Joint Chiefs chairman heads to US-Mexico border to assess rapid military buildup

• February 21, 2025

By TARA COPP, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is visiting troops along the U.S.-Mexico border Friday to assess the military’s progress in fortifying sections of the wall, coming as the Pentagon rapidly expands its border mission in line with President Donald Trump’s efforts to combat illegal immigration.

The military in the past month has quickly surged troops and equipment to the border, is seeking expanded authority for cooperation with Mexican forces, has conducted scores of deportation flights and is readying the detention facilities at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to possibly house as many as 30,000 migrants.

About 9,200 U.S. troops total are at the southern border, including 4,200 deployed under federal orders and about 5,000 National Guard troops under the control of governors.

The military has conducted 26 deportation flights to return migrants to their home countries, including military air flights to Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, India, Honduras, Peru and Panama. It also has carried out 13 flights to transport migrants to Guantánamo.

U.S. Northern Command has increased manned surveillance flights along the U.S.-Mexico border to monitor drug cartels and the movement of fentanyl and is increasing its intelligence sharing with Mexico from those flights, Gen. Gregory Guillot told senators last week.

There are also unmanned U.S. drones conducting surveillance over Mexico’s airspace, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters Wednesday.

This week, Trump designated many of the gangs and cartels moving those drugs into the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations, further increasing the pressure on their ability to move and providing law enforcement with what the State Department said are “additional tools to stop these groups.”

Guillot also told senators that Northern Command would seek expanded authority from Congress to conduct “more advise-and-assist types of operations between our forces and the tier one Mexican forces,” which are that country’s special forces units.

Securing the southern border is a top priority for the Trump administration, so much so that in a directive released Wednesday ordering the military to find $50 billion in program cuts by October, activities at the southern border were exempted.

“We’ve been defending other people’s borders for a long time — time to defend ours,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told journalists last week in Stuttgart, Germany. “So we’re sealing that border.”

Mexico agreed to send 10,000 of its own National Guard troops to the border to stave off Trump’s threat of imposing 25% tariffs. The Pentagon announced Wednesday that the U.S. and Mexico had reached an agreement to conduct “coordinated patrols on their respective side of the border,” increase information sharing and establish lines for immediate communications between the militaries.

“The agreement emphasizes that each country will respect the sovereignty of the other,” Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joseph Kasper, said in a statement.

There’s not a full tally on what the operations have cost to date, but one of the most visible aspects of the military operation — the deportation flights — are costing the government about $28,000 per hour. The flight to India, which deported 104 Indian migrants, cost more than $2.5 million.

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​ Orange County Register 

Best washable rugs

• February 21, 2025

Which washable rug is best?

A great rug can tie a space together, bring out other design elements and colors in the space and create cozy, livable rooms within your home. If you have kids or pets, a washable rug is a great way to get the style of a rug in a easy to clean package. They also come in a variety of attractive and timeless designs to suit any style. For a classic washable area rug that looks more expensive than it is, the ReaLife Rugs Machine Washable Rug is a top choice.

What to know before you buy a washable rug

The furniture in your space

If your space is already furnished, you should choose a washable rug that fits with your room’s layout and color scheme. Area rugs can be used to create a modular feel alongside the furniture in your space.

For example, you can use an area rug in conjunction with your sectional to create a sitting area for entertaining guests. Or, you can use an area rug to designate a sleeping zone in your bedroom by choosing a rug large enough to cover the space surrounding your bed.

Color and pattern are major considerations when picking a rug that works with your furniture. If your furniture is beige, black, grey or brown, you can get away with choosing an area rug in a vibrant pattern. If you have ornate furniture in bold colors, consider choosing an understated area rug in a neutral color.

Material

Most washable rugs are made from synthetic materials like polyester. These materials are easily cleaned by a washing machine and tend to be more durable. Some washable rugs are made from cotton and other natural materials. These rugs tend to be more expensive and not as long lasting.

Pile height

The pile height of a rug determines how thick it feels under your feet. Low pile rugs are less than a quarter-inch thick and are ideal for high traffic areas, such as hallways and entryways. They’re also easy to vacuum.

Medium to high pile rugs have a cozy, thick feel. While they require higher suction vacuuming to keep clean, they’re a good choice if you like a plush look. They work better in low traffic areas, such as a den or bedroom.

What to look for in a quality washable rug

Color

You’ll find washable rugs in a variety of colors, from understated beiges and earthtones to vibrant reds, oranges, greens and blues. Since your rug is washable, you can go for lighter tones that ordinarily would not be a good fit for households with pets and small children, where spills and accidents occur frequently.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing rugs in colors you love. Consider the other colors in the space and select a washable rug that accentuates those colors.

