By NICK GOLTZ <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-watering-via-ice-cubes-to-spritzing-with-hydrogen-peroxide-4-misguided-plant-health-trends-on-social-media-184423">The Conversation</a>

The internet is full of advice on just about everything, including plant care.

As the <a href="https://plant.lab.uconn.edu/">director of a plant diagnostic laboratory</a>
 and expert on plant medicine, I help people manage their plants’ 
health. Here are four trends I’ve seen online recently that have stood 
out as being especially misleading or potentially damaging to plants.

Watering orchids and other plants with ice cubes

Multiple sites claim ice cubes can be used to give orchids a “just 
right” amount of water. The fact is tropical plants hate cold 
temperatures. Leaving <a href="http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/FactSheets/house-plants---growing-.php">ice near an orchid’s roots may damage them</a>.

Nearly all houseplants, including orchids, will prefer lukewarm or 
room temperature water, about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees 
Celsius). Use fact sheets from educational institutions and reputable 
organizations to determine the correct amount of water and watering 
schedule for the types of plants you’re growing, and then set a reminder
 on your phone. 

Use a potting medium that drains well and quickly. For orchids, <a href="https://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care/what-is-the-best-potting-media.aspx">a mix of bark chips and sphagnum moss is much better</a> than 100% soil or coco coir.

Many campaigns have sprung up recently promoting “<a href="https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may/">No Mow May</a>.”
 The idea is to delay regular mowing for the month of May to provide 
more feeding sites for pollinators, which are trying to shore up 
calories after their winter hibernation.

Unfortunately, this practice usually does not benefit pollinators and could damage your lawn’s health. Here’s why:

Mowing more than 30% of a grass leaf at once is never a good idea. 
Grasses depend on their blades to photosynthesize and meet their energy 
needs. When more than 30% is lost at once, the plants may not have 
enough remaining leaf surface area to photosynthesize properly.

Overgrown lawns have overgrown root systems, which require more energy. Failure to provide it leads to <a href="https://hgic.clemson.edu/mowing-height-matters/">increased susceptibility to disease</a>, poor water management and potential collapse. Such damage is pretty much unavoidable after a monthlong “no mow” period.

Few lawns actually contain enough flowers to be beneficial to 
pollinators, anyway. For many people, the “perfect lawn” is an 
unwavering green carpet. But that uniformity is useless to bees and 
other pollinators that require <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/what-you-can-do-protect-honey-bees-and-other-pollinators">pollen and nectar that other plants can provide</a>.

It’s great to <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/what-you-can-do-protect-honey-bees-and-other-pollinators">prioritize pollinator health</a>,
 but the “no mow” trend is best implemented in prairie, field and 
wetland environments, where there is a lot of plant diversity and 
flowering plants.

If you’re looking to support pollinator health in your own yard, <a href="https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder">plant native wildflowers</a>
 that pollinators will actually want to visit. Most require less water 
and management compared to grass lawns. Replace your entire lawn or even
 a small strip. Any amount of lawn replaced is beneficial – and will 
save you water and money.

Make sure not to mow the wildflowers until they’ve finished 
flowering. A wildflower patch usually only needs to be cut once or twice
 a year. Mowing after the last frost in early spring will spread the 
previous year’s seeds and <a href="https://extension.psu.edu/planting-pollinator-friendly-gardens">provide a home for insects to spend the winter</a>.

Using hydrogen peroxide to ‘cure’ plant diseases

Hydrogen peroxide <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide">does sterilize surfaces and can reduce bacteria and some fungi</a>.
 But the rapid reaction that gives hydrogen peroxide its sterilizing 
properties occurs almost immediately after coming in contact with other 
compounds. This does not permit hydrogen peroxide to move throughout a 
plant.

So most pathogens – the organisms that cause disease – will not be 
affected if they are in a plant’s tissues rather than on its exterior. 
Applying hydrogen peroxide excessively or improperly may even <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide">make plant health issues worse</a> by drying surfaces and killing beneficial microbes.

While there is certainly a time and place for sterilizing surfaces in
 plant care – like with your pruners and propagation tools – the best 
defense against plant diseases is proper care. 

Water your plants only when necessary and provide proper light and 
nutrition. Research what your plant likes best from educational 
institutions or other reputable sources. Routine pruning to increase 
airflow, proper plant spacing, avoiding single-crop planting and crop 
rotation are just some examples of chemical-free techniques to <a href="https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/">reduce plant stress and decrease disease susceptibility</a>.

Many apps exist that use photographs submitted by the user to identify plant diseases and offer solutions. 

The truth is, to diagnose most plant diseases, a scientist needs to 
culture plant tissue to correctly identify pathogens. Only after an 
accurate diagnosis <a href="https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/journal/pdis">can they recommend management solutions</a>.
 I have a pretty strong opinion here, since disease identification is 
what I do every day. Plant symptoms that accompany one disease may be 
practically identical to those of another.

For example, herbicide exposure, viruses, insect feeding and fungal 
infections can all cause twisted and deformed leaves. To properly 
diagnose an issue, the plant’s own history, location, site history, time
 of year and other factors need to be considered before I can take a 
guess as to what may be contributing to symptoms. 

Don’t rely on an app to guess at what disease your plant may have – 
and don’t act on bogus recommendations. Instead, reach out to your local
 university diagnostic lab or extension office for support. 

Not sure where to go? Start with the <a href="https://www.npdn.org/lab_directory">National Plant Diagnostic Network’s lab directory</a>.
 Many, including mine, offer free consultations and recommendations. If 
you end up submitting a sample to a diagnostic lab, most are affordable –
 my lab’s fee is US$20 – and will be worthwhile, especially when you 
consider the cost of replacing the plant with something that could 
eventually have the same issue.

