January 10, 2018


News and Views


THIS PRESSURE ON EMPLOYERS RATHER THAN JUST WORKERS IS A GOOD THING. THE SAME NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE FARM LABORERS THAT COME TO THE USA SEASONALLY. MANY FARMERS SAY THEY JUST “CAN’T AFFORD” TO PAY DECENT WAGES, SO THEY “HAVE TO” HAVE “ILLEGAL” WORKERS TO STAY AFLOAT. THERE WAS A SIMILAR ARTICLE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHICH STATED THAT EMPLOYERS OFTEN SIMPLY DO NOT CHECK TO VERIFY THE ID AND SSN, ON THE GOVERNMENT NUMBER SET UP FOR THAT PURPOSE. THAT WAY THEY CAN CLAIM THAT THE LABORER CHEATED THEM RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

THE MAIN PROBLEM, THOUGH, IS THAT BUSINESS PEOPLE OFTEN CUT EVERY CORNER THEY CAN TO MAKE MORE MONEY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CORNERS. IT’S TIME BUSINESSES PAID DECENT WAGES, PAID THEIR FULL SHARE OF TAX DOLLARS, AND IMPROVED THEIR SALES, INSTEAD OF CHEATING THEIR LABOR. THEY’RE VERY WEALTHY ORGANIZATIONS. THEY CAN PAY MORE.

THIS IS ALSO A MAJOR REASON WHY AMERICAN WORKERS DON’T HAVE JOBS. MOST UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE AREN’T “LAZY.” IT’S JUST DIFFICULT TO BE HIRED, ESPECIALLY AT A LIVING WAGE. THERE ARE MANY UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE WHO WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THOSE JOBS, BUT EMPLOYERS GIVE THEM TO ILLEGAL WORKERS FOR LESS MONEY. IT’S JUST GOOD BUSINESS, RIGHT? SIMILARLY, THEY DO THE SAME THING IN COMPUTER TECH POSITIONS. THERE IS A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISA ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF HIRING SUPPOSEDLY SUPERIOR WORKERS FROM INDIA AND CHINA ON THE GROUNDS THAT AMERICAN WORKERS ARE INCAPABLE OF LEARNING THAT SORT OF WORK. THAT’S JUST RIDICULOUS.

THE REASON TRUMP’S BILLIONS, AND THE SAME IS TRUE OF OTHER BUSINESSMEN AS WELL OF COURSE, DON’T IMPRESS ME IS THAT HE AND MOST OTHERS CHEAT TO MAKE AND KEEP ALL THEIR MONEY. THE REPUBLICANS HAVE JUST RECENTLY REWRITTEN THE TAX LAWS TO HELP THE BILLIONAIRES OUT EVEN MORE. THAT’S JUST DISHONEST, AND NOT A SIGN OF THEIR PERSONAL BRILLIANCE OR VIRTUE AND “HARD WORK.” HIS RECENT CLAIM THAT THE WOLFF BOOK CALLING HIM SOME UNFLATTERING THINGS, AMONG THEM “UNSTABLE” AND DOWNRIGHT UNQUALIFIED BY VIRTUE OF HIS IQ, WAS GROSSLY UNFAIR BECAUSE HE IS A “VERY STABLE GENIUS” IS TRULY TYPICAL. I’LL BE SO GLAD WHEN HE’S OUT OF OFFICE SO I WON’T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS STUFF ANYMORE.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/7-eleven-raid-immigration-agents-operation-almost-100-stores-wednesday-morning/
CBS/AP January 10, 2018, 4:59 PM
ICE agents descend on dozens of 7-Eleven stores in immigration operation

VIDEO – CBS THIS MORNING

Last Updated Jan 10, 2018 4:59 PM EST

LOS ANGELES -- U.S. immigration agents descended on dozens of 7-Eleven stores before dawn Wednesday to open employment audits and interview workers in what officials described as the largest operation against an employer under Donald Trump's presidency. Agents targeted about 100 stores nationwide, broadening an investigation that began with a 4-year-old case against a franchisee on New York's Long Island. The audits could lead to criminal charges or fines over the stores' hiring practices.

