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This morning’s 3-by-3 travels across an iconic Singaporean prime minister, a European Union investigation of Meta, a Michelin-starred taco stand in Mexico, and more. Let’s fly!

Politics

• Russia and China enter “new era” of partnership

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping deepened their “no-limits” strategic partnership, aligning their countries on energy, security, and geopolitics amidst ongoing conflicts in Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has become dependent on China for $240 billion in trade and high-tech weapons components, while China has received considerable energy exports and highly sensitive military technologies from Russia. Partnered militarily and economically, the nations jointly criticized the U.S. for having a “Cold War mentality” and implementing foreign policies that endanger the Asia-Pacific region and unduly dominate the world order.

• Republican-led bill seeks to force weapons transfer to Israel

The Israel Security Assistance Act condemns Biden’s recent pause of a bomb shipment to Israel and instead mandates the “expeditious delivery” of these defense materials. The White House has already announced $1 billion in new arms agreements with their long-time ally, but the Republican Party and Speaker Mike Johnson believe that Biden betrayed Israel by withholding support in the first place, largely due to political pressures and calculations. The House passed the bill with a final vote of 224-187, but the Democratic Senate majority and President Biden plan to oppose it.

• Singapore prime minister steps down after 20 years

Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s third prime minister and son of its first prime minister, has ended a 20-year tenure of economic and social growth — having doubled Singapore’s GDP per capita, navigated multiple crises, and repealed a controversial anti-gay sex law. Extending his father’s legacy of establishing Singapore’s independence, he transformed the small island into a global financial power and leading tourist destination. Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will succeed Lee Hsien Loong and lead the nation beyond the Lee family’s political dynasty.

Business

• Exported Indian spices raise global safety concerns

Certain spices produced by iconic Indian companies MDH and Everest have shown high levels of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing pesticide — prompting investigations by Hong Kong, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Union, Australia, and other nations. India’s health ministry claims to administer one of the world’s most rigorous health risk assessments, but a 2022 FDA evaluation revealed inadequate cleanliness at a leading spice plant. India exports nearly $4 billion in spices, but an estimated half of this value would be threatened if China and the United States take regulatory actions.

• European Commission investigates Meta’s protection of minors

Tech companies operating in Europe are required to combat harmful and illegal content under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a first-of-its-kind accountability measure for digital content platforms. Following a risk assessment report submitted by Meta in September, the EU is now investigating Facebook and Instagram to determine if children are being sufficiently protected from addictive algorithms and by age verification methods. Although Meta is confident in its safety tools, DSA violations can result in fines as high as 6% of the company's gross revenue.

• Boeing could face criminal charges for deadly crashes

The U.S. Department of Justice could prosecute Boeing for two deadly 737-Max crashes that killed a total of 346 passengers — 2018 in Indonesia and 2019 in Ethiopia. Initially settled without criminal charges in 2021, Boeing was required to pay $2.5 billion and adhere to an agreement for improved compliance and ethics. The DOJ is now stating that Boeing has violated this agreement, thus negating the settlement, and will have until June 13 to address these allegations before charges are brought.

Culture

• Mexican taco stand receives Michelin star

A Mexican taco stand in Mexico City’s San Rafael neighborhood has become the first of its kind to receive a Michelin star, a premier recognition in the restaurant industry. Taquería El Califa de León has been in business for 70 years, and Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez has led it for the past two decades. The 10-foot by 10-foot stand emphasizes simplicity with only 4 taco varieties, underscoring the value of cultural authenticity and a growing appreciation for humble culinary environments.

• Meghan Markle embraces newfound Nigerian heritage

The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle recently visited Nigeria to co-host a Women in Leadership event and facilitate impact partnerships for her and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation. Having learned of her 43% Nigerian ancestry through a genealogy test, Markle took the opportunity to embrace her newfound home and publicly reflect on her excitement as a Black American discovering her African lineage. After a warm welcome in Abuja with cultural dancers and gifts, the country’s leaders presented Markle with royal titles to signify her acceptance as a daughter of Nigeria — “Ada Mazi” meaning “the daughter of the Igbo ancestral palace” and “Adetokunbo” meaning “royalty from across the seas.”

• Leonora Carrington painting sets auction record at Sotheby’s

After a 10-minute bidding war, Leonora Carrington’s Les Distractions de Dagobert (1945) sold to an Argentine businessman for a record-breaking $28.5 million, placing her in the top five most valuable women artists at auction. A British-Mexican painter, Carrington also entered the top four Surrealists at auction, surpassing Max Ernst and Salvador Dalí. Painted in 1945, the piece’s psychedelic scenes are inspired by the life of Frankish ruler Dagobert and feature surreal elements like extinct volcanoes and a giant with a double animal head.

Written by Outer Voice founders & intern Elina Shah

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