Singapore‘s government is investigating a fraud case involving servers supplied by US companies, potentially containing Nvidia’s advanced chips. Three men, including a Chinese national, were charged last week in connection with the alleged illegal transfer of these AI chips from Singapore to Chinese firm DeepSeek. Singapore’s Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that the servers were provided by Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer to local firms before being sent to Malaysia.
Authorities are still unsure whether Malaysia was the final destination, but they are working with US officials to determine if the servers contained restricted US export-controlled items. The US is already investigating whether DeepSeek has used banned Nvidia chips, which could lead to violations of export laws. The case forms part of a broader probe into suspected smuggling activities linked to AI chips being moved from countries like Singapore to China.
Singapore, a key market for Nvidia, is also examining allegations that DeepSeek may have acquired thousands of advanced Nvidia chips illegally. However, DeepSeek has denied these claims, stating that it only used legally purchased chips, including the Nvidia H800 model. The investigation is ongoing, with Singapore continuing to cooperate with US authorities.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a pause on all cyber operations against Russia, including offensive actions, as part of a broader reassessment of US operations related to Russia. The duration and specifics of the pause remain unclear, according to multiple US media reports. The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter, citing operational security concerns.
This move comes amid US President Donald Trump’s push for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, as well as his recent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump has positioned himself as a mediator between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, calling for less focus on Putin.
Despite media reports suggesting a shift in cyber strategy, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz denied any policy change regarding cyber operations against Russia. He emphasised that efforts to end the war would continue with a range of diplomatic and strategic tools.
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Chinese smartphone maker Honor plans to invest $10 billion over the next five years to develop AI for its devices as it prepares for a public listing. CEO James Li revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the company aims to expand beyond smartphones into AI-powered PCs, tablets, and wearables.
Honor’s push into AI comes after completing a shareholder restructuring in December, bringing it closer to an initial public offering, though no timeline has been set. The announcement also aligns with a surge in AI investment in China, driven by the popularity of DeepSeek’s affordable language models.
While Honor’s market share in China slipped from second to fourth place last year, it has gained significant support from the Shenzhen government, including R&D funding and tax breaks. The company is also focusing on expanding internationally as it strengthens its AI capabilities.
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Britain’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has launched an investigation into the child privacy practices of TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur. The ICO is scrutinising how these platforms manage personal data and age verification for users, particularly teenagers, to ensure they comply with UK data protection laws.
The investigation focuses on TikTok’s use of data from 13-17-year-olds to recommend content via its algorithm. The ICO is also examining how Reddit and Imgur assess and protect the privacy of child users. If evidence of legal breaches is found, the ICO will take action, as it did in 2023 when TikTok was fined £12.7 million for mishandling data from children under 13.
Both Reddit and Imgur have expressed a commitment to adhering to UK regulations. Reddit, for example, stated that it plans to roll out updates to meet new age-assurance requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok and Imgur have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The investigation comes amid stricter UK legislation aimed at safeguarding children online, including measures requiring social media platforms to limit harmful content and enforce age checks to prevent underage access to inappropriate material.
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The Clean Industrial Deal aims to help energy-intensive industries tackle high costs and complex regulations while competing with global rivals.
The plan includes new guarantee schemes, developed in partnership with the European Investment Bank, to lower costs for long-term renewable energy contracts and provide financial support for grid manufacturers.
A proposed EU Critical Raw Material Centre would coordinate the joint purchase of essential metals and minerals needed for the green transition.
Brussels’ initiative is part of a wider effort to streamline bureaucracy, adjust carbon duties, and create a more business-friendly environment for clean industries.
The proposal now awaits approval from the European Parliament and a reinforced majority of EU member states before it can take effect.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for tougher restrictions on Chinese technology, urging President Donald Trump’s nominee for a key trade role to reinforce AI chip controls.
In a letter to Jeffrey Kessler, the nominee for the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Warren cited concerns over Chinese startup DeepSeek and its AI advancements. She argued for tighter enforcement of export restrictions and measures to curb chip smuggling.
Chinese firms like Huawei and SMIC, already on the US Entity List, continue to acquire American technology through front companies, Warren warned.
She pressed Kessler to address this issue and determine whether these companies violated US laws by producing advanced chips using American technology. Strengthened controls on ChangXin Memory Technology and high-powered inference chips, such as Nvidia’s H20, were also among her recommendations.
