5 things to know about March 22: Covid-19, immigration, killings in spas, Afghanistan, China

The Biden government is trying to control the increase in young migrants on the southern border, and Republican opponents are seeing this as a chance to sow division and doubts about the president’s immigration strategies. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insists that the border is closed to migrants now, but there is an exception for unaccompanied minors. On 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 migrant children to seek asylum in their countries of origin, so that they do not make the dangerous journey through human trafficking networks to the southern border. Some critics say Biden reversed Trump-era policies that were considered inhumane before the new government was ready to deal with the influx it would cause.

Hundreds of people gathered in Georgia, Denver, New York and elsewhere in the United States over the weekend to honor the eight lives lost in the spa shootout in the Atlanta area last week and to call for an end to the hatred aimed at women. Asian communities. Although the suspect told the police he had an addiction to sex (which is not a clinically 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. London statistics showed a 96% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020 over 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 defense secretary’s visit comes as the United States is deciding whether to join an agreement the Trump administration reached last year with the Taliban to remove all American forces from the country by May 1. The Biden government is considering a six-month extension for American troops there when that deadline approaches. Austin says he is not aware of any final decision by Biden or what the schedule might be. This was Austin’s first visit to the country as the United States’ top defense officer.

Canadian detainee Michael Kovrig is on trial in Beijing on charges of espionage, and his case has damaged relations between Canada, China and the United States. Kovrig is one of two Canadians detained since 2018, following the arrest in Vancouver of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, is accused by Chinese authorities of stealing confidential information and intelligence. Another Canadian, Michael Spavor, faced trial in China last week on related charges. Both Washington and Ottawa have repeatedly called for the release of Kovrig and Spavor. Diplomats from more than two dozen countries have not had access to the Chinese court where the Kovrig trial is being held. Meanwhile, the diplomatic summit of American and Chinese officials in Alaska this weekend did not go well. The sides exchanged barbs and insults during the opening meeting, signaling an unfavorable start to a new era of relations.

Of course, the coronavirus would attempt at least one disorder.

It is strangely comforting to know that professional chefs also fight the craving for sugar.

Not sure how? Just roll with it.

No, it’s not called “Anthony and the terrible, horrible, bad, very bad virus”.

It is more or less the number of people evacuated from homes in New South Wales due to heavy floods and heavy rains. This same area was devastated by record forest fires in 2019 and 2020. Australia often experiences extreme weather events, such as floods, forest fires, droughts and storms, and scientists agree that the climate crisis is making them worse.

Cliff Albright, voting rights activist and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. Republican lawmakers in Georgia are rushing to approve comprehensive electoral projects ahead of the close of the state’s General Assembly next week. The bills would restrict access to ballots and give legislators new powers over elections, and are being fiercely opposed by Democrats and supporters of the right to vote.

Why do roosters receive all the glory of morning music? Australian handles seem to be just as effective. (Click here to view.)