13/09/2013 BBC World News

Hello. Welcome to BBC World News. Our top stories. A court in India

has sentenced four men to death after they were found guilty of the

gang-rape and murder of a woman. The Taliban strikes at the US consulate

in the Afghan city of Herat. A truck bomb is followed by a gunfight.

America and Russia look to revitalise talks to end the Syrian

conflict. Investigators in North West Russia say 37 people have died

after fire swept through a psychiatric clinic. Thousands warned

to evacuate Boulder Colorado. Devastating floods leave at least

three people dead. Hello. Within the past hour, four

men convicted of the brutal gang rape and murder of a student in

Delhi have been given the death sentence. The case caused a wave of

outrage within India and beyond. The 23-year-old victim had been to the

cinema with a friend, when both were lured onto a bus and attacked, in

December last year. The ruling has sparked fresh protests outside the

courthouse from where we can speak to BBC's Sajoy Majumder who has been

following the case. He joins me now from Delhi. Just start with, what

did the judge say as he delivered that sentencing? David, the judge

read out the sentence and said this was a crime which has shocked the

collective conscience of India. A crime he believed fell under the

category of the rarest of rare and the courts could no longer turn a

blind eye when the crimes of this nature, as brutal as this one, were

blind eye when the crimes of this carried out and he said all of this

as he delivered his sentence, which was the death penalty to all four

accused of the crime. The rape and murder of the young woman back in

December. You can still see a small crowd behind me, a group of

protesters, who have been here all day. The crowd is built up steadily

through the day as we were waiting for the sentence, and as news of the

sentence filtered through to where I'm standing, they started cheering

enchanting, they believe justice has been served. The father of the young

woman who died has expressed his pleasure effectively with that

sentence, saying justice has been done. Do you think that this is the

end of the episode because, let's done. Do you think that this is the

not pretend gang rape in India is a remotely sporadic or occasional

thing. It's a big bad deal, isn't it? Yes, that's right, David. This

was a case that evoked really, really strong emotions across India.

We saw that in a kind of protests really strong emotions across India.

that followed soon after the attack in December and the subsequent death

of the young woman. We saw some of that emotion evident outside the

court today, where we had the most unprecedented level of security. The

police barricaded the road outside the court and then used riot police

to ensure that things stayed calm as the sentence was read out. As you

pointed out, David, this is a country where things are still very,

very bad for women. Recent statistics show one woman is raped

in India every 20 minutes. Sexual crime is on the rise. A very similar

case to that of the gang rape in Delhi took place in Mumbai recently

when a young journalist was gang raped in broad daylight in the

middle of the city. So there was a growing feeling that, while this

case may have ended, and while justice may have been served in this

instance, there is clearly not -- a lot to be done before women can feel

safe in India and that won't be confined to things which are settled

in the court or by better policing, but people believe attitudes towards

women have to change in India. I guess it's an indicator of the

strength of feeling. It's worth pointing out that one of those found

guilty was under the age of 18 at the time and he has been given a

three-year sentence. Even there, the pressure is on to change that. Yes,

that's right. The crowd of protest is behind me a little while ago were

chanting saying they wanted to see him hanged as well. There are many

people, including the family of the victim, who basically wanted to see

him get the same level of punishment as the others because, as they

describe it, he was guilty of an adult crime and he should be tried

under adult law. He was just a few months short of his 18th birthday

when the crime took place and so, of course, under Indian law, he has to

be treated as a juvenile. It was the maximum punishment it could have

been given but there is a move underway to change the definition of

what makes the juvenile and whether that can be changed in instances

when the crime committed is particularly grim. Thank you very

much indeed. Afghan and US forces have fought off a Taliban attack on

the US Consulate in the western city of Herat. Militants detonated two

vehicles packed with explosives close to the building and entered

the compound. A gun battled followed. Three Afghans were killed,

but the US says all of its consular staff are safe. From Kabul David

Loyn reports. In the wake of the anniversary of 911, security forces

were expecting the Taliban to attempt a spectacular attack. The

high-rise US consulate in a former 5-star hotel in the western city of

Herat was the target. The mangled wreckage of the vehicle which

carried the attackers was witness to the scale of the explosion, designed

to create shock and to breach primitive defensive to allow gunmen

into the compound around the US mission. This man heard the

explosion. About 5:30am, this morning, I had a huge explosion,

which shook our building so I ran out to the roof of the building,

which is basically the next floor up, and looked around and saw a huge

plume of grey smoke coming up over the horizon. I ran downstairs to

grab my camera, went back up and took some photos. During that time,

I heard a lot of gunfire and some small explosions which I only guest

at the time would have been rocket propelled grenades. Afghan police

and soldiers did most of the fighting to repulse the attack with

US troops backing them up. Afghan forces are far better than they work

and, within an hour, it was all over with all of the attackers killed.