The action appears to open a new front in Mr. Trump's sharp expansion of immigration enforcement, which has already brought a 40 percent increase in deportation arrests and plans to spend billions of dollars on a border wall with Mexico. Hardliners have been pressing for a tougher stance on employers.

"Today's actions send a strong message to U.S. businesses that hire and employ an illegal workforce: ICE will enforce the law, and if you are found to be breaking the law, you will be held accountable," Thomas D. Homan, ICE deputy director and senior official performing the duties of the director, said in a statement. "Businesses that hire illegal workers are a pull factor for illegal immigration and we are working hard to remove this magnet. ICE will continue its efforts to protect jobs for American workers by eliminating unfair competitive advantages for companies that exploit illegal immigration."

Derek Benner, a top official at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told The Associated Press that Wednesday's operation was "the first of many" and "a harbinger of what's to come" for employers. He said there would be more employment audits and investigations, though there is no numerical goal.

"This is what we're gearing up for this year and what you're going to see more and more of is these large-scale compliance inspections, just for starters. From there, we will look at whether these cases warrant an administrative posture or criminal investigation," said Benner, acting head of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations, which oversees cases against employers.

"It's not going to be limited to large companies or any particular industry, big medium and small," he said. "It's going to be inclusive of everything that we see out there."

Notices of inspection -- NOIs -- were served in Washington, D.C., as well as California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, ICE said in a statement, CBS News' Jeff Pegues reports.

7-Eleven Stores Inc., based in Irving, Texas, with more than 8,600 stores in the U.S., didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Though agents arrested 21 people suspected of being in the country illegally during Wednesday's sweep, the action was aimed squarely at management.

Illegal hiring is rarely prosecuted, partly because investigations are time-consuming and convictions are difficult to achieve because employers can claim they were duped by fraudulent documents or intermediaries. Administrative fines are discounted by some as a business cost.

George W. Bush's administration aggressively pursued criminal investigations against employers in its final years with dramatic pre-dawn shows of force and large numbers of worker arrests. In 2008, agents arrived by helicopter at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, and detained nearly 400 workers. Last month, Mr. Trump commuted the 27-year prison sentence of Sholom Rubashkin, former chief executive of what was the nation's largest kosher meatpacking operation.

Barack Obama's administration more than doubled employer audits to more than 3,100 a year in 2013, shunning Bush's flashier approach. John Sandweg, an acting ICE director under Obama, said significant fines instilled fear in employers and draining resources [sic] from other enforcement priorities.

Mr. Trump's administration is pursuing "its own kind of unique strategy" tied to its broader emphasis on fighting illegal immigration, including enforcement on the border, Benner said. Some workers may get arrested in the operations but authorities are targeting employers because they are job magnets for people to come to the country illegally.

"We need to make sure that employers are on notice that we are going to come out and ensure that they're being compliant," Benner said "For those that don't, we're going to take some very aggressive steps in terms of criminal investigations to make sure that we address them and hold them accountable."

Wednesday's operation resulted from a 2013 investigation that resulted in charges against nine 7-Eleven franchisees and managers in New York and Virginia. Eight have pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay more than $2.6 million in back wages, and the ninth was arrested in November.

In the 2013 investigations, managers used more than 25 stolen identities to employ at least 115 people in the country illegally, knowing they could pay below minimum wage, according to court documents. The documents say 7-Eleven corporate office does automated payroll, requiring franchisees provide employee names and Social Security numbers to pay workers through direct deposit or check.

The 7-Eleven stores served on Wednesday will be required to produce documents showing they required work authorization, which Benner said will become more common. Audits may lead to criminal charges or administrative penalties.

