Colossal wildfires, massive smoke clouds & 'freaky' orange skies. The 2020 wildfire season in California has been record-breaking.

Gravitas: Is this the worst summer in American history?

From Vijay Mallya to Nirav Modi, why do most fugitive billionaires consider Britain the safest hiding spot? On Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma tells you what makes UK a haven for financial fraudsters.

Gravitas Plus: Why do the British love fugitive Billionaires?

<p>Myanmar is in election mode and&nbsp;campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a&nbsp;controversy.</p>

<p>The controversy involves the Myanmar army. The army holds considerable power over the political establishment in the country and&nbsp;has often been accused of human rights violations.</p>

<p>A new report shows how the&nbsp;army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities.</p>

<p>The report is part of an investigation by Amnesty International. It is based on leaked government documents.&nbsp;The documents which apparently exposes how international companies have been indirectly financing the Myanmar army.</p>

<p>Many of the military units that have been&nbsp;receiving funds are involved in human rights violations.&nbsp;The report claims that military generals have been receiving huge revenues from shares in Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-myanmar-armys-global-business-empire-326712/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>It is a secret conglomerate run by the military&nbsp;with several local and foreign businesses as partners.&nbsp;The board of this conglomerate is composed of high-level military figures.&nbsp;It is headed by the military chief Min Aan Laing himself.</p>

<p>According to the report, MEHL establishes joint ventures with business partners across Myanmar. This includes business activities like mining, manufacturing and trade.</p>

<p>The profits go to MEHL. The dividends go to shareholders.</p>

<p><strong>Who are the shareholders?</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Kirin Holdings, a Japanese beverage company.</li>
	<li>Inno Group, a South Korean property developer</li>
	<li>Pan-Pacific, a South Korean property developer</li>
	<li>RMH Singapore, a private company involved in tobacco operations</li>
	<li>Wanbao, a Chinese metal mining company.</li>
</ul>

<p>All these companies are business partners of the Myanmar Army. Their operations generate substantial revenue. The profit is distributed among regional commands, army divisions, battalions, troops and war veteran associations.</p>

<p>The report says that between 1990 and 2001 more than $18 billion were given to shareholders. Out of this some $16 billion were taken by military units alone.</p>

<p>What do they do with this kind of money?&nbsp;Cover their operational costs and fund atrocities. At least 95 of these military units fall under the western command of the Myanmar army, the one involved in operations in the Rakhine state.</p>

<p>33rd and 99th Light Infantry divisions of the Myanmar army are also listed as the shareholders.</p>

<p>These divisions have been involved in several crimes against the Rohingyas and other ethnic groups. They have been accused of large scale massacre of men, women and children.</p>

<p>So the bottom line is this: the business syndicate led by the Myanmar army is funding crimes against humanity. The companies involved are not doing anything to prevent or mitigate these crimes.&nbsp;The report says they are aware but they are not willing to disengage.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The military in Myanmar has a finger in every pie and that includes the government. The military has the power to veto major political decisions. It controls a quarter of seats in the parliament plus, it has a State Counsellor willing to go to any lengths to defend the army</p>

<p>She is a Nobel peace laureate. She is defending the same army that kept her under house arrest for years.&nbsp;She is also tipped to win the upcoming election.&nbsp;So the syndicate runs, the army makes money, the crimes continue and the Myanmar government stays silent.</p>


Myanmar is in election mode and campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a controversy. The controversy involves the Myanmar army.

