
It’s a 10-year anniversary set to brighten communities across the country. Monuments across Canada, including the giant Winnipeg sign at The Forks and the Esplanade Riel, will be lit up yellow this week to celebrate 10 years of the #NoGoodWay Day campaign, a nationwide effort to build a more inclusive environment for Special Olympics athletes. “Special Olympics has given me the world,” said Camryn Grant, an athlete in Winnipeg. “It has provided me friendships and being able to play sports.” Spearheaded by Motionball athletes, the event is an anti-bullying campaign at its heart, educating people about the importance of inclusive language aimed to end casual and negative use of the “R-Word” in everyday conversations. “It really is hard when you see an athlete get bullied or have someone say something negative towards them,” said Grant. She says Motionball has had a significant impact on building a supportive community for Special Olympics athletes, and the campaign has played an important role in the work across all sports. “It makes everyone happy when they see everyone having fun,” she said. “When they don’t, it can take a negative impact on someone, and you can see athletes will shy away from sports.” The campaign is calling on the public to take a pledge to not use the “R-word” in everyday conversation, to educate others about the link between the R-word and bullying and for people to show their support for #NoGoodWay Day. Marina Lovell, the event director at Motionball Winnipeg, says the words we use can have a real effect on people. “We hold a lot of power with the words that we say,” said Lovell. “Hopefully we can use that for the good. So by changing the language, and stopping using that word, we hopefully can promote inclusivity and those living with an intellectual disability can feel more welcome.” Since the beginning of the campaign, Motionball says tens of thousands of Canadians have pledged their commitment to use inclusive language. “Obviously a lot of people have jumped on board and taken the pledge,” she said “We just want to get the word out; to stop using that word, and if they do hear it, to say something to someone.” To show support for Special Olympic athletes and the #NoGoodWay campaign, you can take the pledge on the .Bellator women’s featherweight champ Cris Cyborg is over Claressa Shields’ online taunts and aims to make her pay either in the cage or the ring. Cris Cyborg ‘s return to MMA was a triumphant affair as she defeated two-time PFL champ Larissa Pacheco earlier this year at Battle of the Giants . She still has at least one more bout on her existing PFL contract, and she’ll either defend her Bellator title or opt for a big-name super fight. One potential matchup is a fight with Shields, a boxing superstar and MMA fighter signed to the PFL roster. She most recently made her MMA return at PFL vs. Bellator, earning a split-decision win over Kelsey DeSantis. Cyborg and Shields have previously teased a potential crossover fight in the ring, but the weight class for the clash has triggered a hold-up in negotiations. Despite this, things have gotten personal between Cyborg and Shields in recent weeks, fueling speculation about a possible booking. READ MORE: Jon Jones’ longtime coach shoots down narrative that Tom Aspinall is a ‘complex puzzle’ ahead of potential Octagon clash Cris Cyborg calls out Claressa Shields for open-weight fight after recent back-and-forths In a recent post on X , Cyborg ramped up her ongoing beef with Shields. “In a real fight I suplex [Claressa Shields] on her head,” Cyborg said. “If she wants a boxing match, tell her to put down the cookies and chips and make 147. If she can’t make weight, tell her to sign the [PFL] deal and we can do it at an open weight, no weigh-in.” As of this writing, Shields hasn’t responded to Cyborg’s latest jabs. Cyborg has teased retirement in recent years and appears on the tail-end of her combat sports career. She’s also hinted at a desire to book super fights before calling it quits, and her budding feud with Shields might fit the bill. Shields, an unbeaten boxing juggernaut, most recently defeated Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in her most recent boxing match. She earned Lepage-Joanisse’s WBO, WBC, and WBF titles after knocking her out in the second round. READ MORE: Conor McGregor ‘was kicking the wall’... Paddy Pimblett reveals the one UFC loss that left ‘The Notorious’ fuming... ‘It was hilarious’ Cris Cyborg could make Claressa Shields one of her final opponents before retiring Cyborg has also taunted former PFL superstar Kayla Harrison on social media in recent weeks, despite their previously targeted bout off the table. Harrison signed with the UFC in free agency earlier this year to make her full-time move to bantamweight. Cyborg is arguably the greatest female MMA fighter of all time after earning a slew of championships in top promotions like Strikeforce, UFC, and Invicta FC. The 39-year-old has defended the Bellator women’s featherweight title five times since leaving the UFC in 2019. Shields also has a potential rematch in MMA against Savannah Marshall in her crosshairs when she returns to the cage. Marshall signed with the PFL earlier this year and made her professional MMA debut in June, earning a first-round knockout. It’s uncertain if the Cyborg vs. Shields fight will come to fruition, but things are ramping up as 2024 comes to a close. The PFL matchmakers might have another big-name fight on their hands heading into next year. READ MORE: Leon Edwards breaks his silence to reveal new goal for 2025 after losing UFC welterweight titleBridging Thailand's climate finance gap