In Los Angeles' Koreatown, seven agents arriving in three unmarked cars closed a store for 20 minutes to explain the audit to the only employee there, a clerk with a valid green card. Agents, wearing blue jackets marked ICE, told arriving customers that the store was closed briefly for a federal inspection. A driver delivering cases of beer was told to wait in the parking lot.

The manager was in Bangladesh and the owner, reached by phone, told the clerk to accept whatever documents were served. Agents said they would return Tuesday for employment records they requested.

Neither 7-Eleven nor was its parent company, Seven & i Holding Co. based in Tokyo, was charged in that case.

"Just as the IRS performs audits of people all the time of their tax returns, the same purpose here is to ensure a culture of compliance in this area," he said.

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.



ASKED IF HE AGREED WITH TRUMP, SEN. TIM SCOTT SAID: "I'M NOT COMMENTING ON ANYTHING." ASKED WHY NOT, THE SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN QUIPPED: "I DON'T WANT TO."

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/09/politics/democrat-brendan-boyle-stable-genius-act/index.html
Genius Act' following Trump tweet
Saba Hamedy*
By Saba Hamedy, CNN
Updated 5:26 PM ET, Tue January 9, 2018

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
President Donald Trump tweeted he is a 'very stable genius' over the weekend
One Democrat from Pennsylvania didn't shy away from his thoughts on the tweets

Washington (CNN)One Democratic lawmaker is challenging President Donald Trump's "stable genius" statement by introducing legislation of the same name.

Rep. Brendan Boyle on Tuesday announced his proposed "Stable Genius Act," which would require all presidential candidates to file a Federal Election Commission report "certifying that he or she has undergone medical examination by the medical office under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy."

"My legislation provides a much needed safeguard to ensure that future presidential candidates meet the basic standards of a proper, uniform medical examination, and that this information is available to the American public before voting for the Office of the Presidency," Boyle said in a statement. "While President Trump apparently considers himself a 'stable genius,' the American people deserve a thorough, standardized procedure to allow a medical professional to determine this."

The legislation comes a week after Trump responded to claims made in author Michael Wolff's new book "Fire and Fury," which raises questions about the President's mental stability. CNN has not confirmed many of the assertions presented in Wolff's book.
"Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence ..." Trump tweeted.

Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump
Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....

7:19 AM - Jan 6, 2018
38,108 38,108 Replies 35,142 35,142 Retweets 147,518 147,518 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy

"Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart," the President continued. "Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star ... to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius ... and a very stable genius at that!"

Boyle didn't shy away from his thoughts on Trump's comments.
[View image on Twitter]

Rep. Brendan Boyle
✔
@CongBoyle
The President believes he is a "stable genius." I do not. Today, I introduced the

STANDARDIZING
TESTING AND
ACCOUNTABILITY
BEFORE
LARGE
ELECTIONS

GIVING
ELECTORS
NECESSARY
INFORMATION FOR
UNOBSTRUCTED
SELECTION

ACT to ensure that Presidential candidates are fit to lead.

11:05 AM - Jan 9, 2018
648 648 Replies 6,307 6,307 Retweets 15,552 15,552 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy

The Pennsylvania lawmaker tweeted a screen grab of the proposal, adding "The President believes he is a 'stable genius.' I do not."

Republicans on Capitol Hill also did not necessarily agree with Trump's "genius" remark.

Trump a genius? Hill Republicans not so sure

"He's smart and capable at getting himself elected president," said Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas. But is he a genius? Moran paused for several seconds, smiled and said simply, "Got nothing."

Others laughed it off.

"Listen, my view of the President -- I find him to be engaging, gracious, you know, pretty funny, and I don't have a question he's fit for office," Sen. Ron Johnson, a conservative Republican from Wisconsin, told CNN. When asked if he agreed with Trump's assessment that he's a genius, Johnson laughed, walked into the Senate chamber and didn't reply.

