former nfl star oj simpson dies aged 76. his family said simpson succumbed to his battle with cancer. israel warns it's prepared after iran vows punishment for the killing of its commanders in syria. translation: whoever hurts us, we hurt him. l we are preparing to meet the security needs of the state of israel, both in defence and in attack. russian missiles and drones destroy a large electricity plant near kyiv and hit power facilities in several other regions of ukraine. former post office boss david smith apologises for celebrating the conviction of a pregnant sub—postmistress, seema misra, who was eventuallyjailed.

breaking news today, the family of the american footballer oj simpson say he has died. they say he succumbed to cancer on wednesday and was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. oj simpson was once one of america's top football players but was later accused of the murder of his wife nicole brown simpson. his televised trial was followed around the world. he was acquitted but later found followed around the world. he was acquitted but laterfound liable for her killing in a civil case. the announcement came on x by oj simpson's family. let's speak to our correspondent tom bateman who is in the us for us. what have the family said? what do we know? it’s the us for us. what have the family said? what do we know? we: a the us for us. what have the family said? what do we know?— said? what do we know? it's a very short statement _ said? what do we know? it's a very short statement from _ said? what do we know? it's a very short statement from the _ said? what do we know? it's a very short statement from the family i said? what do we know? it's a very short statement from the family of| short statement from the family of 0j short statement from the family of oj simpson that reads "on enable the tenth, ourfather

oj simpson that reads "on enable the tenth, our father succumbs to oj simpson that reads "on enable the tenth, ourfather succumbs to his battle with cancer. he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. during this time of transition, his family asks that their privacy is respected and that they are left in grace." that statement we have from the simpson family. it is understood that he died in hospital. he had had cancer for some time but obviously a piece of news that will go back to those days, you mentioned oj simpson being an nfl star, running back, and iconic footballer who was remembered so much for all of that but it will be the trial of 1994, and his acquittal, after he was charged with the murders of nicole brown and ronald goldman in 1994. one of the most watched televised trials in the

history of the united states that was seen to divide the country, along racial lines, crystallising so many of those divisions in america. his acquittal after that trial, so many people will remember oj simpson for and until we hear more from the family and friends of oj simpson, we just have this simple, short statement.— just have this simple, short statement. , , , , . , just have this simple, short statement. , , , . , ., statement. just seeing pictures of the car chase _ statement. just seeing pictures of the car chase that _ statement. just seeing pictures of the car chase that was _ statement. just seeing pictures of the car chase that was televised. l statement. just seeing pictures of i the car chase that was televised. at the car chase that was televised. at the time, it was unlike anything audiences had seen in terms of criminal case. audiences had seen in terms of criminal case-— audiences had seen in terms of criminal case. absolutely right. since then. _ criminal case. absolutely right. since then, there _ criminal case. absolutely right. since then, there have - criminal case. absolutely right. since then, there have been i criminal case. absolutely right. since then, there have been soj criminal case. absolutely right. - since then, there have been so many dramatisations of the events that took place, it has become part of american history of the late 20th

century in terms of events both before and after. it was a hugely significant moment. the fact it was watched across the united states but many people over a certain age will remember how it dominated international news coverage at the time. the fact that all of this was televised. we can see the pictures from the time because it became not just an issue about what had actually happened during the killings themselves but really the drama of the court room and whether or not oj simpson was going to be found guilty. the way that it seems to crystallise racial divisions in america —— seemed to crystallise racial divisions and whether the case had played a role and that is what made this such a significant moment in american history. he was

found not guilty _ moment in american history. he was found not guilty in _ moment in american history. he was found not guilty in 1995 _ moment in american history. he was found not guilty in 1995 but - moment in american history. he was found not guilty in 1995 but then - moment in american history. he was found not guilty in 1995 but then a i found not guilty in 1995 but then a civil court jury found not guilty in 1995 but then a civil courtjury held oj simpson liable for the deaths of his ex—wife and herfriend, awarding huge damages to the families. he was released from jail and we heard from the family that he died from cancer, surrounded by his family.— surrounded by his family. that's riuht. surrounded by his family. that's right- that _ surrounded by his family. that's right. that very _ surrounded by his family. that's right. that very short _ surrounded by his family. that's right. that very short statement surrounded by his family. that's - right. that very short statement and it was later in 2007 that there was a separate conviction over armed robbery and kidnapping but the understanding is that he died in hospice surrounded by his family as they said in the statement.- hospice surrounded by his family as they said in the statement. those of us delvin: they said in the statement. those of us delving back _ they said in the statement. those of us delving back into _ they said in the statement. those of us delving back into our _ they said in the statement. those of us delving back into our memories l they said in the statement. those of| us delving back into our memories of the time, it was a very visual case at the time but the racial divides were stark. that is no doubt what it

