The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.

  Bloomberg Amazon boasted that its virtual assistant Alexa is capable of 1,000 “skills,” as the online retail giant bolsters defenses against rivals such as Google and Apple. The Seattle-based company said in a blog post that the programs were developed specifically for the voice-commanded Alexa software used in Amazon devices such as Echo and Fire TV. Amazon released voice-enabled ...

  Paris / Bloomberg Airbus Group SE is exploring ways of carving out extra space on its A380 superjumbos in order to boost capacity and enhance margins for operators, among them modifying the staircases that connect the double-decker jet’s two passenger floors. Feedback from existing A380 customers suggests that curved steps located toward the rear of the world’s biggest jetliner ...

  Berlin / AFP Dwarfed by huge jets all around, the mini-plane Thor was nonetheless an eye-catcher at the Berlin air show this week — the small Airbus marvel is the world’s first 3D-printed aircraft. Windowless, weighing in at just 21 kilos (46 pounds) and less than four metres (13 feet) long, the drone Thor — short for “Test of ...

San Francisco / AFP Avianca Holdings SA jumped the most on record amid reports that Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. are weighing bids for the Latin American airline. Avianca is exploring strategic options including a full or partial sale, according to people familiar with the matter. Avianca has recently begun working with a financial adviser to ...

  Dubai / AFP Domes inspired by the royal palaces of India rise from a new Bollywood theme park under construction in Dubai, part of a drive to lure millions more tourists to the emirate. It already boasts opulent shopping malls and numerous luxury resorts, but the Gulf city-state has even grander ambitions and the film industry is centre stage. ...

  Nairobi / AFP Africa’s best barista doesn’t drink coffee, nor even really like it, yet two-time Kenyan champ Martin Shabaya won the Africa round and next month competes at the World Barista Championships. Shabaya, 26, has only been pouring coffee for five years but his success is indicative of a country that — unlike him — is learning to ...

  RITIKA SHARMA / Emirates Business From children to grown-ups and from tourists to residents, probably all of us, either visiting or living in the UAE, need no introduction to the world-famous Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the Yas Waterworld. These ultimate unwinding and adventure-triggering destinations have made UAE stand apart as one of the most-sought-after tourist destinations, when it ...

  Our Correspondent EMIRATES BUSINESS Driven by an inspired team of coffee specialists, the Blend & Brews team believes in values, innovation and customer satisfaction. Every cup of coffee is brewed with a lot of passion and love to get paid by the satisfying smile of its valued customers and not just the money. Blends & Brews has got its ...

  Sharjah / WAM Since its establishment of American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been envisaged as an institution of excellence designed to meet the present and future needs of society, said His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of AUS, at the AUS Spring 2016 graduation ceremony held on Saturday ...

  Geneva / WAM Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, discussed on Thursday with Sri Lankan State Minister of Labour and Trade Unions Relations, Hon. Ravindra Samaraweera, cooperation and ways to strengthen it, especially in the areas of labour. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the 105th session of the International Labour Conference currently being held in ...