Photograph: Cyril ByrneThousands of Irish travellers will be scanned by live facial recognition technology this week as part of UK immigration enforcement efforts at Holyhead port. Live facial recognition allows authorities to scan faces and compare them against databases in real time to identify offenders or other people of interest. Human rights groups warn that the rapid adoption of facial recognition technology could enable widespread surveillance and discrimination. Dr Elizabeth Farries, of University College Dublin’s Centre for Digital Policy, said there are “established problems” with live facial recognition technology. Live facial recognition technology captures digital images as people move through a designated “Zone of Recognition”.

Some, including the UK and Australia, had 10 per cent tariff rates under the former rules, while many countries in Asia had higher rates. “From the perspective of most Asian economies, the events of the last few days will lower the effective US tariff rate, at least in the short run,” noted analysts at Goldman Sachs. “China will enjoy the largest decline, 6.6pp by our estimate, followed by several South and Southeast Asian economies.”Euro Stoxx 50 futures and Dax futures both eased 0.5 per cent, while FTSE futures fell 0.2 per cent. The dollar shed 0.4 per cent on the Japanese yen to 154.40, while the euro added 0.3 per cent to $1.1821. Brent fell 1.3 per cent to $70.84 a barrel, while US crude lost 1.3 per cent to $65.61 per barrel.

The rate at which online meetings are being recorded is rising faster than you might imagine. Photograph: Getty ImagesThere was a time, about six months ago by my count, when you could join an online meeting at work without having to wonder if it was being recorded or not. Perhaps because the rate at which online meetings are being recorded is rising faster than you might imagine. Data from Roam, a US company that makes virtual office software for remote and hybrid workforces, shows that in January, an average 22 per cent of its users’ online calls were recorded. I realise the dubious standards of many work meetings make these gains questionable, but they nonetheless exist.

Two years into the Re-Turn Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), Coggins feels there are ongoing issues that need to be addressed. Photograph: Bryan O’BrienTwo years in, retailers, producers and consumers are now well acquainted with its workings, but that doesn’t mean it is operating smoothly from everyone’s point of view. The issue of retained deposits – and the cash pile – is continually referenced by critics of the scheme. Ciaran Foley, Re-Turn CEO, at the unveiling of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme run by Re-Turn. According to Dillon, department officials monitor the performance of the scheme closely and meet Re-Turn every month to review progress.

Prof Eugenio Biagini believes the teaching of Irish history offers Cambridge students valuable insight into Ireland. Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge, to mark the appointment of Prof Alvin Jackson to the first Childers Professor of Modern Irish History Cambridge University. Because of our history, Irish historians must “engage with” Britain in a way that British historians do not have to match. The idea of a chair of British History at an Irish university, he says, “seems to me an incredibly old-fashioned way of addressing [it]. Why not a chair of French history, of Italian history, of German history?

But, as an undocumented migrant, the 50-year-old former graphic designer has been unable to secure regular employment and life has been tough for him in Madrid. “It’s an enormous opportunity for a lot of people.”The plan has created a stir in Spain’s political arena and underlines the country’s status as an outlier in Europe on the immigration issue. Most of the country’s undocumented migrants are believed to be Latin American, with Colombia, Peru and Honduras providing the largest numbers. The Sánchez government’s relatively welcoming policy contrasts with the clampdown on immigration most of Spain’s neighbours have been implementing in recent years. “Concerns about immigration in Spain have increased recently,” says Paco Camas, head of public opinion in Spain for polling firm Ipsos.

Police appeal after man left with life threatening injuriesPolice have issued an urgent appeal after a man was left with serious injuries following an alleged assault outside a Wetherspoons pubView Image Kyle O'Callaghan from Cardiff (Image: Gwent Police)Police have issued an appeal after a man was allegedly assaulted outside a Welsh pub. Officers want to speak to a man after another man was left with life-threatening injuries after allegedly being assaulted. The incident took place outside a Wetherspoons pub at the weekend. ‌A 37-year-old man, from Ebbw Vale, has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after the incident near the Picture House pub in Ebbw Vale. A statement from police said that O'Callaghan has links to Ebbw Vale and Cardiff.

