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Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to enter 2025 NFL DraftPolice investigating the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, have announced that the suspected assailant had . in recent years have involved this kind of homemade, or partially homemade, weapon. Often called " " because they can be hard to trace, these firearms can be either partially or completely made with components that have been produced in metal or plastic on commercially available 3D printers. The U.S. Supreme Court is of current federal restrictions on these firearms. The involving a 3D-printed gun resulted in the arrest . But since then, worldwide have reported finding increasing numbers of these weapons. My focuses on the , including . I see that the use of 3D-printed guns in criminal and violent activities is likely to continue to increase. And it will likely prove ever harder for governments and police to regulate these firearms. Surge in arrests and seizures Arrests and seizures connected to 3D-printed guns are escalating quickly. Between 2017 and 2021, U.S. law enforcement agencies seized and reported nearly , according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In 2021 alone, were traced, a significant increase from 8,504 in 2020. The number of seized 3D-printed guns in New York state alone surged dramatically, from . Arrests linked to 3D-printed guns are also rising. The world recorded , compared to 66 arrests in all 2022. North America leads in 3D-printed gun-related arrests, with 166 cases from 2013 to June 2023. Europe followed with . The U.S. is a particular hot spot, with 36% of total global . But Canada is close behind, with 34%. The U.K. had 10%, and Australia had 8%. Growing global security threat Police and media reports indicate that many efforts to acquire or manufacture 3D-printed firearms were . These guns have been used by diverse groups including , . From 2019 to mid-2022, there were at least of extremists, terrorists or paramilitary groups either producing or attempting to produce firearms using 3D-printing technology. An analysis of 165 cases of 3D-printed firearms from 2013 to mid-2024 reveals that . Far-right groups appear to be the most frequent users among terrorism-related cases. A widely varied legal landscape Often, 3D-printed guns are homemade firearms without serial numbers. This makes them attractive to criminals because it is harder for law enforcement to link specific guns to particular crimes or suspects. Different countries take very different approaches to regulating these weapons. Japan enforces stringent laws governing the manufacture, possession and sales of firearms. Its legal system strictly prohibits unauthorized firearm production, including 3D-printed guns. In 2014, a 28-year-old Japanese man was in prison for producing plastic 3D-printed firearms. In 2023, ghost guns. It is illegal to without a license from the government. In Australia, making a , and in some states, possessing a digital blueprint to create one is also an offense. In the state of New South Wales, a person convicted of possessing blueprints can face up to 14 years in prison. In Tasmania state, the punishment can be even more severe—up to 21 years in prison. Across the European Union, making or owning homemade firearms, including 3D-printed ones, is . However, laws and penalties vary, with some nations criminalizing even the possession of digital files or blueprints related to 3D-printing guns. In the U.K., where firearms are very restricted, 3D-printed guns have been considered illegal. But in November 2022, the government for 3D-printed guns. The proposal aims to explicitly ban 3D-printed guns, addressing their unique challenges directly, rather than relying on existing laws designed for traditional firearms. The U.K. National Crime Agency has called for a ban on , and proposing such a ban. Federal rules in the US The U.S. Constitution poses some unique challenges to regulating ghost guns, especially for the federal government, but also for states. For regular firearms—that is, those not produced by 3D printing—U.S. federal law requires that a key component, called the , bear a . Purchasing a lower receiver requires a and conducting the transaction through a merchant who holds a . The situation is when it comes to 3D printing weapons. The protects freedom of expression, which includes sharing digital files that could contain firearm designs. And the Second Amendment protects citizens' . In the U.S., selling 3D-printed firearms requires a federal license. But producing or owning homemade firearms . That includes 3D-printing the lower receiver component, and with unregulated parts. Current federal law, , also requires 3D-printed guns meet specific guidelines, even if they firearms components. Under the rule, makers of ghost gun kits must obtain a , record information about their customers and add serial numbers to their products. The type of weapon also matters when determining the legality of a 3D-printed firearm. Automatic weapons, or machine guns, can continue to fire ammunition as long as the user holds the trigger down. These weapons have been for almost 90 years. Criminals have used , which . That turns those items into machine guns under federal law, making them . Owning