GLOBAL SNAPSHOT SHOT

Early humans clue

CHENNAI: Early stone tools discovered in India suggest our human ancestors may have migrated out of Africa much earlier than previously thought. The study is based on over 7200 stone artefacts collected from the archaeological site at Attirampakkam, about 60km from Chennai. The tools found were made between 385,000 and 172,000 years ago, according to researchers.

BBC gender pay gap

LONDON: A senior BBC journalist who quit her post to protest the media company’s gender pay gap argued Wednesday that management is hurting the corporation’s credibility by failing to address the issue. Carrie Gracie, who was the broadcaster’s former China editor, testified before a British parliamentary committee that BBC managers have treated women who speak out about pay “as some sort of enemy”.

HK bans ivory trade

HONG KONG: Politicians have voted to ban the ivory trade from 2021, the South China

Morning Post reported. The decision follows a similar ban in mainland China, which came into force at the end of last year. The WWF hailed the decision as a “significant step”..

Shootout closes road

RIO DE JANEIRO: A major thoroughfare in Rio de Janeiro has been shut down repeatedly as military police engage in shootouts with suspected drug traffickers. Images from a helicopter on Globo television showed people taking cover beside their cars on Wednesday along the road known as the Linha Amarela, or Yellow Line. Authorities stopped traffic three times, with cars backing up for miles. Authorities were urging drivers to stay away from the area.