runway

A MAJOR UK airport has been shut down after facing difficulties with one of its runways.

Flights were cancelled and planes grounded overnight with passengers encouraged to check with their airlines to see if their journey has been affected.

Leeds Bradford Airport is expected to remain closed to both departures and arrivals until 5am on Saturday.

Jet setters were warned that the closure could continue on longer.

The first flight out of the closed airport, a Jet2 service to Heraklion in Crete, is expected to leave shortly before 5:25am.

Flights due to land at Leeds Bradford Airport were diverted and sent to other UK airports in the wake of the runway issue.

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The busy airport usually operates for 24 hours a day but has been closed now until the issue can be adressed.

Staff at the airport are reportedly working at speed to fix the problem as soon as they can.

The team at Leeds Bradford Airport said that customer safety is their number on priority.

Disappointed holidaymakers can make contact with staff on the ground at terminals to ask any questions about their flights.

A statement on the airport’s website, posted at 10pm, reads: “Due to an unforeseen issue with the runway, we have had to take the decision to close the airport until the morning.

“Customers are advised to check with their airline for the most up-to-date information regarding their flight.

“We are working to resolve the disruption as soon as possible, the safety and comfort of the passengers travelling through our terminal is our number one priority.

“Our team is on the ground in the terminal to answer any customer queries regarding departures.”

Leeds Bradford Airport was granted planning permission to operate round the clock in 1994.

Dozens of flights take off and land at the busy midlands airport on a day-by-day basis.

According to the airport’s website there is a designated night-time flight period.

This lasts from 11pm to 7am every evening with only the quietest jets permitted to operate between these hours.

Here’s the full list of best to worst UK airports according to Which?

1. Exeter
2. Liverpool (John Lennon)
3. London City
4. Bournemouth
5. Newcastle
6. Norwich
7. Inverness
8. Cardiff
9. Southampton
10. Belfast City
11. East Midlands
12. Glasgow International
13. London Heathrow T5
14. Edinburgh
15. Leeds Bradford
16. Aberdeen
17. Birmingham
18. Bristol
19. London Gatwick North
20. London Heathrow T2
21. Belfast International
22. London Gatwick South
23. London Heathrow T4
24. London Heathrow T3
25. London Stansted
26. Manchester Terminal 2
27. London Luton
28. Manchester T1
29. Manchester T3

THE UK’s busiest airport has moved one step closer to opening their third runway under the Government’s mega £29billion expansion plans.

The major new upgrade is set to be operational in the next 10 years.

The Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a process to fast-track the new third runway at Heathrow.

Heidi introduced the promised review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) in parliament today in order to accelerate their plans.

She explained that since 2018, new environmental and climate obligations mean an updated ANPS is necessary to permit a decision to be taken on expansion planning applications.

The new 3,500 metre runway will be in the northwest of the airport, and will eventually welcome up to 276,000 new flights a year.

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This takes the annual flights from 480,000 to 756,000, with as many as 30 new flight routes a day.

The government’s ambition is to see flights take off from a new runway by 2035.

The government will seek formal advice from the Climate Change Committee on any relevant amendments proposed to the ANPS to ensure consistency with their net zero commitments.

The announcement came after Heidi approved the expansion of both Gatwick and Luton airports near London this year. 

Heidi said: “When we say this government is one that backs the builders, not blockers we mean it.

“Today is a critical building block which will advance plans for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow, meaning people can start to experience the full benefits sooner.

“As our only hub airport, Heathrow is critical to the UK’s economy, connecting millions of people every year and exporting British businesses across the globe.

“Enabling Heathrow expansion will drive economic growth and create jobs across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.”

The government explained that expansion at Heathrow must be financed entirely by the private sector and bring no cost to taxpayers.

It must also meet rigorous and effective cost controls to deliver the significant infrastructure project as quickly as possible.

Financing will come from promoters who submit formal expansion schemes and will include covering any related costs to improvements to transport to and from the airport.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “After decades of false starts, we are backing the builders to get Heathrow’s third runway built.

“Creating thousands of jobs, boosting growth across the UK, and making Britain the world’s best connected place to do business.

