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This morning’s 3-by-3 travels across a new megaprison in Honduras, an India-U.S. economic partnership, an anti-gun violence summit hosted by Quavo, and more. Let’s fly!

Politics

• Biden creates citizenship path for over 500,000

After controversially restricting asylum at the Mexican border earlier this month, President Biden has now implemented a policy that will allow undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residency, expected to benefit more than 500,000 eligible individuals and their 50,000 children. Whereas current immigration law would have such individuals return to their home country and wait 3-10 years before applying to come back, straining their marriages with an extended period of separation, this intervention will allow spouses to pursue a “green card” without leaving the States — provided they have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years and have a clean record. As the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services prepares to institute this program by the end of summer, Biden likely hopes this compassionate measure will resonate with voters in November, especially following a recent lawsuit and public backlash against his administration’s asylum decision.

• Russia-North Korea sign strongest agreement since Cold War

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in North Korea for his first visit in 24 years, receiving a warm welcome from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and later from tens of thousands of spectators on decorated Pyongyang streets. After much speculation that North Korea has been providing Ukraine War ammunitions to Russia (illegally according to UN Security Council sanctions) in exchange for nuclear technologies, Putin and Kim aim to create internal trade systems that the West cannot interfere in and jointly oppose recent sanctions imposed by the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and the UN. Despite a historically up-and-down relationship that saw Russia exit alliances with North Korea when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the two countries have never been so militarily and economically aligned — just signing a comprehensive strategic partnership across multiple industries that aims to “[accelerate] the creation of a new multipolar world.”

• Honduras to build a “megaprison” for gang leaders

Honduras President Xiomara Castro announced the creation of a 20,000-capacity “megaprison,” as well as new measures to fight local gangs with military force and prosecute drug traffickers as terrorists — jointly aiming to dramatically reduce gang violence, further decrease her nation’s declining homicide rate, and expand a prison system that is already 6,500 inmates over capacity. Castro has been inspired by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who built a record-breaking 40,000-person prison facility and implemented hard-line policies to convert his country from one of the world’s murder capitals to one of the safest places in Latin America. Human rights groups have criticized both Castro and Bukele considerably for their suspension of civil liberties to achieve safer outcomes, as Castro now looks to detain suspected gang leaders without filing charges and process them like terrorists in mass trials.

Business

• India-U.S. increase trade and technology initiatives

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited New Delhi to evaluate the countries’ 2022 Initiatives on Critical Emerging Technologies and bolster their collaboration amid China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific region, making the India-U.S. relationship one of the world’s most consequential according to President Biden. Building on an existing deal that permitted General Electric to produce jet engines in India alongside Hindustan Aeronautics, both nations emphasized increased funding for and collaboration on semiconductor production, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and land warfare systems. Despite a relational setback last year when U.S. prosecutors accused an Indian official of coordinating a murder attempt on a Sikh separatist leader based in New York, Sullivan’s visit signals an increasingly positive relationship between the global powers.

• McDonald’s suspends AI drive-thru partnership with IBM

The fast food giant has terminated its AI-powered drive-thru trial across more than 100 locations, which had been testing artificial intelligence in the customer ordering experience since 2021 in partnership with IBM. After several trending complaints on social media about order mishaps, such as the chatbot adding ketchup and butter to ice cream or supplementing a customer’s bill with orders from neighboring cars, it became clear that IBM’s voice solution was not fully functional for global implementation — especially struggling to understand different accents and dialects. McDonald’s intends to determine a new voice solution by the end of 2024, potentially with Google Cloud after signing a multiyear deal in December, as competitors like Wendy’s, White Castle, and Popeyes continue to offer AI-powered experiences in select locations.

• China responds to EU tariffs with pork investigation

The Chinese government has launched an anti-dumping investigation into the European Union’s pork imports, which is understood as a direct response to the EU’s increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last week from 17.4% to 38.1%. While many wondered if China would respond with a similar tariff on Europe’s gas vehicles produced by automakers like Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen, European pork in China was worth $7.9 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion last year — making the agricultural industry a substantial target for retaliation. The one-year investigation, according to World Trade Organization law, will determine if EU countries are selling pork products to the Chinese market at lower prices than domestic offerings, or “dumping,” with China permitted to impose a counteracting anti-dumping duty on these imports if determined so.

Culture

• Rapper Quavo hosts anti-gun violence summit with VP

Quavo organized the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit in Atlanta on what would have been Takeoff’s 30th birthday, honoring his nephew and fellow Migos member after a tragic shooting in 2022. Joined by Vice President Kamala Harris in a fireside chat, Quavo discussed community violence interventions to combat the gun violence crisis and highlighted his foundation’s impactful track record of raising millions for organization grants and advocating for legislation with the Congressional Black Caucus. In this same spirit of artists using their platforms for good, Doja Cat and Post Malone have been confirmed to headline this year’s Global Citizen Festival — as the organizers focus on mobilizing young people around post-pandemic poverty, the detrimental wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and climate change.

• Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh performs on The Tonight Show

Indian artist and actor Diljit Dosanjh made his U.S. late night TV debut on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, becoming the first Punjabi artist to do so and bringing awareness to one of the world’s fastest-growing music genres. After making history earlier in his career as the first turban-wearing man to headline a Bollywood film and the first Punjabi singer from India to perform at Coachella, Dosanjh continued his global takeover with an electrifying medley performance of “Born to Shine” and “G.O.A.T.” He is often praised for his persistent authenticity — wearing Indian clothes with a matching turban on Fallon’s show and even teaching the host Punjabi phrases in a promotional clip.

• NBA champion Al Horford inspires Dominicans everywhere

Al Horford became the first player from the Dominican Republic to win an NBA championship, helping his Boston Celtics score its 18th franchise title and set a new league record. The 38-year-old was congratulated by Dominican President Luis Abinader and several regional celebrities for joining the short list of Latino players to win American basketball’s most prestigious title. Born in Puerto Plata as Alfred Joel Horford Reynoso and immigrating to Michigan with his family at age 14, Horford has represented his heritage throughout his career — most recently tucking a Dominican flag in his waistband for his trophy photoshoot.

Written by Outer Voice founders

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