04/12/2015 BBC News at Six

The mass shooting in California - growing evidence that

at least one of the killers was linked to Islamist extremism.

There are reports that the female killer posted her allegiance to

so-called Islamic State on Facebook during the attack on Wednesday.

In the last half hour journalists have been allowed into the house

of the two killers, still strewn with their belongings.

As investigators in the US try to piece together the links between the

two killers and Islamist extremism, we'll bring you the latest.

A cult leader from north London is found guilty of

raping his followers and imprisoning his daughter for decades.

He used violence and intimidation to brainwash his followers.

His daughter wasn't allowed to go to school or have friends.

I was even told not to look out of windows because it was bad to

But sometimes I did and I used to see other children playing.

Jeremy Corbyn says it demonstrates a clear vote of confidence

And the orange from thousands of miles away.

How climate change could jeopardise the supply of fresh produce.

The Forth Road Bridge will be closed until the new year,

as engineers work to repair a serious crack in the structure.

Rush hour misery tonight, and travellers face weeks of disruption.

Good evening and welcome to the BBC News at Six.

There are growing indications tonight that that

the mass shooting in California, in which 14 people were murdered,

It's reported that one of the killers, Tashfeen Malik had

posted on Facebook during the attack, pledging allegiance to

In the last half hour, journalists have been allowed into the house of

Malik and her husband, Syed Farook, who also took part in the massacre

Laura Bicker from reports San Bernardino.

Jon Sopel is in the house. What can you see. This was the baby's room,

where presumably Tashfeen Malik picked up her baby two days ago, and

hours later it was an orphan. Strewn with belongings. Over there, the

computer where he worked and some of his possessions are still on the

table. For example, his card from California State University. All of

the FM of everyday life. But the disclosure that she had pledged

allegiance to Islamic State has changed this whole investigation, as

Laura Becker reports. As the city gathered to grieve

and all faiths shared in the heartbreak, there was also

praise for the police response. Those who were there first spoke

of carnage. It was something that I

don't think we prepare for. In active shooter, they talk

about sensory overload, they try to throw everything at you to prepare

you for dealing with that, what you The FBI is still investigating

whether the couple, who appeared to have planned this

attack, had links to terrorists. Syed Farook and his wife,

Tashfeen Malik, were not on any terror watch lists, but US media say

she posted a message online Officers found weapons

and enough ammunition to kill hundreds of people at their home,

and before the attack they smashed all their digital equipment,

including their phones. Including 12 pipe bombs

and material for many more. And yet their family say

this is out of character. I can never imagine my brother or

my sister-in-law doing something like this, especially because they

were happily married and have I ask myself if I had called them

that morning or the night before, asked him how he was doing, what he

was up to, if I had any inclination, But it's too late

for victims such as this girl, who fled persecution in Iran,

a Christian running from extremism. She would be the one I would talk

to mostly about everything. Like I've said before,

she's my best friend, basically. The FBI says this is still

an active investigation, but the acts of a quiet couple who

neighbours believed to be living the American dream could confirm

this country's worst fears. Laura Bicker, BBC News,

San Bernardino. We can talk to Jon Sopel who is

inside the house of the two killers. What is beginning to emerge about

this husband and wife team is a scenario the US security services

had dreaded, isn't it? This is totally the nightmare scenario. We

are in this house with the permission of the owners and the

police, and it is suburban, normal. These people were leading quiet,

anonymous lives, seemingly model US citizens. In the time they were

here, amassing a lot of weaponry, because this had effectively become

a bomb factory. As well as all of the stuff we have shown you, the

personal effects of these people, leading lives at the University and

whatever else, they were amassing weaponry, know-how, the wherewithal

to launch perhaps multiple attacks, and maybe that was the intention.

