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This morning’s 3-by-3 travels across a controversial law in Georgia, a historic India-Iran partnership, Stevie Wonder’s new Ghanaian citizenship, and more. Let’s fly!

Politics

• 450,000 Palestinians have fled from Rafah

The United Nations report that nearly 450,000 Palestinians have fled from Rafah over the past week as Israeli military incursion continues, with those in the southern Gaza Strip city now experiencing exhaustion, hunger, and fear with nowhere to go. Food supply via two major border crossings has halted, leaving over 1.1 million people on the brink of starvation. The Israeli military has been at war with Hamas for over seven months, and its evacuation order on Saturday has displaced around 100,000 people so far.

• Georgian Parliament passes controversial “foreign agent” law

Authored by the ruling Georgian Dream party, the passed law forces organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to label themselves as serving a foreign power. Opponents fear the bill will strip civil rights, push the country closer to Moscow, and hinder Georgia’s bid to join the European Union — 30 members of the European Parliament have jointly petitioned that Georgia’s EU candidacy be suspended for the law’s anti-democratic implications. Massive street protests in Tbilisi have been met with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets.

• Brazil responds to worst floods in 80 years

Massive floods in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul have killed more than 100 people and affected more than 1.7 million via catastrophic building damage. The UN Refugee Agency is partnering with Brazil’s authorities to provide relief and especially assist the 41,000 affected refugees from Venezuela, Haiti, and elsewhere who require international protection. The agency is offering blankets and mattresses, translation services, and documentation support, estimating that $3.21 million is needed to address people’s most urgent needs.

Business

• China vows to defend against Biden’s EV tariffs

President Biden recently announced tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports (steel, legacy semiconductors, solar cells, etc.) to protect American production, namely including an increased 100% tariff on electric vehicles. Contradicting Biden's previous commitment not to suppress China's development, China’s Commerce Ministry says the tariffs will seriously weaken bilateral cooperation. Beijing believes the policy violates World Trade Organization rules and “will take all necessary actions” to protect its interests.

• Argentina will receive $800 million from the IMF

Argentina's successful eighth review of its debt refinancing program with the International Monetary Fund will result in a $800 million disbursement. Argentina has achieved its first surplus since 2008 under President Milei, who pledged to reduce a 290% annual inflation rate and surging poverty rate when elected. The IMF praised Argentina's “faster-than-anticipated progress” in restoring macroeconomic stability and committing to social assistance programs.

• India signs 10-year contract to operate Iran’s Chabahar Port

India began operating the Iranian port in 2018, strategically gaining a transit route for its products to Afghanistan and Central Asia while avoiding the land route through rival Pakistan. This 10-year contract renewal includes $370 million of Indian investment in the port’s development and marks a historic moment for India-Iran relations. Less encouraging, the United States has responded by warning of sanctions for any country that deals with Iran, citing over 600 sanctions on Iranian entities over the past 3 years.

Culture

• Stevie Wonder is finally a citizen of Ghana

Stevie Wonder celebrated his 74th birthday by becoming a Ghanaian citizen, fulfilling a dream he’s had for over 50 years. Long inspired by the country’s cultural heritage in his musical process, he viewed Ghana as an escape from the racial injustices of America and an opportunity to connect with his ancestral roots. As a Pan-Africanist, Wonder aims to use his new citizenship to unite people of African descent with the diaspora and “bring all our children together."

• Miss USA resignations expose pageant industry decline

The sudden resignations of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, the first-ever winners of Venezuelan descent and Indian-Mexican descent, respectively, have sparked a new wave of scrutiny into these pageants. Though no longer just physical beauty competitions (public speaking ability, advocacy, and diversity have become focus areas), TV ratings and general relevance have steadily declined. The inability to compensate employees, low application rates, and leadership scandals have all contributed to the turmoil, revealing change is needed to survive.

• Celebrities face “digital guillotine” for silence on Gaza

In the age of social media activism, hundreds of celebrities are facing a “digitine” as users campaign for a #blockout, urging each other to block accounts of big names who have been silent on Gaza atrocities. A-list stars like Selena Gomez, Zendaya, and Justin Bieber are among the targets, with even longtime fans turning against them. The recent Met Gala sparked outrage as celebrities flaunted opulence while Pro-Palestine protesters marched outside, demanding accountability from celebrities who fail to use their platforms for social advocacy.

Written by Outer Voice founders & intern Elina Shah

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