Latest news with #Griffiths
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Woman Captures Moment 'Exceptionally Rare' Phenomenon Shoots Through Sky
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video capturing a rare natural event—the simultaneous appearance of a double rainbow and a lightning strike—has gone viral on TikTok. The video was posted by allivia (@allivia) and has drawn 2.2 million views since it was shared on July 24. The video begins with a vivid double rainbow stretching across a pink sky. Moments later, the sky darkens into a purplish blue before being split by a sharp bolt of lightning. Text overlaid on the clip simply says: "My husband's reaction," followed by a voice in the clip exclaiming: "Oh my gosh, I got that on was awesome." "Seeing a double rainbow and lightning at the same time is an exceptionally rare meteorological phenomenon, so to capture it on film is very lucky indeed," John Griffiths, chief meteorologist at KISTERS, told Newsweek. @_allivia_ Double rainbow and lightning together 😳 we pulled our oldest daughter out of bed to see the rainbow and she was so excited to see not only one, but two!! ♬ original sound - allivia 🍒🦋🪩 Griffiths explained that the rarity stems from the distinct atmospheric conditions required to create each effect. "The reason this is such a rare thing to see, and film, is simply because the conditions required for rainbows and lightning are very different," the meteorologist said. "Rainbows, and especially double rainbows, are formed when sunlight shines through rain droplets at a low angle, meaning we typically see them during the early morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon," Griffiths noted. "Lightning is associated with convective storms and towering cumulonimbus clouds, which both have a tendency to obscure the sun." For both to occur simultaneously, "you need a very rare alignment of storm activity on one side of the sky and clear enough skies on the opposite side to allow sunlight through," the meteorologist said, noting that "even then, this is surely fleeting, so to capture it on video is very special." A rainbow forms only when atmospheric conditions, sunlight, and the observer's position align perfectly, according to SciJinks, a website run by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It explains that light bends, slows down, and reflects inside water droplets, separating into its various colors and forming a rainbow. A secondary, fainter rainbow—as seen in allivia's video—is created by a second internal reflection inside the water droplet. This reflection exits the droplet at a wider angle, causing the secondary rainbow to appear above the primary one with reversed colors—red on the bottom and violet on the top, according to the NOAA. As for the lightning, the NOAA explains that it is a massive discharge of electricity that can occur within clouds or between the cloud and the ground. Though the exact formation mechanism is still debated, scientists generally agree that small hail particles called graupel, colliding with ice crystals in a cloud, help build up the necessary electrical charges. 'Astronomical' In a caption shared with the viral video, the poster said: "Double rainbow and lightning together. we pulled our oldest daughter out of bed to see the rainbow and she was so excited to see not only one, but two!!" Viewers on TikTok were amazed by the rare sighting in the viral clip. Nicole said: "The odds of catching this must be astronomical," and the original poster replied: "Kinda feels like it!!" Elise DeLucia noted: "A double rainbow and lightening strike is wild!!!!" and @bettybooze211 said: "Wow! Yup that really was awesome!" Nicole Bronson said: "he was so afraid to get to excited like his video might disappear." Nate dogg said: "This is literally how simple we are to please, because this legitimately was awesome!!" Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified. A stock image of a woman looking out the window during a thunderstorm. A stock image of a woman looking out the window during a thunderstorm. Getty Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors women feel NRLW travel pinch under semi-professional rules
Warriors regroup after conceding a try to Newcastle Knights. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport NZ Warriors coach Ron Griffiths has called on the NRLW and Rugby League Players Association to reconsider rules that place unrealistic travel demands on the team for away fixtures. The Auckland-based side will cross the Tasman for their 'Magic Round' encounter with North Queensland Cowboys at Newcastle on Sunday - the second time they have travelled to the New South Wales coastal town this season. Two weeks ago, they fell 36-20 to the hometown Knights, whom Griffiths guided to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, before switching allegiances to the Warriors, as they returned to the NRLW after a five-year hiatus. He believes his new team were not only outclassed by one of the competition's top teams, they also fell victim to a travel schedule forced upon them by welfare guidelines. To maintain the integrity of their semi-professional programmes, NRLW clubs can only call on their players for training, media/sponsorship commitments or travel outside the hours of 8am-4pm during the week, so they can also balance education or careers with rugby league. "You can't travel inside the protected hours for the players," Griffiths said. "You