greatgameindia--2020-03-09--Are SpaceX Starlink Satellites Threat To Astronomy

On 6 January , SpaceX launched 60 Starlink communications satellites into orbit .
This brings the number of Starlink satellites in orbit now to 180 , part of a planned fleet of as many as 42,000 spacecraft that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says will bring internet access to underserved areas of the world .
But they might also cause problems for astronomy .
Exclusive : Coronavirus Bioweapon – Our controversial report on how Coronavirus was Weaponized The satellites show up as a line of bright dots gliding across the night sky .
They are visible to the naked eye in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dimmer as they enter orbits farther into space .
Then , they are mostly too dim for our eyes to spot them , but telescopes still can .
When the satellites pass through a telescope ’ s field of view , they create bright streaks that cut through images of the sky , obscuring anything that might be behind them and pouring so much light into the telescope that it renders some observations unusable .
“ What surprised everyone – the astronomy community and SpaceX – was how bright the satellites are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Michigan during a panel discussion on satellite mega-constellations at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society ( AAS ) in Hawaii on 8 January .
While SpaceX did talk about the issue elsewhere at the meeting , AAS press officer Rick Fienberg said representatives declined to participate in the panel discussion .
In an effort to assuage astronomers , SpaceX is testing one satellite that is a bit different to the others .
This one was included in the most recent launch and is partially coated in a dark material to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ images .
We don ’ t have any data yet on how well it is working .
Jeffrey Hall at Lowell Observatory in Arizona said that SpaceX has been cooperative in communicating with astronomers through an AAS committee , but they haven ’ t yet figured out a solution .
“ In the early stages , we ’ re really trying to understand to what level is this a nuisance and to what level it is an existential threat to ground-based astronomy , ” he said .
The problem for astronomers doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies are working on mega-constellations of satellites .
Blue Origin , OneWeb and Amazon all have plans to launch thousands of communications satellites in the coming years .
SpaceX has started launching before the law has had a chance to catch up , and once the satellites are in space there is no backtracking .
While the company does need approval from regulatory bodies for each launch , there is no regulation preventing it from launching an unlimited number of satellites , which would be the death knell for ground-based astronomy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary , ” said Hall .
“ That is going to take a great deal of time to implement just because of the nature of that beast.
” At this point , he said , we have to rely on firms like SpaceX to voluntarily cooperate with astronomers to attempt to keep the impacts of their satellite constellations as low as possible .
With more than 1500 Starlink satellites slated for launch in 2020 , that cooperation will need to be speedy if it is going to make any difference .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Seitzer .
“ We have a very short time to deal with this issue ” before the sky is overwhelmed with bright satellites .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .

On 6 January, SpaceX launched 60 Starlink communications satellites into orbit. This brings the number of Starlink satellites in orbit now to 180, part of a planned fleet of as many as 42,000 spacecraft that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says will bring internet access to underserved areas of the world. But they might also cause problems for astronomy.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Exclusive: Coronavirus Bioweapon – Our controversial report on how Coronavirus was Weaponized
The satellites show up as a line of bright dots gliding across the night sky. They are visible to the naked eye in the weeks after launch and slowly become dimmer as they enter orbits farther into space. Then, they are mostly too dim for our eyes to spot them, but telescopes still can.
When the satellites pass through a telescope’s field of view, they create bright streaks that cut through images of the sky, obscuring anything that might be behind them and pouring so much light into the telescope that it renders some observations unusable.
“What surprised everyone – the astronomy community and SpaceX – was how bright the satellites are,” said Patrick Seitzer at the University of Michigan during a panel discussion on satellite mega-constellations at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in Hawaii on 8 January. While SpaceX did talk about the issue elsewhere at the meeting, AAS press officer Rick Fienberg said representatives declined to participate in the panel discussion.
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In an effort to assuage astronomers, SpaceX is testing one satellite that is a bit different to the others. This one was included in the most recent launch and is partially coated in a dark material to make it less shiny and visible in telescope images. We don’t have any data yet on how well it is working.
Jeffrey Hall at Lowell Observatory in Arizona said that SpaceX has been cooperative in communicating with astronomers through an AAS committee, but they haven’t yet figured out a solution. “In the early stages, we’re really trying to understand to what level is this a nuisance and to what level it is an existential threat to ground-based astronomy,” he said.
The problem for astronomers doesn’t end with SpaceX – several other companies are working on mega-constellations of satellites. Blue Origin, OneWeb and Amazon all have plans to launch thousands of communications satellites in the coming years.
Also read: NASA’s Orbital Debris Mitigation Strategy Against India’s National Security Interests
SpaceX has started launching before the law has had a chance to catch up, and once the satellites are in space there is no backtracking. While the company does need approval from regulatory bodies for each launch, there is no regulation preventing it from launching an unlimited number of satellites, which would be the death knell for ground-based astronomy.
“Regulation of the wild west up there is necessary,” said Hall. “That is going to take a great deal of time to implement just because of the nature of that beast.” At this point, he said, we have to rely on firms like SpaceX to voluntarily cooperate with astronomers to attempt to keep the impacts of their satellite constellations as low as possible.
With more than 1500 Starlink satellites slated for launch in 2020, that cooperation will need to be speedy if it is going to make any difference. “[Starlink is] just the start,” said Seitzer. “We have a very short time to deal with this issue” before the sky is overwhelmed with bright satellites.
Leah Crane for New Scientist
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
Support GreatGameIndia GreatGameIndia is being actively targeted by powerful forces who do not wish us to survive. Your contribution, however small help us keep afloat. We accept voluntary payment for the content available for free on this website via UPI, PayPal and Bitcoin.


