1The Catholic Church's Cardinals have met for the last time before their secret conclave to select a new Pope.

2An operation is underway to try and rescue 150 Shi'ite hostages being held by Sunni Militants.

3Around 20,000 people have gathered in Shanghai to protest Japan's World War II conduct and their bid to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

4There has been another 111 call bungle in Counties Manukau, a farmer calling the service and getting no response from police was later told the gunshots he heard were probably just a car backfiring.

5Other news.