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UBCO researchers engineer DNA to mimic biological catch bonds

Saquon Barkley sets Eagles season rushing record and has Dickerson's NFL mark in his sights

Drinks Don't miss out on the headlines from Drinks. Followed categories will be added to My News. Coca-Cola has issued a statement after copping huge backlash for creating an AI-generated Christmas commercial that fans labelled “disastrous”. Paying homage to the iconic drink’s 1995 “Holidays Are Coming” campaign, the new 15-second advert depicts a fleet of cherry red trucks driving down a snowy road to deliver ice-cold bottles of Coke to customers in a festively decorated town. But it’s a tiny disclaimer in small print on the video that reads, “created by Real Magic AI,” that has left people outraged. The brand has since defended its use of the controversial technology, stating it was a collaboration between humans and AI. “The Coca-Cola Company has celebrated a long history of capturing the magic of the holidays in content, film, events, and retail activations for decades around the globe,” the spokesperson said. “We are always exploring new ways to connect with consumers and experiment with different approaches. This year, we crafted films through a collaboration of human storytellers and the power of generative AI.” Coca-Cola has responded to backlash over its AI-generated Christmas ad. Picture: Supplied Consumers quite literally weren’t buying it, blasting the ad as a “creepy dystopian nightmare”. “The world is so over if the Christmas Coca-Cola advert is made with AI,” one user wrote on X, per The Independent. “Sad to see this was made with AI generated program,” another added in the YouTube comments. “I feel like I’m watching the death of art and our planet unfold in front of my eyes and no one IRL seems to care.” Others described the video, which has since gone viral for all the wrong reasons on social media as “garbage”, “ugly”, and “lazy”. Plenty of details are ‘off’, including Santa’s hand when holding this Coke bottle. Picture: Supplied But why has this short video sparked so much controversy? Aside from the “unbearably” choppy commercial (there are 10 shots in just 15 seconds), many commentators argued it’s a poor attempt to cheapen labour in the film and technology industry and kill jobs, Forbes reported. The quality of the production doesn’t hit the mark either, according to critics. Plenty of details are “off”, such as the truck wheels gliding across the ground without spinning, and the distinct lack of Santa Claus onscreen, with only his out-of-proportion hand, clutching a Coke bottle, seen. But Jason Zada, the founder of the AI studio Secret Level, one of the three Coca-Cola collaborated with on the project, argued that there is still a human component that creates the “warmth” in the clip. Zada told AdAge that harnessing generative AI for something as complex as a commercial is not as easy as just pressing a button, and Pratik Thakar, Coca-Cola’s vice president and global head of generative AI, explained that the company is bridging its “heritage” with “the future and technology” with the next-gen campaign. Using the technology, he argued, saves money — and, not to mention, time. “More than cost, it’s the speed,” Thakar told the outlet. “Speed is I would say five times, right? And that is a huge benefit. The production time would have taken, traditionally, much longer. So that is a huge benefit.” “And then you can do more, more variety, and more customised and more personalised,” he continued. “And that’s the way to go, with resources, rather than doing less and spending less.” More Coverage ‘Stunning’: Kmart selling $60 item for $15 Rebekah Scanlan ‘Banned’: Aussie couple’s house rule divides Rebekah Scanlan Originally published as Coca-Cola responds to backlash over AI-generated Christmas ad More related stories Drinks Influencer divides with mid-flight act An Australian travelling home from New York took it upon herself to whip up one of the delicacies she tried in the Big Apple. Read more Drinks $19 bottle named one Australia’s best Australia is renowned for making a good drop. But the best wines aren’t always a bargain. This one, a $19 bottle, was just named one of our best. Read moreNissan CFO Stephen Ma to step down amid restructuring- Bloomberg News

