Robot dogs and physical AI: the sci-fi tech coming to airports
Airside International speaks to Tata Consultancy Services about the latest technological innovations on display at Farnborough Airshow.
Recent Articles
Hactl - From Cargo to Couture
As awareness of the fashion industry’s responsibility to reduce its environmental impact has increased in recent years, so too have efforts to adopt sustainable practices when transporting garments around the world.
Fuel, Flights, and Rising Fares – EVA International Media
In this relaunch episode, Madison James sits down with Chris Russo to tackle the turbulent US-Iran peace process, including what’s next for jet fuel prices as the Strait of Hormuz slowly reopens.
Airside Summer 2026
With air traffic reaching record highs globally, airports and airlines are under increasing pressure to maintain efficient GSE operations, ensure smooth turnarounds, and uphold high safety standards for both passengers and ground handling teams.
Nine takeaways from LogiPharma: moving from reactivity to resilience
When it comes to pharmaceutical supply chains, operational complexity is only continuing to grow.
Ohmio LIFT – the future of shuttle transportation at airports, and beyond?
At a stop outside of Milton Keynes train station, a navy-blue shuttle bus comes into view. At first glance, there is nothing out of the ordinary about the vehicle, apart from its compact size.
Conflict in the Middle East: a new era of aviation risk management
Amid the outbreak of conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, aviation stakeholders and operators have been closely following the constantly evolving situation.
Conducting the orchestra of airport operations
Developed by Smarter Airports, the AIRHART platform, designed to harmonise fragmented IT systems, has been rolled out at Munich, Copenhagen, and now Heathrow Airport.
Airside Spring 2026
In the Spring 2026 edition of Airside International, we bring you the latest innovations in the GSE industry, including developments in pushback tractors, apron buses, aircraft washing, and second-hand equipment.
ACA Leadership Symposium 2026 cooks up a storm in Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the south of France famed as much for its pink terracotta architecture as its culinary specialties – cassoulet, foie gras and violet-flavoured sweets, to name a few.
Will Heathrow's third runway ever get off the ground?
Last month, the government approved Heathrow Airport’s plans to construct a third runway. Will the expansion project ever get off the ground – and is it even necessary?
Building Rarely Social: Rare Disease Support for Young People
"Rare diseases are in their essence quite isolating, because a few people have them, but collectively, there are a lot of us… and when you bring young people together, we just feel a sense of community."
Review: Mix Tape - an ode to first love that struggles to strike a chord
Mix Tape is a series steeped in nostalgia, not just for the better decades of music, but for the forgotten traditions of romance lost to time.
Alone, Together: Generation Z's loneliness epidemic
In the UK, 70% of young people between the ages of 18-24 experience loneliness. They, not the elderly, are now the loneliest generation. This crisis is the result of the unique societal pressures that come with being a young person in Britain today.
Culture & Reviews
Music, Books, TV, Travel, and other features
Review: Mix Tape - an ode to first love that struggles to strike a chord
Mix Tape is a series steeped in nostalgia, not just for the better decades of music, but for the forgotten traditions of romance lost to time.
The healing power of art
Ella MacQueen-Denz is an artist based in Vancouver, Canada, who is currently in training to become an art therapist. As we mark the centenary of Surrealist art, the 28-year-old discusses her artistic process and how creativity can lead to healing in vulnerable communities.
“This is a matter of life and death”: the hidden dangers of AI in translation
At a time in which the threat of generative artificial intelligence looms forebodingly over countless livelihoods, the event seemed to be the ultimate manifestation of the battle between human and machine.
David Nicholls in Conversation with Islington Now: “It’s hard not doing something you love”
Author David Nicholls on the anxiety that comes with finding your calling.
Essay: Friendship, Loss, and The Final Dialogue Between Michel de Montaigne and Étienne de La Boétie
This essay investigates the implications that the loss of La Boétie had for Montaigne’s perspective on the philosophical question that most occupied and haunted him: can a man ever make peace with his own death?