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“This government is getting Britain building to kickstart growth and deliver an economy that works for, and rewards, working people.”

Given the importance of Heathrow to trade and the economy, the government will also assess whether expansion at the airport should be designated as critical national priority infrastructure, meaning that it must meet enhanced security and resilience requirements.

Airport officials were left facing a real ‘mystery’ after discovering a plane that had veered off the runway onto a patch of grass, and the pilot was nowhere to be seen

Airport officials were baffled to discover an abandonded plane “resting nose-down in the grass next to a runway” this week.

Bizarrely, the pilot was nowhere to be seen, and it became clear that the damaged plane, a small 1972 Cessna Skyhawk, had veered off the runway after having made a hard landing on Tuesday.

The empty Cessna N20392 was discovered at approximately 5am at Naples Municipal Airport in Florida, while the airport’s traffic control tower was closed from 10pm right up until 6am.

As staff were left to decipher the mystery, yet more questions emerged after security personnel reported spotting two people leaving the plane at the airport shortly after the plane landed right in the middle of the grassy field. They appeared to be unharmed.

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Airport communications director Robin King said, via FOX4: “We came in at about five o’clock this morning and realised we had an aircraft in the middle of the field. Our security released two people from the airfield overnight. They were fine. They walked away, and that’s really all we know.”

FlightAware data shows that the plane circled several times over Fort Myers and again in Naples before touching down at Naples Airport, in Florida, just after 2:40 am. An airport runway had to be shut down after the unexpected discovery was made; however, normal airport operations resumed after the disabled plane was removed from the field at approximately 6:30am.

In a separate interview with WINK News, King said: “It’s unusual. It’s really unusual, and it was a mystery.” The pilot has since been identified as 24-year-old Brianna Brown, who, as reported by Local 10, “returned around midday”, by which point the aircraft had been removed from the scene by a crew and placed in a hangar for inspection. Brown has since spoken with the Naples Police Department, as well as a member of the airport operations team.

Lt. Bryan McGinn, a spokesperson for the Naples Police Department, issued the following statement: “We have since learned that the pilot slid off the runway … the pilot stated they notified staff.”

According to King, it appears that Brown rented the plane, which she flew from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, in the Fort Lauderdale area. Police officers have since filed an incident report, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified by airport authorities. King said: “The FAA will be investigating. It’s totally out of our hands at this point, and so we’re going to find out why it happened.”

Brown, of Fort Lauderdale, wasn’t injured during the incident and is understood to be cooperating with the investigation. At the time of writing, it’s unclear whether or not Brown or the other person on board, who has not been identified, faces any charges.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at [email protected]

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A cargo plane arriving from Dubai ran off the runway and into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport. Two security workers on the ground were killed, and all four crew members were rescued.

Victoria’s Secret called game.

WNBA player Angel Reese and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee walked the 2025 edition of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday, becoming the first major athletes to hit the runway at the lingerie and loungewear brand’s signature event.

Reese, a forward for the Chicago Sky, was part of the high-profile “Wings Reveal” lineup, with the two-time All-Star debuting two looks at the event. The first was a pink floral lingerie set paired with a feathered stole, while the second featured the brand’s iconic angel wings. She is the first professional athlete to walk the show.

“It was destined for me,” Reese reportedly said in an interview before the show kicked off. “This is already for me. I’m so happy to be sitting in this room with so many amazing models and women. The team that put this all together has been amazing. I’m so excited.”

Angel Reese debuted two looks at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

(Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

The 2025 Victoria Secret’s Fashion Show may have marked her professional modeling debut, but Reese has long been a fashion icon. She’s known for her sharp arrival looks as much as her rebounding prowess among women’s basketball fans and she even served as a member of the 2025 Met Gala’s host committee. Reese capped off her standout college career, which included an NCAA championship title with Louisiana State University in 2023, by declaring for the WNBA draft in a 2024 Vogue interview and has since graced that magazine’s cover.

Two-time Olympian Lee, meanwhile, made her fashion show debut as part of the segment dedicated to VS’ Pink line, sporting short shorts and a pink hoodie adorned with miniature wings. She hit the runway while four members of the K-pop group Twice were performing live.