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc. ( OTCMKTS:AITX – Get Free Report ) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,541,500 shares, an increase of 122.4% from the November 30th total of 693,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 168,234,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Price Performance Shares of AITX stock opened at $0.00 on Friday. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions has a 12 month low of $0.00 and a 12 month high of $0.01. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) See Also Receive News & Ratings for Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Dublin Central Count 1: Mary Lou McDonald top as Gerard Hutch fourth and Green TD in trouble Our Evening Tally take from our political team Fine Gael's Jennifer Carroll MacNeill the first TD elected in the country... Don’t blame the electorate when Simon Harris is Taoiseach for Christmas, Kevin Doyle writes Dublin Central Count 2: Mary Lou McDonald's running mate eliminated as Hutch seat looking more and more likely Aontú’s Maireád Tóibín eliminated on third count Fingal East Count 3: Darragh O'Brien leads, with extremely close race for seats 2 and 3 Dublin North West Count 1: Dessie Ellis doesn't get elected but in the lead. Dublin Bay South: Counts 1 and 2: FG's Geoghegan tops poll but no one yet elected Slow progress in Galway Dublin Fingal West Count 3: Two candidates eliminated Dublin Mid-West Count 1: SF's Eoin Ó Broin elected - 'I'm scarlet' 'We are not conceding' - Billy O'Shea Cork South-Central Count 1: Micheál Martin elected on first count Dublin West Count 1: Jack Chambers (FF) and Paul Donnelly (SF) elected Fingal East Count 2: FF's Darragh O'Brien on top with SF, FG and Labour neck and neck in 3-seater Dún Laoghaire Count 2: Two candidates eliminated Austin Stack eliminated in second count Security for Mary Lou McDonald at the count centre Wexford Count 1: Independent Verona Murphy tops poll and is elected on first count Wicklow-Wexford Count 1: No candidate reaches quota, two eliminated

NEW YORK (AP) — Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund. The donation comes just weeks after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the offering Thursday. The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Stephen Miller, who has been appointed deputy chief of staff for Trump’s second term, has said that Zuckerberg, like other business leaders, wants to support Trump’s economic plans. The tech CEO has been seeking to change his company’s perception on the right following a rocky relationship with Trump. Trump was kicked off Facebook following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The company restored his account in early 2023. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president but has voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly during the campaign. In July, he posted a message on his own social network Truth Social threatening to send election fraudsters to prison in part by citing a nickname he used for the Meta CEO. “ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!” Trump wrote. Corporations have traditionally made up a large share of donors to presidential inaugurals, with an exception in 2009, when then-President-elect Barack Obama refused to accept corporate donations. He reversed course for his second inaugural in 2013. Facebook did not donate to either Biden's 2021 inaugural or Trump’s 2017 inaugural. Google donated $285,000 each to Trump first inaugural and Biden’s inaugural, according to Federal Election Commission records. Inaugural committees are required to disclose the source of their fundraising, but not how they spend the money. Microsoft gave $1 million to Obama’s second inaugural, but only $500,000 to Trump in 2017 and Biden in 2021.

