welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. our top stories: thank you. after nine years injail, us football star oj simpson is granted early release from his 33 year prison sentence for armed robbery. a powerful earthquake kills at least two people on the greek island of kos. we hear from two people on the greek island of kos. we hearfrom the two people on the greek island of kos. we hear from the list with there. the political crisis in venezuela continues. three people are killed during street protests in support of a nation—wide strike. # i become so numb...# chester bennington. the lead singer of us rock group linkin park dies in an apparent suicide. hello.

after nine years spent in a jail in nevada, one—time american sports legend oj simpson has 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. our los angeles correspondent james cook reports. it was the trial of the century. an american superstar accused of stabbing to death his ex—wife and herfriend. oj simpson had been arrested after a low speed car chase across los angeles, broadcast live to a nation in shock. but that's not why he is in prison. not guilty of the crime of murder... simpson was a free man until 2007, when he was arrested for 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. i thought i was glad to get my stuff back, but it wasn't worth it. nine years is just not worth it. i am sorry. in a lengthy and emotional hearing, oj simpson was supported by his daughter and by one of his victims. he had been a model prisoner, they said, and the parole board agreed. you have no prior conviction of criminal activity. you're a low risk to reoffend on our guidelines. so based on all of that, mr simson, i do vote to grant parole when eligible. over 20 years since the sensational acquittal, it's clear that oj simpson still commands an audience. 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 the fallen star is not a killer. but it's the decision of the parole board that matters and as soon as october 1st, a man many believe got away with murder could be set free. well, bryan graham is deputy sports editor with the guardian us and is covering the trial. i asked him what the reaction has been to oj simpson's release. well, it is the oj simpson show all over again. it is the longest running reality show for decades and here we are again. it was dominating the news cycle. it was the only story that could rob a bleak it trump out of the headlines and here we we re trump out of the headlines and here we were today. —— could kick trump. he will be a free man at the earliest october one. as our correspondent in lajust

earliest october one. as our correspondent in la just said, millions were watching and you spoke about it being covered on the networks, but how have attitudes changed towards him? there's definitely been a renewal of interest in oj simpson. maybe it is sort because of the two decade nostalgia. last year there was an eight—hour documentary that won the academy award for best documentary. there was the emmy award winning series, the people versus oj simpson. ifeel there series, the people versus oj simpson. i feel there has series, the people versus oj simpson. ifeel there has been this renewal of interest in this case. it has really in due in american consciousness because it really does illustrate the racial and class divides that still exist in this country, frankly. it will be very interesting to see how he is received as he makes his way back into public life. we got to hear quite a lot from oj at the parole board. what do you make of it? do you think he has changed at all? to be the honest i found his testimony at the self—justifying. at times

almost antagonising the parole board with his lack of remorse. the one comment i believe was how he has lived a conflict free life. certainly nothing from the 1994— 9095 trial was able to be factored against him in this parole board because he was indeed acquitted. however, there was lots of documented evidence of his domestic violence with nicole brown when she was alive. so it was a little bit ha rd was alive. so it was a little bit hard for him. it was the same oj as far as hard for him. it was the same oj as faras him hard for him. it was the same oj as far as him living in the clouds and ina far as him living in the clouds and in a fantasy world, but he was bolstered by two very strong testimonies, one by his eldest daughter and one of the robbery victims. it is very rare that a victims. it is very rare that a victim of crime will come testify in favour of a criminal‘s parole. 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 protests can't be washed away. the opposition brought many parts of venezuelan to a standstill with a 24—hour general strike. millions of people stayed at home or 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 ours was murdered and won't not rest until we are sure that the death was not in vain. every one of the deaths in venezuela will be paid for with justice. the spirit of president maduro's predecessor looms over the 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 one—party state. but there are plenty of people who support the government and refused to take part in thursday's strike. translation: here in the west of the city we are completely calm. businesses are open and we are in complete peace because that's what we want in venezuela. in a televised speech, president maduro claimed victory over the general strick and said its leaders 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. two people have been killed on the greek island of kos, after a powerful earthquake. the islands mayor confirmed the deaths and said that many more were injured when the

