senior doctors call for a change to the pfizer vaccine roll—out, saying the long delay between doses is "difficult to justify". the british medical association wants the gap between jabs to be reduced by half. at least it would be in keeping with international best—practice guidance. there is no other nation, internationally, that has adopted a 12—week delay. despite the calls, the government is standing firm with its strategy, arguing it could save lives. also tonight... the prime minister and president biden speak for the first time since the inauguration — and pledge to work together towards a "green recovery". in russia, thousands are arrested, as supporters of the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny

take to the streets. 0h, oh, no, he's gone! and a six—wickets haul forjames anderson, as england's star bowler shines against sri lanka in galle. good evening. senior doctors have called on the government to shorten the gap between the first and second doses of pfizer/biontech coronavirus vaccination. in a letter to england's chief medical officer — which has been seen by the bbc — the doctors union, the bma, called the gap of a maximum 12 weeks "difficult to justify" and said it could potentially undermine the effectiveness of the jab. however, the government argues it could save lives by allowing more people to receive a first jab more quickly. our health correspondent,

anna collinson, reports. they're used to taking care of others, but they're now the ones being looked after. today, thousands of help and social care workers, like here in glasgow, had been receiving their coronavirus vaccine. you get the vaccines out. obviously do your dosage counting. and from scotland to south wales and the llyn peninsula, this pilot aims to reach those who are unable to travel to the larger sites. very pleased and looking forward to the next one. but while the roll—out rolls on, so do questions about the gap between the first and second dose. as pressures intensified on hospitals in december, the dosage gap was extended to 12 weeks. the uk's chief medical officer said millions of the most vulnerable were more likely to become severely ill without a jab, and this was the best way to reach more of them quickly. but some senior doctors want the intervalfor the pfizerjab 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 would be in keeping with international best—practice guidance. there is no other nation internationally that has adopted a 12—week delay. data suggests the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine is still effective when doses are given 12 weeks apart, but pfizer only has data for the first three weeks. even so, many scientists have defended the uk's current approach, calling it "a balance of risks". i totally support the decision to extend the gap between doses. i think, looking at the evidence in total, i think that is strongly supportive of that. and i think on this particular occasion, the bma has probably got it wrong. ministers say the current process is the right move and will be particularly keen to reassure anyone who has concerns. this mosque in birmingham is the first in the uk to become a vaccination centre. one more measure to try and reach the most vulnerable.

anna collinson, bbc news. let's look at the latest government figures. 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, 37,157. 37,899 people in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to thursday. and 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 roll—out. 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. the prime minister, borisjohnson, has spoken to the new us president, joe biden, for the first time since he entered the white house on wednesday. the two leaders spoke on the phone earlier this evening. our political correspondent, chris mason, is here. and they are said to have discussed a �*green recovery? yes, that's right. it is a political spectator sport immediately after the inauguration of a new american president that people look at what order does the new president make phone calls to international leaders? a crude metric of relative importance, but it is a metric nonetheless and i am told the court this evening was the first president biden made to a european leader and the first focus was on climate

change. president biden has committed the us to signing up on the paris climate agreement and net zero emissions by 2050. this matters in the context of climate diplomacy in the context of climate diplomacy in the context of climate diplomacy in the uk at the moment because the uk will be chairing that cop26 summit on climate change, united nations summit, in glasgow, in november. nations summit, in glasgow, in november-— nations summit, in glasgow, in november. ., ~ , ., ., , ., november. thank you for the update, chris. the foreign secretary dominic raab has condemned authorities in russia after police there detained more than 2,000 people at protests in support of the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny. large gatherings took 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. 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 is 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. 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 or the university — to sort of alleviate these contracts that we're 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. the department for 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. but some have reached breaking point. rhys — not his real name — decided to drop out of his first year at university after just six weeks, before christmas. i've been seeing counsellors. really, at the moment, since i've dropped out, it's pretty much rotting where i stand really. i haven't been... i haven't had the motivation to do anything else, or find anything else.

