5 things you need to know before March 22: Covid-19, immigration, spas murders, Afghanistan, China

The Biden administration is trying to get a grip on the flow of young migrants on the southern border, and Republican opponents see it as an opportunity to divide and cast doubt on the president’s immigration strategies. Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas insists the border is currently closed to migrants, but there is an exception for unaccompanied minors. On Saturday, more than 5,000 of these children were detained at the border. President Biden says he plans to build a system that would allow potential child migrants to apply for asylum in their home countries so that they don’t make the dangerous journey through human trafficking networks to the southern border. Some critics say Biden reversed Trump-era policies deemed inhumane before the new administration was ready to cope with the influx it would create.

Hundreds of people gathered this weekend in Georgia, Denver, New York City and other places in the US to honor the eight lives lost in last week’s shootings at the Atlanta spa and to call for an end to the hatred of Asian communities. Although the suspect told police he had a 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 has also raised awareness of anti-Asian hatred around the world. Statistics from London 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 US decides whether to abide by an agreement the Trump administration reached with the Taliban last year to remove all US troops from the country on May 1. The Biden government is considering a six-month extension for the US government. troops there as that deadline approaches. Austin says he is not aware of a final decision by Biden or what the timeline might be. This was Austin’s first visit to the country as the most senior US defense officer.

Detained Canadian Michael Kovrig is on trial in Beijing for espionage charges, and his case has disrupted relations between Canada, China and the US. Kovrig is one of two Canadians detained since 2018 following the arrest in Vancouver of Huawei director Meng Wanzhou. Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, is accused by Chinese authorities of stealing sensitive information and intelligence. Another Canadian, Michael Spavor, was tried in China on charges last week. Both Washington and Ottawa have repeatedly called for the release of Kovrig and Spavor. Diplomats from more than 20 countries were denied access to the Chinese court where Kovrig’s trial is taking place. Meanwhile, the diplomatic summit of US and Chinese officials in Alaska did not go well this weekend. The parties exchanged barbs and insults at the opening meeting, marking an unfavorable start to a new era of relations.

The coronavirus would of course try to be upset at least once.

It’s strangely reassuring to know that professional chefs also struggle with sugar cravings.

Not sure how? Just roll with it.

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

That’s roughly the number of people who have been evacuated from homes in New South Wales as a result of severe flooding and heavy rains. This same area was ravaged by record-breaking wildfires in 2019 and 2020. Australia often faces extreme weather events such as floods, bushfires, 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 pass sweeping election laws before the state General Assembly is suspended next week. The bills would limit access to ballots and give lawmakers new powers over elections, and they are fiercely contested by Democrats and voting advocates.

Why do roosters get all the glory of the morning music? Australian magpies appear to be just as effective. (Click here to view.)