Suni Lee makes her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut.

(Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)

“Stepping into something like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show felt like a dream outside of my comfort zone … But that’s exactly why I said yes,” Lee told Marie Claire in an interview before the show where she described her runway look as “sporty meets glam in the best way.”

Lee, of course, was part of the “Golden Girls” squad alongside Simone Biles that brought home the team gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Among her six Olympic medals is also the all-around gold from the 2020 Games in Tokyo, which were held in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions. The Minnesota native also competed as part of Auburn University’s gymnastics team.

Ever wondered why there’s specific times during your air travel when you can’t use the toilet on-board? Now pilot Steve revealed the ‘dangerous’ reason behind it…

It can be frustrating to sit strapped to your seat on the plane then all of a sudden, nature calls. There are secret areas passengers aren’t allowed anywhere near, but the toilet, surely not?

But if you’re a regular air traveller, you kind of know the deal by now. The cabin crew talk you through the safety, then you’re asked to fasten your seatbelt. This might all be familiar to many, but occasionally what happens is, we need to use the loo. Now one pilot revealed the ‘dangerous’ reason this is not always allowed in a post which went viral on TikTok.

American Airlines captain Steve, who boasts 401,000 followers on the platform, has been doing a Q&A series with his many fans.

Recently one person asked: “Why can’t I pee while the plane is stationary on the ground?”

The pilot explained the reason and it’s mainly because if one person does it, everyone follows…

He said: “Well, LAX tie 23, because if you get up to go to the bathroom, then everybody else is going to get up and go to the bathroom.

“And we’re taxiing on an active runway or taxiway and one of the most dangerous times of flights is actually during taxiing, because if I have to hit the brakes and you’re standing up in the aisle, you’re going to fall.

“You’re going to hit your head on something. If you’re in the bathroom, good things are not going to happen in there.

“Have I had people get up and have to go use the bathroom? Yes, sometimes nature calls and you can’t hold it off anymore.”

He also explained how the pilot would usually have to stop until the traveller comes out of the bathroom and returns to their seat.

“It holds up the entire airport. It’s really a hassle when that happens,” he concluded.

Further on in the video, the pilot then began discussing safety briefings and making jokes with colleagues.

But since he shared the information on the toilet trouble, many people fled to the comments section as the post racked up nearly 2,900 likes.

One said: “Thank you for your wonderful, informative post!” Another added: “I’ll admit I’ve done that before… I was on a Southwest flight and we were holding before the runway and I had to pee…”

A third commented: “Take it from an FA. That’s so true.”

Rent the Runway(RENT 29.56%) reported Q2 2025 results on July 11, 2025, with revenue rose 2.5% year-over-year to $80.9 million and ending active subscribers up 13.4% year-over-year. A transformative recapitalization will reduce debt from over $340 million to approximately $120 million, as announced on Aug. 21, 2025, strong acceleration in inventory investment, and substantial gains in customer engagement metrics. Below, key insights unpack the earnings call’s implications for long-term investors.

Rent the Runway slashes debt in recapitalization

The balance sheet overhaul, announced Aug. 21, 2025, involves Aranda Principal Strategies, Story 3 Capital Partners, and Nexus Capital Management as stakeholders, combining debt conversion to equity, new capital injection, and extension of maturity to 2029. This move follows years of capital structure constraints that limited strategic flexibility post-COVID.

“Our long-time existing lender, Aranda Principal Strategies, or APS, is partnering with two highly respected private equity firms with deep experience in the consumer retail space: Story 3 Capital Partners and Nexus Capital Management on a plan that will reduce our total debt from over $340 million to approximately $120 million. APS will convert a substantial portion of its original debt into common equity ownership, and APS, Story 3, and Nexus will contribute new capital to further support the business and its growth initiatives. The maturity on the debt will also be extended to 2029, giving us years of additional runway.”
— Jennifer Y. Hyman, CEO

The recapitalization plan marks a significant step forward and positions the company for greater financial flexibility and a stronger balance sheet.