"I love this part of the work": David Nicholls gives talk at Oxfam Books and Music, Islington
It has been a busy year for David Nicholls. Early spring saw the revival of his 2009 book, One Day, in the form of a hit Netflix series. Not only that, but the author landed yet another number one bestseller after his highly anticipated sixth novel, You Are Here, hit the shelves.
Comment la musique peut vous faire tomber amoureux de la langue Française
Parmi tous les musiciens populaires que l'on présente habituellement aux étudiants en français, tels que Stromae ou Angèle, -M-, nom de scène du musicien Matthieu Chedid, n'est pas le premier qui vienne à l'esprit.
Originally published in La Dépêche
Originally published in La Dépêche
Photo by Chris Molloy on Pexels
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Paris, ville Marmite - On l'adore ou on la déteste
Ayant passé la majeure partie de l'année à vivre dans la ville de Paris, me retrouver de nouveau dans le bar Bristolien, le Bag of Nails, par une froide soirée de décembre, entourée par des chats endormis et les tasses de cidre chaud, a été une expérience presque surréaliste.
Originally published in La Dépêche
Originally published in La Dépêche
Review: Lime Garden @ The Fleece, Bristol, 06/03/24
True to their name, Lime Garden has cultivated a growing following with their refreshing twist on the well-trodden ground of the indie genre and a not-so subtle edge of bitterness.
Review: Muse, 'Will Of The People'
The grandiose, elaborate and patently dystopian has always been what Muse does best. Supermassive Black Hole and even earlier songs like Sunburn gave us short, sharp bursts of pure energy, a dark, sensual cacophony of electric guitars punctuated by Matt Bellamy’s soaring vocals.
In Defence Of Waif Girl
*Voted top article of 2022 by Empoword Editors-In-Chief
Throughout media history, female characterisation has been carved up into a neat set of identifiable tropes, served with a generous pinch of the male gaze.
Throughout media history, female characterisation has been carved up into a neat set of identifiable tropes, served with a generous pinch of the male gaze.
A Briscrush Love Story…
In light of all things love on Valentine's Day, Epigram investigated the best success stories from Bristol University's most popular crush confessional page, Briscrush.
Epigram issue 362
A Valentine's feature on "Briscrush" success stories (p9).
Epigram issue 359
A spotlight on societies at Bristol (p11) as well as a piece on music streaming and its financial implications (p24).
Review: of Montreal, 'I Feel Safe with You, Trash'
Long-time cult favourite of Montreal’s newest output marries recent forays into synth-pop experimentalism with a prescient undercurrent of anxiety.
Review: Tom Grennan - Interactive Livestream
Few artists can claim to have quite literally broken the internet with a single live performance. Smashing the limit of 20,000 participants, Tom Grennan’s virtual gig at Brixton Academy was initially beset by technical difficulties, perhaps indicative of the problems that this new format can experience.
'Music, in all its colourful, ostentatious glory': I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME: RAZZMATAZZ Review
Defying COVID-related pushbacks, I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME’s hotly anticipated debut album RAZZMATAZZ follows their promising EP 1981 Extended Play.
Interview with International Product Manager at Partisan Records
Interview with Ellie Rumbold, International Product Manager at Partisan Records (IDLES, Fontaines D.C.)
Sweet Sorrow
In talking about the past, we lie with every breath we draw. So begins David Nicholls’ 2019 coming-of-age novel, Sweet Sorrow. This quote from William Maxwell stuck with me, as it eloquently sums up the themes of transience and memory which are at the heart of the narrative.
Review: The Big Moon - at Movida
Despite the arrival of Storm Brendan on Monday, Movida was packed upstairs for the arrival of London-based punk-pop band, The Big Moon.
Marlborough Rising Talent: an afternoon performance by young local talent - real talents
Saturday (August 10) saw the return of Marlborough Rising Talent at the Town Hall – a free event showcasing the musical ability of various performers from the Marlborough area.
