SRMG Launches Asharq News

SRMG Launches Asharq News
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SRMG Launches Asharq News

SRMG Launches Asharq News

The Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) has announced the launch of Asharq News, a multiplatform Arabic-language news service that will provide 24/7 coverage across the Arab world and beyond with a focus on regional and global economic affairs.

Asharq News will present technology-enabled content in multiple formats and leverage cutting-edge tech in its delivery.

An exclusive content agreement between SRMG and Bloomberg Media will power a key component of the channel, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, that draws on Bloomberg’s comprehensive coverage from more than 2,700 journalists and analysts globally.

The services will expand to include an Arabic edition of Bloomberg Businessweek magazine.

Commenting on the event, Jumana Al-Rashed, CEO of SRMG, said the launch of Asharq News marks a new and exciting phase for the Arab media landscape.

"We are witnessing an unprecedented pace of change worldwide and keeping up to date with this change means recognizing the power of information and forging partnerships to harness that power,” she noted, adding: "SRMG and Bloomberg bring together the best of both worlds: the in-depth market knowledge of SRMG and Bloomberg’s rigorous, data-driven reporting.We are confident that through this collaboration, Asharq News will set new standards for business news delivery to Arabic-speaking viewers.”

For his part, CEO of Bloomberg Media Group Justin Smith stressed that the Middle East is home to many dynamic economies and business communities.

"Collaborating on Asharq Business with Bloomberg will allow us to deliver the best of Bloomberg’s insights and analysis to a new audience of business decision-makers across the Arab world.”

Also, Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority welcomed the launch of Asharq News to the Center, saying: "Being part of DIFC will provide Asharq News with access to the largest financial ecosystem in the region, allowing it to report news reflecting the important global economic, financial and corporate information being generated by our clients.”

Asharq News will offer its artificial intelligence-powered digital services via two websites.

The first is dedicated to business news in collaboration with Bloomberg Media, while the second features general news and in-depth analysis.

Remarkably, the AI integration allows readers to access content that matches their interests. Also, both portals are linked to content-rich social media accounts.



Toxic Algae Killing Marine Life Off Australian Coast

This handout photo taken on March 29, 2025 and released on May 15, 2025 by OzFish shows a dead ornate cowfish washed ashore at Victor Harbor in South Australia. (Photo by Brad MARTIN / OZFISH / AFP)
This handout photo taken on March 29, 2025 and released on May 15, 2025 by OzFish shows a dead ornate cowfish washed ashore at Victor Harbor in South Australia. (Photo by Brad MARTIN / OZFISH / AFP)
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Toxic Algae Killing Marine Life Off Australian Coast

This handout photo taken on March 29, 2025 and released on May 15, 2025 by OzFish shows a dead ornate cowfish washed ashore at Victor Harbor in South Australia. (Photo by Brad MARTIN / OZFISH / AFP)
This handout photo taken on March 29, 2025 and released on May 15, 2025 by OzFish shows a dead ornate cowfish washed ashore at Victor Harbor in South Australia. (Photo by Brad MARTIN / OZFISH / AFP)

A vast bloom of toxic algae is killing more than 200 species of marine life off the southern coast of Australia, scientists and conservation groups say.

The algae -- Karenia mikimotoi -- appeared in waters around South Australia state in March, causing mass deaths in species including sharks, rays, crabs and octopuses.

"There are carcasses littering beaches," said Brad Martin, a manager of the non-profit fish conservation group Ozfish.

"It is common for our volunteers to say: 'We walked for one kilometer along the beach and saw 100 dead rays and other marine life'," he told AFP.

Beaches on wildlife-rich tourist draws such as Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula and Fleurieu Peninsula have been affected.

The bloom stretches across 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles), Martin said -- an area larger than Japan or Germany.

Karenia mikimotoi has been detected around the world since the 1930s, including off Japan, Norway, the United States and China where it has disrupted local tourism and fishery industries, causing millions of dollars worth of damage.

But Martin said South Australia had not previously experienced a toxic algae bloom of this scale or duration.

The South Australian government said the event is thought to have been driven by a marine heatwave, as well as relatively calm marine conditions.

Marine biologist Shauna Murray, who identified the algae species for the authorities, said it damages the gills of fish and prevents them from breathing.

"It is not pleasant," said Murray, from the University of Technology Sydney.

"It will probably take some time for the ecosystem to recuperate."

While conditions usually ease towards the end of April, there had been no relief yet, South Australian Environment Minister Susan Close said this month.

"We need a big change in weather to break this thing up -- there is nothing we can do to precipitate this," she told national broadcaster ABC.

In the meantime, South Australian authorities have urged beachgoers to avoid swimming in water that is discolored or foamy, warning that it can irritate the skin and affect breathing.

Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and duration of marine heatwaves across Australia, which significantly affects marine ecosystems.