this kind of 3D-printed conversion device can lead to a . In the states The states can also regulate firearms, and many are trying to get control of 3D-printed guns. By November 2024, , though exact requirements vary. The rules typically require a serial number, background checks for component purchases and reporting to authorities that a person is producing 3D-printed guns. For instance, in New Jersey, a 2019 law mandates that all ghost guns . Under current New York law, possession or distribution of a 3D-printed gun is classified as a misdemeanor. However, a proposed law seeks to elevate the manufacturing of firearms using 3D-printing technology . As technology advances and rules evolve, criminals who use 3D-printed firearms will continue to pose threats to public safety and security, and governments will continue playing catch-up to effectively regulate these weapons. This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions. Beijing banned its entertainers from joining Golden Horse -- dubbed the Chinese-language "Oscars" -- in 2019 after a Taiwanese director voiced support for the island's independence in an acceptance speech in 2018. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, which the Taipei government rejects, and Chinese A-listers and big commercial productions have largely avoided the event ever since. Despite the sensitivity of the awards, more than 200 Chinese films entered this year's competition, which Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said was the highest number in "recent years". Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye was awarded best director late Saturday night for his docu-drama "An Unfinished Film", which was also named best picture. Lou was absent from the ceremony but his wife Ma Yingli read his acceptance speech, describing the film set during China's lockdown of Wuhan in the earliest stages of the pandemic as "the most special directing job I have ever done". Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong, who also did not attend the awards, won best actor for his performance in Chinese director Geng Jun's same-sex drama "Bel Ami". Hong Kong's Chung Suet-ying was named best actress for her role in "The Way We Talk", which is about the deaf community. Neither "Bel Ami" nor "An Unfinished Film" has been released in China. Ahead of the awards, MAC spokesman Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that these films "may not be able to be screened in mainland China, but they still hope to have a free platform to participate and express themselves". "We welcome (them) very much," he said. After several years absence, Chinese stars began trickling back to the awards in Taipei last year, with actress Hu Ling the first to grace the red carpet since the ban. On Saturday, Geng Jun and some of his cast were among the few Chinese entertainers to join stars and filmmakers from around the region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, on the red carpet. While Geng missed out on best director and best picture, his film "Bel Ami" won the awards for best cinematography and best film editing. Despite political tensions, Golden Horse remained a stage for independent Chinese films that have no distribution space on the mainland, Taiwanese film critic Wonder Weng told AFP. "This spirit remains unchanged. I think the Golden Horse Awards have always insisted on being the benchmark" that is open to all subjects, said Weng, who is a board member of Taiwan Film Critics Society. Weng said "An Unfinished Film" by Lou, who has previously taken on forbidden subjects such as gay sex and the 1989 Tiananmen protests, was "a work of conscience". Lou's latest offering is about a film crew trying to resume shooting a movie during the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, as the city was placed in an unprecedented lockdown. "Lou put images that are banned or blocked into his work and reminds us that there is a director who is willing to preserve historical images for us to see... and let us know there is a different voice," Weng said. aw/amj/dhcUnited, Apple rolling out new way to track lost luggage with AirTags

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United Airlines travelers with lost luggage have a new tool to track their bags. If the lost bag has an Apple AirTag in it, that information can now be passed directly to United, the airline announced Thursday. The new feature, called Share Item Location, allows travelers with an AirTag or other Find My network accessory to share the location with the airline’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event it’s misplaced. United says more than 99% of its customers pick up their luggage without a hitch. The feature is now available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or macOS 15.2. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. Travelers on United whose bags do not arrive at their destination can file a delayed baggage report with United and share the link to the item’s location either through the United app or via text message. After the report has been submitted, customer service agents will be able to locate the item on an interactive map alongside a timestamp of a recent update. The shared location will be disabled after a customer has the bag, and customers can also stop sharing the location of the item at any time on their own. The location link will also automatically expire after seven days. Using AirTags or other tracking devices on luggage is increasingly popular among frequent travelers, with a significant boom following the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown , which displaced thousands of travelers over Christmas and into 2023, alongside much of their belongings. United says lost bags are rare, with more than 99% of its customers arriving with their bags. It says the new technology will help those with lost bags to recover them more quickly because the airline will have more information about them. Apple previously announced the new service will also be integrated at other air carriers, including Delta Air Lines. Others include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Proxy advisors call for Rashmi Saluja's ouster from Religare; co backs her

NORMAL — Heartland Community College will host a workshop next week to help students and parents with FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for the 2025-26 school year. The workshop will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 in the computer lab of the Instructional Commons North building on Heartland's Normal campus, 1500 W. Raab Road. Heartland's financial aid representatives will be in attendance to lead high school seniors, prospective college students and their parents, helping them to fill out the form and answering questions about financial aid options, according to a news release from Heartland. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required online as seat availability is limited. Register at heartland.edu or by calling the financial aid office at 309-268-8023. Those who plan to participate are asked to bring a driver's license or state ID, 2023 federal income tax forms and W-2s and amounts for untaxed income received in 2023. Attendees should also bring their parents' 2023 federal income tax forms and W-2s, unless the prospective student was born before Jan. 1, 2001, is married, is a supporting dependent, is a ward of the court or an orphan, or served active duty in U.S. military. You could spend your time trying to explain how to do these 10 things over the phone — or you could do it now, before your kids head out on their own. For the second year in a row, students and families won't have access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Oct. 1, when it's traditionally released, but federal officials have promised a fully functional form on or before the start of December. In a news release, the U.S. Department of Education announced on Aug. 7 it would start testing the system in October with a limited number of students, colleges, and universities. This process will allow the Federal Student Aid Office to address issues before the 2025-26 FAFSA is widely released nationwide, according to the news release. Chalkbeat reports that this announcement follows the problematic rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA form . After a late release in 2023, ongoing technical glitches made completing the form difficult. "The Department listened carefully to the input of students, families, and higher education institutions, made substantial changes to leadership and operations at Federal Student Aid, and is taking a new approach this year that will significantly improve the FAFSA experience," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the news release. The plan doesn't fully satisfy national advocacy groups who said they're disappointed the form won't be ready on time. But they said the late release of a functional system is better than families suffering through another glitchy FAFSA season. "The fact that we are still, to this day, dealing with the aftershocks of this year's FAFSA rollout shows just how imperative it is that the process is thoroughly tested from end to end and launched as a system, not in a piecemeal manner," said Beth Maglione, interim president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, in a written statement. The federal government revamped the form last year. For students who don't encounter problems, the so-called Better FAFSA is much faster and easier to fill out than the previous version. But technical problems with the revamped form caused widespread delays and frustrations and slowed down when students received financial aid awards. It has created worries that fewer students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, will show up in the fall . Students whose parents don't have a Social Security number encountered the most problems . In response to problems in the spring, many higher education institutions nationwide delayed enrollment dates to help students have more time to understand their financial aid awards. Yet problems with the FAFSA have persisted even into the summer. The National College Attainment Network said the federal government's latest update is not what they hoped. About half of all students who fill out the FAFSA do so before the end of the calendar year, making it important to launch as scheduled. However, the nonprofit's CEO Kim Cook said the FAFSA must be reliable, especially because college officials nationwide needed to adjust numerous times during the last year to help students. NCAN has a