can't travel on the Friday, because they don't get paid for the day off work." For their season-opener against Sydney Roosters, the wahine flew across the ditch late on Friday night for an 11.50am Saturday kickoff in Sydney. Last time they travelled to Newcastle, they gathered in Auckland on Saturday and conducted their 'captain's run' at home, before flying to Sydney, then bussing almost three hours to their destination. By the time they arrived, it was late evening, but their bodies were still on NZ time two hours ahead. Griffiths reported players receiving massage at midnight local time. "I was in the last group getting a massage in Newcastle," lock Laishon Albert-Jones confirmed. "It was late - if it's midnight there, then it's 2am at home, so we were essentially going to bed at 2am. "I actually did fall asleep on the table, 100 percent. At one point, I thought I just might be sleeping there. "I get that we had a late game, but your body clock still wakes you up at 6am, when you have to go to work, so it doesn't feel like you're rested properly." The Warriors women played after the men on that occasion, kicking off at 6.15pm Sunday local time, so rules were probably bent getting them home the next day and the same will apply this time, despite an earlier 11.50am game. "This time, we've done it differently," Griffiths said. "We're going to leave early Saturday morning and we're in Newcastle by lunchtime, which gives us the whole afternoon to reset. Laishon Albert-Jones fell asleep on the massage table at Newcastle. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "We'll frame our captain's run as it needs to be, particularly after a double travel - it only needs to be small anyway." When he said "early", the flight leaves Auckland at 7am, so Albert-Jones has her alarm set for 3am. "After the game, we're in Newcastle for that night, we'll drive to Sydney the next morning and travel on the Monday," Griffiths said, "Really - for us, internationally - you lose two days." Surely, that's cutting into protected time under the rules? "Great question," he winked. "Something we need to ask about." That kind of itinerary seemingly detracts from the players' onfield performance and threatens the very wellbeing those rules were designed to safeguard. "I don't want to give any excuses, because there should be no excuse why we couldn't put in a decent performance, but it does take a toll," Albert-Jones said. "At some point, you can't just keep going - you get burnt out and it is hard. "As a team, if you think about it, it's a lot to do in the space of 36 hours - I don't even think it's a full 40 hours that we were in Newcastle. "This week is better. We get to Newy a little bit earlier, but it would have been ideal if we got there on Friday night. "We have a real busy day on Saturday, but it does mean we get to bed at a decent time and we do have the early game." Meeting North Queensland on neutral ground at least spares the Warriors the dreaded round trip to Townsville, even more of an ordeal than the Newcastle jaunt. Griffiths pointed out the Warriors weren't the only team figuring out the logistics of trans-Tasman travel. "It's a year of firsts for us, understanding what that looks like, but it's also a year of firsts for other teams, who are feeling the same thing coming over here," he said. "The only difference is we're doing it every second week - we do it this weekend and then we go again next week [against Canterbury Bulldogs], so two weeks in a row. "There's been some key learnings for us as staff to make sure we get that right, but at the end of the day, if we're talking from a player perspective and best performance, we should be travelling Friday, captain's run on Saturday and play Sunday. "The collective certainly need to get together and talk through what that looks like, and now that we're back in the competition, there are enough questions being asked that I'm sure that will happen." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dubai International Airport breaks records with 46 million passengers in H1 2025: India holds top market
India led DXB's traffic in H1 2025 with 5.9 million passengers, including key city destinations like Mumbai and New Delhi/ Image: X In a year marked by geopolitical headwinds and shifting global airspace dynamics, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has not only weathered the turbulence—it has soared. The world's busiest international airport recorded its most active first half ever, welcoming 46 million passengers in the first six months of 2025. The surge in passenger numbers reflects not just recovery but record-breaking performance, achieved despite regional airspace disruptions and global travel fluctuations. Historic Growth Amid Regional Disruptions Dubai International (DXB) saw a 2.3 percent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic for the first half (H1) of 2025, cementing its position as a global aviation hub. Despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June, the airport registered its busiest first half on record, showcasing not just volume but operational tenacity. In Q2 alone, DXB processed 22.5 million guests, up 3.1 percent from the same quarter last year. The highlight was April 2025, which became the busiest April in the airport's history, with 8 million passengers. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, underscored the achievement, stating: 'DXB's continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community. The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity.' Griffiths projected increased momentum in the second half, driven by a late-summer travel surge and a packed winter season featuring major global events in entertainment, sports, and business. He also spotlighted the upcoming Dubai Airshow 2025, calling it a 'standout moment' expected to surpass previous records and showcase the bold vision shaping the future of aviation and aerospace. Looking ahead, Griffiths expressed confidence in DXB's trajectory, stating: 'Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone.' Traffic, Efficiency, and Operations by the Numbers Average Monthly Traffic: ~7.7 million passengers Daily Volume: ~254,000 travelers Busiest Month: January 2025 with 8.5 million passengers (new monthly record) In the first six months, DXB operated 222,000 total flights. The average load factor reached 76 percent, highlighting efficient capacity utilization across airlines and routes. Baggage & Ground Handling Excellence Total Bags Processed (H1): 41.8 million Bags Delivered within 45 Minutes: 91 percent Mishandled Baggage Rate: 2 bags per 1,000 guests, outperforming the 2024 global industry average of 6.3 reported by SITA, the air transport IT provider. The airport is on track to surpass its 2024 record of 81.2 million bags, with over 85 million bags expected to be processed by the end of 2025. The busiest baggage days were January 3–5, when daily volumes reached 300,000 bags. Passenger Touchpoint Efficiency Guest experience at DXB remains a hallmark of its service quality. Key processing metrics were: 99.2 percent of travelers cleared departure passport control in under 10 minutes 98.4 percent cleared arrival immigration in under 15 minutes 98.7 percent passed through security in under 5 minutes Top Markets and Destinations Driving DXB's Growth DXB's impressive H1 performance was driven by strong demand from key international markets: Top Country Markets (H1 2025): India – 5.9 million passengers Saudi Arabia – 3.6 million United Kingdom – 3.0 million United States – 1.6 million Busiest City Destinations: London – 1.8 million passengers Riyadh – 1.5 million Mumbai – 1.2 million Jeddah and New Delhi – 1.1 million each Istanbul – 982,000 Cargo Performance Cargo throughput at DXB totaled just over 1 million tonnes for the first half, registering a marginal increase of 0.1 percent compared to the previous year. Despite global trade volatility, DXB remains a critical logistics node for regional and international commerce. Connectivity and Outlook As of July 2025, Dubai International connects travelers to 269 destinations in over 107 countries, served by a robust network of more than 92 international carriers. This connectivity underpins Dubai's role as a magnet for tourism, commerce, investment, and long-term growth. With the second half of the year already underway, DXB is bracing for a late-summer travel surge coinciding with school reopenings, followed by a high-traffic winter calendar. A centerpiece of this seasonal upswing will be the Dubai Airshow 2025, taking place from November 17 to 21 at Dubai World Central (DWC). Now in its 19th edition, the five-day event attracts over 1,600 exhibitors from 100+ countries and showcases the latest in aircraft, aviation technology, and defense products. Focused on innovation, sustainability, and networking. As Dubai International Airport gears up to handle heightened traffic during this period, the Dubai Airshow 2025 will symbolize the city's ambition and its pivotal role in connecting global aviation markets.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
DXB marks busiest H1 with 46 million guests
Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 46 million guests in the first six months of 2025, marking its busiest first half on record. The 2.3 percent year-on-year growth underscores DXB's resilience, the continued strength of Dubai's aviation sector and the airport's ability to maintain high performance despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June. This achievement reinforces DXB's vital role in connecting Dubai to the world and supporting the city's broader economic progress. In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million guests, an increase of 3.1 percent over the same period last year. April emerged as the busiest month of the quarter and the most active April on record, with 8 million guests passing through the terminals. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, "DXB's continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community. The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity." He added that as the second half of the year begins, travel activity is projected to gain momentum, starting with a surge during the late-summer peak and continuing into a winter season marked by major global events in entertainment, sports, and business. A standout moment will be the Dubai Airshow 2025, which is set to surpass previous records and showcase the bold vision shaping the future of aviation and aerospace. "Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone,' Griffiths noted. Average monthly traffic in H1 stood at approximately 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000. January was the busiest month of the period and also set a new monthly record, with 8.5 million guests. DXB handled 222,000 total flights during the first half of the year, while the load factor reached 76 percent. A