one of the most painful lonely experiences i've ever had. remote learning is now the everyday reality for people like harry. with just a few months left until he graduates, the end of his degree couldn't come soon enough. adina campbell, bbc news, in sheffield. the american talkshow host larry king has died. in a career spanning six decades, he made his name at cnn, interviewing some of the biggest names in politics, showbusiness and sport. daniela relph looks back at his life. for more than 60 years, he interviewed everybody who was anybody. tonight, the legendary liza minnelli, on marriage. would you marry again? i will not! from oscar winners to presidents. the decision to move saddam hussein was the right decision. _ if you were in the public eye, you came to the court of larry king. it's the witching hour! born in brooklyn, he began his career in radio. from the nation's capital, you're listening to the larry king show.

by the 19705, he was broadcasting his late—night show coast—to—coast. across the united states, i this is the larry king show. then, in the 1980s, kingjoined a new 24—hour tv news station, cnn, where he heard an early denial of political ambition. i have no intention of running for president, but i'd like the point to get across that we have a great country, but it's not going to be great for long if we're going to continue to lose $200 billion a year. his style was to gently probe and to not hit hard. i learned that the more i drew back, asked good questions, listened to the answers, cared about the guest... the biggest compliment you could get, as sinatra once said, "you make the camera disappear". larry king was married eight times and was presenting shows well into his eighties. an interviewer of enormous influence...

they go, "cut! "cut! n ..he said he never prepared too much and liked the conversation to unfold. larry king, who has died, aged 87. with all the sport now, here's john watson at the bbc sport centre. good evening. kate, thank you. we start with the fa cup — match of the day follows the news, so if you don't want to know the results, look away now. league two cheltenham town threatened to pull off one of the big shocks. they were leading manchester city with nine minutes of their fourth—round tie remaining, only to concede three late goals, as ben croucher reports. 14 used to raising the bar, changing in one will have been a new experience. —— 14. the surroundings may have been unfamiliar, but city's goal was clear and cheltenham's was as you might expect busy. but the league two side held their own. no fireworks, welcome inside the stadium anyway. after the

pyrotechnics paused play come at the moment to ignite the tide. no sparkling football, no matter, one long throw, a keppel of ricochets and the right foot of alfie may. in and the right foot of alfie may. in a town famed for its horse racing, what with the odds on this. the finishing post wasn't in sightjust yet, not when city have talent on tap. just nine minutes from time, phil foden drew them level. the tide turned in three minutes. gabriel jesus beat the offside trap and the chelton keypad to end their brave resistance. prodding in a third in stoppage time by bus to macau confirmed their place in the third round, but they might need a stiff drink after this. —— round, but they might need a stiff drink afterthis. —— by round, but they might need a stiff drink after this. —— by ferran torres confirmed their place. elsewhere, sheffield united beat plymouth argyle. the cup holders arsenal are out, beaten one—nil by southampton. swansea city scored five aginst nottingham forrest, while west ham were four—nil winners over doncaster.

in the scottish premiership, rangers now hold a 23—point gap over celtic, steven gerrard celebrating his 150th match in charge with a 5—nil win over ross county. after a devastating display of bowling from james anderson, a cool head was needed from captainjoe root as england replied to sri lanka's first innings total of 381, ending day two of the second test in galle on 98 for two, asjoe wilson reports. life without anderson for england is still unthinkable. his first wicket came after review and replay. angelo mathews given out caught when the spike of sound suggested he had hit it, 110 and trudging off. step forward sri lanka. england's spin bowlers made no impact and it needed you know who. anderson excelling far from home. but sri lanka still made