Meanwhile, many -- including Democratic leaders -- have avoided the discussion, preferring to focus on other topics.

Asked if he agreed with Trump, Sen. Tim Scott said: "I'm not commenting on anything." Asked why not, the South Carolina Republican quipped: "I don't want to."

Trump will have his first known medical exam since taking office on Friday, but there is little to indicate the checkup will provide much clarity about the state of the President's mind. A review of the past five presidents' physical exams shows only brief mentions of mental health, and none provide a readout of mental health tests.

CNN's Deirdre Walsh, Kevin Liptak and Manu Raju contributed to this report.


SABA HAMEDY *

http://www.latimes.com/la-bio-saba-hamedy-staff.html
Saba Hamedy
Writer

Saba Hamedy no longer works for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she wrote about TV, the box office and digital entertainment. She also covered the Iranian community, national news and the business of Hollywood. Hamedy grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with degrees in journalism and political science.


THIS IS THE KIND OF ECONOMIC RECKLESSNESS THAT PRECEDES DISASTER, IF THE 1929 EXAMPLE IS PERTINENT. READY FOR THE NEXT DEVASTATING DEPRESSION? WE NEED GLASS STEAGALL BACK AGAIN; AND MORE REGULATIONS, TOO, SUCH AS PRICE CEILINGS ON EVERYTHING FROM MEDICAL COSTS TO CARS TO HOUSING, AND A REQUIREMENT FOR ALL AMERICANS WITH INCOMES -- WHETHER “EARNED” OR INVESTMENTS -- OVER $100,000 A YEAR TO BE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST ¼ OF THAT TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE/MCD FUNDING. IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT CIVIC DUTY -- JUST AS ALL YOUNG MEN MUST GIVE OF THEIR TIME, FREEDOM AND GOOD RED BLOOD TO A STANDING ARMY -- TO PAY INTO THE FUNDS FOR AMERICA'S SOCIETAL SAFETY NET, THEY COULD LEGITIMATELY “EARN” ONE TAX WRITE-OFF OR OTHER GOVERNMENT HANDOUT. FOR ANOTHER ONE, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO AID A GROUP OF CITIZENS IN AN IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOOD IN SETTING UP FOR THEMSELVES A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS, AND GIVING THEM POINTERS ON HOW DO DEAL WITH FINANCE AND THE LAW IN ORDER TO RUN IT.

IT ALSO SHOULD BE MADE ILLEGAL FOR CONGRESS TO WRITE ANY MORE BILLS FOR WHICH PAYMENT IS TO BE WITHDRAWN/”BORROWED” FROM THE SS, MCR OR MCD FUNDING. IN MY VIEW, THAT IS TOTALLY IMMORAL. IF CITIZENS CAN BUY A PRIVATE ISLAND, THEY CAN DARNED WELL PAY CONSIDERABLY MORE TO THE OVERALL WELFARE OF THEIR POOR FELLOW CITIZENS THAN THEY DO THESE DAYS.

ANOTHER THING THAT WE COULD USE WOULD BE A NATIONAL CHARITY FOR DISBURSING PERSONAL FINANCIAL AID TO PRIVATE CITIZENS WHO NEED HELP ON MEDICAL BILLS OVER AND ABOVE MCD OR MCR WHEN THEY FAIL TO PAY ENOUGH. I’M THINKING ESPECIALLY OF THINGS THAT ARE BARELY COVERED, BUT IMPORTANT – DENTAL WORK, EYE CARE FOR THE “LEGALLY BLIND” INDIVIDUALS, SURGERY FOR SEVERE PHYSICAL FLAWS SUCH AS HAIRLIP, AND SO ON. I WON’T BELABOR THAT POINT, BUT HAVING AN UNCORRECTED HAIRLIP, “WALL-EYE”, ETC. IS DISCOURAGING IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE. PEOPLE WON’T SPEAK TO YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN THEY NEED TO LOOK AT YOU, AND THE LESS THAN KIND AMONG THEM MAY DO ALL MANNER OF TRULY EVIL THINGS TO YOU.

