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Alipay+ has started offering cross-border QR code payments in Latin America through a new partnership with the regional fintech PVS. The service lets users of many Asian and European e-wallets pay at local merchants in Chile and Argentina without currency exchange fees. Why This Matters for Everyday Travelers Travelers from places like China, Singapore, and Europe can now use familiar apps instead of carrying cash or cards abroad. This change reduces the hassle of currency conversion and makes spending simpler during trips to popular Latin American destinations.

Chinese eVTOL startup VOLANT AEROTECH has closed a major funding round worth nearly $148 million. The investment supports efforts to certify and produce its first commercial aircraft models at scale. China's Push Into Low Altitude Economy Volant now joins a growing list of firms racing to make electric flying vehicles a reality. This round follows earlier large investments that have helped the company develop prototypes and test flights. China actively promotes low altitude industries to create new jobs and cut urban road congestion.

Nvidia Unveils Massive ‘Constellation’ Campus as Taiwan AI Expansion Accelerates

Amazon Hit With Australia Lawsuit Over Missing Child Safety Warnings

Range IDC Picks Indonesia for First Overseas AI Infrastructure Expansion With $5B Batam Data Center Project

Singapore-headquartered Digital Decarbonization Solutions Platform (DDSP) has secured US$283 million in green financing to develop an AI-ready data center project in Johor, Malaysia. The project will use advanced liquid cooling technology to support high-density artificial intelligence workloads and improve energy efficiency for large-scale computing operations. Sustainable Deals Boost Malaysia Tech Ambitions The financing highlights how green funding is increasingly supporting major digital infrastructure projects across Asia as AI and cloud demand continue rising. Banks including CTBC Bank, MUFG, and Standard Chartered helped arrange the financing, with additional lenders expected to participate later.

Return Helper, a software startup focused on ecommerce returns, has secured $4 million in funding according to reports. The company specializes in managing international returns for online retailers. Why Ecommerce Returns Matter to Everyday Shoppers Returns create headaches for both buyers and sellers in the booming online retail world. Many consumers face long waits and high costs when sending items back across borders.

As digital transformation speeds up across Asia Pacific, companies face smarter cyber threats powered by artificial intelligence on both defense and attack sides. VAIBHAV DUTTA, a top executive at Tata Communications, explains the shift from reactive defenses to predictive models that anticipate attacks before they hit. Modernizing Security Operations for Business Continuity Security operations centers must evolve with unified tools and real-time intelligence to handle growing alert volumes without overwhelming teams. This change turns security from a simple cost into a strategic asset that supports ongoing operations and builds customer trust. In places like Singapore, regulators push critical infrastructure operators to strengthen defenses against AI-enhanced risks.

BEYOND Expo, one of Asia’s largest technology events has drawn 1200+ global companies, 400+ speakers, and 400+ media representatives from more than 100 countries to Macao 🇲🇴. Full story below.

South Korea Is Turning AI Into a Defense Strategy for Its Battery Industry