‘Democracy and freedom’: Jimmy Carter’s human rights efforts in Latin AmericaBOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts judge dismissed criminal charges Monday against a backer of Karen Read who admitted placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town in support of Read. Richard Schiffer Jr. had argued in Stoughton District Court that he had a First Amendment right to support the defense theory that Read — accused of ramming into her boyfriend John O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving the Boston police officer to die in a snowstorm — has been framed in the polarizing murder case. Schiffer's attorney Timothy Bradl said Monday that the judge made the right call by quickly tossing the felony witness intimidation and criminal harassment charges against Schiffer. The ruling comes as another judge decided Monday to push back Read's retrial to April after a mistrial was declared in July when jurors couldn’t reach an agreement. Read was facing second-degree murder charges and two other charges. Her attorneys have argued that other law enforcement officers were responsible for O’Keefe’s death. Regarding Schiffer's charges, Bradl said, “There wasn't a leg to stand on.” “Hats off to the judge. He didn’t make everyone wait and ruled from the bench. Everything was completely protected by the First Amendment. This was political speech," Bradl said. The Norfolk District Attorney’s office declined to comment. Schiffer has said he got the ducks idea after thinking about a defense lawyer’s closing argument that Read was framed . Alan Jackson told jurors that “if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck.” Schiffer's actions did not rise to the level of witness intimidation and criminal harassment "nor does his speech, or in this case his written word on fake currency and use of rubber toys, which are afforded the protections of the First Amendment," Judge Brian Walsh wrote. “It is the view of this Court that the defendant's conduct and speech, though a rather sophomoric expression of his opinion, is nonetheless protected speech,” he wrote. Walsh concluded the two-page ruling with quotes from Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, believed to have coined the “walks like a duck” phrase, and Robert McCloskey, author of the children's book “Make Way For Ducklings.” The defense alleged that O’Keefe was actually killed inside the home of his fellow Boston officer Brian Albert and then dragged outside. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a “convenient outsider” who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects. Schiffer has been among the dozens of Read supporters who accuse state and local law enforcement of a widespread cover-up. Their demonstrations have led to confrontations, especially in the town of Canton where the murder happened, between those who support Read and others who believe she is guilty. Schiffer, who owns Canton Fence and has said that he knows practically everyone in town through his contracting work, was accused of placing some of the ducks outside a pizza shop run by Brian Albert’s brother, Canton Selectman Chris Albert. Other ducks appeared in O’Keefe’s neighborhood.
By Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Musk causes uproar by backing German far-right party ahead of key electionsTorquay United spent most of the second half with 10 men and still beat the National League South leaders Weston-super-Mare 4-2 in the game of the season at Plainmoor so far. After some disappointing draws in the league, it was important that Torquay turned up today against a team who were three points clear at the top of the table. And turn up they did. It was 2-2 at half time with Lirak Hasani and Will Jenkins Davies scoring two good goals before Cody Cody had a late first-half penalty saved. Hasani was then red-carded three minutes into the second half, and it looked like Torquay were in trouble. But no chance, not in this mood, They defended superbly and two goals for Cooke made up for his stopped spot kick. It was backs-to-the-wall stuff after that, but in the pouring rain the 10 men defended so well that despite having much of the late possession, Weston never looked like getting back into the game. The result pushed Torquay up to third, while Weston dropped off the top, to be replaced by Truro City. Wotton made one change to the team that started the goalless draw at Boreham Wood on Saturday - with Hasani coming in for Oscar Threlkeld. It was another wet day for the players - but not quite what it was on Saturday. Still, a couple of big downpours before kick-off softened up the pitch even further. In the 11th minute, Jordan Young dinked his way to goal with the ball at his feet and his shot came off the goalkeeper Max Harris and went wide. An Omar Mussa shot skidded wide after a deflection. Torquay had started well but Weston also looked dangerous. Hasani shot wide in the 16th minute. Weston went 1-0 ahead in the 17th minute when Sam Dreyer missed a tackle and Luke Coulston was free and shot past James Hamon with confidence. Sam Pearson shot wide three minutes later. Hasani equalised in the 29th minute after some good work by