5 notes until November 25: Covid-19, Biden, Immigration, China, Opioids

The White House has given formal approval for President-elect Joe Biden to receive the President’s daily briefing, which provides an overview of threats and intelligence developments compiled by the national security community. This is one of the many steps they have taken to begin Biden’s official transition. The incoming presidential team is now in touch with all federal agencies. Meanwhile, states are still verifying their election results, and now Pennsylvania’s hotly contested battlefield is officially Biden’s. As votes continue to count (remember, states can count votes until December), Biden is now the first elected president to win more than 80 million votes.

The Department of Justice is putting new pressure on immigrants about to be deported in the U.S. and asking them to submit deportation aid within weeks. This is an unusually fast timeline, especially because the pandemic has slowed down the processes that immigrants typically pursue in order to stay in the country legally. Generally, people have the option to ask a judge to leave them in the United States, arguing that they are entitled to asylum or other legal options. This quick new deadline is mixed by immigration lawyers, and some have called the move politically motivated. Meanwhile, a new federal petition reveals that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has held more than five dozen children — under the age of 1 — in facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border for more than three days in the past two months. The extended detention of minors has been a particularly urgent issue for those supporting immigration over the past year, as the number of arrests at the border has begun to increase.

The Chinese Ministry of Justice has developed new rules restricting the activities of foreign religious groups and worshipers. The draft rule is intended to prevent the spread of what the government uses to “undermine religious extremism” or the use of religion to “undermine China’s national or ethnic unity.” Strictly new requirements may be introduced for holding services, including a description of the primary religious texts used, a list of the nationalities and visa status of all participants, and obtaining special permits. Chinese President Xin Qing-ping has historically been harsh on organized religion, overseeing significant repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups, as well as other campaigns against Christians and Tibetan Buddhists. Meanwhile, India has banned more than 40 new Chinese applications for reasons of national security. This is the latest sign of a decline in relations between the two great powers.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has pleaded three federal criminal charges related to the company’s role in creating the country’s opioid crisis. The plea, announced in October, includes the largest fines ever imposed on pharmaceutical manufacturers, with fines of more than $ 5.5 billion. Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy last year and will be dissolved as part of the deal to create a new company operating solely in the public interest. The company says it is responsible for past misconduct by pleading guilty. Drug overdoses steal thousands of American lives each year, including 70,000 in 2018 alone, according to the CDC. The majority of these deaths – 70% in 2018 – are caused by prescription or illicit opioids such as OxyContin.

Beyoncé and Dua Lipa bend over.

Your spicy cupboard has become much more pleasant.

A crossover event that we didn’t know we needed.

It’s good to be goal-oriented … but not like that.

According to the International Aviation Federation, the worsening epidemic is likely to cost airlines that much. This is much worse than previous estimates.

Meghan, Princess of Sussex, writing about a miscarriage he suffered in July. In a commentary in The New York Times, the former actress described how difficult it is to lose her second child with Prince Harry.

“Spring” is famous. The “summer” is dramatic. The “winter” is cozy. But Vivaldi’s “Fall” is really undervalued. And yes, great post-dinner (and writing 5 things) listening. (Click here to view.)