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News from home and abroad with Rhod Sharp

The president of a large organisation of nuns in the USA calls for a more modern thinking Pope to replace Benedict. Sister Florence Deacon, from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, tells Rhod she would like the next Pope to not just surround himself with male cardinals, but also seek the counsel of women. Sister Deacon also wants the next leader to find a way to integrate new ways of thinking on issues as divisive as birth control, into modern catholic teaching.

We examine the merger between American Airlines and US Airways to create the world's biggest airline with John Walton from Australian business traveller. He tells us the move is no surprise given American's financial woes, struggling with an old fleet and heavily unionised workforce. He predicts it's pretty good news for passengers, especially anyone collecting BA miles as he expects the new firm to stay in the One World Alliance. But he says staff based at smaller hub cities in the States may question their job security.

The earth will have a close shave on Friday - well astronomically least. Asteroid 2012 DA14 will come within 18000 miles of the planet -- which is nearer than many of our satellites. Judit Ries from the University of Texas in Austin tells us it's an exciting time for scientists as this is the largest asteroid of its time - and we know exactly when it's going to pass. But she also warns it'll be hard for anyone to spot as it'll be moving across the planet too fast to glimpse.