Nick Goltz is an Assistant Extension Educator and Director at the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Connecticut.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660678338783.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOLTZ <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-watering-via-ice-cubes-to-spritzing-with-hydrogen-peroxide-4-misguided-plant-health-trends-on-social-media-184423">The Conversation</a>The internet is full of advice on just about everything, including plant care.As the <a href="https://plant.lab.uconn.edu/">director of a plant diagnostic laboratory</a>
 and expert on plant medicine, I help people manage their plants’ 
health. Here are four trends I’ve seen online recently that have stood 
out as being especially misleading or potentially damaging to plants. <h2>Watering orchids and other plants with ice cubes</h2>Multiple sites claim ice cubes can be used to give orchids a “just 
right” amount of water. The fact is tropical plants hate cold 
temperatures. Leaving <a href="http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/FactSheets/house-plants---growing-.php">ice near an orchid’s roots may damage them</a>.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_AA2Kt72DQg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nearly all houseplants, including orchids, will prefer lukewarm or 
room temperature water, about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees 
Celsius). Use fact sheets from educational institutions and reputable 
organizations to determine the correct amount of water and watering 
schedule for the types of plants you’re growing, and then set a reminder
 on your phone. Use a potting medium that drains well and quickly. For orchids, <a href="https://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care/what-is-the-best-potting-media.aspx">a mix of bark chips and sphagnum moss is much better</a> than 100% soil or coco coir. <h2>‘No Mow May’</h2>Many campaigns have sprung up recently promoting “<a href="https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may/">No Mow May</a>.”
 The idea is to delay regular mowing for the month of May to provide 
more feeding sites for pollinators, which are trying to shore up 
calories after their winter hibernation.Unfortunately, this practice usually does not benefit pollinators and could damage your lawn’s health. Here’s why:Mowing more than 30% of a grass leaf at once is never a good idea. 
Grasses depend on their blades to photosynthesize and meet their energy 
needs. When more than 30% is lost at once, the plants may not have 
enough remaining leaf surface area to photosynthesize properly.Overgrown lawns have overgrown root systems, which require more energy. Failure to provide it leads to <a href="https://hgic.clemson.edu/mowing-height-matters/">increased susceptibility to disease</a>, poor water management and potential collapse. Such damage is pretty much unavoidable after a monthlong “no mow” period. Few lawns actually contain enough flowers to be beneficial to 
pollinators, anyway. For many people, the “perfect lawn” is an 
unwavering green carpet. But that uniformity is useless to bees and 
other pollinators that require <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/what-you-can-do-protect-honey-bees-and-other-pollinators">pollen and nectar that other plants can provide</a>. It’s great to <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/what-you-can-do-protect-honey-bees-and-other-pollinators">prioritize pollinator health</a>,
 but the “no mow” trend is best implemented in prairie, field and 
wetland environments, where there is a lot of plant diversity and 
flowering plants. If you’re looking to support pollinator health in your own yard, <a href="https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder">plant native wildflowers</a>
 that pollinators will actually want to visit. Most require less water 
and management compared to grass lawns. Replace your entire lawn or even
 a small strip. Any amount of lawn replaced is beneficial – and will 
save you water and money. Make sure not to mow the wildflowers until they’ve finished 
flowering. A wildflower patch usually only needs to be cut once or twice
 a year. Mowing after the last frost in early spring will spread the 
previous year’s seeds and <a href="https://extension.psu.edu/planting-pollinator-friendly-gardens">provide a home for insects to spend the winter</a>. <h2>Using hydrogen peroxide to ‘cure’ plant diseases</h2><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hydrogen Peroxide can easily get rid of plant roots, fungal diseases, and powdery mildew when used with water.<a href="https://t.co/HwTg2A61JN">https://t.co/HwTg2A61JN</a> … <a href="https://t.co/mizXs37omq">pic.twitter.com/mizXs37omq</a>&mdash; Nature Bring (@naturebring651) <a href="https://twitter.com/naturebring651/status/917613551988097024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Hydrogen peroxide <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide">does sterilize surfaces and can reduce bacteria and some fungi</a>.
 But the rapid reaction that gives hydrogen peroxide its sterilizing 
properties occurs almost immediately after coming in contact with other 
compounds. This does not permit hydrogen peroxide to move throughout a 
plant.So most pathogens – the organisms that cause disease – will not be 
affected if they are in a plant’s tissues rather than on its exterior. 
Applying hydrogen peroxide excessively or improperly may even <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide">make plant health issues worse</a> by drying surfaces and killing beneficial microbes. While there is certainly a time and place for sterilizing surfaces in
 plant care – like with your pruners and propagation tools – the best 
defense against plant diseases is proper care. Water your plants only when necessary and provide proper light and 
nutrition. Research what your plant likes best from educational 
institutions or other reputable sources. Routine pruning to increase 
airflow, proper plant spacing, avoiding single-crop planting and crop 
rotation are just some examples of chemical-free techniques to <a href="https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/">reduce plant stress and decrease disease susceptibility</a>.<h2>Diagnosing diseases using phone apps</h2>Many apps exist that use photographs submitted by the user to identify plant diseases and offer solutions. The truth is, to diagnose most plant diseases, a scientist needs to 
culture plant tissue to correctly identify pathogens. Only after an 
accurate diagnosis <a href="https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/journal/pdis">can they recommend management solutions</a>.
 I have a pretty strong opinion here, since disease identification is 
what I do every day. Plant symptoms that accompany one disease may be 
practically identical to those of another. For example, herbicide exposure, viruses, insect feeding and fungal 
infections can all cause twisted and deformed leaves. To properly 
diagnose an issue, the plant’s own history, location, site history, time
 of year and other factors need to be considered before I can take a 
guess as to what may be contributing to symptoms. Don’t rely on an app to guess at what disease your plant may have – 
and don’t act on bogus recommendations. Instead, reach out to your local
 university diagnostic lab or extension office for support. Not sure where to go? Start with the <a href="https://www.npdn.org/lab_directory">National Plant Diagnostic Network’s lab directory</a>.
 Many, including mine, offer free consultations and recommendations. If 
you end up submitting a sample to a diagnostic lab, most are affordable –
 my lab’s fee is US$20 – and will be worthwhile, especially when you 
consider the cost of replacing the plant with something that could 
eventually have the same issue.Nick Goltz is an Assistant Extension Educator and Director at the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Connecticut.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/184423/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>

🎥 Four misguided plant health trends on social media

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Americans will be able to buy hearing aids without a prescription later this fall, under a long-awaited rule finalized Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration said the new regulation cuts red tape by creating a new class of hearing aids that don't require a medical exam, a prescription and other specialty evaluations. The devices will be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and other retail stores.

The devices are intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing problems. The FDA estimates that nearly 30 million adults could potentially benefit from hearing aids, but only about one-fifth of people with hearing problems use the devices currently.

“Today’s action by the FDA represents a significant milestone in making hearing aids more cost-effective and accessible,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, told reporters Tuesday.

The FDA first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-0908cbc7cfc2ee95cbc507128d5688eb">proposed the rule</a>&nbsp;last year and it will take effect in mid-October. The move follows years of pressure from medical experts and consumer advocates to make the devices cheaper and easier to get.

Cost is a big obstacle now. Americans can pay more than $5,000 for a hearing aid, between the device itself and fitting services. Insurance coverage is limited and Medicare doesn’t pay for hearing aids, only diagnostic tests.

“The requirement to see a specialist was not only a burden and an annoyance for many consumers but it actually created a competitive barrier to entry,” said Brian Deese, a White House economics adviser.

Deese cited government estimates that Americans could eventually save as much as $2,800 per pair. But FDA officials cautioned against predicting the size of savings or how quickly they might arrive, noting much will depend on when manufacturers launch products and how they price them.

“It’s very hard to predict exactly what we’ll see and when," said Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, the FDA's medical device chief.

Shuren said officials expect to see increased competition from new manufacturers as well as new products from existing hearing aid makers.

The new over-the-counter status won't apply to devices for more severe hearing loss, which will remain prescription only.

Consumer electronic companies for years have produced lower-cost “personal sound amplification” devices, but they do not undergo FDA review and U.S. regulations bar them from being marketed as hearing aids. The new rule makes explicit that those devices are not alternatives to FDA-vetted hearing aids.

The FDA said it changed several parts of its initial proposal in response to public comments, including clarifying how the rule will impact state regulations.

Tuesday’s announcement follows prodding from medical committees and Congress, which in 2017 instructed the agency to lay out a plan for over-the-counter hearing devices.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643639422459.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Americans will be able to buy hearing aids without a prescription later this fall, under a long-awaited rule finalized Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For millions, hearing aids and the doctor’s visit to get them are too expensive. That&#39;s why I called on the FDA to make them available over the counter. Today, they did just that. This action will increase competition and lower the price of a pair by nearly $3,000.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1559555583027675136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Food and Drug Administration said the new regulation cuts red tape by creating a new class of hearing aids that don't require a medical exam, a prescription and other specialty evaluations. The devices will be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and other retail stores.The devices are intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing problems. The FDA estimates that nearly 30 million adults could potentially benefit from hearing aids, but only about one-fifth of people with hearing problems use the devices currently.“Today’s action by the FDA represents a significant milestone in making hearing aids more cost-effective and accessible,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, told reporters Tuesday.The FDA first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-0908cbc7cfc2ee95cbc507128d5688eb">proposed the rule</a>&nbsp;last year and it will take effect in mid-October. The move follows years of pressure from medical experts and consumer advocates to make the devices cheaper and easier to get.Cost is a big obstacle now. Americans can pay more than $5,000 for a hearing aid, between the device itself and fitting services. Insurance coverage is limited and Medicare doesn’t pay for hearing aids, only diagnostic tests.“The requirement to see a specialist was not only a burden and an annoyance for many consumers but it actually created a competitive barrier to entry,” said Brian Deese, a White House economics adviser.Deese cited government estimates that Americans could eventually save as much as $2,800 per pair. But FDA officials cautioned against predicting the size of savings or how quickly they might arrive, noting much will depend on when manufacturers launch products and how they price them.“It’s very hard to predict exactly what we’ll see and when," said Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, the FDA's medical device chief.Shuren said officials expect to see increased competition from new manufacturers as well as new products from existing hearing aid makers.The new over-the-counter status won't apply to devices for more severe hearing loss, which will remain prescription only.Consumer electronic companies for years have produced lower-cost “personal sound amplification” devices, but they do not undergo FDA review and U.S. regulations bar them from being marketed as hearing aids. The new rule makes explicit that those devices are not alternatives to FDA-vetted hearing aids.The FDA said it changed several parts of its initial proposal in response to public comments, including clarifying how the rule will impact state regulations.Tuesday’s announcement follows prodding from medical committees and Congress, which in 2017 instructed the agency to lay out a plan for over-the-counter hearing devices.___

Over-the-counter hearing aids expected this fall in US

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-honestly-its-not-for-everyone-tourism-campaign-still-drawing-recognition/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Nebraska’s ‘Honestly, it’s not for 
everyone’ tourism campaign — a few years old and still getting both 
praise and eye rolls — again has racked up a top national award.

