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Three Garden Road Attains BEAM Plus Platinum with Hong Kong’s Highest Score

HONG KONG, Oct 17, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Three Garden Road, one of the landmark properties owned by Champion Real Estate Investment Trust ("Champion REIT" or the "Trust"; stock code: 2778), has awarded the Platinum rating under BEAM Plus for Existing Buildings V.2.0. with the highest score in Hong Kong. Three Garden Road has therefore become double platinum ratings for both BEAM Plus and WELL building standards.Three Garden Road achieved BEAM Plus Existing Building PLATINUM with Hong Kong's highest scoreThree Garden Road was the first existing building in Hong Kong to attain WELL Core Existing Building PLATINUMTo realise its 2045 Carbon Net Zero Roadmap, Champion REIT will strive to advance climate actions through technological innovation and facilities upgrade. As a green and wellness hub in the heart of the city, Three Garden Road has achieved:BEAM Plus Existing Buildings Platinum (highest score)-- Achieved full marks in five categories including "Innovations"-- Implemented innovative measures to optimise energy usage, such as the ground-breaking demand-control carpark ventilation system that helped reduce more than 50% annual energy reduction WELL Core Certification Platinum for Existing Building (first-in-Hong Kong)-- Achieved remarkable results in the areas of air, water, light, nourishment and community-- Awarded Excellent Class of Indoor Air Quality for 13 consecutive yearsMs Christina Hau, Chief Executive Officer of Champion REIT, said, "We are thrilled that Three Garden Road has achieved the Platinum rating with top score among the city's existing buildings. This is a testament to our all-round competence in implementing sustainable initiatives, and which has placed us in the forefront of the industry. Going forward, we will continue to forge impactful partnerships with our stakeholders to promote a greener and healthier environment." Ir Dr Cary Chan, Executive Director of Hong Kong Green Building Council said, "We are very pleased to celebrate Three Garden Road's achievements in scoring the highest amongst all existing buildings in the city. Champion REIT has a proven record in its sustainability efforts and this attainment has undoubtedly served as another driving force for the Trust to continue advancing climate resilience of its properties."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 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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SkillsFuture report pinpoints skills Singaporeans urgently need in the next 3 years

SINGAPORE - The skills most urgently needed by Singaporeans have been identified in a new report by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). The inaugural Skills Demand For The Future Economy report was launched by Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Dec 8). It pinpoints the top 20 clusters of skills in the digital, green and care sectors most needed in the next one to three years. Mr Chan launched the report at the Skills Demand For The Future Economy Forum, where he gave an opening speech. He said the report does not cover the entire economy, but spotlights jobs and skill trends in the three sectors, calling them "key growth areas" for the country. The skills highlighted are those that are required by the most number of jobs in the sectors, he added. The report shows the 20 most important clusters of skills in the three sectors, which it calls "priority skills". In the digital sector, the top three are technology application, data analysis and market research. In the green sector, they are green process design, carbon footprint management and environmental management system. In the care sector, they are conduct and ethics, stakeholder management and inclusive practices. The report goes on to break down the sectors into sub-sections and highlights the priority skills in these. For example, for the digital sector, the report shows the priority skills for both tech-heavy and tech-lite jobs, as well as those for digital jobs and skills in financial and retail services. It also features personal stories from people who have changed careers or sectors, as well as insights from chief executives Wong Kim Yin of Sembcorp Industries and Chin Wei Jia of HMI Group, other business leaders and educators. Educators The Straits Times spoke to said Singaporeans should focus not only on gaining sector-specific skills, but also the general skills the report highlights. More on this topic   Related Story S'pore to launch manufacturing training programmes in new fields like industrial sustainability   Related Story 4 new SkillsFuture work-study programmes to be launched by January 2022 Dean of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) School of Design and Environment Lam Khee Poh told ST: "It is important to work on the core skills the report identifies like critical and creative thinking because more so than specific technical skills, these are the ones that help you learn and adapt. Specific, technical skills can come after." The report designates 16 soft skills which it calls "critical core skills", organised into three clusters: thinking critically, interacting with others and staying relevant. Professor Susanna Leong, NUS vice-provost (life long education), told ST that both workers and employers should use the report as a road map to navigate the three key growth areas. She said: "With the information made available in the report, learners could find out how to map out their learning pathways to gain skills required for the job roles by taking reference from SSG's Skills Frameworks. "This forms a systematic road map for learners to determine their choice of study based on their aspirations, or for mid-careerists to pivot into new job roles." The report also has a section on charting skills development, which guides readers on where to find the right courses, listing institutions and their course offerings. More on this topic   Related Story S'pore can seize opportunities in digital, green and borderless world: Gan Kim Yong   Related Story Emerging Stronger Taskforce: 6 key shifts and what they mean for S'pore Mr Chan added that SSG will be adding to the report in future. He said: "The report is but the first step we are taking, to communicate and share more skills insights with the public. "SSG will refresh the report annually and work at supplementing it with other channels of sharing that are more bite-sized and higher-tempo."

