May 08: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Hostage drama as armed police swoop on Belfast hotel following reports of ‘man with gun’
Armed counter-terror police were scrambled to a Belfast hotel following reports that a man with a gun had entered the hotel and was screaming at staff and guests. One man was taken hostage during the terrifying incident which happened at the Clayton Hotel on Ormeau Avenue shortly after 6pm on Sunday. He was released unharmed. Police arrested a 31-year-old man and later revealed the gun was a replica. Police dog units and specialist firearms officers carrying shields and assault rifles swooped on the hotel moments after the incident began.
Independent.ie

Prince William and Princess of Wales to meet volunteers as millions expected to take part in the Big Help Out
Prince William and the Princess of Wales are among the royals who will meet volunteers today as the Big Help Out event wraps up the coronation weekend. Organisers said six million people were expected to take part, either arranging their own community activities or working with groups such as the Scouts, National Trust and RNLI.
Sky News

Govt leaders to discuss accommodation of asylum seekers
Government leaders are expected to discuss the accommodation of asylum seekers at a meeting today. It follows a ruling by the High Court on the issue. Last month, the High Court ruled that the failure by Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman to provide accommodation for one asylum seeker was unlawful. The court is due to give a final determination of the case next Friday.
RTÉ

Iftas 2023: A good night for Banshees and Bad Sisters at film and TV awards
The Banshees of Inisherin had another good night at the 20th anniversary Irish Film and Television Academy Awards (Ifta), winning best film and with Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon taking the best supporting actor and actress prizes respectively.
The Irish Times

State yet to protect natural sites such as Killarney Park and Burren despite Europe court case
Ireland has yet to take action to protect at least 40 sensitive nature habitats, despite an imminent decision in the European Court of Justice case taken by the European Commission in which the Government has been accused of infringing environmental law. An analysis of a list of sites released to environmental campaigners shows that several dozen sites have still not been designated in legislation as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), which are places recognised as sensitive habitats that support flora and fauna. While a large amount of sites have been registered to date – some 250 in the past two years – high-profile sites yet to be added include Killarney National Park and parts of the Burren.
The Journal

Congregation leader ‘utterly appalled’ by anti-migrant activist’s video
The head of a religious order has condemned the actions of anti-migrant activists in Cork for describing six religious brothers returning from a conference as “African military-aged males” and for suggesting their landmark property “fit the bill for plantation” by asylum seekers. Brother Barry Noel, congregation leader of the Presentation Brothers, spoke out after a video, recorded on the grounds of the order’s Mount St Joseph’s headquarters in Cork City, was viewed more than 3,000 times on YouTube in recent days and led to a wave of racist and anti-migrant commentary online.
The Irish Examiner

Brownsville: Eight dead as car strikes people in Texas border town
Eight people have been killed in the US state of Texas after a car struck a group at a bus stop close to a shelter for the homeless and migrants. The incident happened in the city of Brownsville near the Mexican border at about 08:30 local time. At least five other people have been injured, some of them critically. The driver has been arrested and charged. Brownsville police say it is not clear whether the incident was intentional.
BBC News

Vietnam records highest ever temperature of 44.1C
Vietnam has reported a record-high temperature of 44.1C, as weather experts and authorities told the population to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Scientists have said global warming is aggravating adverse weather. Neighbouring countries registered record temperatures during a heatwave in Asia in April. Vietnam’s record was measured indoors at Hoi Xuan station in northern Thanh Hoa province on Saturday, the National Centre for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting said, breaking the 2019 record of 43.4C.
The Guardian

Today’s forecast 
Today will start out mostly cloudy and misty with patchy drizzle as rain near the east coast quickly clears. Sunny spells will develop as the day goes on with scattered showers, becoming more widespread and heavy during the afternoon. Some thundery downpours will occur, especially in the east, bringing a risk of spot flooding. Highest temperatures will range 14 to 20 degrees, coolest in the Atlantic coastal fringes. Light to moderate southwest breezes. Heavy or thundery showers will clear eastwards this evening, and showers will become isolated tonight. Clear spells will form with some mist patches. Towards morning, more heavy showers will develop near the west coast. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in a light southwesterly breeze. A Status Yellow Thunderstorm warning has also been issued for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wicklow, Tipperary, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry with heavy showers and thunderstorms likely to lead to some localised disruption.
Met Éireann