The Visit Nebraska team on Aug. 9 
accepted a 2022 Mercury Award at ESTO, the Educational Seminary of 
Tourism Organizations powered by the U.S. Travel Association.

The campaign won for best integrated marketing and messaging among state marketing budgets of less than $10 million.

Nebraska won the coveted Mercury 
award in 2019, too, shortly after the self-deprecating campaign was 
introduced, met with flattery and criticism alike on social media and 
national talk shows.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized with
 this award and honored by all of the congratulations from our industry 
partners and colleagues,” John Ricks, Nebraska tourism executive 
director, said in a media statement.

He called the award a “big deal” for 
the state and a “great night” to accept the award before an audience of 
some 1,000 spectators in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ricks said visitors continue to be 
drawn to Nebraska. Lodging tax revenue, visitor traffic and spending are
 on a record pace this year, he said.

“The month of June 2022 is only the 
second time ever that monthly lodging tax revenue surpassed $1 million,”
 Ricks said. “Total lodging tax revenue set a new all-time record in 
fiscal year 2022 on a seasonal basis with $6.9 million collections.”

Nebraska Tourism is funded by the 1% lodging tax.

“The numbers continue to show more and more people are finding visiting Nebraska is for them,” Ricks said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660670876478.png" alt="Nebraska tourism swag (Courtesy of Visit Nebraska)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska tourism swag (Courtesy of Visit Nebraska)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-honestly-its-not-for-everyone-tourism-campaign-still-drawing-recognition/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Nebraska’s ‘Honestly, it’s not for 
everyone’ tourism campaign — a few years old and still getting both 
praise and eye rolls — again has racked up a top national award.The Visit Nebraska team on Aug. 9 
accepted a 2022 Mercury Award at ESTO, the Educational Seminary of 
Tourism Organizations powered by the U.S. Travel Association.The campaign won for best integrated marketing and messaging among state marketing budgets of less than $10 million.Nebraska won the coveted Mercury 
award in 2019, too, shortly after the self-deprecating campaign was 
introduced, met with flattery and criticism alike on social media and 
national talk shows.“We’re thrilled to be recognized with
 this award and honored by all of the congratulations from our industry 
partners and colleagues,” John Ricks, Nebraska tourism executive 
director, said in a media statement.He called the award a “big deal” for 
the state and a “great night” to accept the award before an audience of 
some 1,000 spectators in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Ricks said visitors continue to be 
drawn to Nebraska. Lodging tax revenue, visitor traffic and spending are
 on a record pace this year, he said.“The month of June 2022 is only the 
second time ever that monthly lodging tax revenue surpassed $1 million,”
 Ricks said. “Total lodging tax revenue set a new all-time record in 
fiscal year 2022 on a seasonal basis with $6.9 million collections.”Nebraska Tourism is funded by the 1% lodging tax.“The numbers continue to show more and more people are finding visiting Nebraska is for them,” Ricks said.

Neb. ‘Honestly, it’s not for everyone’ campaign still drawing recognition

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett's company bet more on high-tech darling Apple during the second quarter, while also investing billions in old-school oil producers Occidental Petroleum and Chevron.

Berkshire Hathaway detailed all its second-quarter investments Monday in a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wall Street follows Berkshire’s investments closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful track record over the decades.

Berkshire had already disclosed its biggest move in the quarter —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-omaha-warren-buffett-cd510be1f39489aa447c28abf6b3e76b">investing $1.4 billion in oil producer Occidental Petroleum</a>&nbsp;— because that investment's size required more immediate updates. Berkshire now owns more than $11 billion worth of Occidental stock, and it controls more than 20% of the company after making several more purchases since the quarter ended on June 30.

But Monday’s filing revealed a number of smaller moves Berkshire made during the second quarter, including adding to its stakes in Apple, Chevron, Ally Financial, Activision Blizzard, Paramount Global and several other stocks. Berkshire also trimmed its holdings in General Motors, US Bancorp and Kroger stocks while eliminating a stake in Verizon Communications.

Although Berkshire was active during the second quarter, it didn't do nearly as much as it did in the first three months of the year when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-celanese-corp-28424372242fa50d6f9b8fa853312f2e">invested $51 billion</a>&nbsp;in an assortment of stocks.

Berkshire's biggest single investment got a bit bigger during the quarter because it bought nearly 4 million more Apple shares, giving it 894.8 million shares of the iPhone maker.

Berkshire also reported that it held nearly 10.7 million Amazon shares at the end of the quarter, up from 533,300 earlier this year, but the increase in those holdings was a result of Amazon's recent 20-for-1 stock split, not a new investment.

Monday’s filing doesn’t make clear which investments Buffett handled and which ones were made by the two other investment managers at Berkshire, but Buffett typically handles all the larger investments worth more than $1 billion, such as the company’s major stakes in Apple, Bank of America, American Express and Coca-Cola stocks. Berkshire officials don’t typically comment on these quarterly filings.

Berkshire now owns 68.4 million Activision Blizzard shares after picking up more than 4 million more during the quarter. Buffett has said that investment is a bet that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition-call-of-duty-7a9e2bcc8f0b7b9049e4f93fe3e0a4dd">Microsoft's acquisition of the video game maker</a>&nbsp;will go through.

Besides investments, the Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire also owns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/earnings-warren-buffett-03d1c9296e24b5e7117ae7e1dc37aa8a">more than 90 companies</a>&nbsp;outright, including Geico insurance, BNSF railroad, several major utilities and an eclectic collection of manufacturing and retail companies, such as Dairy Queen and Precision Castparts.

This story has been corrected to show that Berkshire Hathaway did not invest more in Amazon stock. The increase in Berkshire’s Amazon holdings was a result of Amazon’s recent 20-for-1 stock split, not a new investment.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett's company bet more on high-tech darling Apple during the second quarter, while also investing billions in old-school oil producers Occidental Petroleum and Chevron.Berkshire Hathaway detailed all its second-quarter investments Monday in a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wall Street follows Berkshire’s investments closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful track record over the decades.Berkshire had already disclosed its biggest move in the quarter —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-omaha-warren-buffett-cd510be1f39489aa447c28abf6b3e76b">investing $1.4 billion in oil producer Occidental Petroleum</a>&nbsp;— because that investment's size required more immediate updates. Berkshire now owns more than $11 billion worth of Occidental stock, and it controls more than 20% of the company after making several more purchases since the quarter ended on June 30.But Monday’s filing revealed a number of smaller moves Berkshire made during the second quarter, including adding to its stakes in Apple, Chevron, Ally Financial, Activision Blizzard, Paramount Global and several other stocks. Berkshire also trimmed its holdings in General Motors, US Bancorp and Kroger stocks while eliminating a stake in Verizon Communications.Although Berkshire was active during the second quarter, it didn't do nearly as much as it did in the first three months of the year when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-celanese-corp-28424372242fa50d6f9b8fa853312f2e">invested $51 billion</a>&nbsp;in an assortment of stocks.Berkshire's biggest single investment got a bit bigger during the quarter because it bought nearly 4 million more Apple shares, giving it 894.8 million shares of the iPhone maker.Berkshire also reported that it held nearly 10.7 million Amazon shares at the end of the quarter, up from 533,300 earlier this year, but the increase in those holdings was a result of Amazon's recent 20-for-1 stock split, not a new investment.Monday’s filing doesn’t make clear which investments Buffett handled and which ones were made by the two other investment managers at Berkshire, but Buffett typically handles all the larger investments worth more than $1 billion, such as the company’s major stakes in Apple, Bank of America, American Express and Coca-Cola stocks. Berkshire officials don’t typically comment on these quarterly filings.Berkshire now owns 68.4 million Activision Blizzard shares after picking up more than 4 million more during the quarter. Buffett has said that investment is a bet that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition-call-of-duty-7a9e2bcc8f0b7b9049e4f93fe3e0a4dd">Microsoft's acquisition of the video game maker</a>&nbsp;will go through.Besides investments, the Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire also owns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/earnings-warren-buffett-03d1c9296e24b5e7117ae7e1dc37aa8a">more than 90 companies</a>&nbsp;outright, including Geico insurance, BNSF railroad, several major utilities and an eclectic collection of manufacturing and retail companies, such as Dairy Queen and Precision Castparts.___This story has been corrected to show that Berkshire Hathaway did not invest more in Amazon stock. The increase in Berkshire’s Amazon holdings was a result of Amazon’s recent 20-for-1 stock split, not a new investment.

