First conclave vote ends in black smoke

This episode explores several global events, starting with the selection process for a new Pope, where black smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicated no decision after the first conclave vote, highlighting the challenges the Catholic Church faces, particularly in Asia, with falling attendance despite Pope Francis' efforts to be more inclusive. Against the backdrop of religious matters, tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following India's missile strikes on alleged terror networks within Pakistani territory, which India claims was a measured response to a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, while Pakistan views it as an act of war, raising concerns about regional stability and potential for further conflict. More significantly, the discussion pivots to the Russia-Ukraine war, where a proposed three-day unilateral ceasefire by Russia is met with skepticism from Ukraine, who demand a longer, mutually agreed cessation of hostilities. In the United States, the White House responds sharply to former President Joe Biden's criticism of Donald Trump's foreign policy, underscoring deep political divisions. The episode also covers an unusual case in Kenya involving the attempted smuggling of rare ants, drawing parallels to the slave trade, and concludes with the use of AI to allow a deceased man to address his killer in court, raising ethical and legal questions about AI in the justice system, and the unveiling of design proposals for a memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, inviting public feedback.