Ella Bicknell
Appearances
Global News Podcast
US and Ukraine strike mineral deal
Norja 2, the Chinese language fantasy, breaks animation box office records.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Also in this podcast... The Constitutional Bridge. One of only four bridges spanning the Grand Canal. 25,000 people cross it every day.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Getting off the train at Venice's Santa Lucia station, one of the first things you'll encounter is the Ponte della Costituzione, or the Constitutional Bridge. As one of only four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, 25,000 people cross it every day. With its glass and marble design, it was intended to blend modernity with Venice's historical architecture.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
However, locals struggled to embrace it from the very beginning. The bridge opened in 2008, five years behind schedule, and ended up doubling its budget, an eye-watering $12 million. Beyond its high cost, the bridge became notorious for its slippery glass steps. particularly in wet and icy conditions.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
More than 100 people have sued the city for the injuries it's caused, from cuts and scrapes to broken bones. For the city councils, the cost kept on climbing. After criticism over poor disability access, they spent $2 million installing a wheelchair lift. But the project was later abandoned when it overheated in hot weather and regularly broke down, often leaving tourists trapped inside.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
In 2019, the city took legal action against the bridge's main architect, Santiago Calatrava, fining him $80,000 for gross negligence. Other projects by the Spanish designer have also been criticised for prioritising aesthetic design over functionality and durability. That includes the Opera House and Aquarium in his home city of Valencia.
Global News Podcast
US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach
Back in Venice, the city council planned to end their controversy once and for all, replacing 284 glass steps with a stone alternative. Unfortunately for those braving Venice's icy winter temperatures, wear good footwear and use the handrail, as the renovations won't be ready until later this spring.
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
Ella Bicknell has been following the story. So the scheme was not public knowledge, Jeanette. It was revealed from a Freedom of Information request. And that's a right that allows anyone to ask a question of a UK public authority. And it revealed that the tool was formerly known as the Homicide Prediction Project.
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
It's an 18th month project collecting data on convicted criminals from the UK Police National Computer, as well as the UK Probation Services and Manchester Police, which is one of the UK's Untertitelung des ZDF, 2020 Looking at obvious things such as the nature of previous convictions, to the date of which they happened, to more esoteric things like has this person ever been a witness?
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
Have they ever received a fine? What age were they when they first interacted with the police? So a real spread of data. And this raises all kinds of ethical concerns. Yes, so State Watch, who led this investigation, their aims as a civil liberties group, they say, is to expose and challenge new ways of surveillance and the ways it could lead to coercion and control.
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
And they say that this project poses such a risk, infringing on people's privacy, especially if it reveals information about victims or witnesses in these criminal cases and sensitive information. such as mental health, domestic abuse and even suicide. And another ethical concern they have raised is discrimination.
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
They say that this tool will be inaccurate and perpetuate historic biases seen in the police, but also biases found in the current stage of artificial intelligence, particularly racial biases and biases against those of poorer backgrounds. What has the government said in response to all this?
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
We asked the UK government for a right to reply and they answered saying that their motive for this project is for the interest of public safety and to prevent serious violent crime. They say this project is for research purposes only and the data is from convicted offenders from 2015.
Global News Podcast
Higher US tariffs on hold but China trade war grows
They also say that the data is securely stored and encrypted and will be deleted six months after the project concludes. And any reports on the findings will be released in due course to the public.
Global News Podcast
Von der Leyen: 'Europe is at a watershed'
Born in 1940 in Los Angeles, Roy Ayres was raised in a musical household and at five years old found himself drawn to the vibraphone. He soon picked up the piano while studying music theory at school. He joined the church choir and in stark contrast spent his nights playing jazz in the Los Angeles nightclubs.
Global News Podcast
Von der Leyen: 'Europe is at a watershed'
Originally a hard-bop musician, Ayers eased into jazz fusion in the early 1970s with his album Ubiquity, forming a group of the same name. 40 albums across his career, it was his 1976 hit Everybody Loves the Sunshine, which changed everything.
Global News Podcast
Von der Leyen: 'Europe is at a watershed'
Its easy listening, comforting vibes have stood the test of time, becoming a staple of his live set for decades. It's also been sampled over a hundred times from the likes of Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. As Ayers once put it, except Dracula, everybody loves the sunshine.
Global News Podcast
Ukraine: 'Moscow bombs boarding school'
If you want to be cycling world champion, it's all about making marginal gains. From tyre quality to helmet aerodynamics, athletes are constantly trying to make those minute 1% improvements that could be the difference between the back of the peloton and the podium.
