treasure of aztec scatter
NoneNetanyahu's office says his security Cabinet has approved ceasefire deal with Hezbollah
Dow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes
‘The first to sue': Opposing Trump's desire to end birthright citizenship is personal for this attorney general
By JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.Who can the president pardon? Here’s what to know as Biden wraps up his term
Manmohan Singh While Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves everybody’s applause for his economic reforms — along with the former Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao — that steered India away from a big crisis, it is to be noted that the great economist’s knowledge and talent were sidelined by the Congress party. The party only used the great man as a tool to rule the country for 10 years. The economic reforms of 1991 have not been properly handled by successive governments which resulted in the country and the common people being dragged into debt traps and a westernisation of social life. But there is a positive side. The former Prime Minister’s voracious book-reading habit has to be utilised to inspire the youth and the children of today who are habituated to online reading. This is not as beneficial and effective as having a proper book in their hands and reading it. M. Chandrasekhar, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh It was Dr. Singh’s vision that transformed India into a hub for innovation and growth, laying the foundation for its emergence as a global economic powerhouse. His contributions underscore the transformative power of leadership rooted in pragmatism and foresight, leaving an indelible mark on modern India. Avineshwar Bhardwaj, Darbhanga, Bihar India has lost a statesman and a fine economist. Dr. Singh may have slipped into the pages of history but he will live forever in the heart of every Indian. Devendra Khurana Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh I had the privilege of being present at Dr. Singh’s visit to Somayajulapalli village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, in 2004, when he laid the foundation stone for a minor irrigation tank. The Kurnool District Collector, Ajay Jain, explained the salient features of the project to Dr. Singh. I was the superintending engineer, irrigation circle, Kurnool, from February 2002 to June 2004. Dr. Singh evinced keen interest, eliciting many details as well as asking about the irrigation outlook in the district. Y. Abdul Basheer, Hyderabad Published - December 30, 2024 12:24 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit letters
Sharks’ first-round pick reportedly breaks hand, will not play in WJC
Ed Sheeran has apologised to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim for interrupting him during a live TV interview. The 33-year-old pop star interrupted Amorim's interview with Sky Sports after Ipswich Town's 1-1 draw with United on Sunday (24.11.24). - but Ed has now taken to social media to issue an apology, explaining that he just wanted to greet Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp and that he didn't realise he was even on the air. Ed - who is a minority shareholder of Ipswich - wrote on Instagram: "Apologies if I offended Amorim yesterday, didn’t realise he was actually being interviewed at the time, was popping to say hi and bye to Jamie. Obz feel a bit of a b****** but life goes on. Great game though, congrats to all involved x (sic)" Ed bought his minority stake in the English soccer team earlier this year. The pop star - who is a life-long fan of the team - has sponsored Ipswich since 2021, and he agreed a deal to acquire a 1.4 percent stake in the club. He said in a statement at the time: "I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my hometown football club. "It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity." Ed also revealed that he was looking forward to seeing his beloved team back in the Premier League league, after they achieved promotion to the top division. He shared: "It’s such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs but football is all about taking the highs and the lows. "I’m not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don’t get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play!"Top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu visited Afghan government officials on Monday, assuring them Moscow will soon remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations, Kabul said. Since the Taliban surged back to power in 2021 visits by foreign officials have been infrequent because no nation has yet formally recognized the government of the former insurgent group. Taliban government curbs on women have made them pariahs in many Western nations but Kabul is making increasing diplomatic overtures to its regional neighbors, emphasizing economic and security cooperation. Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, met an Afghan cohort in Kabul headed by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar. He "expressed Russia's interest in increasing the level of bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan," Baradar's office said in a statement released on social media site X. "He also announced that, to expand political and economic relations between the two countries, the Islamic Emirate's name would soon be removed from Russia's blacklist." The Islamic Emirate is the name the Taliban government uses to refer to itself. Russian news agencies quoted Shoigu as saying he wanted "constructive" ties with Kabul, without saying if he had floated Moscow removing the Taliban from its list of banned groups. "I confirm the readiness to build a constructive political dialogue between our countries, including in order to give momentum to the process of the internal Afghan settlement," Shoigu said, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. He also said Russian companies plan to take part in projects in Afghanistan on extracting natural resources. Analysts say Moscow may be eying cooperation with Kabul to counter the threat from Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) -- the Afghan-based branch of the Sunni militant group. In March, more than 140 people were killed when IS-K gunmen attacked a Moscow concert hall. Taliban authorities have repeatedly said security is their top domestic priority and have pledged militants staging foreign attacks will be ousted from Afghanistan. "The Taliban certainly are our allies in the fight against terrorism," Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said in July. "They are working to eradicate terrorist cells."