By Jim Salter St. Louis, Dec 13 (AP) Fourteen North Korean nationals have been indicted in a scheme using information technology workers with false identities to contract with US companies — workers who then funneled their wages to North Korea for development of ballistic missiles and other weapons, the head of the FBI office in St. Louis has said. The scheme involving thousands of IT workers generated more than USD88 million for the North Korean government, Ashley T Johnson, special agent in charge of the St. Louis FBI office, said at a news conference on Thursday. In addition to their wages, the workers stole sensitive information from companies or threatened to leak information in exchange for extortion payments, Johnson said. Victims included defrauded companies and people whose identities were stolen from across the US, including Missouri, Johnson said. The indictments were filed Wednesday in US District Court in St. Louis. All 14 people face wire fraud, money laundering, identity theft and other charges. Most of those accused are believed to be in North Korea. Johnson acknowledged that bringing them to justice will be difficult. To help, the US Department of State is offering a USD5 million reward for information leading to any of the suspects. Federal authorities said the scheme worked like this: North Korea dispatched thousands of IT workers to get hired and work remotely or as freelancers for US companies. The IT workers involved in the scheme sometimes used stolen identities. In other instances, they paid Americans to use their home Wi-Fi connections, or to pose in on-camera job interviews as the IT workers. Johnson said the FBI is going after those “domestic enablers,” too. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Johnson said. “If your company has hired fully remote IT workers, more likely than not, you have hired or at least interviewed a North Korean national working on behalf of the North Korean government,” Johnson said. The Justice Department in recent years has sought to expose and disrupt a broad variety of criminal schemes aimed at bolstering the North Korean regime, including its nuclear weapons program. In 2021, the Justice Department charged three North Korean computer programmers and members of the government's military intelligence agency in a broad range of global hacks that officials say were carried out at the behest of the regime. Law enforcement officials said at the time that the prosecution highlighted the profit-driven motive behind North Korea's criminal hacking, a contrast from other adversarial nations like Russia, China and Iran that are generally more interested in espionage, intellectual property theft or even disrupting democracy. In May 2022, the State Department, Department of the Treasury, and the FBI issued an advisory warning of attempts by North Koreans “to obtain employment while posing as non-North Korean nationals.” The advisory noted that in recent years, the regime of Kim Jong Un “has placed increased focus on education and training” in IT-related subjects. In October 2023, the FBI in St. Louis announced the seizure of USD1.5 million and 17 domain names as part of the investigation. The indictments announced Tuesday were the first stemming from the investigation. Johnson urged companies to thoroughly vet IT workers hired to work remotely. “One of the ways to help minimize your risk is to insist current and future IT workers appear on camera as often as possible if they are fully remote,” she said. Officials didn't name the companies that unknowingly hired North Korean workers. (AP) IJT (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Photo: Contributed War Up Close will be at Okanagan College on Dec. 2 and UBC Okanagan on Dec. 3, 2024. See the impacts of the war in Ukraine from street level at a travelling exhibit stopping in Kelowna next week. A virtual reality exhibition called ‘ War Up Close’ will be at Okanagan College on Monday, Dec. 2 and at UBC Okanagan on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The unique digital display combines an interactive platform documenting the realities of war and a VR exhibition that has made stops in 20 countries, including at post-secondary institutions in the United States and Europe. It allows participants to walk through the streets of Ukraine virtually. “Thanks to VR technology, visitors can "step into" the heart of the events. The exhibition has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, offering a powerful understanding of Ukraine's struggle,” said Mykola Omelchenko, co-founder of the exhibition and panoramic photographer. Artworks by children from the Little Hope Gallery project in Lviv will also be on display. The program offers art therapy to children who are refugees from their homes in war-torn parts of the country. War Up Close is free of charge thanks to funding from the charity Sustain Ukraine. It runs 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the Atrium at Okanagan College and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the upper foyer of the Charles E. Fipke Building at UBCO. Photo: Contributed

NoneUSC RB Woody Marks exits in first half vs. Notre Dame

NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to: Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCRN )'s sale to Aya Healthcare for $18.61 per share in cash. If you are a Cross Country shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . EnLink Midstream, LLC (NYSE: ENLC )'s sale to ONEOK, Inc. for 0.1412 shares of ONEOK common stock for each common unit of EnLink. If you are an EnLink shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Manitex International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTX )'s sale to Tadano Ltd. for $5.80 per share in cash. If you are a Manitex shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email [email protected] or [email protected] . Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 [email protected] [email protected] https://www.halpersadeh.com SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLPKarachi [Pakistan], November 30, (ANI): Small traders and shopkeepers in Pakistan are deeply concerned as their sales have dropped by 70 per cent and continue to fall, driven by the economic instability caused by political unrest. All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman, Atiq Mir expressed serious concern over the declining sales, stating that markets and bazaars in Karachi have experienced a 70 per cent drop in sales compared to last year. He linked this downturn to several factors, including soaring food inflation, high energy tariffs, shrinking incomes, rising taxes, and widespread political and economic instability, Express Tribune reported. Also Read | California: Teacher Dies of Rabies After Being Bitten by Bat in Classroom at School in Dos Palos. On the other hand, e-commerce sales have been steadily increasing, driven by intense sales events like Blessed Friday, Big Friday, 11.11 sales, and others that offer substantial discounts for a limited time. He expressed concern that 80 per cent of traders and shopkeepers can no longer afford electricity bills, worker salaries, or shop rents. At the same time, he criticized the government for celebrating a fabricated surge in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), taking on excessive debt, and presenting misleading economic data, while the actual economic conditions continue to worsen in Pakistan's financial hub. Also Read | Reliance Tops Wizikey Media Visibility Rankings for 2024, Achieves 97.43 out of 100 Showing YoY Improvements. Mir urged policymakers and the Pakistan Army to step in, requesting a reduction in energy tariffs, measures to control inflation, job creation, and immediate actions to resolve political and economic instability. He also called for tighter regulation of artificial price increases for essential items like meat, milk, fruits, and vegetables, as well as the elimination of corruption and inefficiencies within government departments. Chairman of the Arambagh Markets Association, Asif Gulfam, commented, "Doing business in the current economic climate is extremely challenging, as uncertainty affects buyers, sellers, and investors--the key pillars of any business. Everyone is distressed and watching the country's worsening situation, holding on to hope for improvement." He pointed out that, despite some scams, e-commerce is steadily gaining traction as more consumers turn to online shopping. Gulfam emphasized that more than 350 online stores in Saddar have their own delivery riders, ensuring prompt home delivery of products. E-commerce is a well-established market in the West, where the holiday shopping season kicks off on the last Friday of November, with customers beginning to buy Christmas gifts. In Pakistan, online retail is highly competitive but operates differently from traditional markets. Consumers are increasingly seeking last-minute deals as retailers compete on price, timing, and delivery savings. The report further stated that a spokesperson for Daraz explained that "11.11, originally known as Singles' Day in China and later becoming the world's largest shopping festival, was brought to Pakistan by Daraz in 2018. Since then, it has become our biggest sale of the year, offering discounts of up to 80 per cent on over 10 million products. This year, more than one-third of all orders came from non-metro areas, highlighting how e-commerce is breaking down barriers." She further noted that consumers in smaller cities and rural areas now have access to products from sellers nationwide, which were previously unavailable to them. In a time when many are still feeling the effects of high costs, despite some relief from inflation, 11.11 offered an excellent chance for consumers to maximize their savings. "Our goal is to make shopping more accessible, rewarding, and inclusive for all Pakistanis," she concluded. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Award-winning singer Raye treated King Charles to a performance of Christmas songs during his visit to Apple’s London headquarters on Thursday afternoon. The monarch toured the tech giant’s HQ at the iconic Battersea Power Station with the company’s Chief Executive, Tim Cook, before heading outside to unveil a plaque and enjoy a surprise performance by Raye, whose hits include Worth It and Oscar Winning Tears . Raye seemed overwhelmed as she was introduced on stage, although she had previously met the King ahead of her performance inside the headquarters and in a more intimate setting. As she took to the stage, in front of Apple employees who had been unaware of her attendance, she bowed her head, shook his hand and said ‘hello’. The King appeared to comment on her black strapped dress and asked her if she felt the cold. “I don’t, I don’t,” she said, as she smiled and put her thumb up as they took a picture. The King then walked off stage alongside Tim Cook to listen to Raye’s set, “thank you, I hope you enjoy it,” she told the small crowd. King Charles stayed to listen to her sing her first song, as she said: “What an honour to be in the presence of His Majesty today. It’s all very scary and very fancy so it’s very amazing.” Raye’s special playlist began with an incredible rendition of Oh Holy Night , one her favourite Christmas carols. Following the end of the song, he then slipped off given the cold and rain. Raye continued her set and sang several more songs, including Jingle Bells and Cry me a River . Ahead of her performance, Apple Chief Executive Tim praised the monarch: “We are honoured to host His Majesty King Charles III at Apple Battersea....at Apple we are honoured to call this our home in the UK and we are so grateful to His Majesty for visiting us this afternoon.” He praised his “extraordinary leadership, his service to the United Kingdom and his lifelong commitment to philanthropy and the betterment of humanity.” He also praised the King’s Trust “incredible work in powering and educating and next generations and creating opportunity by teaching vital skills like coding”. The King was then invited to unveil a plaque commemorating his visit - and laughed as he got a “wolf whistle” as he did.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100The gaming world is abuzz with anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6, the next installment in Rockstar Games’ legendary franchise. Rumors, leaks, and speculation have swirled for years, with many claiming the game has been in some form of development for close to a decade. But is there any truth to this? As a games journalist who has followed Rockstar’s work for over 20 years, I’ve dug deep into the available information to uncover the reality behind GTA 6’s development timeline. The story of GTA 6’s development is a complex one, shrouded in secrecy and fueled by eager fans desperate for any scrap of information. While Rockstar Games officially confirmed the game’s existence in February 2022, whispers and alleged leaks suggest its origins stretch back much further, potentially to 2014 or even earlier. This raises the question: why the long wait? Is GTA 6 truly trapped in “development hell,” plagued by reboots and internal struggles? Or is there a more logical explanation for this extended development cycle? The Early Days: Seeds of Development While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact start date, evidence suggests that preliminary work on GTA 6 likely began after (or even alongside) the development of GTA 5. Consider this: GTA 5, released in 2013, was a massive undertaking. Rockstar dedicated significant resources to its online component, GTA Online, which continues to generate substantial revenue. It’s plausible that a small team began exploring ideas and concepts for the next installment while the main studio focused on supporting GTA Online. Furthermore, Rockstar Games is known for its meticulous approach to development. They prioritize quality and innovation, often pushing the boundaries of technology and gameplay. Building a successor to the critically acclaimed GTA 5, a game that redefined open-world gaming, would undoubtedly require extensive planning, research, and experimentation. The “Project Americas” Leak and Its Implications In 2019, a significant leak allegedly revealed crucial details about GTA 6, codenamed “Project Americas.” This leak suggested a return to Vice City (inspired by Miami) and a new fictional location based in South America. It also claimed the game would feature multiple protagonists and a narrative inspired by drug cartels. While Rockstar Games never officially confirmed the leak’s validity , many details aligned with subsequent rumors and reports, lending it credibility. If “Project Americas” represents an early iteration of GTA 6, it indicates that the game has undergone significant changes throughout its development. This is not unusual in the game industry, where projects often evolve and iterate based on testing, feedback, and technological advancements. The Impact of GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption 2 Another factor contributing to GTA 6’s extended development cycle is the ongoing success of GTA Online. This online juggernaut has become a significant revenue stream for Rockstar Games, requiring continuous updates and content additions. It’s reasonable to assume that a portion of Rockstar’s development resources was dedicated to supporting GTA Online, potentially impacting the progress of GTA 6. Moreover, Rockstar released Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018, a critically acclaimed masterpiece that undoubtedly demanded