Buffett's firm buys more Apple shares while betting on oil

WASHINGTON —<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/dr-jill-biden/">First lady Jill Biden </a>tested positive for COVID on vacation in South Carolina, according to a statement from the White House.&nbsp; This comes just days after President Biden recovered from the virus.

After a negative COVID test Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening, according to a statement from her office.

She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test but a PCR test came back positive.

The First lady is double vaccinated, twice boosted and experiencing mild symptoms, according to the statement. She has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and following CDC guidance will isolate from others for at least five days.

First contacts of the First lady have been notified. She is currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina. She will return home after she receives two consecutive negative tests, according to the statement.

President Biden, 79, came down with the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f">a second time</a>&nbsp;three days after he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-7842dd2e606bb9f6aeb15d4a8c856c97">emerged from isolation</a>&nbsp;from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-karine-jean-pierre-government-and-politics-d9dbee6cc390f648396c46dd504c31c3">initial bout</a>&nbsp;with COVID-19, reported on July 21.&nbsp; He had a second consecutive negative test on August 7, according to White House physician&nbsp; Dr. Kevin O’Connor.

The president tested negative for the virus on Tuesday morning, the White House said, but would be wearing a mask indoors for 10 days. He plans to return to Washington on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-biden-health-climate-and-environment-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875">to sign Democrats' landmark climate change and health care bill</a>&nbsp;in the afternoon, before continuing to his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

"Consistent with CDC guidance because he is a close contact of the First Lady, he will mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others," the White House said. It said it would increase the president’s testing cadence and report those results.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660657461650.png" alt="President and First lady Jill Biden in a photo released by the White House August 12." />
 <figcaption>President and First lady Jill Biden in a photo released by the White House August 12.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/dr-jill-biden/">First lady Jill Biden </a>tested positive for COVID on vacation in South Carolina, according to a statement from the White House.&nbsp; This comes just days after President Biden recovered from the virus.After a negative COVID test Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening, according to a statement from her office.She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test but a PCR test came back positive.The First lady is double vaccinated, twice boosted and experiencing mild symptoms, according to the statement. She has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and following CDC guidance will isolate from others for at least five days.First contacts of the First lady have been notified. She is currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina. She will return home after she receives two consecutive negative tests, according to the statement.President Biden, 79, came down with the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f">a second time</a>&nbsp;three days after he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-7842dd2e606bb9f6aeb15d4a8c856c97">emerged from isolation</a>&nbsp;from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-karine-jean-pierre-government-and-politics-d9dbee6cc390f648396c46dd504c31c3">initial bout</a>&nbsp;with COVID-19, reported on July 21.&nbsp; He had a second consecutive negative test on August 7, according to White House physician&nbsp; Dr. Kevin O’Connor.The president tested negative for the virus on Tuesday morning, the White House said, but would be wearing a mask indoors for 10 days. He plans to return to Washington on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-biden-health-climate-and-environment-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875">to sign Democrats' landmark climate change and health care bill</a>&nbsp;in the afternoon, before continuing to his home in Wilmington, Delaware."Consistent with CDC guidance because he is a close contact of the First Lady, he will mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others," the White House said. It said it would increase the president’s testing cadence and report those results.

White House: First lady Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19

By PAUl HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/third-township-board-member-fined-after-voting-for-huge-personal-pay-increase/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The third member of a 
rural Dodge County township board has been fined after board members 
voted themselves a more than 50-fold increase in yearly salary.

The members of the Elkhorn Township Board had voted themselves raises
 from $600 a year to $33,000 a year during the 2019 floods, citing an 
increased workload.

On Friday, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission 
agreed to fine Jody Delaney $1,300, or $100 for each of the 13 
violations found after a formal hearing.

The penalty was less than levied against the two other members of the
 Elkhorn Township Board in Dodge County. The commission cited 
“mitigating factors,” including that Delaney, the treasurer of the 
board, had first brought concerns about the salary increases to the 
Nebraska State Auditor’s Office.

The auditor investigated, which led to a probe by the NADC. That 
probe resulted in consent agreements with the two other members of the 
township board.

Jeremy Moss and Nancy Schlotfeld both agreed to repay the excess 
salary they were paid to the township, which is east of Fremont.

Frank Daley, the executive director of the NADC, said those repayments are ongoing.

According to a response to the state auditor, board members said the 
unprecedented flooding required an immediate response to repair and 
reopen flooded roads in the township and required extra work by township
 board members.

However, state law requires that any raises for such board members be
 granted at an annual meeting after being advertised, which did not 
occur.

The auditor also raised concerns about the township hiring Moss to do
 nearly $140,000 in repair work. Members of public bodies cannot be 
hired to do work for that political subdivision except through an “open 
and public process,” which the auditor said did not happen.

Moss has said he did not intend to break any laws. The township, in 
responding to the auditor’s report, said they hired his company because 
all other contractors were busy during the flooding.

By PAUl HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/third-township-board-member-fined-after-voting-for-huge-personal-pay-increase/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The third member of a 
rural Dodge County township board has been fined after board members 
voted themselves a more than 50-fold increase in yearly salary.The members of the Elkhorn Township Board had voted themselves raises
 from $600 a year to $33,000 a year during the 2019 floods, citing an 
increased workload.On Friday, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission 
agreed to fine Jody Delaney $1,300, or $100 for each of the 13 
violations found after a formal hearing.<h2>‘Mitigating factors’</h2>The penalty was less than levied against the two other members of the
 Elkhorn Township Board in Dodge County. The commission cited 
“mitigating factors,” including that Delaney, the treasurer of the 
board, had first brought concerns about the salary increases to the 
Nebraska State Auditor’s Office.The auditor investigated, which led to a probe by the NADC. That 
probe resulted in consent agreements with the two other members of the 
township board.Jeremy Moss and Nancy Schlotfeld both agreed to repay the excess 
salary they were paid to the township, which is east of Fremont.Frank Daley, the executive director of the NADC, said those repayments are ongoing.<h2>‘Open and public process’</h2>According to a response to the state auditor, board members said the 
unprecedented flooding required an immediate response to repair and 
reopen flooded roads in the township and required extra work by township
 board members.However, state law requires that any raises for such board members be
 granted at an annual meeting after being advertised, which did not 
occur.The auditor also raised concerns about the township hiring Moss to do
 nearly $140,000 in repair work. Members of public bodies cannot be 
hired to do work for that political subdivision except through an “open 
and public process,” which the auditor said did not happen.Moss has said he did not intend to break any laws. The township, in 
responding to the auditor’s report, said they hired his company because 
all other contractors were busy during the flooding.

Neb. township board member fined after voting for huge pay increase

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Monday rebuffed efforts to make public the affidavit supporting the search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s estate in Florida, saying the investigation “implicates highly classified material” and the document contains sensitive information about witnesses.

The government’s opposition came in response to court filings by several news organizations, including The Associated Press, seeking to unseal the underlying affidavit the Justice Department submitted when it asked for the warrant to search Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month.

Trump, in a Truth Social post early Tuesday, called for the release of the unredacted affidavit in the interest of transparency.

The court filing — from Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. attorney in Miami, and Jay Bratt, a top Justice Department national security official — argues that making the affidavit public would “cause significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”

The document, the prosecutors say, details “highly sensitive information about witnesses,” including people who have been interviewed by the government, and contains confidential grand jury information.

The government told a federal magistrate judge that prosecutors believe some additional records, including the cover sheet for the warrant and the government’s request to seal the documents, should now be made public.

A property receipt unsealed Friday showed the FBI seized 11 sets of classified documents, with some not only marked top secret but also “sensitive compartmented information,” a special category meant to protect the nation’s most important secrets that if revealed publicly could cause “exceptionally grave” damage to U.S. interests. The court records did not provide specific details about information the documents might contain.

The Justice Department acknowledged Monday that its ongoing criminal investigation “implicates highly classified material.”

The search warrant, also unsealed Friday, said federal agents were investigating potential violations of three different federal laws, including one that governs gathering, transmitting or losing defense information under the Espionage Act. The other statutes address the concealment, mutilation or removal of records and the destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations.

