Italy faced formidable problems heading into opening day of the 2026 Winter Olympics:  funding shortfalls, warm weather, nagging delays in construction and unsaid worries of the International Olympic Committee.  Surprisingly, even for the government of Italy, all went well.  In fact, it was all a true success. "They have been fantastic," IOC President Kirsty Coventry said in her address to members at the Olympic body's session. "It could not happen without incredible teamwork... and we had it every step of the way." Italy itself earned its most medals ever, including 10 golds.  Francesca Lollobrigida won the 3000 meters race in an Olympic record time on her 35th birthday, and added a second gold.  She is the great-niece of the late legendary Italian  actress Gina Lollobrigida. While there were no major terroristic threats, the Games operated under extreme security, cyber-sabotage by Russia, uncontrolled drones and, yes, a  Penisgate Controversy : Repor...

The wine world knows that France, Italy and California produce the best red wines.  The top two wine producers switch between Italy and France, with Italy now #1.  #'s 3 and 4 also change, with Spain today producing more than the USA.  Australia is #5.  China is rapidly rising, and is  affecting wine prices in other ways,  too.  Interestingly enough, though  world wine production is dropping , and  is lower than 1961.  Some blame climate warming. Today I will focus on the best red wines.  Some day I'll talk about the finest white wines. France:  Bordeaux and Burgandy. More specifically, there are two blends of Bordeaux, the left bank uses mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and right mostly Merlot. Burgandy is almost always Pinot Noir, although White Burgandy is Chardonnay. Italy:  Piedmont for Barolo and Tuscany for Brunello de Montalcino. California:  Napa Valley and parallel Sonoma Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends. ...

Yesterday I started out saying I have  no interest in the fate of Hunter Biden .  Today, just having learned that he was  found guilty of three felony counts , that all changes.  Also, today, the  Hamas accepted the U.N.-backed Gaza truce plan , this is  the one President Joe Biden talked about last week .  Both developments are, interestingly enough, positive signs for Joe's re-election campaign. But about Hunter: Is 54 years old. Mother was Joe Biden's first wife, Neila Hunter.  She was driving the car in 1972 with their four children that crashed, killing her and one daughter, seriously injuring Hunter (f ractured skull and severe traumatic brain injuries ) and his older brother Beau. Jill Jacobs Stevenson became their stepmother in 1977.  Jill and Joe had a daughter Ashley in 1981. Hunter got a BA from Georgetown University in 1992. Served as a Jesuit volunteer in Oregon, where he met Kathleen Buhle, got married in 1993, and divorced in 2...