Senate Republicans are accelerating plans to bring a sweeping cryptocurrency bill to a vote, betting that momentum and industry pressure can overcome lingering Democratic reservations even as bipartisan talks remain unsettled. The move was confirmed late on Friday by the chair of the Senate Banking Committee, who said the panel would press ahead with scheduling despite parallel efforts by the Senate Agriculture Committee to refine a cross-party […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Nintendo has opened preorders for a new Light Purple and Light Green Joy-Con 2 controller set priced at $100, expanding the accessory line-up for the forthcoming Switch 2 ahead of a February 12 release. The controllers are listed across major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target and GameStop, signalling a coordinated retail push as Nintendo prepares the next phase of its hardware cycle. […]
Robinhood Markets has set out plans to build an Ethereum layer-2 network as part of a broader push to deepen its role in crypto trading, tokenised equities and on-chain yield products, arguing that anchoring the project to Ethereum’s security is central to winning user trust and regulatory confidence. The brokerage, best known for commission-free equity trading, says the layer-2 is designed to handle higher transaction volumes at […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai is positioning itself as a magnet for global content creators, with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy setting out the emirate’s pitch as a base where talent, technology and market access converge. The chamber says Dubai’s ability to attract specialised creative professionals, alongside its digital infrastructure and business-friendly regulation, has become a decisive advantage for creators who depend on high-end production teams […]
By Nitya Chakraborty U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick’s stunning podcast on Thursday claiming that the bilateral India-US trade deal was almost ready but was not signed as Prime Minister did not call the U.S. President Donald Trump as was expected by the Americans. This lack of proper gesture on the part of the Indian PM […]
A newly identified vulnerability affecting Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system has heightened concerns about the exposure of Gmail users to sophisticated phishing and account compromise, sharpening the debate around how large language models interpret and act on hidden instructions embedded in everyday digital content. Security researchers and policy analysts say the issue stems from indirect prompt injection, a technique that allows malicious instructions to be concealed inside […]
Bangkok’s long-held reputation as the “Detroit of the East” is under strain as the global shift towards electric vehicles reshapes South-East Asia’s industrial map, with Vietnam emerging as a more agile rival built around a powerful domestic champion. For half a century, Thailand’s automotive sector has been the backbone of its manufacturing economy, contributing about a tenth of national output and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs […]
Apple has filed a patent that outlines a method to turn AirPods into precise gesture sensors by using the earbuds’ existing radio-frequency antennas, a move that could expand how users interact with devices without adding new hardware. The proposal centres on detecting subtle finger movements such as taps, swipes and pinches through changes in RF signals, allowing faster and more accurate input while potentially lowering latency and […]
Binance has moved deeper into the intersection of digital assets and traditional finance by introducing perpetual contracts linked to gold and silver, offering round-the-clock trading and USDT settlement as the exchange broadens its derivatives portfolio beyond cryptocurrencies. The launch positions the platform to tap demand from traders seeking continuous exposure to precious metals without the constraints of conventional market hours. The new products, described by the exchange […]
President Donald Trump pressed executives from major oil companies on Friday to commit at least $100 billion of private capital to rebuild Venezuela’s depleted oil industry, but several leaders voiced deep reservations about the risks and structural barriers to doing business in the South American country. The meeting, held in the East Room of the White House and attended by representatives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and other […]
RAKBANK has secured in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to issue a dirham-backed stablecoin, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to anchor digital finance within a regulated banking framework. The approval places the Ras Al Khaimah-based lender among a widening circle of UAE financial institutions seeking to deploy tokenised money for payments, settlements and treasury use as demand accelerates across regional and […]
President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a planned second wave of military attacks on Venezuela, pointing to improved cooperation from the country’s interim leadership and gestures such as the release of political prisoners and discussions on oil infrastructure. The decision marks a shift in the U. S. approach after its forces ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, and underscores Washington’s focus on stabilising relations […]
SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 January 2026 – Etiqa has launched Etiqa’s Project Firefly a new environmental initiative dedicated to conserving one of Malaysia’s iconic firefly habitats while uplifting the livelihood of the communities living along Sungai Panjang in Sabak Bernam, who rely on eco-tourism and the mangrove ecosystem. The programme was carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and the Sabak Bernam District Council.
(L to R) Raffi Ismail, Marketing & Partnership Manager, Malaysian Nature Society; Fukhairudin Mohd Yusof, CEO of Etiqa General Insurance Berhad; Zaki Parmin, Assistant Agricultural Officer, Sabak Bernam District Council; Amran Hassan, Chief Strategy Officer, Etiqa
Through Etiqa’s Project Firefly, Etiqa is taking proactive steps to preserve and sustain the ecosystem by planting 130 Sonneratia Caseolaris or locally known as Berembang saplingsand 200 Sonneratia Caseolaris seeds, undertaking habitat restoration works, and mobilising 50 Etiqa volunteers for a community-driven initiative along Sungai Panjang, covering a total stretch of 10 kilometres. In addition, an awareness session was conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Science which aimed to educate participants on the ecological importance of fireflies and the need for long-term conservation.
Fireflies play an important role as indicators of mangrove ecosystem health, which in turn supports environmental balance and benefits surrounding communities. However, across Malaysia, firefly populations are declining due to rapid habitat loss caused by river pollution, deforestation, and increasing light pollution along mangrove-lined rivers. These threats not only endanger native species but also affect the livelihoods of local fishermen and villagers who rely on healthy river ecosystems and firefly-based eco-tourism. Protecting congregating firefly zones through the preservation of adequate vegetation buffers along riverbanks is therefore critical to ensuring the long-term survival of these species and the sustainability of local livelihoods.