Marlborough Rising: Review of Wilding and Flyte at The Town Hall
On Saturday evening Marlborough Rising welcomed up-and-coming alternative pop quartet Flyte to the Town Hall. They were supported by the local group Wilding.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NAPOLEON BONAPARTE! Author to present new view of France's onetime Emperor - & long time British bogeyman - at Marlborough LitFest
Thursday, 15 August 2019 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Napoleon Bonaparte. That’s almost 250 years worth of theories and stories about the very famous ‘Little Corporal’ from Corsica who ruled over much of Europe.
From chocolat to strawberries - the rich world of Joanne Harris' best-selling stories
When Joanne Harris first published Chocolat twenty years ago, she never thought that a novel about a chocolate shop and a small French village would achieve worldwide success and acclaim.
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Politics & Social Issues
Will Heathrow's third runway ever get off the ground?
Last month, the government approved Heathrow Airport’s plans to construct a third runway. Will the expansion project ever get off the ground – and is it even necessary?
Alone, Together: Generation Z's loneliness epidemic
In the UK, 70% of young people between the ages of 18-24 experience loneliness. They, not the elderly, are now the loneliest generation. This crisis is the result of the unique societal pressures that come with being a young person in Britain today.
Essay: Artificial intelligence, disinformation, and state secrecy: Challenges to the legitimacy of the upcoming 2024 United States presidential election
The 2020 United States presidential election was unprecedented in terms of the implications it posed for the legitimacy of elections and for the future of democracy itself.
“I have to sacrifice my grades or my mental health” – how the cost of living crisis is impacting young people
Speaking earlier this month, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s announced that the UK has narrowly avoided a recession, seeing zero economic growth towards the end of 2022. The situation remains precarious.
Strikes in France : Why Are The Retirement Reforms So Controversial?
On the 10th January, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne set out the key aims of the French government’s proposed retirement and pensions reforms at a press conference.
Street Harassment Ban: What It Means For Women’s Safety
With 71% of women reporting that they have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces last year, the government’s recent proposal that street harassment should be specifically criminalised is perhaps long overdue.
Blair calls for 70% of school leavers to go to university
Covid, strikes, scarcity of accommodation and now a cost-of-living crisis – over the past few years, life has been particularly tough for students, and it is only getting more difficult for people trying to access higher education.
Should Pro-Life Societies be Allowed on Campus?
Last month, a law which equates to a near-total ban on abortion was put into effect in Texas, ensuring that millions of women will no longer have the right to choose whether to terminate a life-changing unwanted pregnancy outside of an unforgiving time scale.
Opinion | Stop being poor! – Bristol needs to stop ignoring the necessity of part-time work
Every student with a part-time job knows how it feels. That sinking feeling of colleagues airing your message in the group chat, forcing you to pull an eight hour shift the day before an exam.
Lockdown: The student's perspective
The day that it was announced that our A-Level exams would be cancelled was a very surreal one. My college was holding its annual fancy dress day to raise money for charity. By the end of the day, everyone in my year and I were standing around a television screen in complete shock.
Are Exam Pressures Affecting Young Peoples’ Mental Health? A considered comment from the front line
Thousands of students across the country received their A-Level results a week ago, with GCSE results following shortly after. Nationally students performed well, despite Michael Gove’s various education reforms; a new 9-1 grading system was introduced for most GCSE subjects and more difficult exams were implemented.
News
Including work published as part of my MA in Newspaper Journalism at City, University of London
Number 19 bus route turns vintage
Londoners will be able to ride vintage buses on the number 19 bus route – Finsbury Park -Battersea Bridge – for free on Saturday, 29 March.
Islington Council launches proposal to stop locking parks
Islington Council has launched a proposal to stop locking park gates at night in a bid to save money.
Liverpool Road residents say LTN will make ‘dangerous’ traffic worse
The problem of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) funnelling traffic into Islington’s residential streets has resulted in “off the scale” congestion on Liverpool Road in Barnsbury, according to locals.
