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Greek Tanker Struck by Missile in Black Sea, Crew Emerges Unharmed

  A Greek‑flagged tanker sailing near the Russian port of Novorossiysk was struck by a missile but remained operational, and all 24 crew members were confirmed safe.   A Greek‑owned and Greek‑flagged tanker sustained material damage after being hit by a missile while sailing approximately 14 nautical miles off the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. According to authorities, the vessel—operated by Maran Gas Maritime—was not carrying cargo at the time of the strike and continued to navigate safely following the incident.  All 24 crew members on board, including ten Greek nationals, thirteen Filipinos, and one Romanian, were reported to be in good health. The impact caused damage to the starboard side of the ship, but no assistance or towing was required. The tanker remained fully operational, and no environmental pollution was reported.  Greek officials have condemned the attack as dangerous and unacceptable, noting that the incident occurred amid height...
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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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