Active subscriber growth accelerates as inventory doubles

Ending active subscribers jumped to 146,373, up from negative growth (-4.9% year-over-year in Q4 2024), and coincided with a near doubling of inventory units and a 235%-323% year-over-year increase in monthly posted styles for May, June, and July. Related engagement metrics, including share of views (up 84% year-over-year) and Net Promoter Score (up 77% versus the prior year), reached three-year highs amid ongoing investments in assortment breadth and exclusives.

“Subscriber growth continued. We ended Q2 with 146,400 active subscribers, a 13.4% year-over-year increase, accelerating from negative 4.9% in Q4 2024 and 0.9% in Q1 2025. Q2 2025 year-over-year acquisition growth accelerated, as compared to Q1 2025 and Q4 2024. Retention continued to be higher than the prior year. These results show that we’re adding more subscribers in a significant way and subscribers are more likely to stay with the service for longer periods of time.”
— Jennifer Y. Hyman, CEO

Subscriber and engagement momentum highlight the leverage and resonance of the revamped inventory strategy, though Increased fulfillment and revenue share costs pressured margins.

Gross margin and free cash flow deteriorate as inventory investment surges

Gross margin fell to 30%, down from 41.1% a year earlier as revenue share and fulfillment costs rose, while free cash flow was negative $20.5 million, compared to negative $4.5 million a year ago, reflecting heavier upfront investment in rental products. Adjusted EBITDA margin dropped to 4.4%, down from 17.4% a year earlier.

” Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 ’25 was $3.6 million or 4.4% of revenue versus $13.7 million or 17.4% of revenue in Q2 2024. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA versus the prior year is primarily a result of higher revenue share expenses. Free cash flow for Q2 ’25 was negative $20.5 million versus negative $4.5 million in Q2 2024. Free cash flow decreased versus the prior year primarily due to lower adjusted EBITDA and higher purchases of rental products on account of our inventory strategy for fiscal year 2025.”
— Siddharth B. Thacker, CFO

Heavier investment in inventory and platform upgrades signals management’s commitment to long-term scale but underscores the importance of successfully converting subscriber growth to operating leverage and cash flow improvement.

Looking Ahead

Management expects revenue of $82 million to $84 million for the next quarter and continues to project double-digit growth in ending active subscribers for the full year. Full-year free cash flow guidance is revised lower to below negative $40 million due to recapitalization costs. No additional quantitative outlook or strategic milestones beyond 2025 were provided in the call.

LONDON Heathrow Airport has revealed their multi-billion masterplan for the extension of the airport including the controversial third runway.

The huge project is expected to cost nearly £50million, if given the go-ahead by the government.

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The major new upgrade will be the £21billion third runway, which is set to be operational in the next 10 years.

This is the same estimation of costs predicted in 2014 of £14billion, when adjusted for inflation.

The new 3,500 metre runway will be in the northwest of the airport, and will eventually welcome up to 276,000 new flights a year.

This takes the annual flights from 480,000 to 756,000, with as many as 30 new flight routes a day.

It could even welcome more budget airlines, such as easyJet who have expressed desires to launch from London Heathrow with the expansion.

easyJet boss Kenton Jarvis said: “I’ve always thought Heathrow would fit our network of primary airports with great catchment areas.

“It would be a unique opportunity to operate from Heathrow at scale and give us an opportunity to provide lower fares for UK consumers that currently at Heathrow just have the option of flag carriers.”

The airport suggests this could save as much as £79billion over three decades with the addition of low-cost airlines.

A new £15billion terminal complex will also be built, called T5XW and T5XN.

The creation of the new terminals will also see T1 and T3 demolished, and T2 expanded, at the cost of £15billion.

In total, the entire project is expected to cost as much as £49billion.

As many as 150million passengers could then be using the airport, up from 84million.

This would make it the busiest airports in the world, overtaking Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s 105million passengers.

The airport hopes to get planning permission by 2029, if ministers allow the proposal to go ahead.

Other parts of the renovation include a 50 per cent in cargo capacity, and and larger access for buses and trains.

One of the biggest concerns is the access around the M25, a notoriously busy motorway.

