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Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana State Fair announces new foods for 2025 Taste of the Fair
In just 31 days, the 2025 Indiana State Fair will return with its thrilling rides, staggeringly large pigs and, perhaps most importantly, a lot of very tasty, deeply strange foods — many of them made from relatives of the prodigious swine. This year's participants in the annual Taste of the Fair contest, which the State Fair announced July 1, will feature 40 inventive foods that fairgoers will be able to purchase Aug. 1-17. Attendees will also be able to vote on their favorite of the dishes, with the top 3 vote-getters coronated on the Fair's final day. The 2025 Taste of the Fair lineup spans from the relatively straightforward (by State Fair standards) to concoctions that truly stretch the boundaries of what we consider food. Fairgoers simply looking for a good bite without too much risk can check out the street corn steak tacos from Carmel-based Urick concessions, a small step back toward the norm after the vendor's peanut butter and jelly-tossed chicken wings last year. The Indiana Pork Producers will also deliver a tried-and-true option in the Hog & Slaw, pulled pork topped with creamy coleslaw. There will also be plenty of safe bets in the drinks department, including Muncie-based Twisted Drinks and Food's peach boba iced tea, R&W Concessions' mango and strawberry Tropical Thunder shake-ups and the State Fair Hook's Historical Drugstore Museum's vanilla cold brew coffee with vanilla ice cream and cookie crumbles. Elsewhere on the fairgrounds, guests will find a deep-fried diversity of meat, potatoes and, in a long-running trend, pickles. Smoked meat appears on this year's entry from last year's Taste of the Fair winner Nitro Hog BBQ. Their "Machos" feature tortilla chips topped with macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, cheese sauce and barbecue sauce. Lebanon-based concessions institution R.E. Smith will serve a bacon-wrapped, deep-fried and barbecue sauce-doused chicken tender topped with a cherry tomato. And for a more traditional experience, Twisted Food and Drinks will sell a deep-fried boneless pork chop sandwich with barbecue sauce. You can find burgers at stands throughout the fairgrounds, but Lebanon-based McWaters Concessions will serve its patties between grilled Little Debbie Honey Buns with bacon and cheese. And though the sting of defeat is still fresh, Pacers fans can declare their undying loyalty by downing Spencer-based Red Frazier Bison's "Yes 'Cers" Burger, a bison patty with pimento cheese, fried potato sticks and horseradish pickles between slices of Texas toast. Speaking of burgers, French fries appear beneath fried chicken bites, bacon, hatch chili queso and Mike's hot honey at Urick locations and alongside melted cheese and mild or spicy jerk sauce at Jamaican Breeze. And, of course, there are the pickles. Though not quite as well-represented at this year's event compared to recent fairs, the beloved fermented cucumber will still get its spotlight at Florida-based concessions titan Swains in the form of pickle ranch sauce on Swains' bacon mozzarella pizza, as well as inside the deep-fried Golden Oreos of North Liberty-based Pickle Barrel. Guests will be able to wash any of these delicacies down with Sun King's cotton candy-flavored ale (4% ABV), Urick's cotton candy margarita or Urick's Brunch Mary or Brunch Mimosa, both of which feature skewers stacked with miniature sausage sandwiches, fruit, donut holes and a waffle stick. That's merely a taste of the Taste — you can see the full lineup on the State Fair website. Fairgoers who sample food from designated Taste of the Fair concessions stands will be able to vote for their favorite dish by simply scanning a QR code posted on the vendor's station. Last year's winner was the fried sugar biscuit and pulled pork sandwich with apple butter barbecue sauce from Nitro Hog BBQ, which is based in Indy. This year's highest vote-getter will receive $2,500; second and third place will receive $1,000 and $500, respectively.
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
What are sleeper cells and why Iran's threat has Washington on alert?
