Almanack: Postscript

THE ultimate World Cup souvenir has been announced in Soccer, an American magazine. 'The Anthem Ball,' the blurb runs, 'is a patented electronic musical soccer ball that plays the national anthem of all 24 competing World Cup teams. Brightly coloured with the flags of the 24 competing nations, the ball plays the desired country's anthem when you press the flag of that country.' A snip at dollars 24.95: don't all rush at once.