welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is duncan golestani. our top stories: after nine years injail — us football star oj simpson is granted early release from his thirty—three year prison sentence for armed robbery. the political crisis in venezuela continues — one person is killed during street protests in support —— three people are killed during street protests in support of a nation—wide strike. chester bennington — the lead singer of us rock group linkin park — dies in an apparent suicide. and digging up dali — one of the greatest surrealist painters — salvador dali's body is exhumed in a paternity case. after nine years spent in a jail in nevada,

one time american sports legend oj simpson has just learned he will be released early from a 33 year sentence for armed robbery. it was an earlier case, when he was accused and then acquitted of murdering his ex wife and herfriend that turned him from an all—american hero to one of the most divisive figures in the country. it was the trial of the century. 0.1. it was the trial of the century. 0.j. simpson had been arrested after a low speed car chase across los angeles, broadcast live to a nation in shock. but that is not why he is imprisoned. not guilty of the crime

of murder... he was a free man until 2007 when he was arrested at four armed robbery in las vegas, using force to recover memorabilia he claimed he owned. he appeared via video link stating his case for freedom from prison. video link stating his case for freedom from prisonli video link stating his case for freedom from prison. i thought i was glad to get my stuff back that it was not worth it. wasjust glad to get my stuff back that it was not worth it. was just not worth it. i am sorry. was not worth it. was just not worth it. iam sorry. in was not worth it. was just not worth it. i am sorry. in a lengthy and emotional hearing, 0.j. simpson was supported by his daughter and buy one of these victims. he had been a model prisoner, they said, and the pa role model prisoner, they said, and the parole board agreed. you have no prior conviction of rimmel activities. you are a low risk to reoffend on our guidelines. based on all of that, mr simson, i do vote to grant parole when eligible. over 20 yea rs grant parole when eligible. over 20 years since the sensational acquittal it is clear that 0.j. simpson hill commands an audience.

millions of americans tuned into his pa role millions of americans tuned into his parole hearing. but support may be fading. one recent poll suggests that only 7% of americans now think that only 7% of americans now think that the fallen star is not a killer. but it is the decision of the parole board matters and as soon as october one, the man many believe got away with murder could be set free. bryan graham is the deputy sports editor of guardian us. he has been covering the oj simpson story. thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc world news. what is the reaction been like in the us? well it... the 0.1. reaction been like in the us? well it... the o.j. simpson story all over again. the longest running show on reality television, on hiatus for nine years but here we are again. it was dominating the news cycle. the only story they that could kick trump from the headlines and here we are today. he will be a free man at

the latest by october one. our correspondent just the latest by october one. our correspondentjust said the latest by october one. our correspondent just said that millions were watching and you spoke about it being covered on the networks. how have attitudes changed towards him? networks. how have attitudes changed towards him 7 well, networks. how have attitudes changed towards him? well, there has definitely been a renewal of interest in o.j. simpson. possibly because of the two decade started. last year there was a documentary that won an academy award for best documentary. there was the emmy award—winning series, the people versus o.j. simpson. ifeel like there has been a renewal of interest in this case. it is the case that really has endured in the american consciousness because it does illustrate the racial and class divides that exist in this country. it is going to be quite interesting to see how he is perceived as he makes his way back in the public life. we had quite a lot from o] at the parole board. what did you make of it? do you think he has changed

at all? to be perfectly honest, i found his testimony to be self—justifying and exculpatory. at times almost antagonising the parole board with his lack of horse. the one comment i believe that he has lived a conflict free life certainly... nothing from the 199495 trial was able to be factored against him in this parole board because he was, indeed, quitted. however there is plenty of documentary evidence of his domestic violence with nicole brown when she was alive. it was a little hard for him. the same oj as far as him living in the clouds and living in a fa ntasy world. living in the clouds and living in a fantasy world. but he was bolstered by two very strong testimonies, one from his eldest daughter and from one of the robbery victims. that is rare, that a victim of a crime will come and testify in favour of a woman or‘s parole. come and testify in favour of a woman or's parole. i am sure we will hear a lot more from him when he is

released in october. thank you very much for speaking to us. at least three people have been killed in venezuela during street protests in support of a nationwide strike. the strike was called in opposition to president maduro's plan to draw up a new constitution. his opponents say he's taking the country towards a single party state, similar to the one in cuba. bill hayton reports. the opposition brought many parts of venezuelan to a standstill with a 24—hour general strike. millions of people stayed at home closed their businesses. hundreds of activists fought running battles in the streets, dodging teargas and setting off their own fireworks in retaliation. translation: we are a group of young people who only want freedom. recently, a colleague of oui’s was freedom. recently, a colleague of ours was murdered and we will not