a strong total thanks to perera. 381 for the bat can wickets for anderson. for the bat can wickets for anderson-— for the bat can wickets for anderson. , , ., �* anderson. other numbers don't matter. anderson. other numbers don't matter- it's _ anderson. other numbers don't matter. it'sjust _ anderson. other numbers don't matter. it'sjust something - anderson. other numbers don't matter. it'sjust something i - anderson. other numbers don't i matter. it'sjust something i don't really take into account, i don't wake up thinking i'm 38 and however many days. and thinking i'm still someone who can do a job for england, i can still win games of cricket. . �* , england, i can still win games of cricket. . �*, . ., . , cricket. england's chance in this test depends — cricket. england's chance in this test depends on _ cricket. england's chance in this test depends on their _ cricket. england's chance in this test depends on their batting, i cricket. england's chance in this - test depends on their batting, under way with sibley on his way for zero. they go scrolling. sri lanka's spin at embuldeniya made it look easy. england needed composure. joe root displayed it. batting is the balance of defend and attack, jonny bairstow is perfectly capable. england at 281 behind, but putting pressure back on sri lanka. two yorkshiremen showing nerve in galle. there's more on the bbc sport website. but that's it from me. kate. that's all from me.

tomorrow morning from nine, andrew marr will be joined by the health secretary matt hancock and scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon. goodnight.

hello. this is bbc news with reeta chakrabarti. let's get more now on the united states calling for russia to release more than 2,000 people who were arrested during protests in support of the jailed opposition leader, alexei navalny. people took to the streets across the country, defying a ban by the authorities. bill browder went from setting up the hermitage fund, at one time the largest foreign portfolio investor in russia,

to fighting a major international battle with the kremlin — against corporate corruption in the country. he's head of the global magnitskyjustice campaign, and i asked him what action the international community could take. the main thing that will determine the outcome is how many go in the streets and russia. we have no control over that but we have control over that but we have control over that but we have control over who ten and his cronies, they put their money in the west —— putin and his cronies. the magnitsky act freezes the the magnitsky act could possibly be

important for them. your lawyer was investigating a major frost by members of the russian government and he died in very horrific circumstances. this act that you have mentioned which is in his name, tell us a little more about it. magnitsky act, we basically went out after we couldn't getjustice for his murder in russia. we say we needed to getjustice outside of russia. we said the people who did this crime and similar crimes should have their assets frozen and visas band and their names named. that became known as the magnitsky act. 31 countries have the act in place and it's a very powerful tool because and of sanctioning a whole country for doing something that,

you can now pick out the individual violators and leave everyone else alone and sanction these individuals, and when you get put on the magnitsky list, it effectually ends your financial life. no the magnitsky list, it effectually ends yourfinancial life. no bank will touch you, no company will talk to, credit card will cancel your credit cards and all of a sudden, you become a financial pariah. that's something that's proved to be very powerful to dissuade people. how much appetite do you think there is for that sort of action in the west against individuals in russia? in this particular case, i think there's a high appetite. everybody watching were as alexei navalny nearly died. he was in a coma for three weeks from this nerve agent. every politician saw this and were outraged, and those same people are even more outraged that instead of investigating this crime against alexei navalny, they've now arrested

him. i think alexei navalny, they've now arrested him. ithink if alexei navalny, they've now arrested him. i think if there ever were a case that the 31 countries that have magnitsky acts were to work together and punish these russian abusers, this is the case. 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 spoke to us a little earlier. ijoined the i joined the marches ijoined the marches of my father, and i was very much surprised with the numbers. i think... and i was very much surprised with the numbers. ithink... 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 growth since the early 90s, and all

protesters were very peaceful and i'm very much proud of my fellow citizens. i was not afraid, i was ready for everything. i was ready to be detained, i was not. there were some detentions. the head of navalny�*s was detained earlier in the morning. he was not able to join the morning. he was not able to join the protest here. there were some other detentions, but i was not afraid at all. i was ready. i think putin is very much afraid of those crowds that we saw today. all over russia, and i don't know what his response might be to these protests. but i think that many people today took to the streets not because of

politics, but it was a purely moral choice for them because they thought what had happened to alexei navalny. it was completely unlawful, this trial that he had and the fact that he was detained. and also that he was, there was an attempted poison with a nerve agent and he managed to survive. he is my friend, so i'm very worried about him. i want him to be russia's president, that's what i want. earlier, i spoke to pat piper, who produced larry king's radio show for 10 years, and co—wrote several books with him.