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China Gas (00384) to Target the Trillion-Dollar New Energy Market Strategic Agreements with Industry Leaders to Support China’s Dual-Carbon Policy Goals

HONG KONG, Dec 2, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - China Gas Holdings Limited ("China Gas"; stock code: 00384), a leading trans-regional comprehensive energy supplier in China, announced a series of strategic framework agreements with industry leaders including China Three Gorges Group and Dongfeng Motor (stock code: 00489), to jointly develop the massive "Dual-Carbon" market in China. These new developments will take China Gas to the next stage of growth as the Company actively explores clean energy including wind, solar, hydropower and hydrogen as its next strategic focus via an asset-light operation model.Global focus on emissions and climate change reached new heights recently following the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. China has also set forth a 'dual carbon' national policy - reaching carbon emissions peak by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The nation's drive towards greater adoption of new and renewable energy has created a trillion-dollar market opportunity for companies that are well-positioned to seize the huge growth potential.In late November, China Gas announced a strategic cooperation agreement signed with Yangtze Three Gorges Investment Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary under China's biggest clean energy group, China Three Gorges Corporation (https://www.ctg.com.cn/en/). The agreement will see these two companies join forces in five major business areas to develop new energy systems, with wind, solar energy, hydropower and hydrogen as the primary focuses. China Gas will provide green empowerment and integrated services for carbon management, and the two companies will also work together to lead China's development of an international and standardized carbon market system as the country strives to adopt "Carbon Peak, Carbon Neutrality" as its development blueprint.China Three Gorges Corporation (https://www.ctg.com.cn/en/) is one of the largest enterprises engaging in hydropower development and operation in the world and the biggest clean energy group in China, with an asset size of over one billion Chinese yuan. The strategic cooperation with Yangtze Three Gorges Investment will allow China Gas to accelerate its push into new energy businesses via an asset-light model, creating a "dual-carbon ecosystem" unique to China Gas by leveraging the Group's nation-wide network advantage and massive user base. Based on the Agreement, China Gas and Three Gorges Investment will cooperate in five major business areas ranging from collaborating on green energy project investments, building a new type of power system that adopts integrated renewable energy, promoting green cities and the "Carbon Peaking, Carbon Neutrality" digital platform construction, facilitating zero-carbon project development planning including the "Shiyan Zero-Carbon Automobile City", and promoting the building of the zero-carbon intelligent industrial ecosystem. One project that has drawn wide market attention is the plan to develop the "Shiyan Zero-Carbon Automobile City". Earlier in November, China Gas announced another strategic cooperation agreement with Dongfeng Motor Corporation to lead the net-zero transformation of the auto industry in China. The "Zero-Carbon Automobile City" in Shiyan, a leading auto production base in the Hubei Province of China, will be a joint effort among China Gas, Dongfeng Motor and Three Gorges Investment to adopt hydropower and other green energy in automobile production. The move is a bold step to support the zero-carbon mission of the auto industry as it strives to achieve the "Dual-Carbon" goals set by the government.In addition, China Gas will build a carbon footprint platform for Dongfeng Motor and each of its motor industry cluster bases to provide carbon footprint calculation, carbon verification, carbon asset exploration, energy saving and emission reduction services for Dongfeng Motor's industrial chain partners. Both parties will also explore zero-carbon operation test scenario for automobiles throughout their life cycles, conduct research on cutting-edge green technologies, and actively promote the zero-carbon operation system of green transportation.To curb emissions, the Chinese government has also announced plans to ramp up development of solar and wind power. Through a strategic cooperation agreement signed with LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a world-leading photovoltaic company listed in the China A-shares market, China Gas is actively exploring the development of leading-edge PV applications and green hydrogen riding on its massive user base and project network across China. The Company sees strong growth potential in the new energy market against the backdrop of China's national policy to combat climate change. China Gas repurchased a total of 91.37 million ordinary shares (about 1.65% of total existing issued shares of China Gas) since May 2021, according to the disclosures filed with the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. The multiple share repurchases by China Gas show the strong confidence of the management in the Company's development and growth potential in the future. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Formula One: Hamilton qualifies fastest for sprint race at Interlagos

SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Lewis Hamilton made the most of a new engine to beat Formula One leader Max Verstappen with the fastest lap in qualifying for the sprint race that will decide the grid for Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Hamilton was dominant in all three phases of the Friday (Nov 12) session at the Brazilian city's Interlagos circuit, with the Mercedes driver clocking a best time of one minute 07.934 seconds. Red Bull's Dutchman Verstappen was second and 0.438 slower, a considerable margin around one of the shortest laps on the calendar. "Let's go," exclaimed Hamilton over the team radio. The Briton will have a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's main race as result of his engine change but can take three points if he wins on Saturday, with the top three scoring in a 3-2-1 system. The 100km sprint is the last of three races in the experimental format this season, with the other two being at Monza and Silverstone. At least six are expected to be scheduled for 2022. Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas was third fastest with Red Bull's Sergio Perez alongside on the second row. "Lewis was untouchable today," commented Perez. AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly starts fifth with the two Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc followed by the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo in the battle for third overall. Fernando Alonso qualified 10th for Alpine. More on this topic   Related Story Formula One: Constructors' title most important, says Hamilton, who takes five-spot grid penalty   Related Story Formula One: One is magic number as Verstappen ignores title talk

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HSA warns public against buying and using 3 ‘slimming’ health products

SINGAPORE - The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has warned members of the public to avoid buying or consuming three health products. They are: Magic Mocha, Thao Moc Ho Tro Giam Beo Cenly and Cynthia Beauty EazyS Instant Coffee Powder. The products were found to contain the banned substance sibutramine, which can cause serious adverse effects, said the HSA on Wednesday (Nov 10). The agency has also received three reports from consumers who have experienced symptoms such as palpitations, nausea, extreme thirst, migraine and dizziness after taking the products. The continued intake of these products could have led to serious health consequences such as heart problems and central nervous system disorders, added the HSA. The three products were sold on Carousell, Lazada, Shopee, Qoo10, Facebook and Instagram, and marketed with claims that they were "fast-acting" and "fat-burning", as well as that they could "reduce fat storage" and "accelerate the breakdown of stubborn fat", among others. The HSA said it issued warnings to the sellers, and the product listings have been removed from the online platforms. Sibutramine was a prescription-only weight loss medicine that has been banned in Singapore since 2010 as it posed an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In 2019, a woman who took the medicine experienced an extremely fast heart rate and fell unconscious. She was resuscitated and implanted with a defibrillator to help her heart function. The HSA said consumers should stop taking the three products immediately and consult a doctor if they feel unwell or are concerned about their health. Thao Moc Ho Tro Giam Beo Cenly. PHOTOS: HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY They should also be wary of products that carry exaggerated claims or deliver unexpectedly quick effects, and exercise caution when buying such items online or from well-meaning friends. "There is no quick and easy way to lose weight," the agency said, adding that weight control should be achieved through a combination of balanced diet and appropriate exercise. "If you need help managing your weight, please consult your doctor, dietitian or a healthcare professional," the HSA said. Cynthia Beauty EazyS Instant Coffee Powder. PHOTOS: HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY Those selling the products must stop immediately, as it is illegal to sell or supply health products containing banned substances. Anyone convicted of doing so can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both. More on this topic   Related Story HSA warns against 4 'weight-loss' products; consumer suffers nausea, insomnia after taking pills   Related Story Weight-loss products found to have banned substance, high doses of laxative

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Football: Conte enjoys winning start with Spurs in frantic Vitesse clash