THEN LET’S MOVE TO A GUARANTEED INCOME. WITH THAT, IF YOU CAN’T FIND WORK YOU WON’T HAVE TO SLEEP BEHIND A DUMPSTER, OR EAT OUT OF IT. CANADA’S VERSION OF THAT IS DESCRIBED AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.MONEYSENSE.CA/SAVE/RETIREMENT/PENSIONS/GUARANTEED-INCOME-SUPPLEMENT-APPLICATION/.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/million-dollar-homes-haunt-real-estate-market/
By AIMEE PICCHI MONEYWATCH January 10, 2018, 12:01 AM
A plague of million-dollar homes haunts real estate

Owning a million-dollar home isn't the rarity it used to be.

The share of homes valued at more than $1 million has surged more than fourfold since 2002, according to new data from real estate site Trulia, which analyzed the luxury real estate market in the top 100 U.S. metropolitan areas. Across those regions, about 4.3 percent of homes are now worth at least $1 million, compared with about 1 percent in 2002, said Trulia senior economist Cheryl Young.

Rising real estate values since the housing crisis have bolstered the price tags of many homes. Trulia found that $1 million doesn't necessarily denote a "luxury" home these days. In some cities -- think San Francisco -- they're the norm, rather than a marker of top quality. That puts pressure on lower-income buyers who can't afford to keep up with rising property prices, while cutting the amount of inventory available at prices below $1 million.

The share of homes valued below $1 million is "decreasing at a rate we're surprised by," Young said. "It was 98.9 percent in 2002, and now it's 95.7 percent. That is pretty shocking."

Rising real estate values, tight inventory and a lack of new construction are contributing to the surge in million-dollar homes. Yet another factor may be at play: rising income inequality, which has benefited the bank accounts of America's richest families.

The top 0.1 percent of American earners, or those with $6 million in average income, have seen their incomes surge by 320 percent between 1980 to 2014, compared with just 42 percent for middle-income workers, according to research published last year by Gabriel Zucman and fellow economists. That has created a huge gulf in spending power between the richest Americans and the middle class, giving those at the top the buying power to spring for homes worth $1 million or more.

It may explain why the share of homes worth $5 million or more is growing even faster. This segment is what Trulia describes as "the most luxurious homes available." To be sure, it remains a tiny part of the real estate market, accounting for just 0.28 percent of overall sales. Still, that figure is five times higher than in 2002, Trulia said.

"It was interesting to think about whether $5 million is becoming the new $1 million," Young said.

Young's analysis found that homes worth $5 million or higher tend to share a few traits, such as fabulous locations or views and "estate" or "park-like" grounds. They also tend to be larger than the median home and feature designs by well-known architects and designers.

A few listings included unusual features like bulletproof glass and swim-up bars. And they have one other quirk: more bathrooms than bedrooms.

The market with the largest share of million-dollar homes is San Francisco, where two out of three homes have crossed the $1 million threshold, Trulia found. Five years ago, only 22 percent of San Francisco homes were valued at that amount.

"The crunch is obviously happening at the starter segment. That's where affordability hits the hardest," Young said. "As that share grows, the people it impacts is the people at the bottom."

Here are the five metropolitan areas with the largest share of homes worth $1 million in 2017.

San Francisco: 66 percent
San Jose, California: 56.4 percent
Los Angeles: 23.8 percent
Fairfield County, Connecticut: 17.7 percent
Long Island, New York: 17.4 percent

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.



THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE A CONFESSION TO ME .... "THERE IS COLLUSION, BUT IT IS REALLY WITH THE DEMOCRATS AND THE RUSSIANS FAR MORE THAN IT IS WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND RUSSIANS," HE SAID.” YOU KNOW, LIKE WHEN THE KID SAYS, “HE HIT ME FIRST!!”