mission to help more students make it to and succeed in college. "We acknowledge this is a difficult trade-off between functionality and the release date," Cook said. "We appreciate the certainty and transparency that this announcement provides to the college access field. Counselors and educational leaders can now plan their FAFSA support strategies with the understanding that students who complete the form will receive financial aid awards in a timely manner." The education department has also promised more information about how the testing will work and will share regular updates. It will also continue to gather feedback and officials said they will release additional tools for students and families, counselors, institutions and others about the FAFSA. Students who submit FAFSA during the testing phase will not need to re-submit once the form is live, and the Federal Student Aid Office will use their data to identify software issues ahead of the larger launch. Due to issues this year, FAFSA completion is down over 10% from the previous year — or over 232,600 fewer students finished the form compared to last year, according to data from NCAN . The true impact of this year's problems will become more clear in the fall. Financial aid experts worry that although some students might have filled out the form, they might opt to skip college in the fall. That's because many students graduated high school without the financial award information they typically use to select a college. Importantly, high school counselors also help advise students after they enroll, such as filling out paperwork or signing up for orientation. Many also left high school without counseling support to understand how much college would cost them and help to understand the next steps to showing up on a college campus in the fall. This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Contact Olivia Jacobs at 309-820-3352. Follow Olivia on Twitter: @olivia___jacobs Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. 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I know. There’s a lot out there to make price-sensitive wine lovers shiver, not least of all inflation and the Trump administration’s looming threat of tariffs. Yet, when I thumbed through my tasting books for 2024, I was once again surprised by how many wines are still relative bargains: succulent, savory reds; crisp, elegant whites; juicy rosés; and even sophisticated sparklers are among the 4,223 wines from 20 countries I sampled this year. I ferreted out some on international trips, others at big importer portfolio tastings or meetings with producers in New York, still others during daily tastings in my home office in Connecticut. Out of these I culled this year’s 50 good buys. As always, I’ve favored wines that are new or from producers I haven’t recommended before. That meant not including many labels that reliably offer excellent value in this price range, such as Massican, Matthiasson and Tablas Creek in California, Champagnes such as Lanson Le Black, Piper Heidsieck and Drappier Carte d’Or, and many, many more. Most difficult is finding Champagne at this price point. The good news is that the holiday season is prime time for discounts on even top fizz names; the last quarter of the year is when sales spike. So, stock up, in case tariffs do become a reality in 2025. Where to look for other bargains? The story is the same as it’s been for several years. Italy is at the top for me, with good values in almost every region. France is a close second. Look in Alsace, Macon, the Loire Valley, Muscadet and the Languedoc, and don’t forget lesser names in Bordeaux, where producers I’ve recommended before, like Château Siran, Cantemerle, Tour Saint Christophe and Bellefont Belcier, haven’t raised prices even though their wines just keep getting better. Fair warning: Some regions that used to be the source of cheap quaffing vino, like Beaujolais, are now taken seriously, which means prices go up. Portugal is a growing source of super dry table wines, especially from fascinating grapes people are just learning about. Sauvignon blancs from New Zealand, Chile and elsewhere, which I’ve written about this year, are still buys, and two other whites—albariño and vermentino—are gaining traction. Finally, shop around and compare prices. That’s what wine-searcher.com is for. The Fun Fizz Top sparkling wines, including pét-nats, come from every continent but Antarctica. NV Bohigas Brut Reserva Cava ($19)A lot of Spanish cava is uninspiring, but this snappy light-bodied one is a top choice of many sommeliers. It features zingy green-apple notes and has the satisfying bright acidity to go brilliantly with oysters. 2022 Martin Texier Petite Nature Pétillant Naturel ($25)Texier is an accomplished DJ, the son of a famous organic winemaker and part of a new wave of young vignerons focusing on lesser-known local varieties in the Rhone Valley. This dry, floral-and-ginger scented natural sparkling white with honeyed notes and a gentle fizz is made from the offbeat muscat a petits grains grape. NV Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé ($27) Crémants are top alternatives to Champagne and made by the same traditional method. This salmon-pink, fruity all-pinot-noir cuvée from Alsace is smooth and round, with scents of strawberries. It’s a fine party drink, especially with salty snacks and barbecued anything. 