significant time and resources. Developing two massive open-world games concurrently would be a monumental challenge for any studio, even one as large and talented as Rockstar. The Rockstar Culture and Its Influence Rockstar Games has a reputation for its demanding work culture, with reports of crunch and long hours. While the company has taken steps to improve working conditions, it’s possible that this intense environment has contributed to the extended development timeline. Creating a game of GTA 6’s scale and ambition requires a significant investment of time and effort from the development team. Furthermore, Rockstar is known for its perfectionism. They are not afraid to scrap ideas, restart development, or delay releases to ensure their games meet their high standards. This commitment to quality, while admirable, can also lead to longer development cycles. The Pandemic Effect The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted industries worldwide, and the game industry was no exception. Lockdowns, remote work, and supply chain issues impacted game development across the board. It’s likely that GTA 6’s development was also affected, potentially causing delays and setbacks. The 2022 Leaks and Official Confirmation In September 2022, a massive leak rocked the gaming world, featuring early development footage of GTA 6. This leak seemingly confirmed the Vice City setting, the presence of a female protagonist, and other previously rumored details. While Rockstar Games swiftly took down the leaked footage, the damage was done. The leak provided a glimpse into the game’s development, albeit an unfinished one. Following the leak, Rockstar Games officially acknowledged the incident and confirmed that GTA 6 was indeed in development. This confirmation, while not unexpected, finally put an end to years of speculation and rumors. Looking Ahead: What to Expect Despite the leaks and rumors, concrete details about GTA 6 remain scarce. Rockstar Games is notoriously tight-lipped about its projects, preferring to reveal information on its own terms. However, based on available information, we can make some educated guesses. While it’s unlikely that GTA 6 has been in full-scale development for a full decade, it’s clear that its journey has been a long and complex one. Factors such as the success of GTA Online, the development of Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar’s meticulous approach, and the COVID-19 pandemic have likely contributed to this extended timeline. Ultimately, GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated games in history. The pressure on Rockstar Games to deliver a worthy successor to GTA 5 is immense. However, based on their track record and the glimpses we’ve seen, there’s reason to believe that GTA 6 will be worth the wait.A student from Telangana was shot dead in Chicago, United States, on Friday, November 29. The deceased was identified as 26-year-old N Sai Teja. The young man had moved to the US in August to pursue a Master’s degree at Concordia University, Wisconsin. He had reportedly been working at a mall for the past few days when assailants shot him after robbing him of money. Teja’s parents, Nookarapu Koteshwar Rao and Vani, reside in Raparthi Nagar, Khammam city. Following the tragic incident, friends and relatives visited their home to console the family. In a separate incident, on November 13, a student from Hyderabad named Aryan Reddy died due to an accidental gun misfire while cleaning his newly purchased hunting gun during his birthday celebrations in Atlanta, Georgia. Reddy was a 23-year-old second-year Master’s student at Kansas State University. His family is originally from Bhuvanagiri and currently lives in Uppal. These incidents have raised concerns within the Indian community regarding the safety of students studying abroad.

For the past 39 years, I’ve devoted a column to help folks shop for those useful but sometimes hard to find gifts for the sportsmen, and women, on their Christmas shopping list. Many of the items I highlight are not available on the shelves of the larger package stores but there’s still time to order online. I always list a few gift ideas that range in cost from a few dollars to a few hundred. Hopefully you can find that ‘just right’ gift among my picks this year. Shopping for an outdoor person can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t familiar with what your outdoors person uses or needs. I will include some basic tips that should help you find the perfect gift. ELECTRIC SMOKER: I’ve said many times that the one outdoor item that it would be tough to live without is my Smokin Tex (www.smokintex.com) electric smoker. These smokers come in various sizes and are built to last. I have cooked hundreds if not thousands of pounds of game and domestic meats on mine through the years. Smokers come in many price ranges and you get what you pay for. These units are great, long term investments. BIG GAME TAGGING KIT: How many times have you harvested a deer just before the close of legal shooting time and fumble around looking for a flashlight, pen to fill out the tag and some way of snipping out the tiny “V” for the date of harvest? Those days are over if you