The Mar-a-Lago search warrant, carried out last Monday, was part of an ongoing Justice Department investigation into the discovery of classified White House records recovered from Trump’s home earlier this year. The National Archives had asked the department to investigate after saying 15 boxes of records it retrieved from the estate included classified records.

It remains unclear whether the Justice Department moved forward with the warrant simply as a means to retrieve the records or as part of a wider criminal investigation or an attempt to prosecute the former president. Multiple federal laws govern the handling of classified information, with both criminal and civil penalties, as well as presidential records.

But the Justice Department, in its filing Monday, argued that its investigation is active and ongoing and that releasing additional information could not only compromise the probe but also subject witnesses to threats or deter others from coming forward to cooperate with prosecutors.

“If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps,” the government wrote in the court filing.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Monday rebuffed efforts to make public the affidavit supporting the search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s estate in Florida, saying the investigation “implicates highly classified material” and the document contains sensitive information about witnesses.The government’s opposition came in response to court filings by several news organizations, including The Associated Press, seeking to unseal the underlying affidavit the Justice Department submitted when it asked for the warrant to search Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660644441411.png" alt="Trump" />
 <figcaption>Trump</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump, in a Truth Social post early Tuesday, called for the release of the unredacted affidavit in the interest of transparency.The court filing — from Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. attorney in Miami, and Jay Bratt, a top Justice Department national security official — argues that making the affidavit public would “cause significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”The document, the prosecutors say, details “highly sensitive information about witnesses,” including people who have been interviewed by the government, and contains confidential grand jury information.The government told a federal magistrate judge that prosecutors believe some additional records, including the cover sheet for the warrant and the government’s request to seal the documents, should now be made public.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660337904040.jpeg" alt="The receipt for property that was seized during the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is photographed Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)" />
 <figcaption>The receipt for property that was seized during the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is photographed Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)</figcaption>
 </figure>A property receipt unsealed Friday showed the FBI seized 11 sets of classified documents, with some not only marked top secret but also “sensitive compartmented information,” a special category meant to protect the nation’s most important secrets that if revealed publicly could cause “exceptionally grave” damage to U.S. interests. The court records did not provide specific details about information the documents might contain.The Justice Department acknowledged Monday that its ongoing criminal investigation “implicates highly classified material.”The search warrant, also unsealed Friday, said federal agents were investigating potential violations of three different federal laws, including one that governs gathering, transmitting or losing defense information under the Espionage Act. The other statutes address the concealment, mutilation or removal of records and the destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations.The Mar-a-Lago search warrant, carried out last Monday, was part of an ongoing Justice Department investigation into the discovery of classified White House records recovered from Trump’s home earlier this year. The National Archives had asked the department to investigate after saying 15 boxes of records it retrieved from the estate included classified records.It remains unclear whether the Justice Department moved forward with the warrant simply as a means to retrieve the records or as part of a wider criminal investigation or an attempt to prosecute the former president. Multiple federal laws govern the handling of classified information, with both criminal and civil penalties, as well as presidential records.But the Justice Department, in its filing Monday, argued that its investigation is active and ongoing and that releasing additional information could not only compromise the probe but also subject witnesses to threats or deter others from coming forward to cooperate with prosecutors.“If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps,” the government wrote in the court filing.

Trump demands DOJ release 'unredacted affidavit' in Mar-a-Lago search 

News Release Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI, working with its state
and local partners during two weeks in Aug., identified and located 84 minor
victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and
located 37 actively missing children during a nationwide enforcement campaign,
dubbed “Operation Cross Country.” The
FBI-led nationwide initiative focused on identifying and locating victims of
sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex trafficking and human trafficking.

In addition to the identification
and location of adolescent victims, the FBI and its partners located 141 adult
victims of human trafficking. Agents
and investigators also identified or arrested 85 suspects with child sexual
exploitation and human trafficking offenses. Those suspects identified will be subject
to additional investigation for potential charges.
The average age of victims located
during this year’s Operation Cross
Country was 15.5, while the youngest
victim discovered was 11 years old.

Locally, FBI Omaha agents, working
with law enforcement partners from the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County
Sheriff, Sarpy County Sheriff, Council Bluffs Police Department, Lincoln Police
Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol located and identified 6 adolescent
victims who were identified as high risk for exploitation, during operations that ran from August
11 – 14.

“The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to combat
the insidious crimes of human
trafficking that devastate survivors and their families,” said Attorney General
Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the dedicated professionals of the FBI
and our law enforcement partners across the country for their tireless work to
rescue trafficking survivors, including exploited children, to investigate and
prosecute the perpetrators of trafficking crimes, and to provide the services
and support that survivors need and deserve.”

"Human trafficking is among
the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Unfortunately, such crimes—against both adults and children—are far more
common than most people realize. As
we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and
arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the
exploitation our most vulnerable populations.”

As part of Operation Cross Country
XII, FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, victim specialists, and child adolescent forensic Interviewers working
in conjunction with over 200 state, local, and federal
partners and the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) conducted 391 operations
over the two-week period.

“The success
of Operation Cross
County reinforces what NCMEC sees every day. Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country
by traffickers, gangs
and even family members,”
said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO National Center for Missing &amp;

Exploited
Children. “We’re proud to support the FBI’s efforts to prioritize the
safety of children. This national operation highlights the need for all child serving
professionals to continue
to focus on the wellbeing of
children and youth to prevent them being targeted in the first place.”

“Sadly, the sexual exploitation
of children is a continuing problem,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene
Kowel. “The work of the FBI Omaha Child Exploitation and Human
Trafficking Task Force sends the message that we remain vigilant on those who
prey on our country’s most innocent population.”

Victim specialists provide a
“bridge” for victims who are wary of the system, help the victim establish
positive relationships with law enforcement, and ensure the human trafficking
victim population receives any appropriate resources
available to them. Victim specialists also provide services
based on the individual needs of human trafficking victims, to include crisis
intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency
services, and locating shelter or housing. The task forces in the recent
operation included federal, state, local and tribal partners, with efforts in
every state and even a few U.S. territories.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/resources/victim-services">Victim Services
Division</a>

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/vcac">Crimes Against
Children</a>

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos">Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section</a>

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/press-releases/fbi-announces-results-of-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation">Operation Cross
Country 2022</a>

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660602398367.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Federal Bureau of InvestigationThe FBI, working with its state
and local partners during two weeks in Aug., identified and located 84 minor
victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and
located 37 actively missing children during a nationwide enforcement campaign,
dubbed “Operation Cross Country.” The
FBI-led nationwide initiative focused on identifying and locating victims of
sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex trafficking and human trafficking.In addition to the identification
and location of adolescent victims, the FBI and its partners located 141 adult
victims of human trafficking. Agents
and investigators also identified or arrested 85 suspects with child sexual
exploitation and human trafficking offenses. Those suspects identified will be subject
to additional investigation for potential charges.
The average age of victims located
during this year’s Operation Cross
Country was 15.5, while the youngest
victim discovered was 11 years old.Locally, FBI Omaha agents, working
with law enforcement partners from the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County
Sheriff, Sarpy County Sheriff, Council Bluffs Police Department, Lincoln Police
Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol located and identified 6 adolescent
victims who were identified as high risk for exploitation, during operations that ran from August
11 – 14.“The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to combat
the insidious crimes of human
trafficking that devastate survivors and their families,” said Attorney General
Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the dedicated professionals of the FBI
and our law enforcement partners across the country for their tireless work to
rescue trafficking survivors, including exploited children, to investigate and
prosecute the perpetrators of trafficking crimes, and to provide the services
and support that survivors need and deserve.”"Human trafficking is among
the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Unfortunately, such crimes—against both adults and children—are far more
common than most people realize. As
we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and
arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the
exploitation our most vulnerable populations.”As part of Operation Cross Country
XII, FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, victim specialists, and child adolescent forensic Interviewers working
in conjunction with over 200 state, local, and federal
partners and the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) conducted 391 operations
over the two-week period.“The success
of Operation Cross
County reinforces what NCMEC sees every day. Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country
by traffickers, gangs
and even family members,”
said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO National Center for Missing &amp;Exploited
Children. “We’re proud to support the FBI’s efforts to prioritize the
safety of children. This national operation highlights the need for all child serving
professionals to continue
to focus on the wellbeing of
children and youth to prevent them being targeted in the first place.”“Sadly, the sexual exploitation
of children is a continuing problem,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene
Kowel. “The work of the FBI Omaha Child Exploitation and Human
Trafficking Task Force sends the message that we remain vigilant on those who
prey on our country’s most innocent population.”Victim specialists provide a
“bridge” for victims who are wary of the system, help the victim establish
positive relationships with law enforcement, and ensure the human trafficking
victim population receives any appropriate resources
available to them. Victim specialists also provide services
based on the individual needs of human trafficking victims, to include crisis
intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency
services, and locating shelter or housing. The task forces in the recent
operation included federal, state, local and tribal partners, with efforts in
every state and even a few U.S. territories.Resources:•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/resources/victim-services">Victim Services
Division</a>•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/vcac">Crimes Against
Children</a>•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos">Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section</a>•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/press-releases/fbi-announces-results-of-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation">Operation Cross
Country 2022</a><a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YRik0g8IrUMROogeTfK4wgve7FIcG_3F4x4x-ngGtA2olTTYFJDkoHOD1aFaZUSWOgmCSb81edwbnnpm-AKxQ0DD-VvTrOpHvwE29ng1MlEZ3bGewtoi5tU0B8-pLTMvoorYa4DIJ0zaRyRPxx4Y_w" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

