This will be the first of a series called around the world in 80 minutes, modeled on one of my favorite books by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days. Instead of taking a trip around the world in 80 days, this show will provide a snapshot of important world events and analysis in 80 minutes. In this episode we will cover the war in Ukraine, China's secret deal with the Solomon Islands, in the US the Supreme Court confirmation hearings, South Korea's new "deep-fake President," renewable building construction in Sweden, as well as the latest developments on self-driving cars, virtual reality, and medical research.