Just days before the United States (US) launched military strikes deep inside Iran—targeting critical nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—Tehran reportedly delivered a chilling message: it could activate sleeper cells embedded within the US. According to an NBC News report, the warning was passed to US President Donald Trump via an intermediary during the recent G7 summit in Canada. The message arrived as regional tensions flared, with Iran and Israel engaged in a rapidly intensifying conflict. What are sleeper cells? Sleeper cells are covert operatives—typically associated with foreign governments or extremist groups—who live inconspicuously in a host nation. These agents lead seemingly normal lives, integrating into local communities without raising suspicion. However, when triggered, they can execute missions involving espionage, sabotage or even direct attacks. Several media reports have suggested that sleeper cells linked to Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant group with strong ties to Iran, may already be present in the US. Hezbollah is widely regarded as Iran's most powerful and capable non-state ally. US agencies raise internal threat level Even before the airstrikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, FBI Director Kash Patel had reportedly authorised surveillance on suspected sleeper agents, according to The Independent. Following the attacks, the internal alert status across US federal agencies was raised significantly. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has acknowledged that the risk posed by sleeper cells is 'higher than ever'. While no specific or credible threat has been confirmed, CBP officials noted that 'thousands of Iranian nationals' have recently crossed illegally into the US—a pattern being closely scrutinised by intelligence units. Military escalation raises domestic security concerns On Saturday, the United States joined Israel in a coordinated assault on Iran's nuclear capabilities. The strikes were a direct response to Iran's continued backing of regional militias and its advancing nuclear ambitions. Israel had initiated its own military operations on 13 June. During the G7 summit, Western leaders collectively condemned Iran's destabilising actions in the region. Tehran's warning about sleeper cells was reportedly delivered during the same gathering, heightening concerns in Washington. A potential domestic battlefield As tensions surge abroad, US intelligence and counter-terrorism forces are increasingly focused on a potential internal threat. If activated, sleeper cells could represent a covert and highly dangerous extension of the Iran–US conflict. These operatives, embedded within American communities, may turn out to be a critical component in Tehran's strategy—raising the spectre of violence not only in West Asia but also within US borders. (With agency inputs)
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First Post
20-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Why has Hezbollah stayed out of the Israel-Iran conflict so far?
As Iran and Israel exchange direct attacks, Hezbollah — Tehran's most powerful regional ally — has chosen to stay on the sidelines. The Lebanon-based group, weakened by last year's Israeli strikes and under domestic and international pressure, has publicly pledged loyalty to Iran but held back militarily read more Demonstrators hold pictures of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as people gather for a rally in solidarity with Iran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, June 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters One player is missing from the recent tensions between Iran and Israel. The lack of military engagement by Hezbollah, Iran's long-time and most strategically placed regional ally is being seen as an anomaly in the recent conflict. Based in Lebanon and once regarded as among the most effective non-state actors in the world, Hezbollah's decision to refrain from joining the hostilities stands in stark contrast to its prior behaviour during regional escalations, particularly following the October 7, 2023, attacks carried out by Hamas on Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tehran, for decades, has fostered a network of allied militias across West Asia, including in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, designed to serve both as deterrents and retaliatory forces in the event of aggression against Iran. Of these, Hezbollah has traditionally been the most heavily armed and strategically located, directly bordering northern Israel. But while Israel and Iran have exchanged attacks for days, Hezbollah's military units have remained in their positions without launching retaliatory strikes. According to a Lebanese government official familiar with the situation, army leaders received internal signals from Hezbollah that the group had no current plans to join the ongoing confrontation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to Bloomberg due to the sensitive nature of the information. Why Hezbollah has stayed out of the Israel-Iran conflict so far One of the key factors influencing Hezbollah's current posture is the significant damage it incurred during its conflict with Israel in the latter half of the previous year. The group lost many of its senior commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, and faced extensive destruction of its infrastructure. Israel's military employed extensive tactics including drone operations, aerial bombardments and ground offensives across southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. That campaign, followed by a ceasefire in late November, left large portions of Hezbollah's stronghold areas in ruins. The Lebanese military, which has since increased its presence in the south, was able to seize various weapons caches reportedly abandoned or hidden by the militia. The physical and economic toll of the conflict has been immense. According to World Bank estimates, the direct damages and losses suffered by Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah hostilities amounted to approximately $14 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A further $11 billion is expected to be needed for rebuilding, a sum neither the Lebanese government nor Hezbollah appears to have secured. Compounding the situation is Lebanon's severe financial crisis, Iran's economic constraints due to international sanctions and the broader costs of regional instability. These factors have left Hezbollah with diminished operational capacity and growing political pressure at home. Lebanon's newly formed technocratic administration, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun, has pointed out the need to keep the country insulated from external wars. During a cabinet session, Salam stated that Lebanon must avoid 'being dragged or pushed in any way in the ongoing regional war.' How Hezbollah is still batting for Iran While Hezbollah has not taken military action, its leadership has continued to publicly affirm its alliance with Iran. In a speech Thursday night, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem voiced unconditional support for Iran in the unfolding crisis with Israel and the United States. 'Iran has the right to defend itself, and the peoples of the region and the free people of the world have the right to stand with the great leader and with Iran in one trench,' Qassem said. He also highlighted the legitimacy of Iran's nuclear programme, stating: 'It does not harm anyone in the slightest way; rather, it represents a great scientific contribution to the advancement of Iran and the region, relying on its own capabilities without foreign tutelage.