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The improvement plans also include the widening the M25 near the Heathrow junctions (at a cost of £1.5billion) which will see a new section in a tunnel under the runway to reduce congestion.

A similar road layout is already in place at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Earlier today, rival plans for a cheaper third runway were put forward.

Arora Group – a major Heathrow landowner – proposed a shorter third runway which would eliminate the need to reroute the M25.

Rather than being 3,500 metres in length, it would be just 2,800 metres.

The plans also include a new T6 terminal, with the full project estimated at £25million – half the cost of the official London Heathrow plans.

Mr Surinder Arora explained in regards to the ‘Heathrow West’ plan: “I am proud to unveil the Heathrow West proposal which meets the UK’s ambition to grow its only hub airport while delivering on time and on budget.”

He added that the Arora Group had a “track record of delivering on-time and on-budget projects including in and around Heathrow airport.”

However, London Heathrow refuted their suggestions in the their own proposal, saying “any other proposal would not have this extensive public scrutiny and policy backing, risking years of delay and judicial review which mean the Government’s timetable would be undeliverable.”

They also said that shorter runways “do not necessarily cost less” as the different location would require buying more residential properties with compensation costs not factored in.

Here’s another mega airport opening in Europe set to take on London Heathrow.

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RIVAL plans for the multi-billion pound expansion of London Heathrow Airport have been revealed – with a much shorter third runway.

Surinder Arora – behind the Arora Group who are a major landowner of Heathrow – submitted his own designs for the massive airport upgrade.

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Called ‘Heathrow West,’ the £25billion plans are being developed with infrastructure company Bechtel, who were also behind major projects such as the Elizabeth Line, Channel Tunnel and expansions of both London City and London Gatwick.

The biggest change to the addition of the third runway would be making it much smaller – being just 2,800 metres rather than 3,500.

Being smaller, it would mean the airport would not need to divert the M25 under the current plans, which will cost billions and result in traffic chaos.

The new runway could be operational as soon as 2035.

The rival plans also include a new terminal – dubbed T6 – which would open in a first phase by 2036, will a full opening by 2040.

Mr Arora – who also owns Heathrow hotels such as Sofitel, Crowne Plaza and Hilton Garden Inn – said: “I am proud to unveil the Heathrow West proposal which meets the UK’s ambition to grow its only hub airport while delivering on time and on budget.

“The Government’s decision to invite competition rather than hand exclusivity to the incumbent is common sense – and we’re ready to deliver.”

He added: “The Arora Group has a proven track record of delivering on-time and on-budget projects including in and around Heathrow airport.”

With estimated costs of £25billion, this is much cheaper than what is expected of London Heathrow’s plans.

The last estimate from Heathrow was in 2014, with a cost of £14million – although experts have said this could be closer to £47.5billion in today’s prices.

London Heathrow invited rival plans last month, with a deadline of July 31.

The airport is set to submit their own plans later today.

The addition of a third runway was backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this year.

However, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan raised concerns, to do with the local environment.

There are also fears of more expensive flights with the new runway, with the airport asking for the landing fees to be increased to cover the costs.

Currently set at £23.73, this will drop by 2p next year, with the fee passed on from airline to passenger.

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However, easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis backed the plans, and even suggested they could launch from their.

He previously said: “When it comes to Heathrow, I’ve always thought Heathrow would fit our network of primary airports with great catchment areas.

“It would be a unique opportunity to operate from Heathrow at scale – because obviously right now it’s slot-constrained – and give us an opportunity to provide lower fares for UK consumers that currently at Heathrow just have the option of flag carriers.

“It fits with our network, we’re present at all the other major European airports like Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Geneva.”

In the mean time, here are some other airports undergoing major expansions including London Stansted Airport, costing £1.1billion with a £600million new terminal.

Manchester Airport is undergoing a £1.3billion renovation.

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Netflix Inc. has begun using artificial intelligence video generation software from startup Runway AI, testing the waters with a technology that’s controversial in Hollywood.

Netflix is currently using the New York-based startup’s tools in content production, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named in order to discuss private conversations. Netflix declined to comment.

