hope for the people of yemen as rebel and government forces begin to withdraw

from several key ports. after four years of war, the pull—out will help aid reach millions facing starvation. translation: now the ball is in the court of the un and the so—called government, and the people of yemen, who will pressure those who are trying to obstruct this agreement. labour says it wants to raise the minimum wage so that all workers get the same rate. scores of migrants are rescued from the mediterranean as dangerous crossings to europe increase with better weather. we're in venice for the olympics of the art world — the city's biennale international art festival. and saracens are rugby union's european champions for a third time.

good evening. in yemen, houthi rebels have reportedly begun withdrawing from a key strategic port in a move that offers hope to millions of people facing starvation. it's the first major step since a ceasefire agreement was signed last december. government forces are also pulling out of hodeida and other smaller harbours in a process that will take four days. the ports are crucial for the distribution of international aid, including food and medicines. forfour years the houthi rebels, supported by iran, have been fighting the yemeni government, which is backed by a coalition of countries led by saudi arabia. this report from our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, does contain some distressing images. the first signs of life in a deal

that was almost dead. today, houthi fighters started pulling out from three key ports. seeing other men will be out within four days. they had been in charge here for nearly five years. now, the coastguard will be running yemen's vital gateway. they put on a bit of a show today. they put on a bit of a show today. the yemeni government says it is all a show. accusing houthi fighters of just changing uniforms to keep their men in place. the houthis accuse them and their saudi led backers of blocking any progress. translation: now the ball is in the court of the un and the so—called government and the people of yemen, who will pressure those who are trying to obstruct this agreement. we can't move forward unless other countries keep their promises. un vehicles we re keep their promises. un vehicles were on the move today also. it is up were on the move today also. it is up to them to monitor this fragile

process. if this first step succeeds, both sides are meant to withdraw their forces from the strategic area. it could help move yemen toward peace talks and away from a looming famine stop almost all of its crucial aid and imports come through here. we anticipate and we expect that as the port becomes demilitarised that the united nations in the form of the mission here will have unhindered access to carry out their responsibilities to support the port authorities. this shocking starvation has come to symbolise yemen's plight. millions of yemenis need aid but even more than that, they need peace. finally a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered people. if this pull—out is concrete, what next? that is a very big if, there is no trust

between these warning signs and that is why this deal has repeatedly faulted for nearly six months. the houthis have chosen what is the least risky option, pulling out of the sport. but the next step, pulling out of hodeida city, this territory, will be harder and that is meant to be followed by a pull—out of the yemeni government forces backed by the saudi led coalition. and for all of its faults and failures, it still represents the best chance for yemen to finally move towards peace because when all the focus has been on hodeida, the fighting is increasing elsewhere in yemen. and the plight of yemenis gets ever worse. with the concern about whether those vital imports can get into the country, a country which is already called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. thank you very much. lyse doucet. labour has announced plans to introduce a £10 an hour minimum wage for all workers, including those under the age of 18.

at present, 16 and 17—year—olds get less than adults, with the labour leaderjeremy corbyn saying society shouldn't be "discriminating against young people." but some business leaders warn there's a risk employers may decide not to hire as many younger workers. here's our business correspondent, katy austin. baristas, bar staff and fast—food workers are among those most likely to be on the lowest pay, and 16 and 17—year—olds can be paid less than their older colleagues. today, jeremy corbyn said he would change that. we will abolish the youth rate of the minimum wage. workers should be rewarded fortheirwork, not theirage. equal rights for workers means just that, irrespective of age, gender, nationality, or ethnicity. that would be a big change for some small businesses, like this cafe in north london. workers under the age of 18 are currently entitled to a minimum wage of £4.35 per hour.

just over half the amount of over 25s. labour has a plan for what it calls a real living wage of £10 per hour and it's now said that would extend to 16 and 17—year—olds, adding, it says, £2500 to the amount they earn on average every year. the owner here likes the idea, but fears it's not practical. it's nice, but i don't think many businesses will survive having a minimum wage at £10 an hour. i think 16 and 17—year—olds aren't experienced enough to be on £10 an hour. even though they'll probably be enthusiastic they don't have the life skills and experience. small businesses say they are already facing mounting cost pressures and they'd need more details on a labour promise to support them through a rise. questions have also been asked about the kind of impact it would have on the young. nearly all 16 and 17—year—olds live with their parents at home. most are being supported one way or another, so do they need £10 an hour?