the Gulls, who were playing the ball around well. From a short corner, Jenkins Davies shot was blocked but the ball popped out to Hasani and he struck it sweetly, right into the corner of the net. It was Jenkins Davies who made it 2-1 in the 35th minute when Reuben Reid played a back pass too short. The Torquay midfielder ran on to the ball, and actually looked like he had taken it too far to the right - but his strike past Harris was good and the ball found the far corner. Weston's second goal to make it 2-2 came in the 41st minute when a corner came down in the six-yard area, Hamon couldn't get a grip on the ball, and it hit Sam Avery before crossing the line. It was a soft goal to concede. The first-half action wasn't over yet. In injury time Hasani was brought down as he ran on to a through ball. From the penalty spot, Cooke struck the ball well, to the goalkeeper's right, but Harris got a strong hand to the ball to stop the shot. The rain had stopped late on in the first half and the second half starting with Torquay kicking towards the Family Stand. Hasani was sent off in the 48th minute after a poorly-timed tackle on Reid. It didn't look like a bad enough challenge for a red, but the referee pulled the card out of his pocket instantly. Wotton brought on Oscar Threlkeld to plug the gap with Mussa, who wasn't having a good game, making way. Pearson shot wide in the 53rd minute and Kieran Thomas shot wide as Weston went at Torquay. Hamon parried a Reid shot wide in the 60th minute. He shot wide soon after. A Threlkeld strike from the edge of the area went a long way wide. It was 3-2 in the 69th minute after some great work by Jenkins Davies, who cut inside from the right and found Cooke on the edge of the six-yard box, who diverted the ball past Harris. Ed Palmer came on for Young after the goal - a defender for a forward. Hamon stopped a good low cross from Nick McCootle. It felt like it might be a long 20-plus-whatever minutes. And the rain was heavy again. But Cooke made it 4-2 in the 79th minute when Weston made a horrible mistake in midfield - gifting the ball to Dan Hayfield, who was quick to claim his prize and pass it to the Torquay striker for his second goal. There was a lot of hard work and commitment as Torquay ran themselves into the ground to protect the lead. Six minutes were added on - and still Weston came at the 10 men. A Hamon punch cleared a dangerous cross clear and caught another two. But in the end, they didn't have enough to break through - and the 10 men held out for the three points. Such an important three points, too.
By Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.2 big winners reported at East Peoria casino
Former Tyrone footballer Jody Gormley passes away after short illness, aged 53
TikTok asked a federal appeals court on Monday to bar the Biden administration from enforcing a law that could lead to a ban on the popular platform until the Supreme Court reviews its challenge to the statute. The legal filing was made after a panel of three judges on the same court sided with the government last week and ruled that the law, which requires TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDance to divest its stakes in the social media company or face a ban, was constitutional. If the law is not overturned, both TikTok and its parent ByteDance, which is also a plaintiff in the case, have claimed that the popular app will shut down by Jan. 19, 2025. TikTok has more than 170 million American users who would be affected, the companies have said. In their legal filing on Monday, attorneys for the two companies wrote that even if a shutdown lasted one month, it would cause TikTok to lose about a third of its daily users in the U.S. The company would also lose 29% of its total “targeted global” advertising revenue for next year as well as talent since current and prospective employees would look elsewhere for jobs, they wrote. “Before that happens, the Supreme Court should have an opportunity, as the only court with appellate jurisdiction over this action, to decide whether to review this exceptionally important case,” the filing said. It's not clear if the Supreme Court will take up the case. But some legal experts have said the justices are likely to weigh in on the case since it raises novel issues about social media platforms and how far the government could go in its stated aims of protecting national security. President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok the last time he was in the White House, has said he is now against such action. In their legal filing, the two companies pointed to the political realities, saying that an injunction would provide a “modest delay” that would give “the incoming Administration time to determine its position — which could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review.” Attorneys for the two companies are asking the appeals court to decide on the request for an enforcement pause by Dec. 16. The Department of Justice said in a court filing on Monday that it will oppose the request. Justice officials also suggested that an expedited decision denying TikTok's request would give the Supreme Court more time to consider the case.