Walt Disney Co., meanwhile, has been testing out Runway’s technology and has talked with the startup about possible uses for its generative AI tools, the person said. A Disney spokesperson said the company has no plans to integrate Runway’s software into its content production pipeline at this time. Runway declined to comment.

The companies’ use of Runway’s AI video tools, which has not previously been reported, could raise concerns in the entertainment industry. Many film and TV professionals are anxious about AI’s impact on their livelihoods. Disney recently sued Midjourney Inc., another AI image and video startup, for copyright infringement. But AI also offers the promise of speeding up some video production tasks and saving money.

In a conference call Thursday, after Netflix released its second-quarter results, co-Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos said the company is using AI in content production. That includes creating special effects shots more quickly and cheaply than it previously had been able to with traditional visual effects tools and processes.

Sarandos said Netflix used the technology for the first time on screen to depict a building collapsing in a show called “El Eternaut” from Argentina. He did not disclose which AI software it used for that particular scene; a source familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named in order to discuss private information, said Runway’s software was not used to create the effect.

Runway is competing in an increasingly crowded corner of the fast-growing market for AI tools with established companies like OpenAI and Google, along with a slew of smaller, newer startups.

The startup has more traction than most AI startups in Hollywood, however. It kicked off a frenzy around AI video generators in early 2023 with the release of a model that could produce slightly choppy-looking three-second clips based on written prompts such as “drone footage of a desert landscape.” Its technology has since become far more capable and the company has inked a deal with Lionsgate to train an AI model on the studio’s content that can be used in its film projects.

Investors have poured $545 million into the company thus far, with a funding round of $308 million earlier this year valuing the company at more than $3 billion.

More recently, Runway has pushed deeper into the world of animation and special effects. Earlier this month, the company started rolling out a new AI model called Act-Two that is meant to make the motion-capture process — traditionally clunky, pricey and time consuming — simpler and cheaper. The model, which works with Runway’s flagship Gen-4 AI system, can map a video of a person’s body movements onto animated characters.

Other AI startups have also tried to make inroads in the entertainment industry. As Bloomberg News previously reported, OpenAI spent months talking to large studios, including Disney, about its AI video generator, Sora. While OpenAI has found a receptive audience among some filmmakers, it has yet to announce a large commercial partnership for the product.

Metz writes for Bloomberg.

An Air India flight skidded off the runway while landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in heavy rain.

Flight AI 2744 from Kochi suffered a “runway excursion” the airline said.

It veered off the runway and suffered damage to an engine.

All passengers and crew were able to deplane safely and no injuries were reported.

It was able to taxi to the gate.

The plane is now out of service pending repairs.

“Flight AI2744 experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion after touchdown. The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked,” an airline spokesperson said.

An airport spokesperson said the landing caused minor damage to the runway.

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Footage shows the heart-stopping moment where a plane full of passengers attempted to land in Madeira only to be shaken by violent winds

The terrifying moment a plane packed with passengers is violently shaken by strong winds as it attempts to land at Madeira Airport has been caught on camera.

The jaw-dropping footage shows the Marabu Airlines A320 shakily approaching the runway and swaying from side to side, before a turbulent landing that appears to cause the aircraft to bounce up and down the runway at Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport in Madeira. It’s not yet been confirmed whether there were any injuries to passengers as a result.

One social media user, commenting on the plane’s approach and landing, said today: “This is crazy. I already have a knot in my lower neck just from watching.”

Another, believed to have been a passenger on the plane, said: “Landing in Madeira had to be one of the worst moments in my life. That airport is as scary as hell. I felt the plane moving non-stop and the landing was so bad, God.”

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She continued: “I get it when people say it’s one of the most dangerous airports because IT’S TRUE,” which prompted a local to respond: “Imagine how us living in Madeira must feel when we have to travel. We pray every time so everything goes well.”

Yesterday, a reported 49 flights – 26 arrivals and 23 departures – were cancelled due to the severe weather conditions, causing major disruptions for a second consecutive day and causing chaos for British tourists trying to reach and leave the island. Frustrated holidaymakers took to social media in the early hours of this morning to vent their anger about being left stranded without food or accommodation.

