Court cuts activists' jail terms to fines on appeal
The two-week jail terms for activists Chow Nok-hang, 27, and Wong Hin-wai, 23, for disorderly conduct were replaced on appeal yesterday by fines of HK$2,000 and HK$3,000 respectively. Members of the League of Social Democrats, they disrupted a speech by former transport chief Eva Cheng in April of last year in protest against an MTR fare rise. Mrs Justice Judianna Barnes Wai-ling found yesterday that they had not breached the peace.
Call for independent jury to pick equality watchdog
Eleven human rights groups called for the setting up of an independent panel of people experienced in equal opportunity matters to vet candidates to replace Executive Council Convenor Lam Woon-kwong when he steps down as chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission in January. They said the new chairman should not be a retired government official.
11 hurt in five-vehicle crash at tunnel exit
Three women remained in serious condition in hospital last night after a five-vehicle pile-up at the Hong Kong Island exit of the Western Harbour Tunnel in which 11 people, including a seven-month-old boy, were injured. Police said a Citybus double-decker caused the pile-up at about 10.45am when it ran into the back of a minibus. A taxi and two cars were also involved. The back of the red-topped minibus was badly damaged and part of its roof ripped open. Police said the minibus driver, his nine passengers and one on the bus were hurt and taken to Queen Mary and Ruttonjee hospitals.