BEIJING, Sept. 5 — The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Friday released draft regulations that would lower the rates of sales-related fees for public offering funds, aiming to reduce costs for investors and encourage long-term investment.
The new draft rules, issued to solicit public opinion, are mainly concerned with reducing fees such as subscription fees and sales service charges. They mark the third phase of a fee-rates reform launched by the CSRC in July 2023.
Experts estimate the new draft rules will save investors about 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars) a year, bringing total annual savings from all three phases of the reform to over 50 billion yuan.
Industry insiders view this reform as a solid step in improving the service of fund sales institutions, and in fostering a healthy ecosystem for the high-quality development of the public funds sector.
GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization no longer considers the mpox outbreak in Africa to be an international health emergency, the U.N. agency’s director said Friday.
The new form of mpox emerged in early 2024 in Congo and neighboring African countries, spread through close contact including sex. WHO declared it a global health emergency in August of last year.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Friday that an emergency panel created after the outbreak has advised that the situation is no longer an international emergency, and “I have accepted that advice.”
READ MORE: Congo announces new Ebola outbreak after case confirmed in southern province
The international emergency declaration, the agency’s highest level of warning about threatening health issues, triggers the release of resources and enhanced public awareness campaigns, among other measures.
“Of course, lifting the emergency declaration does not mean the threat is over, nor that our response will stop,” the WHO chief said.
Mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — is a rare disease caused by infection with a virus that’s in the same family as the one that causes smallpox.
It is endemic in parts of Africa, where people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals. Milder symptoms can include fever, chills and body aches. In more serious cases, people can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.
There are different versions of the virus.
One version — called clade II — was the source of an international health crisis in 2022, when cases escalated rapidly in dozens of countries, spreading mostly among men who have sex with men. At one point in the U.S., an average of close to 500 cases were reported each day.
The infections were rarely fatal, but many people suffered painful skin lesions for weeks. Those outbreaks waned later that year.
The other version — known as clade I — is spread through close contact, including through sex, and is deadlier. A newer form of the clade 1 virus has been widely transmitted in eastern and central Africa, with the bulk of the cases in Burundi, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to last year’s WHO declaration.
Cases were identified in travelers outside of the continent, but that spread has been more limited.
The U.S., for example, has reported five cases of this version of mpox, in people who had recently traveled to affected areas in Africa. The cases were not linked, and no additional spread of mpox has been reported, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Tedros said the decision to end the emergency followed improved public health measures and sustained declines in case counts.
Increased testing was a big factor, said Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian infectious diseases specialist who chairs the WHO emergency committee. “Many countries have improved their ability to diagnose,” allowing them to identify cases and reduce spread, he said.
Stobbe reported from New York.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to begin immediate preparations for the 2026 monsoon season and present a comprehensive climate resilience action plan, within two weeks, that must address Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate change, including increasingly intense rainfall and flooding.
The prime minister chaired a high-level review meeting here to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rains and flooding, as well as the ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts underway across the country, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
PM Shehbaz declared the rehabilitation of flood-affected citizens a top national priority. He directed authorities to ensure full preparedness in river-adjacent areas of southern Pakistan, which remain vulnerable to flooding.
He emphasized that the federal government stands fully prepared to support provincial governments in all aspects of relief and rehabilitation.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for real-time monitoring of evacuation and relief operations to ensure that timely assistance reaches those in need. He instructed the establishment of a special committee to facilitate financial assistance for flood victims who are not currently registered with NADRA.
In addition, he urged the Ministry of Climate Change to begin immediate preparations for the 2026 monsoon season and directed it to present a comprehensive climate resilience action plan within two weeks. The plan, he said, must address Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate change, including increasingly intense rainfall and flooding.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised the efforts of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Pakistan Army, and federal and provincial rescue and relief agencies for their coordinated operations in affected areas.
Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the extent of the damage and the current status of operations. According to the latest updates, floodwaters from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers have reached parts of central and southern Punjab and are expected to pass through Panjnad.
Authorities have made preparations to handle a potential water flow of 1 to 1.2 million cusecs; however, the actual flow is expected to be around 600,000 cusecs, significantly lower than initially projected.
In Multan, district administration teams, military units, and rescue workers are fully mobilized and working to safely manage the passage of the floodwaters without damaging embankments. Restoration efforts in the power sector have also shown progress, with 80 percent of the affected electricity infrastructure in northern and central Pakistan already restored. Damaged roads and bridges have been repaired and reopened to traffic, facilitating relief supply and mobility.
It was reported that over two million people have been evacuated from flood-prone areas across the country, while more than 4,100 individuals stranded in isolated areas have been rescued.
The federal government has dispatched over 6,300 tons of relief goods to affected communities. To provide immediate healthcare support, more than 2,400 medical camps have been established in flood-hit regions.
The meeting was further informed that compensation for deceased persons, the injured, and property damages is being processed through NADRA, with priority given to those most affected.
The day six of the Hero Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday brought decisive results in both the classification and the Super 4s stage in Rajgir, Bihar.
