Last week I posted a two-part series on red wines.  On this nostalgic Tuesday, I will make it a five-part series with a visit I made in 2019 to France, where we tasted champagne and Bordeaux wine and cognac.  Parts 4 and 5 will be posted on subsequent Tuesdays. But first, a few newsworthy items. As my  blog expressed yesterday , President Donald Trump has transformed himself from dud to hero. Looks like that  fragile ceasefire for the Israel-USA vs Iran War is holding.   Lot of questions about where those 880 pounds of enriched uranium might be  to  future role on how the International Atomic Energy Agency can check on Iran  to  how long the ailing 85-year old Ayatollah can hang in there  to  a million others.  However, give Trump credit for solving this war in less than two weeks.  Israel still has that Gaza Strip problem, and there continues the Ukraine-Russia war, but the world today is in a safer place than yesterday. ...

The Osaka Expo had private opening ceremonies  yesterday afternoon, with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba participating.   Watch the entire 2-hour show .   Here,  PM Ishiba chatting with Myaku-Myaku,  the official mascot, who represents cell and water. Entrance of Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko . Actually, the  site of the Expo was opened to 50,000 visitors last week  to test out the venue.  Food was sold and some pavilions could be explored.... with very long lines.  As many as 227,000 visitors/day are expected.  As would be expected, Japan is ready. Planning to go?   Here is a video of some must see pavilions . All to know before you go . Visitors guide to the 2025 Osaka Expo. From April 13 to October 13.  13 is not a bad luck number in Japan.  Our 13 is their 4. Theme:  Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Located on Yumeshima isla...