FBI locates 84 minor victims of sex trafficking in August

Pittsburg (AP) —Kraft Heinz is recalling<a href="https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2022/Kraft-Heinz-voluntary-recall-of-select-Capri-Sun-Wild-Cherry-Flavored-Juice-Drink/default.aspx"> thousands of pouches</a> of Capri Sun after some cleaning solution accidentally mixed with the juice on a production line.

The company said it’s recalling about 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry flavored juice blend. The “Best When Used By” date on the packages is June 25, 2023.

<a href="https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2022/Kraft-Heinz-voluntary-recall-of-select-Capri-Sun-Wild-Cherry-Flavored-Juice-Drink/default.aspx">Kraft Heinz said</a> the diluted cleaning solution is used on its food processing equipment. The company said it discovered that the solution had accidentally mixed with the juice after getting consumer complaints about the juice’s taste.

Kraft Heinz, which is co-headquartered in Pittsburgh and Chicago, said in a statement Friday it is working with retailers to remove the product from circulation. Consumers who bought the affected Capri Sun should not consume it and should return it to the story where it was purchased to receive a refund.

By DEE-ANN DURBINPittsburg (AP) —Kraft Heinz is recalling<a href="https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2022/Kraft-Heinz-voluntary-recall-of-select-Capri-Sun-Wild-Cherry-Flavored-Juice-Drink/default.aspx"> thousands of pouches</a> of Capri Sun after some cleaning solution accidentally mixed with the juice on a production line.The company said it’s recalling about 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry flavored juice blend. The “Best When Used By” date on the packages is June 25, 2023.<a href="https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2022/Kraft-Heinz-voluntary-recall-of-select-Capri-Sun-Wild-Cherry-Flavored-Juice-Drink/default.aspx">Kraft Heinz said</a> the diluted cleaning solution is used on its food processing equipment. The company said it discovered that the solution had accidentally mixed with the juice after getting consumer complaints about the juice’s taste.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660601047005.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kraft Heinz, which is co-headquartered in Pittsburgh and Chicago, said in a statement Friday it is working with retailers to remove the product from circulation. Consumers who bought the affected Capri Sun should not consume it and should return it to the story where it was purchased to receive a refund.

Recalled Capri Sun may contain cleaning solution

Jeff Bohnert had all but given up on seeing his poodle-hound mix again after she went missing in early June. Two months later, he got a text from a neighbor: People exploring a nearby cave found a dog. Could it be Abby?

Bohnert doubted it, but still curious, he went to the cave site near his rural Missouri home. That's when he saw the picture one of the rescuers took.

“I said, ‘that’s my dog,'” Bohnert recalled Monday.

Making Abby's tale even more amazing is the fact that she's just weeks shy of turning 14. Yet somehow, she managed to survive nearly 60 days out on her own, apparently much or all of it in a barren, pitch-dark, 58-degree Fahrenheit cave.

Abby and Bohnert's other dog, Summer, do everything together, including misbehave.

On June 9, the pair ran away from home, Bohnert recalled. It had happened before, and in the rural area near Perryville in eastern Missouri, it was generally no big deal. The dogs would scamper through the fields, maybe chase something, then head home.

When Bohnert awoke the next morning, Summer was back home but Abby was not.

“They never separate,” he said. “I figured something bad had happened. I mean, she's old. She could just get overcome by the heat.”

Bohnert posted about his missing dog on Facebook, reached out to neighbors and contacted police, but no one had seen Abby.

On Aug. 6, Gerry Keene and five other adults, along with five children, had just entered the Berome Moore Cave, planning a day of exploring. One of the kids ran ahead of the group and yelled back to his dad, “There's a dog in here.”

“Their dad was like, no there’s not,” Keene said.

“She was just lying there curled up in a ball,” Keene recalled. "She lifted her head and looked at us but she didn’t respond to verbal commands. She looked like she was pretty close to being done.”

Keene enlisted the help of another caver who happened to be there, Rick Haley. They knew Abby couldn't make the estimated 500-foot walk back to the entrance, especially since it was through tight passageways and up a steep incline.

Haley was trained in cave rescues, and he retrieved a duffel bag and a blanket from his truck. They put the blanket inside the bag, then the dog, who immediately took to the warm blanket after weeks laying in the cold mud.

Still, getting Abby out was tricky given her fragility.

“It was critical that we not give her any rough handling,” Haley said. In the rocky areas through small passageways, “We would carry her short distance, set her down, then kind of move in front of her, reach back, pick her up, and put her in front of us." He described it as "kind of a leap-frog kind of thing.”

Soon after initially finding Abby, Keene briefly went to a few homes nearby to see if anyone was missing a dog. One neighbor reached out to Bohnert, who lives close enough to the cave site that he can see it from his home.

He went there assuming it couldn't be Abby — how could a 13-year-old dog have survived such an ordeal?

To his amazement, she did, and roughly an hour-and-a-half after the rescue began, she was out. One of the rescuers gave Abby a bite of beef.

“She almost ate his finger off," Keene said. Almost immediately, she began to perk up.

Bohnert figures Abby ended up in the cave after falling into a sinkhole or a hidden entrance. Haley said there were paw prints everywhere, indicating she initially tried to get out.

After that, Haley and Bohnert believe she hunkered down, able to essentially live off her own body fat.

“I think she was just in a preservation mode," Bohnert said.

Abby normally weighs about 50 pounds (23 kilograms), Bohnert said, but he guessed she lost half her body weight in the cave. Since her rescue, she has regained weight and started to get back the voice she likely lost barking for help.

She's also wagging her tail again, showing she's putting the trauma behind her.

