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100% Migalhas: www.migalhas.com

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• MiMIC Journal
  

BoCom bank raises $8.9bn in fresh capital

China's fifth-biggest lender Bank of Communications, known as BoCom, is raising money to meet new, tougher capital requirements. BoCom is raising 56.6bn yuan ($8.9bn) by selling shares to 12 institutional investors, including HSBC, which already owns 19% of BoCom. BoCom previously had the lowest capital ratio of China's five biggest banks.

Standard Chartered banker detained by China authorities

China has detained Wu Yidian Eden, an employee of Standard Chartered Bank, as part of an investigation into one of her clients. Wu was detained by police on 6 March, but has not been charged with any crime. A client of Wu has been accused of fleeing China after stealing almost $50m from a state-owned bank. Standard Chartered Bank confirmed that Wu has been detained but said the bank was not under any investigation.

Chinese companies forced to falsify data, Government says

China's statistics bureau said local officials forced some hotels, coal miners and aluminum makers to report false numbers, highlighting flaws in data tracking the world's second-largest economy. Discrepancies between national and local numbers for gross domestic product indicate the task that remains for officials seeking to bolster confidence in the statistics system. So far, steps have included crackdowns on leaks of market-moving numbers and direct online reporting of data by companies to limit opportunities for provincial officials to massage the numbers.

• Law Firm Marketing

White paper marketing

by Linda Julian

White papers - research-based articles, opinion pieces, and fleshed-out case studies - are a great way of warming up prospective clients and referral sources.

By embodying your knowledge and track record in a white paper - creating IP - you generate interest within target markets, warm-up prospective clients, and add value to client relationships.

A white paper can underpin or stimulate a targeted marketing campaign. If white paper marketing is your chosen path, here are some promotional tips.

• Put it on your website. Right away - not "one day".

• Do a press release. Craft a short, sharp press release which includes a weblink to your white paper.

• Do a promotional circular email. Weblink to a printer-friendly version (.pdf) of your white paper.

• Email everyone in your firm with a link to your Intranet or website and an attention-getting covering note.

• Offer hard copies at reception, forthcoming seminars, industry events, and so on.

• Circulate it to other industry participants Make sure it's noticed.

• Mention your whitepaper in your newsletter. Consider a pr?cis, with an opportunity to access a full copy on your website.

• Create a seminar on the theme. Build education-based marketing activities around your whitepaper.

• Invite responses. Offer options for more information, to join a mailing list, or to invite personal follow-up.

Once you've done the hard work of writing, be sure to leverage your whitepaper investment.

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© Trey Ryder

FREE LAWYER MARKETING ALERT: If you'd like to receive Trey Ryder's weekly Lawyer Marketing Alert, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Write "Subscribe LMA" in the subject line and write your name and e-mail address in the body of the message.

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Tell your friends and colleagues you've read it in Migalhas International

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Saudis to remain out of 9/11 damages case

The U.S. judge overseeing a case seeking damages from foreign governments over the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks refused on Thursday to reinstate claims against Saudi Arabia. The plaintiffs -- mostly the families of victims of the attacks -- had asked U.S. District Judge George Daniels to reinstate claims against Saudi Arabia and a related charity. They cited a November appeals court decision allowing similar claims to proceed against Afghanistan. But Daniels said the November opinion by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was not sufficient grounds to bring back the Saudis, who had been dismissed as a defendant in 2005. Out of the over 200 entities and governments originally sued by the plaintiffs about 100 are still listed as defendants, and active litigation is ongoing with less than 10, a lawyer involved in the case said.

Whistleblowers reap millions in U.S. mortgage suits

Troubled homeowners are not the only ones set to get a financial lift from the U.S. government's $25 billion landmark mortgage settlement. Whistleblowers who were instrumental in revealing epidemic mortgage abuses, some of whom risked their careers to do so, are getting multi-million-dollar payouts. Details of the cases are emerging slowly as suits are unsealed and prosecutors disclose settlements. The complaints were brought under a whistleblower provision in the U.S. False Claims Act, which allows private individuals with knowledge of wrongdoing to bring suits on behalf of the government and share in the proceeds of any settlement.

Hungarian PM denounces EU's 'colonialism'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has launched a scathing attack on the European Union, accusing it of treating the country as a colony. Addressing a huge rally in Budapest, the conservative premier said the nation "will not live according to the commands of foreign powers". His comments came a day after the EU suspended funding for Hungary over its high budget deficit. "As a European nation, we demand equal treatment. We will not be second-class European citizens," he said. Some EU leaders have accused Orban's government of authoritarian practices.

Right to keep and bear arms is not 'property-like'

In a court opinion: "Just as some regulation of speech–e.g., of obscenity and defamation–is "outside the reach" of the First Amendment, so, too, is some regulation of firearms outside the reach of the Second. The right protected by the Second Amendment is not a property-like right to a specific firearm, but rather a right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. Houston has not alleged defendants prevented his "retaining or acquiring other firearms". Therefore, he has not stated a violation of his Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

Falkland Islands oil dispute: UK hits back

The UK has hit back at Argentina's threats of court action over Falkland Islands oil exploration, calling its behavior "illegal intimidation". Foreign minister Hector Timmerman had threatened legal action against firms drilling off the UK territory, over which Argentina claims sovereignty. But the UK Foreign Office said it was a legitimate commercial venture.