LONDON (REUTERS) - Antonio Conte got a crash course in what he can expect as Tottenham Hotspur's new manager after the Italian's first game in charge ended in a 3-2 home victory over Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League on Thursday (Nov 4). Conte, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo this week after the Portuguese was sacked 10 Premier League games into his first season, watched his side tear into a 3-0 lead after 28 minutes with Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura on target plus an own goal. He then watched Vitesse score twice in seven minutes before halftime in a frantic tie complete with three red cards and an outbreak of crowd trouble amongst the visiting supporters. Defender Cristian Romero saw red for Tottenham on the hour while visiting defender Danilho Doekhi and goalkeeper Markus Schubert were later sent off for the Dutch side. In the end Spurs held on for the three points which boosted their hopes of making progress in Europe's third-tier club competition. They are now second in Group G with seven points, three behind leaders Rennes, who beat Slovenian side Mura 1-0. More on this topic   Related Story Football: Conte arrival has raised expectations at Spurs, says Lloris   Related Story Football: Conte the 'hammer' brings high demands and glittering CV to Tottenham

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Cricket: Pakistan’s Babar in ‘severe distress’ over ill mother

DUBAI (AFP) - Pakistan captain Babar Azam's mother was on a ventilator when he played the T20 World Cup match against arch-rivals India, his father revealed on Saturday (Oct 30). Babar scored 68 not out and shared an opening stand of 152 with Mohammad Rizwan (79 not out) as Pakistan trounced India by 10 wickets in Dubai last Sunday. Azam Siddique, Babar's father, said in an Instagram post that his son played all three games this week "in severe distress". "It's time for my nation to know some truth. Congratulations to all of you on the victory in the three games," Azam Siddique wrote. "There was a big test at our house. On the day the match was against India, on that day Babar's mother was on a ventilator." Babar's mother had undergone surgery but has since recovered. "Babar played all three matches in severe distress. I came here so that Babar may not get weak." Pakistan have won all their three Super 12 games in the tournament and are well-placed to reach the semi-finals. They next face Namibia in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. More on this topic   Related Story Students, teacher arrested in India for celebrating Pakistan cricket win   Related Story Cricket: US fund and Indian tycoon bid more than US$1.6 billion for new IPL teams

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Football: West Ham ease to third successive win in Europa League, Napoli sink Legia

LONDON (REUTERS) - West Ham United moved closer to the Europa League knockout stage as goals from Craig Dawson, Issa Diop and Jarrod Bowen secured a 3-0 home win over Belgium's Genk on Thursday (Oct 21) and continued their perfect start in Group H. West Ham top the standings on nine points ahead of Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Vienna and Genk who have three each, after the London side kept a third successive clean sheet in Europe's second-tier competition. Dawson fired West Ham ahead with a looping header on the stroke of halftime and Diop made it 2-0 from a second assist by Aaron Cresswell before Bowen added the third with a deflected shot on the hour. Napoli kept alive their hopes of advancing from Group C after Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano secured a 3-0 home win over Legia Warsaw. Legia stayed top with six points from three games while Napoli and Leicester City, who enjoyed a rollercoaster 4-3 win at Spartak Moscow on Wednesday, have four each. Fourth-placed Spartak have three points. Insigne fired Napoli ahead in the 75th minute with a superb first-time shot before in-form Osimhen netted his ninth goal of the season in all competitions and Politano sealed the win with a long-range strike. Olympique Lyonnais maintained their perfect start in Group A as they overturned a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 win at Sparta Prague, who took a 2-0 lead thanks to a first-half brace from Lukas Haraslin. Lyon hit back as Karl Toko Ekambi scored twice while Houssem Aouar and Lucas Paqueta added one each before Ladislav Krejci pulled one back in stoppage time. Lyon stayed top on nine points ahead of Sparta on four and Rangers, who have three after beating Brondby 2-0 at home thanks to first-half goals from Leon Balgoun and Kemar Roofe. In Group D, Eintracht Frankfurt leapt into pole position on seven points, one ahead of Olympiakos after a 3-1 home win over the Greek side. Both teams are well-placed to progress as third-placed Fenerbahce have two points and Royal Antwerp one after their 2-2 draw. Monaco went top of Group B on seven points from three games with a 2-1 win at PSV Eindhoven and Real Sociedad are two points behind after a 1-0 victory at Sturm Graz.