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Pakistan slams US sanctions on ballistic missile programmeSOLON, Ohio , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tarkett, a global leader in innovative and sustainable flooring solutions, recently led the renovation of the Niles Township Respite Center near Chicago, Illinois . The initiative was part of the company's charitable giving program, Tarkett Cares , which encourages employees to share their time, talents and corporate flooring donations with local communities where the company operates. While planning Design Days 2024, an annual, three-day interior design show in Chicago , the Tarkett team wanted to find a way to contribute to their host city in a new way. "Instead of focusing on one-off customer giveaways, we wanted to invest in something that could create lasting value for the community that hosts our industry each year," said Roxane Spears , vice president of sustainability for Tarkett. Spears contacted Lisa Kaplan , a Chicago -area resident and former commercial flooring professional, who directed her to the Niles Township Respite Center as a place in need. Located in Skokie, Illinois , the Niles Township Respite Center provides relief to residents facing housing and food insecurities. The space offers access to showers, laundry facilities, a clothing closet, food pantry and more. "The Respite Center's efforts to serve community members struggling with housing and food insecurity align perfectly with Tarkett's commitment to social equity and the Tarkett Cares program," Spears said. "While the center operates on a tight budget, it does so much to help so many. If we can support the center's work by providing cleaner, safer spaces for people as they work through challenging circumstances—that's the impact we want to make." With a deep knowledge of how thoughtfully designed interiors and healthy materials can contribute to better indoor air quality and an overall sense of well-being, the team updated the center's flooring with third-party certified products featuring soothing patterns and colors that would help everyone at the center feel more at home and at peace. Tarkett donated new floors (including the costs of labor for installation) for a quiet room, multi-purpose room, entryway and stairs. The team's enthusiasm for the project spread to other local contractors; FloorsMD provided installation services and their president, Michelle DeLuco , served as an onsite coordinator throughout the project. Tarkett's ethos® carpet tile was installed in the quiet room. ethos is Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver and has a non-PVC backing that can be recycled back into itself. Contour LVT, which can be recycled into auto mats when taken back through Tarkett's ReStart® take-back and recycling program, was installed in the entryway and multi-purpose room. Coordinating Johnsonite® stair treads were also added to enhance safety and durability. After seeing the newly installed floors, DeLuco felt energized and determined to find a way to go a little further. The project scope grew to include a room expansion, ceiling height adjustment, fresh coat of paint and additional carpet tile for four offices that had suffered flood damage. The additional flooring materials and labor were covered by Tarkett and FloorsMD. ECI and its Executive Construction Foundation, Maxxon and Aspen Commercial Painting also contributed to the expanded project scope. The Respite Center was not charged for any portion of the renovation. "The center had such good bones and was already doing tremendous work for the community. It was very heart-pleasing to see what impact we could make with just a little bit of elbow grease and a group of people who cared," DeLuco said. Ruth Orme-Johnson , a social worker for the Respite Center, said the renovations drastically improved the energy of the space. "It was just wonderful to know that we're giving our clients the kind of calm, positive and inviting environment that we really have always wanted to. You can just feel everyone relax a little bit," Orme-Johnson said. "Our new floor, our new space has been such a gift in terms of being welcoming to everybody. It's also helped me feel proud of the work I do. The space allows the people we help believe they're capable and have the agency to take those steps that will have a positive impact on their lives long term." Mike Isaacs , public