TRANSLATION: The head of the police quick reaction force in Herat

responded quickly, leaving five attackers dead. As in several other

recent incidents, Afghan police took the worst casualties in the

fighting, including several women and children, who were taken to a

nearby hospital. Since the attack was early on Friday morning, there

were a few people on the streets. The failure of this attack and that

determined by Afghan forces responded, will be a relief to

international forces as they continue to reduce their presence.

12 years after the Taliban government was ousted, the ability

and willingness to carry out attacks of this sort ask serious questions

about the international strategy in Afghanistan. Let's bring you the

latest on talks regarding Syria. The American Secretary of State John

Kerry says he's held constructive conversations with his Russian

counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

They are now on their second day of talks in Geneva. And, although there

are still many practical difficulties to resolve, the body

language between them seems to be warm. Speaking before the day's

talks got under way, John Kerry said they had also hoped to organise a

conference on Syria's future. I will say on behalf of the United States

that President Obama is deeply committed to a negotiated solution

with respect to Syria and we know that Russia is likewise. We are

working hard to find common ground to be able to make that happen. Mr

Kerry's Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, told the media Russia has

always wanted a negotiated settlement. Russia, the Russian

president, from the very beginning of the Syrian conflict, has been

promoting a peaceful resolution. We have strongly support of the Arab

league initiative, the Arab League service, Kofi and's initiative, the

UN, and we wear one of the initiators of Geneva one. Paul Adams

is in Geneva. He says the idea of Russia and the US together trying to

forge that conference looking at the wider issue of peace is significant.

It was an important moment for the two of them, to say, look, yes, we

have come rushing here with our enormous teams of experts to discuss

chemical weapons but don't anyone be filled that somehow we have

forgotten this is taking place in the midst of a much wider and

regionally destabilising conflict. There is a sense, maybe I hope

against hope, that this moment of opportunity could lead to a wider

against hope, that this moment of political dialogue, to a return to

some kind of meaningful dialogue on a political process. That might seem

like a remote process at the moment, but it's worth pointing out

that what we are experiencing right now, and have done since the

beginning of this week, is a moment of the diplomatic momentum, like we

haven't seen for a couple of years. I think everyone wants to make the

most of that before it fizzles away and that's why we are seeing a lot

of body language, a lot of diplomatic language and a concerted

effort to grapple with these issues. The big picture we all want peace is

easy to grasp, but then got to break through the finer detail of the

chemical weapons issue. What are the sticking points, do think? They

remain what they have been for some time now, which is that the Russians

say that the moment for American threats for coercion against the

Assad regime is over. And that this cannot proceed while the Americans

continued to threaten dire consequences if the Syrians don't

play ball. The Americans are saying no, we will continue to do that and

that is why we are here, at all. That is a significant political and

ideological difference which has to be overcome before we get into the

nitty-gritty. So what's the latest thinking amongst Syria's allies?