With just one round of matches left before the final, the race for continental glory and qualification to the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is wide open — with India now leading the Super 4s standings.
Bangladesh vs Kazakhstan
The day began with Bangladesh overpowering Kazakhstan 5–1 in the 5th/8th place classification match. A strong all-round display ensured Bangladesh will play for a top-five finish, while Kazakhstan head into the 7th/8th playoff.
Korea vs China
China delivered a crucial 3–0 victory over Korea in the first Super 4s match of the evening. Efficient in attack and resolute in defense, China’s win keeps them firmly in the hunt for a place in the final. For Korea, the defeat leaves them with an uphill task going into the last round of matches.
Malaysia vs India
The highlight of the day came in the night clash as hosts India stormed to a 4–1 victory over Malaysia. Roared on by a packed Rajgir crowd, India combined flair with discipline to dismantle the Malaysians, who had started the Super 4s on top. The win lifts India to the summit of the standings and puts them in pole position ahead of a crucial clash with China.
Super 4s standings after day six
Hosts India led the standing with four points losing one and playing one draw i their two matches.
China followed them on the second place with three points with a win and a loss in the tournament so far, and Malaysia were on the third rank with three points from a win and a loss but a -1 goal diference.
Korea were on the fourth postion, with a draw and a loss and one point,
Next matches on Saturday, September 6, 2025
Match 19: 7th/8th Place Classification – Chinese Taipei vs Kazakhstan Match 20: Super 4s – Korea vs Malaysia Match 21: Super 4s – India vs China
With everything still to play for, Saturday’s double-header — India vs China and Korea vs Malaysia — will decide the finalists of the Hero Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic often turns the court into a stage with his expressive gestures, whether holding his racket like a violin and miming a bow across the strings, blowing kisses to the crowd, breaking into a favorite K-pop dance in honor of his daughter, or pumping his fist after a big point. The 38-year-old Djokovic reached the end of the line on Friday, losing 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to Carlos Alcaraz in a semifinal match.
This gallery, curated by AP photo editors, showcases third- and fourth-round matches at the US Open.
The 1500th Eid Miladun Nabi (pbuh) will be celebrated today (Saturday) with great religious zeal, devotion, and respect. In Rawalpindi, two central processions will be taken out, starting at 9am and continuing till late night, with recitation of naats and durood echoing along the routes.
Strict security and administrative measures have been finalized. Authorities have banned all unlawful practices during the processions, including display of weapons, political flags, slogans, loud music, heavy vehicles, donkey carts, and construction material along the routes. Parking has also been prohibited. Reception camps will only be allowed with official NOCs, while stalls serving milk, drinks, tea, and food will be set up.
All hospitals in the city have been placed on emergency alert, with doctors, nurses, and paramedics’ leaves cancelled. A contingent of the 111 Brigade will remain on standby. Throughout the day, procession routes will be sprinkled with rosewater, and participants will also be showered with it.
Patient Square Capital, the investment firm started by former KKR & Co. dealmaker Jim Momtazee, is exploring an acquisition of health-care services company Premier Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.
Patient Square is working to raise financing for a potential transaction that would see Premier go private, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential. Another buyer could also emerge, the people said.
Colombian consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in four months in August, dealing a setback to President Gustavo Petro’s campaign for deeper interest-rate cuts.
Annual inflation accelerated to 5.1%, the statistics agency said Friday, from 4.9% a month earlier. That was in line with the median forecast of 5.11% of 23 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Prices rose 0.19% from the previous month.
NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic said it was too soon to say whether he will play a full Grand Slam season next year, as he feels the strain of his 38 years against the newfound dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The 24-times major winner lost to second seed Alcaraz 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2 in the U.S. Open semi-final on Friday, marking the first year since 2017 that he has failed to reach a major final, the latest sign that his best days are behind him.
“I’m happy with my level of tennis, but you know, it’s just the physicality of it,” said Djokovic, who lifted the last of his four U.S. Open titles two years ago.
“It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance (in) best-of-three, but best-of-five, it’s tough.”
The seventh seed’s showdown with the Spaniard 16 years his junior on Friday was billed as the hottest ticket in New York, where a rapt, celebrity-packed Arthur Ashe Stadium urged on the Serb two decades after his Flushing Meadows main draw debut.
He put up a reasonably clean performance, pulling out a few nifty tricks at the net with his trademark creativity, but could not match his opponent’s intensity, producing roughly half as many winners as Alcaraz.
“I’m not giving up on Grand Slams,” said Djokovic, who lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon and Roland Garros semis after retiring in his semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open this year.
“I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least. But, you know, it’s going to be a very difficult task.”
His next stop on the ATP Tour will be in Athens and Djokovic said it was too soon to say whether he would play at Melbourne Park next year.
“At least at this stage of my career, I mean, I’m not thinking that far,” he told reporters. “I still want to play Grand Slams, Grand Slam season, full Grand Slam season next year. Let’s see whether that’s going to happen or not.” REUTERS