6.7 magnitude quake struck off the southwest coast of turkey. the quake caused a small tsunami warning for the turkish coast and there are reports that some hotels in the resort of bodrum have been partially flooded, although the extent of any damage isn't yet known. someone on holiday there told him more about what happened. someone on holiday there told him more about what happenedlj someone on holiday there told him more about what happened. i was in the south part of kos in a little village and because it's a family resort, a lot of them were already sleeping and already in bed. it happened at about 1:27am, so about 11:27pm uk time. forabout happened at about 1:27am, so about 11:27pm uk time. for about 30 seconds you felt the room shake, bottles fell off from the night stand and you couldn't really... then suddenly there was commotion, some children were waiting and crying and i went outside and there was no structural damage. there had

been nothing from the hotel in terms of evacuating, which i read on twitter recently, that some hotels had been evacuated. being from the uk of course you would not be used to earthquakes like this. when you we re to earthquakes like this. when you were woken to this trembling, what did you think was happening? what went through your head? i was already awake and it was a surreal feeling. in the uk we aren't used to this kind of phenomenon, so it kind of just disorientate this kind of phenomenon, so it kind ofjust disorientate siew and we try to figure out what's going on. i kind of figured out it was an earthquake and afterwards a few minutes later you could feel some after—shocks as well. then looking up after—shocks as well. then looking up on twitter and things like that you can then pieced together what's happening. hopefully everyone is safe in the areas that were much more affected. 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. what more do we know about his death? we know that the emergency services and authorities were called to his home shortly before 9am, local time, and it was not long after that that the coroners office in los angeles confirmed that he had passed away and that they suspected that it was suicide. the investigation into his death continues. you can imagine how this has resonated around los angeles. there —— they were a homegrown band coming out in the late 1990s, originally with a different name. and it was chester who actually came up and it was chester who actually came up with the name of linkin park, after lincoln park in santa monica, after lincoln park in santa monica, a park that he used to travel pass every day and we wanted to pay

homage to that part of la. but he was also i think it is read as a instrumental in a huge amount of their success, with that powerhouse voice of his, as raspy vocals that really do find their sound. yes, peter, despite that powerhouse voice, as you so appropriately at bell described it, and that personality and presence on stage, he had his demons in private life? he had a very troubled private life, it seems, and people who know him say that he onstage persona, which was larger than life, was rather different to him in his personal life. he had talked over the years about battling drugs and also alcohol, but he had a tough time and he also said he had contemplated suicide as a result of abuse as a child. what's interesting about so many of the tributes from fans is that they say he was such a big part

of their childhood and he really was a standout musician, for a slightly younger generation? yes, for the generation i think that discovered music at the turn of the century, the first decade of the century, essentially this was their introduction to a new style of music. new metal, which was a melding of metal, rock, hip—hop and electronic music, all coming together in quite a unique way. it was the formation of a new sound which i think is why this generation of fa ns which i think is why this generation of fans latched onto it, because it was different. it was a new kind of music and i think that's what people are reflecting on. a lot of tributes, fans, and his band members. the band said they were heartbroken by the death of their close friend. early idol, the british musician, twitter that he was shocked. rihanna said he was the

most impressive talents she had ever seen live, which is really quite a tribute. it is. thank you very much. 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 clean water and medicine, it is thriving. translation: we are appealing to the international community to supply 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, sana'a, says it is treating hundreds of new cases every day. oxfam say there have been 360,000 suspected cases already this 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 houthi rebel movement. blockades have triggered a humanitarian disaster leaving the majority of the population in need of aid. earlier this month, the un's chief made this appeal to the security council. this cholera scandal is man—made

by the conflicting parties and those beyond yemen's borders who are leading, supplying, fighting and 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. there's plenty still to come: a third of dementia cases could be prevented, if more of us looked after the health of our brains. 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 in the exclusive south beach district of miami. emergency services across central europe are stepping up their efforts to contain the worse floods this century. nearly 100 people have been killed. broadway is traditionally called

the "great white way" by americans, but tonight it is completely blacked out. it is a timely reminder to all americans of the problems that the energy crisis has brought to them. 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. a powerful earthquake has killed

at least two people on the greek island of kos. officials in south korea say north korea has refused to take part in proposed military talks aimed at easing tensions along the border between them. seoul's offer of talks comes after the north carried the first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month. we can speak with our correspondent karen allen in seoul. what has happened with these talks? well, bottom line is they are just not happening, they are certainly not happening, they are certainly not happening today. we havejust received an official statement from the defence department here in seoul. they say they have had no official response from pyongyang to the invitation for talks, and therefore there is no realistic possibility of talks today. now, i think this can be interpreted in

