India-Pakistan, Papal conclave and Germany's wobble

India has hits targets in Pakistan in response to a recent militant attack, triggering fears of a further escalation of military hostilities. Roman Catholic cardinals are beginning the task of electing a new pope, locking themselves away from the world in the Sistine Chapel. Friedrich Merz has been confirmed as Germany’s new chancellor but his unprecedented failure to succeed on the first round has thrown into question the stability of his coalition.

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