Celebrating Durga Ashtami: Reverence, rituals and the triumph of Shakti
On the auspicious occasion of Durga Ashtami, observed during Chaitra Navratri, Hindus across the world come together to honor the divine feminine power, Maa Durga. This day is widely regarded as one of the most significant within the nine-day Navratri festival and is
Ram Navami: Devotion, dharma and the timeless recitation of the Ramayana
On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, observed during Chaitra Navratri, Hindus worldwide celebrate the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, revered for embodying virtue, righteousness and unwavering devotion. The sacred day is marked by prayer, fasting, temple rituals
Chicago Kali Bari celebrates vibrant Holi festival in Glen Ellyn
By: Jayanti Oza The Chicago Kali Bari Temple hosted its annual Holi Color Festival on March 8, 2026, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, drawing more than 400 devotees and visitors who gathered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the festival of colors
BAPS scholar Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami conferred Sahitya Akademi Award for Sanskrit literature
By: Vandana Jhingan Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has been awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 by the Government of India for his Sanskrit work ‘Prasthanachatushtaye Brahmaghosha’, marking a significant recognition of contemporary Sanskrit scholarship and Hindu philosophy. The work
Personal finance insights: News & Features
By: Dr K C Gupta CONTRARIAN INDICATORS AAII Bull-Bear Spread -21.6% (very low)CNN Fear & Greed Index 14 (extreme fear)NYSE %Above 50-dMA 21.65% (oversold)SP500 %Above 50-dMA 21.20% (oversold) ICI Fund Allocations (Cumulative), 1/31/26OEFs & ETFs: Stocks 61.83%, Hybrids 4.01%, Bonds 17.25%, M-Mkt 16.92%
Daniel Biss engages Hindu community and business leaders to strengthen campaign ties
By: Dr. Avi Verma Daniel Biss, Democratic nominee for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, recently met with Hindu community leaders, Indian business owners, and civic representatives along Chicago’s Devon Avenue at Uru-Swati. The meeting focused on strengthening relationships with the Hindu community while emphasizing
India among select nations allowed passage through Strait of Hormuz amid tensions
Iran has allowed India and a group of “friendly nations” to continue commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, even as tensions in the region disrupt global energy markets. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, countries including India, China,
P Kumaran appointed India’s High Commissioner to UK, replaces Vikram Doraiswami
Senior Indian diplomat Periasamy Kumaran has been appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. A 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Kumaran is currently serving as Secretary (East) in the MEA
Jaishankar holds key bilateral talks at G7 meet, discusses West Asia tensions
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with counterparts from Canada, South Korea, and Japan on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in France, focusing on strengthening partnerships and addressing pressing global challenges. The meetings
White House defends Trump’s Iran strategy amid questions on 15-point ceasefire plan
The White House has defended U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to the ongoing Iran conflict, as questions intensify over a reported 15-point ceasefire plan aimed at ending the war. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed to confirm
Trump warns of stronger action as US pushes Iran truce plan amid escalating war
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of intensified military action against Iran if Tehran refuses to accept a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, as the conflict in the Middle East enters its fourth week with no signs of de-escalation. Washington has presented Iran with a
Iran rejects US war proposal, sets five conditions for ceasefire
Iran has rejected a United States proposal to end the ongoing conflict, declaring that any ceasefire will occur strictly on its own terms and timeline, according to official reports. A senior political-security official, cited by state-linked media, said Tehran would not allow U.S.
Iran proposes ceasefire with reparations demand, asserts control over Strait of Hormuz
Iran has put forward its own ceasefire proposal in response to a U.S.-backed plan, demanding war reparations and asserting sovereignty over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, even as hostilities continue across the region. According to officials in Islamabad, Tehran received a 15-point ceasefire
Iran agreeing to negotiate shows pressure, says Israeli envoy Reuven Azar
Iran’s recent willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States signals mounting internal pressure and emerging divisions within its leadership, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has said. In an interview, Azar pointed to conflicting statements from Iranian officials as evidence of
Trump, Modi discuss Strait of Hormuz amid rising Middle East tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, with both leaders underscoring the critical importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The conversation comes at a time
Trump claims ‘very good’ Iran talks, Tehran denies negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that Washington had held “very good” talks with an unidentified Iranian official, even as Tehran swiftly denied that any negotiations were underway. The remarks came after Trump unexpectedly stepped back from plans to launch fresh strikes
US speaking with multiple Iranian leaders, not just one: Trump
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington is engaged in discussions with multiple Iranian leaders, suggesting a broader and more complex diplomatic outreach than previously known, even as Tehran has denied that any talks are taking place. Speaking in an interview and
India, China see major visa drop as Trump tightens US policies: Report
Legal immigration to the United States has declined significantly in 2025, with India and China among the most affected countries, following stricter visa policies under the Trump administration, according to a report by The Washington Post. Data shows that approximately 250,000 fewer visas
PM Modi urges nation to stay united and alert amid global crisis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called on the nation to remain united, alert, and prepared in the face of the ongoing crisis in West Asia, warning that its global impact could persist for a prolonged period. Addressing the Lok Sabha, the Prime
Trump says Iran deal could bring peace and stability
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday expressed cautious optimism that ongoing negotiations with Iran could bring long-term stability to the Middle East, a region central to global energy markets and geopolitical balance. Speaking to reporters during a brief interaction in Miami, Trump said