is going to be remembered for, at least in part. i is going to be remembered for, at least in part-— least in part. i think so because if an obituary _ least in part. i think so because if an obituary of _ least in part. i think so because if an obituary of oj _ least in part. i think so because if an obituary of oj simpson - least in part. i think so because if an obituary of oj simpson was - least in part. i think so because if an obituary of oj simpson was to | least in part. i think so because if. an obituary of oj simpson was to be written running up to the early 19905, it written running up to the early 1990s, it would simply be a lengthy obituary of celebration of his football career. this was a running back who came to stardom throughout his careerfor his many, many successes on the football field. he was also known for the fact that he had appeared on screen as an actor but it was that deep change in the characterisation of oj simpson, the way he was seen by all americans and internationally because of the events of 1994 onwards, from the moment he was charged with the

murder of his former wife and her friend. i think that is what will absolutely what he became remembered for. his absolutely what he became remembered for. , ., ., , absolutely what he became remembered for. , . ., , , , for. his life had many twists, he was born in _ for. his life had many twists, he was born in san _ for. his life had many twists, he was born in san francisco, - for. his life had many twists, he was born in san francisco, not l for. his life had many twists, he| was born in san francisco, not in great wealth, he became hugely successful in sport, making a lot of money but then came to this huge prominence, everything turning after he was filmed with that car chase and he was accused of the murder of his wife nicole brown simpson and herfriend ronald goldman, the trial starting in 1995, the trial which absolutely gripped notjust the united states but had a really global take on what was going on in

the us. many, many people follow that car chase and the televised trial that came after which was a huge fall from grace for this american hero, really, and he was acquitted with this racial divide and how it was seen at the time but then also served time subsequently. the question of race still so prominent in us criminal cases, in us politics, so there is still currency when you look back at this. there absolutely is and it was of a period in time where because so much of this, because people could see every twist and turn in the court

room, it was one of the first, earlier moments of the way in which america's racial divides, this particular case opened much more of a door into that. i think it will continue to be remembered for that sense of controversy. it's not the first time and it won't be the last time that the overriding racial divisions when it comes to america's legal system, divisions when it comes to america's legalsystem, its divisions when it comes to america's legal system, itsjudicial decision—making, will become really the headline. it was one early example of that in an extremely high profile and televised case that i think is going to be one of the most overriding elements that oj simpson will be remembered for. is his

overriding elements that oj simpson will be remembered for.— will be remembered for. is his name still known by _ will be remembered for. is his name still known by younger _ will be remembered for. is his name still known by younger people - will be remembered for. is his name still known by younger people who l still known by younger people who might be tuning in and finding this out? does it have residence in us cultural history? i out? does it have residence in us cultural history?— out? does it have residence in us cultural history? i think oj simpson had dropped _ cultural history? i think oj simpson had dropped off— cultural history? i think oj simpson had dropped off the _ cultural history? i think oj simpson had dropped off the radar - cultural history? i think oj simpson had dropped off the radar when - cultural history? i think oj simpson had dropped off the radar when it l had dropped off the radar when it came to 2007 when he was arrested in nevada, charged with armed robbery and kidnapping and sentenced to 33 years injail over that and kidnapping and sentenced to 33 years in jail over that case and kidnapping and sentenced to 33 years injail over that case but and kidnapping and sentenced to 33 years in jail over that case but i think due to his stardom throughout, the second half of the 20th century, it is a name that is imprinted on american cultural history. i was going through his filmography from 1968 from ironside right through to