mostly not. some no doubt would benefit from it, others would lose if they couldn't get the job in the first place because of the much higher wage being imposed. the conservatives told us under their government we've seen youth unemployment fall by half, the biggest increase in the minimum wage for under 25s in a decade, and the economy continue to grow, giving young people the security of a better future. at the moment the independent low pay commission advises the government on minimum wage levels. jeremy corbyn‘s proposal to shake up the system which governs the bottom rates of pay is one pitched squarely at the young. katy austin, bbc news. a man who suffered horrendous injuries after being shot with a crossbow in north wales has died in hospital. gerald corrigan, who was 7a, was hit outside his home in holyhead last month. police investigations are continuing. morocco says its coastguard has rescued more

than 100 migrants stranded on three makeshift inflatable boats trying to cross the mediterranean. the news comes after another boat capsized off tunisia yesterday, with the loss of dozens of people. some of those who survived have been speaking, as simon jones reports. stunned and bewildered, after their dreams of reaching europe turned into disaster. but these are the lucky ones — they survived. many didn't. people dying, one of one, every minute people going under, down, every minute one is going, we lost him. i have lost my two brothers, one is cousin brother, one is brother—in—law. in front of my eyes. the migrants are thought to have set off from north—west libya. their sinking boat was spotted by a fisherman. the survivors were taken to the tunisian town of zarzis. translation: 16 people were still alive at eight o'clock in the morning, and by a miracle, i must say.

people were in the water for eight hours, in the freezing cold and high waves. children, children! despite the dangers the attempts continue — people packing into small boats in the hope of a new life. a journey that for some will in death. simon jones, bbc news. it's been called the olympics of the art world, attracting big names, big money and big crowds. the venice art biennale opened today with british, scottish, welsh and irish pavilions all on show. our arts editor will gompertz has more. if a city could ever be called a work of art, surely it is venice? that man—made masterpiece rising out of a salty lagoon, with its magnificent palazzos, shimmering canals and napoleonic gardens. at the end of which is the british pavilion. a neoclassical building that plays host to a disturbing and, at times, brutal installation by the artist, cathy wilkes, whose display of eerie mannequins and household objects is representing britain at the 2019

venice art biennale. she trained in belfast, as did the sculptor eva rothschild, who has filled the irish pavilion with an array of materials and shapes that create a sort of landscape of art to wander through — and to climb on. to talk about the biennale's founding idea, dating back over 100 years, an artist representing a country. is there an argument against it? that it's an anachronism? i think there could be, if it happened everywhere. i think it's the fact that it is anachronistic and it is the only thing. i mean, if every major art exhibition was themed around national identity, i think that would be deeply problematic. but this is the only one. and venice itself is an anomaly. who can believe it exists? not far away, across a narrow canal, is the welsh pavilion, where the cardiff—based artist sean edwards has created a forest of art. it's based on woodlands on the estate where i grew up in llanedeyrn in cardiff. and how these woodlands where the boundary of

the estate as you grew up... so there was this idea that what is actually a boundary suddenly becomes an open space that leads you on to somewhere else. i've come from the welsh pavilion, which is just down the canal there, walked over this wooden bridge and arrived at this spot, which is the scottish pavilion. up until a couple of months ago it was a working boatyard. but the vessels have moved out and art has moved in, with charlotte prodger, the turner prize—winning artist, showing the third in her trilogy of films, which is a memoir or love, loss and queer identity. and it's in this space, which is a rather disorientating black hole. you have visited what that meant, don't you? idid. and after that, it was like a switch went off and i didn't go back. there are 90 national pavilions competing for this year's prestigious golden lion. every one is fascinating in its own way, revealing not only how a country sees itself but also how it wants to be seen. will gompertz, bbc news, venice. now with the sport, here's

lizzie greenwood—hughes, at the bbc sport centre. thanks very much, clive. good evening. saracens are european champions for the third time in four years. they beat last year's winners, leinster, 20—10 in a close champions cup final in newcastle. patrick gearey reports from st james' park. in rugby, the final stretch can be the hardest. yet something keeps dragging saracens and leinster back to this stage. a meeting of the game's biggest beasts. the toughest of all, the toughest to call. i feel that is too close. a match of even matches. they are unbeaten in this competition all season, they won this trophy two years in a row when leinster took it off them. these are the two dominant forces in european rugby. when two such forces collide, much sound and fury follows, but initially more bruises