Lean times for Dewey & LeBoeuf

When the old-line law firms Dewey Ballantine and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae merged in 2007, it was the talk of the legal industry. The combination created an international behemoth poised to benefit from the booming global economy. Five years later, the corporate law world is again abuzz over the firm, Dewey & LeBoeuf, but for less auspicious reasons. Tens of millions of dollars in deferred compensation are owed to Dewey's partners. Some have been told they are being paid a fraction of what they were promised. The firm is cutting 5 percent of its lawyers and 6 percent of its staff. Nineteen of its 300 partners have left Dewey since January, including heads of major practice areas. About a dozen more departures are expected. The turmoil at Dewey highlights the risks of big law firms jettisoning traditional notions of partnership in favor of a star system, legal experts say. This free-agent market for top performers has changed the corporate law landscape, both financially and culturally.

ICC prosecutor to seek maximum sentence for Congo military leader

ICC - International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Thursday that he would seek the maximum sentence for DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo militia leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. Lubanga was found guilty Wednesday of war crimes for enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15 and using them to participate actively in hostilities. Ocampo said that if the prosecution seeks one year per child the total will be well beyond the maximum 30 years provided for under article 72(2) of the Rome Statute.

Goldman Sachs boss defends its ethics

Goldman Sachs' boss has rejected claims by a former employee that its environment is "toxic and destructive". Lloyd Blankfein said his views did not reflect the banking giant's values. Greg Smith, who headed Goldman's equity derivatives business in Europe, wrote to the New York Times saying it was common to hear talk of ripping off their "muppet" clients. London-based Smith said: "The environment now is as toxic and destructive as I have ever seen it." Smith, who is not on the management committee or even a partner of the firm, would know how the Wall Street giant treated clients in his division. But he questioned "whether or not he understands the Goldman strategy overall". Smith quit, saying he could no longer work there "in good conscience".

European telecom firms investigated by EU

European Union is investigating meetings between five of the region's biggest telecoms, including Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom. The other telecom giants are Spain's Telefonica - which owns O2 in the UK - as well as Telecom Italia and Orange owner France Telecom, a European Commission spokeswoman said. The investigation will look into what the five companies discussed. The requests for information relate to the manner in which standardization for future services in the mobile communications area is taking place. But the Commission said the firms were not yet subject to a formal inquiry.

N.Y. passes DNA requirement for convicted criminals

New York has approved a bill that will make it the first state to require a DNA sample from almost anyone convicted of a crime. Backers say the resulting DNA database could be used to prove innocence as well as guilt, but civil liberties groups are wary.

New law clears the way for airports to drop T.S.A. screeners

A new law makes it easier for airports to replace federal screeners with private contractors, and several airports, after years of passenger complaints, are lining up to make the change. The desire to use private screeners in place of T.S.A. personnel was motivated by hundreds of complaints from passengers. Airlines or airports used to have private security companies to screen passengers. But questions were raised in 2001, after the attacks of Sept. 11, and federal inquires found that many private companies had hired untrained security guards. The T.S.A. was established, taking over screening at all airports.

Trade deal between South Korea and the US takes effect

The long-delayed free trade agreement between South Korea and the US has come into effect, amid protests in Seoul. The deal, signed five years ago, is the biggest such agreement for the US in 16 years and comes as Seoul is trying to open its markets to other trading partners. Officials in South Korea hope the agreement with the US will create more than 300,000 jobs over the next 10 years and boost economic growth. Farmers and small business owners say that they will end up paying the price for a rise in car and electronic exports by South Korea's big companies.

• Daily Press Review

US reiterates commitment to Taliban talks
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar

Yemen Salafists form political party
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt

U.K's Cameron: No justification for Israeli attack on Iran
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel

Gulf Arab states close embassies in Syria
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel

Home care for elderly 'shocking'
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

Annan to brief U.N. on Syria
CNN International, London, England

British boy among bus crash victims
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England

'You're a shame to this country' judge tells Bad Samaritans as he jails them for mugging Malaysian student with broken jaw
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

Gerard Depardieu blasts fellow French natives
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

N. Korea to defy UN with satellite launch next month
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France

North Korea: North Korea announces plans for rocket launch
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

On the new Turkish naval strategy
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey

Record-bid skydiver Felix†Baumgartner in test leap
Independent The, London, England

Pensions pyramid
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia

Top civil servants should 'stop hiding behind ministers' to avoid responsibility for their mistakes
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England

BBC chooses London Olympics over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England

Ranger gunned down in Narathiwat
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand

SWIFT to cut services for Iran firms blacklisted by EU
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan

Putin's Russia Presents Worries and Opportunities
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea

North Korea may launch long-range rocket
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India

Angul man suffers stigma in HIV test flip flop
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India

Unbeaten Hakuho overpowers Gagamaru
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan

Afghan shooting suspect was 'reluctantly deployed'
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand

Siberian aborigines - Nenets
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China

Mexican cartel founder gets 35 year sentence
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore

Dragons host the Tigers
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia

North Korea set to launch earth observation satellite
Taiwan News, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan

Sri Lanka C. bank: Will act to curb rupee volatility
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India

Misleading calls followed ID as non-Tories, voters say
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Lawyer says Afghan massacre suspect upset at fourth tour
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada

S&P 500 Crosses 1,400 for First Time Since 2008, Dow Touches 4-Year High
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S

Dissidents Occupy Church Ahead of Pope's Visit to Cuba
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy

Apple touches record high as iPad 3 sales run hot
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S

London father-in-law emailed Assad advice - report
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S

Toronto Maple Leafs snap skid, beat Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario

Ethiopia 'attacks Eritrea bases'
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

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