Joint initiative highlights integrated approaches to wealth planning, succession and cross-border solutions

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Labuan IBFC Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Labuan IBFC Inc.), the official marketing agency for Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC), together with the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance Malaysia (ASAS) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Malaysia  brought together industry practitioners and experts to explore the intersection of Islamic wealth planning, estate administration and Shariah governance, with a focus on cross-border wealth management and family governance.

The forum brought together Islamic estate planning professionals, Shariah advisers, trust and estate practitioners, wealth managers as well as legal experts to explore effective approaches to preserving, managing and transferring wealth. Discussions encompassed estate administration beyond faraid, Shariah estate administration governance, succession planning and the use of trusts, takaful and other wealth structures.

In her welcome address, Mdm. Farah Deba, Branch Chair of STEP Malaysia, said, “Beyond Faraid means faraid is only one part of estate planning. However, this does not mean planning beyond Islamic principles. We come from three different perspectives – where STEP speaks as advisors to families across generations while Labuan IBFC brings the international family wealth and structuring dimension, whereas ASAS brings the core Shariah perspective.”

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Ben Quah, CEO of Labuan IBFC Inc., highlighted Labuan IBFC’s role as a platform for Islamic private wealth planning and cross-border wealth solutions. “As wealth becomes increasingly global, families need flexible solutions that offer asset protection and long-term continuity. Labuan IBFC is well positioned to meet these needs while complementing Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic private wealth through strong ecosystem collaboration,” he said.

The programme opened with “Beyond Faraid – The Real Challenges in Muslim Estate Administration,” examining practical challenges in estate administration, while exploring solutions to translate succession intentions into effective estate planning. This was followed by a dialogue which explored how effective governance and proper documentation can help ensure wealth planning arrangements are implemented consistently with Shariah requirements.

Labuan IBFC was then featured in “Labuan IBFC as a Platform for Islamic Wealth and Family Governance,” showcasing its flexible legal structures and solutions for cross-border wealth management, succession planning and asset structuring.

The afternoon session focused on the practical implementation of wealth plans, covering liquidity, takaful, trusts and other structures. Panellists outlined how these can support wealth preservation, risk management and intergenerational wealth transfer.

The event concluded with a panel discussion on strengthening the Islamic wealth planning ecosystem, bringing together perspectives from wealth management, financial planning, estate administration and Shariah practice. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing holistic Islamic wealth planning solutions.

In her closing remarks, Mdm. Yusaini Yusof, EXCO member of ASAS, emphasised, “Shariah governance ensures that the legacy is properly structured, successfully implemented and ultimately serves Maqasid Shariah. ASAS shall continue to support this journey for greater engagements and increased professionalism of the wider Shariah fraternity and practitioners.”

The session builds on the strategic partnership established through the Memorandum of Understanding between Labuan IBFC Inc. and ASAS, while further strengthening engagement with STEP Malaysia and the wider professional community.

For more information on Labuan IBFC and its Islamic finance and wealth management solutions, visit www.labuanibfc.com.

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SOURCE Labuan IBFC Inc.

BEIJING, Aug. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, has launched Undercurrent Theater, a horizontal-screen short-form suspense brand making a strong debut with its inaugural title “Dead of Winter”. The title has gained rapid audience traction and delivered solid commercial returns, signaling strong market appetite for the format. The launch sets a strong foundation for Undercurrent Theater as iQIYI deepens its leadership in premium suspense content.

Since its August 4 premiere, “Dead of Winter” has reached a peak iQIYI content popularity index, a measure of audience engagement on the platform, of 6,638, the highest for an iQIYI revenue-sharing, a model where production partners share earnings with iQIYI based on viewership, short-form drama since 2024. It has also topped multiple industry rankings across leading Chinese entertainment data providers Enlightent, Maoyan and DataWin. Enlightent data shows its daily market share peaked at 60.9%, making it the second horizontal short-form drama this year to surpass 60%, following iQIYI’s “The Ferry Man 10th Anniversary”, a 10th-anniversary return of the classic IP “The Ferry Man”.

Strong viewership has also translated into commercial momentum. Within five days of release, “Dead of Winter” generated over RMB5 million (approximately US$740,000) in revenue-sharing earnings, with iQIYI projecting total revenue-sharing earnings to exceed RMB10 million (approximately US$1,480,000) within nine days of release.

Set in a small northeastern Chinese city in the late 1990s, “Dead of Winter” is a gritty crime suspense drama rooted in social realism. The series follows two former friends – a community police officer and a criminal investigator – who reunite to solve a series of major cases, unraveling an eight-year family tragedy. Its fast-paced storytelling, strong performances, and distinctive wintry setting have driven significant social buzz. More than 20 derivative short videos have each surpassed 100,000 likes, with audience calls for a second season.

The debut validates both the premium content model and the revenue-sharing approach underpinning Undercurrent Theater, with more titles already in the pipeline. “The VI Group of Fatal Case” (the Chinese title translates as Sixth Criminal Investigation Unit), a prequel to the beloved 2001 crime procedural. “The Murder Truth”, adapted from a highly rated original work, weaves intricate deduction with interconnected serial crimes for a layered viewing experience. Together, the upcoming slate builds on the momentum of “Dead of Winter” as iQIYI continues to deepen its short-form suspense offering and cement its position as the home of premium Chinese suspense storytelling for global audiences.

Contact: 
iQIYI Press
press@qiyi.com 

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SOURCE iQIYI Inc.

Available from August 13, 2026, the launch covers seven distinct market themes with no trading-hour restrictions.

DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARTRADER today announced the launch of 45 new 24/7 Stock and ETF CFDs, available from Monday through Sunday, 00:00–24:00 (GMT+3 platform time).

Where previous 24/7 expansions were anchored around specific themes, this one is defined by its breadth. The new instruments span seven areas: Chinese AI, AI infrastructure, technology, crypto and digital assets, energy, other equities, and ETFs.

Among the new additions are Zhipu and MiniMax, two Hong Kong-listed Chinese AI companies that debuted on HKEX in January 2026. Zhipu develops large language models for enterprise and developer markets. MiniMax is an AI company focused on artificial general intelligence (AGI), with investors including Alibaba, Tencent, and Hillhouse Capital, and has attracted sustained market attention since its listing.

STARTRADER builds its product offering around where eligible clients are directing their attention. When significant market narratives emerge in new geographies, ensuring access to them is a core part of that responsibility.

“This launch reflects a deliberate choice to keep pace with how global market interest actually moves, across regions, sectors, and timeframes simultaneously. For eligible clients, the launch provides access to a broader range of instruments across regions, sectors, and market themes.” 
– Peter Karsten, Chief Executive Officer, STARTRADER

As STARTRADER’s 24/7 product range continues to grow, the focus remains consistent: building access that reflects the global market as it is today.

Out-of-hours trading may involve wider spreads, reduced liquidity and price gaps, particularly when underlying markets are closed.

Risk Warning: Trading CFDs involves a significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure you fully understand the risks before trading.

About STARTRADER

STARTRADER is a global multi-asset broker empowering retail and institutional partners to access global markets through a range of platforms, including MetaTrader, STARTRADER APP, and STAR Copy. STARTRADER operates through entities licensed and regulated by authorities including CMA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA and FSC, combining strong governance with a client-first approach, serving both retail clients and partners with a commitment to transparency, reliability, and long-term growth.

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