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Five Key Tax Changes Coming in 2026: What Canadians Need to Know

  As 2026 approaches, Canadians can expect several important updates to the federal tax system. These changes affect retirement planning, income tax brackets, and a range of credits that influence how much individuals and families will owe—or save—when filing their returns. Here’s a quick look at five of the most notable adjustments. 1. Higher RRSP Contribution Limits Canadians will be able to contribute more to their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) in 2026, thanks to inflation indexing. The increased limit gives savers more room to reduce taxable income while building long‑term retirement security. 2. Updated Federal Tax Brackets Income tax brackets will shift upward to reflect inflation. This means more of your income will be taxed at lower rates, helping offset rising living costs and preventing “bracket creep,” where inflation pushes taxpayers into higher tax brackets without real income gains. 3. Increased Basic Personal Amount (BPA) The Basic Personal Amoun...
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Vietnamese Real Estate Tycoon Sentenced to Death in $12.5 Billion Fraud Case

 


In a shocking development that underscores an intensifying anti-corruption drive in Vietnam, Truong My Lan, a high-profile businesswoman and real estate tycoon, has been sentenced to death in the country’s largest-ever financial fraud case. Let’s delve into the key details of this remarkable legal saga:

Who Is Truong My Lan?

  • Born in 1956, Truong My Lan started her journey by helping sell cosmetics alongside her mother, a Chinese businesswoman, in Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest market.
  • In 1992, she and her family established the Van Thinh Phat (VTP) company, capitalizing on Vietnam’s shift from a state-run economy to a more market-oriented one.
  • Over the years, VTP grew into one of Vietnam’s wealthiest real estate firms, with projects spanning luxury residential buildings, offices, hotels, and shopping centers.
  • Lan met her husband, Hong Kong investor Eric Chu Nap-kee, in 1992, and they have two daughters.

The Allegations Against Her

  • Lan’s involvement in the 2011 merger of the beleaguered Saigon Joint Commercial Bank (SCB) with two other banks caught the authorities’ attention.
  • She was accused of illegally controlling SCB between 2012 and 2022, orchestrating a complex scheme that involved siphoning funds through ghost companies and paying bribes to government officials.
  • The staggering amount involved in the fraud case is $12.5 billion, nearly 3% of Vietnam’s 2022 GDP.

The Unprecedented Verdict

  • While death sentences are not uncommon in Vietnam, it’s exceptionally rare for someone as high-profile as Truong My Lan to face such a fate in a financial crime case.
  • Her arrest, subsequent sentencing, and the sheer scale of the scam have sent shockwaves through the nation and beyond.
  • The court’s decision reflects the country’s determination to combat corruption and hold even influential figures accountable.

Truong My Lan’s case serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their status or wealth. As Vietnam continues its fight against financial malfeasance, this verdict will reverberate throughout the business and legal communities.

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