greatgameindia--2020-03-08--How Deloitte Covered-up IL&FS Scam

How Deloitte Covered-up IL&FS Scam

An anonymous whistleblower , who claims to be part of the “ senior management team at Deloitte , Haskins and Sells LLP ( Deloitte ) ” and has been “ privy to several internal irregularities in providing professional services to the IL & FS ( Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services ) group ” has written to us outlining how the audit firm benefited by helping the failed group fudge its accounts year after year .
Exclusive : Coronavirus Bioweapon – Our controversial report on how Coronavirus was Weaponized In fact , Deloitte ensured a clean chit to IL & FS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( RBI ) claims to have red flagged a few issues and asked it to reduce its outstanding debt .
It is another matter that IL & FS did nothing .
The whistleblower says , “ The extent of the scam is mind boggling ” and hopes that investigation agencies would question members of the audit team , thereby giving him a chance to disclose how the “ the senior management at Deloitte is aware of the financial mismanagement and impropriety by the IL & FS group ” and actively helped fudge facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; but the whistleblower says , “ I have no faith in the current leadership and , hence , am consciously not resorting to our internal whistle-blowing mechanism.
” He goes on to provide a few details which need to be understood in the context of what we already know about its relationship with IL & FS .
Deloitte has audited IL & FS Financial Services Ltd ( IFIN ) for 10 years and remained the auditor until it completed 10 years in 2018 .
The audit report had absolutely no adverse findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the new IL & FS management headed by banker Uday Kotak said that 90 % of the loans advanced by IFIN , the lending arm of IL & FS , had turned bad .
Also read : Plan to Breakup the Big Four 1 .
Deloitte was a beneficiary of IL & FS ’ s ‘ unmitigated growth ’ over the decade in multiple ways .
It enjoyed a ‘ preferred advisor role ’ and was awarded several advisory contracts on a ‘ single sourced basis ’ at ‘ substantially high fees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audit findings would not show IL & FS in a ‘ favourable light ’ and Deloitte had to take a position , the auditor conveniently relied on “ management explanations and comfort letters by compromising on its independent opinion.
” At times , IL & FS ’ s top management would meet and “ coerce Deloitte partners for a more favourable position or watered down position.
” This was in addition to the ‘ watering down of views ’ that already happened internally at Deloitte , in the first instance .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this led the entire audit becoming “ susceptible to legacy positions and compounded the financial misreporting.
” In many cases “ the language of the management response was agreed before hand by Deloitte to close its internal reviews.
” 4 .
The whistleblower claims that , in the past three years , Deloitte discovered enough facts that would have qualified the report .
However , a specific audit partner ( name withheld by Moneylife ) would hold close-door meetings with IL & FS ’ s senior management and find ways to ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explanations and opinions .
The whistleblower goes on to outline how Deloitte benefited from these compromises .
“ As a compensation , ” for accommodating IL & FS in audit “ it was agreed that the group will remunerate Deloitte by way of consulting and advisory fees.
” Deloitte Consulting , a separate legal entity was paid crores of rupees under the guise of a ‘ strategy study for diversification ’ .
He also says , “ Deloitte charged a very large sum of fees to recommend creating a more complex financial services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The audit partner allegedly worked with the consulting entity partner to ensure that Deloitte earned a whopping Rs20 crore annually from the IL & FS group as a reward for ‘ managing ’ its audit .
The ‘ round-tripping ’ of loans , which was disclosed in detail by a forensic audit ordered by the new management at IL & FS , was not only well known to Deloitte ’ s senior partners , but they also “ helped to identify new businesses to cover round-tripping.
” According to the whistleblower , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name withheld by Moneylife ) at a very high salary “ to ensure that he would continue to earn high revenues for Deloitte.
” He helped design complex tax structures that would meet the ‘ eye of the law ’ while Deloitte would be protect itself through management explanations .
Worryingly , the whistleblower says that since the collapse of IL & FS , the team at Deloitte has been “ involved in a massive cover up and creating paper trail.
” He goes on to suggest how investigators can unearth the involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Accessing internal mails of select persons and checking their e-calendars for meetings that were not officially minuted .
• Confirming internal revenue targets for fees earned from IL & FS group .
Checking non-audit and consulting fees billed by Deloitte from IL & FS group , its associates and especially its joint venture partners .
The question is : Is the government really serious about a clean-up ?
So far , everybody connected has been treated with kid gloves .
The government-appointed board of IL & FS commissioned Grant Thornton to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Icarus ) which came up with a shocking interim report detailing outright fraud , mismanagement of funds , capricious actions and total disregard for regulators and regulation by the previous management .
It also narrowed down the responsibility to the committee of directors ( CoD ) comprising : founder and former chairman Ravi Parthasarathy , former vice-chairman Hari Shankaran , director Arun Saha and IFIN ’ s former managing director , Ramesh C Bawa .
Even this has not led to any decisive action other than issuing a few show-cause notices .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this cabal have been appointed by the government to head the new management .
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is also investigating the role of all auditors and its interim report has already accused them of acting in a ‘ fraudulent and negligent ’ manner .
The Deloitte whistleblower has only confirmed that this was the result of a deliberate nexus with the auditor and for financial benefit .
Moneylife wrote to Deloitte ’ s India CEO ( chief executive officer ) Punit Ranjen for his comments .
A PR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audit firm sent us this reply on behalf of Deloitte .
“ Deloitte strongly disagrees with the issues raised in your mail and these seem to be an attempt to malign the reputation of the firm .
The statements made are incorrect and misleading .
As you are aware , there are ongoing investigations by regulators and agencies .
Further , given our responsibility to maintain client confidentiality , we are regrettably constrained from providing you with the information you have sought .
However , we wish to emphasise that our work has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and regulations.
” We shared the whistleblower ’ s letter with Claire Hassett , managing director , Deloitte Global Communications who , in turn , appears to have shared it with senior management in India .
There has been no further response from Deloitte .
We have also shared the whistleblower ’ s letter with Uday Kotak , now the chairman of IL & FS , and with an official of the Serious Frauds Investigation Office ( SFIO ) , which is investigating IL & FS , as well as other Central government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and statutory auditors is critical to keep a check on malpractices of borrowers .
If rating agencies and auditors were not derelict in their duty , the shenanigans of IL & FS would have been discovered much earlier .
The loss to lenders could be well in excess of Rs30,000 crore .
More importantly , if the checks & balances in a system—provided by ratings , audits and inspections ( by the RBI in this case ) fail—then all investment decisions become like a lottery .
If that is the basis on which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the government spent so much money on creating five giant regulatory organisations for the financial sector alone ?
Unless those responsible for allowing the IL & FS mismanagement to continue for years are booked , what kind of message are we sending to investors and the people ?
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .

An anonymous whistleblower, who claims to be part of the “senior management team at Deloitte, Haskins and Sells LLP (Deloitte)” and has been “privy to several internal irregularities in providing professional services to the IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services) group” has written to us outlining how the audit firm benefited by helping the failed group fudge its accounts year after year.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Exclusive: Coronavirus Bioweapon – Our controversial report on how Coronavirus was Weaponized
In fact, Deloitte ensured a clean chit to IL&FS even when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) claims to have red flagged a few issues and asked it to reduce its outstanding debt. It is another matter that IL&FS did nothing. The whistleblower says, “The extent of the scam is mind boggling” and hopes that investigation agencies would question members of the audit team, thereby giving him a chance to disclose how the “the senior management at Deloitte is aware of the financial mismanagement and impropriety by the IL&FS group” and actively helped fudge facts.
Deloitte has an internal reporting system; but the whistleblower says, “I have no faith in the current leadership and, hence, am consciously not resorting to our internal whistle-blowing mechanism.” He goes on to provide a few details which need to be understood in the context of what we already know about its relationship with IL&FS.
Deloitte has audited IL&FS Financial Services Ltd (IFIN) for 10 years and remained the auditor until it completed 10 years in 2018. The audit report had absolutely no adverse findings even in 2017-18. On 3rd April, the new IL&FS management headed by banker Uday Kotak said that 90% of the loans advanced by IFIN, the lending arm of IL&FS, had turned bad.
Subscribe to GreatGameIndia
Also read: Plan to Breakup the Big Four
Key Allegations
1. Deloitte was a beneficiary of IL&FS’s ‘unmitigated growth’ over the decade in multiple ways. It enjoyed a ‘preferred advisor role’ and was awarded several advisory contracts on a ‘single sourced basis’ at ‘substantially high fees’ as compensation.
2. When audit findings would not show IL&FS in a ‘favourable light’ and Deloitte had to take a position, the auditor conveniently relied on “management explanations and comfort letters by compromising on its independent opinion.” At times, IL&FS’s top management would meet and “coerce Deloitte partners for a more favourable position or watered down position.” This was in addition to the ‘watering down of views’ that already happened internally at Deloitte, in the first instance.
3. Over the years, says the whistleblower, this led the entire audit becoming “susceptible to legacy positions and compounded the financial misreporting.” In many cases “the language of the management response was agreed before hand by Deloitte to close its internal reviews.”
4. The whistleblower claims that, in the past three years, Deloitte discovered enough facts that would have qualified the report. However, a specific audit partner (name withheld by Moneylife) would hold close-door meetings with IL&FS’s senior management and find ways to ‘manage’ these by relying on management explanations and opinions.
The whistleblower goes on to outline how Deloitte benefited from these compromises.
Financial Benefits
“As a compensation,” for accommodating IL&FS in audit “it was agreed that the group will remunerate Deloitte by way of consulting and advisory fees.” Deloitte Consulting, a separate legal entity was paid crores of rupees under the guise of a ‘strategy study for diversification’. He also says, “Deloitte charged a very large sum of fees to recommend creating a more complex financial services business and grow its already stressed books.”
The audit partner allegedly worked with the consulting entity partner to ensure that Deloitte earned a whopping Rs20 crore annually from the IL&FS group as a reward for ‘managing’ its audit. The ‘round-tripping’ of loans, which was disclosed in detail by a forensic audit ordered by the new management at IL&FS, was not only well known to Deloitte’s senior partners, but they also “helped to identify new businesses to cover round-tripping.”
According to the whistleblower, Deloitte employed a senior tax adviser (name withheld by Moneylife) at a very high salary “to ensure that he would continue to earn high revenues for Deloitte.” He helped design complex tax structures that would meet the ‘eye of the law’ while Deloitte would be protect itself through management explanations.
In the late 90s secret meetings took place in London where the blueprint for the return of East India Company was drafted. Called #Vision2020 the scheme was a brainchild of an American consultancy firm born out of US military #McKinsey & #BigFour. #Kashmirhttps://t.co/nYgGQ0FAdj — GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) August 27, 2019
How To Unearth
Worryingly, the whistleblower says that since the collapse of IL&FS, the team at Deloitte has been “involved in a massive cover up and creating paper trail.” He goes on to suggest how investigators can unearth the involvement of Deloitte’s top brass.
Accessing internal mails of select persons and checking their e-calendars for meetings that were not officially minuted.
Confirming internal revenue targets for fees earned from IL&FS group. Checking non-audit and consulting fees billed by Deloitte from IL&FS group, its associates and especially its joint venture partners.
Questioning audit team members dealing with IL&FS.
The question is: Is the government really serious about a clean-up? So far, everybody connected has been treated with kid gloves. The government-appointed board of IL&FS commissioned Grant Thornton to conduct a forensic audit of IFIN (Project Icarus) which came up with a shocking interim report detailing outright fraud, mismanagement of funds, capricious actions and total disregard for regulators and regulation by the previous management.
It also narrowed down the responsibility to the committee of directors (CoD) comprising: founder and former chairman Ravi Parthasarathy, former vice-chairman Hari Shankaran, director Arun Saha and IFIN’s former managing director, Ramesh C Bawa. Even this has not led to any decisive action other than issuing a few show-cause notices. What is worse, some very close friends of this cabal have been appointed by the government to head the new management.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is also investigating the role of all auditors and its interim report has already accused them of acting in a ‘fraudulent and negligent’ manner. The Deloitte whistleblower has only confirmed that this was the result of a deliberate nexus with the auditor and for financial benefit.
Moneylife wrote to Deloitte’s India CEO (chief executive officer) Punit Ranjen for his comments. A PR (public relations) agency for the audit firm sent us this reply on behalf of Deloitte.
“Deloitte strongly disagrees with the issues raised in your mail and these seem to be an attempt to malign the reputation of the firm. The statements made are incorrect and misleading. As you are aware, there are ongoing investigations by regulators and agencies. Further, given our responsibility to maintain client confidentiality, we are regrettably constrained from providing you with the information you have sought. However, we wish to emphasise that our work has been conducted in accordance with prescribed standards and regulations.”
We shared the whistleblower’s letter with Claire Hassett, managing director, Deloitte Global Communications who, in turn, appears to have shared it with senior management in India. There has been no further response from Deloitte.
We have also shared the whistleblower’s letter with Uday Kotak, now the chairman of IL&FS, and with an official of the Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO), which is investigating IL&FS, as well as other Central government agencies.
The independence of rating agencies and statutory auditors is critical to keep a check on malpractices of borrowers. If rating agencies and auditors were not derelict in their duty, the shenanigans of IL&FS would have been discovered much earlier. The loss to lenders could be well in excess of Rs30,000 crore. More importantly, if the checks & balances in a system—provided by ratings, audits and inspections (by the RBI in this case) fail—then all investment decisions become like a lottery. If that is the basis on which we are forced to invest, why has the government spent so much money on creating five giant regulatory organisations for the financial sector alone?
Unless those responsible for allowing the IL&FS mismanagement to continue for years are booked, what kind of message are we sending to investors and the people?
Sucheta Dalal for Moneylife
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
Support GreatGameIndia GreatGameIndia is being actively targeted by powerful forces who do not wish us to survive. Your contribution, however small help us keep afloat. We accept voluntary payment for the content available for free on this website via UPI, PayPal and Bitcoin.


greatgameindia--2020-03-08--Chinese Alternative To WHO

Chinese Alternative To WHO

As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world , a Chinese government-owned think tank is soliciting opinions to gauge how the international community might receive a Chinese alternative to WHO ( World Health Organization ) .
EXCLUSIVE : Coronavirus Bioweapon – How China Stole Coronavirus From Canada And Weaponized It Why it matters : Beijing is seeking to turn the coronavirus , initially a disaster for China ’ s public image , into an opportunity to advance its global leadership and bolster its soft power abroad .
In a message viewed by Axios , an employee of CNPC Economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) said they were exploring the possibility of a Beijing-led global health organization that would rival the WHO .
• The employee then asked how Israeli experts at SIGNAL , an Israeli nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Israeli-China ties , would view such an organization .
• CNPC ETRI is a think tank affiliated with the China National Petroleum Corporation , which is owned by the Chinese government .
The president of CNPC ETRI reports to Chinese leadership .
( The institute did not respond to a request for comment . )
Context : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global leader in the fight against the coronavirus , rather than the country where it originated and spread due to the government ’ s initial suppression of information related to the outbreak .
What they ’ re saying : “ According to our analysis , the situation of coronavirus around the world is urgent , therefore , we consider that perhaps the world needs a leadership country/organization coordinating all the countries affected in fighting against coronavirus , just like the leadership role of U.S. in W.H.O , ” wrote the think tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then asked for feedback on the idea and whether SIGNAL ’ s experts agreed with it .
Between the lines : In China , state-sponsored think tanks can double as diplomatic back channels , allowing leaders a low-risk means to float new ideas and explore how they might be perceived .
• Carice Witte , the founder and executive director of SIGNAL , told Axios the idea of a Beijing-led WHO alternative is “ very interesting in the context of China ’ s aim to reshape global governance , including setting up parallel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to predict the development of coronavirus around the word and how to fight against the epidemics .
We also asked experts other questions such as the public response to the crisis and how does the public view the measures taken by the government to fight against coronavirus.
” said Sun Li , a research fellow at CNPC ETRI .
• “ The question is nothing more than a survey which is used to predict coronavirus development.
” For latest updates on the outbreak check out our Coronavirus Coverage .
GreatGameIndia is a journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .
Read more on Chinese Biological and Chemical warfare activities against India in our exclusive History of Narco-Terrorism issue .

