Public comment ends on overhaul of criminal law

The public consultation period for a controversial overhaul of the mainland's Criminal Procedure Law ends. One of the most contentious amendments would place new rules on the existing practice of 'residential surveillance'. Many human rights activists contend it would allow police to detain suspects accused of endangering state security - usually dissidents - at secret locations for up to six months with little restriction. Lu Qing , whose husband, the dissident artist Ai Weiwei , was detained in undisclosed locations earlier this year for 81 days, called on lawmakers to reject the draft legislation.

Mainland tightens eligibility for thrifty-car subsidy

The mainland launches a more stringent subsidy scheme for fuel-efficient cars tomorrow. To be eligible for the 3,000-yuan (HK$3,662) subsidy, cars would have to consume no more than 6.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, instead of the present threshold of 6.9 litres, the Ministry of Finance said. The government said it had subsidised 2.15 million cars in the first year of the scheme, which was introduced in June last year.

Call for a million to march for civilian rule in Egypt

In Egypt, more than 18 political parties and groups have called for a million-man march in Tahrir Square today to demand that the military rulers announce a schedule for transferring power to a civilian government. They want emergency laws ended, the new elections law amended ahead of the coming parliamentary vote and working conditions improved for public employees. The demonstration is being dubbed 'Reclaiming the Revolution' and activists are hoping it is the biggest since Hosni Mubarak was deposed in February.

Quake, tsunami still hurting Japanese carmakers

The August figures for Japanese vehicle production are due and expected to show the country's car industry is still being ravaged by a combination of fallout from the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Vehicle production fell 13.9 per cent in July and an industry group is projecting a similar fall for August.

More woes for Qantas passengers in Australia

More than 8,500 passengers will be affected in another round of strikes by Qantas ground staff and engineers on one of Australia's busiest weekends. Some 4,000 members of the Transport Workers Union are to walk off the job for an hour from 8am - the morning peak - over stalled contract talks, with engineers in Melbourne to strike from 6pm to 7pm. The second major strike to hit the embattled airline in as many weeks comes amid a school holiday and national football finals.