Tests have ruled out bats being behind the spread of the Nipah virus that took 12 lives in Kerala's Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, officials said on Friday.

As the fake messages have been doing rounds in the social media that a gang of thieves have been lifting the children in Bengaluru, innocent labourers who have come from other states are facing the risk in the state.

As suspected Nipah virus found in Gadag district, KIMS and district health department have taken precautionary measures in Hubballi.

The Union Environment Ministry had given clearance to the controversial Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi after getting a go-ahead from the state pollution control board, an official said on Friday, dismissing the allegations that the Central government had directly cleared the copper smelting unit.

Hospitals across Odisha supporting the 24-hour ceasework strike called by the All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) demanding several amendments to the Odisha Clinical Establishments (Control and Regulation) Act were closed.

Pakistan warned on Friday that water issues with India can lead to a dangerous situation and that Islamabad wants a peaceful resolution of such problems as per the spirit of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

Himachal Pradesh continued to experience hot weather on Friday, with the day temperature crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark in many low lying areas, a Met official said.

Ahead of FIH Men's Champions Trophy, 48 players have been shortlisted for a 21-day national camp commencing May 28 at the Sports Authority of India in Bengaluru, Hockey India (HI) announced on Friday.