2022 BiancaVigna Prosecco Superiore Rive di Soligo Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Brut ($29)Forget basic prosecco and go for the best, which are still bargains. This pale gold, very dry example from a steep hillside vineyard has lemon and mineral flavors and tiny bubbles and is an easy to sip aperitif. NV Chandon Reserve Blanc de Blancs, By the Bay ($36) This award-winning sparkling ode to chardonnay comes from Napa’s cool Carneros region and made its debut in 2020. It’s a big step up from the winery’s basic brut. Cool breezes from San Pablo Bay give it energy, flinty, citrusy scents, and subtle flavors of green apples. When Only Champagne Will Do Nonvintage blends from little-known growers still offer the best values. Entry-level cuvées from larger brands are getting better and better, but it’s still difficult to find one that costs $50 or less—except during the holidays when discounts reign. Pommery Brut Royal ($47) Sleek and seductive define this blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier, which is a terrific aperitif. NV Stephane Coquillette Brut Carte d’Or ($48) Organically farmed and richly textured this top grower’s fizz rivals many grand cru champagnes. Its aromas and flavors remind me of lemon verbena, warm brioche and toasted hazelnuts. NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve ($50)Charming, delicate, vivacious, this entry level fizz comes from a small grand marque house that’s less known than it should be. Expect a creamier texture and more complexity and depth than you find in most nonvintage cuvées. NV Delamotte Brut ($50) Crisp lemony freshness, aromas of freshly baked bread, and refined elegance are the hallmarks of this basic brut. It’s ideal for toasting or sipping anytime. NV Gamet Rive Droite Blanc de Noirs Brut ($50) This grower-producer was a new name to me, but I quickly became a fan of the food-friendly cuvée with floral and red-fruit notes. Meunier, a grape that used to be viewed as merely a blending partner to more prized pinot noir and chardonnay, has the starring role. NV R.H. Coutier Cuvée Tradition Grand Cru Brut ($50)A grower in grand cru village Ambonnay crafts this versatile fizz blend of intense, rich pinot noir and crisp chardonnay. Its personality is all about citrus, almond and floral aromas, gentle minerality and a creamy texture. Whites From light, bright aperitifs to refrigerator sipping to elegant, rich wines for a grand dinner: 2023 Dolly Wines California Chardonnay ($15) Don’t laugh. Country music celeb Dolly Parton’s new foray into the world of wine is better than you’d expect, and the price is right. With notes of pear, lemon zest and pineapple, it’s for cozy sipping while listening to Dolly classics. 2021 Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique ($18)I say this every year: People should drink more riesling! This Finger Lakes example is from the visionary New York project of Rhone Valley winemaker Louis Barruol. It’s a bright, refreshing stunner with depth, complexity and ripe apple notes. 2023 Mendes + Symington Contacto Alvarinho ($19) This new partnership between a family known for port and well-known winemaker Anselmo Mendes aims to highlight the quality of alvarinho (aka albariño) in vinho verde’s Monçao e Melgaço region. Aromatic, floral and elegant, it shows surprising complexity for the price. 2023 Oberon Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($20) Napa sauvignon blancs are hitting $50 and up, so this fresh, layered, fruity example with a screw cap stands out as a bargain. 2020 David & Nadia Aristargos ($32)This brilliant white blend from South Africa includes nine grape varieties, which feels like some kind of record. Deep, mineral chenin blanc is the main one, and the wine has the kind of complexity and balance for serious aging. 2023 Fowles Ladies Who Shoot their Lunch Riesling ($32)A winner. The name and label captured me, but the wine inside did, too, showing the appeal of Aussie rieslings. Picture minty, wintergreen aromas and a very dry, clear, rich flavors ideal with sausages. 2020 Garofoli Podium Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore ($32)There’s so much going on in this zesty white: smoky, herbal aromas, tastes of minerals and salt, stones and spice, refreshing acidity and structure, too. 2023 Aperture Cellars Chenin Blanc ($35)The grape is, happily, making a comeback in California. Jesse Katz, who crafted Justin Timberlake’s wedding wine, is the owner-winemaker behind this deep, vibrant, mineral-toned version from old vines in Sonoma. 2022 Los Vascos Primo Semillon ($40) I’m a huge fan of the whites made from Semillon grapes. This just-launched example is from the Los Vascos winery in the Apalta region of Chile, owned by the Rothschild family of Château Lafite fame. The vines date back to 1930. Subtle and harmonious, it entices with white flower and orange peel aromas and lingering notes of grapefruit. 2022 Bella Union Bianco ($45)This gorgeous, ambitious winery just opened in Napa this year. White blends are on the rise in the valley, and this unique mix of six white grapes is Italian in style. It’s light, soft, mouthwatering, minerally and so easy to drink you could have it for breakfast—or better, with sautéed flounder. 