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The first flight reported to have been cancelled yesterday was coming from London. A 1.45am flight scheduled to depart for London was also among those cancelled, with Ryanair and easyJet being among the airlines affected.

Local newspapers described it as a “nightmare day” for travellers. Some planes reportedly managed to fly over Madeira for a few minutes before being diverted to other airports including Porto Santo, Lisbon, Faro and even Tenerife.

On social media, some Brits claimed that they were left stranded at the airport and unable to return to the UK, claiming that they were not give food or accommodation, and left in the dark about when the next flights would be available.

Meanwhile one Portuguese passenger told local news that up to 500 people were reportedly forced to sleep at the airport, while another said that no mattresses had been provided for those who were stuck overnight. They added: “No-one helped us or informed us of anything and there was no food available.”

Were you affected by the chaos at Madeira? Email us at [email protected]

June 20 (UPI) — A turtle on the runway caused a small private plane crash that killed two and seriously injured another person at Sugar Valley Airport in North Carolina, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

An NTSB statement said the crash occurred June 3 near Farmington, N,C.. As the plane was landing, the pilot was advised there was a turtle on the runway.

“The pilot landed about 1,400 feet down the 2,424-foot runway and then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle,” the NTSB statement said.

The communications system operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the plane’s right wheel. The operator then lost sight of the plane, according to the report.

The NTSB said a man cutting grass at the end of the runway saw the pilot raise the right wheel to avoid the turtle. The man said the wings of the plane began to rock back and forth.

“Then the airplane took off again, but he lost site of the airplane when it passed behind a hangar,” the NTSB said. “The airplane disappeared just over the trees on the northeast side of the runway and then he heard a loud crash and saw smoke.”

According to investigators, the airplane crashed in a heavily forested area roughly 225 feet northeast of the departure end of the runway.

“The airplane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric that were found in an adjacent stream next to the accident site,” the NTSB statement said.

“The fabric on the fuselage, cowling and wings was completely burned off and the airplane frame was visible.”

SALT LAKE CITY — The 39-year-old man shot and killed at a weekend “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City was a successful fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands.

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was killed when a man who was believed to be part of a peacekeeping team for the protest shot at a person brandishing a rifle at demonstrators, accidentally striking Ah Loo. Ah Loo later died at a hospital, authorities said.

Detectives don’t yet know why the alleged rifleman pulled out a weapon or ran from the peacekeepers, but they charged him with murder and accused him of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo’s death, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said at a Sunday news conference.

The “self-taught” fashion designer from Samoa, known to many as Afa, was deeply connected to his culture and community, according to the website Creative Pacific, a nonprofit organization he co-founded to support artists from the Pacific Islands. Ah Loo’s designs, which often featured colorful geometric patterns, were inspired by his Samoan heritage.

Ah Loo leaves behind his wife and two young children, according to a GoFundMe for his family that raised over $100,000 in 48 hours.

He was a founder of Utah Pacific Fashion, an organization that celebrates artistic heritage from Oceania. Recently, he designed a garment for the star of the Disney Channel animated movie “Moana 2,” Hawaiian actor Auliʻi Cravalho.

Cravalho wore the outfit to the film’s red carpet premiere in Hawaii in November. She said in an interview with Vogue at the time that the design combined traditional and modern aesthetics from her culture. Ah Loo strung individual white dovetail shells into a cape-like shape reminiscent of Hawaiian ʻahu ʻula — a feather cloak worn by ancient Hawaiian royalty, according to Vogue.

“This was the first time I was so active in helping to design a custom look, and Afa surpassed what I had envisioned,” Cravalho told the magazine at the time.

Finland’s Helsinki Airport has heated up the world’s first runway sauna in order to help incomers relax and unwind as soon as they arrive in the famously happy country

The world’s first runway sauna has opened.

It is perhaps unsurprising that the world’s sauna capital, which is home to three million saunas or one for every two people, is the first to set one up on the tarmac. Finland’s Helsinki Airport has heated up the runway sauna in order to help incomers relax and unwind as soon as they arrive.

