Edelweiss. Canadian actor Christopher Plummer, best known for his role as captain von trapp in The Sound Of Music, has died at the age of 91. President biden has said the latest monthlyjobs report, shows the us economy is still in trouble, as it remains in the teeth of the pandemic. He said a 1. 9 dollar trillion Stimulus Package would help the vaccination effort, and alleviate americans� suffering. Speaking with the treasury secretary, janet yellen, and Vice PresidentKamala Harris by his side, mr biden appealed to Congressional Republicans to act urgently to turn his Coronavirus Relief measures into law. He said it would keep families out of poverty, and prevent long Term Economic damage to the nation. I see enormous pain in this country. A lot of folks out of work, a lot of folks going hungry, staring at the ceiling at night wondering, what am i going to do tomorrow . A lot of folks trying to figure out how to keep theirjobs and take care of their children. A lot of folks reaching the breaking point. Suicides are up, Mental Health needs are increasing, violence against women and children is increasing. A lot of folks are losing hope. I believe the American People are looking right now to their government for help, to do ourjob, to not let them down. So im going to act, im going to act fast. Earlier, we spoke to our washington correspondent, gary odonoghue, to hear what he thought, about what the president had to say. Well, its pretty tough talk. Its pretty, you know, determined talk about his covid relief package, his 1. 9 trillion. But amidst all of that, there is clearly room for maneuver. Hed wanted to get some republican support for this. At the moment, he doesnt have that, but they are not closing the door on that. Some of the things they are standing particularly tough on, like this 1,400 stimulus check to americans, he is saying im not going to go any lower than that, but in some ways, the argument is not about the actual level of it but about who gets it. So in some ways, he is sounding tough on the things that he can sound tough on whilst allowing for some wiggle room elsewhere. Clearly, they believe that the jobs numbers today give them a bigger argument, if you like, a wider argument for pushing something through on this scale when it, obviously, a lot of republicans have argued for something a lot smaller. Gary odonoghue. Latest figures in the uk show almost half the Uk Population 32 Million People should be vaccinated against coronavirus by may. The government says it expects all adults over the age of 50, as well as the clinically vulnerable and those working in health and social care, to have received their firstjab by then. The uks medicines regulator, says the latest Research Shows side effects from all the approved vaccines are minor and dont last long. As cases continue to fall, politicians are divided over how soon restrictions should be lifted. Heres our medical editor, fergus walsh. This is an immunisation production line. At epsom racecourse in surrey, theyre doing 1,000 covid jabs a day. The government is so confident itll reach its target of vaccinating the over 70s and Front Line Health Workers by mid february it is now looking to the future. My goal is i want us to be able to offer a vaccine to all over 50s thats priority groups one to nine by may there is an awful lot we have to get right to hit that goal, and obviously supply is the most difficult of all of those, but we are currently on track for that. You might get a sore arm for a couple of days. New Data Confirms that side effects from Covid Vaccines are mostly mild, which should reinforce public confidence. The 70 and 80 somethings in epsom were taking it all in their stride. They said there may be some side effects but ive never, ever had side effects with any vaccines so im not expecting any. My wife has had hers already, and she just had a 24 hour soreness and thats all, but she is perfectly 0k afterwarss, so im not concerned, no. It doesnt hurt and i feel so secure now. Medical regulators are constantly monitoring Covid Vaccine safety. Theyve analysed 6. 9 million doses given up to the 24th of january. There were 22,820 reports of suspected side effects, which equates to about three per 1000 doses. The vast majority were mild and included sore arms, headache, tiredness or fever, that generally lasted a couple of days. There were no unexpected serious adverse reactions, so the benefits of the covid 19 vaccines far outweigh the risks, and anyone who gets that invitation to go along for a jab should not hesitate. You can be confident that these are very safe vaccines. All medicines, including vaccines, can cause side effects. So the results of this Safety Monitoring are very reassuring for those who have had their covid jab and for the tens of millions of us yet to get our invite. New Research Shows the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine protects well against the more contagious kent variant, but new variants are inevitable. So the government has signed up with a german biotech to develop future Covid Vaccines to try to keep pace in the arms race against the virus. Fergus walsh, bbc news. Elsewhere in europe, the Spanish Health authorities have limited the use of