The market is free to attend and open to all ages

Work is underway ahead of the May Bank Holiday weekend for the return of the Belfast Spring Market.

On the grounds of Belfast City Hall, over 70 traders will once again be offering a great selection of products from across the globe during the five-day market event.

The market will once again offer food enthusiasts, families, and everyday explorers the very best international cuisine, artisanal products, and handmade goods, operated by the team behind the famous Belfast Christmas Market.

READ MORE: Belfast Spring Market to bring over 70 traders to grounds of City Hall this Bank Holiday weekendREAD MORE: Bouncy castles, face painting, mud kitchens and more on offer at free family fun day in South Belfast

The market is free to attend and open to all ages.

A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “Traders sell a vibrant mix of global street food, artisan crafts and unique gifts.

“Visitors can enjoy a delicious range of international flavours, including spicy Mexican burritos, mini Dutch pancakes, freshly cooked paella and savoury continental pastries.

“The market also has a wide selection of arts, crafts and handcrafted goods. Browse original artwork, colourful flowers and artisan products, including handmade soaps and locally produced items.”

When is the Spring Continental Market in Belfast?

Traders will be showcasing an array of tantalising flavours from across the globe and unique handcrafted gifts, during the five-day event, which will open to customers from Thursday, May 21 to Monday, May 25.

What are the Spring Continental Market Belfast opening hours?

The Spring Continental Market at City Hall runs from Thursday 21 to Monday 25 May and will be open from:

• Thursday – Saturday 10am – 10pm
• Sunday 12noon – 6pm
• Monday 10am – 6pm

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He allegedly told police outside the gates to 10 Downing Street that he had a bomb in his rucksack

A man charged over an alleged bomb hoax outside the gates to 10 Downing Street has denied the offence in court.

Stephen Abbott, 59, allegedly told police he carried a bomb in his rucksack while he stood in Whitehall outside the gates to No 10 on October 15 last year, a court has heard.

Abbott pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to a single charge of communicating to police information which he knew or believed to be false, with the intention of inducing in that person or any other person a false belief.

Prosecutor Rizwan Amin told the hearing: “The agreed facts are that Mr Abbott attended the gates at Downing Street, shouting, protesting. In short, he was alleged to make comments about Tony Blair and subsequently claimed to have a bomb in his rucksack.”

Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring told the hearing the case was “clearly not suitable for summary trial”. “It should go to the Bailey given its profile,” he added.

Abbott, of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is to appear at the Old Bailey on June 16. He was granted bail on condition that he does not go within 100 metres of Downing Street.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate advanced legislation Tuesday that seeks to force President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iran war, as a growing number of Republicans defied the president’s direction on a conflict that has spanned well over two months.

Since Trump ordered the attack on Iran at the end of February, Democrats have forced repeated votes on war powers resolutions that would require him either to gain congressional approval or withdraw U.S. troops. Republicans had been able to muster the votes to reject those proposals, but Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy — fresh off a primary election loss in which Trump endorsed his opponent — switched sides.

The 50-47 vote tally showed that a small but growing number of Republicans are willing to challenge Trump on the Iran war, even though the effort may not advance much further. Three Republicans were absent Tuesday and their votes would be enough to defeat the measure, if they maintain their stance on the war.

Still, the vote showed how Republicans are increasingly uneasy with a conflict that shows no signs of ending, is stuck in a fragile ceasefire and is causing rising gas prices in the U.S.

“Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check him,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement after the vote. “We are not letting up.”

Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska had all previously voted for similar war powers resolutions and did so again Tuesday. Cassidy supported the legislation for the first time, while Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was again the only Democrat to vote against it.

After his primary election loss last week, Cassidy returned to Washington defiant. He said he was proud of his work to uphold the Constitution and would carefully consider how he would vote on several priorities of the Trump administration going forward.

Trump’s grip on the Senate Republican Conference is potentially slipping after Cassidy’s primary loss, as well as the president’s decision Tuesday to endorse Republican Sen. John Cornyn’s primary opponent.

