Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has described the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Belarus yesterday as "state-sponsored aviation piracy".

The Ombudsman for Children's Office has found what it has described as "deplorable" living conditions for children at a local authority-run halting site.

Unemployment could end up exceeding 390,000 when the pandemic ends - a higher rate than at the peak of the last recession, according to the Social Justice Ireland research body.

The Irish Airline Pilots' Association has urged the Government to urgently deploy rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 as part of the union's four-point plan to reopen international aviation.

The Health Service Executive has warned it expects the criminals behind the cyber attack on its IT systems will begin releasing data on the dark web from today.

An ultra-runner from Co Meath is recovering after breaking several distance records during his latest fundraising event.

India has passed more than 300,000 coronavirus deaths, the third country after the United States and Brazil to hit the figure as it battles a huge wave of infections.

A set of "irreplaceable" gold rosary beads carried by Mary Queen of Scots to her execution in 1587 are among historic treasures worth more than £1 million stolen in a raid at Arundel Castle.

Indoor hospitality in pubs, cafés and restaurants in Northern Ireland resumes today, in the latest phase of lifting Covid-19 restrictions there.

Detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said her ousted party would "exist as long as the people exist" during her first in-person court appearance since a February coup, her lawyer said.

Phil Mickelson said he would "cherish forever" his extraordinary victory in the US PGA Championship after becoming the oldest major champion in history.

Publicans have called for indoor trading to resume no later than Thursday July 1.

Domino's Pizza is set to create 350 jobs across the country, including new management positions, team members and delivery drivers.

Spectators could return to GAA, football and rugby matches by the end of June under trial events being prepared by the Government.

At least 14 people died and a child was seriously injured today when a cable car linking Italy's Lake Maggiore with a nearby mountain plunged to the ground, officials and rescuers said.

A new study from Public Health England has found the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine is 88% effective against the Indian variant of the virus after two doses, with the AstraZeneca jab 60% effective after both doses.

The Department of Health has been notified of 438 new cases of Covid-19. The number of people being treated in intensive care with the virus is 43, up one from yesterday.

Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan has said that the mandatory hotel quarantine system will be refined to target Covid-19 variants of real concern.

Twenty-one people have died after hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners taking part in a 100km cross-country mountain race in China, according to state media reports, sparking public outrage over the lack of contingency planning.

The UN Security Council has called for "full adherence to the ceasefire" in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza, in its first statement since violence erupted on 10 May.