Construction of new Costco on track to be finished this yearThe wholesale warehouse club and fuel station is being built in Eastern Avenue in GloucesterView 4 Images Glencar is progressing construction of the multi-million-pound 13,000 sqm wholesale warehouse club and fuel station on the former Interbrew site in Eastern Avenue. Wholesale retail giant Costco is on track to complete its new 13,000 sqm warehouse in Gloucester this year. ‌Glencar is progressing construction of the multi-million-pound wholesale warehouse club and fuel station on the former Interbrew site in Eastern Avenue. View 4 Images Councillor Andrew Gravells speaking at the Costco site earlier this month. (Image: Glencar)Councillor Andrew Gravells (C, Abbeydale) was among those who attended a steel signing event at the Costco site earlier this month.

Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for Wednesday’s Champions League return leg against Real Madrid by UEFA following the Vinicius Junior racism incident last week. Real Madrid forward Vinicius alleged he was the subject of racist abuse by a Benfica player – later named by Real as Prestianni – during the first leg between the clubs last Tuesday.

Former Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof greets his successor Rob Jetten following swearing-in ceremony of the new Jetten cabinet in The Hague. Photograph: Remko de Waal/ANP/AFP via Getty ImagesRob Jetten became the youngest prime minister in Dutch history on Monday ‌when his minority government was formally confirmed in power by king Willem-Alexander. But securing a majority has become ⁠increasingly difficult in the fractured Dutch political landscape, as voter preferences change in every cycle and centrist parties have steadily lost support. In the days before his government’s installation, he said there was still room to adjust plans. Former member of European Parliament Tom Berendsen is the new foreign minister, while Eelco Heinen stayed on at finance.

From Wednesday, February 25, all passengers flying with Aer Lingus between Ireland and the UK will require a valid passport or passport card. What change is Aer Lingus making? Ryanair requires all passengers travelling into the UK to have a valid passport or passport card, and has done so for years. However, British Airways does not require UK or Irish nationals to provide a passport or passport card for travel within the Common Travel Area. Passengers flying between Ireland and the UK with Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Emerald Airlines, will need to carry passports or passport cards.

The organizers of the Mexican Open have defiantly insisted that the tournament will go ahead, despite concerns for players' safety. In response, the US government has warned its citizens to shelter in five Mexican states, including Guerrero, where the ATP tournament takes place. 'The supposed cancellation of the event due to security issues in Jalisco is false,' the Mexican Open said in a statement, per the BBC. Yucatan does not appear to have been significantly affected by the violence and tournament organizers have yet to comment on the conflict. Soccer events in the country have also been impacted by the chaos, with a women's match suspended mid-game following reports of gunfire near the stadium.

‌The Gunners, who still hold a slender lead in the Premier League title race, will use this time to prepare for another tough London derby against Chelsea on Sunday, March 1. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settingsMeeting held for £70m targetArsenal have reportedly held initial talks with Rafael Leao's representatives ahead of a potential summer transfer. Leao has yet to discuss a potential Arsenal move but has instructed his representatives to negotiate a summer transfer. Explaining his reason, the former Bayern Munich youth team star added: "One thing is the way they play now. Article continues below"The Premier League has also changed a little bit in the way teams play against them or play in general.

Dark Arts Hair and Beauty only opened inside The Great Escape Barbershop on Freeman Street last December, but it is already turning heads. ‌The business was founded by industry professional Katy Hotson, who has worked in the beauty industry since 2010. View 2 Images Katy Hotson, owner and founder of Dark Arts Hair and Beauty (Image: Dark Arts Hair and Beauty)As a neurodivergent-friendly salon, Katy builds her working week around clients who may find traditional busy salon environments overwhelming. Dark Arts Hair and Beauty has been named as a finalist at the Small Business Awards 2026 in the best hair salon and best beauty salon category. The salon is also in the running for the best nail technician 2026 award at the Hair and Beauty Awards.

The latest shooting in Limerick city is believed to be part of a feud between rival criminal families. The drive-by shooting, again in the southside city suburbs, occurred in the early hours of last Saturday morning. The Garda statement also confirmed that “criminal damage” was caused to a property, and that “no persons were injured”. Over the past two years, Gardaí have responded to a surge in gun attacks on homes in Limerick, mostly in the southside city suburbs. At the end of last month, 30 newly attested Gardai were deployed to the Limerick Garda Division.