Three of the most influential are amongst the countries meeting at the

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan. Russia, China

and Iran. Our correspondent James Reynolds is there. This has

previously scheduled but inevitably it has been dominated by events in

Syria. We are standing right here where Bashar al-Assad might want to

stand because as I look here, I can see Syria's three biggest people

around the table, -- allies. President Putin said it would be

unacceptable for the world to intervene in Syria and suggested

Russians chemical weapons proposal has lowered the international

temperature and has praised Syria for signing up. There is a president

of China. He says he supports an end to violence in Syria and says the

two sides need to have a dialogue and said specifically he supports

Russia's chemicals weapons proposal. Bashar al-Assad were like what is

heard from those two men. In the white turban over there, the

president of Iran. This is his first foreign trip as a Rana's president,

a chance for him to set a new tone foreign trip as a Rana's president,

for his country, and he's likely to say the alliance being Russia, China

and Iran over Syria remains strong. James Reynolds. A bit hush-hush, I'm

afraid. He was in the room with the leaders at the time. Stay with us on

BBC News. Still to come: Police in Britain foil a cyber attack on the

Santander Bank as thieves attempt to get away with millions of dollars. A

massive fire has engulfed much of a boardwalk in New Jersey destroying

50 businesses in all. Millions of dollars of damage has been caused

and is also the undoing of months of rebuilding efforts after her reclaim

Sandy last October. The authorities say there is no immediate indication

whether the fire which broke out near frozen custard stand was

suspicious or accidental. Mankind has for the first time sent an

object out of of our own solar system. The Voyager One spacecraft

was launched 36 years ago and is now in interstellar space. It's so far

away that a radio signal takes 17 hours to get back to earth. Here's

our Science Correspondent Rebecca Morelle. The start of Voyager

our Science Correspondent Rebecca epic journey into the unknown. Its

aim was to study the planets beyond our own. But after passing them, it

just kept on going. And now, after travelling nearly 12 billion miles,

it has finally left our solar system. This is one of those

journeys of exploration like circumnavigating the globe for the

first time or having a footprint on the moon for the first time, the

first time you have been exploring the new region of space,

interstellar space. On its 36 year journey, it is recorded some

incredible sights. The giant red spots of Jupiter. A raging storm on

the planet's surface. Images of Saturn shimmering's rings, and a

look back at Earth. So far away, it's a pale blue spec. Now, it's

look back at Earth. So far away, exploring interstellar space. A cold

dark place filled with gas and dust. Eventually, it will go off-line,

when its power runs out in the next ten years or so. After that, it will

float through space indefinitely. On board, though, is a golden record,

float through space indefinitely. On with sounds and images of life and

death. And on its back, directions to our world. Just in case an

advanced alien situation comes across it dashed civilisation comes

across it. Ray Dolby has died at the age of 80. He is known for

developing ways to reduce the hiss which used to play audio tape. You

are watching BBC News. The latest headlines: A court in India has

sentenced for men to death after they were found guilty of the gang

rape and murder of a woman on a bus in Delhi last December. Militants

have attacked the US Consulate in Afghanistan with a huge truck bomb.

Investigators in North West Russia say 37 people have died after fire

swept through a psychiatric clinic. It's emerged that local officials in

the Novgorod region had tried to get the hospital closed down. John

Ironmonger reports. Smoke spills from the shell of the hospital after

a huge fire and rescue operation. The blaze broke out just before 3am

this morning. Flames quickly The blaze broke out just before 3am

engulfed the one story wooden building used to howls severely

disabled male patients. Of the 60 people inside, it is understood that

23 were evacuated safely. Earlier, a search was launched for survivors

inwards. TRANSLATION: Oh 300 people working on site including medics,

are psychologists and emergency services. There is active work going

on. Emergency teams are working to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.

It is thought that the fire may have been started by a patient smoking in

bed. The 19th century building failed the fire safety check earlier

this year but remained open. An investigation has been launched.

Russia's record on this issue is poor. In April, 38 people were

killed in another fire in a psychiatric hospital near Moscow.

Thousands of people have been told to leave the city of Boulder,

Colorado, because of heavy rain and flooding. Towns in the mountains

have been cut off by mudslides and the state's largest university has

been closed. At least three people are known to have died. This report

from ABC News' Brandi Hitt. The devastating flood water slammed

through Boulder in a matter of minutes. Washing out entire roads

and destroying dams, even forcing streets to crumble beneath drivers,

and destroying dams, even forcing trapping them inside their cars. We

had the rescue boats and were able to break in and pull them out. This

is not over, it is far from over, it is can you -- continuing to build.