Myanmar is in election mode and campaigning has begun. Political rallies are being held and with the election season underway there is also a controversy. The controversy involves the Myanmar army. The army holds considerable power over the political establishment in the country and has often been accused of human rights violations. A new report shows how the army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities. The report is part of an investigation by Amnesty International. It is based on leaked government documents. The documents which apparently exposes how international companies have been indirectly financing the Myanmar army. Many of the military units that have been receiving funds are involved in human rights violations. The report claims that military generals have been receiving huge revenues from shares in Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL). × It is a secret conglomerate run by the military with several local and foreign businesses as partners. The board of this conglomerate is composed of high-level military figures. It is headed by the military chief Min Aan Laing himself. According to the report, MEHL establishes joint ventures with business partners across Myanmar. This includes business activities like mining, manufacturing and trade. The profits go to MEHL. The dividends go to shareholders. Who are the shareholders? Kirin Holdings, a Japanese beverage company. Inno Group, a South Korean property developer Pan-Pacific, a South Korean property developer RMH Singapore, a private company involved in tobacco operations Wanbao, a Chinese metal mining company. All these companies are business partners of the Myanmar Army. Their operations generate substantial revenue. The profit is distributed among regional commands, army divisions, battalions, troops and war veteran associations. The report says that between 1990 and 2001 more than $18 billion were given to shareholders. Out of this some $16 billion were taken by military units alone. What do they do with this kind of money? Cover their operational costs and fund atrocities. At least 95 of these military units fall under the western command of the Myanmar army, the one involved in operations in the Rakhine state. 33rd and 99th Light Infantry divisions of the Myanmar army are also listed as the shareholders. These divisions have been involved in several crimes against the Rohingyas and other ethnic groups. They have been accused of large scale massacre of men, women and children. So the bottom line is this: the business syndicate led by the Myanmar army is funding crimes against humanity. The companies involved are not doing anything to prevent or mitigate these crimes. The report says they are aware but they are not willing to disengage. The military in Myanmar has a finger in every pie and that includes the government. The military has the power to veto major political decisions. It controls a quarter of seats in the parliament plus, it has a State Counsellor willing to go to any lengths to defend the army She is a Nobel peace laureate. She is defending the same army that kept her under house arrest for years. She is also tipped to win the upcoming election. So the syndicate runs, the army makes money, the crimes continue and the Myanmar government stays silent.

How Myanmar army runs a global business empire to finance atrocities

China is running out of options. Sources tell WION that the Indian Army has captured dominating heights close to Chinese positions in Ladakh.

Gravitas: India-China border standoff: Indian Army Captures Dominating Heights

Chinese mouthpiece People's Daily has refused to publish U.S. envoy Terry Branstad. The paper said the op-ed does not meet its standards. This is not a one-off instance.

Gravitas: China is censoring foreign envoys

An American outlet has published chilling details of what the Chinese establishment makes its soldiers do. From missions to suppress Uighur Muslims to executions to Chinese monks

Gravitas: Chilling details: Life as a PLA soldier

A new report has revealed that the Myanmar Army is running a global business empire to finance its atrocities in the Rakhine State. Which global companies are involved? How much money are the military generals making?

Gravitas: Myanmar Army's Global Business Empire

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Rafale's induction sends a strong message to those who challenge India's sovereignty.

Gravitas: With the Rafale's induction, India sends a message to China

'Comrade Oli' is trending once again. He is being accused of living a lavish lifestyle at the expense of Nepal's citizens. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu is trying to 'brainwash' Gurkha community members and stop them from joining the Indian Army.

Gravitas: Nepal's citizens slam Comrade Oli's lavish lifestyle

A massive fire at Europe's largest migrant camp in Lesbos has displaced thousands of refugees. Did the fire happen by mistake, or did the migrants burn their own houses deliberately?

Gravitas: Europe's largest Migrant Camp burnt to ashes

Is the United States staring at an armed insurgency? Did Donald Trump downplay the Wuhan Virus? Is the Trump administration trying to muzzle Anthony Fauci.

Gravitas: Another book bomb rattles Trump

Speaking exclusively to WION's Palki, Former White House Stenographer Mike McCormick has claimed that Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden is unfit to become the President of the US.

Gravitas: Former White House Staffer: Joe Biden unfit to become President

Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan's bid to exit the FATF blacklist have hit a political roadblock. Two key FATF bills were recently voted down in the upper house of Pakistan's parliament by the opposition.