Rural counties in California and Illinois push to secede from blue states to separate from liberal-run cities: report
The Irish Times view on social media regulation: Ireland caught in the middleJustin Trudeau taking the time to reflect after Chrystia Freeland's departureNEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global metallurgical coal market size is estimated to grow by USD 95.27 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 4.77% during the forecast period. Increasing demand for steel is driving market growth, with a trend towards increase in number of smart city projects. However, volatility in prices of metallurgical coal poses a challenge market players include Coal India Limited, China Shenhua energy Company, Peabody Energy, Beijing Jingmei Group Co. Ltd, China National Coal Group Co., Ltd, Arch Coal, Inc., Anglo American, RWE AG, BHP Billiton, Alpha Natural Resources, Cloud Peak Energy, Datong Coal Industry Company Limited, PT Adaro Energy, Yanzhou Coal Mining Company Limited, Murray Energy Corporation, Teck, Shanxi, Whitehaven Coal, Rio Tinto, and Shenhua. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Metallurgical Coal Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.77% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 95.27 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.35 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 85% Key countries US, China, and India Key companies profiled Coal India Limited, China Shenhua Energy Company, Peabody Energy, Beijing Jingmei Group Co. Ltd, China National Coal Group Co., Ltd, Arch Coal, Inc., Anglo American, RWE AG, BHP Billiton, Alpha Natural Resources, Cloud Peak Energy, Datong Coal Industry Company Limited, PT Adaro Energy, Yanzhou Coal Mining Company Limited, Murray Energy Corporation, Teck, Shanxi, Whitehaven Coal, Rio Tinto, and Shenhua. Market Driver The global smart city market is experiencing significant growth, with an anticipated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 22% according to Technavio analysis. Smart cities utilize digital technology to optimize resource usage and enhance productivity and well-being. Infrastructure development, including roads, residential areas, and community facilities, is a key focus. Steel is essential for constructing these structures, making it a vital component in the growth of smart cities. As metallurgical coal is a primary input in steel production, the expansion of smart cities is expected to boost metallurgical coal consumption for steelmaking. The European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities, backed by the European Commission, is a significant market driver, aiming to create a European smart city market and improve livability. These developments underscore the importance of metallurgical coal in the global infrastructure sector, positioning it for continued growth in the forecast period. Metallurgical coal, a crucial component in steelmaking, is currently in focus due to its petrographic properties and carbonization process. Coal's thermal maturity, carbon content, and fossil carbon structure impact its utilization as an energy source or household fuel. Coal properties, such as coking properties, mesophase, pyrolysis, thermosolvolysis, and fluidity, influence coal macerals and chemical composition, determining coal rank. Coal extraction and blending techniques are essential for industrial processes, including coal-fired boilers and coke formation in blast furnaces. Metallurgical and thermal coal reserves are essential for power generation, but ESG risks, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and respiratory illnesses are growing concerns. Understanding coal deposits and their reserves is vital for the industry's sustainable growth. Carbon content, anthracite, and coal rank are significant factors in evaluating coal's suitability for various applications. The coal industry must address these challenges through innovative industrial processes and ESG initiatives to meet the evolving market demands. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This metallurgical coal market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Steel making- Metallurgical coal plays a crucial role in the steelmaking industry, primarily used for coke production in the Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) and Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) processes. While BF-BOF requires larger volumes of metallurgical coal, EAF uses lower amounts. In 2020, the BF-BOF process was the dominant steel production method, with world crude steel output reaching 145.5 million tons (Mt) in November 2023, a 3.3% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by the rising global demand for steel, particularly in emerging economies like China and India, which are among the largest steel producers. Urbanization, infrastructure development, and the construction of new smart city projects further fuel this demand. Additionally, the coking process produces byproducts such as coal tar and benzol, which have stable demand in various industries. New steel plants are being established globally to meet this rising demand, further increasing the need for metallurgical coal. According to the International Energy Agency, global coal demand reached a record 8.3 billion tons in 2022, driven by its availability and affordability compared to other energy sources. These factors collectively contribute to the growth of the metallurgical coal market during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis Metallurgical coal, also known as coking coal, is a type of coal with high carbon content and caking ability essential for steelmaking. The world's largest metallurgical coal reserves are found in countries like Australia, China, India, and the United States. Metallurgical coal is primarily used in the production of coke for blast furnaces in the steelmaking process. Coke is produced by heating metallurgical coal in the absence of air to drive off volatile impurities, leaving behind a solid carbon-rich material. Metallurgical coal's high carbon footprint and air pollution make it a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and respiratory illnesses. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risks associated with metallurgical coal mining and usage are increasingly becoming a concern. Metallurgical coal is used extensively in power generation, but its use is being phased out in favor of cleaner alternatives like natural gas and renewable energy sources. Thermal coal, on the other hand, is used primarily for electricity generation and household heating. The carbon content of thermal coal is lower than that of metallurgical coal, making it less suitable for steelmaking. Coal types include anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, and lignite. Iron ore, pig iron, and various alloys like ferro-chromium and ferro-manganese are produced using metallurgical coal in the steelmaking process. Market Research Overview Metallurgical coal, also known as met coal, is a type of coal with high coking properties used primarily in steelmaking. It contains a higher carbon content than thermal coal, which is used for power generation and household heating. The world's largest coal reserves include metallurgical coal deposits in countries like China, Australia, India, and the United States. Metallurgical coal's primary use is in the steel industry, where it is transformed into coke in blast furnaces. Coke is essential for iron ore reduction in the steelmaking process, producing pig iron, which is then converted into steel. Metallurgical coal's carbon content, caking ability, and other properties are crucial for the successful production of coke. ESG risks, including carbon footprint and air pollution, are significant concerns for the metallurgical coal market. Greenhouse gas emissions from coal combustion contribute to climate change, while air pollution from coal mining and processing can lead to respiratory illnesses. The metallurgical coal market is also influenced by factors like coal quality, coal classification, and coal utilization. Coal quality is determined by properties like carbon content, ash content, volatile matter, sulfur, and phosphorus. Coal classification systems like the ASTM and the International Coal and Coke Classification System help standardize the assessment of coal quality. Coal utilization includes various applications, such as electricity generation, household heating, anaerobic heating, and the production of carbon fibers, medicines, and chemical products. The steel industry and thermal power plants are significant consumers of metallurgical coal. The metallurgical coal market is influenced by various processes like carbonization, thermal maturity, and coal characterization. Carbonization is the process of heating coal in the absence of air to produce coke and coal tar. Thermal maturity refers to the degree of coal's transformation from a plant to a solid fuel due to heat and pressure. Coal characterization involves analyzing the coal's chemical composition, coal macerals, and coal rank to determine its suitability for specific applications. Coal extraction techniques include coal washing, which separates coal from impurities like rock, clay, and other minerals. Coal blending techniques involve mixing different types of coal to improve the overall quality and reduce impurities. The metallurgical coal market's demand-supply gap can impact prices and availability. Factors like coal reserves, coal production, and coal washing capacity can influence the supply side, while demand from the steel industry and thermal power plants can impact the demand side. The metallurgical coal market's future outlook is influenced by various factors, including technological advancements, environmental regulations, and geopolitical risks. Technological advancements like the Corex process, which uses natural gas instead of coal to produce direct-reduced iron (DRI), could reduce the demand for metallurgical coal in the steel industry. Environmental regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution could increase the cost of producing and using metallurgical coal. Geopolitical risks, such as supply disruptions from major coal-producing countries, could impact the availability and price of metallurgical coal. The metallurgical coal market's future also depends on the development and adoption of alternative energy sources and technologies. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with coal-fired power generation. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies could help reduce the carbon footprint of the steel industry and thermal power plants. In conclusion, the metallurgical coal market is a complex and dynamic system influenced by various factors, including coal reserves, coal quality, steel industry demand, environmental regulations, and technological advancements. Understanding these factors is essential for stakeholders in the metallurgical coal market to make informed decisions and navigate the challenges and opportunities of this industry. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: SOURCE Technavio MENAFN17122024003732001241ID1109004916 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Generali Hong Kong Supports 500+ Underprivileged Families Through Nature-Based Learning Experiences Media Outreach Newswire APAC