As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, a Chinese government-owned think tank is soliciting opinions to gauge how the international community might receive a Chinese alternative to WHO (World Health Organization).
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Why it matters: Beijing is seeking to turn the coronavirus, initially a disaster for China’s public image, into an opportunity to advance its global leadership and bolster its soft power abroad.
In a message viewed by Axios, an employee of CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute (CNPC ETRI) said they were exploring the possibility of a Beijing-led global health organization that would rival the WHO.
The employee then asked how Israeli experts at SIGNAL, an Israeli nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Israeli-China ties, would view such an organization.
CNPC ETRI is a think tank affiliated with the China National Petroleum Corporation, which is owned by the Chinese government. The president of CNPC ETRI reports to Chinese leadership. (The institute did not respond to a request for comment.)
Context: China is seeking to recast itself as a global leader in the fight against the coronavirus, rather than the country where it originated and spread due to the government’s initial suppression of information related to the outbreak.
What they’re saying: “According to our analysis, the situation of coronavirus around the world is urgent, therefore, we consider that perhaps the world needs a leadership country/organization coordinating all the countries affected in fighting against coronavirus, just like the leadership role of U.S. in W.H.O,” wrote the think tank employee.
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The think tank employee then asked for feedback on the idea and whether SIGNAL’s experts agreed with it.
EXCLUSIVE#Coronavirus Bioweapon Thread How China Stole Coronavirus From Canada And Weaponized Ithttps://t.co/tc7W2DrmAA — GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) January 27, 2020
Between the lines: In China, state-sponsored think tanks can double as diplomatic back channels, allowing leaders a low-risk means to float new ideas and explore how they might be perceived.
Carice Witte, the founder and executive director of SIGNAL, told Axios the idea of a Beijing-led WHO alternative is “very interesting in the context of China’s aim to reshape global governance, including setting up parallel institutions.”
“Our research purpose is to predict the development of coronavirus around the word and how to fight against the epidemics. We also asked experts other questions such as the public response to the crisis and how does the public view the measures taken by the government to fight against coronavirus.” said Sun Li, a research fellow at CNPC ETRI.
“The question is nothing more than a survey which is used to predict coronavirus development.”
Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian for Axios
For latest updates on the outbreak check out our Coronavirus Coverage.
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
Read more on Chinese Biological and Chemical warfare activities against India in our exclusive History of Narco-Terrorism issue.
Support GreatGameIndia GreatGameIndia is being actively targeted by powerful forces who do not wish us to survive. Your contribution, however small help us keep afloat. We accept voluntary payment for the content available for free on this website via UPI, PayPal and Bitcoin.


greatgameindia--2020-03-07--Anming Hu – Chinese Spy Caught At University Of Tennessee

In yet another case of espionage , Anming Hu , a Chinese spy has been caught at the University of Tennessee , Knoxville ( UTK ) .
Anming Hu , 51 , an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical , Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at UTK , is charged with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements .
• EXCLUSIVE : Coronavirus Bioweapon – How China Stole Coronavirus From Canada And Weaponized It Beginning in 2016 , Hu engaged in a scheme to defraud the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Technology ( BJUT ) in China .
Federal law prohibits NASA from using federally appropriated funds on projects in collaboration with China or Chinese universities .
As alleged in the indictment , Hu ’ s false representations and omissions to UTK about his affiliation with BJUT caused UTK to falsely certify to NASA that UTK was in compliance with federal law .
“ Hu allegedly committed fraud by hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving funding from NASA , ” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving professors or researchers concealing their affiliations with China from their American employers and the U.S. government .
We will not tolerate it.
” “ The FBI and its federal government , private-sector , and academic partners will continue to investigate and collaborate to counter these efforts at concealment , wherever they occur , ” said FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Joseph E. Carrico .
If convicted , Hu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $ 250,000 on each of the wire fraud counts , and up to five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false statement counts .
The Tennessee case follows another espionage case last month where Chinese Biowarfare agents at Harvard University were caught smuggling viruses .
The Chair of Harvard University ’ s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department and two Chinese nationals were charged in connection with aiding the People ’ s Republic of China .
Dr. Charles Lieber , 60 , Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University , was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of making a materially false , fictitious and fraudulent @ @

In yet another case of espionage, Anming Hu, a Chinese spy has been caught at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). Anming Hu, 51, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at UTK, is charged with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Anming Hu – Chinese Spy Caught At University Of Tennessee
Beginning in 2016, Hu engaged in a scheme to defraud the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) by concealing his affiliation with Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) in China. Federal law prohibits NASA from using federally appropriated funds on projects in collaboration with China or Chinese universities. As alleged in the indictment, Hu’s false representations and omissions to UTK about his affiliation with BJUT caused UTK to falsely certify to NASA that UTK was in compliance with federal law.
“Hu allegedly committed fraud by hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving funding from NASA,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “This is just the latest case involving professors or researchers concealing their affiliations with China from their American employers and the U.S. government. We will not tolerate it.” “The FBI and its federal government, private-sector, and academic partners will continue to investigate and collaborate to counter these efforts at concealment, wherever they occur,” said FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Joseph E. Carrico.
If convicted, Hu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the wire fraud counts, and up to five years in prison on each of the false statement counts.
Chinese Biowarfare Agents At Harvard University Caught Smuggling Viruses
The Tennessee case follows another espionage case last month where Chinese Biowarfare agents at Harvard University were caught smuggling viruses. The Chair of Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department and two Chinese nationals were charged in connection with aiding the People’s Republic of China.
Dr. Charles Lieber, 60, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of making a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement.
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greatgameindia--2020-03-06--Plan To Breakup The Big Four

Plan To Breakup The Big Four

The UK audit regulator has outlined the plan to breakup the Big Four accounting firms in letters sent to the leaders of Deloitte , EY , KPMG and PwC .
In what would amount to a far-reaching shake-up of the accounting industry , the Financial Reporting Council ( FRC ) issued guidelines for the big four to separate their audit and consulting operations in Britain .
• Exclusive : Coronavirus Bioweapon – Our controversial report on how Coronavirus was Weaponized Plan to Breakup the Big Four The move comes almost a year after the competition watchdog recommended that the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split audit from consulting roles amid concerns about their dominance and conflicts of interest in the scandal-hit industry , reported Financial Times .
But with no signs of imminent legislation from ministers , the FRC is pressing the firms to embark on a voluntary break up as part of efforts to improve the quality in auditing .
The FRC wants the firms to make their audit operations financially independent businesses , with separate boards led by independent chairs .
It said there should be a ringfencing of audit costs and profits , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer be remunerated from a shared pool of earnings that involved firms ’ consultants or tax advisers .
The FRC is due to be replaced by a stronger regulator called the Audit , Reporting and Governance Authority , which is expected to have powers to force a break-up of the big four .
The Big Four include the consultancy firms KPMG , Ernst & Young ( EY ) , Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC ) .
Together they audit 99 % of the companies in the FTSE 100 and 96 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an index of the leading mid-cap listing companies , dominating the entire audit market .
In other words any and every instance of large scale corruption goes through their supervision .
It was reported in 2012 that at least 21 trillion dollars of worldwide ill-gotten money of their elite clients was hidden away by the Big Four in tax havens .
The impact of this swindling on Indian economy and the subsequent Indian response can be read in our report – the Global War on Cash : Target India .
In a nutshell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for the creation of the Tax Haven ecosystem in the former British colonies from where corruption money from around the world is laundered and funneled into Inner London – the elaborate setup widely known as Empire 2.0 also known as the Deep State .
It is through this tax havens that corruption money accumulated through decades from working Indians is routed back into India as Foreign Direct Investment .
This phenomenon known as ‘ Round Tripping ’ , one of the leading puzzles related to cross border flow of investment is India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international watchdog Global Financial Integrity , India is a parking spot for around USD 101 billion illegal inflow of funds .
Although this is a very conservative figure .
In the late 90s secret meetings took place in London where the blueprint for the ‘ development ’ of an entire Indian state was envisioned .
Called Vision 2020 , the scheme was the brainchild of an American consultancy firm born out of US military – McKinsey .
It was supposed to be a role model and exported to other states of India and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although amidst widespread opposition the people of Andhra Pradesh destroyed this ‘ world ’ s most dangerous economic experiment ’ dubbed at the time as ‘ the Return of the East India Company ’ .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .

The UK audit regulator has outlined the plan to breakup the Big Four accounting firms in letters sent to the leaders of Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC. In what would amount to a far-reaching shake-up of the accounting industry, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) issued guidelines for the big four to separate their audit and consulting operations in Britain.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Exclusive: Coronavirus Bioweapon – Our controversial report on how Coronavirus was Weaponized
Plan to Breakup the Big Four
The move comes almost a year after the competition watchdog recommended that the British government legislate to force the firms to split audit from consulting roles amid concerns about their dominance and conflicts of interest in the scandal-hit industry, reported Financial Times.
But with no signs of imminent legislation from ministers, the FRC is pressing the firms to embark on a voluntary break up as part of efforts to improve the quality in auditing. The FRC wants the firms to make their audit operations financially independent businesses, with separate boards led by independent chairs. It said there should be a ringfencing of audit costs and profits, and the partners in these businesses should no longer be remunerated from a shared pool of earnings that involved firms’ consultants or tax advisers.
The FRC is due to be replaced by a stronger regulator called the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority, which is expected to have powers to force a break-up of the big four.
Also read: How Deloitte covered-up IL&FS Scam
Big Four’s Empire 2.0
The Big Four include the consultancy firms KPMG, Ernst & Young (EY), Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Together they audit 99% of the companies in the FTSE 100 and 96% of the companies in the FTSE 250 Index, an index of the leading mid-cap listing companies, dominating the entire audit market. In other words any and every instance of large scale corruption goes through their supervision.
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It was reported in 2012 that at least 21 trillion dollars of worldwide ill-gotten money of their elite clients was hidden away by the Big Four in tax havens. The impact of this swindling on Indian economy and the subsequent Indian response can be read in our report – the Global War on Cash: Target India.
In a nutshell, the Big Four accounting firms are responsible for the creation of the Tax Haven ecosystem in the former British colonies from where corruption money from around the world is laundered and funneled into Inner London – the elaborate setup widely known as Empire 2.0 also known as the Deep State.
Round-Tripping Black Money as FDI
It is through this tax havens that corruption money accumulated through decades from working Indians is routed back into India as Foreign Direct Investment. This phenomenon known as ‘Round Tripping’, one of the leading puzzles related to cross border flow of investment is India’s biggest scam. According to international watchdog Global Financial Integrity, India is a parking spot for around USD 101 billion illegal inflow of funds. Although this is a very conservative figure.
Return of the East India Company
In the late 90s secret meetings took place in London where the blueprint for the return of East India Company was drafted. Called #Vision2020 the scheme was a brainchild of an American consultancy firm born out of US military #McKinsey & #BigFour. #Kashmirhttps://t.co/nYgGQ0FAdj — GreatGameIndia (@GreatGameIndia) August 27, 2019
In the late 90s secret meetings took place in London where the blueprint for the ‘development’ of an entire Indian state was envisioned. Called Vision 2020, the scheme was the brainchild of an American consultancy firm born out of US military – McKinsey. It was supposed to be a role model and exported to other states of India and later to the entire developing world. Although amidst widespread opposition the people of Andhra Pradesh destroyed this ‘world’s most dangerous economic experiment’ dubbed at the time as ‘the Return of the East India Company’.
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
Support GreatGameIndia GreatGameIndia is being actively targeted by powerful forces who do not wish us to survive. Your contribution, however small help us keep afloat. We accept voluntary payment for the content available for free on this website via UPI, PayPal and Bitcoin.


greatgameindia--2020-03-06--Yes Bank Crisis Hit Payments Apps

Yes Bank Crisis Hit Payments Apps

Walmart ’ s payment services provider PhonePe have suffered an outage after the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) on Thursday put Yes Bank under moratorium .
Strangely , PhonePe , despite its big transactions is fully dependent on Yes Bank , as its payment gateway or payment services provider ( PSP ) and thus could not carry out any single transaction since Thursday evening .
In addition , many users of Yes Bank ’ s application programming interface ( API ) banking services are also facing severe issues in transactions .
The moratorium on Yes Bank has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dependent on the crisis-hit lender for electronic inter-bank payment transactions .
Immediately after the RBI announcement , PhonePe said its services were temporarily not available as it was going through an unscheduled maintenance activity .
However , when the issue remain unresolved , Sameer Nigam , chief executive ( CEO ) of PhonePe said the issue was due to moratorium placed on Yes Bank by RBI .
According to an industry expert , the PhonePe case is self-inflicted disaster .
“ How can an UPI app have only one payment gateway ?
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers to have as many PSPs as they can ?
In this case , PhonePe may have gone for PSP with lowest bidding or cheapest transaction rates with Yes Bank .
But this is an important lesson for all other players in the market , ” the expert , who done not want to be named , says .
Yes Bank is payment service provider ( PSP ) of PhonePe .
In addition , several unified payments interface ( UPI ) users with @ ybl signature will not be able to carry out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Swiggy , Flipkart , MakeMyTrip , Cleartrip , Airtel , RedBus , Microsoft Kaizala and Udaan among others .
Here is the list of third party UPI apps and their PSP bank… Yes Bank was the first in India to digitise business to business ( B2B ) supply chain with its API banking services .
It allowed cash payment or receivable facility from any enterprise resource planning ( ERP ) system to businesses and also provided daily account settlement for easy reconciliation .
Out of the 1,303 banks that are live on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 134 cooperative , district and urban cooperative banks are dependent on Yes Bank for their electronic inter-bank transactions .
Yes Bank has 593 IFSC codes , data from the NPCI shows .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .
Send in your tips and submissions by filling out this form or write to us directly at the email provided .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and updates .