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-holds-joint-press-conference-with-norways-prime-minister-live-stream/
By KATHRYN WATSON CBS NEWS January 10, 2018, 2:42 PM
Trump airs Russia probe grievances in joint press conference with Norway's prime minister — live updates

President Trump held a joint press conference Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg Wednesday in the White House East Room, taking the opportunity to bash Democrats and question investigation into Russian interference.

"There was absolutely no collusion. Everybody knows it," Mr. Trump said, claiming the real collusion was between Russia and Democrats.

"There is collusion, but it is really with the Democrats and the Russians far more than it is with the Republicans and Russians," he said. "So, the witch hunt continues."

The president's comments come amid reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team may interview the president directly. Asked if he would be open to such an interview, Mr. Trump said, "We'll see what happens." In June 2017, the president said he would "100 percent" be willing to speak with special counsel Robert Mueller under oath.

"When they have no collusion, and nobody's found any collusion, at any level, it seems unlikely that you'd even have an interview," the president said Wednesday.

Solberg, asked what she makes of the Russia probe and its impact on the global stage said that it's an issue for American politics.

"I think that it's up to every political system and country to scrutinize and discuss their own political agenda in their countries, and I respect that very much, and that this is an issue for American politics," she said.

The president also emphasized that there will be no deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program without funding for a border wall.

"No. No," the president said, when asked if he would consider DACA with wall funding. "It's got to include the wall. We need the wall for security. We need the wall for safety. We need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in. I would imagine that the people in the room — both Democrat and Republican —I really believe they're going to come up with a solution which has been going on for a long time."

That seemed to conflict with comments the president made in a meeting with key congressional leaders Tuesday, when he said he would be open to a clean DACA bill. The White House failed to include that remark in its original transcript, releasing a full transcript when the error was noticed.

The president also made some news on his conversation early Wednesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, saying he thinks the conversation had "good energy." The two had discussed the outcome of recent talks between the South and North Korea. Vice President Mike Pence will lead the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month.

"We have certainly problems with North Korea, but a lot of good talks are going on right now. A lot of good energy, I see a lot of good energy — I like it very much, what I'm seeing" Mr. Trump said. "I just spoke this morning, as you know, with the president, President Moon of South Korea. He had some really great meetings, his representatives had a great, great meeting. And I had some very good feedback from that, so hopefully a lot of good things are going to work out."

Scheduled press conferences are a rare thing in Mr. Trump's White House, although he often takes questions from reporters on his way to board Marine One or during meetings with members of Congress and his administration. In the last two days, the president has made extended comments to the press, saying he wants to toughen libel laws to make it easier to punish news organizations, consider comprehensive immigration reform, and possibly bring back "earmarks," a form of federal money allocation in which members of Congress send money to their districts via unrelated legislation.

Paris agreement was "very unfair" to U.S., Trump says

The president, asked about the Paris agreement he announced he would pull the U.S. out of, noted the agreement was "very unfair" to the U.S.

"It treated the United States very unfairly and frankly it's an agreement that I had no problem with but I had an agreement with what they signed," he said.

The president also said his administration is very "strong" on the environment.

Trump: It's better to work with Russia

"I will say this. I am for massive gas and oil and everything else," Mr. Trump said, adding, "Putin can't love that."

"It's a lot better to work with other countries," the president said, "whether it's Russia or China or India."

"That's a good thing," he said.

Solberg on Norway's relationship with Russia

Solberg, asked about her opinion of Mr. Trump's stance to attempt to work with Russia when possible, said Russia is certainly a major political player. Norway is a neighbor to Russia.

Solberg said Norway has to do "day to day" work with Russia, in a fragile geographic region.

"There is no collusion," Trump says of Russia investigation

The president couldn't pass up an opportunity to address the Russia investigation when it came up.

"There was absolutely no collusion. Everybody knows it," he said.