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Denouncing international criticism of Iran, Qassem accused world powers of opposing Tehran not for its nuclear capabilities but for its ideological values and resistance posture. 'America is leading the region into chaos and instability, and the world into open crises,' he declared, adding that such policies would 'only bring it shame, disgrace, and failure.' Despite these declarations, the group's operational activity has not matched the intensity of its rhetoric. This marks a significant departure from its behaviour following the Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023, after which Hezbollah quickly launched cross-border missile attacks in support of its Palestinian allies. Qassem also warned of consequences stemming from Israeli actions: 'Israel's aggression will have major repercussions on regional stability and will not pass without a response and punishment.' However, no direct retaliatory moves have followed, suggesting that Hezbollah is calibrating its responses based on broader regional and domestic considerations. How Israel & US continue to pressure Hezbollah While Hezbollah has not engaged in new offensive operations, the United States has sent strong warnings to dissuade the group from joining the Israel-Iran conflict. US Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barrack, visited Beirut and met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a known Hezbollah ally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Following the meeting, Barrack said: 'I can say on behalf of President Trump, which he has been very clear in expressing, as has Special Envoy Steve Witkoff: that would be a very, very, very bad decision.' These comments reflect Washington's position that Hezbollah's involvement would escalate the crisis and possibly provoke a broader war — something few actors in the region currently want. Meanwhile, Israeli surveillance continues with intensity. Drones reportedly conduct near-daily flights over Beirut, and airstrikes on select targets have not ceased. These ongoing threats have limited Hezbollah's freedom of movement and capacity to regroup. Additionally, the Lebanese population, still reeling from last year's devastation, has shown little appetite for renewed conflict. Viral social media videos from cities like Beirut have shown residents filming Iranian ballistic missiles flying overhead during Israeli retaliatory operations — showing how close Lebanon remains to the conflict, even without participating directly. A spokesperson for Hezbollah, speaking to Newsweek, stated the group remains 'committed to the ceasefire agreement' with Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Still, analysts suggest that Hezbollah's current stance is conditional. Political analyst Qassim Qassir, who has close ties to the group, said that Hezbollah may alter its position depending on how events unfold. 'Everything is on the table. Nothing is off limits,' he noted, implying that the group's inactivity may be temporary, especially if Iran's regime comes under more direct threat. With inputs from agencies
Mint
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Once-Mighty Hezbollah Stays Out of Iran's War Against Israel
One of Israel's most feared scenarios has long been that Iran would unleash an attack on it in coordination with its powerful network of proxy militias. Tehran spent decades funding and arming Islamist groups in countries like Iraq, Yemen and Israel's northern neighbor Lebanon — all of them committed to bringing about the Jewish state's demise. Yet since Israel started its attack on Iran late last week, they've all been conspicuously absent from the unfolding conflict. Most notable is Hezbollah, once one of the most formidable non-state forces in the world and seen as the greatest asset of Iran's 'axis of resistance' in the Middle East. The Lebanon-based group has been a mere bystander as Israel and Iran bomb each other. That's after Israel killed many of its leaders and destroyed much of its arsenal in a bombing and ground campaign in the second half of last year. A key part of Hezbollah's mission as an Iran-backed militia across the border from Israel is to act as a deterrent to attacks on the Islamic Republic. It's a crucial part of what's often called Iran's forward-defense doctrine. As Israel started strikes on Iran on Friday, attention turned to Lebanon and the group's response. Naim Qasem, the organization's leader since Israel assassinated long-time chief Hassan Nasrallah in September, struck the usual tone of public support for Tehran and pledged defeat for Israel. Yet it's not fired on Israel or on Israeli troops still stationed in the south of Lebanon, and hasn't even threatened to. A Lebanese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said army leaders received indications from Hezbollah that it would not intervene. It's a stark difference from the start of Israel's military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, a response to an attack by Hamas, another Iranian proxy group. Hezbollah launched missiles at northern Israeli communities almost immediately, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes, and the two sides exchanged limited but regular fire for the best part of a year. Israel then dramatically stepped up its operations by exploding thousands of booby-trapped pagers and other mobile devices used by Hezbollah members, wounding many and leaving the group in disarray. A subsequent military campaign saw Israel bombard parts of Beirut and target Hezbollah strongholds and commanders across the country before a November ceasefire — a deal that appears to still allow Israel to strike targets in Lebanon it deems a Hezbollah threat. The offensive against Hezbollah destroyed swaths of south Lebanon, where the group is most influential. Reconstruction and recovery costs are estimated at $11 billion. With Iran's finances squeezed by sanctions and the cost of the unfolding war, it's difficult to see Hezbollah rebounding in the short term. That said, the group, which is also a political party, remains influential within Lebanon and may yet decide and find a way to support its key backer. Hezbollah's decline leaves only one other Iran-backed group with the ability to attack Israel in a significant way: the Houthis in Yemen. While they regular fire missiles are Israel, they are too far away to present a major threat and will likely reserve the bulk of their resources to disrupt shipping in the southern Red Sea. The US began a bombing campaign against the Houthis earlier this year but stopped last month after a ceasefire facilitated by Oman. Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas are all designated terrorist organizations by the US. Iraq has several Iran-backed militias. Yet in the past they have mostly focused on attacking US bases in Iraq and places such as Jordan, rather than Israel. In Lebanon, the national army is more heavily deployed in the south of the country than it has been for years and has seized the arsenal left behind by Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun, elected in January with US backing, and his government have vowed to regain total control over arms in the country, though negotiations over Hezbollah's remaining stockpile have yet to start. While it's unclear how much of Hezbollah's arsenal is still intact, the group has lost its freedom to maneuver, with Israeli drones buzzing almost daily over Beirut and jets continuously striking targets, according to Sami Nader, head of Beirut-based think-tank the Levant Institute. 'It's under massive pressure,' he said, 'not only from Lebanese rivals but also its own constituencies who feel they paid the heaviest price.'