Miiro names general manager for Templeton Garden hotel
Nicola James has been appointed general manager of the luxury hotel Templeton Garden ahead of its opening in Earl’s Court, London, this year.
Barnsbury restaurant owners fear road restriction will be 'bad for business'
Nick Collin, a member of the anti-LTN group, Keep Islington Moving, said he lacked confidence that Islington Council will listen to residents’ concerns. He described the current plan as “disastrous for local businesses.”
Strikes in France : Why Are The Retirement Reforms So Controversial?
On the 10th January, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne set out the key aims of the French government’s proposed retirement and pensions reforms at a press conference.
Street Harassment Ban: What It Means For Women’s Safety
With 71% of women reporting that they have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces last year, the government’s recent proposal that street harassment should be specifically criminalised is perhaps long overdue.
Podcast
My work on The Aviation Briefing Podcast
Is the EU’s Entry/Exit System Fit for Purpose?
Madison James is joined by Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA), to discuss the impact of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) on airports, airlines and passengers.
The Future of GSE Pooling: Flexibility, Efficiency and Smarter Fleet Management
In this episode of The Aviation Showcase, Madison James is joined by Wolfgang Fasching, Head of Commercial and Head of the Austrian Branch Office at HiSERV, to discuss how GSE leasing, rental and pooling are transforming airport operations.
Fuel, Flights, and Rising Fares – EVA International Media
In this relaunch episode, Madison James sits down with Chris Russo to tackle the turbulent US-Iran peace process, including what’s next for jet fuel prices as the Strait of Hormuz slowly reopens.
Aviation
My work as a journalist for Airside International, Airline Catering International, and other titles at EVA International Media, plus an article for the European Civil Aviation Conference
Robot dogs and physical AI: the sci-fi tech coming to airports
Airside International speaks to Tata Consultancy Services about the latest technological innovations on display at Farnborough Airshow.
Hactl - From Cargo to Couture
As awareness of the fashion industry’s responsibility to reduce its environmental impact has increased in recent years, so too have efforts to adopt sustainable practices when transporting garments around the world.
Airside Summer 2026
With air traffic reaching record highs globally, airports and airlines are under increasing pressure to maintain efficient GSE operations, ensure smooth turnarounds, and uphold high safety standards for both passengers and ground handling teams.
Nine takeaways from LogiPharma: moving from reactivity to resilience
When it comes to pharmaceutical supply chains, operational complexity is only continuing to grow.
Ohmio LIFT – the future of shuttle transportation at airports, and beyond?
At a stop outside of Milton Keynes train station, a navy-blue shuttle bus comes into view. At first glance, there is nothing out of the ordinary about the vehicle, apart from its compact size.
How one ground handler prepares for de-icing in the world’s coldest climates
During the colder months, aircraft de/anti-icing is crucial to ensure a safe take-off.
How new technology is helping airports tackle capacity challenges
With challenges such as capacity constraints, security threats and sustainability mandates exerting ever-increasing pressure on the aviation sector, airports around the world are looking into the latest advancements in technology to improve efficiency and cost management.
Conflict in the Middle East: a new era of aviation risk management
Amid the outbreak of conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, aviation stakeholders and operators have been closely following the constantly evolving situation.
Conducting the orchestra of airport operations
Developed by Smarter Airports, the AIRHART platform, designed to harmonise fragmented IT systems, has been rolled out at Munich, Copenhagen, and now Heathrow Airport.
Airside Spring 2026
In the Spring 2026 edition of Airside International, we bring you the latest innovations in the GSE industry, including developments in pushback tractors, apron buses, aircraft washing, and second-hand equipment.
Catering suppliers pitch innovations at 'Dragons' Den' style event
Fourteen inflight catering companies had the chance to pitch directly to airline decision-makers at the Airline Catering Association (ACA) Leadership Symposium 2026.
ACA Leadership Symposium 2026 cooks up a storm in Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the south of France famed as much for its pink terracotta architecture as its culinary specialties – cassoulet, foie gras and violet-flavoured sweets, to name a few.