people above a certain age, many of us will remember the naked gun, a comedy movie that had shot oj simpson to furtherfame comedy movie that had shot oj simpson to further fame in the years before the trial at that particular time so i think the impression he made before the trial in american sporting and cultural life was so significant that it will be remembered for a long, long time. and the trial led to the question, who was the real oj simpson? he had been loved by the public, he was born in the us, living in the san francisco slums, he had ricketts but became a very good runner and became one of the top running backs in american football history. full stop

after sport, american football history. full stop aftersport, he american football history. full stop after sport, he then moved into acting but it was that trial, the racial divisions and the televised nature of it, no doubt the force of his own personal appeal that captured us and global opinion, but those racial divides and how it was received, that was really stark at the time. has there been any reaction as of yet? this news has onlyjust come into us and the family have put out an appeal on x asking for privacy at this time. yeah, but obviously there's going to be a massive amount of interest in the reaction to this and i expect there will be a very significant response. the way in which the trial

had started and even after his arrest, at the outset, oj simpson declared himself 100% not guilty and mouth to the words "thank you" to the jury after his acquittal and it's these moments that were caught on camera because of this case having been televised. i think when we hear what the reaction is, it will perhaps reflect the divisions there were at the time both around there were at the time both around the trial and all of the twists and turns within it and that moment of acquittal so no doubt this will dominate across us coverage today and i expect we will get reaction

from those who remember it at the time, particularly those who were in the public eye during those particular years. the public eye during those particularyears. quite the public eye during those particular years. quite mag looking back at the legal part of this case, although oj simpson was acquitted in 1995, in 2008 he was sentenced to 33 years on charges of armed robbery, he was released in 2017 but before that, hugely well loved.— that, hugely well loved. before 1994, usually— that, hugely well loved. before 1994, usually loved _ that, hugely well loved. before 1994, usually loved as - that, hugely well loved. before 1994, usually loved as an - that, hugely well loved. before 1994, usually loved as an actor| that, hugely well loved. before - 1994, usually loved as an actor and employed as a spokesman by various us companies but then a trial that really great the us public and those around the world —— that really gripped the public as he was accused

of the murder of his wife and her friend, initially acquitted then found liable. the face, the image, the storylines were familiar then. one wonders about the legacy in terms of race and the criminal justice system from that case. the divides on these areas are still very, very deep. there's a sense of a lack of trust where in election year, these matters have come to the forefront and there is the issue of these divides. fij forefront and there is the issue of these divides.— forefront and there is the issue of these divides. g ,, ., , these divides. oj simpson was a very famous figure — these divides. oj simpson was a very famous figure at _ these divides. oj simpson was a very famous figure at that _ these divides. oj simpson was a very famous figure at that point _ these divides. oj simpson was a very famous figure at that point already i famous figure at that point already when the trial began but it wasn't just about him, his supporters and his family, it also thrust to prominence the criminal defence lawyerjohnnie cochran and f lee

bailey, often outmanoeuvred by the prosecution. many people shot to fame in america after this and there was the visual moments of this, there was the highly theatrical demonstration where oj simpson struggled to put on the gloves, this being a key moment about whether or not he could have carried out the murders. it was cochran referring to the gloves in the closing arguments with those words, "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit." this became the iconic line of this trial. the images of oj simpson holding his hands up with the gloves which will be the iconic moment for which he

and the trial will be remembered today. and the trial will be remembered toda . ., ., ., ,, and the trial will be remembered toda. ., ., ., ~ . today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back — today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back in _ today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back in the _ today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back in the us _ today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back in the us shortly - today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back in the us shortly but - today. tom bateman, thank you. we will be back in the us shortly but i i will be back in the us shortly but i just want to show you the statement from oj simpson's family that they have released in the last hour, saying that he succumbed to his battle with cancer, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. the family asked for privacy and grace. we will bring you more on that in the coming moments. for now, this is bbc news.