Walmart’s payment services provider PhonePe have suffered an outage after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday put Yes Bank under moratorium. Strangely, PhonePe, despite its big transactions is fully dependent on Yes Bank, as its payment gateway or payment services provider (PSP) and thus could not carry out any single transaction since Thursday evening. In addition, many users of Yes Bank’s application programming interface (API) banking services are also facing severe issues in transactions. The moratorium on Yes Bank has also affected several small, cooperative banks that dependent on the crisis-hit lender for electronic inter-bank payment transactions.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Immediately after the RBI announcement, PhonePe said its services were temporarily not available as it was going through an unscheduled maintenance activity.
We are temporarily unavailable. We are going through an unscheduled maintenance activity. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We’ll be back soon. — PhonePe (@PhonePe) March 5, 2020
However, when the issue remain unresolved, Sameer Nigam, chief executive (CEO) of PhonePe said the issue was due to moratorium placed on Yes Bank by RBI.
Support GreatGameIndia GreatGameIndia is being actively targeted by powerful forces who do not wish us to survive. Your contribution, however small help us keep afloat. We accept voluntary payment for the content available for free on this website via UPI, PayPal and Bitcoin.
Dear @PhonePe_ customers. We sincerely regret the long outage. Our partner bank (Yes Bank) was placed under moratorium by RBI. Entire team's been working all night to get services back up asap. We hope to be live in a few hours. Thanks for your patience. Stay tuned for updates! — Sameer.Nigam (@_sameernigam) March 6, 2020


greatgameindia--2020-03-06--Drugs Worth $33m Seized In Sri Lanka

Drugs Worth $33m Seized In Sri Lanka

Weeks after a Chinese ship was caught smuggling equipment for Pakistan ’ s Shaheen II Nuclear Missile at India ’ s western coast , now drugs worth $ 33m has been seized in Sri Lanka .
Two foreign trawlers packed with over $ 33m worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka ’ s biggest-ever drugs bust at sea , a navy spokesman said on Thursday .
Troops found 400kg ( about 880 pounds ) of heroin and 100kg ( about 220 pounds ) of the drug “ ice ” on board the two vessels , spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the seized narcotics was estimated by officials to be six billion rupees ( $ 33.5m ) .
The vessels , as well as a Sri Lankan fishing boat , were escorted to a harbour near the capital Colombo on Thursday .
Sixteen foreign crew and five Sri Lankan crewmen were detained for questioning , Sooriyabandara added .
The nationalities of the foreigners were not disclosed by authorities .
“ The two foreign vessels were trying to offload the drugs onto a Sri Lankan fishing boat , ” Sooriyabandara told the AFP news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried no registration , were intercepted in international waters some 1,100km ( 684 miles ) from Sri Lanka ’ s coast .
Sooriyabandara said investigators were checking GPS data on board the vessels to establish the route and point of origin .
Authorities said initial investigations suggested the Iran-Pakistan coast was the point of origin .
In 2016 , the Sri Lankan navy arrested 10 Iranians , two Pakistanis , one Indian and one Singaporean national for allegedly trying to smuggle 110kg ( 243 pounds ) of heroin into the island nation via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous largest drug haul was in December 2016 when police seized 800kg ( 1,764 pounds ) of cocaine on a ship at Colombo ’ s port from Saudi Arabia ’ s King Abdullah Port .
Six months earlier , authorities discovered 301kg of cocaine inside a shipping container at Colombo .
Authorities believe the Indian Ocean island is also being used as a trafficking transit point .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessed from the Archives section .
Read more on Chinese Biological and Chemical warfare activities against India in our exclusive History of Narco-Terrorism issue .
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Weeks after a Chinese ship was caught smuggling equipment for Pakistan’s Shaheen II Nuclear Missile at India’s western coast, now drugs worth $33m has been seized in Sri Lanka. Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33m worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka’s biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said on Thursday.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Troops found 400kg (about 880 pounds) of heroin and 100kg (about 220 pounds) of the drug “ice” on board the two vessels, spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said.
The street value of the seized narcotics was estimated by officials to be six billion rupees ($33.5m).
The vessels, as well as a Sri Lankan fishing boat, were escorted to a harbour near the capital Colombo on Thursday.
Sixteen foreign crew and five Sri Lankan crewmen were detained for questioning, Sooriyabandara added. The nationalities of the foreigners were not disclosed by authorities.
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“The two foreign vessels were trying to offload the drugs onto a Sri Lankan fishing boat,” Sooriyabandara told the AFP news agency.
The foreign vessels, which carried no registration, were intercepted in international waters some 1,100km (684 miles) from Sri Lanka’s coast.
Sooriyabandara said investigators were checking GPS data on board the vessels to establish the route and point of origin.
Authorities said initial investigations suggested the Iran-Pakistan coast was the point of origin.
In 2016, the Sri Lankan navy arrested 10 Iranians, two Pakistanis, one Indian and one Singaporean national for allegedly trying to smuggle 110kg (243 pounds) of heroin into the island nation via a trawler.
The country’s previous largest drug haul was in December 2016 when police seized 800kg (1,764 pounds) of cocaine on a ship at Colombo’s port from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port.
Six months earlier, authorities discovered 301kg of cocaine inside a shipping container at Colombo.
Authorities believe the Indian Ocean island is also being used as a trafficking transit point.
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greatgameindia--2020-03-06--HSBC Files Rs 1000 Crore Recovery Case Against IL&FS In Singapore Court

Global banking giant HSBC has filed a winding up petition in a Singapore court against an overseas subsidiary of IL & FS Transport Services Ltd ( ITNL ) for recovery of dues totalling more than Rs 1,000 crore .
In the first such case against a group entity of crisis-hit Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd ( IL & FS ) Group , the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation ( HSBC ) is seeking to recover its funds parked in bonds worth RMB 1,000 million ( over Rs 1,050 crore ) maturing in 2021 , which were issued by ITNL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in Singapore ’ s government gazette on March 3 , HSBC filed its application for winding up of ITNL Offshore Pte Ltd in Singapore High Court on February 27 .
The application has been listed for hearing on March 20 and “ any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose ” , the notice said .
When contacted , an IL & FS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging with bondholders and aims to arrive at an amicable solution to resolve their debt.
” After a huge crisis came to light due to outstanding debt of over Rs 90,000 crore at IL & FS , the government in October 2018 seized control of the debt-trapped company and superseded its board by appointing a new one , led by eminent banker Uday Kotak as its chairman .
ITNL alone is said to account for outstanding debt totalling nearly Rs 40,000 crore , while the company and many other subsidiaries of IL & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to insufficient funds .
The new board , as part of the overall resolution process for the IL & FS Group , has sold a number of assets to clear dues and debt .
ITNL and several other IL & FS entities are also facing multiple probes for alleged wrongdoings by the erstwhile management , while role of auditors and credit rating agencies have also come under the scanner .
On Wednesday , the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal dismissed pleas of auditors of debt-ridden IL & FS — Deloitte Haskins & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — along with independent directors challenging their impleadment in the case of alleged fraud at group firm IFIN .
The central government had submitted that the act of fraud perpetuated is on account of “ mis-representation and falsehoods about the financial state of affairs ” of IFIN , which jeopardised its financial health and also caused serious damage and financial loss to various stakeholders .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Archives section .

