Panaiyur, India | A team of Scientists Discovered a 8.000 - 12.000 Year - Old Holocene Marine Fossil Site

A team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a a 8.000 - 12.000 year - old Holocene marine fossil site in Panaiyur, a coastal village situated in the Chennai Metropolitan area near Tharuvaikulam and adjacent Akkarai, along the East Coast Road (ECR), offering close access to a pristine beach in the Thoothukudi district within the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a find that enriches India’s Quaternary paleontological record.

The discovery of this important fossil site is dating back to the Holocene period, the current geological epoch, spanning approximately the last 11.700 years. Beginning after the last major ice age (Pleistocene), it represents a warm, stable interglacial period that allowed human civilization to develop, settle, and dominate the planet.

This relevant discovery was announced by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, Bhupender Yadav, through a post on social networks, according to the official website of the Government of India.

The fossil bed is located roughly 5 - 7 kilometres inland from the current coastline, confirming significant coastal shifts. Exposed by 2023 rains, the site yielded 104 specimens, primarily marine organisms like bivalves and gastropods, indicating past sea - level changes in the region.

The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India stressed that the finding significantly enrich the country’s Quaternary fossil record and will allow a better understanding of India’s fauna, environment and climate in ancient times.

The official explained that the fossil sites exposed after the heavy rains that occurred in 2023. He further noted that, at the request of the Thoothkudi administration, the Zoological Survey of India conducted a field survey to study the area and document the findings.

This finding represents a key advance for paleontological research in India and opens up new opportunities to study the evolution of the environment and biodiversity of the subcontinent in the Holcene.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/india-descubre-un-yacimiento-f-sil-del-holoceno-que-ampl-a-su-registro-paleontol-gico/

São Paulo, Brazil | Launched a Pilot Conservation Project to Save the Araucaria Tree from Extinction

The government of São Paulo has launched a pilot conservation project to save the Araucaria tree from excitons, working to restore the presence of the “Aracucaria angustifolia”, commonly known as the Paraná pine, or Brazilian monkey - puzzle or also Brazilian pine, a critically endangered, large evergreen conifer native to South America.

 The initiative, called the Araucarias Payment for Environmental Services Program (PSA Araucária) was announced in Cunha, a charming mountainous town in  São Paulo located within the Paraíba Valley region, known for its stunning Serra do Mar views, vibrant Atlantic Forest, and a status as a top national ceramics hub.

 The municipality of Cunha was chosen for the pilot project because it concentrates more than 95% of the pine nut harvest in the state. Between 2023 and 2025, local producers harvested more than 1.100 tons of the seed, and by 2026 it is expected to exceed 368 tons.

According to Brasil 247, a prominent news website headquartered in São Paulo, the initiative seeks to combine environmental conservation with income generation through the pine nut (araucaria seed) production chain.

 The government of São Paulo has launched a call that provides for the payment of up to 36.000 reais (approximately $7.200) for rural producers and up to 250.000 reais (about $50.000) for organizations interested in preserving the araucaria, a species threatened with extinction that could lose its habitat until 2070.

 The  “Aracucaria angustifolia”is a tree characterized by a straight, cylindrical trunk reaching 25 - 30 metres, a distinct chalice or flat - topped canopy, and stiff, sharp - pointed triangular leaves that persist for years.

Rated as Critically Endangered due to extensive logging and habitat reduction, with forests reduced to less than 3% of their original coverage, the Aracucaria angustifolia is found primarily in southern Brazil, with smaller populations in Argentina and Paraguay, often in mixed subtropical forests between 500 and 2300 m elevation.

The program apart the conservation of the Araucaria tree also financially supports actions such as preservation ofd existing trees, planting seedings, recovery of permanent preservation areas, and planting of orchards. Currently  São Paulo has 61 payment programs for environmental services, benefiting about 1.400 families.