“While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” Cassidy said on social media.

“Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.”

House will also vote on war powers

Across the Capitol, the House is expected to vote on a similar war powers resolution Wednesday, and Democrats are bullish about their chances of passing it. Another war powers resolution barely failed in the House last week, the vote ending in a tie.

Even if Congress eventually passes legislation to compel Trump to withdraw from the conflict, it’s not clear that he would comply. To circumvent requirements of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the White House has claimed that it has technically ceased “hostilities” with Iran because there is a ceasefire.

Trump this week said he ordered preparations for an attack on Iran on Tuesday, only to call it off to give allies in the Gulf more time to work out an agreement with Iran.

“Peace negotiations are stuck and so day after day after day grocery prices climb, gas prices climb,” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in a floor speech.

Lawmakers want more information on Iran war

On Capitol Hill, patience is clearly running out for a war that Trump launched without congressional approval.

Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he is supportive of Trump’s decision to go to war, but that more Republicans are growing concerned about a long-term plan. The administration may have to go into more detail about that, Rounds said.

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 “does provide an avenue for that discussion and debate to occur,” Rounds said.

He said he believes it’s not the right time to do that, and he would rather “stand strong with the president” at this point. “But I think a number of our members maybe just feel like it’s time to have the debate.”

Earlier this year, Republican senators voted to advance a war powers resolution on the conflict with Venezuela and compelled the Trump administration to make its case to Congress for the military campaign.

A handful of GOP senators forced a final vote on legislation to withdraw from the conflict. Two of the Republicans — Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Josh Hawley of Missouri — ultimately flipped after Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to a public hearing about the administration’s Venezuela strategy.

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Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Here’s everything that the EFL have had to say:

“An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.

“In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.

“The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

“Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

“Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

“Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.

“The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course. The Commission’s full written reasons will also be published in due course.”

A new report by Public Health Wales has found that more than 135,000 children and young people in Wales are estimated to have a diagnosable mental health condition

A growing number of children and young people in Wales are struggling with their mental health, according to a new report by Public Health Wales. The largest increases have been seen in those struggling with anxiety, eating disorders and self-harming behaviour.

The report found that more than 135,000 children and young people in Wales are estimated to have a diagnosable mental health condition. Girls, non-binary young people, and those from the most deprived communities were all found to be disproportionately affected.

In the Health Needs Assessment: Mental Health of Babies, Children and Young People in Wales report, it estimates that one in six children aged eight to 10, one in five aged 11 to 16, and one in four aged 17 to 24, have a diagnosable mental health condition.

It also estimates that one in four girls and one in two trans or gender-questioning secondary school learners are experiencing low mental wellbeing. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here.

Some of the factors which the report highlights as driving these trends included child poverty, social inequality, academic pressure, parental mental health difficulties and digital technology.

They also stressed the importance of early relationships, community connection, physical activity and opportunities for creativity as protective factors.

The report also emphasises how important strengthening parent-infant relationships are and said investing in early years support is both cost-effective and delivers lasting benefits for children’s social, emotional and developmental outcomes.

The report said that around 25–30 per cent of parent-infant relationships are likely to benefit from support in the first 1,000 days, but two thirds are unlikely to receive that support before the age of two.

Emily van de Venter, Lead Consultant in Mental Wellbeing for Public Health Wales, said: “There are too many children and young people in Wales who are experiencing distress, low mental wellbeing and mental health conditions.

“These young people have faced huge challenges including the pandemic, financial insecurity and challenging digital environments.

“Mental wellbeing needs to be placed at the heart of social, economic and environmental policy and that starts from the very early years of life.”

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health problems were estimated to cost the Welsh economy £4.8 billion each year. This has risen since.

Simon Jones, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Mind Cymru, said: “What Public Health Wales’ findings show us is that the baseline level of need today is such that there must now be a relentless focus on, and investment in, tackling the barriers to accessing support children and young people continue to face, and we look forward to working with a range of partners to help achieve this.”