the Oxford Astrazeneca virus to those under the age of 55. The move echoes earlier decisions by a Growing Number of countries that have restricted the vaccine� s distribution, despite the European Medicines Agency approving its use late last week for all adults. The age controversy compounds a row over a shortfall in deliveries from astrazeneca that has forced the eu to recalibrate its vaccination strategy. Russia has announced the expulsion of diplomats from sweden, germany and poland, accusing them of taking part in illegal protests last month, against the jailing of the kremlin critic, Alexei Navalny. But sweden has denied this. A statement from the Swedish Foreign ministry said. We refute russias claim that the diplomat participated in the demonstration. Mr navalny was jailed for nearly three years this week, for violating his parole conditions, and was back in court today, this time on separate defamation charges. It comes as the eus top diplomat, josep borrel, is in moscow the first visit there by a senior eu envoy since 2017. Speaking before the expulsions were announced, mr borrell said hed called for mr navalny� s release. My visit coincides with with the arrest and sentencing of Alexei Navalny and the arrest of 1000 demonstrators. As you can expect, i have conveyed to the minister our deep concern and reiterated our appealfor his and the launch of a investigation into his poisoning. In response, the Russian Foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, criticised the European Union as an unreliable partner, because of its threat to impose sanctions on moscow following the imprisonment of mr navalny. Translation we have become used to the fact that the eu is increasingly resorting to unilateral restrictions that have no legitimate basis. We are going on with our lives on the assumption that that you is an unreliable partner, at least at this stage. Our moscow correspondent, Sarah Rainsford, says the timing of the expulsions announced by moscow, was not a coincidence. Quite a message Tojosep Borrel and to the eu more broadly, of course, from russias Foreign Ministry. Apparently, this was announced during the meeting, but was only made public afterwards. So, Ifjosep Borrel came here with a strong message for russia telling the Foreign Ministry that the eu condemns the treatment of Alexei Navalny, calling for his release, even, saying there must be an independent investigation into his poisoning. What he got in response was a big shrub from Sergei Lavrov during that press Conference Following the meeting itself, and then this statement, diplomats from three European Countries being expelled straightaway. Allegedly for attending a Pro Navalny Protest on the 23rd of january, so the first of a wave of mass rallies across russia calling for mr navalny� s release. Now, of course, the countries involved have said that these are unfounded claims, that there is no truth to them at all, but, you know, it is very strange, very interesting signaling from russia, as i say, at a meeting in which both sides were talking about the difficult relationship but trying to focus, at least to some extent, in the areas in which they could cooperate. That was Sarah Rainsford speaking earlier. We willjust bring you some news thats come to us concerning a conversation thats been had between the Prime Minister, borisjohnson, who has had a conversation with the french president emmanuel macron. The leaders, we understand, discuss the fight against coronavirus emphasizing the Important Role that World Leaders will play in ensuring that vaccines are rolled out effectively. Also agreeing that a Successful Vaccination Programme will require collaboration between governments. Borisjohnson also outlining the uks priorities regarding g7 and its presidency, including working together to build back from the pandemic. Also, Climate Change, tackling Climate Change ahead of top 26, which is due to take place in the uk come november. Copped 26. Going on to say that this is part of a statement from a Downing Street spokesperson. The Prime Minister also welcomed the agreement of the uk eu also welcomed the agreement of the uk eu trade deal in december saying that the departure from the eu offered a huge opportunity to deepen and widen bilateral relationships with france and the leaders are looking forward to realize that particular opportunity and also finally discussing International Issues including iran and libya and russia agreeing that european leadership from the uk, france and others continues to be instrumental in making the world safer and more secure. Finally, just agreeing that cooperation remains a crucial key in tackling the challenges ahead. Thats coming to us from Downing Street following a call with president macron. Uk ministers have defended the governments plan to quarantine travellers in hotels, when they return to britain, from covid variant hotspots. The rules will come into effect from the 15th of february, and mean passengers arriving from 33 countries, will have to stay in a hotel for ten nights at their own expense. The opposition labour party, says the scheme should be extended to all international travellers. Heres our transport correspondent, caroline davies. Running a