“It’s amazing how she’s springing back already,” Bohnert said. “She’s acting like herself again.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660593286430.png" alt="On Aug. 6, Gerry Keene and five other adults, along with five children, had just entered the Berome Moore Cave, planning a day of exploring. One of the kids ran ahead of the group and yelled back to his dad, “There's a dog in here.”photo courtesy WSVN TV" />
 <figcaption>On Aug. 6, Gerry Keene and five other adults, along with five children, had just entered the Berome Moore Cave, planning a day of exploring. One of the kids ran ahead of the group and yelled back to his dad, “There's a dog in here.”photo courtesy WSVN TV</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM SALTER,&nbsp; Associated PressJeff Bohnert had all but given up on seeing his poodle-hound mix again after she went missing in early June. Two months later, he got a text from a neighbor: People exploring a nearby cave found a dog. Could it be Abby?Bohnert doubted it, but still curious, he went to the cave site near his rural Missouri home. That's when he saw the picture one of the rescuers took.“I said, ‘that’s my dog,'” Bohnert recalled Monday.Making Abby's tale even more amazing is the fact that she's just weeks shy of turning 14. Yet somehow, she managed to survive nearly 60 days out on her own, apparently much or all of it in a barren, pitch-dark, 58-degree Fahrenheit cave.Abby and Bohnert's other dog, Summer, do everything together, including misbehave.On June 9, the pair ran away from home, Bohnert recalled. It had happened before, and in the rural area near Perryville in eastern Missouri, it was generally no big deal. The dogs would scamper through the fields, maybe chase something, then head home.When Bohnert awoke the next morning, Summer was back home but Abby was not.“They never separate,” he said. “I figured something bad had happened. I mean, she's old. She could just get overcome by the heat.”Bohnert posted about his missing dog on Facebook, reached out to neighbors and contacted police, but no one had seen Abby.On Aug. 6, Gerry Keene and five other adults, along with five children, had just entered the Berome Moore Cave, planning a day of exploring. One of the kids ran ahead of the group and yelled back to his dad, “There's a dog in here.”“Their dad was like, no there’s not,” Keene said.Yes, there was.“She was just lying there curled up in a ball,” Keene recalled. "She lifted her head and looked at us but she didn’t respond to verbal commands. She looked like she was pretty close to being done.”Keene enlisted the help of another caver who happened to be there, Rick Haley. They knew Abby couldn't make the estimated 500-foot walk back to the entrance, especially since it was through tight passageways and up a steep incline.Haley was trained in cave rescues, and he retrieved a duffel bag and a blanket from his truck. They put the blanket inside the bag, then the dog, who immediately took to the warm blanket after weeks laying in the cold mud.Still, getting Abby out was tricky given her fragility.“It was critical that we not give her any rough handling,” Haley said. In the rocky areas through small passageways, “We would carry her short distance, set her down, then kind of move in front of her, reach back, pick her up, and put her in front of us." He described it as "kind of a leap-frog kind of thing.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660593231098.png" alt="Abby is wagging her tail again, showing she's putting the trauma behind her.-photo courtesy WSVN TV" />
 <figcaption>Abby is wagging her tail again, showing she's putting the trauma behind her.-photo courtesy WSVN TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Soon after initially finding Abby, Keene briefly went to a few homes nearby to see if anyone was missing a dog. One neighbor reached out to Bohnert, who lives close enough to the cave site that he can see it from his home.He went there assuming it couldn't be Abby — how could a 13-year-old dog have survived such an ordeal?To his amazement, she did, and roughly an hour-and-a-half after the rescue began, she was out. One of the rescuers gave Abby a bite of beef.“She almost ate his finger off," Keene said. Almost immediately, she began to perk up.Bohnert figures Abby ended up in the cave after falling into a sinkhole or a hidden entrance. Haley said there were paw prints everywhere, indicating she initially tried to get out.After that, Haley and Bohnert believe she hunkered down, able to essentially live off her own body fat.“I think she was just in a preservation mode," Bohnert said.Abby normally weighs about 50 pounds (23 kilograms), Bohnert said, but he guessed she lost half her body weight in the cave. Since her rescue, she has regained weight and started to get back the voice she likely lost barking for help.She's also wagging her tail again, showing she's putting the trauma behind her.“It’s amazing how she’s springing back already,” Bohnert said. “She’s acting like herself again.”

Dog, missing 2 months, found alive inside Missouri cave

LINCOLN, NEB.&nbsp; — Nebraska State Troopers have recovered a stolen semi-trailer full of Amazon items during a traffic stop on I-80. The incident occurred Friday near Waverly.

Friday morning, NSP was notified by a trucking company that a trailer they had reported stolen was believed to be traveling in Nebraska. The trailer had been reported stolen from Maryland in early August.

Approximately 12 minutes after receiving the report, a trooper located the semi as it was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Waverly. The trooper performed a traffic stop and took the driver and co-driver into custody without incident.

The subjects, Regine Dieudonne, 37, of Lake Worth, Florida, and Anne Mascary, 38, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, were both arrested for theft by receiving stolen property over $5,000. Both were lodged in Lancaster County Jail.

The truck and its contents are being released to the transport company.&nbsp;

By Nebraska State Patrol&nbsp;LINCOLN, NEB.&nbsp; — Nebraska State Troopers have recovered a stolen semi-trailer full of Amazon items during a traffic stop on I-80. The incident occurred Friday near Waverly.Friday morning, NSP was notified by a trucking company that a trailer they had reported stolen was believed to be traveling in Nebraska. The trailer had been reported stolen from Maryland in early August.Approximately 12 minutes after receiving the report, a trooper located the semi as it was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near Waverly. The trooper performed a traffic stop and took the driver and co-driver into custody without incident.The subjects, Regine Dieudonne, 37, of Lake Worth, Florida, and Anne Mascary, 38, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, were both arrested for theft by receiving stolen property over $5,000. Both were lodged in Lancaster County Jail.The truck and its contents are being released to the transport company.&nbsp;

Troopers locate stolen semi-trailer filled with Amazon products

By MIRIAM RENAUD <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-salman-rushdies-the-satanic-verses-remains-so-controversial-decades-after-its-publication-102321">The Conversation</a>

Author Salman Rushdie is in the hospital with serious injuries after being <a href="https://apnews.com/article/salman-rushdie-attacked-9eae99aea82cb0d39628851ecd42227a">stabbed by a man at an arts festival</a>
 in New York State on Aug. 12, 2022. The following article was published
 on the 30th anniversary of the release of The Satanic Verses.

One of the most controversial books in recent literary history, <a href="http://www.salmanrushdie.com">Salman Rushdie’s</a> <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Satanic_Verses.html?id=CSVwPG1Kdl8C">“The Satanic Verses,”</a> was published three decades ago this month and almost immediately set off <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/4308642?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents">angry demonstrations</a> all over the world, some of them violent.

A year later, in 1989, Iran’s supreme leader, the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khomeini_ayatollah.shtml">Ayatollah Khomeini</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/16/world/iranians-protest-over-banned-book.html">issued a fatwa</a>,
 or religious ruling, ordering Muslims to kill the author. Born in India
 to a Muslim family, but by then a British citizen living in the U.K., 
Rushdie <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/04/magazine/rushdie-in-hiding.html">was forced to go into protective hiding</a> for the greater part of a decade.

The book, “Satanic Verses,” goes to the heart of Muslim religious 
beliefs when Rushdie, in dream sequences, challenges and sometimes seems
 to mock some of its most sensitive tenets.

Muslims believe that the <a href="http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t125/e1577">Prophet Muhammed</a>
 was visited by the angel Gibreel – Gabriel in English – who, over a 22 
year period, recited God’s words to him. In turn, Muhammed repeated the
 words to his followers. These words were eventually written down and 
became the <a href="https://universalistfriends.org/sells.html">verses</a> and chapters of the <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Qur_an.html?id=2LmsCiv8waEC">Quran</a>.

Rushdie’s novel takes up these core beliefs. One of the main 
characters, Gibreel Farishta, has a series of dreams in which he becomes
 his namesake, the angel <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/angel-jibreel-gabriel-in-islam-2004031">Gibreel</a>.
 In these dreams, Gibreel encounters another central character in ways 
that echo Islam’s traditional account of the angel’s encounters with 
Muhammed.

Rushdie chooses a provocative name for Muhammed. The novel’s version 
of the Prophet is called Mahound – an alternative name for Muhammed 
sometimes used during the Middle Ages by Christians who considered him <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9523983/The-Satanic-Verses-and-me.html">a devil</a>.

In addition, Rushdie’s Mahound puts his own words into the angel 
Gibreel’s mouth and delivers edicts to his followers that conveniently 
bolster his self-serving purposes. Even though, in the book, Mahound’s 
fictional scribe, Salman the Persian, rejects the authenticity of his 
master’s recitations, he records them as if they were God’s. 

In Rushdie’s book, Salman, for example, attributes certain actual passages in the Quran that place men “in charge of women” and <a href="https://quran.com/4/34">give men the right</a> to strike wives from whom they “fear arrogance,” to Mahound’s sexist views.

Through Mahound, Rushdie appears to cast doubt on the divine nature of the Quran. 

For many Muslims, Rushdie, in his fictional retelling of the birth of
 Islam’s key events, implies that, rather than God, the Prophet Muhammed
 is himself the source of revealed truths.

In Rushdie’s defense, some scholars have argued that his <a href="https://journals.openedition.org/erea/493">“irreverent mockery”</a> is intended to explore whether it is possible to separate fact from fiction. Literature expert <a href="http://wp.ucla.edu/person/greg-rubinson/">Greg Rubinson</a> points out that Gibreel is unable to decide what is real and what is a dream.

Since the publication of “The Satanic Verses,” Rushdie has argued that religious texts should be <a href="https://journals.openedition.org/erea/493">open to challenge</a>. “Why can’t we debate Islam?” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/23/salman-rushdie-on-islam-we-have-learned-the-wrong-lessons">Rushdie said in a 2015 interview</a>.
 “It is possible to respect individuals, to protect them from 
intolerance, while being skeptical about their ideas, even criticising 
them ferociously.”

