Australian government to underwrite fuel imports amid crisis
Australia’s government has announced emergency measures to secure critical fuel supplies, as rising global tensions and shortages begin to impact domestic availability. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government will introduce legislation to allow Export Finance Australia to underwrite imports of fuel, fertiliser,
Trump says “Cuba is next” after US actions in Venezuela and Iran
US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh global concern after declaring that “Cuba is next,” following recent American military actions in Venezuela and ongoing strikes in Iran. Speaking at an investment forum in Miami on March 27, Trump made the remark while discussing
Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI Director Kash Patel’s email, leak triggers alarm
In a development raising serious cybersecurity concerns, an Iran-linked hacker group has claimed responsibility for breaching the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel and releasing private data online. The group, identifying itself as “Handala Hack Team,” allegedly published photographs, emails, and
‘Thank you India’ message on Iranian missiles fuels controversy amid West Asia conflict
In a development that has sparked widespread international debate, messages reading “Thank you, people of India” were reportedly seen inscribed on Iranian missiles launched during a recent wave of strikes targeting Israel and United States-linked military installations. The visuals, shared by the Consulate
State Bank of India Chicago highlights zero balance accounts and attractive remittance rates at community seminar
By: Jayanti Oza The State Bank of India (SBI Chicago) hosted a successful “Customer Connect” seminar at the National India Hub in Schaumburg, spotlighting its zero balance checking and savings accounts along with competitive remittance rates for the Indian American community. Led by SBI
India’s calculated neutrality amid the West Asia conflict
By: Dr Avi Verma The West Asia conflict, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities in late February 2026, has rapidly escalated into a widening geopolitical crisis with serious regional and global consequences. Rising civilian casualties, damage to critical infrastructure, and
Artificial womb technology: A new frontier in saving extremely premature infants
By: Dr. Avi Verma Advances in neonatal medicine are steadily pushing the boundaries of what is possible in saving extremely premature infants. Among the most promising and debated innovations is the development of artificial womb-like systems designed to support babies born at the
Indian-origin healthcare venture in United States faces setback after Chicago hospital closures
By: Dr. Avi Verma A major healthcare shake-up is unfolding in the Chicago area, as safety-net hospitals under Indian-origin ownership face mounting operational and financial pressures. West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is now under intense scrutiny following the earlier closure of
Rajasthan Association of Chicago celebrates Gangaur with cultural fervour in Naperville
By: Dr. Avi Verma The Rajasthan Association of Chicago brought the colors and traditions of Rajasthan to life as it celebrated the festival of Gangaur on Saturday at a clubhouse in Naperville. The event saw enthusiastic participation from more than 50 women, along
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