breaking news this hour of the death of oj simpson which has been announced by his family. he succumbed to cancer. he, of course,

came to prominence as a huge football star in the us and was then accused of the murder of his wife and herfriend, initially acquitted but then being found liable in a massively televised case with support in the us in particular splitting along racial lines. ed gordon was the firstjournalist splitting along racial lines. ed gordon was the first journalist to interview oj simpson and he spoke to our colleagues in the last few moments on cbs news. i our colleagues in the last few moments on cbs news. i 'ust got off the lane moments on cbs news. i 'ust got off the plane and — moments on cbs news. i 'ust got off the plane and checked _ moments on cbs news. ijust got off the plane and checked my _ moments on cbs news. ijust got off the plane and checked my phone. i the plane and checked my phone. needless to say i was getting all sorts of calls and texts. it's a bit surreal. we all can go at any moment. when you think about who oj simpson was, the star, the greatest running back in the nfl at the time, then a pitchman and a movie star, and the tragedy that befell the

goldman family and what it has become so i think back how divided the country was on that trial, it is extraordinary. he the country was on that trial, it is extraordinary-— the country was on that trial, it is extraordinary. he still proved to be u . extraordinary. he still proved to be u- until extraordinary. he still proved to be up until the — extraordinary. he still proved to be up until the end _ extraordinary. he still proved to be up until the end a _ extraordinary. he still proved to be up until the end a very _ extraordinary. he still proved to be up until the end a very divisive i up until the end a very divisive character. at the time, it seems to be divided among racial lines, there was a lot of celebration in the streets from some members of the black community and a lot of people were just black community and a lot of people werejust in shock black community and a lot of people were just in shock when the verdict came in and he was acquitted. what do you remember about that time? i remember that specifically and it's important for us to say that a lot of african had their doubts as to whether he was innocent or not. it was not as much for oj simpson as it was not as much for oj simpson as it was for someone who had beat the system at first glance, that african—americans had been railroaded into jailfor so many

railroaded into jail for so many years, railroaded into jailfor so many years, he finally had someone rich enough and powerful enough to maybe evade the system. it's an extraordinary sign we live through. you think about the chase and the lead up to his arrest and i don't know that would —— that we would be able to see that today, had he been on the freeway, he would have so many camera angles from phones and everybody trying to be the reporter on the scene, it's just an extraordinary time. he on the scene, it'sjust an extraordinary time. on the scene, it'sjust an extraordina time. . , w extraordinary time. he was acquitted but there was — extraordinary time. he was acquitted but there was forever _ extraordinary time. he was acquitted but there was forever a _ extraordinary time. he was acquitted but there was forever a cloud - extraordinary time. he was acquitted but there was forever a cloud over i but there was forever a cloud over 0j but there was forever a cloud over oj simpson. how do you think you navigated that? many times he would be walking in the street, people

would be taking photos with him in the street but others saw him as a pariah. i the street but others saw him as a ariah. ., , the street but others saw him as a ariah. . , ., ., pariah. i had been with him on a number of— pariah. i had been with him on a number of occasions _ pariah. i had been with him on a number of occasions after i pariah. i had been with him on a number of occasions after the i pariah. i had been with him on a i number of occasions after the fact and when he saw someone looking at him, he would civilly go to them and say hello before they could see anything, it was a disarming tactic on his part so if he was afraid they were going to say something rude or vile, he would try to disarm them because he was a charismatic person. he would try to speak first, and some people will rail against this, but he was charming at times so he leaned on that charm to disarm people. leaned on that charm to disarm --eole. ., leaned on that charm to disarm --eole. . , ., leaned on that charm to disarm --eole. ., , ., ., people. charming is not how the goldman family _ people. charming is not how the goldman family of— people. charming is not how the goldman family of the _ people. charming is not how the goldman family of the simpson l people. charming is not how the i goldman family of the simpson family feel, i was i was thinking about them during times like this. —— i was always thinking about them. it’s

was always thinking about them. it's hard was always thinking about them. it�*s hard to put your arms around this, it didn't ease the pain for those families who still today grieve the loss of those people. essen families who still today grieve the loss of those people.— families who still today grieve the loss of those people. even until the end, he loss of those people. even until the end. he always _ loss of those people. even until the end, he always maintained - loss of those people. even until the end, he always maintained he i loss of those people. even until the end, he always maintained he was. end, he always maintained he was innocent. he end, he always maintained he was innocent. ., ., end, he always maintained he was innocent. . ., ., innocent. he did maintain that until the da he innocent. he did maintain that until the day he passed _ innocent. he did maintain that until the day he passed away. _ innocent. he did maintain that until the day he passed away. he - innocent. he did maintain that until the day he passed away. he was i innocent. he did maintain that until. the day he passed away. he was quick to suggest he was always "searching for the killer", there were those who would suggest he never did that, but he maintained he had nothing to do with it and as hard as that is to believe for many people, you think about how long it has been since those gruesome murders, oj simpson remained up until he died the face of a murdererfor remained up until he died the face of a murderer for many. remained up until he died the face of a murdererfor many. even remained up until he died the face of a murderer for many. even today, there are comedians who will use him as the but of a joke so it's

