5 things to know for March 22: Covid-19, immigration, spa killings, Afghanistan, China

The Biden government is trying to master the rise of young migrants at the southern border, and Republican opponents see it as an opportunity to sow division and doubt over the president’s immigration strategies. Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas maintains that the border is currently closed to migrants, but there is an exception for minor minors. As of Saturday, more than 5,000 of these children were in custody at the border. President Biden says he plans to rebuild a system that allows potential child migrants to seek asylum in their home countries so that they do not undertake the dangerous journey through human trafficking networks to the southern border. Some critics say Biden overturned the inhumane Trump-era policy before the new government was ready to deal with the influx it would cause.

Hundreds gathered over the weekend in Georgia, Denver, New York City and other places in the US to honor the eight lives lost in the area’s spa shooting in Atlanta last week and to hate the hatred of Asian communities end. Although the suspect told police he had sex addiction (which is not a medically recognized diagnosis), many leaders and activists believe it was a hate crime. Six of the eight victims were Asian women. The attack also raised awareness of anti-Asian hatred around the world. Statistics from London show a 96% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced stop in Afghanistan this weekend to meet with President Ashraf Ghani and other officials. The Secretary of Defense’s visit comes as the U.S. decides whether to abide by an agreement the Trump administration reached with the Taliban last year to remove all U.S. troops from the country by May 1st. The Biden government is considering a six-month extension for U.S. troops there as that deadline approaches. Austin says he is not aware of any final decision by Biden or what the timeline might be. It was Austin’s first visit to the country as the leading U.S. defense official.

Detained Canadian Michael Kovrig is on trial in Beijing on espionage charges, and his case has weakened relations between Canada, China and the US. Kovrig is one of two Canadians detained since 2018 following the arrest of Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver. Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, is accused by Chinese authorities of stealing sensitive information and intelligence. Another Canadian, Michael Spavor, was on trial in China last week. Both Washington and Ottawa have repeatedly called for Kovrig and Spavor to be released. Diplomats from more than two dozen countries have been denied access to the Chinese court where Kovrig’s trial is being held. Meanwhile, US and Chinese officials’ diplomatic summit in Alaska did not go well over the weekend. The parties traded barrages and insults during the opening meeting, which was an ominous start to a new era of relations.

Of course, coronavirus would try at least one upset.

It’s strange to know that professional chefs also struggle with sugar.

Not sure how? Just roll with it.

No, it’s not called “Anthony and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Virus”.

It is about how many people were evacuated from homes in New South Wales while severe floods and heavy rains hit. The same area has been plagued by forest fires recorded in 2019 and 2020. Australia often has extreme weather conditions such as floods, forest fires, droughts and storms, and scientists agree that the climate crisis is exacerbating this.

Cliff Albright, voting rights activist and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. Georgia’s Republican lawmakers are pushing to pass comprehensive election bills before the State’s General Assembly adjourns next week. The bills will restrict access to the ballot and give lawmakers new powers over elections, and they will be fiercely fought by Democrats and advocates for suffrage.

Why do roosters get music glory all morning? Australian oysters appear to be just as effective. (Click here to see.)