Global automakers unveil local China brands

SHANGHAI (AP) -- Some of the new Chinese cars unveiled at this week's Shanghai Auto Show are affordable for millions of buyers - a happy development for Beijing that might prove costly for the global automakers producing them.

General Motors Co. unveiled the 630 sedan, the first model from its new Baojun badge developed with Chinese joint venture partners. The four-door is based on an older GM car and will have a sticker price of 70,000 to 100,000 yuan ($10,700 to $15,300).

Honda Motor Co. displayed the plain, compact four-door S1 at the auto show, the first from its new Everus line which went on sale this week. Nissan Motor Co. showed off an unnamed car it plans to sell under the Venucia brand next year.

Urgent UN rights meeting on Mideast unrest planned

GENEVA (AP) -- Several members of the U.N.'s top human rights body are pressing for an emergency meeting to examine the government crackdowns against popular protests that have swept the Middle East and North Africa, Western diplomats said Wednesday.

The countries, from Latin America, Europe, North America and Asia, are trying to collect 16 signatures necessary to force a special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council next week, the diplomats said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, which was underlined by the innocuous title proposed for the meeting - "Promotion and protection of human rights in the context of recent peaceful protests."

Calif. GOP leader says email sender should resign

FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) -- The head of Orange County's Republican Party is vowing to keep up the pressure on a local GOP official to resign for sending an offensive email about President Barack Obama.

"This issue will not go away until she has taken 100 percent responsibility for sending out a racist email that offended millions," Chairman Scott Baugh said.

He commented by telephone on Wednesday after Marilyn Davenport, speaking for the first time, said she will not resign and had no racist intentions when she sent the email.

Japan's auto parts makers struggle after disaster

ISHINOMAKI, Japan (AP) -- In the days after Japan's earthquake and tsunami, Masahiko Horio knew he had to get his factory back online quickly.

Customers were clamoring. The backlog of orders swelled.

The zinc and aluminum widgets made by his company, Horio Seisakusho Co., appear insignificant at first glance. But the tiny metal components represent a vital fraction of the thousands of parts used in a single car.

The global supply chain that feeds the giant automakers - Toyota, Honda and General Motors - begins at unassuming companies like Horio Seisakusho. Japan's recent disaster showed that one missing link can grind production lines around the world to a halt.

A Consumer's Guidebook to Health Care Modernize

The six-month day of remembrance] of the enactment of the health care overhaul, many of the law's provisions will be in effect. Most consumers, however, won't insure whatever changes until later Jan. 1, when their new health insurance plan year begins.

Meanwhile, employees will be coming fix for fall's "open enrollment" period, when they pick their health coverage for the adopting year. In addition, people who buy their have health insurance will be exploring their choices. Medicare benefactive roles will be able to alter their coverage after this year if they need.

Here's a deal how the law involves folks who get their coverage operant, purchase their own health insurance or are recruited in Medicare.