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Once-mighty Hezbollah stays out of Iran's war against Israel
One of Israel 's most feared scenarios has long been that Iran would unleash an attack on it in coordination with its powerful network of proxy militias. Tehran spent decades funding and arming Islamist groups in countries like Iraq, Yemen and Israel's northern neighbor Lebanon — all of them committed to bringing about the Jewish state's demise. Yet since Israel started its attack on Iran late last week, they've all been conspicuously absent from the unfolding conflict. Ads By Google Ad will close in 30 Skip ad in 5 Skip Ad Most notable is Hezbollah , once one of the most formidable non-state forces in the world and seen as the greatest asset of Iran's 'axis of resistance' in the Middle East. The Lebanon-based group has been a mere bystander as Israel and Iran bomb each other. That's after Israel killed many of its leaders and destroyed much of its arsenal in a bombing and ground campaign in the second half of last year. A key part of Hezbollah's mission as an Iran-backed militia across the border from Israel is to act as a deterrent to attacks on the Islamic Republic. It's a crucial part of what's often called Iran's forward-defense doctrine. Live Events As Israel started strikes on Iran on Friday, attention turned to Lebanon and the group's response. Bloomberg Naim Qasem, the organization's leader since Israel assassinated long-time chief Hassan Nasrallah in September, struck the usual tone of public support for Tehran and pledged defeat for Israel. Yet it's not fired on Israel or on Israeli troops still stationed in the south of Lebanon, and hasn't even threatened to. A Lebanese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said army leaders received indications from Hezbollah that it would not intervene. It's a stark difference from the start of Israel's military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, a response to an attack by Hamas, another Iranian proxy group. Hezbollah launched missiles at northern Israeli communities almost immediately, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes, and the two sides exchanged limited but regular fire for the best part of a year. Israel then dramatically stepped up its operations by exploding thousands of booby-trapped pagers and other mobile devices used by Hezbollah members, wounding many and leaving the group in disarray. A subsequent military campaign saw Israel bombard parts of Beirut and target Hezbollah strongholds and commanders across the country before a November ceasefire — a deal that appears to still allow Israel to strike targets in Lebanon it deems a Hezbollah threat. The offensive against Hezbollah destroyed swaths of south Lebanon, where the group is most influential. Reconstruction and recovery costs are estimated at $11 billion. With Iran's finances squeezed by sanctions and the cost of the unfolding war, it's difficult to see Hezbollah rebounding in the short term. That said, the group, which is also a political party, remains influential within Lebanon and may yet decide and find a way to support its key backer. Hezbollah's decline leaves only one other Iran-backed group with the ability to attack Israel in a significant way: the Houthis in Yemen. While they regular fire missiles are Israel, they are too far away to present a major threat and will likely reserve the bulk of their resources to disrupt shipping in the southern Red Sea. The US began a bombing campaign against the Houthis earlier this year but stopped last month after a ceasefire facilitated by Oman. Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas are all designated terrorist organizations by the US. Iraq has several Iran-backed militias. Yet in the past they have mostly focused on attacking US bases in Iraq and places such as Jordan, rather than Israel. In Lebanon, the national army is more heavily deployed in the south of the country than it has been for years and has seized the arsenal left behind by Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun, elected in January with US backing, and his government have vowed to regain total control over arms in the country, though negotiations over Hezbollah's remaining stockpile have yet to start. While it's unclear how much of Hezbollah's arsenal is still intact, the group has lost its freedom to maneuver, with Israeli drones buzzing almost daily over Beirut and jets continuously striking targets, according to Sami Nader, head of Beirut-based think-tank the Levant Institute. 'It's under massive pressure,' he said, 'not only from Lebanese rivals but also its own constituencies who feel they paid the heaviest price.'
