Deepseek-Nvidia chips: Singapore reaffirms commitment to upholding trade laws; church buys Orchard Towers property for $54.5 million: Live news

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Nvidia and Deepseek logos are seen in this illustration taken 27 January 2025. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
Nvidia and Deepseek logos are seen in this illustration taken 27 January 2025. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

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Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today. The editorial team will be curating the latest must-know local and international news.

Singapore has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding domestic and international trade laws following reports that intermediaries in the country may have facilitated the unauthorised movement of Nvidia chips into China. In a statement on Saturday (1 February), Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) emphasised that it expects US companies to adhere to both US export regulations and Singapore's legal framework. "Our customs and law enforcement agencies will continue to work closely with their US counterparts," MTI said in the statement. "We have always upheld the rule of law, and acted decisively and firmly against individuals and companies that flout the rules." Get more details on what MTI said about Deepseek-Nvidia chips here.

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A church has purchased some 19,000 sq ft of space on the fourth floor of Orchard Towers for $54.5 million. The Business Times reported on Friday (31 January) that based on the sale and purchase agreement for the property, Cornerstone Heritage – whose shareholders are founders and senior pastors of Cornerstone Community Church – bought the properties about two weeks ago. Find out more.

Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates:

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER9 updates
  • Featured

    Taiwanese singer-actress Barbie Hsu dies aged 48

    Actress Barbie Hsu Si-yuan (aka Big S), who was pregnant then, attends a Cosme Decorte event in October 2018 in Taipei, Taiwan. (PHOTO: Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
    Actress Barbie Hsu Si-yuan (aka Big S), who was pregnant then, attends a Cosme Decorte event in October 2018 in Taipei, Taiwan. (PHOTO: Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

    Taiwanese singer-actress Barbie Hsu, famous as the star of idol drama Meteor Garden, has died aged 48 from complications related to influenza, her younger sister, Taiwanese entertainer Dee Hsu said on Monday (3 February) morning.

    Rumours of her death first spread online on Sunday. It intensified after her ex-husband Wang Xiaofei changed his profile picture on his social media platforms to black.

    According to Taiwanese outlet Star ETToday, Dee Hsu's statement, which was written mostly in Chinese, read, "Thanks for all the concern. Over the Chinese New Year period, our entire family travelled to Japan for a holiday, and my most beloved, kindest elder sister Barbie caught influenza-related pneumonia and has unfortunately left us.

    "I am thankful to be her sister in this life, and grateful that we have taken care of each other and kept each other company all these years. I will always be thankful to her and remember her. Shan (Barbie Hsu’s nickname), rest in peace. We love you always. Together remember forever."

    Barbie Hsu was married to South Korean DJ and musician, Koo Jun-yup, 55.

  • Featured

    Deepseek-Nvidia chips: Singapore's trade ministry reaffirms commitment to upholding local and international trade laws

    Nvidia and Deepseek logos are seen in this illustration taken, 27 January 2025. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustrationo/File Photo)
    Nvidia and Deepseek logos are seen in this illustration taken, 27 January 2025. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustrationo/File Photo)

    Singapore has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding domestic and international trade laws following reports that intermediaries in the country may have facilitated the unauthorised movement of Nvidia chips into China.

    In a statement on Saturday (1 February), Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) emphasised that it expects US companies to adhere to both US export regulations and Singapore's legal framework. "Our customs and law enforcement agencies will continue to work closely with their US counterparts," MTI said in the statement. "We have always upheld the rule of law, and acted decisively and firmly against individuals and companies that flout the rules."

    According to a Bloomberg report on Thursday, US officials are probing whether DeepSeek circumvented US export restrictions by acquiring Nvidia semiconductors through third parties in Singapore.

    Noting that Singapore is an international business hub with major US and European companies having significant operations in the city-state, the MTI added, "Nvidia has explained that many of (its) customers use their business entities in Singapore to purchase chips for products destined for the US and other Western countries. Nvidia has also stated that there is no reason to believe that DeepSeek obtained any export-controlled products from Singapore."

    More details on what the MTI said about Deepseek-Nvidia chips here.

  • Warren Buffett: 13 money tips that can work for anyone in 2025

    Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, in a file photo taken in 2023. (PHOTO: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
    Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, in a file photo taken in 2023. (PHOTO: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

    It's February but there's still time to make money – or make your money work harder for you.

    Here are some tips from Warren Buffett, one of the richest people in the world. He may be the largest shareholder of the famous Berkshire Hathaway, but he still shares some of the most relatable money advice that anyone can use. Here are some of his more popular quotes and sayings.

    “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

    “Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.”

    “When bills come due, only cash is legal tender. Don’t leave home without it.”

    Find out more about what these mean, and more such advice.

  • After being snubbed 4 times, Beyonce finally wins best album at Grammy's

    Beyoncé at The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, airing live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, 2 February. (PHOTO: Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images)
    Beyoncé at The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, airing live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, 2 February. (PHOTO: Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images)

    After losing out four times, Beyonce finally wins best album at the Grammy Awards 2025. She was recognised for her eighth album, Cowboy Carter, which celebrates and contextualises the black roots of country music.

    The singer dedicated her award to Linda Martell, one of the pioneers for black musicians in country music and the first black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry. "I hope we just keep pushing forward [and] opening doors," Beyonce said.

    Earlier in the evening, Cowboy Carter also won the Grammy for best country album.

    Read more about the Grammy's and why Beyonce was stunned at one point.

