As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 76, five elements of his publicly discussed routine offer a look at his disciplined and active lifestyle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on September 17, 2026, while continuing to manage a schedule that includes official meetings, national events, public programmes and international travel. His ability to remain active despite a demanding workload has often drawn attention to his daily routine.

Health Ministry issues stem cell therapy advisory The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory directing all states and Union Territories to strictly enforce the rules governing stem cell research and therapy. The advisory, dated September 16, 2026, asks healthcare establishments, medical professionals and regulatory authorities to prevent unapproved stem cell interventions from being offered as established treatments. The Ministry has clarified that stem cell therapy can be used as routine clinical care only for diseases and indications included in its approved list. Any treatment outside those approved uses must be regarded as experimental and cannot be promoted as a standard or commercially proven medical service. Key points: Only stem cell therapies approved by the Health Ministry may be offered as routine clinical care. Experimental stem cell interventions cannot be advertised or promoted as proven cures. Hospitals, clinics and doctors must comply with the applicable research and treatment regulations. State and district authorities have been directed to monitor clinical establishments and investigate reported violations. Stem cell therapy for autism remains experimental The advisory specifically addresses claims that stem cell therapy can treat Autism Spectrum Disorder. The government has made it clear that the therapeutic use of any type of stem cell for autism is not approved as routine or standard clinical treatment. Stem cell interventions involving autism may be undertaken only as part of duly approved clinical trials. These studies must follow the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017, jointly issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Department of Biotechnology. Important conditions include: Stem cell therapy for autism must remain restricted to authorised clinical trials. The clinical trial must receive all necessary regulatory and ethics approvals. Clinics cannot market experimental autism interventions as routine medical services. Doctors cannot claim that stem cells are an established cure for autism. Parents and caregivers should confirm a trial’s official registration and approvals before considering participation. The advisory does not prohibit legitimate research but requires it to be conducted under approved clinical-trial safeguards. NMC warns doctors against unauthorised practices The National Medical Commission has reinforced the regulatory position through its advisory dated September 5, 2026. It has warned registered medical practitioners against administering, prescribing, recommending, promoting or advertising stem cell therapies for unapproved indications. The NMC has stated that involvement in unauthorised stem cell treatment could amount to professional misconduct. State Medical Councils have been advised to examine complaints and initiate disciplinary proceedings when violations are established after due process. The NMC directions cover the following actions: Administering stem cell therapy for an indication that has not been approved. Prescribing an experimental intervention as standard treatment. Promoting unproven therapies through websites, social media or advertisements. Making unsupported claims about guaranteed recovery or a permanent cure. Commercially offering stem cell therapy outside an authorised clinical trial. Failing to properly explain the experimental status and potential risks to patients. Supreme Court judgment prompted stronger enforcement The Health Ministry’s advisory follows the Supreme Court’s January 30, 2026 judgment in Yash Charitable Trust and Others versus Union of India and Others. The ruling emphasised that failure to comply with the statutory framework governing stem cell therapy must result in appropriate consequences. The advisory reminds authorities that the existence of scientific research into stem cells does not permit clinics to sell unapproved interventions. Every therapeutic use must comply with the approved framework, and experimental research must remain within regulated clinical trials. The judgment and subsequent advisory underline that: Unapproved stem cell interventions cannot be treated as ordinary medical services. Regulatory violations must result in meaningful action. Medical professionals can be investigated for professional misconduct. Clinical establishments may face penalties or loss of registration. State authorities are responsible for enforcing the rules at the local level. Penalties for violating stem cell therapy rules Doctors found responsible for unauthorised stem cell therapy may face professional-misconduct proceedings under Regulation 7.22 of the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002. Any disciplinary action must be taken after examining the evidence and following the required legal process. Clinical establishments may separately face action under Sections 32 and 40 of the Clinical Establishments Registration and Regulation Act, 2010. Depending on the nature of the violation, this can include financial penalties and cancellation of registration. Possible consequences include: Professional-misconduct proceedings against registered medical practitioners. Disciplinary action by State Medical Councils. Investigation of hospitals and clinics offering unauthorised treatments. Penalties under the Clinical Establishments Act. Cancellation of a clinical establishment’s registration in applicable cases. Action against misleading promotion or advertisement of unproven therapies. What patients and families should verify Patients should not assume that every treatment described as “stem cell therapy” is approved, safe or clinically effective. Before agreeing to any such intervention, they should consult a qualified specialist and verify whether the proposed treatment is authorised for their medical condition. Patients and families should check: Whether the proposed stem cell treatment is approved for the diagnosed condition. Whether it is being offered as standard treatment or as part of a clinical trial. Whether the clinical trial has valid regulatory and ethics approvals. Whether the trial is officially registered and provides proper informed-consent documents. Whether the treating doctor and clinical establishment are appropriately registered. Whether the clinic is making unsupported claims of guaranteed improvement or cure. Whether the risks, possible benefits, alternatives and experimental status have been clearly explained. The advisory’s central message is that stem cell science may hold research potential, but unproven interventions must not be sold as established treatment. Patients should rely on approved medical care and independently verify regulatory claims before making decisions.