Design

Alongside color, the shape and design of your rug will impact the overall aesthetic and cohesion of a space. Washable rugs may be rectangular, round or runner shaped to fit nicely with the other furniture in a room.

Backing

Look for a machine washable rug with a rubber backing. Rugs without backing tend to slide around easily and can be hazardous if they slip out of place under foot.

How much you can expect to spend on a washable rug

Washable rugs will cost as little as $20 for small rugs intended for use in the bathroom or in front of a kitchen sink, and up to $700 for large, high quality washable rugs from top brands. Expect to pay at least $150 for a large washable rug with durable materials and vibrant patterns from a reputable brand.

Washable rug FAQ

How do I know what size washable rug to buy?

A. To make a room feel spacious, you should leave at least 18 inches between the walls of a room and the rug. This should give you an idea of how to measure your space if you want a rug that covers an entire room or section of a room.

How do I eliminate creases and get my rug to lie flat?

A. Train a new rug to lie flat by vacuuming it. If it’s still curling up, try placing heavy objects like text books on all four corners of the rug for a couple of days.

Washable rug tips

• If your washable rug gets stained, you should pre-treat the spot with a laundry stain stick before you throw it in the wash to ensure the stain comes out.
• Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your rug to prevent damage. Dry your rug on low heat.
• When picking a washable area rug for your home, check the thickness of the rug before you buy. Be sure that any doors are able clear the rug without getting stuck.
• Make a room look bigger with a round area rug, which draws attention away from a room’s walls and makes a small space feel large and cohesive.
• Try moving your rug around to face a different direction in your space. Your rug’s colors will vary slightly depending on how the light hits it.

What’s the best washable area rug to buy?

Top washable area rug

ReaLife Rugs Machine Washable Rug

What you need to know: This environmentally-conscious and washable rug has an antique look.

What you’ll love: Woven from recycled polyester, this chic rug balances modern functionality with a classic vintage pattern. It’s completely washable and highly durable.

What you should consider: It must be air-dried.

Top washable area rug for the money

Secret Sea Collection Modern Bohemian Style Area Rug & Runner

What you need to know: This modern bohemian rug makes a perfect addition to areas with heavy foot traffic.

What you’ll love: It offers a low-pile, vintage look with gorgeous natural colors. It’s able to withstand machine washing.

What you should consider: This rug tends to fray and isn’t as durable as some other options.

Worth checking out

Hebe 6 Foot Large Washable Cotton Round Chic Bohemian Mandala Printed Tassel Area Rug

What you need to know: Hebe makes a meditative, washable mandala rug that looks attractive in any space.

What you’ll love: This hand woven cotton circle rug features chic tassels and a distinctive mandala print. It is lightly woven and durable for its price point.

What you should consider: It is machine washable in cold water only.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Tesla recalling more than 375,000 vehicles due to power steering issue

• February 21, 2025

Tesla is recalling more than 375,000 vehicles due to a power steering issue.

The recall is for certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may become overstressed, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again, the agency said.

The loss of power could required more effort to control the car by drivers, particularly at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla isn’t aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the condition.

The electric vehicle maker headed by Elon Musk has released a free software update to address the issue.

Letters are expected to be sent to vehicle owners on March 25.

Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

​ Orange County Register 

Macron’s message to Trump: ‘You can’t be weak in the face of Putin’

• February 21, 2025

By SYLVIE CORBET, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said that he intends to tell U.S. counterpart Donald Trump that it’s in the joint interest of Americans and Europeans not to “be weak” in the face of Russian leader Vladimir Putin amid U.S.-led negotiations to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

Macron will travel to Washington to meet with Trump on Monday, the White House said.

In a one-hour question and answer session on social media Thursday, Macron said that he’ll tell Trump: “’You can’t be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest. How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?’”

Trump’s recent statements that echo Putin’s narrative and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow have left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried. But Macron suggested Trump’s strategy to create “uncertainty” in talks with Russia could actually make Western allies stronger in these talks.

Putin “doesn’t know what he (Trump) is going to do, he thinks (Trump) is capable of anything,” Macron said. “This uncertainty is good for us and for Ukraine.”

Macron said that he would seek to persuade Trump that U.S. interests and Europeans’ interests are the same, telling him: “If you let Russia take over Ukraine, it would be unstoppable.”

That means any peace deal must be negotiated with Ukrainians and Europeans around the table, Macron said.

“We want peace. But we don’t want a ceasefire that means Ukraine surrendering, because that’s dangerous. And we know that would lead to Russia going further. We’ve already experienced it,” he said.

