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Champion REIT Partners with St. James’ Settlement in Summer Movie Screening for SEN Children

HONG KONG, Aug 22, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Champion Real Estate Investment Trust ("Champion REIT" or the "Trust") (Stock Code: 2778), owner of Three Garden Road and Langham Place, partnered with St. James' Settlement again this year to hold a movie screening of Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars at Cinema City, Langham Place Mall. The event targeted underprivileged families living in Tin Shui Wai and their children with special educational needs (SEN), including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. Volunteers from Champion REIT enjoy watching the movie Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars with the family beneficiariesVolunteers from Champion REIT promote diversity and inclusion in the communityFollowing the success of last year's Women Empowerment Programme - Champion Mothers, the event not only marked the Trust's continued collaboration with St. James' Settlement, but also provided a volunteering opportunity for staff members and their families to present gifts to the children, promoting social diversity and inclusion whilst sharing an enjoyable summer experience.The Trust has never forgotten its philosophy of giving back to society. It remains committed to working with non-profit organisations to create shared values and provide assistance to those in need in the community.About Champion REIT (Stock Code: 2778)Champion Real Estate Investment Trust is a trust formed to own and invest in income producing office and retail properties. The Trust focuses on Grade A commercial properties in prime locations. It currently offers investors direct exposure to nearly 3 million sq. ft. of prime office and retail floor area. These include two Hong Kong landmark properties, Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as joint venture stake in 66 Shoe Lane in Central London. Since 2015, the Trust has been included in the Constituent of Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index of Hang Seng Indexes.Website: www.championreit.com For press inquiries:Strategic Financial Relations LimitedVicky Lee Tel: 2864 4834 Email: vicky.lee@sprg.com.hkChristina Cheuk Tel: 2114 4979 Email: christina.cheuk@sprg.com.hkYvonne Lee Tel: 2864 4847 Email: yvonne.lee@sprg.com.hk Website: www.sprg.com.hk Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Formula One: Verstappen back behind the wheel with golden shoes

ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Max Verstappen donned golden shoes as he got back behind the wheel for tyre testing in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (Dec 14) after winning the Formula One world championship for Red Bull. The 24-year-old Dutch driver, who beat Mercedes' seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton controversially in Sunday's season-ending race, completed 124 laps of Yas Marina on the new 18-inch tyres for 2022. Mercedes are still deciding whether to appeal the result of the race and have until Thursday, the night Verstappen is due to receive the champion's trophy at a gala awards ceremony in Paris. Verstappen overtook Hamilton seven corners from the end on Sunday after the safety car rules were tweaked, giving him an opportunity that Mercedes thought he should not have been allowed. George Russell turned out for Mercedes, starting the next stage of his career after leaving Williams and replacing Valtteri Bottas. Team reserve and Formula E champion Nyck de Vries joined the Briton and set the fastest lap as young drivers were also given track time. Australia's new Formula Two champion Oscar Piastri completed 131 laps for Alpine, who also had regular race driver Esteban Ocon testing the tyres. Guanyu Zhou, who will become China's first Formula One driver next season, tested for Alfa Romeo with Bottas also making his debut with the Swiss-based team. McLaren gave Mexican IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward his first proper run out in F1 machinery, with Daniel Ricciardo also completing a day of testing before heading for quarantine in Australia. "What a car... I was expecting something ridiculous, but this is more than ridiculous," O'Ward said of the experience. "I was struggling to keep my head up at the end. "Nothing I've driven comes close to this, not even a hint of close. It is unbelievable." New Zealander Liam Lawson tested for AlphaTauri, American Logan Sergeant with Williams and Britain's Nick Yelloly at Aston Martin. Ferrari tested Russian Robert Shwartzman and Italian Antonio Fuoco. No rest 💪World champion @Max33Verstappen is back in the car at Abu Dhabi today, testing the new Pirelli 18-inch tyre#F1Testing #F1 pic.twitter.com/JITNzAYi6z— Formula 1 (@F1) December 14, 2021 Settling in. 👊 pic.twitter.com/DVfd3lzvax— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) December 14, 2021 More on this topic   Related Story Watch out Hamilton, F1 world champ Verstappen to keep going for many years   Related Story Formula One: Hamilton told team on radio race was 'manipulated'