carry a Big Game Tagging Kit from Vineyard Max (www.vineyardmax.net). These little kits come with everything needed to make tagging your deer, even in the dark, easy. With a lighted pen, snipper to cut out the date, reusable snap ties, pockets for licenses, tags and ID and trail markers these kits make ideal stocking stuffers for the big game hunter. Larry Weishuhn’s signature hunting knives are also available through the Vineyard Max website. THERMAL SCOPE FOR NIGHT HUNTING: The cost of thermal scopes has dropped appreciably the past few years, thanks to improved manufacturing advancements. Today, a very serviceable scope for night hunting hogs and predators out to about 100 yards is available through AGM Global Vision www.agmglobalvision.com for under a thousand dollars. The Rattler V2 comes with an onboard camera that also records audio and is a great buy for folks that keep their shots relatively close. JUG LINES FOR CATFISHING: Setting out a few ‘jug lines’ while rod and reel fishing is a great way to put together a catfish fry. Doug’s Jugs www.dougsjugs.com makes quality jug lines from swimming pool noodles and PVC pipe. These noodles come fully rigged with sharp circle hooks and stout lines that will hold the big ones. Conventional homemade jug lines work but they are extremely unhandy to store and handle in a boat, these noodle jugs take up little space in a boat and are very easy to work with. GUIDED FISHING OR HUNTING TRIP: Even the most veteran fisherman or hunter enjoys fishing new waters or hunting different areas with a veteran guide. Most guides offer gift certificates. It’s always best to check some references before booking a trip. Chances are good that your outdoor person has a circle of friends that you can quiz about a trip that would be perfectly suited. Guided hunting trips can be tailored to suit the interest of the individual, everything from a day upland bird hunt on a quality facility to a late season deer hunt on a hunting ranch. Prices vary greatly, everything from day hunts to hunts that include food, meals and lodging. Again, if you are not comfortable choosing a hunt, consult with your outdoor person’s friends, they can be of great help in helping choose the ‘just right’ outing. FIREARMS OR HUNTING BOWS: Choosing a new rifle, shotgun or bow is a personal thing and you will want to do a bit of research before making the purchase. A deer hunter doesn’t want just “a gun.” He or she wants a particular action, caliber or gauge shotgun. Rather than guess, it’s much better to give a gift certificate at a gun store which will allow your hunter to choose the firearm that suits his needs. Bows are even more specialized, with the exception of a crossbow which usually is a universal fit. Compound bows come in different draw lengths, draw weights, etc. A bow that fits a person 5 ft 5” tall with a 26 inch draw length is next to useless to someone 6 foot tall with a 30 inch draw length. It’s always best to shop for bows at a quality bow shop rather than a big package store, in my opinion. Experienced bow technicians can be of great help not only choosing but setting up a new bow. A gift certificate is always a good bet when gifting a bow. PREPAID PASSES TO PARKS FOR CAMPING: For the camper on your shopping list, consider a prepaid cabin or an RV space with hookups at a nice RV Park. One such destination that comes to mind is Wind Point Park https://www.windpointparktx.com/ on Lake Tawakoni. The park offers cabins, both large and small, lakeside RV spaces and hookups in the wooded area in the interior of the park. With a couple of fishing piers that provide good action on catfish both summer and winter and a large herd of deer to observe and photograph, this is a place that I highly recommend. Chances are very good that with a bit of research you can find a quality park close to your home that would be a great destination for the camper on your shopping list. SAUSAGE AND JERKY MAKING: Chances are good many of the hunters on your list butcher their own game and make sausage, cure hams, etc. Butcher Packer Supply www.butcher-packer.com is a one stop shop for spices, meat grinders, seasoning, knives, etc., everything for the home butcher. Visit the website and you will see hundreds of useful items to choose from. HUNTING OPTICS: Stealth Vision www.stealthvision.com , a Texas company headquartered in Crockett, offers top of the line rifle scopes and binoculars. Through the years, I’ve used many rifle scopes and these are the best I’ve used, hands down. The company also offers custom rifles topped with their scopes that offer half-minute angle accuracy. For the hunter/rifle shooter on your list, this would be a great gift. The company invites customers to the lodge near Crockett to try out the rifle/scopes and choose the one that is best suited to their needs. Hopefully one of these contacts will help you with your Christmas Shopping this year. I’ve had personal experience with everything listed and give them all a big ‘thumbs up.’ Listen to Luke’s weekly podcast each week, “Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends” available everywhere podcasts are hosted.

Slovakia protests against minister who tests culture, LGBT limits