Passengers and crew on a Ryanair flight forced to land in Minsk on Sunday were frightened, and were held under armed guard, Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said on Monday.
Belarus scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday, then detained a dissident journalist who was on board, drawing condemnation from Europe and the United States.
"I think it was very frightening for the crew, for the passengers who were held under armed guard, had their bags searched, when it was clear it appears that the intent ... was to remove a journalist and his travelling companion," O'Leary told Irish Newstalk radio.
"We believe there was also some KGB agents offloaded off the aircraft as well."
O’Leary described the diversion as "state-sponsored hijacking".
He said his airline would take guidance from European authorities on flying in Belarusian airspace, but that Ryanair had few flights crossing Belarus, and it would be a "very minor adjustment" to fly over Poland instead.
A worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in Gaza and immediate action is needed to end fighting and allow unimpeded aid access, a global hunger monitor warned on Tuesday, saying failure to act now would result in widespread death.
A gunman opened fire on Monday inside a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper housing NFL headquarters and offices of several financial firms, including Blackstone, killing four people before fatally shooting himself, New York City officials said.
Indian forces have killed three "terrorists" involved in the April attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 men were killed and led to a military conflict with Pakistan, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Al Budaiwi, has reaffirmed the regional body’s support for the creation of an international coalition to implement efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution.
Military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia held talks on Tuesday, as calm return to their disputed border and displaced residents began trickling back, following the Southeast Asian neighbours announcing a truce to end five days of fighting.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday many people were starving in Gaza and suggested Israel could do more on humanitarian access, as Palestinians struggled to feed their children a day after Israel declared steps to improve supplies.
Extreme weather killed at least 30 people in Beijing after a year's worth of rain fell in a matter of days, stretching the Chinese capital's disaster management capabilities and prompting some experts to call the city a rain trap.
Two Israeli human rights organisations said on Monday Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, the first major voices in Israeli society to level the strongest possible accusation against the state, which vehemently denies it.
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Make sure to tune in every weekdays to Tag Gising Na from 5AM - 10 AM for a comprehensive roundup of important updates.
Welcome to Pinoy Bulletin, your go-to source for staying informed about important announcements, exciting group activities, community events, and job opportunities!
Make sure to tune in every weekdays to Tag Gising Na from 5AM - 10 AM for a comprehensive roundup of important updates.
Gaza death toll hits 60,000 as global monitor demands action to avert famine
Gunman kills four in Manhattan skyscraper, then takes own life
India says forces killed 3 'terrorists' behind Kashmir attack
GCC welcomes efforts for two-state solution amid Saudi-French conference
Thailand-Cambodia border calm as military commanders hold talks
Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres
Extreme weather turns Beijing into rain trap, kills at least 30
Two Israeli rights groups accuse Israel of genocide