The president said a "phony cloud" that is a "Democrat hoax" is hovering over the administration.

Solberg on Russia investigation: This is up to American politics

Solberg, asked what she thinks of the Russia investigation, said that is an issue for American politics.

Trump says he won't agree to immigration deal without a wall

Mr. Trump, asked if he would sign any immigration reform and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) legislation that does not include funding for a wall, had a straight answer: "No, no, no."

"Any solution has to include a wall because without a wall, it all doesn't work," Mr. Trump said.

"Security is number one," he added.

That seemed to differ from what Mr. Trump said on Tuesday, when he suggested he would like to do a clean DACA bill.

Solberg: It's important to have fair trade, a 'green' economy

Solberg praised Norway's relationship with the U.S., saying Norway supports close to half a million jobs in the U.S.

"The U.S. has an impressive business community," she said.

Solberg also emphasized the importance of a "green" economy, and climate change, issues which haven't been at the top of Mr. Trump's priority.

Trump: We face threats together: "We're partners"

The president continued to emphasize the important [sic] of the U.S.-Norway relationship.

"We have a newfound friendship," he said.

Trump: Norway is a vital, valued ally

Mr. Trump, reading from written remarks, said Norway is a vital and valued ally in the war on ISIS and terror. He also praised Norway's trade relationship with the U.S., saying the U.S. has a trade "surplus" with Norway. The president praised Norway for its "reciprocal" trade relationship.

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.


“OFFICIALS ESTIMATE ONLY 10 TO 15 PERCENT OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MANDATORY EVACUATION ZONE COMPLIED.” THIS IS SAD. MANY ARE KILLED IN THESE THINGS, BUT EVEN IF THEY AREN’T, LIVING IN THE HOUSES OR EVEN ON THE PROPERTY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/montecito-california-mudslides-santa-barbara-county-sheriff/
CBS NEWS January 10, 2018, 12:41 PM
Sheriff "amazed at the intensity" of Southern California mudslides, storm

VIDEOS – CBS NEWS; DEADLY CALIF MUDSLIDES 3:20

Rescue operations are underway in Southern California after torrential rain triggered deadly mudslides in areas recently hit by wildfires. The storms and mud flows have killed at least 15 people and more than 20 people are unaccounted for.

Santa Barbara County sheriff Bill Brown told "CBS This Morning" Wednesday that they're still looking for people who might be trapped or isolated in Montecito and the surrounding areas.

"I think most people are really shocked at the extent of the damage and how big the impact was to the area. Certainly although we knew that this was coming, it was just – you couldn't help but be amazed at the intensity of the storm and the result of the mudslide and the water that cascaded down the hills as a result of that," Brown said.

As CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reported, torrential rainfall inundated Montecito Tuesday, quickly turning a major highway into a river and entire neighborhoods into disaster zones. Emergency responders said within three hours they received more than 600 calls for help.

Coast Guard video captured the dramatic rescue of an entire family including a newborn baby. Crews also pulled a teen from mud-caked rubble. Firefighters waded through knee-deep sludge and used search dogs to find other victims.

Oprah Winfrey trudged through the mud in her Santa Barbara backyard, posting videos of the damage.

Just last month, many of these same homeowners were forced to evacuate as the state's largest wildfire, the Thomas Fire, stripped hillsides of vegetation and left them vulnerable to destructive mudslides.

Officials estimate only 10 to 15 percent of people living in the mandatory evacation zone complied.

Asked whether people did not take the threat seriously, Brown said, "There certainly were some people who did refuse to evacuate and chose to stay in their homes, but there were many that did evacuate the area and were safe as a result of that."

© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.



THIS IS THE SKETCHIEST POSSIBLE HISTORY AND CULTURAL VIEW OF INDIA. SIT DOWN FOR 12.16 MINUTES AND WATCH THIS BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION WHICH INCLUDES BOTH INFORMATION AND LAUGHS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nn5uqE3C9w&feature=share