The state Capitol grounds will host IndiaFest from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday — an event featuring entertainment, cultural exhibits, food and bazaar vendors as well as nonprofit groups associated with India.

A main attraction is Bollywood Night, from 6 to 9 p.m., when the upper mall is converted to a dance floor. Musicians include Raga Rewired, performing popular Bollywood songs, along with featured artist Ananth Vikram.

Metro Transit is providing complimentary rides to and from the event all day. More information on Metro Transit rides and the event itself can be found at iamn.org/event/indiafest-2025/

IndiaFest is outdoors and free for all. It marks the celebration of Indian Independence Day, that falls on Aug. 15.

 

A platter of somosa chat waits hungry fesitival goers at the Bawarchi Indian Food tent at IndiaFest at the Minnesota Capitol grounds in St. Paul on Saturday, Aug 13, 2022. The one day festival includes traditional and contemporary Indian dance, food, cultural exhibits and vendors. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

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By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an ironic twist, President Donald Trump is set to discuss the war in Ukraine with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at a military base in Alaska that was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War and still plays a role today.

The meeting is scheduled to take place Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning.

The base created by merging Elmendorf Air Force Base and Army Fort Richardson in 2010 has played a key strategic role in monitoring and deterring the Soviet Union during much of the Cold War.

FILE – President Donald Trump greets troops after landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for a refueling stop en route to Japan for a four-day state visit, May 24, 2019, in Anchorage. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Throughout its long history, the base hosted large numbers of aircraft and oversaw operations of a variety of early warning radar sites that were aimed at detecting Soviet military activity and any possible nuclear launches. It earned the motto “Top Cover for North America” at this time, according to the base website.

While much of the military hardware has since been deactivated, the base still hosts key aircraft squadrons, including the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet. Planes from the base also still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into U.S. airspace.

The irony of Putin visiting an American military base that long has — and still does — aimed to counter Russian threats comes as Trump works to reach a ceasefire deal in a war that he promised during the 2024 campaign to end quickly.

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Officials from Ukraine and Europe fear that the one-on-one meeting they will not take part in could lead to an outcome that favors Russian goals.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump was “very clear” that the United States wants to achieve a ceasefire at the summit. Macron spoke after a virtual meeting between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders.

Trump has said any major agreement could involve land swaps and that Zelenskyy and Putin could meet next or he could meet with both leaders.

“There’s a very good chance that we’re going to have a second meeting, which will be more productive than the first, because the first is I’m going to find out where we are and what we’re doing,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “It’s going to be a very important meeting, but it’s setting the table for the second meeting.”

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to help with Iran’s water crisis.

Pezeshkian said on X that Israel has denied Palestinians access to water and food, so can’t be trusted.

“A regime that deprives people of Gaza from water and food says it will bring water to Iran? A MIRAGE, NOTHING MORE,” he said.

Pezeshkian also said during a Cabinet meeting in Tehran that “those with a deceptive appearance are falsely claiming compassion for the people of Iran.

“First look at the difficult situation of Gaza and (their) defenseless people, especially children who are struggling … because of hunger, lack of access to potable water and medicine, because of a siege by the brutal regime.”

Netanyahu addressed Iranians in a video message on Tuesday, pledging that Israel would help solve the country’s severe water shortages once Iran is “free” from the current government, according to Israeli media, including The Jerusalem Post.

The remarks represent a transformation from a state of a war to political spats. In June, Israel carried out waves of airstrikes on Iran, killing nearly 1,100 people, including many military commanders. Retaliatory Iranian strikes killed 28 people in Israel.

On Sunday, Pezeshkian told a group off officials that “we do not have water, we do not have water under our feet and we do not have water behind our dams, so you tell me what do we do? Someone comes and tells me what do I have to do?”

He said that “we are in a serious and unimaginable crisis,” and added that his administration is in touch with experts who are trying to find a solution to the problem.

Experts say years of drought and water mismanagement led to the crisis.

The body of a Chisholm, Minn., man was recovered from an Iron Range lake after a canoe overturned.

The incident happened Tuesday on Shannon Lake. According to a news release, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 3:34 p.m. reporting a body floating near an overturned canoe.

The sheriff’s office identified the victim as Louis Vajdl, 76. The news release said Vajdl told family members Tuesday that he was going out to check on wild rice, which he had done for many years previously. When Vajdl was found, he was not wearing a life jacket, the sheriff’s office said.

The incident is still under investigation, pending results from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, but the sheriff’s office said no criminal activity is suspected.

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