Chinese Tennis Star Peng Shuai Speaks Via Video & Claims She's Safe Amid Kidnapping Concerns, But...

Rebecca Davis editorThree-time Olympian tennis player Peng Shuai is one of China’s best-known and beloved sports figures.

The anchor called on American businesses to follow the example of the Women’s Tennis Association, which canceled events it was scheduled to hold in China after tennis player Peng Shuai accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her.

UPDATE:  China has responded to the Women’s Tennis Association announcement on Wednesday that it is suspending all of its tournaments in that country. The WTA said it was taken the action because of  concerns about the treatment of tennis star Peng Shuai.

Expressing concern for the health and safety of tennis star Peng Shuai, the Women’s Tennis Association announced Wednesday that it is suspending all of its tournaments in China.

Selome Hailu editorLana Cho, a writer and producer whose credits include “I Know What You Did Last Summer” for Amazon Prime Video and the upcoming “American Seoul” for Hulu, has signed a multi-year overall deal at 20th Television.Cho will create her own comedies and dramas for all platforms while supervising series from other writers. As her first project, she will co-executive produce “American Born Chinese” for Disney Plus.

Happy Friday International Insiders, Tom Grater here delivering your post-Thanksgiving rundown of the week’s top headlines. To get this sent to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.

Naman Ramachandran Malaysian authorities have declined to approve the Chinese war movie “The Battle at Lake Changjin” for theatrical release after outrage emerged online that the film promotes Communism, which is banned in the country.The film’s local distributor Mega Film Distribution said in a statement that it is considering submitting the title again for reconsideration by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF), and expressed its regrets that the film which has grossed $890 million so

Peng Shuai is “safe and well.”

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefPremium video consumption in Southeast Asia grew at 6% quarter-on-quarter in the July to September period, roughly double the 3% expansion of the overall online video sector, says a new market report.

Tennis star Peng Shuai reappeared in public this weekend, showing up to a youth tournament in Beijing, according to photos and video released by journalists in attendance at the event.

Guy Lodge Film CriticMany’s the child who, when faced with what they feel is undue criticism or complaint from their parents, has reacted with a standard adolescent whine: “I didn’t ask to be born!” It’s a sentiment that resonates a little differently, however, through “Four Journeys,” in which Dutch-based Chinese multimedia artist Louis Hothothot quite sincerely invites his parents to discuss why they had him, and they explain with some candor their regrets about doing so.

China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday stuck to its line that it wasn’t aware of the controversy surrounding tennis professional Peng Shuai, who disappeared after accusing a former top official of sexually assaulting her.

Serena Williams issued a heartfelt statement on Thursday evening calling for an investigation into the disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai.MORE: Serena and Venus Williams reveal bittersweet reaction to family biopic King RichardThe Wimbledon champ took to Twitter to urge people "not to stay silent" after she discovered Peng has not been heard from since she made sexual assault allegations against a leading Chinese government official two weeks ago.

The owner of a Chinese takeaway shop in Salford has been hauled before court after inspectors found the shop in a disgusting state.

Disney+ Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian earlier this year, will star in a film that takes aim at Joe Biden.The actor will co-star in the film, called My Son Hunter, with controversial British actor Laurence Fox.

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People around the world are expressing their concern for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who hasn’t been seen in public since making sexual assault allegations against a former government official.