Trump administration moves to block victims of gang violence, domestic abuse from claiming asylum

Source: Los Angeles Times

Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has ordered immigration judges to stop granting asylum to most victims of domestic abuse and gang violence, a move that would block tens of thousands of people, especially women, from seeking refuge in America.

The decision, which immigration advocates are sure to aggressively fight, came as Sessions seeks to use the authority of his office to sharply change U.S. immigration law to make it less friendly to asylum seekers.

The attorney general has the power to issue decisions that serve as binding precedents for immigration judges. In this instance, he used a case involving a victim of domestic violence to rule that survivors of such “private” crimes are not eligible for asylum under U.S. law.

“Generally, claims by aliens pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors will not qualify for asylum,” Sessions wrote in his ruling. “The mere fact that a country may have problems effectively policing certain crimes—such as domestic violence or gang violence—or that certain populations are more likely to be victims of crime, cannot itself establish an asylum claim.”

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-sessions-asylum-20180611-story.html

White House aide Steven Cheung leaves communications staff

Source: Politico

As the White House communications department undergoes its snail’s-pace overhaul, another top staffer has left the building.

Special assistant to the president and director of rapid response Steven Cheung’s last day of work was Friday, according to multiple people briefed on his departure. President Donald Trump was abroad along with most of his senior staff, but Cheung's last day still marked a low-key end of an era of sorts: he was one of the last remaining campaign-era Trump aides still working on the White House campus.

Cheung was known as the rare aide in the White House who was often in the room, but kept his head down. Unlike many of his colleagues, he never turned himself into a household name.

“Steven has been a part of Trump world for over 700 days,” said Bryan Lanza, a former Trump campaign aide. “He deserves a gold watch.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/11/white-house-steven-cheung-leaving-636589

Screw Trump, I say we send in the dogs!

Japanese Compete To See Who Can Turn The Back Of Their Truck Into The Best Garden...

Gardening is increasingly becoming a luxury for the younger generation. As more people move to small apartments in the city, having a plot of land to cultivate and play around with isn't really an option. However, as these Japanese landscapers prove, with a little creativity and imagination anything is possible!

The annual Kei Truck Garden Contest, held by the Japan Federation of Landscape Contractors, brings gardens to the people. Kei Trucks are tiny flatbed trucks that are commonly used in the construction and landscaping industries in Japan. Every year, landscapers from across the country bring their trusty vehicles together and set to work creating amazing and whimsical little gardens in the cargo hold, to see who can take the title of best mobile landscaper.









https://www.boredpanda.com/truck-garden-contest-landscape-kei-tora-japan/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BPTwitter

Daniel Dale: Here's Trump's public schedule for the summit with Kim Jong Un.

Women now hold a majority of Spain's top government positions 💪

Ivanka's message 12 hours before the Singapore summit

Spain to take in drifting migrant ship Aquarius

Source: Reuters

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain offered on Monday to take in a rescue ship that is drifting in the Mediterranean sea with 629 migrants on board after Italy and Malta refused to let it dock.

The Aquarius ship picked up the migrants, including 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 other children and seven pregnant women, from inflatable boats off the coast of Libya at the weekend.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who took office just over a week ago, has given instructions for the boat to be admitted to the eastern port of Valencia, his office said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-spain/spain-to-take-in-drifting-migrant-ship-aquarius-idUSKBN1J71GG?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=twitter

White House: Statement Regarding the Summit Between the United States and North Korea

Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un likely to meet alone at Singapore summit

Source: USA Today

SINGAPORE — Facing a high-stakes challenge to get North Korea to give up nuclear weapons, President Trump plans to speak alone with Kim Jong Un during their historic summit meeting, officials said Monday.

The one-one-one session, plus translators, will supplement bigger meetings involving the leaders and their aides about proposals to help North Korea if it agrees to dismantle its nuclear weapons programs.

"The president is fully prepared for the meeting," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in previewing the first-ever summit between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader.

Trump and Kim are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Singapore, which is 9 p.m. Monday in Washington.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/11/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-likely-meet-alone-singapore-summit/689730002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter