Why are robins so friendly? They see us as meal tickets
It seems as though Irish robins have some unique behaviours compared to their Continental counterpartsWhy are robins so friendly? Sean Tomkins, GalwayRobins see humans as meal tickets – particularly gardeners who work the ground in “their” territory. Interestingly, it seems that it is only robins in these islands that behave like this. Do you know what these spores are on the backs of our oak leaves? Mating daddy-long-legsDamsel flies have their wings folded when at rest, not outstretched like your crane flies or indeed like the much larger dragonflies.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 15:06 UTC
Letters to the Editor, November 8th: On the Orange Order and King Charles, poppies and Irish grammar
Irish grammarSir, – Peter Elst’s (Letters, November 5th) letter concerning the Irish language inadvertently highlights one of the greatest obstacles to the revival of the language. His correction of Michael Deasy’s spelling of cúpla focal brings the unnecessary complexity of modern Irish grammar into focus. Orange Order and King Charles praying with Pope LeoSir, – The Orange Order’s complaint to King Charles after he prayed with Pope Leo in Rome (“Orange Order complains to King Charles over Pope Leo prayer”, Home News, November 7th) is disappointing to see. If some of the voices criticising King Charles took a little time to understand their own faith more fully, they might be surprised by how much common ground actually exists. Rev Kyle Paisley has also criticised King Charles for praying with Pope Leo, which to me only underlines how little value some people are willing to place on simple gestures of respect between faiths.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 15:03 UTC
SAP Ireland pays €157m dividend to European parent companies
Photograph: European Press AgencyAn Irish subsidiary of one Europe’s most valuable companies, German software giant SAP, paid out dividends of more than €300 million over two years to its European parent companies, newly filed accounts reveal. SAP Ireland, formerly known as Business Objects Software until it registered a change of name with the Companies Registration Office earlier this year, is based in Citywest in Dublin. Operating profits at SAP Ireland, which employed 368 people in 2024, mostly in development and sales, jumped to €472 million from €450 million. SAP Ireland’s shares are held in two separate companies, French entity SAP France and German SAP SE. However, most of SAP’s more than 2,000 Irish workers are employed through a separate company, SAP Service and Support Centre Ireland, which also filed accounts recently.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 15:03 UTC
EU set to water down landmark AI Act after pressure from big tech
The European Commission is proposing a pause to parts of its landmark artificial intelligence laws amid intense pressure from big tech companies and the US government. Brussels is set to water down part of its digital rule book, including its AI Act, which came into force last year, in a decision on a so-called simplification package on November 19th. The bulk of the provisions for high-risk AI systems, which can pose “serious risks” to health, safety or citizens’ fundamental rights, are set to come into effect in August 2026. A spokesperson said talks were ongoing within the commission regarding potential delays to “the implementation of targeted parts of the AI Act” and that “various options are being considered”. The spokesperson added the bloc remained “fully behind the AI Act and its objectives”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 15:03 UTC
Ireland depth chart: Time already running out for players to break into World Cup picture
Here we are then, at the midway point in the World Cup cycle, and it’s doubtful if there will be another Saturday quite like this one for taking a dive into Ireland’s depth chart. The then 20-year-old lock would become the youngest member of the World Cup squad at 22, and Crowley would be the second-youngest. Jack Murphy has also been in the Ireland XV squad while the IRFU could, and should, lure Joey Carbery back. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/InphoAt this remove, and at just 32, Tadhg Furlong still looks like being the starting tight-head for what would be a fourth World Cup. Such is the depth that a Connacht go-to ball carrier is in the Ireland XV squad, Sean Jansen, but didn’t even make today’s bench.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 15:02 UTC
Air taxis and drone deliveries: how China’s low altitude economy is taking off
In China’s logistics industry, drones are already halving delivery times in big cities, flying packages to drop-off stations from where couriers deliver them locally. “Traditional helicopters typically rely on a single engine and a single rotor system, offering no backup during flight,” he said. Flying taxis will also require new infrastructure, including a low-altitude air traffic control system and a network of vertiports. “The future of low-altitude flight will evolve in phases. “The advent of low-altitude aircraft will introduce a fascinating new dynamic: we will be establishing a brand-new transportation network in the sky.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 15:01 UTC
US airlines cut hundreds of flights after shutdown directive
US airlines on Friday cut 4 per cent of flights at 40 major airports after the government imposed an unprecedented reduction on air travel, citing air traffic control safety concerns because of a record-setting government shutdown. United Airlines, which cancelled 184 flights on Friday, will cut 168 on Saturday and 158 on Sunday. Airlines were also dealing with the fallout from continuing air traffic controller absences as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) slows flights to address staffing issues. During the record long 38-day government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have been forced to work without pay. The FAA on Friday was delaying flights at six airports amid a spike in air traffic controller absences.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 14:31 UTC
‘God only knows what will be tried’: EU leaders’ safety in Ireland comes under spotlight
God only knows what will be tried on us, but something will be tried,” one senior Government source said. Discussions are ongoing with security officials about the potential need to supplement this technology during preparations for the EU presidency. This equipment will complement the existing but limited air defence capabilities of the Defence Forces. However, a number of the Defence Forces’ Giraffes have been donated to Ukraine while the remainder are seen as largely obsolete for modern air defence purposes. The Garda Air Support Unit will also have the benefit of a new surveillance aircraft, recently purchased from Canada.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:56 UTC
Looking for an interesting Christmas present? Start bidding for bargains at auction
From the early 1970s, Shane’s Castle had its own miniature railway line running from a platform near the Antrim Gate lodge to Shane’s Castle on the shores of Lough Neagh. Mullen’s timed online auction of classic and contemporary interiors also has plenty of potential Christmas gifts, with reasonable estimates on lots of glassware, crockery and paintings. The online auction, which closes at 7pm on November 13th, is on view until Sunday November 9th from 12-4pm daily at 17 Kildare Street, Dublin. And Lynes & Lynes auctioneers in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, is selling an eclectic range of items from several Cork residences, the recently closed Cotton Ball pub and recently closed Canty’s Garage, both in Cork City. The most striking item in the Lynes & Lynes auction has to be the 1914 Buick Tourer (€15,000-€20,000).