FOX45: Maryland leaders opposed to Trump’s immigration policies risk federal funding
NoneFrom Maui to the Caribbean, Thanksgiving tournaments a beloved part of college basketballYouTube on Tuesday announced a partnership with Century City-based talent representation firm Creative Artists Agency that will help actors and athletes better manage their digital likenesses in AI generated content. Next year, actors and athletes from the NBA and NFL will have access to technology that will identify AI-generated content on YouTube that features their digital likeness, including their faces, and give them the option of requesting it is removed through a privacy complaint process, YouTube said. The popular video platform, which is owned by search giant Google, said this is part of a larger testing effort for its likeness management technology. “By collaborating with CAA, we’ll gain insight from some of the world’s most influential figures—some of whom have been significantly impacted by the latest waves of AI innovation—to refine our product before releasing it to a wider group of creators and artists,” YouTube said in a blog post . YouTube said in the next few months it will announce other testing cohorts, including top YouTube creators and creative professionals. “In the days ahead, we’ll work with CAA to ensure artists and creators experience the incredible potential of AI while also maintaining creative control over their likeness,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said in a statement. “This partnership marks a significant step toward building that future.” Many people in Hollywood have expressed concerns regarding the growth of AI, AI’s impact on jobs and how artists will get compensated for AI’s usage of their likeness. There have also been worries expressed about the proliferation of deepfakes , including fake videos depicting celebrities endorsing or doing activities that they did not actually do. A ChatGPT voice, Sky, used by OpenAI stirred controversy earlier this year. CAA client and “Black Widow” actor Scarlett Johansson raised concerns that the San Francisco-based AI firm used her voice in a demo without her permission. OpenAI said it used another actor’s voice but took it down. CAA has made efforts to protect the rights of its clients, including launching the CAAvault last year for its clients, which scans clients’ bodies and records their movements and voices to create a digital version of them. Those who wish to participate will be able to create and own their own digital likenesses, which the agency believes will help protect those clients against copyright infringement and allow talent to make more money. The agency said at this time it is not disclosing the names or number of client participants that will access the technology as part of the YouTube partnership. CAA’s clients include George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman. “At CAA, our AI conversations are centered around ethics and talent rights, and we applaud YouTube’s leadership for creating this talent-friendly solution, which fundamentally aligns with our goals,” said CAA Chief Executive Bryan Lourd in a statement. “We are proud to partner with YouTube as it takes this significant step in empowering talent with greater control over their digital likeness and how and where it is used.”
Technology entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalise the country’s stagnant economy. Mr Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag – a sister publication of Politico owned by the Axel Springer Group – published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month that he has supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” he wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say that the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality”. The Tesla Motors chief executive also wrote that his investment in Germany gives him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. Billionaire Mr Musk, an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Mr Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper’s own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Mr Musk’s social media platform, X. Eva Marie Kogel wrote: “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print.” A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Mr Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” he wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Mr Burgard – who is due to take over on January 1 – said in a joint statement that the discussion over Mr Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the ‘world’ in the future. We will develop ‘Die Welt’ even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.None
Tony Osburn scores 23 points to lead Omaha past Lamar 65-59 in Akron Basketball ClassicPete Buttigieg Rejects 'Alien Invasion' Drone Theory With Cheeky Jab At New Jersey