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Doping: North Korea, Thailand, Indonesia ruled non-compliant by Wada

LONDON (REUTERS) - North Korea, Thailand and Indonesia were declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) on Thursday (Oct 7), making them ineligible to be awarded the right to host regional, continental or world championships during the suspension. Representatives of the three countries will also be ineligible to sit as members of the boards on committees until their countries are reinstated or for a period of one year, whichever is longer. Athletes from the three countries will be allowed to compete in regional, continental and world championships but their national flags will not be flown other than at the Olympic Games. Wada said in a statement that the National Anti-Doping Agencies (Nados) of North Korea and Indonesia were ruled non-compliant for not implementing effective testing programmes. Thailand's non-compliance stems from a failure to fully implement the 2021 Anti-Doping Code. More on this topic   Related Story Athletics: Banned Nigerian sprinter Okagbare facing three anti-doping charges   Related Story Athletics: Jamaica's Nesta Carter tests positive, faces disciplinary hearing

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Football: Arsenal trounce Tottenham as resurgence continues

LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal's resurgence continued with a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur as the two north London clubs continued to move in opposite directions in the Premier League on Sunday (Sept 26). Goals by Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka crowned a majestic first-half display by Arsenal who were sharper and hungrier than a listless Tottenham side. Smith Rowe swept in Arsenal's opener in the 12th minute and then set up Aubameyang in the 27th minute and when Saka made it 3-0 in the 34th minute the hosts were running riot. There was a little more fight about Tottenham after the break and Son Heung-min pulled a goal back with little over 10 minutes remaining, but it was too little too late for the visitors whose early-season optimism has evaporated. After losing their opening three Premier League games without scoring a goal, Arsenal have now won three in a row and are above Tottenham who, after winning their opening three to top the table, have lost three London derbies in succession, conceding nine goals in the process. Arsenal, who were bottom after three games, are now in 10th place with nine points, ahead of Tottenham on goals scored. More on this topic   Related Story On The Ball: Arteta's young Arsenal could peak after he leaves   Related Story Football: Arteta sees light at the end of the tunnel for Arsenal

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Formula One: Monaco GP stripped back to three days as 23 races planned for 2022

PARIS (AFP) - The 2022 Monaco Grand Prix will fall into line with the other races on the calendar and take place over three days rather than its traditional four, Formula One president Stefano Domenicali announced on Wednesday (Sept 22). The Monaco GP, which was first run in 1929 and has been ever-present since the inception of the F1 world championship in 1950, has traditionally held practice on the Thursday with a day off on Friday before the race weekend, rather than simply running Friday to Sunday like the other events. "Monaco will take place over three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, directly, instead of Thursday, break on Friday, then Saturday and Sunday," Domenicali told CNN. The Monaco GP was historically held around the Christian feast day of the Ascension when Thursday was a public holiday, and hence it was possible to use the public roads that make the circuit so special. It had the added bonus for the local traders of luring the public to the Principality for four days rather than three. It retained the practice even after the race no longer coincided with the Ascension. Domenicali also confirmed that the French Grand Prix would remain on the calendar which would be expanded to a record 23 races, one more than this season. The 2022 calendar will be announced at the World Motorsport Council on Oct 15. More on this topic   Related Story Formula One: Russia a real chance for Hamilton to secure 100th win   Related Story Formula One: Ferrari's Leclerc to start from back of the grid in Russian GP

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Football: Greenwood gets Man Utd off the hook at Wolves