than points. it took until morrow tucci in the sin binfor it took until morrow tucci in the sin bin for leinster to battle a way through to the final furlong. the trial sparked sarries. sarries freed themselves from the claustrophobia. sarries were level by the break. the intensity never lifted. saracens' red army lumbered forward. a game of spot the ball for the video official. no try but a penalty. owen farrell did the necessary. it was still so tight when leinster were struck by a bolt from billy — a moment of match—winning skill that england may need at the world cup. even in this wild week of sporting comebacks this was too much for leinster. their reign as european champions ended by this kick. victory to saracens, who have won another battle. in these games when you run on such emotional energy there is a huge amount of resilience that you have to show but to be part of this team, i think you get energy from the players either side of you and today there were some monumental

performances. this team can be considered amongst britain's most successful sporting sides. brilliant, brutal saracens. the strongmen of europe. it was a day for the batsmen as england held on to beat pakistan in southampton in their latest one day international ahead of hosting the world cup this month. new dad joss butler hit a spectacular century off just 50 balls. then targeting 374, pakistan's opener, fakhar zaman, made his own 138. but england kept their nerve to win by 12 runs. aston villa and leeds have moved a step closer to returning to the premier league. villa beat west bromwich albion in the first leg of their championship play—off semi—final, coming from a goal down after dwight gayle's first—half strike. he was later sent off, but not before villa had equalised and then converted a penalty to make it 2—1. leeds narrowly beat the in—form derby county in their semi—final first leg. jack harrison's sublime curling cross fed kemar roofe,

who scored the only goal at pride park. in the scottish premiership there were wins for kilmarnock, dundee and stjohnston. and inverness are through to the promotion play—off semi—finals. women's super league champions arsenal finished the season on a high by inflicting a first league defeat on nearest rivals manchester city. the game's only scorer, emma mitchell, seemed surprised with her brilliant strike at borehamwood. that's it from me, but there's much more on the bbc sport website, including how valtteri bottas sealed another pole position ahead of lewis hamilton for tomorrow's spanish grand prix. back to you. clive. that's it. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. but from me and the rest of the team, have a very good night.

this is bbc news. concerns over climate change might restrict aviation. ministers may have to review their strategy, including plans to expand heathrow. it follows a recent warning which advises the government that they planned increase in aviation would need to be curbed to control carbon emissions. our environment analyst reports. flying is on the up and the government has been planning for it to continue to grow, what about climate change, you might ask. under

current policy, industry will have to cut more greenhouse gases so aviation can expand. by the government is now considering a plan to virtually eliminate emissions by 2050 and a civil servant has admitted ina 2050 and a civil servant has admitted in a letter to a green group that it may have to take note of advice from the independent climate change committee, saying that although people could continue to fly whilst meeting climate change targets, it was not possible for aviation to keep on expanding. targets, it was not possible for aviation to keep on expandingm the end, the logic of this is com pletely the end, the logic of this is completely inevitable. we know we've got to reduce our emissions urgently and radically and expanding them is going in the opposite direction. it just doesn't make sense and i don't think the public want to see the government committing to a plan that is inconsistent with a safe and prosperous future for all of us. any policy change might affect controversial plans to expand heathrow. it definitely means the government will have to think hard about whether aviation can continue to grow at a time and what

parliament calls a climate emergency. the united states says it is ready to defend its forces and interest in the gulf as tensions with iran escalate, the pentagon is sending an extra navy ship and a patriot air defence missile system to the region. it said it was not seeking conflict with tehran. as america's carrier strike group moves closer to the gulf, the pentagon sends more firepower to the region in a show of military force. a navy ship and an air defence missile system are also heading to the middle east, just days after the uss abraham lincoln and b—52 bombers were deployed. washington says it is sending a clear message to iran, because they had warnings about an unspecified attack. it released this statement but did not go into detail.

