Two security personnel have been killed in a Houthi missile attack targeting the presidential palace in the port city of Aden in southern Yemen, which is the seat of the internationally recognised government.

The prime minister and other ministers were unhurt when five ballistic missiles hit al-Maashiq Palace, but many others were injured, Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani told the BBC.

Houthi-run media reported that the group had struck “the headquarters of military operations, led by Saudi officers” as well as weapons depots.

A coalition led by Saudi Arabia backs the government and is providing air support for an offensive by pro-government forces against the Iran-backed Houthis.

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Donald Trump has blocked numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, as a row with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky deepens.

The sanctions were passed by the US Congress and signed into law by Trump in September.

But the US president issued an executive order on Friday night saying that suspending some was in the US “national interest”, prompting a backlash from US lawmakers.

It comes after the White House said Katie Zacharia is “transitioning out” of the role of press secretary just days after taking the job.

The US president said on Friday he suggested to Zacharia she should “reconsider” the job.

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There have been violent clashes between protesters and police in French cities, during the latest day of demonstrations against education standards and the cost of living.

At least 400 people were arrested during what the French government described as an “escalation in violence”, as more than 500,000 people took to the streets.

In Paris riot police used tear gas and water cannon on crowds. Buildings were set alight in the capital and other areas, including in Limoges where a large fire broke out in the town hall.

There was looting in several cities, with widespread vandalism against city halls and businesses. In Lyon the city’s tourist office was burned. Police said “hostile individuals” prevented firefighters from tackling the blaze.

The interior ministry said the protests involved “targeted acts of violence” from “hooded individuals” in places, including parts of the capital and also Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers. Damage to buildings was reported across France, including in Grenoble, Avignon, Pau, Montpellier and Valence.

Hundreds of thousands of students have protested in recent weeks over staff shortages and dilapidated facilities in the country’s lycées – secondary schools attended by 15 to 18-year-olds. They were joined in the latest protests by trade union members and other protest groups. These included the so-called gilets jaunes ‘yellow vest’ movement, who demonstrated against cost-of-living hikes for over a year from 2018.

The protests come as Frances faces a period of deep political uncertainty. President Emmanuel Macron will leave office next year and polls suggest April’s presidential election could come down to a fight between the leader of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the hard-left La France Insoumise party.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by James Waterhouse and Katya Adler.

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Violence broke out across France on Saturday during the latest day of demonstrations against hardship in schools and the cost of living.

At least 1,200 people were arrested during what the French government described as an “escalation in violence” alongside an estimated 550,000 taking to the streets.

In Paris, there were significant clashes into the evening with riot police, who used tear gas and water cannon on crowds.

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The jury in Russell Brand’s rape trial won’t see a TV documentary that a complainant says led her to come forward.

Judge Mr Justice Bennathan said it would be unfair to show the Channel 4 Dispatches programme because the allegations it contains have not been tested in court, but said that jurors will hear about it during the trial.

The 51-year-old actor and comedian faces seven charges – three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one of indecent assault.

The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. He denies the charges.

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