Gravitas: Terror Politics in Pakistan: Opposition blocks Imran Khan's FATF bills

Gravitas: Terror Politics in Pakistan — Opposition blocks Imran Khan's FATF bills

As Foreign Ministers of India and China prepare for a likely meeting in Moscow - the Chinese media is reporting about a massive build up by the PLA at the border.

Gravitas: Chinese media reports a massive buildup by PLA at the border

An oil tanker off the coast of Sri Lanka caught fire last week. The blaze has been put out, but now the tanker is leaking diesel.

Gravitas: Burning oil tanker leaks diesel off Sri Lanka's coast

The development of the promising Oxford vaccine has been put on hold by AstraZeneca. This is after one participant suffered what may have been a serious adverse reaction. Is this a major setback?

Gravitas: Setback for Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine

Is Imran Khan selective in his crackdown against corruption? The Pak government has declared Nawaz Sharif an absconder. But, Imran Khan refused to accept the resignation of CPEC Chief Asim Bajwa - who faces corruption charges.

Gravitas: Imran Khan's selective crackdown against corruption

A month after coming to power with 2/3rds majority, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has proposed to ban cow slaughter in the country. Is this an anti-minority move?

Gravitas: Sri Lanka to ban cow slaughter

Seth D Harris served as the Deputy Secretary of Labor under President Obama. In an exclusive interview with WION's Palki, Harris said that Donald Trump is campaigning on racism and xenophobia. Take a look at this exclusive conversation.

Gravitas: Obama era Labor dept official slams Donald Trump

Despite raising $1.1 billion, businessman-turned President Donald Trump's re-election campaign has lost its monetary advantage. 60 days are left for the election, and Republicans are left with just over $200 million.

Gravitas: Trump's Campaign is running out of cash

An FIR has been registered against a 3-yr-old Pakistani boy. A Christian man has been sentenced to death over blasphemy. A former Pak lawmaker has been acquitted in a hit & run case.

Gravitas: How Pakistan is perpetually failing as a country

The owner of the online multiplayer game PUBG has cut ties with Chinese tech giant Tencent in India. Will India lift the ban on PUBG now

Gravitas: PUBG distances itself from Chinese investor Tencent

China has blamed India for the latest faceoff at the border. But, photographs accessed by WION show Chinese soldiers with batons, spears and sticks.

Gravitas: India-China standoff: First shots fired since 1975

India's posturing at Ladakh has taken China by surprise. As India changes its strategy from reactive to proactive, Beijing is running out of options.

Gravitas: India-China standoff: The shift in India's border strategy

During the 1962 war, Indian soliders had fought China with bravery at Rezang La. China has its eyes on this mountain pass once again.

Gravitas: India-China standoff: Why Indian soliders have the upper hand

Have you heard of Donald Trump's latest admirer? It's the niece of 9/11 terror attacks mastermind Osama Bin Laden

Gravitas: Why is Osama Bin Laden's niece supporting Trump?

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny may have survived the novichok poisoning. But his poisioning could kill a major gas pipeline project between Russia and Germany.

Gravitas: Nord Stream 2: Killed by Novichok?

Irony died a slow death today when China launched a global initiative on data security. The question is: Who is joining the Chinese initiative?

Gravitas: China's global data security push

More than 30 horses have been killed or mutilated in violent attacks across France since Feburary. But, the police officials are yet to find the motive behind these barbaric attacks

Gravitas: Mysterious horse killings in France

Myanmar has entered the election season. State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi has kicked off her election campaign. Can Suu Kyi make a comeback?

Gravitas: Aung San Suu Kyi launches election campaign

gravitas-1

Gravitas, News on Gravitas, stories on Gravitas, articles on Gravitas, Gravitas stories at Wion, Gravitas news, Gravitas latest news

gravitas 1