the us patriot missile defence system can counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft, and had been scheduled to go to the region, but at a later date. last week, john bolton, america's national security adviser, said any iranian attack would be met with unrelenting force. iran swiftly dismissed that, and claimed american psychological warfare. the foreign minister with this message on twitter. if the us and clients do not feel safe, it is because they are despised by the people of the region. blaming iran will not reverse that. tehran has retaliated by threatening to cut off access to the strategic strait of hormuz, through which about one—fifth of all oil consumed globally passes. but tensions are not just at sea.

this week, iran's president threatened to restart his country's nuclear activities within 60 days if his country is not shielded from the effects of sanctions. the move risks killing a landmark nuclear deal which america pulled out of a year ago. but this is what the iranians call us intimidation. one of america's powerful military assets has now passed through egypt's suez canal as it steams towards the persian gulf. a moment of silence, a time to reflect, and an opportunity to pray for the victims.

a country torn apart, but a country that wants to heal through religion. survivors and the families of victims gathered for a special ceremony to remember their loved ones, as churches begin to reopen their doors. it's notjust a time to remember those who died, but to pray for those who also survived, still injured, still hurt, but they are in church with their faith intact. it's almost three weeks to the day when an armed group launched a series of coordinated attacks on christian churches and hotels in the country. security was ramped up in the immediate aftermath, but fears of further attacks forced many schools and churches to close. earlier in the week, the archbishop of colombo, malcolm ranjith, presided over the first mass at saint sebastian's church in the city of negombo, where 102 people were killed. held outside, under a temporary structure, the special service

honoured the victims and was only open to survivors and their families. this small shrine room was reopened at saint anthony's church, also a target on one of the most religious days of the christian calendar. here, low whispers of prayers from a handful of devotees are drowned out by the sound of drilling and banging, as workers continue to rebuild the site. translation: as a catholic, i'm very happy that we could pray and light a candle in the church again. i hope catholics and others will come and pray and light a candle like i did, rather than a stay—at—home in fear. and that is the message authorities are also sending out, promises that the streets of sri lanka are safe. we don't have to worry about sri lanka's situation. it is controllable, it is contained. so that is why, as army commander, i said, we don't have to worry about it. let the armed forces handle it, you get back to work. people should have their normal lifestyle again.

armed soldiers guarding religious institutions might be the norm for a while, but that added security at least gives churchgoers hope that they are safe to pray. but despite normality starting to settle in slowly once more, sri lankans say they will make sure the victims will never be forgotten. let's catch up with the weather. we are still expecting better weather on the way for the second half of the weekend. today when the sun was out it did feel quite warm but there were quite a few showers around, this weather watcher picture taken in derbyshire. and we have even had one or two showers making their way into northern ireland and wales. earlier on there were some thunderstorms in yorkshire and also sussex. those showers are starting to fade away now. once the sun goes down we will see them completely fading away so it is becoming dry, clear skies, light winds, temperatures are going to fall very quickly.

by the end of the night, we are more likely to have a frost in scotland but even further south we could find pockets of temperatures close to freezing so some areas may be seeing a touch of ground frost at the very least. high pressure is building right the way across the uk and it will inhibit the shower formation on sunday. that weather front just grazing the far north—west, introducing a bit more high cloud into the western side of northern ireland and into the north—west of scotland, so turning a bit hazy here. as temperatures rise there could be a limited amount of convection, a bit of patchy cloud bubbling up, which may give an isolated light shower over the pennines and perhaps the downs in the south—east, but on the whole it is dry and quite sunny and for most of us warmer than it was today. that is really the theme is a head into next week. a lot of dry weather, more in the way of sunshine and an improvement in what we have seen over the last week, and with that sunshine it should feel warmer as well. not going to be blue skies, though, every day. there is a bit of high cloud coming further across scotland

and northern ireland into england and wales. it will make the sunshine hazy on monday, but dry. some sunshine and those temperatures continuing to rise in most areas. it could be close to 20 degrees, for example, in the central belt of scotland. the position of high pressure is going to be crucial because that is going to dominate our weather over the week ahead. it is sitting more to the east of the uk so temperatures won't be quite so high in the south—east. the warmest of the air is pushing up to the north—west of the uk. these temperatures are an improvement on what we have seen just recently and it is going to be dry and there will be some sunshine. 16—17 for london and for lincoln. higher temperatures, though, towards the north—west of the uk, so we are looking at the low 20s for example around the moray firth and possibly 20—21 in liverpool.