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Tennis: Zverev ends Djokovic’s record bid to reach ATP Finals showpiece

TURIN, ITALY (AFP) - Alexander Zverev downed Novak Djokovic in a thrilling last-four clash to end the world number one's bid for a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title on Saturday (Nov 20) and set up a final against Daniil Medvedev. The German edged to a 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3 success in Turin and will face reigning champion Medvedev, who beat Casper Ruud in the other semi, for the trophy on Sunday. It was a disappointing end to a remarkable season for Djokovic, who fell one match short of becoming the first man to win a calendar Grand Slam since 1969 when he lost the US Open final to Medvedev. The 20-time major champion was hoping to draw level with Roger Federer on six season-ending championship titles this week in Italy. But Zverev, who also beat the 34-year-old in the Olympics semi-finals in Tokyo, proved to be a bridge too far for Djokovic again. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: Medvedev serves up Ruud awakening in ATP Finals   Related Story Tennis: Compulsory vaccine rule by Australian Open casts doubt on Djokovic's title defence

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Tennis: ‘Zero’ pressure as Medvedev wins ATP Finals opener

TURIN (AFP) - Defending champion Daniil Medvedev recovered from a set down to defeat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday (Nov 14) on the opening day of the ATP Finals in Turin. The Russian second seed triumphed 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 over seventh seeded Hurkacz. "I had zero break points to save, so in a way I was never under pressure," said US Open champion Medvedev who fired 15 aces in the match. "I had only two games on Hubert's serve where I had break points. Super happy to make this work and that I managed to get both breaks." Medvedev has now won 23 of his last 26 matches. Later Sunday, German third seed Alexander Zverev faces sixth-seeded Matteo Berrettini of Italy. This year's ATP Finals are being played in Turin for the first time after being switched from London. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: Djokovic's greatness will be recognised eventually, says Medvedev   Related Story Tennis: Djokovic downs Medvedev to claim record sixth Paris Masters title

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Tennis: Kontaveit beats Krejcikova to kick off WTA Finals

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO (REUTERS) - Anett Kontaveit's outstanding late season form continued on Wednesday (Nov 11) as she rolled past Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 6-4 in the first match of the WTA Finals in Guadalajara. The 25-year-old Estonian captured the 30-minute first set with an ace out wide and sealed the win when Krejcikova sent a backhand into the net on match point. Kontaveit, who was the final singles player to secure her place in the eight-player tournament, claimed four WTA titles this year to surge to world number eight and has now won 11 straight matches. French Open champion Krejcikova, who is the only reigning Grand Slam champion in the competition, never found a rhythm on the purple court in the high-altitude Mexican city. Former world number ones Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova will play in the evening session. The WTA Finals were not held last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Tennis: US Open champion Raducanu to work with German coach Torben Beltz

LINZ, AUSTRIA (REUTERS) - US Open champion Emma Raducanu has appointed German Torben Beltz as her new coach, the Briton said after she was beaten in her opening match at the Linz Open in Austria on Tuesday (Nov 9). Raducanu, 18, had been without a coach since she parted ways with Andrew Richardson two weeks after her surprise triumph at Flushing Meadows in September, where she became the first qualifier to win a major. "It's obviously a great privilege to be working with such an experienced coach. I'm definitely very excited to work with him throughout the pre-season and into next year," Raducanu, who had been the top seed in Linz, told reporters following her 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5 defeat by Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu. "Very positive feeling about all the work there is to come." Beltz, who recently split with compatriot Angelique Kerber, led the former world number one to the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2016. "He's obviously worked with Kerber who is such a great player and has done extremely well and won three Slams and I think that experience definitely helps with someone as inexperienced as me..." added Raducanu. "Also he's a really positive, cheerful guy who brings great energy to the team so I think that's also important when you're travelling on the road for quite a long time on the tour." The 44-year-old also coached Croatia's Donna Vekic between 2017 and 2020, helping her break into the top 20 before rejoining Kerber's team last year. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: Raducanu stumbles to new early defeat in Linz   Related Story Tennis: Disappointed Raducanu still adjusting to life on tour

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Tennis: Raducanu is new ambassador for fashion house Dior

