Morning Digest, Dec 24

SG reporter credibility questioned over her ‘scoop’ interview with China’s tennis star Peng Shuai

Singapore  —  Lianhe Zaobao’s surprise interview with China’s tennis star Peng Shuai has focused western media attention on the China-based writer who got the scoop.

The six-minute video clip posted on Dec 20 on the Chinese-language Singapore daily’s Chinese and English sites continues to spark controversy since it carries Ms Peng’s claim that her Nov 2 public accusation of sexual abuse was not an accusation.

Read more here.

7 F&B outlets shut down for breaching COVID-19 safe management measures, 2 others fined

Singapore — Amid stepped-up enforcement checks conducted over the weekend, seven food and beverage (F&B) establishments were ordered to close, while two others were given a fine for failing to adhere to safe management measures (SMM).

“Operators and members of the public are reminded to observe SMMs for the year-end period,” said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in a press release on Wednesday (Dec 22).

Read more here.

Wang Lei: Sells $1M designer goods in Paris to help 1,000 needy families in Singapore

Singapore — Getai singer Wang Lei, who made an interesting (and profitable) career pivot in becoming known as ‘Fish Selling Bro’ doing livestreaming sales, recently sold $1 million worth of Gucci items while vacationing in Paris.

He’ll be using his earnings for a very good cause, to provide for the basic needs of 1,000 low-income families in Singapore.

Read more here.

Passionate kissing scene between Taecyeon of 2PM and Kim Hye Yoon in ‘Secret Royal Inspector & Joy’

South Korea — In Secret Royal Inspector & Joy, Taecyeon of 2PM passionately kisses Kim Hye Yoon.

Secret Royal Inspector & Joy is a historical comedy-drama featuring Taecyeon from 2PM as Ra Yi Eon, a young gourmand who is appointed a secret royal inspector (a government officer who travels covertly to home districts to investigate corruption) against his will.

Read more here.

‘Sex and the City’ stars support women accusing Chris ‘Mr Big’ Noth of sexual assault

Actors Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon have weighed in on sexual assault accusations against their Sex And The City co-star Chris Noth, saying they “support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences”.

Three women have accused  Noth, 67, of sexual abuse. Two approached The Hollywood Reporter (THR) separately, with allegations about incidents said to have happened more than a decade apart.

Read more here.