Times of India

During an excursion in South Africa's renowned 'Cradle of Humankind', young Matt Berger, just nine years old, stumbled upon a remarkable fossil. This unexpected find, in the company of his father, the esteemed paleoanthropologist Lee Berger, led to the discovery of a previously unknown ancestor, Australopithecus sediba, dating back almost two million years.

Raj Singh, arrested in a murder case, made inflammatory remarks in a viral video. He spoke of alleged Hindu persecution in West Bengal. Singh warned of aggressive violence if any harm came to a victim's family. The video surfaced amid political tension following his detention. Police have not commented on the video's authenticity.

One of the key triggers behind the market decline was renewed uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was “on life support” after Tehran rejected Washington’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Trump described Iran’s demands as “garbage.”

Middle East conflict jitters are pushing oil prices higher, with Brent crude and WTI futures seeing gains. Ceasefire talks with Iran are reportedly "on life support" following Tehran's response to a US proposal, which included broader regional demands. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil passage, remains a key flashpoint, with Iran asserting control, raising concerns about global energy supplies.

British cricketer Jamie Spence, 28, died in a car crash in New Zealand alongside French national Raphael Jean-Gabriel Roellinger. Jamie’s club, Hull Strikers, paid tribute to his “energetic” and “passionate” personality, saying his spirit brought life to the team. Days later, the club played with 10 men and dedicated a seven-run victory to him, calling Jamie “one of the biggest supporters” of the club and “Forever a Striker”.

The Trinamool Congress has criticized the appointment of former Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal as West Bengal's Chief Secretary by the new BJP government. The party labeled the move "shameless," questioning the neutrality of the election process after Agarwal oversaw the recent Assembly elections.

The United Arab Emirates secretly conducted attacks on an Iranian oil refinery last month, marking a new direct participant in the conflict. This action followed Iran's extensive targeting of the UAE, prompting a strategic shift in Abu Dhabi's approach to Tehran. The UAE possesses a highly advanced air force, fueling speculation about its involvement.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang showcased a united front at Carnegie Mellon University, where Tan personally hooded Huang for his honorary doctorate. Tan also confirmed the "full steam ahead" partnership between Intel and Nvidia, highlighting their collaboration on new products for data centers, servers, and PCs.

The hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius has departed Tenerife for the Netherlands after passengers and crew were evacuated. The operation repatriated 94 individuals, with three deaths reported since the outbreak began nine days ago. Health officials emphasize the low risk to the public, as the virus rarely spreads person-to-person.

US President Trump expressed optimism for his upcoming visit to China and meeting with President Xi Jinping, anticipating positive outcomes for both nations. Accompanied by prominent business leaders, Trump aims to discuss trade, Iran, tariffs, and AI, seeking to strengthen US economic and national security interests.

With 15 league games left, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans are favourites for IPL playoffs with nearly 88% qualification chances. Punjab Kings remain well placed despite slipping to 64.4%. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals hover around 54%, while Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face slim hopes. Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians are eliminated.

Half-centuries from Axar Patel and David Miller helped Delhi Capitals chase 211 against Punjab Kings and stay alive in the IPL playoff race. Young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari starred with two wickets and a calm finishing cameo. Madhav credited team support and coach Amay Khurasiya for shaping his all-round game, saying he stayed “in the zone” during the tense chase.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured citizens that India is prepared for global supply chain disruptions, with ample petroleum products and robust foreign exchange reserves. He urged fuel conservation to ease the nation's financial burden amid high international crude prices. The government is implementing measures for fuel efficiency and responsible consumption.

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar 2' is nearing its two-month box office run and is set for an OTT debut on May 14. The spy drama has achieved a worldwide gross collection of Rs 1,795.10 crore, with India's net collection reaching Rs 1,143.44 crore.

Akshay Kumar's latest venture, 'Bhooth Bangla,' has taken the box office by storm, accumulating an impressive Rs 243 crore in just 26 days! Directed by the talented Priyadarshan, this horror-comedy masterpiece features Kumar delving into the mysteries of a bewitched palace. With robust international and domestic numbers, the film's performance only intensifies as it wraps up its fourth weekend.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dramatic last-ball victory against Mumbai Indians, propelling them to the top of the IPL 2026 table. Despite a shaky start and a golden duck for Virat Kohli, the team displayed remarkable resilience. Krunal Pandya's heroic 73 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's stellar bowling performance were pivotal in the thrilling chase, bringing RCB closer to a playoff berth.

Candace Owens is facing fresh online controversy after a viral social media post linked her to Dan Bilzerian while referencing Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk and Ben Shapiro. The post made several unverified allegations and reignited debate around Owens’ past interactions with Bilzerian, including resurfaced comments about private text messages. While no evidence has supported the claims spreading online, the controversy has fuelled intense speculation, backlash and political infighting across social media platforms.

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi faced scrutiny during the Bangladesh Test for allegedly tampering with the ball, though umpires found no issue. The match saw Bangladesh build a lead of 179 runs by stumps on Day 4, with key partnerships and individual milestones reached. Both teams expressed confidence in chasing victory on the final day.

Pakistan reportedly sheltered Iranian military aircraft at its airbases, raising questions about its neutrality as a mediator in the US-Iran conflict. US officials cited in a CBS News report claim Iran moved planes, including a reconnaissance jet, to Pakistan's Nur Khan Air Base. A Pakistani official denied these allegations, calling them implausible.

No rationing; steps taken to avert shortage