Qatar Airways

• Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - March 6, 2024) - Qatar Airways, a trailblazer in the aviation industry and multiple award-winner, has collaborated with UneeQ , a pioneer in digital human technology, to launch Sama 2.0, the first full-production artificially intelligent digital human in the airline industry.
• At the ITB conference, Sama will be a central feature, interacting with attendees, and media, and even engaging in games with visitors.
• Following the event, she will continue to evolve and train within the Qverse, Qatar Airways' immersive online platform.
• Babar Rahman, Qatar Airways VP Marketing, said: "Qatar Airways remains at the forefront of innovation, enhancing our digital experience with the industry-leading revolution of our virtual cabin-crew.

• For the Liberals, Morrison’s departure is a significant symbolic “moving on” moment.
• The Coalition Morrison is exiting is a mixed bunch, in terms of performance, illustrated by the first weeks of this year.
• The opposition could not have avoided being outfoxed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s bold reworking of the tax cuts.
• The Liberals used material from this week’s Senate estimates hearing to pound Immigration Minister Andrew Giles in the House of Representatives.
• Among the Nationals, their Senate leader, Bridget McKenzie, has proved very effective this term, notably on Qantas and Qatar Airways.
• Once hailed as a great “retail” politician, Joyce at the 2022 election was considered a retail negative in many Liberal seats.
• While he is in parliament, the Nationals will remain a tinderbox (even though they manage to hold their seats).

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• After all, the stadium was designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and built by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group.
• In San Pedro, the Laurent Pokou Stadium was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (again, state owned).
• All of this is part of a long-term policy of “stadium diplomacy” which China has been deploying across the continent.
• For instance, when Gabon co-hosted (with Equatorial Guinea) the Cup of Nations in 2012, China was involved in building both of its stadiums.
• Stadium diplomacy enables the country to extend its sphere of influence in Africa, often creating a political imbalance which leaves African nations at the behest of Beijing.

A new player

• The Gulf powerhouse is charging ahead with its own economic transformation and development, part of which involves investing hundreds of millions of dollars in sport.
• And at the heart of Saudi plans is the intention to position itself as an “Afro-Eurasian” hub of international football.
• As part of the proposed arrangement, Saudi Arabia was reportedly offering to build new stadiums in each of its partner countries.
• Some commentators accuse Saudi Arabia of trying to get Africa hooked on oil as part of a plan to offset decreasing demand elsewhere.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Artemis Aerospace has a look at what we're missing and explores some of the world's best first-class cabins.
• Will the meal be something you like, and will there be enough to sustain you during the journey?
• Despite these concerns, economy class passengers usually end up at their destination having had a perfectly pleasant flying experience.
• Artemis Aerospace offers an innovative approach to component solutions for the aviation sector.