Global banking giant HSBC has filed a winding up petition in a Singapore court against an overseas subsidiary of IL&FS Transport Services Ltd (ITNL) for recovery of dues totalling more than Rs 1,000 crore.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
In the first such case against a group entity of crisis-hit Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) Group, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) is seeking to recover its funds parked in bonds worth RMB 1,000 million (over Rs 1,050 crore) maturing in 2021, which were issued by ITNL Offshore Pte Ltd.
As per a notice published in Singapore’s government gazette on March 3, HSBC filed its application for winding up of ITNL Offshore Pte Ltd in Singapore High Court on February 27.
The application has been listed for hearing on March 20 and “any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose”, the notice said.
When contacted, an IL&FS spokesperson told , “The company is engaging with bondholders and aims to arrive at an amicable solution to resolve their debt.”
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After a huge crisis came to light due to outstanding debt of over Rs 90,000 crore at IL&FS, the government in October 2018 seized control of the debt-trapped company and superseded its board by appointing a new one, led by eminent banker Uday Kotak as its chairman.
Also read: HSBC Bank : Secret Origins To 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
ITNL alone is said to account for outstanding debt totalling nearly Rs 40,000 crore, while the company and many other subsidiaries of IL&FS have defaulted on several debt instruments due to insufficient funds.
The new board, as part of the overall resolution process for the IL&FS Group, has sold a number of assets to clear dues and debt.
ITNL and several other IL&FS entities are also facing multiple probes for alleged wrongdoings by the erstwhile management, while role of auditors and credit rating agencies have also come under the scanner.
On Wednesday, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal dismissed pleas of auditors of debt-ridden IL&FS — Deloitte Haskins & Sells and KPMG arm BSR & Associates — along with independent directors challenging their impleadment in the case of alleged fraud at group firm IFIN.
The central government had submitted that the act of fraud perpetuated is on account of “mis-representation and falsehoods about the financial state of affairs” of IFIN, which jeopardised its financial health and also caused serious damage and financial loss to various stakeholders.
PTI
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
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greatgameindia--2020-03-05--India – Puerto Rico Lose Millions In Email Phishing Scam

Together India and Puerto Rico have lost millions in an email phishing scam .
A senior Puerto Rico official said last month that the island ’ s government lost more than $ 2.6 million after falling for an email phishing scam .
Similarly , in a hushed incident last year , India ’ s Central Bureau of Investigation has filed FIR against Pawan Hans Ltd Officials for fraudulent payment to Indonesian Bank account in the Pawan Hans – Klimov scam .
Puerto Rico ’ s government has lost more than $ 2.6 million after falling for an email phishing scam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC News .
The finance director of the island ’ s Industrial Development Company , Rubén Rivera , said in a complaint filed to police that the agency sent the money to a fraudulent account .
Rivera said the government agency transferred the money on Jan. 17 after receiving an email that alleged a change to a banking account tied to remittance payments , according to a police statement .
In an identical incident the Indian government has lost Rs 1.85 crore in an almost similar fashion in the Pawan Hans – Klimov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CBI ) has registered a case against officials of state-run Pawan Hans Ltd , and ‘ unknown others ’ based on the complaint from the CVC for paying around Rs 1.85 crore to a forged bank account in Indonesia instead of a Russian firm for repair of Mi-172 helicopter engines in 2016 .
Pawan Hans Ltd had signed a contract with Russia-based Klimov JSC for overhaul of three TV 311 VM engines for Mi-172 helicopters on May 20 , 2015 for around Rs 9 crore .
CBI has filed FIR against Pawan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesian Bank account in the Pawan Hans – Klimov scam .
Investigation by Russian law enforcement agencies had found that the said bank account in the Indonesian bank belong to a person named Bagus Setiawan and not Klimov .
As per the contract , Pawan Hans Ltd was to pay 30 per cent as advance payment and the Russian firm had sent the invoice totalling Rs 1.85 crore as advance payment with bank details of JP Chase Morgan Bank , New York on June 19 , 2015 .
On December 9 , 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry , told the Indian government that they would resort to arbitration proceedings against Pawan Hans to recover its dues .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .

Together India and Puerto Rico have lost millions in an email phishing scam. A senior Puerto Rico official said last month that the island’s government lost more than $2.6 million after falling for an email phishing scam. Similarly, in a hushed incident last year, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has filed FIR against Pawan Hans Ltd Officials for fraudulent payment to Indonesian Bank account in the Pawan Hans – Klimov scam.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Puerto Rico govt loses $2.6M in phishing scam
Puerto Rico’s government has lost more than $2.6 million after falling for an email phishing scam, according to a senior official reported ABC News.
The finance director of the island’s Industrial Development Company, Rubén Rivera, said in a complaint filed to police that the agency sent the money to a fraudulent account. Rivera said the government agency transferred the money on Jan. 17 after receiving an email that alleged a change to a banking account tied to remittance payments, according to a police statement.
India loses Rs 1.85 crore in Pawan Hans – Klimov Scam
In an identical incident the Indian government has lost Rs 1.85 crore in an almost similar fashion in the Pawan Hans – Klimov Scam. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against officials of state-run Pawan Hans Ltd, and ‘unknown others’ based on the complaint from the CVC for paying around Rs 1.85 crore to a forged bank account in Indonesia instead of a Russian firm for repair of Mi-172 helicopter engines in 2016.
Pawan Hans Ltd had signed a contract with Russia-based Klimov JSC for overhaul of three TV 311 VM engines for Mi-172 helicopters on May 20, 2015 for around Rs 9 crore.
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CBI has filed FIR against Pawan Hans Ltd Officials for fraudulent payment to Indonesian Bank account in the Pawan Hans – Klimov scam. Investigation by Russian law enforcement agencies had found that the said bank account in the Indonesian bank belong to a person named Bagus Setiawan and not Klimov.
As per the contract, Pawan Hans Ltd was to pay 30 per cent as advance payment and the Russian firm had sent the invoice totalling Rs 1.85 crore as advance payment with bank details of JP Chase Morgan Bank, New York on June 19, 2015.
On December 9, 2016, Klimov, through the Russian Interior Ministry, told the Indian government that they would resort to arbitration proceedings against Pawan Hans to recover its dues.
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
Support GreatGameIndia GreatGameIndia is being actively targeted by powerful forces who do not wish us to survive. Your contribution, however small help us keep afloat. We accept voluntary payment for the content available for free on this website via UPI, PayPal and Bitcoin.


greatgameindia--2020-03-05--Venezuela To Sue US In International Criminal Court

President Nicolas Maduro has announced that Venezuela will sue US in International Criminal Court ( ICC ) for severe damage caused by the economic sanctions .
Meanwhile , an India-Russia partnership is helping Venezuela bypass the US imposed sanctions .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that his government will file a lawsuit against the United States in the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) .
The juridical tribunal , which is associated to the United Nations , is in charge of penalizing states whose governments perpetrate severe violations against international law and human rights .
Maduro said the basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused on Venezuela by the economic sanctions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump reported Press TV .
Maduro said Washington ’ s sanctions , which include the illegal confiscation of Venezuelan assets abroad and an economic blockade , have caused enormous suffering for millions of people in the Latin American country .
The Venezuelan leader added that the lawsuit is one of several legal actions his country is taking to confront what he describes as the US ’ s economic war to bring down his government .
Meanwhile , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lawsuit will be dismissed .
However , some experts believe the lawsuit will uncover the United States ’ hostility .
Venezuela has pledged to activate all legal means against the ongoing US economic sanctions .
Many experts believe that the International Criminal Court must condemn what they see as the US aggression against Venezuela .
Hugo Chavez , the former President used to roam the streets of Venezuela in tanks filled with Gold bars displaying to his countrymen how their Gold and Oil would be used to pull the nation out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assassinated before fulfilling his dream and Venezuela has gone through some 20 years of US sanctions that has progressively strangled her economy .
Now , an India Russia partnership is helping Venezuela bypass US sanctions .
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations .
Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance .
Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section .
Send in your tips and submissions by filling out this form or write to us directly at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more intel and updates .