Kessler, who previously served as the Commerce Department’s top trade enforcement official, acknowledged China‘s progress in cutting-edge technology. His confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee is set to examine how the US can maintain its technological edge while enforcing export restrictions effectively.
The debate comes amid ongoing tensions over AI and semiconductor technology between Washington and Beijing.
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OpenAI has rolled out a research preview of its latest GPT-4.5 model for Pro users, with plans to extend access to a wider audience over the next few weeks. The upgraded model boasts better pattern recognition, enhanced emotional intelligence, and an improved ability to generate creative insights.
The new version of GPT-4.5 also addresses a common issue with AI models, ‘hallucinations’ or the generation of false information, reducing its rate to 37.1%, compared to previous models’ higher rates. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman acknowledged some logistical challenges in the rollout, including GPU shortages, but assured users that more resources would be added soon.
While GPT-4.5 can handle tasks such as coding and content creation, it currently lacks some advanced features, such as voice and video capabilities. As OpenAI expands its offering, the company continues to refine the model to meet the growing demand for more powerful AI tools.
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Chinese technology startups are scrambling for fresh funding to capitalise on the growing excitement around AI, fueled by DeepSeek‘s AI breakthrough and President Xi Jinping’s recent support for private enterprises. Companies such as AI-powered optics startup Rid Vision, brain-computer interface firm AI CARE Medical, and robotics maker Shanghai Qingbao Engine Robotics are among those seeking new onshore investments, according to venture capitalist Andrew Qian.
The surge in investment interest comes after a long period of stagnation in China‘s venture capital sector. New Access Capital, which has invested in several AI startups, noted that many businesses are now attracting both cooperation discussions and investment offers. The DeepSeek case has highlighted the rise of innovative Chinese tech firms, moving away from previous trends of copycat startups, and offering hope for a revitalised venture capital environment.
Despite the growing investor enthusiasm, challenges remain. The strict regulatory scrutiny of initial public offerings (IPOs) in China, coupled with heightened tensions between China and the US, complicate the prospects for exit strategies. Venture capital firms are particularly focused on AI-related businesses, with several companies in sectors like AI image generation and medical tech securing significant funding in recent weeks.
However, the overall fundraising environment remains difficult. Data shows a sharp decline in venture capital investments since 2021, and while investor sentiment has improved post-DeepSeek, concerns over the regulatory landscape and geopolitical tensions persist. Some analysts remain cautious about the near-term outlook for IPOs, especially for offshore listings.
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Three men have been charged with fraud in Singapore as part of an investigation that may be linked to the illegal transfer of advanced Nvidia chips to the Chinese AI company, DeepSeek. The United States is also probing whether DeepSeek used US-made chips, which are prohibited from being shipped to China. This case is part of a wider investigation into potential AI chip smuggling operations involving several individuals and companies across countries, including Singapore.
The charges focus on two Singaporeans, Aaron Woon Guo Jie and Alan Wei Zhaolun, who are accused of falsely claiming that Nvidia chips would not be transferred to unauthorised recipients. A third man, Chinese national Li Ming, is charged with committing similar fraud regarding the shipment of servers. These actions are believed to be connected to DeepSeek’s use of Nvidia chips, although the authorities have not confirmed the company’s involvement.
If convicted, the men could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both. Singapore’s authorities have been actively investigating the smuggling network, with police recently arresting nine individuals in a raid across 22 locations, seizing records and electronic evidence.
Nvidia’s business in Singapore is substantial, making it the company’s second-largest market after the US. However, only a small percentage of its revenue comes from direct shipments to the country. Singapore’s government has emphasised its commitment to strict enforcement of export controls, underscoring that the nation will not tolerate any attempts to evade international regulations.
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Meta Platforms is seeking to raise $35 billion to help fund the development of its data centres in the US, with Apollo Global Management reportedly leading the financing. The need for increased computational power to support AI systems has driven Meta to focus heavily on expanding its AI infrastructure. The company has already committed to spending up to $65 billion this year on AI development.
The financing deal comes as Meta continues to build new data centres, including a planned $10 billion AI hub in Louisiana, US. The Louisiana centre will run on renewable energy, in partnership with the local utility provider Entergy. Despite the growing demand for data centre space, industry scepticism remains, especially regarding the financial returns from such large-scale investments.
Meta’s push for more AI infrastructure highlights the competitive race among tech companies to meet the rising demand for AI capabilities, with the company planning further expansions in the coming years.
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