rest until we are sure that the death was not in vain. everyone the deaths in venezuela will be for with justice. the spirit of president maduro's predecessor looms over the country. in eight days time, maduro wa nts country. in eight days time, maduro wants the country to elect a new assembly to rewrite the constitution. the opposition says that would turn venezuela into a 1—party state. but there are plenty of people who support the government and refused to take part in thursday's strike. tra nsocean and refused to take part in thursday's strike. transocean lack here in the west of the city we are com pletely here in the west of the city we are completely calm. businesses are open and we are in complete peace because thatis and we are in complete peace because that is what we want in venezuela. he, president maduro, claimed victory over said it is organisers would be arrested. he said that his party was the only way to peace and prosperity. there is no sign of that

in the streets at the moment. some developing news, two people have been killed on a greek island after a powerful earthquake. the mayor of the island confirmed the death and said that many more were injured when the 6.7 magnitude quake struck off the south—west coast of turkey. it caused a small tsunami warning for the turkish coast and there are reports that some hotels have been partially flooded. the extent of any damage is not yet known. on the line we have ricky, who was there on holiday. thank you for talking to us. holiday. thank you for talking to us. can you tell us where you were and what happened ?|j us. can you tell us where you were and what happened? i was in the south part of the island, it is a family resort so many people are sleeping and in bed. it happened at about half past one greeks time, and it was about 30 seconds, you felt

the whole room shake, a few bottles fell from the night stand and you could not hear. suddenly then you heard a commotion, other children waking and crying. i went outside, there was no structural damage, nothing from the hotel in terms of evacuating which i read upjust now, some hotels have been evacuated. being from the uk, you would not be used to an earthquake like this. when you were woken by this trembling, what went through your head? yeah, i was already awake and it was a surreal feeling. as i am from the uk, i am not used to this phenomena. a kind ofjust disorientate you, really. you try to figure out what is going on and then ifigured out it figure out what is going on and then i figured out it was an earthquake and afterwards a few minutes later you could feel some after—shocks as

well. get on twitter and things that, can then piece together what exactly is happening. hopefully everybody is safe in the areas that are much more affected. we are glad you are safe and thank you for speaking to us. the lead singer of the american rock group, linkin park, has died in an apparent suicide. the coroner's office in los angeles said chester bennington, who was 41, had been found dead at his home in the city. live now to our correspondent peter bowes who's in los angeles. peter, what more do we know? few details have been released other than the coroner ‘s office has confirmed that they are treating his death as a suicide and the investigation is continuing. you can imagine that being a local band, how this is hit so many people in los angeles. a huge number of fancier and, of course, around the world as

they became more successful. they began here in 1996 and it wasn't until 2000, just after chester joined the band and he was instrumental in causing them to reach famed. he became the focal point of the band with his extraordinary voice. he had a huge voice, amazing stage presence. but he struggled somewhat in his personal life, didn't he? yeah, people who know him said that there we re people who know him said that there were almost two different characters. the one you would see on stage with a raspy voice and the scream that he seemed to master and that personified his sound onstage. a big character who wore his emotions on his sleeve, as americans often say in private. they say he was a quiet person and we know because he spoke about his biemans that he had battled drugs and

alcohol over the years. -- spoke about his biemans. looking at the tributes paid to him, so many people say he was a huge part of their childhood and he was a standout musician for a slightly younger generation. yes, so the generation i think that discovered music and the niche of music they particularly enjoyed in the first decade of this century. that was when they were at the height of their same. it is when this band successfully managed to meld different genres from traditional metal through to hip—hop and rock and electronic to produce this kind of new metal that they became known as. it really was the sound of the opening part of this century. i think that is what many people are remembering today, but they were unique in that respect, that they managed to create, in a crowded field, a new sound for themselves. you mentioned a tribute.

there have been so many, fans paying personal tributes and fellow band members as well. fellow band members saying that they were had broken. billy idol, who worked with lincoln park recently said that he was shocked and rihanna said that he was the most impressive talent she had ever seen live. yes. many sad people today. the number of people in yemen with cholera is now the largest ever recorded in any country in a single year since records began. the outbreak started three months ago and oxfam says there are already 360,000 suspected cases. that's more than the numbers seen in haiti in 2011. the epidemic follows two years of a brutal civil war in yemen. greg dawson reports. yemen is a country weakened by war,

on the brink of famine and, now, overwhelmed by deadly disease. in theory, cholera should be easy to prevent and treat. but in yemen, where there is limited access to clea n water where there is limited access to clean water and medicine, it is a thriving. translation: were originally appealing to the international community to supply medicine and medical supplies as soon medicine and medical supplies as soon as medicine and medical supplies as soon as possible. thousands of people are malnourished and vulnerable to the infection which causes nausea and dehydration. this hospital in the capital says it is treating hundreds of new cases every day. oxfam say they have been 360,000 suspected cases already this year. so far, the death toll stands at just over year. so far, the death toll stands atjust over 1800. it is feared that that total could rise to 600,000, making it one of the largest outbreaks since records began in 1949. yemen is one of the arab

