Author: Awais Rasheed

The once-abundant herring, a cornerstone of life in the North Atlantic, is now facing an alarming decline. Revered for centuries as a vital food source and economic driver, herring populations in the Celtic Sea, south of Ireland, have collapsed due to overfishing and climate change. This small yet significant fish is more than just a dietary staple—it plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of coastal communities. The Historical Significance of Herring Herring has long been celebrated for its impact on societies across the North Atlantic. In 1927, James Travis Jenkins described it as “the most…

In the outskirts of Dublin, a rapid expansion of data centers has created a new challenge for Ireland: balancing the demands of tech giants with the country’s energy resources. These massive facilities now consume more electricity than all urban homes combined, leading to serious concerns about energy sustainability as they power the growing wave of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Ireland, which has positioned itself as a hub for global tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, now finds itself reassessing the implications of this growth. Official figures reveal that Ireland’s data centers accounted for 21% of the nation’s total…

Dublin-based Réaltra Space Systems Engineering has embarked on an innovative project to revolutionise satellite monitoring through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Réaltra a contract to create advanced failure detection and recovery systems for satellites operating in low-Earth orbit. This collaborative effort involves Ubotica, another Dublin-based space technology firm, which will serve as a subcontractor for the initiative. The project, entitled ‘Machine Learning-Based On-Board Autonomy,’ has already successfully completed its preliminary design review and is funded under ESA’s General Support Technology Programme. The objective is to develop a high-performance AI/ML system that…

The Northern Ireland Executive has unveiled its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, setting the stage for public consultation. With a total budget allocation of £19 billion, this plan earmarks substantial resources for the health and education sectors, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing pressing community needs. Of the total budget, approximately £16 billion is designated for day-to-day spending, while £2 billion is allocated for capital investments. Notably, the proposed budget indicates a 9% increase in day-to-day spending compared to the previous financial year, showcasing a concerted effort to enhance funding in key areas. As part of the budgetary…

Ireland’s political landscape is shifting as the two principal centre-right parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, edge closer to finalising a coalition agreement with a group of mostly conservative independent lawmakers. This development follows the recent election held on November 29, where the two parties collectively fell just two seats short of the 88 required for a governing majority. The coalition talks gained momentum when members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail supported the election of Verona Murphy, an independent member of the Regional Independent Group, as the speaker of the lower house of parliament. This role is one of…

As Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael engage in discussions to form Ireland’s next government, the contentious issue of facial recognition technology (FRT) in policing is once again taking centre stage. Plans to integrate FRT into the operations of An Garda Síochána are already on the agenda, positioning this topic as a potential flashpoint in political and public discourse in the upcoming months. Recently, a public Think-In event titled “Facing the Future: Let’s Talk Facial Recognition Technology” was held at The Digital Hub as part of the Beta Festival. Co-organised by Dr. Ciara Bracken-Roche and Dr. Emma Clarke from the ADAPT…

In a bid to address the challenges posed by climate change, scientists are working on developing potatoes that can withstand extreme heatwaves. A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Illinois (UIUC) and the University of Essex has shown promising results, with heat-resistant varieties yielding up to 30% more potatoes when exposed to heat stress. The research focused on modifying the plants by introducing two genes that enhance a process known as photorespiration. This adjustment improves the plants’ energy efficiency, allowing them to allocate more resources toward growth, thus increasing potato yields even in challenging…

Polytag, a leader in technology solutions for sustainable packaging, has announced the installation of its innovative Plastic Detection Unit at the Re-Gen Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Newry, Northern Ireland. This significant move expands Polytag’s network to encompass one of the UK’s largest MRFs, aimed at enhancing recycling processes across the country. Re-Gen’s facility, the second largest of its kind in the UK, is capable of processing 250,000 tonnes of commingled household waste each year. In addition to managing a substantial portion of Northern Ireland’s waste, it also accepts materials from England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. The…

Sustainable construction in Ireland has emerged as a critical focus as the nation works to meet ambitious climate targets while addressing the ongoing housing crisis and fostering economic growth. With the construction industry being a significant contributor to carbon emissions globally, Ireland’s path towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy hinges on its ability to implement sustainable practices effectively. The Irish Government has set a clear ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030. Notably, the construction and built environment sector is responsible for about 40% of Ireland’s total carbon emissions,…

Recent research indicates that Northern Ireland has experienced a significant reduction in wintry weather, losing an average of eight days each winter where temperatures drop below zero due to man-made climate change. This alarming finding comes from a study conducted by Climate Central, a US-based non-profit organisation that analysed long-term weather patterns across the region. The study focused on the months of December, January, and February, examining the frequency of days when minimum temperatures remain above freezing. Kristina Dahl, the vice president for science at Climate Central, highlighted the broader trend in the UK, stating, “The UK is seeing fewer…