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

The Biden administration is trying to catch the rise of young migrants on the southern border and Republican opponents see it as an opportunity to sow division and question the president’s immigration strategies. National Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insists the border is closed to immigrants right now, but there is an exception for unaccompanied minors. As of Saturday, more than 5,000 of these children had been detained at the border. President Biden says he plans to rebuild a system that allows potential migrant children to seek asylum in their home countries 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 administration was willing to deal with the influx it would cause.

Hundreds of people gathered in Georgia, Denver, New York City and elsewhere in the United States over the weekend to honor the eight lives lost at last week’s spa shootings in Atlanta and call for an end to hatred directed at 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. London statistics showed a 96% increase in hate crimes against Asia in 2020 over the previous year.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made an unexpected stop in Afghanistan this weekend to meet with President Ashraf Ghani and other officials. The Secretary of Defense’s visit comes as the United States decides whether to adhere to an agreement the Trump administration reached last year with the Taliban to withdraw all U.S. forces from the country on May 1st. The Biden administration is considering a six-month extension of troops there as this deadline approaches. Austin says he is unaware of any final decisions by Biden or what the schedule is. This was Austin’s first visit to the country as the top U.S. defense official.

Detained Canadian Michael Kovrig is on trial in Beijing on espionage charges and his case has eroded relations between Canada, China and the United States. Kovrig is one of two Canadians arrested since 2018, following the arrest in Huawei of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, is accused by Chinese authorities of stealing sensitive information and intelligence. Another Canadian, Michael Spavor, faced the test last week in China on related charges. Both Washington and Ottawa have repeatedly called for the release of Kovrig and Spavor. Diplomats from more than two dozen countries were denied access to the Chinese court where the Kovrig trial is being held. Meanwhile, the diplomatic summit of U.S. and Chinese officials in Alaska this weekend has not gone well. The sides exchanged barbarities and insults during the opening meeting, which indicated an unfavorable start to a new era of relations.

Of course, the coronavirus would attempt at least a nuisance.

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

Not sure how? Just shoot it.

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

This is how many people have been evacuated from homes in New South Wales due to heavy flooding and heavy rains. This same area was devastated by record bushfires in 2019 and 2020. Australia often has 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 compete to pass major bills before the state general assembly is adjourned next week. Bills would restrict access to the polls and give lawmakers new powers over elections, and Democrats and human rights defenders are fighting them hard.

Why do roosters get all the musical glory of the morning? Australian claws seem to be just as effective. (Click here to see it.)