LONDON (AFP) - US Open champion Emma Raducanu has been announced as a new ambassador for French luxury fashion house Dior in the latest sign of her rapid elevation to A-list celebrity. The British teenager, who is also the face of jewellery brand Tiffany and Co, will represent Maria Grazia Chiuri's womenswear collections and Dior's skincare and make-up ranges. She wore a Dior dress to the premiere of the new James Bond film No Time To Die last month, and the 18-year-old told vogue.co.uk: "Maria Grazia's work empowers women to feel confident in the iconic Dior cut, which I feel is very unique. "The sincerity of her approach and the way she turns shows into collective and meaningful events unquestionably influenced me in my choice." Raducanu pulled out of this week's Kremlin Cup in Moscow after losing her first match since the US Open in Indian Wells earlier this month. She is due to return to action next week at the Transylvania Open in her father's home country of Romania. Emma Raducanu wore a Dior dress to the premiere of the new James Bond film No Time To Die in September 2021 (above). PHOTO: REUTERS More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: US Open champion Raducanu withdraws from Kremlin Cup   Related Story Tennis: Raducanu to train with Konta's former coach this week - reports

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Champion REIT “Magical Langham Place in Your Lens” Student Filming Competition Concludes Successfully

HONG KONG, Oct 18, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Champion Real Estate Investment Trust ("Champion REIT" or "Trust") (Stock Code: 2778), owner of Three Garden Road and Langham Place, announced the winners of the "Magical Langham Place in Your Lens" Student Filming Competition, which was held during summer this year. With multimedia skills valued in both daily living and work nowadays, the competition aimed at offering a platform for students to realise their creative potential through video creation and storytelling.Judges encourage students to continue their passion in video creation at the award presentation ceremony of the Student Filming CompetitionThe Trust received great response with quality entries from students, including original drama, music video and animation. After attentive judging by a professional panel, the top five winners were selected. The champion received a cash prize and Langham Place cash vouchers worth HK$10,000 in all and will be granted job opportunities. Highlights of the winning videos have been shown on the large LED screen at Langham Place Mall to reach a wider audience, echoing the Trust's dedication to supporting youth development. The panel of judges commented they were glad to receive high quality works from the students. The visual communications, creativity, conceptual development and storytelling skills shown in the videos were outstanding. The judges found it interesting to better understand the younger generation through the stories that students created in the videos. They wished the students to continue their passion in video creation and pursue their dreams. The winners shared in the award ceremony, they admired the golden opportunity to conduct filming at the landmark of Mong Kok and capture different stories there, which was an unforgettable experience. Thanks to their team's efforts, they were able to present their original works and share with more people. They were grateful that their ideas were highly recognised in the competition.Highlights of the winning videos: https://youtu.be/c_kGwAvHNts.About Champion REIT (Stock Code: 2778) Champion Real Estate Investment Trust is a trust formed to own and invest in income producing office and retail properties. The Trust focuses on Grade A commercial properties in prime locations. It currently offers investors direct exposure to nearly 3 million sq. ft. of prime office and retail floor area. These include two Hong Kong landmark properties, Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as joint venture stake in 66 Shoe Lane in Central London. Since 2015, the Trust has been included in the Constituent of Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index of Hang Seng Indexes.Website: www.championreit.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Tennis: US Open champion Medvedev pulls out of Kremlin Cup

MOSCOW (REUTERS) - US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has withdrawn from next week's Kremlin Cup in Moscow in order to focus on the remainder of the season, the Russian said in a statement on Friday (Oct 15). Medvedev, who beat Novak Djokovic in last month's Flushing Meadows final to claim his maiden Grand Slam title, crashed out in the fourth round at Indian Wells this week, losing to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov. "The tournament in Moscow is a special opportunity to play at home with Russian fans. I entered the tournament and hoped to play it, but due to such a busy schedule of tournaments in 2021, I felt that I was not ready to physically play 100%," said the world number two. "This decision was hard for me, but I had to make it in order to finish the season with good results." US Open women's winner Emma Raducanu pulled out of the event on Thursday. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: US Open champ Medvedev ousted by Dimitrov in Indian Wells   Related Story Tennis: US Open champion Raducanu withdraws from Kremlin Cup

