AI Spending Squeeze: OpenAI and Anthropic move toward IPOs as costs bite—OpenAI posted a $38.5B net loss in 2025 despite revenue tripling, while big employers reportedly cap staff AI use after pay-per-token bills spiked. Overseas Surveillance Crackdown: France shut down nine alleged Chinese “secret police stations,” targeting a network accused of monitoring the Chinese diaspora and pressuring dissidents. Taiwan Strait & Maritime Governance: China carried out a marine environmental survey east of Taiwan as part of more systematic, long-term monitoring—while Taiwan warns of heightened Chinese military activity and research vessel activity. Regional Security at BRICS: India hosts BRICS NSA talks on June 22-23 with China represented by its foreign minister/NSA, as members discuss non-traditional security and tech-related threats. China-Myanmar Tech Ties: Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing toured Beijing’s Aerospace City and a robot factory, with talks on satellite cooperation for agriculture, environment, and meteorology. Dragon Boat Festival Economy: The holiday is boosting tourism and local spending across China, with travel demand rising and dragon-boat culture drawing visitors beyond traditional regions. Cashless Anti-Corruption Angle: A Moldova report highlights Beijing’s cashless shift as a “transparency” tool, linking QR payments to anti-corruption enforcement. Philippines Safety Alert: The Philippine Coast Guard issued temporary maritime restrictions around predicted Long March 7A rocket debris drop zones near northern Luzon.