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s resolution on Wednesday calling for Ukraine to be supplied with medium-range missiles — defined by the now-defunct INF Treaty as those with ranges between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometers — is a significant development, though not a final decision by the bloc or any national government. If such a decision is made, the options for providing these missiles to Ukraine remain limited. The only readily available medium-range missile system in the West is the US-made Tomahawk, a weapon that has already been used in various global conflicts. Currently, the only ground-based launcher systems capable of firing these missiles are the Mk 70 and the MRC Typhon, both based on the Mk 41 shipborne launching system, with only minor operational differences between them. But will these systems be transferred to Ukraine? The likely goal of America’s Biden administration needs careful consideration. The aim cannot be to decisively end the war in Ukraine, as the existing stock of Tomahawks is insufficient to achieve that objective. Even with a few dozen Tomahawks potentially being transferred to Kiev, such an action would lead to a significant escalation, likely provoking a strong response from Russia — possibly bringing the US and NATO into direct confrontation with Moscow, especially given the inevitable involvement of US military personnel in deploying these weapons. Some experts speculate that this move is part of a larger strategy by the Biden administration to “complicate matters as much as possible” in an effort to make any future peace talks — particularly those under a potential Trump administration — more difficult to pursue. As an alternative, Washington could consider providing JASSM-ER air-launched missiles, which have a range of about 1,000 kilometers and can be deployed from F-16 fighter jets. However, this too would do little to shift the balance of the conflict. The number of available JASSM-ERs would be far too small to lead to a Ukrainian victory, and their use would again risk escalating the conflict, with unpredictable consequences. Moreover, such a transfer would be impossible without continued US technical support. Do NATO’s leaders understand the risks of such actions? Surely they must. So why push for such a resolution? The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, though influential, is one of the least powerful branches of the alliance. Nonetheless, its actions appear to follow the larger direction set by NATO’s leadership, often without the full weight of strategic consequences being considered.As election dust settles, back to work? 6 companies from road and infrastructure sector with potential upside of up to 30%JPMorgan Chase & Co. Sells 205,520 Shares of iShares U.S. Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:IYW)
Netanyahu's office says his security Cabinet has approved ceasefire deal with HezbollahNew York, NY, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alta Global Group (NYSE American: MMA) (“Alta” or the “Company”), a pioneering technology company seeking to aggregate and drive participation in combat sports, today announced it has filed a Request for Withdrawal of its Registration Statement on Form F-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), initially filed on September 5, 2024. The Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the SEC, and no securities have been sold in connection with the offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. ABOUT ALTA GLOBAL GROUP LIMITED Alta Global Group Limited is a technology company that is seeking to increase consumer participation in martial arts and combat sports whilst building upon existing community offerings within the sector. Alta currently has three business units designed to provide services to and monetize all key stakeholders in the sector, namely fans, participants, coaches, gym owners and athletes. TrainAlta ( www.trainalta.com ) partners with gyms and coaches to deliver a range of consumer products that drive participation in martial arts for fans and beginners. Hype ( www.hype.co ) is a mobile marketing platform designed to help gym owners, coaches and athlete partners grow revenue from their followers and audiences in today’s age of social media. MixedMartialArts.com ( www.mixedmartialarts.com ) is a leading platform for the MMA community, providing access to MMA news and media, fighter data, fight schedules and access to the legendary Underground forum. For further information about Alta Global Group Limited (NYSE American: MMA), please visit www.altaglobalgroup.com or https://ir.altaglobalgroup.com/news-events/presentations for a copy of our latest corporate presentation. Follow us on social media via https://www.facebook.com/trainalta https://x.com/altaglobalgroup https://www.instagram.com/trainalta/ https://au.linkedin.com/company/trainalta Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein include or may include, but are not limited to, statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or use or contain words, terms, phrases, or expressions such as “achieve,” “forecast,” “plan,” “propose,” “strategy,” “envision,” “hope,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or similar words, terms, phrases, or expressions or the negative of any of these terms. Any statements in this press release that are not based upon historical fact are forward-looking statements and represent our best judgment as to what may occur in the future. Any references to active gyms or partner gyms refer to a gym profile that has been claimed or created and has accepted the terms and conditions and/or a previous license agreement to run the Warrior Training Program. Any references to estimated or targeted revenue per active gym do not guarantee that the gym will generate the specified revenue or any revenue at all. Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in our Registration Statement on Form F-1 as filed with the SEC. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such factors on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Registration Statement to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and industry, and underlying any forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update, withdraw or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements. Media Contacts Dave Gentry RedChip Companies, Inc. C: 1-407-491-4498 T: 1-407-644-4256 E: MMA@redchip.comIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fighting
( MENAFN - IANS) Washington, Dec 30 (IANS) Former US President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at the age of 100. He was the oldest living President of all time and was the third US President to visit India. Carter died at home in Plains, Georgia. He had been suffering from an aggressive form of melanoma, a skin cancer, with tumours that had spread to his liver and brain. He had stopped medical treatment and was under hospice care at home. His death was announced by the Carter Centre in Atlanta. "My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love," said Chip Carter, the former President's son. "My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs." President Carter, a Democrat, had served one term from 1977 to 1981 and was voted out of office despite such accomplishments as the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, which proved to be insufficient to overcome the disappointment over a slumping economy at home and the Iran crisis abroad. He went on to carve out an extraordinary post-presidency life and won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002 for, the prize citation said, "his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development". His wife of 77 years, Rosalyn Carter died in November 2023, at 96. Carter was the third US President to visit India, after Dwight Eisenhower in 1959 and Richard Nixon in 1969. He was accompanied on this visit in 1978 by the first lady. Carter had met then President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and Prime Minister Morarji Desai and addressed the Parliament. A village he had visited then in Gurugram (then Gurgaon) was named Carterpuri and retains that name. "The atmosphere throughout the visit was friendly, and the President's reception by the Indian public was enthusiastic," the US Embassy in New Delhi had reported to the State Department in a telegram published by the US Office of the Historian. "It is clear that the President established an excellent personal rapport with the Prime Minister. The editorial comment, in the wake of the visit, while generally reflecting the atmosphere described above, also expressed some reservations. For the most part, these focused on the differences in the nuclear field." Carter's mother, Lilian Carter, had however visited India much before he did. She went to India as a member of the Peace Corps at the age of 68 and returned in 1977 to represent the US at the funeral of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. "My mother, who loves this nation and its people very deeply, has told me of the warmth and friendship of the Indian people," President Carter had said in his remarks to Indian lawmakers. "She experienced it in her years of service here and, again, a few months ago in a time of sorrow when she represented me as President and the people of the US at the funeral of your former President." MENAFN29122024000231011071ID1109039954 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Incumbent Milanovic eyes Croatia's presidencyNo. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left