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Tennis: US Open champion Raducanu withdraws from Kremlin Cup

LONDON (REUTERS) - US Open champion Emma Raducanu has pulled out of next week's Kremlin Cup in Moscow following her second-round loss at the Indian Wells tournament, British media reported on Thursday (Oct 14). No immediate reason was given for the withdrawal. "Unfortunately, I've had to make a tournament schedule change and won't be able to play Moscow this year but I hope to compete there and in front of the Russian fans next year," Raducanu said. "I look forward to returning to the tour in the next couple of weeks." Briton Raducanu, 18, lost to Belarus' Aliaksandra Sasnovich in straight sets at Indian Wells last week in her first match since winning the US Open title at Flushing Meadows. The world number 22 said she was disappointed with the defeat by Sasnovich but needed to "cut herself some slack". "The experiences that I'm going through right now, even though I might not feel 100% amazing right now, I know they're for the greater good... in the bigger picture, I'll be thanking this moment," Raducanu said. She is scheduled to play in events in Romania and Austria before the end of the season.

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Champion REIT Enters Sustainability-Linked Swap with DBS Hong Kong

Jointly Supports Women Empowerment Programme “Champion Mothers” HONG KONG, Oct 6, 2021 – (ACN Newswire) – Champion Real Estate Investment Trust (“Champion REIT” or “Trust”) (Stock Code: 2778), owner of Three Garden Road and Langham Place, has entered into an agreement concerning cross-currency swap transaction (the “Swap”) with DBS Hong Kong (“DBS”). This derivative transaction is a sustainability-linked swap, which was closed in September 2021. It is designed to provide a hedge against potential interest rate or currency risks related to the Trust’s debt portfolio. Champion REIT launches its Women Empowerment Programme – “Champion Mothers” in collaboration with St. James Settlement to support mothers with SEN children Champion REIT values sustainable development and is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion of the community. This rationale is in alignment with the philosophy of DBS, which places great value on leveraging resources to empower women who need support in the community. Under this sustainability-linked swap, Champion REIT is eligible to receive sponsorship from DBS to support its Women Empowerment Programme – Champion Mothers, provided that Champion REIT can successfully achieve the key performance targets related to women empowerment. Champion REIT initiated this programme in partnership with St. James Settlement and its social enterprise, and aims to support mothers who have children with special educational needs (SEN) and do not have much work experience to unleash their true potential by: – Providing skill-learning workshops and free pop-up space at Langham Place Mall for these mothers to have a taste of running a business, and– Establishing buddy relationships among these mothers and female colleagues to share views on managing family and work The Trust has organised various business skill-sharing sessions and handicraft activities for these mothers and female colleagues from August to October. The handicraft activities include making Organic Peanut Brittles, Aroma Stones and Coin Bags, enabling all participants to learn, have fun and grow together. A pop-up store selling the products crafted by the participating mothers will be launched in Langham Place Mall by the end of 2021. Champion REIT secured its first sustainability-linked loan with eight banks, including DBS, in June this year. The sustainability-linked swap marks another milestone in the Trust’s sustainability journey and reinforces its commitment to giving back to the community. About Champion REIT (Stock Code: 2778)Champion Real Estate Investment Trust is a trust formed to own and invest in income producing office and retail properties. The Trust focuses on Grade A commercial properties in prime locations. It currently offers investors direct exposure to nearly 3 million sq. ft. of prime office and retail floor area. These include two Hong Kong landmark properties, Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as joint venture stake in 66 Shoe Lane in Central London. Since 2015, the Trust has been included in the Constituent of Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index of Hang Seng Indexes. Website: www.championreit.com About DBSDBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 18 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world. Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney, “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker and “Best Bank in the World” by Global Finance. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 12 consecutive years from 2009 to 2020. DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, and positively impacting communities through supporting social enterprises, as it banks the Asian way. It has also established a SGD 50 million foundation to strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts in Singapore and across Asia. With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit https://www.dbs.com.hk/index-zh/default.page.