But at no time flashing on the radar of American security services. The

so-called clean skins scenario, where you lead a quiet suburban

life, all the time planning an attack like the one that has

happened in San Bernardino, where we are now. It was the nightmare

scenario for the security services, and it has become a reality, and I

would imagine we will hear from the director of the FBI a little later

today. Thank you. So-called Islamic State militants

have released a video that shows young boys looking for prisoners

and killing them, in a gruesome Meanwhile,

the German parliament is the latest country to join the combat mission

against IS in Syria, sending support to a French aircraft carrier

in the eastern Mediterranean. James Robbins has

the day's developments. Three weeks after the Paris attacks,

President Hollande visited the Charles de Gaulle

off Syria to underline the fact France is second only to the United

States in the coalition fight Britain caught up a bit this week,

but has no aircraft carriers And France has welcomed

an overwhelming vote in Germany's parliament to back Chancellor Merkel

and provide military support. It is the furthest Germany has ever

gone since the Nazi era, but Germany's forces will stay out of

combat and inside its constitution. So the six German Tornadoes will be

restricted to reconnaissance and tanker aircraft will refuel

French warplanes. All Western leaders agree this

combined military effort has to be accompanied by major push for

peace talks to end the Syrian war. The search for some sort of Syrian

peace process involves most of the key world and regional

powers although they don't all agree Russia's President Putin has not

given up his support for the Assad regime,

and the two great regional rivals involved - Saudi Arabia and its king

pitted against Iran and its Supreme Still,

the United Nations hopes to get the Assad regime and Syrian opposition

into talks as early as next month. The UN plan seeks

a political transition leading to a new constitution and free

and fair elections in 18 months. But the disputed role, if any,

for President Assad remains But getting the leaders of Syria's

opposition fighters to a piece table All previous talks have broken

down so this time something has to In terms of the political process,

that is The talks in the Vienna process

of bringing everyone around the table and trying to get

a political settlement But the Prime Minister says

the RAF's part in the larger fight against IS

cannot wait for political progress. And the leaders

of an expanding international A self-styled cult leader

from north London has been convicted of raping and indecently assaulting

two of his followers, and imprisoning his own daughter

in the commune for 30 years. Aravindan Balakrishnan used violence

and sexual degradation to keep the women under control

for several decades. The 75-year-old brainwashed

his followers into thinking he had god-like powers, and never allowed

his daughter to go to school or play Captivity. The year after year,

three decades in all, in ordinary flats and houses. Aravindan

Balakrishnan's bizarre cult dominated the lives of its members.

It became clear that the victims were so conditioned that they truly

believed he was all-powerful and all seeing. Some shared his politics,

but this young woman was his daughter, born into the cult and

hidden from the world. What I first learnt to write was the love it a

la. My mother used to say he is God, the star of our life, so we have to

worship him. This is her first ever interview. She told me he demanded

loyalty. He is in charge and everybody is basically his slave. I

used to feel like killing myself, when I was aged six. The cult was

born in the fever I'll maintain 70s. Balakrishnan quoted China's

Chairman Mao, but later the brainwashing began, that he had

supernatural powers. This was the first of 13 flats and houses they

lived in. There were always rules, work for the collective, forget your

family. Doors were often locked, and going out alone was frowned upon

because of the risks outside from the British fascist state. I was

even told not to look out of windows. Sometimes I didn't I would

see other children playing. A neighbour had a party for a little

boy with balloons and slides in the garden. I was told not to look at

that but I did look. And I used to feel that I'm missing out.

Neighbours saw faces at windows and him leading his followers to the

shops, but they did not see what went on behind closed doors, the

beatings and the rapes. He did not sexually abuse his daughter but he

did do this. I remember lying on the floor near the front door and he put

his foot on my face and kicked my head. And then he put me outside,

outside the door, and locked the door, with me outside. And that was

just so scary because I'd been told that I would die if I was put

outside, horrible monsters would come and take me away. This was her

mother, loyal to Balakrishnan. In 1997 she died falling from a window.

He and his followers turned up at being questioned. No one mentioned a

daughter. This woman is not one of his victims

and still supports him. She accompanied his daughter when they

left the cult. That was in 2013, by now living in this flat with two

sets of curtains covering the windows they had seen a BBC News

report about the charity which helped women. Using a hidden phone,

they called. It is Balakrishnan's hatred that his daughter most

despises but she will not hate him. I forgive him. You forgive him? I

would like to reconcile with him in future. If I leave the place with

anger, hatred and bitterness, I am still in prison and I don't want to

be in prison in that way. Aravindan Balakrishnan has been told to expect

a substantial prison sentence. And if you've been affected

by issues raised in that report you or call the BBC Action Line

on 08000 680 661. Police are investigating two cases

of alleged misuse A third case has resulted

in a woman who worked for an MP The identities of those involved

have not been disclosed. It's the first time

the expenses watchdog has referred The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn,