This view, however, clashes with the view of those for whom the Quran is the literal word of God. 

After Khomeini’s death, <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-free.html">Iran’s government announced</a> in 1998 that it would <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-15949285">not carry out his fatwa</a> or encourage others to do so. Rushdie now lives in the United States and makes regular public appearances.

Still, 30 years later, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/world/middleeast/irans-hard-line-press-adds-to-bounty-on-salman-rushdie.html">threats against his life persist</a>. Although mass protests have stopped, the themes and questions raised in his novel remain hotly debated.

Myriam Renaud, Affiliated Faculty of Contemporary World Religions, Union Institute &amp; University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660580329709.png" alt="Rushdie / <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salman_Rushdie_2012_Shankbone-2.jpg">Photo by David Shankbone, Creative Commons license</a>" />
 <figcaption>Rushdie / <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salman_Rushdie_2012_Shankbone-2.jpg">Photo by David Shankbone, Creative Commons license</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIRIAM RENAUD <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-salman-rushdies-the-satanic-verses-remains-so-controversial-decades-after-its-publication-102321">The Conversation</a>Author Salman Rushdie is in the hospital with serious injuries after being <a href="https://apnews.com/article/salman-rushdie-attacked-9eae99aea82cb0d39628851ecd42227a">stabbed by a man at an arts festival</a>
 in New York State on Aug. 12, 2022. The following article was published
 on the 30th anniversary of the release of The Satanic Verses.One of the most controversial books in recent literary history, <a href="http://www.salmanrushdie.com">Salman Rushdie’s</a> <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Satanic_Verses.html?id=CSVwPG1Kdl8C">“The Satanic Verses,”</a> was published three decades ago this month and almost immediately set off <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/4308642?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents">angry demonstrations</a> all over the world, some of them violent. A year later, in 1989, Iran’s supreme leader, the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khomeini_ayatollah.shtml">Ayatollah Khomeini</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/16/world/iranians-protest-over-banned-book.html">issued a fatwa</a>,
 or religious ruling, ordering Muslims to kill the author. Born in India
 to a Muslim family, but by then a British citizen living in the U.K., 
Rushdie <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/04/magazine/rushdie-in-hiding.html">was forced to go into protective hiding</a> for the greater part of a decade. <h2>The controversy</h2>The book, “Satanic Verses,” goes to the heart of Muslim religious 
beliefs when Rushdie, in dream sequences, challenges and sometimes seems
 to mock some of its most sensitive tenets.Muslims believe that the <a href="http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t125/e1577">Prophet Muhammed</a>
 was visited by the angel Gibreel – Gabriel in English – who, over a 22 
year period, recited God’s words to him. In turn, Muhammed repeated the
 words to his followers. These words were eventually written down and 
became the <a href="https://universalistfriends.org/sells.html">verses</a> and chapters of the <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Qur_an.html?id=2LmsCiv8waEC">Quran</a>. Rushdie’s novel takes up these core beliefs. One of the main 
characters, Gibreel Farishta, has a series of dreams in which he becomes
 his namesake, the angel <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/angel-jibreel-gabriel-in-islam-2004031">Gibreel</a>.
 In these dreams, Gibreel encounters another central character in ways 
that echo Islam’s traditional account of the angel’s encounters with 
Muhammed.Rushdie chooses a provocative name for Muhammed. The novel’s version 
of the Prophet is called Mahound – an alternative name for Muhammed 
sometimes used during the Middle Ages by Christians who considered him <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9523983/The-Satanic-Verses-and-me.html">a devil</a>.In addition, Rushdie’s Mahound puts his own words into the angel 
Gibreel’s mouth and delivers edicts to his followers that conveniently 
bolster his self-serving purposes. Even though, in the book, Mahound’s 
fictional scribe, Salman the Persian, rejects the authenticity of his 
master’s recitations, he records them as if they were God’s. In Rushdie’s book, Salman, for example, attributes certain actual passages in the Quran that place men “in charge of women” and <a href="https://quran.com/4/34">give men the right</a> to strike wives from whom they “fear arrogance,” to Mahound’s sexist views. Through Mahound, Rushdie appears to cast doubt on the divine nature of the Quran. <h2>Challenging religious texts?</h2>For many Muslims, Rushdie, in his fictional retelling of the birth of
 Islam’s key events, implies that, rather than God, the Prophet Muhammed
 is himself the source of revealed truths.In Rushdie’s defense, some scholars have argued that his <a href="https://journals.openedition.org/erea/493">“irreverent mockery”</a> is intended to explore whether it is possible to separate fact from fiction. Literature expert <a href="http://wp.ucla.edu/person/greg-rubinson/">Greg Rubinson</a> points out that Gibreel is unable to decide what is real and what is a dream. Since the publication of “The Satanic Verses,” Rushdie has argued that religious texts should be <a href="https://journals.openedition.org/erea/493">open to challenge</a>. “Why can’t we debate Islam?” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/23/salman-rushdie-on-islam-we-have-learned-the-wrong-lessons">Rushdie said in a 2015 interview</a>.
 “It is possible to respect individuals, to protect them from 
intolerance, while being skeptical about their ideas, even criticising 
them ferociously.”This view, however, clashes with the view of those for whom the Quran is the literal word of God. After Khomeini’s death, <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-free.html">Iran’s government announced</a> in 1998 that it would <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-15949285">not carry out his fatwa</a> or encourage others to do so. Rushdie now lives in the United States and makes regular public appearances.Still, 30 years later, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/world/middleeast/irans-hard-line-press-adds-to-bounty-on-salman-rushdie.html">threats against his life persist</a>. Although mass protests have stopped, the themes and questions raised in his novel remain hotly debated.Myriam Renaud, Affiliated Faculty of Contemporary World Religions, Union Institute &amp; University.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102321/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>

Why Rushdie's ‘The Satanic Verses’ remains so controversial

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 
interest rates will increase for the calendar quarter beginning October 
1, 2022.

For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 
6% per year, compounded daily, up from 5% for the quarter that began on 
July 1. Here is a complete list of the new rates:

Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.

Generally, for a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal 
short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, and the overpayment rate is 
the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate for large
 corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.

The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during July 2022.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 
interest rates will increase for the calendar quarter beginning October 
1, 2022.For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 
6% per year, compounded daily, up from 5% for the quarter that began on 
July 1. Here is a complete list of the new rates:<ul>
 <li>6% for overpayments (3.5% for corporations). (payments made in excess of the amount owed)</li><li>3.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000.</li><li>6% for underpayments. (taxes owed but not fully paid)</li><li>8% for large corporate underpayments.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.Generally, for a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal 
short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, and the overpayment rate is 
the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate for large
 corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during July 2022.&nbsp;

IRS announces interest rate hikes for fourth quarter of 2022

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio have requested in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines information relating to the FBI’s search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the committee, is one of the few who has spoken out on the request. In a statement from her office Collins said, "The American people deserve a full accounting of the extraordinary action taken by the FBI last week."

"It’s imperative that the Committee receive all classified documents found during the search as well as the FBI affidavit, which would describe in detail any justification for the search. I look forward to the AG and the DNI’s swift compliance with the Committee’s request, which is essential to promoting transparency and securing a full accounting of the FBI’s unprecedented search of a former President’s personal residence.”

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said, Attorney General Garland "Must Resign or Be Impeached," over the FBI Mar-a-Lago raid."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660337904040.jpeg" alt="The receipt for property that was seized during the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is photographed Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)" />
 <figcaption>The receipt for property that was seized during the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is photographed Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio have requested in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines information relating to the FBI’s search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the committee, is one of the few who has spoken out on the request. In a statement from her office Collins said, "The American people deserve a full accounting of the extraordinary action taken by the FBI last week.""It’s imperative that the Committee receive all classified documents found during the search as well as the FBI affidavit, which would describe in detail any justification for the search. I look forward to the AG and the DNI’s swift compliance with the Committee’s request, which is essential to promoting transparency and securing a full accounting of the FBI’s unprecedented search of a former President’s personal residence.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The raid by Joe Biden’s FBI on the home of a former president who is also Biden’s chief political opponent is an unprecedented assault on democratic norms and the rule of law. Biden has taken our republic into dangerous waters&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1557009986336817153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said, Attorney General Garland "Must Resign or Be Impeached," over the FBI Mar-a-Lago raid."