“Most airports have transit zones – some even have saunas. But only Helsinki Airport can offer a transit to Finnish happiness. It is the touchpoint to tune into the rhythm, values and mindset of Finland. Your story can go anywhere from here. To showcase this short transition, we built the world’s first runway sauna at Helsinki Airport,” says Anna Tuomi, Finavia’s head of marketing.

Helsinki Airport has been selected as the best airport in Europe seven times within the past eight years. According to Finavia, “it is a melting pot of diversity and a gateway to Finnish design and local values of trust and equity. The sauna culture welcomes everyone.”

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The word ‘sauna’ is the only Finnish word which has entered into mainstream usage around the world without being translated into other languages. It only takes approximately three hours from London and two hours from Berlin to land in Helsinki to experience the local sauna culture.

There are also three saunas right at the Helsinki Airport terminal — and more waiting in nearby hotels and around the airport area. From the airport, it’s only a short trip to explore the wide variety of saunas located across the Helsinki metropolitan area.

“Finland is known as the world’s happiest country and the timeless tradition of sauna is at the heart of Finnish culture. At Finavia, we’ve brought these elements together to celebrate Finnish happiness,” Tuomi added.

Aviation and saunas are two things that have been brought together before.

Ari and Jari Lehtinen, 57-year-old twins known for their unconventional sauna designs, have successfully launched their latest creation, which combines Finland’s love for saunas with getting up in the air.

The innovative flying sauna, weighing just 170 kg, ascended to an altitude of 2,300 metres during its inaugural flight, allowing its occupants to experience temperatures of 80 degrees Celsius while floating above the Finnish landscape. The flight lasted approximately one hour, with two sauna enthusiasts and two crew members on board.

Ari explained the motivation behind the project. “It’s always about attempting something that others don’t do. And sauna is always fun. People are usually in high spirits when saunas are involved. This is an incredibly good counterbalance for work,” he said.

This airborne sauna is the latest in a series of unique projects by the Lehtinen brothers. Previously, they created an underwater sauna, a hemp-constructed sauna, and a cowhide-covered mobile sauna. Their previous endeavours have taken them to extreme locations, including a sauna session atop Halti fell, Finland’s highest point, during a snowstorm.

AMC Networks, known for series such as “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead,” is partnering with AI startup Runway to use AI tools for marketing and developing its TV shows.

Runway’s AI technology will help AMC Networks ease access to standout scenes and generate pictures for promotional use.

The tech will also be used to speed up “pre-visualization” during development, which is when studios use images to come up with the look of a show before filming takes place.

Runway also said AMC Networks is exploring AI to be used for honing special effects ideas.

“As we explore the transformative potential of AI across our business, we see powerful opportunities to enhance both how we market and how we create,” said Stephanie Mitchko, the executive vice president of global media operations and technology at AMC Networks, in a statement.

“Our objective is always to use every tool at our disposal to help our creative partners fully realize the stories they want to tell,” Mitchko said.

Entertainment companies have been exploring how to use AI in their processes, which supporters say can help reduce costs and allow creatives to test bold ideas without as many financial constraints.

Last year, Runway announced a partnership with Lionsgate, in which Runway will create a new AI model for the studio to help with behind-the-scenes processes such as storyboarding. The company’s technology has also been used in series like “House of David” on Amazon Prime Video, according to Variety.

“We’re building the foundations for a new era of media — the way content gets made and green-lit is changing rapidly, and that’s impacting everything from production timelines and methodologies to distribution models and marketing tactics,” said Cristóbal Valenzuela, co-founder and CEO of Runway in a statement.

AI remains a controversial topic in Hollywood. Some creatives and unionized workers have expressed concerns about how AI could reduce jobs. Writers have complained that AI models are being trained on their scripts without their permission or adequate compensation.

Tech industry executives have said that they should be able to train AI models with content available online under the “fair use” doctrine, which allows for the limited reproduction of material without permission from the copyright holder.

AI filmmaking technology is advancing rapidly, such as with Google’s unveiling new features in its Veo 3 text-to-video tool and its Flow editing software. But experts say that artificial intelligence companies need to license content from professional studios in order to take the tools to the next level.

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