Cuba’s Market Overhaul: Cuba’s National Assembly approved a sweeping 176-measure package to decentralize the economy, expand private business and banking, end the foreign-trade state monopoly, and shift subsidies toward targeted aid—moves that signal the biggest shift since Raúl Castro’s reforms, but face public skepticism. Vietnam–Cuba Strategic Dilemma: A separate analysis frames Cuba’s crisis as a test for Vietnam’s foreign policy: how to support a long-time ally without undermining Vietnam’s vital partnership with the US. HCMC Budget & PPP Push: Ho Chi Minh City reported strong mid-June budget revenue (VND1.425 quadrillion) and approved major PPP transport and urban projects worth nearly VND155 trillion, including a cross-sea road and airport expressway links. Hanoi Press & Digital Transition: Vietnam’s National Press Festival opened in Hai Phong, with Party leadership stressing loyalty, creativity and responsibility as agencies accelerate digital transformation and AI-era journalism. ASEAN Data-Centre Race: ASEAN countries are competing to attract data-centre investment as spending nears US$30bn, highlighting how tech infrastructure is becoming a political and economic priority. ASEAN–Russia Summit Momentum: Vietnam and other Southeast Asian leaders backed deeper ties at Russia’s summit, with the Kazan Declaration outlining cooperation areas.