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:41 UTC
A night in Dublin city centre: Is this really a night-time economy or just a pub crawl capital?
Dublin City Council (DCC) has earmarked three areas requiring long-term improvement, with the aim of improving the experience of residents and tourists alike: cultural activity, mobility and transport, and safety. [ I dare you to walk through Dublin city centre of an evening. In a city that’s more and more engrossed by groups and chains, they want independent businesses. They want things that are like stepping back in time; they want to go into places where there is a bit of history.”South Great George's Street, Dublin. Ryan's regular Hansi has a pint in the Camden Street bar.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:37 UTC
‘The sessions are like a maths exam’: Managing the club-intercounty training balance
In sync, the club scene at elite level has become increasingly attractive to coaches and managers with intercounty experience because the gap in attitudes between ambitious club players and intercounty players has never been smaller. I think [club] players now are reacting to that.”Tipperary is a vivid example of how the landscape has changed. There are club players now that would have an understanding of concepts that 10 years ago they wouldn’t have had a clue of. If clubs are importing intercounty expertise and attitudes and training programmes, are they also importing the stony-faced joylessness? This year he led Portarlington to another football title in Laois and he marvels at elite club players now, and their appetite for improvement.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:25 UTC
Michael Flatley says he will appeal court decision over costs security in mansion works dispute
Mr Flatley is suing Austin Newport Group Ltd, the main contractor and insurance underwriters MS Amlin Underwriting Ltd, AXA XL Underwriting Agencies Ltd and Hamilton Managing Agency Limited along with Lloyds insurance company. Mr Flatley, he said, has been ill and had withdrawn from the presidential campaign “due to a change of circumstances”. He said the matter had not been raised at a security of costs hearing last July and his side objected. Last August Ms Justice Roberts ruled Mr Flatley had to put up money for security for costs. At the start of September Mr Flatley announced he had decided not to attempt to run in the presidential election.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:24 UTC
Drones, cars and dogs running off the lead can tip the balance against shorebirds’ survival
The source of the disturbance, two dogs off the lead, splashed out into the water to disperse the last of the swimming gulls. The main causes of disturbance to shorebirds are people and their dogs. The use of drones in coastal areas may be a similar threat as birds often regard these in the same way as they do birds of prey. But training and use of a lead by the owner will ensure that, in sensitive areas, dogs can be controlled and disturbance avoided. These have the potential to reduce the pressure on waterbirds and other wildlife at important sites on the coast.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:06 UTC
‘Make them see something’: Political communication skills, from Ivan Yates to Zohran Mamdani
It was the revelation that in late September he had given four hours’ media training to the Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin that spelt trouble for him. He was dropped as co-host of the Path to Power political podcast, co-presented with journalist and broadcaster Matt Cooper, as a consequence. It later emerged that Yates had given extensive media training to Fianna Fáil TDs over the past few years, bringing an inevitable focus on what that training actually involved. Photograph: Alan BetsonLorcan Nyhan is head of training at The Communications Clinic, one of the leading companies in this area. Asked about the winning candidate’s preparations for the election, a spokeswoman said Connolly received no media training other than prepping with her campaign team.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:03 UTC
Musk plans potential Tesla-Intel partnership
Tesla is designing its fifth-generation AI chip to power its autonomous ambitions, and Musk at the company’s annual meeting laid out potential manufacturing plans. “You know, maybe we’ll, we’ll do something with Intel,” Musk said to a cheering crowd of Tesla shareholders. Musk has teased the AI5 chip before and reiterated that Tesla was also partnering with Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung. The AI chips power Tesla’s autonomous driving systems, including the Full Self-Driving software. “Even when we extrapolate the best-case scenario for chip production from our suppliers, it’s still not enough,” he said on Thursday.
Source:The Irish Times
November 08, 2025 09:03 UTC