President Nicolas Maduro has announced that Venezuela will sue US in International Criminal Court (ICC) for severe damage caused by the economic sanctions. Meanwhile, an India-Russia partnership is helping Venezuela bypass the US imposed sanctions.
Must Watch: Would you live on 3D Printed Mars for a year for $60,000?
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that his government will file a lawsuit against the United States in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The juridical tribunal, which is associated to the United Nations, is in charge of penalizing states whose governments perpetrate severe violations against international law and human rights.
Maduro said the basis of the lawsuit is the severe damage caused on Venezuela by the economic sanctions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump reported Press TV.
Maduro said Washington’s sanctions, which include the illegal confiscation of Venezuelan assets abroad and an economic blockade, have caused enormous suffering for millions of people in the Latin American country.
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The Venezuelan leader added that the lawsuit is one of several legal actions his country is taking to confront what he describes as the US’s economic war to bring down his government.
Meanwhile, on the opposition side, some believe Maduro’s lawsuit will be dismissed. However, some experts believe the lawsuit will uncover the United States’ hostility.
Venezuela has pledged to activate all legal means against the ongoing US economic sanctions. Many experts believe that the International Criminal Court must condemn what they see as the US aggression against Venezuela.
India Russia Partnership help Venezuela bypass US Sanctions
Hugo Chavez, the former President used to roam the streets of Venezuela in tanks filled with Gold bars displaying to his countrymen how their Gold and Oil would be used to pull the nation out of the Petrodollar system. Chavez is assassinated before fulfilling his dream and Venezuela has gone through some 20 years of US sanctions that has progressively strangled her economy. Now, an India Russia partnership is helping Venezuela bypass US sanctions.
GreatGameIndia is a journal on Geopolitics and International Relations. Get to know the Geopolitical threats India is facing in our exclusive book India in Cognitive Dissonance. Past magazine issues can be accessed from the Archives section.
Send in your tips and submissions by filling out this form or write to us directly at the email provided. Join us on WhatsApp for more intel and updates.


greatgameindia--2020-03-05--Did Mossad Secretly Fund Hamas

Did Mossad Secretly Fund Hamas

On Saturday , Israeli media reported that Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and Maj. Gen. Herzl Halevi , head of the Israel Defence Force ’ s Southern Command , traveled to Doha to ask Qatar to continue funding Hamas , the Palestinian militant and political group which Tel Aviv formally classifies as a terrorist group .
The revelation raises an uncomfortable question – did Mossad secretly fund Hamas .
Former defence minister and ex-Netanyahu ally Avigdor Lieberman has been criticized for his remarks revealing Cohen and Halevi ’ s top secret trip to Doha during which they allegedly ‘ begged ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Hamas.
” Lieberman , leader of the center-right Yisrael Beiteinu party , made the revelation in an interview with Channel 12 on Saturday , suggesting that Qatar was planning to cut ties with Hamas before Tel Aviv ’ s intervention .
Israeli news outlet Walla !
, which had discovered details about the trip two weeks ago but was unable to publish its report due to the IDF censorship regime , confirmed Saturday that the trip had taken place , saying the Israeli officials traveled to Doha via Jordan on February 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for less than 24 hours .
They are said to have met with Mohammed al-Emadi , Qatar ’ s envoy to Gaza , and Mohammed Bin Ahmed al-Misnad , national security advisor to the Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani .
The outlet did not clarify what would prompt Israel to ( allegedly ) want Qatar to continue sponsoring Hamas .
Al-Emadi announced an increase in Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip on Friday , with the aid package including $ 120 million in support for 120,000 poor families , and millions more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for marriage costs and tuition fees , as well as $ 24 million for a hospital in southern Gaza .
Lieberman defended his comments on Sunday , rejecting allegations by the prime minister ’ s office that he was “ willing to harm the security of Israel and do anything in order to force the Likud out of government.
” “ There has never been a political figure who leaked security information for political purposes more than Netanyahu , ” Lieberman said .
“ In the case of the head of the Mossad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of the censor was cynical and political , which was meant to hide the submission to terror and the desire to purchase calm until the elections , while abandoning both the security of residents of the south for the long term and the civilians and soldiers being held captive by Hamas , ” he said .
Netanyahu blasted Lieberman on Sunday , calling him a “ guided missile , ” and adding that “ this doesn ’ t help him politically , so apparently he has other reasons to try to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lieberman has given a “ very clear ” hint that he ’ s going to make a deal with Blue and White and the Arab Joint List on a coalition deal if his party did well in elections next month .
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On Saturday, Israeli media reported that Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and Maj. Gen. Herzl Halevi, head of the Israel Defence Force’s Southern Command, traveled to Doha to ask Qatar to continue funding Hamas, the Palestinian militant and political group which Tel Aviv formally classifies as a terrorist group. The revelation raises an uncomfortable question – did Mossad secretly fund Hamas.
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Former defence minister and ex-Netanyahu ally Avigdor Lieberman has been criticized for his remarks revealing Cohen and Halevi’s top secret trip to Doha during which they allegedly ‘begged’ the Qataris to “keep funnelling money into Hamas.”
Lieberman, leader of the center-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, made the revelation in an interview with Channel 12 on Saturday, suggesting that Qatar was planning to cut ties with Hamas before Tel Aviv’s intervention.
“Both the Egyptians and the Qataris are angry with Hamas, and they were going to cut all ties with them. All of a sudden Netanyahu shows up as a Hamas advocate, pressuring Egypt and the Qataris to continue [their support],” Lieberman said, referring to the trip.
Israeli news outlet Walla!, which had discovered details about the trip two weeks ago but was unable to publish its report due to the IDF censorship regime, confirmed Saturday that the trip had taken place, saying the Israeli officials traveled to Doha via Jordan on February 5, and were in the Qatari capital for less than 24 hours. They are said to have met with Mohammed al-Emadi, Qatar’s envoy to Gaza, and Mohammed Bin Ahmed al-Misnad, national security advisor to the Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The outlet did not clarify what would prompt Israel to (allegedly) want Qatar to continue sponsoring Hamas.
Al-Emadi announced an increase in Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip on Friday, with the aid package including $120 million in support for 120,000 poor families, and millions more for Gazans’ home renovations, money for marriage costs and tuition fees, as well as $24 million for a hospital in southern Gaza.
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Lieberman defended his comments on Sunday, rejecting allegations by the prime minister’s office that he was “willing to harm the security of Israel and do anything in order to force the Likud out of government.”
“There has never been a political figure who leaked security information for political purposes more than Netanyahu,” Lieberman said. “In the case of the head of the Mossad’s visit to Qatar, the use of the censor was cynical and political, which was meant to hide the submission to terror and the desire to purchase calm until the elections, while abandoning both the security of residents of the south for the long term and the civilians and soldiers being held captive by Hamas,” he said.
Netanyahu blasted Lieberman on Sunday, calling him a “guided missile,” and adding that “this doesn’t help him politically, so apparently he has other reasons to try to bring about our downfall.” According to Netanyahu, Lieberman has given a “very clear” hint that he’s going to make a deal with Blue and White and the Arab Joint List on a coalition deal if his party did well in elections next month.
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