Global News Podcast
Ukraine: 'Moscow bombs boarding school'
The carbon monoxide breathing method is the latest craze, with three-time Tour de France winner today Pogacar and his two-time winning rival Jonas Vingegaard confirming their previous use of the controversial but legal practice. When used during altitude training, the toxic gas can measure the blood's levels of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that boost movement and endurance.
Global News Podcast
Ukraine: 'Moscow bombs boarding school'
But the fear is that repeated inhalation could increase a cyclist's red blood cell count, giving them an unnatural advantage in races. Not good for a sport with a long history of doping. Cycling's world governing body is banning the repeated use of carbon monoxide breathing out of concerns for potential misuse.
Global News Podcast
Ukraine: 'Moscow bombs boarding school'
The World Anti-Doping Agency has also warned carbon monoxide breathing could seriously endanger a rider's long-term health, with side effects ranging from fatigue to breathing difficulties and even a loss of consciousness.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Football while fasting -- Egypt's Ramadan pastime
And it really is a treasure trove, one that was found by a metal detectorist.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Football while fasting -- Egypt's Ramadan pastime
And I understand you also had an enthusiastic team of people helping with this long excavation because of the sheer scale of the project. And you yourself, you were digging away in North Yorkshire.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Football while fasting -- Egypt's Ramadan pastime
Why is the ancient world so fascinating? And what about this discovery and this excavation can really contribute to our knowledge of it?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Football while fasting -- Egypt's Ramadan pastime
It's like the modern day Lamborghini or the modern day Tesla. Absolutely. And Emily, as an American living in the UK researching what is proving to be a cornerstone of British history, why is this interesting to someone of another nationality or another culture?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
I think some people would be surprised to know that Irish is an endangered language. Yet you've had this massive reception from other people, from your products and from this business that you started.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
What's the joy of learning a new language, particularly one that you personally have a connection to, a history with?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Part of this is learning. having a better connection to your ancestors, your family. And I know that you've been getting your family involved in the business.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Some people might be listening to this. Very interested in the Irish language. So are there any choice phrases, your favourite phrases that you've learnt over the last few years that you'd like to share with our listeners?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
I'm going to try and bring some Tocoboge into my own life as well.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
What's your hopes and dreams for the Irish language over the next few years? It sounds like a tide is really turning.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed
Thousands of fans packed out Bristol's Ashgate Stadium, a record crowd for the South West England team. That's because of a new addition to the squad, a social media sensation and the new unofficial ambassador for women's rugby, Ilona Marr.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed
After a bronze medal-winning performance for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the 28-year-old Sevens player has moved to the UK to elevate her 15-a-side game, and she's bringing her 8 million social media followers with her.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed
Ma's performance on the field, combined with her humorous behind-the-scenes videos, made her one of the standout stars of last year's Olympics. She's since been a contestant on primetime American television show Dancing with the Stars. She's been featured in magazines like Forbes and Sports Illustrated and signed multiple brand deals.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed
Her motto, Beast Beauty Brains, reflects her unapologetic approach to life. She wants women to be themselves, regularly jumping on TikTok to discuss body positivity and what it's like as a high profile female athlete.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed
We all have it. Speaking to the BBC, Mars says it's an honour to be a role model for young girls, if that's what's needed to make the sport grow.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Learning to play the guitar one handed
Alona Marr's contract with the Bristol Bears might just be three months long, but she hopes to be back in England for this summer's Women's Rugby World Cup.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
Ella Bicknell reports. For the Maasai people, lions aren't just majestic animals. They're like them – strong, brave, strategic and formidable. In the past, to kill a lion was the ultimate display of maturity and widely celebrated. But by the early 2000s, when the Ambaseli lion population dropped to fewer than 20, it became clear that this cultural rite of passage was no longer sustainable.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
The Maasai needed a new way to celebrate the athleticism of their youth – And with the Big Life Foundation, they started the Maasai Olympics, a biannual sporting event bringing together hundreds of their best athletes. The games include traditional hunting skills like throwing rungus, wooden clubs traditionally used by the community for defence against an attacking lion.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
There are also running races and javelin throwing and, of course, the high jump. This is a tribute to the Udumu, a jumping dance, often performed during the initiation of young Maasai men into adulthood. One of this year's competitors, Stephen Masinde, who won the 5,000 metre contest.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
This year, a quarter of participants are female. Samuel Kanki is the game's chief coordinator.
Global News Podcast
Hundreds, possibly thousands, feared dead in Mayotte cyclone
And one of this year's female competitors was 19-year-old Valentine Nisamoy.