India condemned attacks on Saudi territory and warned that escalating violence threatens Bab-el-Mandeb navigation and Red Sea stability. India Warns Houthi Strikes Threaten Bab-el-Mandeb Shipping India has expressed serious concern over the escalating conflict involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure and economic assets could destabilise the region and endanger na

Mecca, Saudi Arabia | Saudi authorities said a Houthi drone was destroyed south of Mecca, while the group rejected the allegation. Saudi Says Houthi Drone Intercepted Near Mecca Amid Alert Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen’s Houthi movement of launching a drone towards Mecca, saying its air-defence forces intercepted and destroyed the aircraft before it entered restric

Lower Manhattan, New York City | Malaika Chitre and Navam Kaul, both 24, died after a subway train struck them at Spring Street station. Indian-Origin Woman, Friend Killed in NYC Subway Tragedy An Indian-origin woman and her Nepali-American friend were killed after being struck by a subway train at a station in Lower Manhattan, according to reports citing New York pol

A US federal judge temporarily halted new visa rules that would limit how long international students and foreign journalists can remain in the country. US Judge Blocks New Visa Limits for Students, Journalists A US federal judge has postponed the implementation of a Trump administration policy imposing stricter time limits on foreign students and journalists studying or working in the United States.

CM Revanth Reddy invited Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to the Telangana Global Summit scheduled for December 7–9 at Future City. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has invited Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to attend the Telangana Global Summit, strengthening the state government’s outreach to global development organisations and international partners. The invitation was extended during

