In preparation for prime minister Narendra Modi's state dinner at the White House later today (22), US first lady Jill Biden has planned an impressive vegetarian menu to be crafted by chef Nina Curtis in collaboration with the White House staff.
As a devout vegetarian, Modi's culinary preferences were taken into consideration.
The carefully curated menu for the state dinner includes a variety of delectable dishes such as lemon-dill yogurt sauce, crisped millet cakes, summer squashes, marinated millet and grilled corn kernel salad, compressed watermelon with tangy avocado sauce, stuffed portobello mushrooms, creamy saffron-infused risotto, and rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake.
Accompanying the millet-based menu, guests will have the opportunity to savor a selection of fine wines.
One notable wine to be served is the Patel Red Blend 2019, originating from a Napa Valley winery owned by Raj Patel, who immigrated from Gujarat in India to the US.
This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, priced at $75 per bottle, has received acclaim and recognition. Raj Patel's journey in the wine industry began in the 1970s when he relocated from India to Northern California.
After completing his studies in BioChem at UC Davis, he pursued wine production following an internship at Robert Mondavi Winery.
In the 2000s, Patel delved into wine manufacturing and released PATEL Wines' first batch of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, consisting of only 100 cases, the Business Standard reported.
Since then, Patel has expanded the brand, establishing relationships with growers and introducing limited-production wines, including a Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, an Atlas Peak Malbec, and a Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc.
The wines have garnered high ratings, with renowned wine critic Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate awarding them scores of 94 or above.
With years of research and dedication, Patel's winery now produces approximately 1,000 cases annually, consistently selling out each year.
Wine editor and enthusiast Virginie Boone described Patel's red blend as a harmonious combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, still exhibiting firm tannins and refined oak notes.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)