Vietnam’s bustling megacity and economic engine
Vietnam faces a widening probe into a major diamond-smuggling network. Investigators have reported more than 30,000 stones worth over 1.5 trillion dong have entered the country in the past two years, with the stones allegedly re-engraved to inflate quality. PNJ and other shops have faced closures as police widen inquiries.
Large floods persist in northern Vietnam as rain stops, with authorities evacuating hundreds and warning of continued flooding along rivers and low-lying areas. Damage includes thousands of hectares of crops, homes submerged, and multiple fatalities. Forecasters warn heavy rain will resume in southern regions in coming days.
Vietnamese police have identified a man as the alleged leader of a cat theft and slaughter network. The operation, involving 12 others, led to the seizure of about 50 cats, traps, and gear; authorities say the ring stole up to 2,700 cats and resold them for meat. In June, authorities rescued over 400 cats in another raid, with some owners reuniting with pets.