Rocket Internet-Backed Lamoda Lands $130 Million Round

Rocket Internet-backed Lamoda, a fashion-focused e-commerce site in Russia, has announced that it has landed a $130 million (RUB 4.2 billion) round of funding from a range of regular Rocket Internet co-investors:?Access Industries, Summit Partners and Tengelmann Group.

Lamoda calls the deal ?the largest investment ever made in Russian e-commerce? and it follows a similarly significant windfall for Zalora, Lamoda?s sister site in Southeast Asia, which raised $100 million in March. Zalora?s raise included capital from Summit Partners and Tengelmann Group too.

Founded in 2011, Lamoda claims to see more than 20 million monthly visitors across its two Russian sites, which it says?offer more than 1 million products from some 800 international fashion brands. Like Zalora, the site is aiming to bring quality e-commerce services to Russia, a market that has been under-serviced by the likes of Amazon, eBay and others thus far. (Although competition is heating up since?Amazon just arrived in Russia?and top local retailer Ozon booked?$232 million in sales in the past six months.)

The company says it already provides next-day delivery to more than ten cities in Russia, and this new investment will increase its focus on raising the level of service and products available in more cities, according to co-founder and CEO Niels Tonsen:

?The investment allows us to continue building out our position as the leading fashion e-commerce retailer in Russia and the CIS. We are focused on offering the best possible customer experience paired with a unique product offering of local and international brands. With Lamoda Express we are already serving important parts of Russia with next day delivery. We will use the new investment proceeds to make this unique value proposition available to ever increasing numbers of our clients this year and beyond.?

Rocket Internet got a reputation for creating ?copycats? of successful business models with a view to making a quick buck through acquisitions ? such as CityDeal which?sold?to Groupon for $126 million ??but, as the recent funding deals show, the notorious German incubator is changing its approach with the emerging market businesses.

As Zalora Managing Director?Michele Ferrario told TNW in a recent interview, a number of Rocket Internet-backed companies are aiming to build industry leading e-commerce firms in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, Latin America and Russia. That necessitates a long-term plan, plenty of investment and input from a range of experienced backers ? such as proven retail groups like Tengelmann.

These companies aren?t without their problems ? demanding work schedules and a lack of equity are viewed as key factors for high turnover rates among staff ? but Rocket Internet and its investors are putting huge resources into bringing a new level of services to these markets, and that shouldn?t necessarily be dismissed as copycatting.

Also read:?Russian ecommerce is reaching a tipping point. It?s time that Europe and the US took note

Headline image via?401(K) 2013?/ Flickr

Source: http://thenextweb.com/eu/2013/06/11/lamoda-rocket-internets-fashion-focused-e-commerce-site-in-russia-lands-130m-investment/

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Why NSA whistleblower is in Hong Kong

Edward Snowden, the man who leaked NSA secrets to The Guardian newspaper, has chosen either luckily or on extremely good advice by seeking refuge in Hong Kong from possible prosecution.

A quirk of judicial history means Mr. Snowden could be safe from any US attempt to extradite him ?for months if not years,? according to one of the former British colony?s top legal experts, Simon Young.

Though it is unlikely Snowden would be able to spend the rest of his life in Hong Kong, he will be able to use the protections afforded by Hong Kong?s judicial system, which is independent of the Chinese government.

RECOMMENDED: How much do you know about China? Take our quiz.

If Snowden chooses to ask for political asylum, says Professor Young, head of the Centre for Comparative and Public Law at Hong Kong University, ?he is going nowhere? in the foreseeable future. A recent appeals court ruling, he explains, means that ?the government cannot return anyone who claims that he will be persecuted? in the country he came from.

That is because Hong Kong?s asylum law is ?a black hole,? Young says. In the wake of the court ruling last March, the government cannot continue simply to follow rulings by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on the merits of an asylum claimant?s case, as it has always done until now.

The Court of Final Appeal ruled that the government must independently determine the validity of asylum claims, but the authorities have devised no system for doing so. Legislation setting up such a system would take ?months if not years,? says Young, and any administrative plan the government instituted before a law was passed would be subject to challenge in the courts.

?Short of a criminal group getting to him, I think he is safe here,? Young adds.

Snowden told The Guardian in an interview published Sunday that he had flown to Hong Kong on May 20, because ?they have a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent.?

The Guardian also said he believed Hong Kong was ?one of the few places in the world that both could and would resist the dictates of the US government.?