The disaster has already quailed three people. We know we have lost

lives and we anticipate that as the day goes on we may find out we have

lost others. It has been difficult for rescuers to meet entire mountain

communities that have been cut off. At least six inches of rain fell

overnight in just 12 hours, flooding homes and the University of Colorado

in Boulder. Students had been ordered to evacuate and classes were

called off until Friday. Those evacuation orders may expand as

river levels rise, keeping families on edge. I wish it would stop

raining. Colorado is usually drive. We usually pray for rain! Brandi

Hitt from BBC News with that report. There has been a fifth day of

fighting in the Philippines. The president has promised to call an

end to the conflict in which 22 people have been killed. The rebels

are unhappy they have been excluded from peace talks. International

clothing manufacturers have failed to agree on the level of

compensation for hundreds of victims of a disaster in Bangladesh. Only a

third of the retailers turned up for a meeting in Geneva and of them,

only prime mark has reported to be giving a firm commitment to the

fund. Egypt's is to extend its state of emergency for another two months.

It's been in place since August - following the violent crackdown on

supporters of the ousted President Mohammad Morsi. A night-time curfew

is also still in place. The measures are hurting business in Egypt. The

estimated cost to the economy over the last month is between 200 and

350 million dollars. Bethany Bell reports from Cairo. Cairo's main

railway station is deserted. For several weeks there have been no

train services either in or out of the capital. The trains have not run

since the 14th of August, the day the authorities cleared to protest

camps set up in support of the ousted president, Mohammed Morsi.

Hundreds of people were killed. The authorities say the suspension of

the trains is for security reasons, but it is causing a lot of

disruption. Many commuters now have to travel by bus. This man comes all

the way from Alexandria. TRANSLATION: It is very inconvenient

the way from Alexandria. for me. I need to travel for five

hours to get to work. It affects my professional and personal life. Even

talking about the situation can be sensitive. As he was talking, an

argument broke out. It is about security, this man shouted. It is to

protect you and me, our sons, everyone. Eg's economy has been

struggling since the revolution in 2011. Now no trains to Cairo and the

night-time curfew are adding to the country's woes. It is attracting

foreign investment is attracting foreign investments to start

employment in the area and provide job opportunities. No investments

will come to the country when there is a curfew and if you do not

will come to the country when there investments you cannot create job

opportunities. Every night shops like this needs to shut early to

comply with a curfew. Business has been hit hard. Cairo prides itself

on a city that never sleeps. These days it is being sent to bed early

and this is how the curfew is being enforced. There are army checkpoint

around the city, and in general, people are paying. There are hopes

that the curfew may be eased soon but Egypt's's economic problems will

take longer to solve. For now, the streets at night are eerily silent.

Now an attempted cyber bank robbery. British police say they have foiled

a plot to seize millions of dollars from a bank why seizing their

computers. The men allegedly fitted a computer at a Santander bank with

a device. The police have this described as a sophisticated plot.

Sophisticated, certainly, but what is this device question might the

device is called a keyboard video mouse. It is a high-tech cyber

device and it looks like a box with wires coming out of it. Connected to

a computer, it allows other people to access the computer and in the

bank's case it allows them to access money and details. That sounds

terrifyingly simple. Obviously, we all have a bank account, should we

be worried? The police in London have a specialist crime unit that

deals with this and this is the kind of thing they are used to dealing

with. In fact, the bank involved knew that they were the potential

with. In fact, the bank involved target of an attack several months

before a bogus engineer went into a branch in London and attempted to

fit this device. I guess it is reassuring that they knew about the

plot and spoiled it. However sophisticated it is or not, it is

doable and that will concern a lot of people. It is great that it was

thought were it -- thwarted. The police say it is not the first time

they have seen this device but it is the most significant incidents and

the first time a criminal network have tried to use this kind of

thing. They say it could have been a have tried to use this kind of

multi-million pound theft but Santander have tried to reassure

customers and say no money was at risk and they knew about it before

it happened. The bank will take responsibility for fraud so

customers would not have lost money. A noble attempt to cross the

Atlantic using a cluster of helium balloons, more than 300 actually, in

the basket is Jonathan Trapp, and above his head is 300 helium

balloons. The aim is to get across the Atlantic Ocean and it is due to

take around six days. The weather is being seen as perhaps the greatest

risk to him at the moment and there is a hope that not too many of those

balloons will burst en route. A quick reminder of our main news:

Protests outside the court room in Delhi were four men have been

sentenced to death for their part in the rape and murder of a student.

That was last December. The judge told them that the case was the

rarest of rare crimes and it had shocked the nation. The 23-year-old

victim had been out to the cinema with a when they were lured onto a

bus and attacked. That is, thank you for watching. By.