From NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Raum.Vice President Joe Biden said todaythe United States is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran on its nuclear programif that country shows it’s serious about such negotiations.Biden spoke in Munich where he's attending an international conference on security.The five men accused in the brutal gang rape of a young woman in New Deli who subsequently died from injuries in the attackhave pleaded not guilty in a special court set up to expedite the case,NPR's Julie McCarthy reports.The five men are charged with a range of offenses including criminal conspiracy, gang rape, kidnapping and murder.The accused now face a judge trial which is set to begin Tuesday.The maximum penalty under the charges they face is death.Police say that the young victim who diedand her male companion had been attacked with an iron rodand that she had been gang raped.The assault provoked national outrageand calls to overhaul the laws regarding sex crimes.The cabinet approved an ordinance Friday that includes the death penalty for grave sex offensesbut women's groups sayit fails to bar those charged with sexual assault from seeking officeor bring the armed forces charged with sex crimes under Indian criminal law.Julie McCarthy, NPR News, New Deli.In an interview with NPR outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sayswhile there may be some reluctance he expects the military will allow women to serve in ground combat posts,much like firefighters and police have accepted women into their ranks.