The United States and Hong Kong signed an extradition treaty in 1996, shortly before Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty. Article 6 provides that ?a fugitive offender shall not be surrendered if the offence of which that person is accused or was convicted is an offence of a political character.?

If the US government does indict Snowden, and then asks the Hong Kong government to extradite him, the Chief Executive might refuse on the grounds of another clause in the treaty allowing him not to surrender a fugitive if doing so might implicate ?the defense, foreign affairs or essential public interest or policy? of the Chinese government in Beijing.

?Hong Kong will have to take instructions from Beijing on this,? predicts Michael Davis, a Politics professor at Hong Kong University. ?And I cannot see how Beijing benefits from tweaking the US? by refusing an extradition request.

Should Beijing and the Hong Kong government agree to an extradition, however, it would be subject to judicial approval, and Snowden could decide to argue in court that he leaked information about NSA spying programs for political reasons, portraying any crime of which he might be accused as ?an offence of a political character.?

Snowden might not win such a case in the end; nor would the courts necessarily grant him asylum, even when the relevant laws and regulations have been approved, because they might not regard prosecution in a US court as ?persecution.?

But ?one can take full advantage of Hong Kong?s legal system to challenge issues that may arise ... and that could take a long time,? predicts Young.

?He has made a very wise decision? to go to Hong Kong, adds the lawyer. ?But I would counsel him to get legal advice.?

RECOMMENDED: How much do you know about China? Take our quiz.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/edward-snowden-why-nsa-whistleblower-fled-hong-kong-124802199.html

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Old folks and cars in Japan

By Ken Y-N ( June 11, 2013 at 00:45) ? Filed under Polls, Society

Advertisement

Neo Marketing recently conducted a survey, reported on by japan.internet.com, into seniors and cars, targeting the over 60 age group.

Demographics

Between the 16th and 20th of May 2013 500 male and female car licence holders between the ages of 60 and 79 years old completed a private internet-based questionnaire. The respondents were drawn from Neo Marketing?s monitor panel, presumably.

I think the Daihatsu system (Toyota also has the same feature?) has an excellent feature that detects trying to run over a curb or block when starting to move, to assist people who would otherwise mash the wrong pedal and drive through a shop window and other such accidents that we often hear of.

I don?t like many of the collision avoidance advertisements, though, as they seem to suggest that one doesn?t really need to pay much attention when driving.

Research results

First of all, all 500 people were asked if they liked travel. 96.2% of them said ?yes? or ?to some extent yes?, so they were asked the following question.

Q1: What means of transport do you often use to go on holiday? (Sample size=481, multiple answer)

Car	69.2%
Train	39.5%
Airplane	32.0%
Bus	27.0%
Other	0.4%

Q2: Have you ever had a car accident while driving? (Sample size=500)

Yes	52.4%
No, but had near misses	37.6%
No, not even a near miss	10.0%

Q3: Do you know about driver assist systems? (Sample size=500)

Yes (to SQ)	36.0%
Just heard the term (to SQ)	43.8%
No	20.2%

Q3: Which of the following driver assist systems do you know about? (Sample size=399)

Subaru iSight	50.9%
Daihatsu Smart Assist	31.3%
Toyota Accident Avoidance Support Pre-Crash Safety System	26.3%
Mitsubishi e-Assist	16.8%
Lexus Pre-Crash Safety System	11.8%
Volkswagen City Emergency Brake	11.8%
Other	18.3%
Don?t know any at all	28.8%

Read more on: car,neo marketing,seniors

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WhatJapanThinks/~3/zi91vZDzM6U/

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Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts 3 announced for PlayStation 4

When Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura made a cameo at Sony's E3 press conference, we expected to hear an update on Final Fantasy Versus XIII -- we were wrong, but not disappointed. Instead of the heavily anticipated spinoff, Nomura revealed Final Fantasy XV to the world, promising the title for the PlayStation 4. It was hard to tell from the action packed trailer, but XV seems to to be a departure from the series' traditional turn-based combat, looking more to us like an action title than an RPG. Speaking of highly anticipated Square-Enix titles that eschew the RPG norm, Nomura followed the announcement with a trailer for Kingdom Hearts III. Unfortunately, neither title was given a specific release date, only the promise that both of them could be enjoyed on the PlayStation 4. Eh, we'll take it.

Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Gaming, HD, Sony

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/R51bxv19gjk/

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Japanese troops head to Calif. beach for training

SAN DIEGO (AP) ? Japanese troops will converge on California's southern coast in the next two weeks as part of a military exercise with U.S. troops aimed at improving that country's amphibious attack abilities.

U.S. and Japanese military officials said the unprecedented training, led by U.S. Marines and sailors, will help Japan's Self-Defense Force operate in stronger coordination with the United States, its main ally, and better respond to crises such as natural disasters.

China may see it differently, however, given the tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over a long-running dispute concerning islands claimed by both in the East China Sea.

"It's another dot that the Chinese will connect to show this significant expanding military cooperation," said Tai Ming Cheung, an analyst of Chinese and East Asian security affairs and director of the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation at the University of California, San Diego.

China asked the United States and Japan to cancel the drill, scheduled to begin Tuesday, Japan's Kyodo News service reported, citing unnamed Japanese government sources. The Japanese Defense and Foreign Ministries would not confirm whether China had made any request but said they are going ahead with the exercises.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not respond to The Associated Press for comment on whether China requested a cancellation. In regard to the drill itself, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "We hope the relevant sides can focus on peace and stability in this region, and do more to contribute to mutual trust and regional peace and stability."

U.S. military officials said strengthening Japan's amphibious capabilities is vital as the U.S. focuses more attention on developing an Asia-Pacific strategy amid ongoing U.S. Defense Department budget cuts. The region has been roiled by tensions due to North Korean long-range rocket and nuclear tests and maritime territorial disputes between China and its neighbors.

"If the 20th century taught us anything, it is that when democracies are able and willing to defend themselves it preserves peace and stability," said Col. Grant Newsham, Marine liaison to the Japanese military. "Most Asian countries welcome ? even if quietly stated ? a more capable (Japanese force) that is also closely allied to U.S. forces."

The drill comes just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit with President Barack Obama at an estate in the nearby California desert, at which the two discussed topics including the Pacific region's mounting tensions.

China recently asserted its dominance over what they call Diaoyutai, and Japan calls the Senkaku Islands, by sending government ships into Japanese territorial waters in April. China has said it is only safeguarding its sovereignty.

The uninhabited islands are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China. Japan's nationalization of the islands in September triggered violent protests across China. Beijing has increasingly patrolled the area, prompting Japan to dispatch fighter jets to monitor Chinese aircraft, raising the risk of missteps that could trigger a clash.

Japan's navy is among the world's best-equipped and best-trained, but its skills at storming beaches and other amphibious capabilities have been weak since its national defense force formed in the 1950s.

Largely in response to China's growing military might ? including the acquisition of its first aircraft carrier last year ? Japan has been buying amphibious landing craft and beefing up training for potential conflicts in or around small islands. Japan is also repositioning its troops to better monitor and defend its southern borders and sea lanes.

In September, a small group of Japanese soldiers practiced bombing maneuvers and joint command training with U.S. Marines and sailors in Guam.

The San Diego exercise marks the first time the country's troops will travel aboard warships so far from home, and members of Japanese air, sea and ground forces will train together with the U.S. military, said Cmdr. Takashi Inoue, spokesman for the Japanese Self-Defense Force.

The drill, which ends June 28, will train Japanese troops "on truly necessary" skills to help them deploy swiftly, whether to defend territory or provide disaster relief, Inoue said. With limited landing craft, Japan needed help from U.S. Marines to rescue people along its tsunami-devastated coast following the 2011 earthquake.

Japan is sending three warships, about 1,000 service members and about four combat helicopters to the so-called Dawn Blitz exercise, Inoue said. Forces from New Zealand and Canada also will take part.

The troops will practice an amphibious assault on San Clemente Island, a naval training ground off San Diego's coast, and also conduct a mock beach invasion at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Tokyo's move to boost its amphibious training is "hugely significant" since the United States is obligated to defend Japanese territory under a post-World War II security pact, said Kerry Gershaneck of the Pacific Forum-Center for Strategic & International Studies.

"We cannot ask young American Marines to fight and die doing a job that Japanese forces cannot, or will not, do," he said. "The U.S. Marines will help, but they must have a capable partner."

