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.



Cold Winds Sweep Beijing, Closing Key Sites, Disrupting Travel

 A child dressed as the emperor reacts after retrieving his crown blown away outside the Forbidden City during high winds in Beijing, China, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP)
A child dressed as the emperor reacts after retrieving his crown blown away outside the Forbidden City during high winds in Beijing, China, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP)
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Cold Winds Sweep Beijing, Closing Key Sites, Disrupting Travel

 A child dressed as the emperor reacts after retrieving his crown blown away outside the Forbidden City during high winds in Beijing, China, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP)
A child dressed as the emperor reacts after retrieving his crown blown away outside the Forbidden City during high winds in Beijing, China, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP)

China's capital hunkered down on Saturday as rare typhoon-like gales swept northern regions, forcing the closure of historic sites and disrupting travel while bringing late snowfalls and hailstone showers in some areas.

Windows shook and trees crashed onto footpaths and cars, rocked by gusts of wind driven by a cold vortex from neighboring Mongolia that sent temperatures plunging by more than 12 degrees Celsius (22 degrees Fahrenheit).

The winds, which started on Friday, are set to continue over the weekend, packing gusts of up to 150 kph (90 mph), the official Xinhua news agency said. They brought late snowfalls in Inner Mongolia and hailstones in southern China.

Beijing issued its second-highest gale alert this weekend, for the first time in a decade, warning 22 million residents to avoid non-essential travel as winds could potentially break April records dating from 1951.

The winds dominated social media chats, with many people expressing concern for food delivery workers braving the conditions.

"In weather like this, we can choose not to order delivery - it's too hard for them," one Weibo user wrote.

By 11.30 a.m. (0330 GMT), 838 flights had been cancelled at Beijing's two major airports, the Flight Master tracking app showed, while the capital's historic sights and parks were shut, with some old trees trimmed in preparation for the cold blast.

The winds forced the postponement of a half-marathon set for Sunday featuring humanoid robots competing with humans in a bid to showcase China's technological advances.

Sandstorms raging over a stretch from Inner Mongolia to the Yangtze River region crippled road travel in eight provinces, Xinhua and state broadcaster CCTV said.

Sandstorms were expected to impact Shanghai from Saturday afternoon through to Sunday morning.

Strong winds bringing sand and dust from Mongolia are routine in spring, but climate change has made weather events more extreme.