WOLVERHAMPTON (AFP) - Manchester United set a Premier League record of 28 away games without defeat as Mason Greenwood's strike 10 minutes from time snatched a fortunate 1-0 win at Wolves on Sunday (Aug 29). The visiting fans at Molineux were euphoric even before kick-off in United's first game since a deal was agreed to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford. Ronaldo was not present with the paperwork for his move yet to be completed, but United did hand a first start to their other two big summer signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho. Those additions have raised expectations for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men to challenge for a first Premier League title since 2013, but it was a teenager from their own academy that allowed the Red Devils to escape with the win. Amid the huge excitement over Ronaldo's return to the club where he first made his name as a world star, there have been questions over what his arrival will mean for the development of Greenwood. The 19-year-old has now become the first teenager since Robbie Fowler to score in the first three games of a Premier League season. Wolves have yet to pick up a point or even score in new manager Bruno Lage's first three league games in charge and their issues in front of goal spoiled an otherwise promising performance. Adama Traore was linked with a move to be reunited with his former manager Nuno Espirito Santo at top-of-the-table Tottenham this week and the two sides to the Spaniard's game were clearly in evidence. Traore's terrifying pace saw him streak past Paul Pogba and Fred to tee up Raul Jimenez, but the Mexican's shot was comfortably saved at his near post by David de Gea. Less than 10 minutes were on the clock when United were torn apart again by the threat of Traore as this time Francisco Trincao bore down on goal and only a brilliant block from Aaron Wan-Bissaka prevented a certain goal. Joao Moutinho also flashed an effort just off target as Wolves' number of attempts on goal without scoring in their opening three games passed beyond 50. By contrast, the visitors' ability to turn games in an instant was shown as Fernandes smashed home from Pogba's pass over the top only to be flagged offside. Greenwood was then inches away from snatching a lead for United going into half-time with a powerful drive that flew just wide in a warning of what was to come for Wolves. More on this topic   Related Story Football: Cristiano Ronaldo set to complete Man United return after day of high transfer drama   Related Story Football: Cristiano Ronaldo to earn more than $1 million a week, says Telegraph United also needed David de Gea to come to their rescue as the Spanish goalkeeper produced a miraculous reaction save to deny Romain Saiss the opener midway through the second-half after he had parried the Moroccan's first ever. And the game was decided by a tale of two keepers. Wolves were furious when the only goal of the game arrived as Ruben Neves felt he had been fouled by Pogba. But with referees under strict guidelines to let the game flow more in the Premier League this season, Mike Dean waved play on and the ball was fed wide to Greenwood, who thrashed the ball low and hard on his weaker right foot through the grasp of Jose Sa. The Portuguese goalkeeper should have done much better, but United did not care as they moved level with Chelsea and Liverpool in a bunch of five sides just two points behind Tottenham. More on this topic   Related Story Football: England's Greenwood out of Euro 2020 due to injury   Related Story Football: Bamford, Alexander-Arnold in England squad, Greenwood left out

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Golf: Nordqvist charges to top of women’s Open leaderboard

CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND (REUTERS) - Sweden's Anna Nordqvist roared to the top of the women's British Open leaderboard with a faultless seven-under-par 65 at a murky and damp Carnoustie on Saturday (Aug 21). Two-time major champion Nordqvist's sizzling third round featuring seven birdies and no dropped shots jumped her 22 places up the leaderboard where she is tied on nine under with Denmark's Nanna Madsen, who carded an impressive four-under 68. Behind the two Scandinavians is a packed field with 12 players three shots or less behind the leaders. American Lizette Salas was on her own at eight under after a two-under 70, but her compatriot Yealimi Noh blew her chance of going into the final day as leader after dropping four shots in the testing last three holes for a one-under 71, leaving her three shots off the pace. Amateur Louise Duncan, one of the few players braving the cool temperatures in a pair of shorts, was also in contention as she continued to impress with a superb 68 to sit at seven under. World number one Nelly Korda is still in the hunt after her round of 70 left her on six under, the same as Britain's Georgia Hall who had a disappointing 73 having shared the halfway lead. Joint overnight leader Mina Harigae had a day to forget as she carded a four-over 76 to drop down to tied 27th. Nordqvist, 34, looked at home on the Carnoustie course and said her game was coming together at the perfect time. "I feel like the last few weeks have been solid. I just haven't made as many putts or scored as well as I played," she said. "My caddie just told me to keep patient. In links golf, you test your patience and I feel like I've had a great attitude this week. You just never know when your hard work is going to pay off. You've got to keep plugging along and putting yourself in positions, and all I can do tomorrow is go out there and try to shoot the best round that I can."