_____

AP reporters Eric Talmadge in Tokyo and Zhao Liang in Beijing contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-06-09-US-Japan-Amphibious%20Training/id-8bf513ae5cc94ec1bcba3f415bf5cd0f

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Virginia GOP Seeks Information on Concealed Gun Owners (Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)

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Historic swearing in for Pakistani lawmakers as challenges lie ahead

Pakistan's new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sworn in Saturday along with other lawmakers in a peaceful, democratic transfer of power. Sharif must lead a country that struggles with energy shortages, an ailing economy, and ongoing militant activity.

By Munir Ahmed and Nahal Toosi,?Associated Press / June 1, 2013

Incoming Prime Minister and Head of Pakistan Muslim League-N party Nawaz Sharif, (l.), takes the oath of office with other newly elected parliamentarians during the first session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday.

Pakistan Muslim League-N party/AP

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Newly elected members of Pakistan's National Assembly were sworn in Saturday, officially marking the first transition of power between democratically elected civilian governments in the nearly 66-year history of this coup-prone country.

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Among the steep challenges the legislators will face: massive energy shortages that leave some Pakistanis without power for up to 20 hours a day; a badly ailing economy that might force the Muslim-majority nation to seek an international bailout; and ongoing militant activity by Taliban and other extremists whose violence has killed thousands in the past decade and badly strained Pakistan's alliance with the United States.

Arriving at the Parliament building in Islamabad on a bright, hot day under tight security, the lawmakers were immediately mobbed by reporters. Among those in the spotlight was the incoming prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, whose Pakistan Muslim League-N handily won the May 11 elections.

"We are facing many challenges, but God willing, we will overcome them," said Sharif, who twice served as prime minister in the 1990s and was ousted in a 1999 military coup. The 63-year-old is expected to be sworn in as prime minister and appoint his Cabinet in the coming week.

Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza solemnly administered the oath to incoming legislators at noon. Afterward, lawmakers were called up to the front of the hall one by one to sign documents formalizing their membership.

The PML-N has captured 176 seats in the 342-member lower house of Parliament. The previous ruling Pakistan People's Party was crushed, earning just 39 seats.

Former cricket star Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party won 35 seats, and has pledged to act as a strong opposition. Khan, who is still recovering after fracturing three vertebrae and a rib when he fell off a forklift in the last few days of the campaign, did not attend Saturday's session.

The simple act of the oath-taking was historic in Pakistan, a country of 180 million that was carved out of India in 1947. For most of its history, military coups and other political turmoil prevented elected civilian governments from finishing their terms.

Despite its widely perceived incompetence, the fact that the government led by the People's Party survived its full five-year term was a significant accomplishment. Pakistanis hope peaceful transfers of power between civilian leaders will become the norm and ultimately lead to more government accountability.

The last time Sharif was prime minister his government was widely reviled to the point where many Pakistanis were happy to see the army kick him out. But many in the country are now happy he's back, and, because of his business background, are especially keen on seeing him move to fix the economy.

Sharif and his advisers are searching for ways to revive the economy without turning to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout. Perhaps the most critical step in saving the economy will be to address the energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the refusal of many Pakistanis to pay their electricity bills.

How Sharif deals with two other countries ? India and the United States ? could also define his rule.

India and Pakistan, which are both nuclear-armed, have fought three major wars, but in recent years have tried to improve their relations. Sharif has said he wants those efforts to continue, not least because India could prove a good trading partner.

Dealing with the United States could be in some ways a trickier matter. While officially a U.S.-ally in the fight against terrorists, Pakistanis have long been at odds with the U.S. on some of its tactics, especially drone strikes on Pakistani soil.

The most recent drone strike came Wednesday, and the Pakistani Taliban militant group said it killed their deputy leader, Waliur Rehman.

Sharif wants to resolve differences with the Pakistani Taliban through peace talks, but after the recent strike the Pakistani Taliban said they would not participate in any negotiations.

A statement issued by the PML-N late Friday said Sharif had expressed "deep disappointment" over the Wednesday drone strike. The statement called the strike a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and international law. It did not mention Waliur Rehman or the Pakistani Taliban.

The statement said a Sharif aide had conveyed his sentiments to the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. regards such missile attacks as legal, but President Barack Obama recently described plans to further restrict drone use in the future. According to the statement, the Sharif aide described the strike as especially regrettable since it came within days of Obama's speech.

Follow Nahal Toosi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nahaltoosi.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/eO6virXnTG0/Historic-swearing-in-for-Pakistani-lawmakers-as-challenges-lie-ahead

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