An Indian national has been indicted in Minnesota for allegedly claiming to be a United States citizen to vote in the November 5, 2024, general election, according to the US Department of Justice. Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari faces a two-count federal indictment returned by a grand jury in the District of Minnesota on Thursday. Prosecutors allege that he knowingly provided false information about his citizenship status while completing the documentation required to vote. The charges are allegations, and Chaudhari is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court. The Justice Department’s announcement did not provide details about his immigration status, how the alleged violation was identified or whether his ballot affected the result of any contest. Indictment alleges false citizenship declaration According to the indictment, Chaudhari signed a voter signature certificate on or around November 5, 2024. Minnesota law required him to swear or affirm through that certificate that he was a US citizen and therefore eligible to cast a ballot. Federal prosecutors allege that Chaudhari was not an American citizen at the time and knew that the citizenship statement was false. They claim that he made the declaration to participate in the general election. The indictment does not by itself establish guilt. A federal grand jury determines whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for charges to proceed, while the government must prove each allegation at trial or secure a guilty plea before a conviction can be entered. Court proceedings are expected to determine the evidence supporting the government’s claims and whether Chaudhari knowingly violated federal law. Justice Department stresses voter eligibility rules Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the department would seek accountability in cases involving knowingly false claims of citizenship made to vote. Dhillon described voting as a right tied to American citizenship and said lawful voters deserve an electoral system in which eligible ballots are protected and counted. Under federal law, non-US citizens are generally prohibited from voting in federal elections. Providing false information about citizenship to register or cast a ballot can expose an individual to criminal prosecution and other legal consequences. The Minnesota case is focused on the alleged conduct of one individual. The announcement did not present evidence of a wider scheme, coordinated activity or systemic problem involving other voters. Two federal counts carry potential prison terms Chaudhari has been charged with one count involving false information and one count of making a false claim of US citizenship to register to vote. According to the Justice Department, each count carries a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison. Maximum statutory penalties are not automatic sentences. If a defendant is convicted, a federal judge determines the punishment after considering sentencing guidelines, the circumstances of the offence and other relevant factors. The department did not specify when Chaudhari would appear in court or whether he had entered a plea. Information about his legal representation was also not included in the report. As the case progresses, prosecutors will be required to establish that the citizenship representation was false and that it was made knowingly for the purpose alleged in the indictment. Case draws attention to noncitizen voting laws The charges are likely to attract attention in the continuing US debate over election rules, voter registration and citizenship verification. Election-related prosecutions frequently become politically sensitive, particularly when they involve claims about voter eligibility. Legal experts generally distinguish between an allegation involving an individual ballot and evidence of widespread election fraud. In this case, authorities have announced charges against a single person based on his alleged signature on a voter certificate. The court process will decide whether the evidence supports the indictment. Until then, reports about the case should carefully distinguish the Justice Department’s allegations from proven facts. The case also serves as a reminder that voter registration forms and election certificates are legal declarations. Knowingly providing false information on such documents may lead to serious federal charges, imprisonment and possible immigration consequences.

A popular artificial intelligence trend that transforms modern photographs into retro-style images has become the latest battleground between the BJP and Congress, social media teams. The trend, widely used to give contemporary pictures the appearance of photographs taken in the 1970s or 1980s, initially gained popularity as a light-hearted online activity. However, political units associated with the two national parties have used the visual format to exchange provocative and indir

Special aviation security measures have been imposed across Delhi and surrounding areas in connection with the BRICS Summit 2026, affecting flight operations from Friday, September 11, through Sunday, September 13. According to sources, the restrictions came into force at 1:30 AM UTC, or 7:00 AM IST, on September 11 and will remain effective until 5:30 PM UTC, or 11:00 PM IST, on September 13. Under the special rules, take-offs and landings at Indira Gandhi International Airpor

Russia is preparing for a significant expansion in India’s civil aviation market, with proposed agreements covering as many as 105 regional passenger aircraft and advanced discussions on manufacturing the SJ-100 jet in the country. United Aircraft Corporation is expected to advance several agreements with Indian aviation companies during Innoprom India in New Delhi. The negotiations centre on potential orders for the IL-114-300 turboprop aircraft and a wider plan to establish loca

At least five people have died and dozens remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off the western Philippines, triggering a major overnight search-and-rescue operation in rough weather. The MV June Aster was carrying 134 people, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members, when the fire broke out near Coron in Palawan province on Wednesday evening. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said 43 people had been rescued by Thursday morning and s

Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the swift resolution of outstanding issues with India through dialogue, saying fair and mutually acceptable solutions would strengthen trust between the neighbouring countries. Alamgir made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday. According to Bangabhaban officials, Trivedi was the first foreign envoy

Telangana’s Section 22-A property dispute remained a major political issue in Hyderabad. Record errors affecting private land registrations have sparked government assurances, opposition protests and demands for an independent inquiry. A land-record problem affecting property owners in Hyderabad and surrounding districts has developed into a major confrontation in the Telangana Assembly. The controversy began

Janasena responded to the political confrontation surrounding the Telangana Assembly in Hyderabad. The party criticised both Congress and BRS, demanded an inquiry into alleged police excesses and indicated plans to emerge as an independent force. Janasena Targets Congress and BRS Over Assembly Row Janasena has entered Telangana’s intensifying political confrontation by criticising both the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi ov