Fukhairudin Mohd Yusof, CEO of Etiqa General Insurance Berhad (EGIB) said, “We initiated Etiqa’s Project Firefly as conserving native firefly species is deeply connected to the well-being of the communities that co-exist around them. By conserving firefly habitats, we are not only protecting an irreplaceable part of Malaysia’s biodiversity but also helping sustain the eco-tourism and river-based livelihoods of Sungai Panjang residents. This reflects Etiqa’s purpose in Making the World a Better Place that includes meaningful environmental action which strengthens both nature and society, creating long-term value for future generations.”
Mr. I.S Shanmugaraj, Executive Director of Malaysia Nature Society says, “Fireflies are natural indicators of a healthy mangrove ecosystem, and their presence reflects the overall condition of our rivers and surrounding environments. We commend Etiqa for taking proactive steps through Etiqa’s Project Firefly to address the growing threats of habitat degradation along fireflies corridor. Meaningful conservation requires collective action, and we hope this initiative will inspire more companies to collaborate with environmental organisations and local communities to protect biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods for the long term.”Hashtag: #Etiqamy
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Etiqa
Etiqa is a multi-channel distributor of Insurance and Takaful products via its 10,000 agency force, 44 branches and 17 offices, over 490 bancassurance network (via Maybank branches, third-party banks, as well as co-operatives and brokers) through its presence in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.
In striving to make the world a better place, Etiqa’s Sustainability journey focuses on internal initiatives that reduces its carbon footprint and increases its social impact, as well as external solutions that allow its clients to do the same.
Bank of New York Mellon has outlined plans to offer tokenised deposit accounts to institutional clients, marking a significant step by the world’s largest custodial bank into blockchain-based settlement infrastructure. The initiative is designed to mirror traditional deposit balances on a private blockchain, allowing large investors to move cash and securities with greater speed while remaining within the perimeter of regulated banking. BNY said the proposed structure […]
Crypto exchange OKX has cut a significant portion of staff from its institutional business as part of a wider global restructuring, people familiar with the matter said, marking one of the most substantial internal overhauls at the company since it began expanding beyond retail trading. According to one source with knowledge of the changes, roughly one-third of the institutional sales team has exited, either through redundancies or […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Aldar Properties PJSC has priced $1 billion of subordinated dated hybrid notes, securing long-term capital to support its expansion plans as demand for Gulf real estate assets continues to draw global investors. The Abu Dhabi-based developer said the transaction was met with strong interest from international institutional accounts, reflecting confidence in its balance sheet and strategy at a time when funding costs […]
Avowed, the fantasy role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment, is set to arrive on PlayStation 5 on February 17, 2026, extending the title’s reach beyond its original Xbox Series X/S and PC launch. The move underscores Microsoft’s evolving approach to platform exclusivity, with one of its high-profile studio releases heading to Sony’s console less than a year after debut. The announcement came during the New Game+ Showcase, […]
Boltz has raised $28 million in fresh funding while entering a strategic partnership with Pfizer that underscores the accelerating push by major drugmakers to embed artificial intelligence deeper into biomolecular research. The deal combines Pfizer’s extensive scientific datasets and therapeutic development expertise with Boltz’s open-source foundation models designed to analyse and generate biological data, aiming to shorten discovery timelines and improve the odds of clinical success. The […]
Riyadh is moving to sideline Abu Dhabi’s influence in Yemen as strains deepen between the two Gulf neighbours, according to people familiar with the matter, marking a sharper turn in a rivalry that has simmered alongside years of cooperation. The push centres on bringing armed factions backed by the Emirates under Saudi control while reshaping the balance of power along vital shipping lanes stretching from the Red […]
Authorities in Iran cut internet connectivity and restricted mobile phone services overnight as demonstrations flared across several cities, a move that marks a sharper phase in efforts to contain public dissent. Crowds were reported in neighbourhoods of the capital Tehran and in provincial centres, with security forces deployed around key junctions, universities and government buildings. The digital blackout, which activists said began late in the evening […]
Greenlogue/AP Dhafrah PV2 Energy Company, the Abu Dhabi-based owner of the Al Dhafrah PV2 solar photovoltaic plant, has priced an $870.75 million green bond with a final spread of 100 basis points over US Treasuries, tightening decisively from initial price thoughts in the T+130 bps area as demand built through the bookbuild. The Regulation S benchmark-sized, amortising Eurobond carries a coupon of 5.794%, re-offered at par, and […]
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company occupies a pivotal place in the UAE’s insurance sector, combining longevity with scale as it navigates a market shaped by regulatory tightening, rising claims costs and growing demand for specialised cover. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in the capital, the company was the first insurer licensed in the emirate, a distinction that continues to inform its market stature more than five decades […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE’s national railway operator Etihad Rail has outlined the rollout of the country’s first passenger railway network, marking a significant expansion of the federal transport system that will connect 11 cities and regions through a series of strategically located stations scheduled to become operational this year. The passenger rail service builds on the national freight network that has been running since 2023 and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Turkish Airlines has broken ground on a broad package of infrastructure projects valued at more than 100 billion lira, signalling a long-term commitment to expand capacity, resilience and training as global aviation demand continues to normalise. The carrier said the programme, equivalent to about $2.3 billion at prevailing exchange rates, spans eight new facilities across several locations in Türkiye and is designed to […]