Will Heathrow's third runway ever get off the ground?
Last month, the government approved Heathrow Airport’s plans to construct a third runway. Will the expansion project ever get off the ground – and is it even necessary?
Competitor for Heathrow Airport expansion outlines case for selection over rival
Heathrow Airport’s competitor to build a proposed third runway has claimed that its plans would be more cost-effective and less disruptive than those of its rival.
Network of Communication Specialists in Civil Aviation outlines progress and priorities for 2026
Enhancing institutional communication to improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility was among the key topics discussed at the ninth meeting of the ECAC Network of Communication Specialists in Civil Aviation.
Health
Including my work with NGOs and charities such as EURORDIS - Rare Diseases Europe and Beacon for Rare Diseases
Nine takeaways from LogiPharma: moving from reactivity to resilience
When it comes to pharmaceutical supply chains, operational complexity is only continuing to grow.
Building Rarely Social: Rare Disease Support for Young People
"Rare diseases are in their essence quite isolating, because a few people have them, but collectively, there are a lot of us… and when you bring young people together, we just feel a sense of community."
Nick Sireau: Beacon Co-Founder continues fight for better patient outcomes - Beacon for rare diseases
At the end of 2024, Beacon’s co-founder and Chair Nick Sireau stepped down from our Trustee Board after twelve years with the charity.
This blog is written by one of our volunteers, Madison James, who recently interviewed Nick to hear more about his story and his connection to rare diseases.
This blog is written by one of our volunteers, Madison James, who recently interviewed Nick to hear more about his story and his connection to rare diseases.
‘I became a psychotherapist not just to support people, but to find answers.’ An interview with Marina Sabolova, founder of OK Talk, Portishead
Marina Sabolova had wanted to become a psychotherapist since she was a teenager. Determined to better understand herself and those closest to her, she left her home in Slovakia to study in Manchester, spending eight years in training.
“I could see my mum struggling, and I always wanted to help. Once I got qualified, I found out that she lives with OCD.”
“I could see my mum struggling, and I always wanted to help. Once I got qualified, I found out that she lives with OCD.”
Pushing for Improved European Policymaking: An Interview with Kateřina Konečná MEP
In a conversation with MEP Kateřina Konečná, who represents the Czech Republic within The Left group in the European Parliament, we delve into recent EU policy strides on rare diseases.
From Awardee to Board Member: An Interview with Graham Slater
As we look towards the 2024 edition of the Black Pearl Awards, we have been catching up with some of our past Black Pearl Awardees. In an interview with Graham Slater, elected to the EURORDIS Board of Directors in May, we discuss his journey into advocacy, the development of effective holistic care pathways, and the importance of volunteers in the rare disease community.
Meet the young advocates making a difference for our rare disease community
To shine a spotlight on Europe’s own young rare disease advocates, we have spoken to some inspiring advocates about their experiences, their achievements, and hopes for a better tomorrow for people living with a rare condition.
'Yesterday’s science fiction is tomorrow’s clinical service improvement': An Interview with Alastair Kent OBE
In an interview with Alastair Kent OBE, former Executive Director of Genetic Alliance UK, we discuss his path into advocacy, the EU’s progressing legislative reforms to the Orphan Medicinal Products Regulation, mental wellbeing in the rare disease community
Mental Wellbeing in the Rare Disease Community: An interview with ALAN - Maladies Rares Luxembourg
In an interview with Daniel Theisen, Director of ALAN – Maladies Rares Luxembourg, we discuss what his organisation has been doing to combat the mental wellbeing challenges facing the rare disease community.
A look at #EMM2023: Exchanging views and ideas for a better future
The 2023 EURORDIS Membership Meeting taking place on 25-27 May in Stockholm will bring together people from across Europe’s rare disease community.
Ben West Launches First-Ever University Mental Health League Table
Activist Ben West has launched the first-ever university mental health league table to help school leavers make fully informed decisions about where they attend higher education.
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