Humpack whales spotted off the Wexford coast

One of the most remarkable sights in the animal kingdom has been captured on camera by wildlife experts off the Co Wexford coast.

Researchers from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group witnessed a humpback whale breach clear of the water on 11 occasions on Saturday.

The humpback, which is believed to be a young male, had not been sighted before in Irish waters.

This recent sighting brings the number of humpbacks documented here to 11, with many of these re-sighted on an annual basis.

Humpbacks were close to global extinction because of commercial whaling, but the IWDG says there is now a 'slow but steady' recovery in numbers...{read the article and see photos}

Lucky rescue for dog stranded on Polish ice floe

A dog has been rescued by the crew of a Polish boat after drifting out to sea on an ice floe into the Baltic sea.

Originally mistaking him for a seal, the crew soon realised their error and set out to save the dog.

See the video rescue here.

Talks under way to use mobile phones as debit cards

By Niamh Hennessy
Thursday, January 28, 2010

MOBILE phones will soon be heard ringing at the tills as plans are finalised so that they can be used as debit cards.

Discussions are taking place which will see Irish banks offer technology which would be placed in mobiles so that owners can pay for small purchases.

It hoped that the technology will replace cash for small purchases.

Representatives from Visa Europe are in Dublin this week to meet with Irish banks with a view to bringing this technology to Ireland.

It is hoping the plans will be finalised by 2011.

Wireless technology called Near Field Communication, which has been endorsed by Sony and Nokia will be integrated into mobile phones to enable owners to make purchases.

Visa Europe is also putting in place plans to introduce "contactless" debit cards which would act like swipe cards for purchases under €20.

Visa said the swipe cards will be ideal for use in fast food restaurants, convenience stores and transport terminals. Customers will also be able to use them at vending machines and parking meters.

According to Visa Europe retailers and consumers...{read the full article}

Earthquakes recorded in Co Donegal

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Two minor earthquakes have occurred in north Donegal in the past 24 hours.

The School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies confirmed the tremors, saying the one recorded last night measured 1.5 on the Richter scale while another this morning measured 1.7.

This brings to three the number of small earthquakes in the county this month.

According to Thomas Blake, Experimental Officer at the Institute, the small tremors are 'natures way of releasing the stresses and strains built up over time in very deep faults.'
Mr Blake stressed that while having a few together is unusual, it is not remarkable...{read the article}