total of 41.8 million bags were processed, with 91 percent delivered within 45 minutes on arrival. The mishandled baggage rate remained low at just 2 bags per 1,000 guests, significantly outperforming the 2024 industry average of 6.3 reported by SITA, the IT provider for the air transport industry. The airport is on track to process over 85 million bags by year-end, surpassing its previous record of 81.2 million set in 2024. The busiest baggage days were between January 3-5, with daily volumes reaching 300,000 bags. Efficiency at key guest touchpoints also remained consistently high. In the first half, 99.2 percent of guests cleared departure passport control in under 10 minutes, 98.4 percent cleared arrivals in under 15 minutes, and 98.7 percent passed through security checks in under 5 minutes. India remained DXB's largest country market in H1 with 5.9 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million, the United Kingdom with 3.0 million, Pakistan with 2.1 million, and the United States with 1.6 million guests. London was the busiest city destination with 1.8 million guests, followed by Riyadh with 1.5 million, Mumbai with 1.2 million, Jeddah and New Delhi with 1.1 million each, and Istanbul with 982,000 guests. DXB handled just over 1 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2025, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.1 percent compared to the previous year. The airport remains a key contributor to global trade and logistics. Currently, DXB is connected to more than 269 destinations in over 107 countries, served by a network of over 92 international carriers. This breadth of connectivity continues to underpin Dubai's appeal as a hub for tourism, commerce, investment, and long-term growth. With the second half underway, Dubai is preparing for a surge in global travel and events, with DXB playing a central role. From the late-summer travel rush related to the reopening of schools, to a packed winter calendar, activity is set to intensify. The upcoming Dubai Airshow 2025 is expected to be a landmark event, reflecting not only the scale of aviation in the region but also the vision shaping its future. WAM
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Dubai International marks busiest half-year on record
Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 46 million guests in the first six months of 2025, marking its busiest first half on record with a 2.3 per cent year-on-year growth. This achievement comes despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June. In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million guests, an increase of 3.1 per centover the same period last year. April emerged as the busiest month of the quarter and the most active April on record, with 8 million guests passing through the terminals. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: 'DXB's continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community. The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity. "As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate, beginning with the late-summer peak and leading into a winter season filled with high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business. A standout moment will be the Dubai Airshow 2025, which is set to surpass previous records and showcase the bold vision shaping the future of aviation and aerospace. Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone,' Griffiths said. Average monthly traffic in H1 stood at approximately 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000. January was the busiest month of the period and also set a new monthly record, with 8.5 million guests. DXB handled 222,000 total flights during the first half of the year, while the load factor reached 76 per cent. A total of 41.8 million bags were processed, with 91 per cent delivered within 45 minutes on arrival. The mishandled baggage rate remained low at just 2 bags per 1,000 guests, significantly outperforming the 2024 industry average of 6.3 reported by SITA. The airport is on track to process over 85 million bags by year-end, surpassing its previous record of 81.2 million set in 2024. The busiest baggage days were between January 3-5, with daily volumes reaching 300,000 bags. Efficiency at key guest touchpoints also remained consistently high. In the first half, 99.2 per cent of guests cleared departure passport control in under 10 minutes, 98.4 per cent cleared arrivals in under 15 minutes, and 98.7 per cent passed through security checks in under 5 minutes. India remained DXB's largest country market in H1 with 5.9 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million, the United Kingdom with 3.0 million, Pakistan with 2.1 million, and the United States with 1.6 million guests. London was the busiest city destination with 1.8 million guests, followed by Riyadh with 1.5 million, Mumbai with 1.2 million, Jeddah and New Delhi with 1.1 million each, and Istanbul with 982,000 guests. DXB handled just over 1 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2025, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent compared to the previous year. The airport remains a key contributor to global trade and logistics. Currently, DXB is connected to more than 269 destinations in over 107 countries, served by a network of over 92 international carriers. This breadth of connectivity continues to underpin Dubai's appeal as a hub for tourism, commerce, investment, and long-term growth.