2022 New Chapter Grüner Veltliner ($45)Most grüner is sold in the German-speaking world, and this new Austrian example made by two renowned winemakers aims for a wider audience with a rounder style, softer peppery flavors, and more richness. It overdelivers. 2022 Wine & Soul Guru Branco ($48)Crisp yet full-bodied, this white is a field blend of four native Portuguese varieties and doesn’t resemble any other wine I’ve ever tried. It’s pure and subtle and complex with lots of intensity, tension and energy. And it was fantastic with a rich codfish stew. 2022 Knights Bridge Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay ($50)Golden in color, this citrus-toned, richly textured white is from the coldest site on this excellent, and a bit under-the-radar estate in Sonoma’s Knight’s Valley. This is their second-tier quality level; their entry-level KB wines are also super buys, as is their Pont de Chevalier sauvignon blanc. 2021 Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo V Maremma Toscana Vermentino Superiore ($50)This tangy, creamy-textured, terroir-driven Italian white with a salty lick of lime zest is a serious wine built to age. It’s the first vintage of this prestige vermentino to sport the superiore status, newly official in coastal Tuscany. Is vermentino the new sauvignon blanc? Rosé for all Seasons Dry pink wines are an all-year drink, as an aperitif or party sipper, or with food. 2023 Lapostolle Le Rosé ($16)The best Provence rosés are getting pricier, so look to other countries for bargains. This very pale Chilean pink blend of cinsault, syrah, mourvedre and grenache has subtle elegance, refreshing acidity, and notes of rose petals. 2023 Montes Cherub Rosé of Syrah ($18) OK, I love the label, which has just the right insouciance for a gulpable pink wine. From another top Chilean producer, it has charm, a bright fruit taste and intense pomegranate aromas. 2023 Domaine de L’Ile Poquerolles Rosé ($42)Ever since the family behind luxury house Chanel bought this island estate off the coast of Provence with certified organic vineyards, the wines have been getting better and better. The latest vintage is the best yet, super elegant, savory and sophisticated enough to serve on a high-powered yacht. Reds to Pair With Pizza and Steak From light and lively to big and bold: 2022 Tenuta di Capezzana Barco Reale Carmignano ($18)Talk about an ideal house red! Think tangy dark cherry and savory tobacco leaf flavors, the right amount of bright acidity for all kinds of food and a round texture. The sangiovese-cabernet sauvignon blend comes from less-well-known Tuscan region Carmignano. 2021 Bodega Garzón Reserva Marselan ($19) Look to Uruguayan winery Garzón for well-made, satisfying bargains, including this red. The marselan grape is a mainstay in, of all places, China. Garzón’s medium-bodied version is all about crunchy red fruit laced with mint and a soft texture. 2021 Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland ($20)Though nearly a million bottles of this bold, smooth, satisfying red merlot and malbec blend from Argentina are sold every year, it offers quality at a low price. The current vintage seems lighter and fresher than those in the past, with bright, rich fruit flavors, and is perfect with burgers. 2021 Kir-Yianni Naoussa Cuvée Villages ($20)Recently a reader wrote asking for recommendations for Greek wines. This deep, earthy red with an iron tang is made from xinomavro in the northern Greece region of Naoussa by a pioneering winemaker I visited some 15 years ago. The wine will age, too. 2021 Delille Cellars Metier Cabernet Sauvignon ($22) Washington State is an excellent source of good value cabernet, and this gold-medal-winning plush, bold, dark-fruited red is a prime example. Metier is a new label from the well-known DeLille Cellars. 2021 Pedro Parra y Familia Imaginador Cinsault ($24) I drank this juicy, tangy, gulpable certified organic red with a fish lunch in Chile’s lake country and was struck by its compelling flavors, from savory cherries to an earth and mineral finish. Parra, famous internationally as a soil consultant, makes it from old cinsault vines in the Itata Valley. 2022 Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir ($25)Good pinot gets more and more expensive, but this spice-scented Australian example with rich red fruit flavors offers amazing appeal for the money. Fresh and energetic, it’s from the beachy paradise of Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne. Serve with a slight chill. 2021 Château Grand Village Bordeaux Superieur ($26)Bordeaux is a hotbed of bargains under $50, and this plush, spice-and-cocoa red is one of them. Mostly merlot, it’s made by the team behind cult Pomerol Château Lafleur. Last year I recommended the white, this year, it’s the red. 2022 Istine Chianti Classico ($28)The reds in this historic Tuscan region have never been better, and prices are still modest. This entry-level bottling from rising star Angela Fronti at Istine is all high-energy, charm, and sour cherry and herb flavors, which make it an excellent all-around food partner. 2020 Dorli Muhr Prellenkirchen – Samt & Seide Blaufränkisch ($32)Too few people know the virtues of Austrian grape blaufränkisch! This one from a specialist in the grape offers the taste of wild berries and red currants. 