says his party's comfortable victory in the Oldham West and

Royton by-election demonstrates a Jim McMahon won with

an increased share of the vote, but the result has sparked a bitter

row with the UK Independence Party, Ukip's

considering a formal complaint over Opponents said this by-election was

a test of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. If it was he has passed

with flying colours. He came here just once during the campaign, which

concentrated on local issues, but today he said the victory had wider

significance. It shows how strong, how deep rooted and broad, our

party, the Labour Party is, for the whole of Britain. Thank you very

much. Jim McMahon, the new MP, has given Labour a welcome boost. This

is a truly overwhelming thing for a local lad to represent the town he

loves in Westminster. Friends are clear about who should claim credit.

It was not a vote of confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, people voted for Jim

McMahon because of who he is, he is a great guy. The years it has been a

rock-solid Labour seat Ukip talked up their chances, saying white

working-class voters had been put off by Mr Corbyn. In the market

today is some voters were concerned about Labour's direction under

Jeremy Corbyn, but there was little enthusiasm for other parties. I am

glad they won. Jeremy Corbyn is not the leader, not a leader of men as

far as I am concerned. What worries you about his leadership? He is a

wimp. He will spoil the Labour Party. Ukip did not do so well? I do

not have views on Ukip, a comedian party. I do not like them and I do

not like him, is Ferrari he called? The support of the local candidate

seems to have delivered Jeremy Corbyn an early Christmas present.

Some thought voters would be deterred. Ukip is considering a

formal complaint of electoral fraud, alleging people turned up with

bundles of postal votes. There is a large ethnic vote in this country,

who vote Labour, indeed in one of the boxes last night it was 99%

Labour and almost the electoral process is now dead in those areas.

This result has given the Labour Party a moment of unity after days

of division. But there will be tougher places to win them here.

There are reports tonight that one of the two mass killers in

California posted her allegiance to so-called Islamic State on Facebook

A bridge too far - motorists are told the Forth

Road Bridge will be shut at least until the New Year.

A fall in the number of motorists caught drinking - a year after

And Judy Murray's controversial plan for a development on greenbelt land

The government has admitted to the BBC that the low number

of people with learning disabilities in work is "unacceptable".

Four years ago, of people with learning disabilities,

That compares to the general population of the UK

A year ago, the Conservative Minister, Lord Freud,

was criticised for suggesting some people with disabilities should be

The government says that's not the answer.

Our disability news correspondent Nikki Fox has been taking

Eton College, the college that has educated 19 prime ministers. Working

hard in the cafeteria is Sam, who has a learning disability. He does

not want to run the country he fancies a career as a chef. How much

do you like working here? I like the work here because I love this job. I

like to be independent. He is independent because he is in paid

work. Sam and his employer have access to outside help when they

need it. It is known as supported employment and enables him to serve

600 hungry students daily, just as fast as other colleagues. Sam is one

of only 6% of people with learning disabilities in work and being paid

the minimum wage. A year ago the government minister Lord Freud

suggested some disabled people work for less. The remarks caused outrage

with many groups calling for his resignation. He apologised, but with

the unemployment rate as low as it is, could paying less be an option?

This person has been volunteering at this cafe for ten years and has

never had a paid job, but he wants one. His dad agrees it is the

minimum wage that is the barrier. If he is paid ?2 50 an hour that is not

a problem. As he can only work to 50% capacity should he possibly be

on a reduced wage to somebody on the minimum wage? Those who have done

research on the problem disagree. If you reduce the minimum wage for

people with disabilities you begin to devalue the job people do. The

government don't seem to take this agenda as seriously as they should.

There is no accountability when people fail to take the agenda

forward. Why have the figures for people with disabilities in

employment gone down? That is something we will look carefully at.

It is not acceptable which is why the government is committed to

halving the gap. The key failure is there has not been sufficient

engagement with businesses. The employment rate among those with

learning disabilities has remained low for decades. What Sam shows is

given the opportunity to work and with the right support, he like many

others can flourish, whatever career they choose to take.

ITV has apologised for showing a news item about Sir

Lenny Henry receiving a knighthood that briefly featured footage of the

ITV News blamed the mistake on "an error in the production process".

Sir Lenny said he was very thankful to receive a

knighthood from the Queen for services to drama and charity.

