher ground can be expected. difficul on roads and pavements. as in the northern england and east anglia, foot patches, slow to clear, sunny spells but a cold day.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... more than 2000 people have been arrested across russia during a clampdown on protests called by the jailed opposition leader alexei navaly. mr navalny�*s wife, yulia, was arrested, 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. residents in wuhan have been marking the first anniversary of the coronavirus lockdown which saw the chinese city sealed off for more than two months. 12 months on and life in wuhan has returned to normal.