SOUTH KOREA: For the first time since last year, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is expected to have its greatest April-June profit since 2018 with a 15 percent year-on-year increase in revenue from server customers. According to a Refinitiv SmartEstimate based on 24 analysts’ estimates, operating profit for the world’s largest smartphone and memory chip maker increased to 14.46 trillion won …

MALAYSIA: The Malaysia Open final was Japan’s Kento Momota’s first final appearance of the year, when he beat Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight sets on Saturday. Viktor Axelsen, the world number one, overcame Jonatan Christie, the second seed, 21-15, 20-22, 21-11, to reach the final on Sunday. An important step forward for Momota’s career had been set back by a …

INDONESIA: As a council member in a plantation area warned farmers faced an “emergency” owing to falling prices, Indonesia upped the palm oil export quota on Tuesday (Jul 5), hoping to curb soaring inventories of the edible oil. After a three-week export embargo that ended on May 23 resulted in a significant buildup of domestic stockpiles and outraged farmers by …

SINGAPORE: There were two drunken passengers who improperly touched their Grab driver as he drove them home, even while on the motorway. The buddies repeatedly touched the victim, despite his repeated cries for them to stop, in what a judge called a “tag team” effort. One of them exited the vehicle, and the other climbed into the front passenger seat …

MANILA: Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, said on Tuesday (July 5) that he wanted relations with Beijing to be about more than just their dispute over the South China Sea, and he emphasized the importance of multilateral engagement in dealing with problems. Before Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Southeast Asia, Marcos told a …

THAILAND: Government ministers urged Thailand’s hotels, businesses, and private clinics to desist from slashing prices in order to attract tourists and instead focus on enhancing the country’s reputation as a premium tourism destination (Jul 4). In the first six months of this year, Thailand welcomed roughly 2 million foreign visitors, a steady recovery from the pandemic and more than 18 …

US: Ex-husband Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation, and a jury found her liable for $10.35 million (S$14.4 million) in damages. Amber’s lawyers have asked a judge to toss out the decision, claiming the evidence against her is lacking and that one of the jurors was not properly vetted by the court. Heard’s attorneys describe the jury’s June 1 …

JAPAN: Desperate gamers wait outside an electronics store in Tokyo in the wee hours of the morning to get their hands on the latest PlayStation or Xbox despite Japan’s persistent shortages. Since its November 2020 debut, Sony and Microsoft consoles, as well as Nintendo’s Switch, have been difficult to obtain due to supply chain concerns compounded by lockdowns in China. …

MALAYSIA: He has failed in his attempt to halt the trial of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for corruption and money laundering. As of Monday, Ahmad Zahid’s bid to halt the proceedings in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) case had been rejected by High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah (MACC). Media in Malaysia claimed that Ahmad Zahid, UMNO president and chairman of …

CHICAGO: Over 36 people were injured in Monday’s attack in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park by someone with a high-powered rifle during an Independence Day parade (Jul 4). Robert E Crimo III, 22, was detained following a manhunt, according to AFP. Highland Park Police confirmed that charges would be brought. Authorities said the gunman opened shooting at roughly 10:15 …