The Secretary of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics of the State of São Paulo (SEMIL) Natália Resende, stressed that the edict reinforces the commitment of the government of São Paulo to innovative conservation solutions that integrate environmental protection, sustainable development and generation of market value and income in the territory.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/s-o-paulo-lanza-proyecto-piloto-de-conservaci-n-para-salvar-el-rbol-araucaria-de-la-extinci-n/

Dubai, UAE | To Introduce 735 New Electric Buses this Year to Boost Sustainable Public Transport

Dubai, a city and emirate in the UAE, located on a creek on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Peninsula, through Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) will introduce 735 new electric buses this year, marking the largest electric bus deployment in the United Arab Emirates to boost sustainable public transport, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The delivery of the vehicles will be made gradually throughout 2026 and this initiative is part of the plan that aims to accelerate the goal of achieving zero - emissions public transport system by 2050.

Currently, 40 electric buses are already operating in Dubai that have shown a 95% satisfaction rate among passengers and drivers, with significant reductions in carbon emissions, and this large incorporation of electric buses aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to enhance environmental performance and reduce carbon emissions.

This comprehensive programme aims at the transition to green public transport, which includes electric buses and hydrogen - powered vehicles.

To support this new fleet, the infrastructure is also being expanded rapidly. So far, 32 charging units with 360 kW capacity have been installed, established across five major depots, and ensuring the system is ready for future expansion.

The efficiency of electric buses is evaluated using various technical and operational indicators, including range, charging time, charging frequency, noise and emissions generated.

On these buses, one is already operates on the important route F13, a circular feeder bus route that connects the Dubai Mall Metro Station (Landside) with key locations in Downtown Dubai, including the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Al Quoz, a vibrant, mixed use district in Dubai, an industrial hub and a premier cultural and creative centre located between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

The new vehicles can travel up to 370 kilometres on a single charge and they have a 470 kWh battery. In addition, special attention is paid of air conditioning systems and the level of comfort, essential factors for their operation in urban environments.  

A report highlights that last year in Dubai greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 12% compared to 2024 and by 44% compared to 2022. Likewise, the use of electric buses made it possible to avoid the emissions of more than 59.000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Dubai’s authorities plan to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 and, in the long term, complete the transition to a fully emission - free public transport system.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/en-dub-i-se-incorporar-n-otros-735-autobuses-el-ctricos-durante-el-pr-ximo-a-o-para-impulsar-el-tran/

Madrid, Spain | Overtaken Barcelona in Hotel Profitability, Driven by a Surge in High - End Luxury Tourism

Madrid, Spain’ s capital and largest city has overtaken Barcelona, major city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and second largest centre in the country in hotel profitability, driven by a surge in high – end luxury and hotel occupancy, and is approaching its price levels according to the latest barometer data by Cushman & Wakefield, American global commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

The data for the first quarter show a change in trend in the market, with Madrid leading the main indicators of the sector reflecting luxury tourism recovering at a dizzying pace in the Spanish capital.

As reported by Cinco Días, a business and finance newspaper published in Madrid, in terms of prices per room, Barcelona maintains slighty higher figures, although the distance is reduced. In 2025, it reached €166.94 compared to €158.83 in Madrid, while this year the difference continues to narrow, with €166.6 and €161.4, respectively.

However, revenue per available room (RevPAR) is already higher in Madrid, reaching €119.74, and very slightly above the €119.48 in Barcelona. The evolution reflects sustained growth since 2022, when both cities started from similar levels, with the Spanish capital at €56.77 and Barcelona at €53.76.

In terms of employment, Madrid has also recorded better results in recent years. In 2026 hotel in the major city of Spain reached 74.2% occupancy, compared to 71.7% in Barcelona, a difference that has been consolidated since 2023, when Madrid already exceeded 68% while Barcelona was slightly below.

The increase in these indicators coincides with the expansion of the high - end hotel offer in Madrid. International Hotel chains such as Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Meliá Hotels International and Minor Hotels have strengthen their presence in Madrid, with an increase in the number of five - star establishments and growth forecast until 2027.

For its part, Barcelona has limited the opening of new hotels in the centre due to the moratorium in force since 2015, which conditions the evolution of its offer. This factor together with the uneven recovery in international demand, explains the convergence of results between the two cities.

Link 

https://www.preferente.com/noticias-de-hoteles/madrid-desbanca-a-barcelona-en-rentabilidad-hotelera-por-el-auge-del-lujo-349539.html