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Tennis: Nadal slips out of top three but Olympic champion Bencic up to 11th in rankings

PARIS (AFP) - Rafael Nadal slipped out of the top three in the new ATP rankings released on Monday (Aug 9), while Jannik Sinner, who won the Washington tournament at the weekend, jumped nine places to 15th. Olympic women's tennis champion Belinda Bencic, meanwhile, climbed one place in the latest WTA rankings but the Swiss remains one place outside the top 10. Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who collected silver, remains at 42nd while bronze medallist Elina Svitolina of Ukraine also moved up one place to No. 5. Spanish 20-time Grand Slam winner Nadal lost to Lloyd Harris in the round of 16 in Washington to find himself dropping one place to No. 4 with the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas replacing him at No. 3. Novak Djokovic stays top, with Russian Daniil Medvedev second. Italian teenager Sinner, who beat the American Mackenzie McDonald in three sets in Washington, climbs from 24th into the higher realms of the game's elite. Sinner, who turns 20 only on Aug 16, is the youngest player to win an ATP 500 tournament since the category was created in 2009. By reaching the final, McDonald also enjoyed a dramatic leap from 107th to 64th. Djokovic, who has won all three majors this year and has his eyes firmly set on completing the sweep with another success at the US Open, remains comfortably at No. 1. The Serb has now spent a record 333 weeks in top spot, well ahead of next-best Roger Federer, who managed 310 and is now down at No. 9. The biggest faller among the women was Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who slipped three places from fifth to eighth. Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty continues to dominate at the top even though she has not played since her early elimination in Tokyo at the end of July. Long-time No. 1 Serena Williams dropped four places to 20th. More on this topic   Related Story It's like playing a wall: Baghdatis remembers Nadal   Related Story Tennis: Djokovic defeats 13-time champion Nadal in epic French Open semi-final Fellow American Danielle Collins moved up eight spots to 28th following her win in San Jose at the Silicon Valley Classic on Sunday, while Germany's Andrea Petkovic, who picked up her first WTA title since 2015 in Cluj, jumped 23 places to 68th. Losing finalist, Egyptian Mayar Sherif, gained 22 places and entered the top 100 for the first time at 97th. Meanwhile, Nadal will count upon day-to-day improvement for a long-term foot injury if he is to fight for the title at this week's ATP Toronto Masters. He has won five Canadian titles, including the 2018 and 2019 editions. The event was not held in 2020 due to Covid-19. The 35-year-old Spaniard remains concerned about a long-term foot injury that flared up at Roland Garros in May and kept him away from Wimbledon and the Olympics. “It has been a couple of tough months for me with physical issues,” he said on Sunday ahead of his most successful hard-court stop. More on this topic   Related Story Sporting Life: People stay up for Rafa Nadal as he gives everything   Related Story Tennis: Nadal overcomes blip to scythe down Djokovic in Rome final Nadal, the second seed, won his comeback match on Wednesday (Aug 4) in Washington but would open in Toronto against 50th-ranked Lloyd Harris, who eliminated him at the US capital, if the South African beats qualifier Brayden Schnur of Canada in his opener. “I’m not at a peak but I’m training better here than in Washington,” he said. “I’m excited to keep going here and play a little better – I want to compete well.” Olympic quarter-finalist  Medvedev heads a depleted field at an event which is missing two of the “Big 3” players. With Djokovic giving the week a miss after his frustrating medal-less performance at Tokyo and Roger Federer still out with his lingering knee problems, Medvedev and Nadal head the seedings.

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Tennis: ‘Shaking all over’ Ruud emulates Murray with title hat-trick

KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA (AFP) - Norway’s Casper Ruud on Saturday (July 31) became the first player since Andy Murray in 2011 to win three ATP titles in as many weeks. World number 14 Ruud defeated 97th-ranked Pedro Martinez of Spain 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in the rain-hit final of the Kitzbuhel clay court tournament. The 22-year-old also won titles in Bastad and Gstaad on the previous two weekends. Former world number one Murray achieved the same feat in October 2011 when he swept up titles in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai in consecutive weeks. “I am shaking all over my body. It feels amazing,” Ruud told atptour.com. “I was very nervous at the end, I knew what I was playing for. Three in a row is something special. What a day to play the final, rain on and off all day. “I’m just very excited and happy that these three weeks are over, and that I won all of them.” The final was suspended due to rain for the best part of three hours with the match eventually ending at 11.30pm (5.30am on Sunday, Singapore time). Martinez, 24, was competing in his first ATP Tour final. More on this topic   Related Story Tennis: Ruud in third successive final despite Kyrgios 'steal' points blast   Related Story Tennis: How Ruud - Kyrgios slams Norwegian opponent over comments on behaviour

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