Obama hosts Gulf leaders, talks nuclear negotiations; Japan likely to expand scope of overseas military operations; Malaysia turns away migrants; Vatican to recognise Palestinian state; gunmen storm Kabul hotel; and more
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World News Brief, Thursday December 5
Joe Biden meets with Xi Jingping in effort to ease tensions between China and US; Thai protestors support former deputy PM; UN considers sending forces to Central African Republic; Vatican refuses to cooperate with sex abuse probe; and more
Read MoreGame of Thrones: choosing a new Pope
That a New Zealander won’t be part of the papal conclave was possibly the least interesting thing to say about the shock resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
Read MoreThe Pope loves the Beatles, but who loves Il Papa?
As the latest Pope passes the five year milestone, rather than take the time to pardon the Beatles, he could do worse than reflect on advice from an American columnist
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