  • Marcus Rashford sends message to Manchester United with first words as Aston Villa player

    Manchester United's Marcus Rashford reacts. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Molly Darlington)
    Manchester United's Marcus Rashford reacts. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Molly Darlington)

    If you follow English football, you'll know about the feud between Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and player Marcus Rashford.

    Now, Rashford's loan to Aston Villa is confirmed and he has this to say – on Instagram – upon joining the latter team: "I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.

    "I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the managers' ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started.

    "I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."

    Rashford will spend the remainder of the season on loan.

    Get the details on Marcus Rashford's move from Manchester United to Aston Villa.

  • All HDB estates to get heat-reflective paint by 2030

    Housing Development Board apartments in Singapore's east side
    Housing Development Board apartments in Singapore's east side

    All Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates in Singapore will have heat-reflective paint applied by 2030, the HDB said in a statement on Monday (3 February).

    The $60 million initiative comes after a pilot in Tampines was successful.

    "In 2021, HDB and Tampines Town Council launched a joint pilot project to apply cool coatings — a type of specialised paint containing additives that reflect the sun’s heat, reducing surface heat absorption and emission — to approximately 130 HDB blocks in Tampines. With the use of such paint, we aim to reduce the ambient temperature of the site by up to 2 degrees C, enhancing comfort for residents and reducing energy consumption," HDB said.

    To monitor the ambient temperature and collect data for analysis, sensors were installed on the blocks' external facades and at the ground level. "Findings from the two-year pilot showed that the cool coatings reduced ambient temperatures of up to 2 degrees C, therefore meeting HDB's target," HDB shared. "Besides enjoying a cooler environment, residents living in blocks painted with cool coatings also experienced a reduction in electricity consumption, as less energy from air conditioning systems is needed to cool their flats."

    Find out more about other HDB green initiatives that are in the works.

  • Grammy Awards 2025: The most daring looks

    Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th Grammys Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, 2 February 2025. (PHOTO: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
    Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th Grammys Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA Sunday, 2 February 2025. (PHOTO: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

    Fashion means different things to everyone, but at the Grammy's, you can be sure celebrities are out to make a statement – no matter whether the fashion is good or bad.

    This year, Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori definitely shocked the red carpet with her entirely nude look – and we mean, NUDE.

    Jaden Smith, the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arrived in a bizarre accessory: a black castle.

    Julia Fox, of Uncut Gems fame, posed in a black, sheer mini-dress, wearing a matching thong and bra underneath. Along with a black sheer hat and leather jacket, Fox also wore yellow latex gloves, which sparked confusion and jokes among fans.

    Have a look at what the stars and wannabe stars wore at the Grammy Awards 2025.

  • Residents living near Japan sinkhole urged to evacuate; elderly driver still stuck inside

    Firefighters work to rescue a truck driver after his vehicle was swallowed up by a sinkhole at a prefectural road intersection, in the city of Yashio, Saitama Prefecture on 28 January 2025. (PHOTO: JIJI Press / AFP)
    Firefighters work to rescue a truck driver after his vehicle was swallowed up by a sinkhole at a prefectural road intersection, in the city of Yashio, Saitama Prefecture on 28 January 2025. (PHOTO: JIJI Press / AFP)

    Five households in the immediate vicinity of a massive, widening sinkhole near Tokyo have been urged to evacuate Sunday (2 February). Efforts to reach an elderly man stuck inside were reportedly halted due to safety concerns.

    Residents living within a 50-metre radius of the cavity are also being encouraged to evacuate, a local government official told AFP.

    More on the developing story of the Japan sinkhole here.

  • Singapore church buys large Orchard Towers property for $54.5 million

    A view of Orchard Towers on 27 March 2020. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su)
    A view of Orchard Towers on 27 March 2020. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su)

    A church has purchased some 19,000 sq ft of space on the fourth floor of Orchard Towers for $54.5 million.

    The Business Times reported on Friday (31 January) that based on the sale and purchase agreement for the property, Cornerstone Heritage – whose shareholders are founders and senior pastors of Cornerstone Community Church – bought the properties about two weeks ago.

    The property was sold for S$2,825 per sq ft based on a total strata area of 19,289 sq ft. According to a note by the church's senior pastor Yang Tuck Yoong, found on its website, the space was formerly occupied by Top 5 nightclub and a bar called Crazy Horse.

    In the same note, Pastor Yang said, "For several years now, our church has been seeking additional space to accommodate the needs of our growing community. Our congregation at Cornerstone Bugis is growing and many attendees with children would benefit from a Cornerstone location closer to central Singapore."

    "A permanent home in Orchard with low en-bloc potential also means more sustainable operations for our 'Bugis' congregation and the possibility of opening more service slots for our numerous language congregations during the weekend as well. Furthermore, the retail units surrounding the auditorium offer space for potential future expansion should our footprint need to grow in the city," he added.

    "Orchard Towers presents a rare freehold opportunity prime real estate, which has been earmarked for renewal. This bodes well, both for the ongoing value of the property as well as the availability of amenities surrounding the church which already has an adequate selection of transport options, malls, food, and shops surrounding it. To boot, the location also contains a carpark with ample parking for our large congregation practically eliminating the challenge of insufficient parking lots."

    In the past, other churches in Singapore have also invested in commercial properties.

    Rock Productions, the business arm of New Creation Church, bought The Star Vista for $296 million in 2019. And in 2012, City Harvest Church increased its stake in Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre to 39.2 per cent.

    Read on to find out more about the Cornerstone Community Church's plans for the new space at Orchard Towers.