2020 Familia Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Cabernet Franc ($31)Wines from this award-winning Argentinian winery all deliver superb quality for the price. This fresh, lush, vivid red with notes of dried herbs and tobacco shows the country is a top spot for this increasingly popular grape. 2022 Frog’s Leap Flycatcher ($35) A long-time organic Napa producer makes this deliciously drinkable, soft-textured red blend (zinfandel, petite sirah, merlot, syrah) that goes with everything from steak to pizza. 2021 Ar Pe Pe Rosso di Valtellina ($37) Alpine wines are having a moment in America, and this one, made from Nebbiolo grapes in Valtellina, hits all the right notes: rose petal aromas, flavors that recall lush cherries and fine tannins. 2022 Inman Family G & T ($42)This brand-new cedary, plummy, earthy blend of grenache and tempranillo (G & T, get it?) from Lake County north of Napa slips down so easy. 2019 Domaine Guillot-Broux Macon-Cruzille Beaumont ($43) Macon, the southern tip of Burgundy, is known for white wines, but this red from gamay grapes grabbed me with its seductive savory fruit and the kind of juiciness you also find in the best Beaujolais. No-Alcohol Vino The latest trend in wine with more good-drinking choices than ever: NV Missing Thorn Rosé ($25) Made by acclaimed Napa winemaker Aaron Pott, this light, lively pink wine from barbera grapes is one of the excellent wines in his no-alcohol project with vintner Stephanie Honig. Oddbird GSM ($25)This Swedish brand founded over a decade ago went nationwide in the US this year. This rich, smooth red nonalcoholic blend from southern France is deservedly popular. Drink it until the next shipment of my favorite, their bold spicy tempranillo made from organic Spanish grapes labeled Addiction, arrives next year. Best served slightly chilled. NV French Bloom Le Rosé ($44) LVMH recently invested in French Bloom, whose three NA fizz cuvées are crafted by a Champagne maker and poured at many European Michelin-starred restaurants. The rosé is all about fresh berry and peach aromas and flavors. NV Kally X Single Thread Pear Verbena ($49)Citrusy-tart, this sophisticated drink based on verjus, the pressed juice of unfermented grapes, has wine-like polish and a silky texture. It’s a zero-proof collaboration between wine alternatives company Kally and the chef at Sonoma’s three Michelin-starred restaurant, SingleThread. And for Dessert Sweet wines for sipping: 2018 Royal Tokaji Late Harvest (500ml, $20)This isn’t as rich and complex as versions labeled Aszu, but it’s deliciously spicy and honeyed, with notes of apricot and a silky-smooth texture. Serve with poached apricots in a rich syrup or pear and ginger tart. NV Warre’s Otima 10 Year Tawny Port (500ml, $26)This ready-to-drink port in a lighter, more refreshing style is made for people who think they don’t like port. It’s rich, soft and satisfying and loaded with dried fig and honey flavors. Serve with cheese or sip by the fire after dinner. 2014 Château Rieussec Sauternes (half-bottle, $46)This is an amazing price for a 10-year-old sweet wine from a Bordeaux château owned by the Rothschild family. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The lost running back to what appears to be a season-ending knee injury during to the . with a PCL sprain and is expected to miss at least six weeks of action. However, McCaffrey wasn't the only member of San Francisco's backfield to be hurt in the contest. McCaffrey's backup, , suffered an ankle injury that is expected to land him on IR along with the All-Pro. Mason, 25, was a breakout star for the early in the season. He replaced McCaffrey as the team's bell-cow back and ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in the team's season-opening win against the . Here's what to know about Mason's injury and how it will impact the 49ers' running back depth chart over the final five weeks of the 2024 NFL season. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced during a Monday news conference that Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain during San Francisco's Week 13 loss to Buffalo. It isn't clear exactly when the third-year running back was injured, but he is being placed on IR because of the sprain. As a result, Mason will be sidelined for at least four games. Just five games remain in the 2024 NFL season, so the earliest that Mason could return would be Week 18. If the 49ers fail to make the postseason, the team might decide not to bring Mason back at all and let him get healthy for the 2025 NFL season. At present, San Francisco is 5-7 and sitting in last place in the , two games behind the pole-sitting . McCaffrey and Mason aren't the only 49ers running backs on IR. The team also lost , who was expected to be McCaffrey's backup entering training camp, to a season-ending hamstring injury before the campaign began. As a result, the 49ers have only one healthy running back on their 53-man roster: rookie fourth-round pick . They will likely elevate from the practice squad to help replace McCaffrey and Mason, but those are the only two healthy running backs presently in the team's organization. With that in mind, the 49ers will likely bring in another running back to provide depth behind the duo.

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