he was high—maintenanced, but it was good high—maintenanced if that makes sense. as your report noted earlier, he wouldn't prepare for anything. just a quick story, my first day with him, someone had booked frederick forsyth, who had written a 400—page book. and i said, "here you go, you can read it and he'll be on two days or something." larry threw the book back at me and said, "i have no need to read the book." and i thought, "ok." and he said, "the audience hasn't read the book, why should i read the book?" and i thought, "i'm dealing with a genius or i'm dealing with the laziest person on earth." i was dealing with a genius. were you? but was that maddening for you or did you actuallyjust come to respect it and thought, "this is the way larry works"?

yeah, idid. another quick story, we were in los angeles doing the live show, which it was. there was, as you know happens, a cancelled guest. i got tom petty, who was going to go out on tour, the rock and roller, to come in. larry's watching tv, he was looking at the baltimore orioles losing. he's focused on baseball, he's going to be live on the air on 360 radio stations in three minutes, so that's kind of what you're dealing with. so, i give him the list, i say, "here's what we're doing tonight," and he goes, "who the hell is tom petty?" and i said, "well, he's in a rock and roll band going on tour." "good, all i need to know." and he did an hour interview and it was fun, and petty came up to me later and said, "that was a great interview, i was answering questions i never thought about." and i thought, "man, if you only knew." laughter. so, i guess that means he really listened to his interviewees, because otherwise, how else

would you sustain an hour? that is exactly right. it was a conversation, and he's naturally curious anyway. he used to say, "i don't learn when i'm talking." and i thought, "that's really deep," but that's how he operated. what sort of character was he off the air? because we have a strong impression of what he was like on the air. was he the same person or was he different? he the air. was he the same person or was he different?— the air. was he the same person or was he different? he really was the same person- _ was he different? he really was the same person. his _ was he different? he really was the same person. his favourite - same person. his favourite restaurant was called duke sieverts, kind of a power place you went to. and people will come up to him and say, "larry, i love your show" and he would have a conversation with them. they were always very respectful and then when he would

leave, women would come up to him and say, "could you please autograph it is for my mother?" and he would say, "it's always the mother lost my autograph." wonderful sense of humour through everything —— who wants my autograph. that humour through everything -- who wants my autograph.— wants my autograph. that was pat pi er wants my autograph. that was pat piper talking _ wants my autograph. that was pat piper talking about _ wants my autograph. that was pat piper talking about larry _ wants my autograph. that was pat piper talking about larry clean. i and we'll be taking an in—depth look at the papers with our reviewers penny smith and martin lipton. that's coming up after the headlines. —— larry king. time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. after one of the coldest nights of the winter, sunday brings up some destructive snow to parts of england and wales. very cold, frosty start to the day, icy patches out there too. an area of sleet and snow initially for self inglewood, parts of wales, northern ireland but will

post further —— further east. this is ten o'clock in the morning. southwest england, they brighten up with a few wintry showers. as the snow moves eats. several centimetres, even to low levels, more into the hills so definitely difficult travel conditions. it is scotland, northern england, perhaps northern ireland that will see the driest and sunniest brother, but for the rest of england and wales and northern ireland, some outbreaks of snow here and some difficult travel conditions. the snow is going to reach... temperatures hovering close to freezing where you got the snow. sunshine around. the outbreaks of snow gradually clearing away during sunday evening. icy conditions

following behind, perhaps northern ireland and northern england icy in places. another widespread frost as monday begins. one or two fog passes, some sunshine on monday. would be a wintry showers, northwest england. —— plenty of wintry showers. what will be another cold day. changes, tuesday, weatherfront from the atlantic coming in. some for the rain, sleet and snow and then further weather fronts coming our way from mid week. milder air, but winds are going to pick up and we will see further spells of rain. all parts will be turning milder but also when and wetter, and if you are in a flood affected area, you need to follow that very closely.