several ways. they have still kept the door open to pyongyang if it does want to follow up with talks. this may be a question of timing from north korea's point of view. the leader kim jong—un possibly not wanting to be strong—armed into determining the timeline and timeframe for these talks. so although i have to say a lot of people in seoul are not surprised at the fact that also not going ahead today, that doesn't rule them out altogether. and it is not simply a question of picking up the phone. the phone lines were cut, the direct link between the countries cut last year after an economic dispute. and therefore the authorities here in seoul are awaiting some kind of official communication, possibly through the media, from pyongyang as to whether it is prepared to engage. and kim jong—un has to whether it is prepared to engage. and kimjong—un has given an indication at a big communist party conference last year that the time might be right for inter— korean

talks. i wonder how embarrassing this is for south korea's new president, who has staked quite a lot on trying to engage the north? it is still early days for him, he has only been in powerfor it is still early days for him, he has only been in power for two months. he is a new style leader, very different to the conservative leadership of the past. he came to power with a very large majority, and therefore i think there is a sense he is still in a honeymoon period. he has indicated that he still wa nts period. he has indicated that he still wants to pursue a twin track approach. on the one hand, maintaining the sanctions, those international sanctions that are still in place against north korea. but at the same time, trying to open the door to some form of re— engagement. after all, just a few weeks ago we had the testing of the intercontinental ballistic missile, the first of its kind by north korea. at the time the president here, president moon said things we re here, president moon said things were becoming very dangerous indeed. and he made it clear he is not

wanting to isolate north korea. he does want to begin talks. exactly when those will happen, if they happen in the weeks and months ahead, they are far from clear. thank you very much. one in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after the health of their brain throughout their life. those are the findings of an international study reported in the lancet. the report also lists key risk factors, including lack of education, hearing loss, smoking and social isolation. here's our medical correspondent, fergus walsh. these runners aren'tjust improving their fitness, they're reducing their risk of developing dementia. i joined the serpentine running club in hyde park. their motivation is as much mental as physical. for me, it's mindful, it's relief for stress, and itjust helps me be more resilient during the day. it makes me more connected, i think, emotionally. it also makes me, actually, just more alert. ijust think it must be

benefiting my long—term health. the main risk factor for dementia is old age, butjust as with cancer and heart disease, we can all significantly reduce our chances of developing it. that means thinking about our brain health throughout our lives, keeping our minds and bodies active. what's good for your heart is good for your head. there's really strong evidence that there is an associational link between heart disease and risk factors for heart disease and diabetes as well, are clearly associated with dementia later in life. she speaks spanish. learning a new language can help build what's called cognitive reserve, strengthening the brain's networks. so it can still function in later life despite damage. a new study says a third of dementia cases could potentially be prevented if nine risk factors were addressed. they are — lack of education,

hearing loss, smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. alcohol and diet may also play a role. eve laird is part of a study in edinburgh which is trying to identify changes in the brain that may be an early warning sign of dementia many years before symptoms emerge. her mother has alzheimer's, so this is personal. she got it when she was 58. i'm now 44, and i think that only leaves me a few years to really enjoy life. so many traits i see in myself, similarities between myself and my mother, that it would be no big surprise if i was diagnosed later on in life as having dementia. what we are looking at here is the mri scan itself. it looks completely healthy. there's nothing we can do

to guarantee a life free from dementia, but this research shows we can increase our chances of a healthy old age. fergus walsh, bbc news. he was known as a master of surrealist art and with that signature moustache salvador dali gained celebrity worldwide. but now his biography could be taking a new twist. forensic experts in spain have been exhuming his body to carry out paternity tests using dna. our arts editor 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. stay with us here on bbc world news. 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—110 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. this is bbc news.

the headlines: the former american football star and actor oj simpson is to be released from prison in october after serving nine years of a 33—year sentence for armed robbery in las vegas. he was convicted of raiding a hotel room to recover sporting memorabilia which he claimed had been stolen from him. millions of venezuelans stayed at home in the country's first 24—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 6.7 has struck under the sea between greece and turkey. at least 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. now on bbc news, panorama.

he promised to kick out millions of illegal immigrants. donald trump: we have some bad hombres here, and we're going to get them out. now president trump's deportations have begun. translation: they locked me up, threw me away like rubbish. tonight, we ask, who is he targeting? theyjust came up to my mom and they told her that she was arrested, and then they put handcuffs on her. sometimes, the sins of the father are visited upon the sons. the president wants america's police to take on controversial immigration powers. in major cities across the country, there's outrage. protesters: shut down ice! shut down ice!