Macron also appeared ready to answer Trump’s call to boost defense spending. “Us, Europeans, we must increase our war effort,” he said.

Asked about whether he’s considering sending French troops to Ukraine, he said he wouldn’t send soldiers to fight in Ukraine but rather to be part of a security force meant to bring “guarantees” once a peace deal is achieved.

“We don’t rule out, within a framework planned with our allies, the possibility of having forces which, once peace has been negotiated, could contribute to guaranteeing Ukraine’s security,” he said.

​ Orange County Register 

Airlines at LAX will help disabled passengers get to vehicles picking them up

• February 21, 2025

Q: Now that they have rearranged the pickup locations at Los Angeles International Airport so people in their own vehicles cannot pick up folks from the curb just outside the terminal exit doors, are there special provisions made for disabled people to navigate across the shuttle bus lanes to get to the passenger pickup spots?

– John Sims, Dana Point

A: Yes.

There are ramps for people with disabilities, which can be found via the blue signs showing someone in a wheelchair, to help them get to the outer curb pickup areas; officially, that icon is called the International Symbol of Accessibility. Also, the crosswalks are tailored for the disabled.

Airlines provide wheelchair assistance, from the the gate to the inner and outer curbs on the lower level, and can be arranged ahead of time.

But passengers can ask for wheelchair assistance at any time while at the airport, too, said an official for Los Angeles World Airports, the city department that owns and runs LAX. A wheelchair and assistant, or just an assistant if desired, will help anyone.

Or, if easier, anyone can take an elevator to the upper level, designated for departures, and be picked up there curbside with no lanes to cross.

To recap from a Honk answer a couple of weeks ago: On the ground level, since 2019, the inside lanes that run next to the terminals are only for approved shuttles. Across those lanes are a string of islands, where passengers can wait for personal and other vehicles in the outer lanes to pull over and scoop them up.

Q: Mr. Honk: I read the question from Randy Lubs of Torrance regarding a missing front license plate on his recently purchased 2021 vehicle. California license plates are made of thin metal and when mailed from the Department of Motor Vehicles they can stick together. It might be possible that there are two plates stuck together attached to the rear of Mr. Lubs’ car. Just something that I experienced and wanted to share with you and your readers.

– Anthony Zamora, San Bernardino 

A: Honk thanks you, Anthony.

“I know exactly what he is referring to because that (kind of once) happened to my son on a motorcycle he bought; the real plate was under a temporary paper plate,” Randy said. “(Also) the dealership finally returned my call and said they would order a new pair of plates to remedy my plight.”

HONKIN’ FACT: Over a recent weekend, Honk was in Phoenix and took Waymo — the electric, self-driving car — several times with Mrs. Honk to a store or a restaurant. He felt quite safe and rather enjoyed the jaunts.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. To see him on the social media platform X: @OCRegisterHonk

​ Orange County Register 

Luigi Mangione set for first court appearance since his arraignment in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death

• February 21, 2025

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day manhunt is scheduled to be in court Friday for the first time since his December arraignment on state murder and terror charges.

Luigi Mangione, 26, is set for a hearing in state court in Manhattan. Prosecutors and Mangione’s defense lawyers are expected to provide updates on the status of the case and Judge Gregory Carro could set deadlines for pretrial paperwork and possibly even a trial date.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism, in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel. The executive was ambushed and shot on a sidewalk as he walked to an investor conference.

Mangione also faces federal charges that could carry the possibility of the death penalty. He is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.

Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state charges expected to go to trial first. The maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole. A Feb. 24 hearing in Pennsylvania on charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police was canceled.

In a statement posted on a website for his legal defense, Mangione said: “I am overwhelmed by — and grateful for — everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions.”

Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s on Dec. 9. Police said he was carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID. He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, authorities said.

Defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo argued at his Dec. 23 arraignment that “warring jurisdictions” had turned Mangione into a “human ping-pong ball.”

She accused New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other government officials of tainting the jury pool by bringing Mangione back to Manhattan in a choreographed spectacle involving heavily armed officers escorting him up a pier from a heliport.

Friedman Agnifilo singled out Adams’ comment on a local TV station that he wanted to be there to look “him in the eye and say, ‘you carried out this terroristic act in my city.’”

​ Orange County Register 

UnitedHealth shares dive after report of US investigation into Medicare billing

• February 21, 2025

UnitedHealth Group shares tumbled early Friday on a report that the U.S. Department of Justice has started an investigation into the health care giant’s Medicare billing practices.

The Wall Street Journal said federal officials have launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage plans. Those are privately run versions of the government’s Medicare coverage program mostly for people ages 65 and over.

The paper, citing anonymous sources, said the probe focused on billing practices in recent months.