world's poorest countries and in the last two years it has been devastated by war between forces loyal to the saudi backed government and the rebel movement. blockade has triggered a humanitarian disaster leaving the majority of the population in need of a. earlier this month, the un's a chief made this month, the un's a chief made this appeal to the security council. this scandal is man—made by the conflicting parties and those beyond yemen's orders who are leading, supplying, fighting in perpetuating the fear of the fighting. in recent weeks there have been signs of the epidemic slowing. with the rainy season getting under way, there are fears that will create perfect conditions for the disease to spread even further. stay with us on bbc news — still to come: ajoint us and european police operation shuts down two of the biggest illegal marketplaces on the dark web. mission control: you can see them coming down the ladder now.

the flamboyant italian fashion designer gianni versace has been shot dead in florida. the multi—millionaire was gunned down outside his home the flamboyant italian fashion designer gianni versace has been emergency services across central europe are stepping up their efforts to contain the worse floods this century. nearly 100 people have been killed. 200 years ago today, a huge parisian crowd stormed the bastille prison — the first act of the revolution which was to topple the french monarchy. today, hundreds of thousands throng the champs—elysees for the traditional military parade. finally, fairy penguins have been staggering ashore and collapsing after gorging themselves on a huge shoal of their favourite food, pilchards. some had eaten so much they could barely stand. this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: oj simpson, the former football star and actor, has won parole after serving nine years in prison. he's expected to be released in october. two of the largest market places, in a hidden area of the internet known as the dark web, have been shut down. the alphabay and hansa sites had been associated with the trade in drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods and stolen data. the operation to shut them down involved police in america and europe. angus crawford has the story. hidden, illegal and hugely profitable. hansa and alphabay — from drugs to guns, credit cards to counterfeit goods. now closed permanently, thanks to operation bearnet. good morning.

this is the largest, dark market web—based take—down in world history. announced in washington, to celebrate the work of police in the us and in europe, for shutting down 40,000 illegal sellers. this is two of the top three marketplaces. we've taken out the infrastructure supporting the trading of 350,000 different types of illegal drugs and other illicit commodities, so this is a big impact. dark web sites can't be found on google, but only by using the specialist tor search engine. messages are encrypted and anonymous, payments by virtual currency like bitcoin, almost untraceable. buyers log on, choose a product and have it delivered to their door. tonight, more than 30 sites are still operating. 40,000 vendors put out of business. it's a huge result for law enforcement, but buyers will always find new suppliers.

it's taken me about 20 seconds to register on this dark web market. it's now offering me anything from cannabis, to speed, to cocaine. for computer experts that's just the nature of these markets. other sites will come along to take its place, but it will take a while for them to become established. it's an issue of trust, many of these sites abscond with their customers' funds after a few months and therefore it takes a while before people trust them. the fbi calls it the most sophisticated criminal marketplace on the internet. and we have been here before. in 2013, police broke into silk road, the first and most notorious. it made its creator, ross albrecht, a multimillionaire, but he's now serving a life sentence with no hope of parole. more vendors and users may soon be following him to prison.

as part of today's operation, dutch police took over and ran hansa for a month. 10,000 customers expecting a delivery may instead get a knock on the door. angus crawford, bbc news. the first military talks for two yea rs the first military talks for two years between north korea and south korea would begin in a few hours, as long as pyongyang agrees to attend. soulmate on offer of talks to ease tensions on the board. —— seoul. north korea hasn't confirmed it will ta ke north korea hasn't confirmed it will take part but hasn't declined either. this report from the military zone. please, do not make any hand gestures to the north. this is the demilitarised zone, the closest we can get to north korea. it's a neutral area about four kilometres, that's about two and a half miles.

there are both un and south korean soldiers behind me. we've been warned not to make any hand gestures, no sudden movements, because of concerns about any startling gestures, given the fact that things are still quite tentative. so, those of you on my left should now be standing in north korea. this is one of the rooms where military talks are held. this is where the generals come. on the right—hand side of the table it's represented by south korea. here, on the left, north korea. any future talks — this is where they are likely to happen. in the distance there, north korea. you can see the flag fluttering just up there. a very potent symbol and a reminder that, in the field, the areas which are heavily mined all around here, recent mines at that, there have been a number of atrocities over the years, many un soldiers, also south korean soldiers have lost their lives here.