covid secure hotel is not business as usual. On top of cleaning and virus killing air purifying machines, this hotel reassessed all of its safety protocols, and finally got insurance to have covid positive guests staying here. It took us approximately three months of satisfying our insurers with all the Risk Assessments and method statements to get this in place. So do i think they will be able to turn it round in ten days . I doubt it very much. This is the sort of Room Quarantine Guests could stay in. According to the guidelines, quarantine would last 11 days. The hotel would have to provide three meals and have ensuite facilities. Guests staying here would have two covid tests during the course of their stay. But some of the guidance has been questioned. The corridors of this hotel are monitored by cctv, but the guidelines do say that if you want to go out for a breath of fresh air or a cigarette, you can, but you just need to be accompanied by security. As well as being time consuming, this hotelier is not convinced it would be safe. Our virologist would not allow it. Once the person is in the room they have to stay there self isolating for ten days. Because the hotel isnt by an airport, the hoteliers dont know if it will be chosen by the government. Quarantine hotels have been in place in australia since march 2020. Welcome, everyone. Im so happy to. Last week vera van der slot and her australian husband spent two weeks in a perth hotel room Teaching Online yoga classes. We dont have a balcony or a window that opens. The money side of it is not the best. Its quite a lot of money. But it also costs money to put us up in a hotel. Their stay cost nearly £1,900. The uk estimate is currently just over £1,000. But some hotels are already warning it could cost more. There are no official guidelines yet for airlines and airports. In hong kong, arrivals are given a Security Bracelet that they have to wear for their three week Hotel Quarantine stay, and theyre tested before being bussed to their hotel. The uk procedures arent likely to look like this, but there are still questions. Today, Heathrow Airport said, our offer to support remains, but time is ticking and this is a very complex initiative. A number ten spokesperson said, no formal contracts have been agreed yet, and it was vital the government got this right from the start. There is nowjust over a week before the scheme is due to begin and the first guests could arrive. Caroline davies, bbc news. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come we look back at the life of the actor Christopher Plummer, who has died aged 91. The government has been defending its plans to quarantine people arriving in the uk, in a scheme due to begin in 10 days time. People travelling from countries with high Infection Rates will have to stay in a hotel at their own expense, in an effort to control the spread of new variants of coronavirus. Labour says the scheme should extend to all international travellers, but the Health Secretary says every care will be taken to ensure the right people are being quarantined. We will be vigilant in making sure that the Hotel Quarantine that we are introducing applies to the right countries where we see these new variants. And we have a programme to have surveillance right across the world working with International Partners to make sure we can spot where these new variants pop up, like brazil and south africa, that we have seen so far, and make sure that we can keep people here safe with the new Hotel Quarantine. This is bbc news, the latest headlines. Catherine downs has all the sport. England captain joe root will be looking to beat his 128 in the first test between india and england in chennai on saturday. Root became the third englishman to score a 100 in his 100th test as his side built up a promising 263 3. Ifeel like im in good form, and i need to cash in on it, i think. Over the course of my career, i havent always made big scores so i need to be going and doing that and currently thats really pleasing. You know, the challenge is i keep getting myself in positions to make. Ive got to keep me taking them. We will win more games if im doing that. Good days work for him today. Theres been a Frank Exchange of frank views in the Premier LeagueNews Conferences on friday. Pep guardiola has said he expected betterfrom jurgen klopp than to indulge in mind games before Manchester Citys Premier League trip to liverpool on sunday. Klopp has suggested that a Covid Outbreak at City Over Christmas led to guardiolas side having a game postponed and two weeks off, helping their title bid. We didnt have a break. I think city had a two week for covid reasons. Its really tough. Its a tough year, its a tough season. I know, for some teams, it looks like lesser, but for us, obviously, for the reasons, you know, its tough. He knows its not true. Come on nobody he knows its not true. Come on nobody in he knows its not true. Come on nobody in the Premier League had two weeks nobody in the Premier League had two weeks off nobody in the Premier League had two weeks off. Nobody. The situation cant weeks off. Nobody. The situation cant be weeks off. Nobody. The situation cant be for the purpose, but i didnt cant be