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Tennis: After ‘very cool’ three weeks, US Open champ Raducanu ready to get back to business

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA (REUTERS) - Red carpet galas, top-tier endorsement deals and hitting with British Royalty - the past three weeks have been a whirlwind for 18-year-old US Open champion Emma Raducanu. But now the British sensation says she is eager to get back to business. "I'd say it has been a very cool three weeks," Raducanu told reporters in Indian Wells on Tuesday (Oct 5) as she prepares for her first tournament since her historic triumph at Flushing Meadows. "I got to experience some great things that I probably never would have been able to do before," said Raducanu, who recently attended star-studded events including the Met Gala in New York and the premier of the new James Bond film in London. "But after that, I just went straight back to training and focusing on this competition and the upcoming ones I've got lined up." Raducanu last month became the first qualifier to win a major when she beat fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the tournament, where she never dropped a set. With the victory, she became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam tournament in 44 years, creating a frenzy in her home country. She said that while she appreciates the support, she is determined to stay focused, opting mostly to stay home with her family since returning to England. "I got some really cool invitations, and it felt nice to receive everyone's kind messages, but I didn't really get too caught up in it," she said. "I just focused on my tennis and my training." She singled out retired British player Tim Henman as being a key pillar of support at the US Open. In Indian Wells, where she has a first round bye, Raducanu is on a potential third-round collision course with her tennis idol, two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: US Open champion Raducanu handed Indian Wells wildcard entry   Related Story Tennis: Raducanu's US Open outfit to be displayed at Hall of Fame Since her victory, she announced she had parted ways with coach Andrew Richardson and said she does not feel any pressure to quickly chose a replacement. "At the moment, I'm confident. Even though I'm quite young, I've got a lot of experience banked and at the end of the day, you're out there on your own," she said. "You have to be your own coach on the court." In the meantime, she is holding tight to what she called the best piece of advice she has received since stunning the tennis world. "Keep having fun with it," she said. "That's the biggest thing." More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: Raducanu's grandmother wanted her to quit after Wimbledon health scare   Related Story Tennis: US Open victory yet to sink in, says Raducanu

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Tennis: US Open champion Raducanu handed Indian Wells wildcard entry

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - US Open champion Emma Raducanu will play in her first tournament since stunning the tennis world at Flushing Meadows after being handed a wildcard for next month’s WTA 1000 tournament at Indian Wells, organisers said on Tuesday (Sept 28). The 18-year-old Briton became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam earlier this month when she beat fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez of Canada in straight sets. “2021 US Open Champion and rising WTA Tour star Emma Raducanu has been awarded a wildcard into the BNP Paribas Open, a combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event to be held Oct 4–17, 2021 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden,” organisers said in a statement. Her entry into the Indian Wells tournament, often called the “fifth major”, will allow her to compete for the 1,000 ranking points up for grabs and possibly give her an outside shot at qualifying for the season-ending WTA Finals in Guadalajara. Raducanu enters the Indian Wells draw a day after world number one Ash Barty withdrew from the tournament, while former champions Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams are also sitting it out. Raducanu won the US Open without dropping a set, climbing more than 100 places to 22nd in the world rankings since her maiden Grand Slam victory. She is now the British number one. Her victorious campaign also prompted the Tennis Hall of Fame to add her outfit from her impressive run to their collection. The teenager said last week she was seeking a new coach after announcing she would no longer be working with former Davis Cup player Andrew Richardson as she targets more success on the WTA Tour. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: Barty returns to Australia to see family; no decision on rest of season   Related Story Tennis: Raducanu's grandmother wanted her to quit after Wimbledon health scare

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Tennis: Olympic champion Bencic thrashed in Luxembourg quarter-finals

LUXEMBOURG (AFP) - Switzerland's Olympic tennis champion Belinda Bencic suffered a 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Russia's Liudmila Samsonova in the quarter-finals of the Luxembourg Open on Friday (Sept 17). Samsonova, ranked 48th, claimed her second win over Bencic in as many attempts, having beaten her in the final of the grass-court tournament in Berlin in June. Top seed Bencic dropped serve three times in her first event since reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open, where she lost to eventual champion Emma Raducanu. The seventh-seeded Samsonova will take on 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the final. More on this topic   Related Story Olympics: Switzerland's Bencic beats Vondrousova to win women's tennis title

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