UnitedHealth had no immediate comment on the report.

The company’s UnitedHealthcare business covers more than 7.8 million people as the nation’s largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. The business has been under pressure in recent quarters due to rising care use and rate cuts.

Shares of the Minnetonka, Minnesota, company sank more than 10%, shedding over $52 in pre-market trading to fall below $447. Shares of other prominent Medicare Advantage insurers like Humana were down as well.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. stock has been in a rut since early December, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in midtown Manhattan on his way to the company’s annual investor meeting. A 26-year-old suspect, Luigi Mangione, faces federal and state charges in connection with Thompson’s death.

Company shares shed more than $100 in value in the weeks following Thompson’s death, as the shooting gave rise to an outpouring of grievances about insurance companies.

​ Orange County Register 

How Trump’s mass layoffs raise the risk of wildfires in the US West, according to fired workers

• February 21, 2025

By MARTHA BELLISLE and CLAIRE RUSH, Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — The termination letters that ended the careers of thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees mean fewer people and less resources will be available to help prevent and fight wildfires, raising the specter of even more destructive blazes across the American West, fired workers and officials said.

The Forest Service firings — on the heels of deadly blazes that ripped through Los Angeles last month — are part of a wave of federal worker layoffs, as President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting measures reverberate nationwide.

Workers who maintained trails, removed combustible debris from forests, supported firefighters and secured funds for wildfire mitigation say staffing cuts threaten public safety, especially in the West, where drier and hotter conditions linked to climate change have increased the intensity of wildfires.

“I’m terrified of that,” said Tanya Torst, who was fired from her position as a U.S. Forest Service partnership coordinator in Chico, California, on Feb. 14. Torst, whose probationary period was set to end in March, worked with groups to bring in nearly $12 million for removing dead trees and other fuels in the Mendocino National Forest.

“This is 100% a safety thing,” she said of her concerns, recalling the deadly Paradise blaze that killed 85 people east of Chico in 2018. “That’s why I’m speaking out.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, said in a statement that Secretary Brooke Rollins supports Trump’s directive to fire about 2,000 “probationary, non-firefighting employees,” which he said was for efficiency’s sake. Rollins is committed to “preserving essential safety positions and will ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted,” the statement said.

The statement didn’t address the fired workers who were responsible for removing combustible fuels and other projects aiming to lower a wildfire’s intensity.

The Trump administration has frozen funds for wildfire prevention programs supported by legislation championed by former President Joe Biden, The Associated Press reported. Programs not funded by that legislation can continue, an Interior Department statement said.

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington state Democrat, said on the social platform X that the Forest Service layoffs are already hurting the state, “and it is only going to get worse. Fire season is coming.”

The Washington state Department of Natural Resources said the firings forced them to develop contingency plans to deal with a “degraded federal force this coming fire season.”

Melanie Mattox Green, who was fired from her land management and environmental planning job at the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana, said their fire-prevention efforts prioritized areas where towns border forest lands. Staffing cuts put those towns at risk, she said.

“If a fire breaks out now without these projects occurring, that fire is going to be far more dangerous to our local communities,” she said.

The cuts also mean fewer people will keep trails free of fallen trees and other debris, she said. Maintaining trails is critical in remote areas that firefighters access by foot.

“Without those trails being cleared, it means that now firefighters cannot easily and more effectively get to these fires to fight them,” she said.

Many Forest Service workers who don’t occupy official firefighter positions still have firefighting certifications, known as a “red card,” that must be renewed annually. Josh Vega, who maintained 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) of trails as a forestry technician in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana before being fired, said his crew was the first to arrive at a wildfire that broke out in 2023.

For about two days, Vega’s crew monitored the blaze before firefighters arrived. “We spent the next few days keeping an eye on the fire, making sure that the trailheads were all closed and that the public knew what was happening so that they wouldn’t find themselves in a predicament.”

Many Forest Service operations involve supporting firefighters beyond fire season, including surveying areas for prescribed burns or ensuring trail access, said Luke Tobin, who was fired from his forestry technician role in Idaho’s Nez Perce National Forest.

“Everybody helps with fire in some aspect, some way, shape or form,” he said.

Gregg Bafundo, who was fired last week from his post as a wilderness ranger and wildland firefighter at the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, said the staffing cuts came at a critical time.

“This is the time of year when they hire everybody,” he said during a press conference organized by Washington Sen. Patty Murray. “It’s the time of year when firefighters renew their red cards and practice redeploying their fire shelters. This is when they train to be ready to fight next summer’s fires.

“We can’t train while the fire is burning over the hill.”

Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.

​ Orange County Register