relations outreach coordinator for Niles Township Government, said the impact of the renovation exceeded everyone's expectations. "It's been really inspiring," he said. "Our gratitude is forevermore, that's for sure." In addition to corporate giving, the global Tarkett Cares program empowers employees to donate two days of volunteer activity each year. Globally, Tarkett employees have volunteered 3,800 days and contributed to over 900 community initiatives between 2017 and 2023. Take a virtual tour of the renovated Niles Township Respite Center. About Tarkett With a 140-year history, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative and durable flooring and sports surface solutions, generating net sales of 3.4 billion euros in 2023. The Group has around 12,000 employees, 23 R&D centres, 8 recycling centres, and 34 production sites. Tarkett designs and manufactures solutions for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, shops, and sports fields, serving customers in more than 100 countries. To build "The Way to Better Floors", the Group is committed to the circular economy and sustainable development, in line with its Tarkett Human-Conscious Design ® approach. Tarkett is listed on the Euronext-regulated market (compartment B, ISIN: FR0004188670, ticker: TKTT). www.tarkett-group.com Every Step Matters For years, Tarkett has raised the sustainability standards of the flooring industry. The company designs floors with transparency you can trust as it creates healthy impacts on indoor spaces and protects our air, water, soil, and every living thing. Tarkett's ReStart ® take-back and recycling program will either repurpose or recycle every type of flooring from any manufacturer. Its near-term science-based carbon emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are fully aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement objective to limit global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius. For more information, visit commercial.tarkett.com/sustainability . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tarkett-leads-effort-to-renovate-chicago-area-respite-center-as-part-of-tarkett-cares-program-302315799.html SOURCE Tarkett USA , Inc.
Guangzhou-based automaker XPeng is preparing for an exciting year with major expansion plans for 2025. Details about their upcoming ventures emerged on social media platform Weibo, hinting at an ambitious slate of new models and updates set to captivate the automotive market. Starting in the first quarter of 2025, XPeng is set to unveil a newly designed P7i, expected to hold a higher price tag than its predecessor, the P7+. As the year progresses into the second quarter, XPeng will showcase the G7, a sleek B-segment SUV built on the reliable platform shared by the G6 and P7+. This model, priced competitively at around 200,000 yuan ($27,400), is expected to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April. Meanwhile, the company is also giving the G6 a facelift to strengthen its market position against competitors like Tesla’s Model Y. In the third quarter, XPeng’s highlight will be the significant update to its flagship G9 SUV, featuring both extended-range and fully electric options with a refreshed grille design. As 2025 concludes, XPeng plans to release the G01, a spacious six-seater C+ segment SUV, and unveil further updates to the X9 model. On the global stage, XPeng has already made remarkable achievements with over 10,000 vehicles delivered across Europe, solidifying its status as a leading Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, XPeng is expanding its footprint into new regions, having recently ventured into the Middle East and Southeast Asia, marking a significant milestone in its international growth strategy. XPeng’s Bold Move to Redefine the Electric Vehicle Market by 2025 XPeng, a prominent Guangzhou-based automaker, is gearing up for an exciting expansion in 2025, marked by a series of new releases and strategic global growth. With a focus on innovative designs and competitive pricing, XPeng aims to capture a significant slice of the electric vehicle market. Future Innovations and Model Updates XPeng’s plans for 2025 include launching several newly designed models. Among these is the P7i, set for release in the first quarter with a higher price point than its predecessor, the P7+. This premium release underscores XPeng’s commitment to delivering enhanced features and advanced technology to consumers. April’s Shanghai Auto Show will witness the debut of XPeng’s G7, a B-segment SUV, continued on a tried and tested platform shared with the G6 and P7+. Priced competitively at 200,000 yuan (approximately $27,400), the G7 is poised to attract buyers seeking innovation and affordability. As the market becomes increasingly competitive, XPeng is also looking to give its G6 model a facelift to better rival leading competitors like Tesla’s Model Y. This move is part of XPeng’s strategy to maintain its strong position in the growing electric SUV market. Strategic Global Expansion XPeng