something that stuck with him until his last days. ed gordon, the firstjournalist to interview oj simpson after his acquittal. oj simpson has died of cancer. this statement was put out on x by his family and they have asked for privacy at this time. they say that oj simpson was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. he started in the public in america is a hugely popular charismatic american footballer. he moved onto acting. moved out of his background, not a wealthy background, became a huge us star and then came to global prominence when he was accused of the murder of his former wife nicole

brown in a trial that people found gripping as it was televised with a car chase that was also captured for television audiences. tom bateman has been following the news for us from washington. his name was huge at the time around the world, tom. absolutely because not only was this a trial that was televised and watched internationally, but up until that point, this was an extremely high profile running back football star, a film star, here was a moment where this incredibly well—known person, a celebrated footballer and actor, was being accused of murdering his former wife and herfriend in a trial that accused of murdering his former wife and her friend in a trial that of its timejust and her friend in a trial that of its time just exploded into prominence because of the way it was

televised, those chase scenes from the helicopter and then the gripping moments, visual moments in court, him holding up the gloves that looked too small, his lawyer saying, "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit." and a trial that divided america along racial lines because of the make—up of the jury. we america along racial lines because of the make—up of thejury. we had aired gordon —— we heard ed gordon saying this was someone who seem to have beaten the system, had the money to pay for lawyers, and so it fed into divides in america. later, in a civil case with the predominantly white jury, in a civil case with the predominantly whitejury, then predominantly white jury, then deemed predominantly whitejury, then deemed to have carried out the murders. quite mike tom, we will be back with you in a few moments. this is bbc news. thanks for being with us.

hello, there. the weather we've got over the next couple of days is really quite unusualfor april. if we take a look at this anomaly chart, the redder the colours, the more unusual the heat is, and as you can see, we're towards the top end of this scale. how warm is it going to get? well, some places could see temperatures around 21 degrees celsius. for example, around greater london. temperatures for quite a few areas

will be around six or seven degrees celsius above average for the time of year. and the reason we've got this mild flow of air is down to the jet stream pattern, which is bringing mild and quite humid air up from near the azores. now, it might be mild, but it's not necessarily sunny. the best of the sunshine today has been across the midlands, northwards across northern england into scotland. however, it stays pretty cloudy for southern and western wales, southern parts of england with occasional spots of drizzle around, particularly towards coastal areas. and for northern ireland, some thicker cloud is on the way. outbreaks of rain here to end the day. the rain probably turning quite heavy. but whether you've got cloud or the sunshine doesn't really make that much of a difference for the temperatures. it's very mild nationwide. now, overnight tonight, that rain in northern ireland moves northwards to reach the far north of england and across parts of scotland for a time as well. temperatures stay mild, 11, 12 degrees celsius. there will likely be some mist and fog patches around towards the end of the night. and so for some, it's going to be quite a grey start to the day on friday, perhaps a bit more rain for a time

in northern ireland moving back towards scotland, this time across most southern regions of england and wales, you've probably got a better chance of the clouds thinning and breaking to give us some sunshine. and those temperatures still well above average for the time of year. 18 in aberdeen, we're up to 20 or 21 across parts of eastern england. saturday is something of a transition day. again, there'll be some mist and fog patches around. we keep the mild air across southern and eastern parts of england, but to the north west of the uk we're getting some heavier outbreaks of rain moving in and the weather will be turning significantly cooler along with that rain for northern ireland and for scotland as well. and that's just the first day of the change because as we head through sunday and into next week, we've got a ridge of high pressure to the west of the uk that's going to send down a northwesterly flow of air across the country. that will reduce temperatures probably even a bit below average in places and will bring us a mixture of sunshine and heavy showers.