It's used by 80,000 motorists a day, but today it was announced the Fort

Road Bridge - one of Scotland's key transport links - will be closed

Engineers say work needs to be carried out on a structural fault -

at one point this morning there was an 11-mile tailback at

Our Scotland correspondent Kevin Keane has the story.

It should be teeming with traffic, but this is how the Forth Road

Bridge will look for the foreseeable future. And for the 80,000 vehicles

that use it daily, sitting in long queues could now become routine. For

drivers it means a lengthy detour and now with no end in sight. This

does not help anybody. But if the bridge is unsafe, it is a need. Here

is what is wrong, a crack in the steelwork puts stress on the rest of

the bridge and eight other weak points have been identified. The

closure is a drastic step. It is a busy route connecting Edinburgh with

Fife and cities like Dundee. Engineers say allowing more vehicles

to cross will cause further damage. It is not the first time problems

have been found. The cabling across the top of the towers has been

snapping in places in recent years and that has led to the construction

of a new bridge alongside. Unfortunately, it will not open for

another year. The Forth Road Bridge was built 50 years ago where drivers

once sat to take a ferry. Ministers are considering reviving the boat.

We will try to mitigate the impact through supporting travel plans,

encouraging people to use public transport, strength and rail,

looking at a ferry service and bus privatisations. This is something

Scotland's drivers will now have to get used to.

If you're watching from the dinner table this evening, chances are a

lot of what's on your plate wasn't grown in this country, but will have

Just under half of all the food we eat is imported,

But now this food supply chain could be at risk because of the impact

The boss of Asda says it's one of the biggest issues facing

his industry - and 95% of the supermarket's fresh produce could be

Emma Simpson has the latest of our reports during this month's crucial

So much of our food comes from a complex global supply chain.

The boss of Asda told me we can no longer take it for granted.

Climate change is a global issue, it is a big industry issue

and particularly an industry issue in the UK.

We have been mapping this issue across our business to understand

the impact it will have on our organisation, but also more

We know 95% of all produce we sell could be affected in the future

Water is already in short supply in this part of the world.

Farmers are noticing the hot dry summers are getting longer.

In a short space of time it has changed very quickly.

If the pace of change continues, it is clear we will be really affected.

That is 17 of these - to make just one orange.

No wonder here they make sure they don't waste a single drop.

And this fruit needs to keep flowing in the years ahead.

If not, supermarket prices will rise.

With electric sensors, they measure just how much water the soil needs.

Healthy soil is crucial where ever it is.

Back here, the government's own experts say parts of

We could become more reliant on imported food

if farmers don't make their soil more resilient to extreme weather.

He has given up ploughing this field in Kent.

It means it does not lie bare between harvests.

Instead, he covers it with crops to protect and improve the soil.

After heavy rain, I've noticed the soil absorbs water better.

I am not seeing soil erosion at all, no soil running out of the gate

and down the road and also, in the spring, we are able to start

Making more of what we've got in the face of climate change.

Everyone in this industry will need to do this if we are to have this

fresh produce all year round at prices we can afford.

Let's take a look at the weather. A quick look to the Atlantic and you

can see something is going on with a massive cloud heading our way. It

will eventually headed towards our shores, being pushed along by a

strong jet stream. The fourth storm of the season. Storm Desmond has

been named because we expect significant impacts from rain and

wind. It is blustery across Scotland. Up to 60 mph. Blustery

across the UK. The rain will get heavier across the northern half of

the UK. Rain warnings have been issued. Be prepared for heavy

rainfall in this part of the world. The warning will last for 24 hours.

Tomorrow, largely dry in the south, but wet and windy in northern

parts. The wettest weather over higher ground and rainfall totals

could the 200 millimetres. At lower levels, between 60 and 100

millimetres. Largely dry, further south. But winds up to 40, 50 miles

an hour, in the west, up to 60 mph for some. On top of that we have

heavy rainfall. It looks pretty miserable and I suspect there will

be issues with transport in particular, with this combination of

severe gales and rain, disruption to travel is likely. On Sunday the

worst of the weather slips out. There will be rain but not as heavy

as tomorrow. Some improvements in northern England. And in Scotland

where a bit of sunshine will be coming through. A lot going on. Keep

up-to-date online. There are reports tonight that one

of the two mass killers in California posted her allegiance to

so-called Islamic State on Facebook. That's all from the BBC News at Six.

so it's goodbye from me and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news

teams where you are.