is not only focused on the domestic market but is also making its presence felt internationally. The company has reported delivering over 10,000 vehicles in Europe, marking it as a notable player among Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturers. Recent expansions into the Middle East and Southeast Asia further showcase XPeng’s ambitions in regions with emerging markets. Insights Into Upcoming Models The conclusion of 2025 will see the introduction of the G01, a C+ segment SUV designed to offer a roomy, six-seater option for families looking for space without sacrificing style or performance. Alongside, XPeng is planning updates to the X9 model, expected to enhance its appeal further. Predictions and Market Trends The electric vehicle market is on the brink of significant transformations, with companies like XPeng leading the charge. By expanding its offerings and innovating its existing models, XPeng is aligning itself with global trends towards sustainable and technologically advanced transportation solutions. With XPeng’s strategic moves, industry insiders predict a competitive landscape with significant advancements in EV technology and customer-focused enhancements. As a result, consumers can look forward to increasingly sophisticated and sustainable vehicle options in the coming years. Conclusion XPeng’s ambitious plans for 2025 signify more than just a series of new car launches; they represent a bold commitment to reshaping the electric vehicle market both in China and worldwide. With a diverse range of new models and international outreach, XPeng is set to become a formidable force in the automotive industry. For more information on XPeng’s electric vehicle innovations, visit their official website: XPeng Motors .Trump wrote on Truth Social in response to a report that the list of those whose death sentences were commuted by President Joe Biden on Monday includes several child killers and mass murderers. Biden said in a statement on Monday that he condemns the murderers whose death sentences he commuted and aches for the families of the victims, but is still convinced that the US must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level. In his statement, Biden emphasized that he condemns these murderers, grieves for the victims of their "despicable acts," and aches for all the families who have suffered "unimaginable and irreparable loss." At the same time, the outgoing president said he is "more convinced than ever" that the US must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level. 2 December, 04:48 GMT "Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country. When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!" Trump wrote, commenting on the 46th POTUS decision. During the 2024 election campaign, Trump called for the death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement officer. He also said that the death penalty for drug dealers could completely solve the drug problem in the United States. The three individuals who did not get a commutation are Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who perpetrated the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings that killed three, white supremacist Dylann Roof, who killed nine African Americans in a Charleston church in June 2015, and Robert Bowers, who carried out the October 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that claimed 11 lives.
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Blues host the Flyers after Holloway’s 2-goal gameNashville Predators (7-12-5, in the Central Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (15-4-4, in the Central Division) Saint Paul, Minnesota; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wild -153, Predators +128; over/under is 5.5 BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Wild host the Nashville Predators after Jared Spurgeon's two-goal game against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Wild's 3-2 win. Minnesota is 15-4-4 overall and 3-2-2 against the Central Division. The Wild are 7-1-2 in games they score one or more power-play goals. Nashville has gone 7-12-5 overall with a 4-1-1 record in Central Division games. The Predators are 7-2-0 when scoring at least three goals. The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two teams. TOP PERFORMERS: Kirill Kaprizov has 14 goals and 22 assists for the Wild. Marco Rossi has four goals and three assists over the past 10 games. Roman Josi has seven goals and 13 assists for the Predators. Steven Stamkos has scored three goals and added two assists over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 6-2-2, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.5 assists, 3.5 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 1.9 goals per game. Predators: 3-3-4, averaging 2.3 goals, 3.1 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game. INJURIES: Wild: None listed. Predators: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . The Associated Press
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