and it's a reminder that this is still a very active conflict. back at the base of the dmz, there is even a gift shop. this may seem a strange place to end the tour, where you can buy your own set of military fatigues, there are some t—shirts up here, fridge magnets. if you feel particular patriotic, of course you can buy a flag. but it is so puzzling, because this all seems so normal, and yet north korea has nuclear ambitions, it has artillery pointed in this direction and it is primed and ready for war. and that's something people just seem to have got used to here. now, he was known as a master of surrealist art and with that signature mustache salvador dali gained celebrity worldwide. but now his biography could be taking a new twist. forensic experts in spain are exhuming his body to carry out paternity tests using dna.

a woman in her 60s says her mother had an affair with the painter when she worked as a maid in the seaside town where he lived. will gompertz has been to visit the crypt at dali's own museum in figueres. this is the salvador dali theatre museum, a popular visitor attraction on the north—east coast of spain, and tonight the site for a highly controversial exhumation. underneath this blank stone slab in the middle of the theatre's glass—domed atrium, unbeknownst to most, lies salvador dali, the local artist who became a global superstar. it was his wish to be buried beneath the stage in his dali world museum, where he has lain in peace after his death in 1989. but tonight he is being exhumed on the instructions of a judge, in order to settle a paternity claim being made by pilar abel, a tarot card reader from a nearby town who says she is his love child. translation: we have the testimony

of the person who worked in a supermarket and delivered products to salvador dali. dali paid this person to let him know what pilar‘s mother was doing. there are more testimonies, but this one has been notarised. behind me is the house that salvador dali created with his wife, gala, and it is along this piece of coastline that pilar abel says her mother antonia met the famous spanish artist in the mid—1950s and started a clandestine affair. salvador dali was embalmed before he was buried by this man, who says tonight's excavation will be labourious. translation: there are three parts to the process, the first is the technical one which is the lifting of the slab which weighs 1.5 tons. the second is the extraction of samples from the body of salvador, probably from his teeth and bones. the third part is the laboratory tests esxtracting dna from the samples taken.

if the dna sample confirms pilar abel's claim to be dali's daughter, she could be entitled to one quarter of his estate which is reported to be worth at least £300 million. fascinating story there. that exhumation has now been completed and forensic experts have been taking specimens from dali's body and they will now be sent to madrid to undergo the necessary tests. and we will bring you the results when we get them. it might not be any time soon. in the meantime, keep in touch on twitter. for now, stay with bbc world news. thanks for watching. hello once again.

a number of schools have just started their long summer break but i'm afraid right on cue we have low pressure bringing disturbed weather rather than the big area of high—pressure settling things down nicely, encouraging you to get away to the seaside or out into the fresh air. what does that low pressure mean? first up it means a wet and windy start across the western side of the british isles. further east it's not a cold start, but a dry and fine one, with sunshine for the east of england and the north of scotland. but right from the word go in the south—west of england the winds will be really quite noticeable. gusts inland could push towards 30—40 mph and there will be showers, if not longer spells of rain. drier further east, right up to the eastern side of the pennines. not wall—to—wall sunshine, but a good deal drier. northern ireland, an atrocious start if you're out on the roads. an awful lot of surface water and spray around and a fair breeze as well.

the north of scotland, having had such a wet end to thursday, well, a glorious start to the new day on friday. all the while that area of low pressure churns away very slowly, just sitting over the southern parts of the republic of ireland, and that weather front is really struggling to make meaningful eastward progress. so that's good news for the eastern side of england, but it will turn and stay very wet indeed for a good part of northern ireland well into the afternoon down through wales, the western side of england and into the south—west. that will be a really tough day at the office for both golfers and spectators alike for the second day of the open. a lot of cloud around and i think the early showers will turn into longer spells of rain. the breeze nagging all the while. because of the low pressure, heavy showers around. breezy for a time. for some there will be drier interludes as well. not a write—off by any means at all.

here we are on saturday. breezy in the circulation of that low and that's where we have the bulk of the showers. maybe a rumble of thunder too. a scattering of showers developing in the afternoon further north in england and wales, up into the borders of scotland and northern ireland. the further east you are the drier it will be and in the north of scotland make the most of saturday because here is sunday. an onshore wind and this is rain rather than showers. the showers are there to be had further south across many parts. not everybody gets to see them, but the odd one thrown in there will be heavy. so a lot of cloud at lords and the chance of a shower. unbroken play throughout the day, i think that's very unlikely indeed. enjoy your weekend. millions of venezuelans stayed at home in the country's first twenty—four—hour general strike in over a decade. they're angry over government plans for a new constitution. in several cities police used teargas as they clashed with protestors. at least three protesters were killed in the violence. a earthquake with a magnitude of six—point—seven has struck under the sea between greece and turkey. latest reports say two people were killed on the greek island of kos.

in the turkish resort of bodrum — a small tsunami flooded streets and coastal buildings with about ten centimetres of water. it has just it hasjust gone it has just gone half past