Minutes of an Executive meeting from June of that year state further action would be considered “as appropriate” if the DUP went ahead with a threat to rotate its ministers. The minutes are within files which have been declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast. Devolved powersharing had been restored to Northern Ireland in May 2000 when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had received the backing of his party to go back into the Assembly, despite there having been no decommissioning of IRA arms at that point. Then DUP deputy leader Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds took up the offices as ministers for regional development and social development, but refused to attend Executive meetings due to the presence of Sinn Fein ministers. The party also said it would rotate its ministerial posts to prevent other parties from taking them. A minute of an Executive meeting on June 8 said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds had refused a request from First Minister Mr Trimble and deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to meet with them “to discuss recent public comments by the DUP concerning their positions as ministers”. The minute records that the Executive endorsed a proposal from the First and deputy First Ministers to write again to the two DUP ministers setting out sanctions against them. It says: “The First Minister and and Deputy First Minister would assume responsibility for representing the Executive Committee on transport matters at the British-Irish Council in place of the Minister for Regional Development. “The Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Regional Development would not be nominated to attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee. “Pending the receipt of satisfactory assurances from DUP Ministers regarding the confidentiality and integrity of Executive Committee business, the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would not receive Executive Committee papers as of right. “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would seek briefing, as appropriate, from officials in the Department for Regional Development and Department for Social Development.” The minute continues: “If the DUP carried out their threat to change the holders of the two Ministerial offices on a frequent basis, the Executive Committee would consider other action as appropriate.” Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds resigned as ministers on June 27 and were replaced by party colleagues Gregory Campbell and Maurice Morrow. A minute from an Executive meeting that day says: “The Executive Committee noted that the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would be resigning their posts that afternoon, and expressed concern at the proposed rotation of the ministries held by their Party Members.”
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's massive contract to create salary-cap space and give them future flexibility, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Friday. Watson has been limited to just 19 games in three seasons because of an NFL suspension and injuries with the Browns, who signed him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022. The restructuring allows the team to spread out the salary-cap hit after the 2026 season, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team does not disclose contract specifics. The 29-year-old Watson has two years remaining on his contract with an average of $46 million a year, and with a salary-cap hit of $72.9 million in those seasons. The agreement to restructure his deal will not preclude the Browns from adding talent at the quarterback position in 2025, the person said. Watson played in only seven games this season before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. He's 9-10 as a starter with Cleveland. The Browns (3-12) have been a major disappointment after making it to the playoffs a year ago behind Joe Flacco, who was signed as a free agent after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Watson had surgery in October and is expected to make a full recovery. While the team hasn't disclosed its plans at quarterback, it's assumed Watson will be in the mix to be the starter next season. It's also possible the Browns will draft a quarterback in the first round. The team hasn't had a first-round pick the past three years after trading three to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson, who was once considered one of the league's elite QBs. Watson's disappointing tenure has been a sore spot with Cleveland fans, who had hoped the team had finally resolved its interminable QB issues when they signed the three-time Pro Bowler three years ago. But it hasn't worked out, and the major investment in Watson and the salary-cap ramifications of his contract — the largest fully guaranteed deal in league history — have made it difficult for the Browns to upgrade their roster. Watson has shown flashes of being a competent starting quarterback, but there have been just as many moments in which he's looked hesitant in the pocket or unable to connect with receivers down field. Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of his first season in Cleveland after an independent arbiter ruled he violated the conduct policy after he was accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. Since having surgery, Watson has been rehabbing his Achilles injury. He has not spoken to reporters for months. On Thursday, he posted a photo of himself on Instagram standing without wearing a walking boot. The caption read: “Back on My Feet! MOREGLORY!” Last week, Browns defensive star Myles Garrett caused a stir by saying he did not want to be part of a rebuild in Cleveland. Garrett also made it clear he wanted to know the team's offseason plans, including what the Browns intended to do at quarterback. On Friday, Garrett said he had “a few” discussions this week with the team's front office following his comments. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year didn't reveal any specifics of the talks. “They just wanted to see where my head was at and what I was thinking and just trying to keep things in house, in house,” he said. Garrett was asked if he got a favorable reaction from teammates. “They want to know what’s coming next as well,” he said. “So I haven’t really heard too many people speak up on whether they liked my comments or not. Everyone’s kind of feeling the same way. But I’m not going to assume and I’ll have my answer at the end of the year.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
India, Kuwait elevate ties to strategic partnership; Sign defence MoUNEW YORK , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global location-based services (LBS) market size is estimated to grow by USD 296.3 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 32.77% during the forecast period. Rise in demand for personal and enterprise navigation services is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing popularity of location-based gaming. However, privacy and security issues in location-based services poses a challenge. Key market players include AiRISTA Flow Inc., Alphabet Inc., Apple Inc., AT and T Inc., Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Cisco Systems Inc., Emanate Wireless, Esri Global Inc., Foursquare Labs Inc., General Electric Co., Halma Plc, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Siemens AG, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Zebra Technologies Corp., and Ziff Davis Inc.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver Location-based services (LBS) are on the rise, with mobile positioning at the forefront. Satellite-based GPS, E-OTD, OTDOA, and hybrid technologies like Wireless-assisted GNSS and A-GNSS are driving this trend. LBS is transforming industries, from smart city projects and 3D mapping applications to e-commerce and mobile apps. Artificial intelligence, real-time location tracking, and Bluetooth beacons are enhancing user experience. Autonomous vehicles, disaster information systems, and geolocation data are revolutionizing transportation and logistics. LBS is also making strides in healthcare, fleet management, local search, and IoT technology. Navigation and tracking services are more accurate than ever, thanks to 5G infrastructure and the integration of AR and VR technologies. Smartphones, social media, food delivery services, hardware, software, business intelligence, and transportation are all benefiting from the advancements in LBS. The location-based gaming market is experiencing significant growth due to advancements in high-speed Internet connectivity and the integration of positioning technologies in smartphones. Games like Ingress, Pokemon Go, and Geocaching utilize GPS to create interactive map-based experiences, allowing players to navigate within the game using their current physical location. This shift in the gaming industry, driven by technologies such as cloud computing, 5G, and virtual reality (VR), has led to the emergence of new gaming models, including online multiplayer and free-roam gaming. These advancements enable players to engage in real-time, location-based experiences that go beyond traditional gaming products. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Location-based services (LBS) market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing use of mobile positioning technologies like Satellite-based GPS, E-OTD, OTDOA, Wireless-assisted GNSS, A-GNSS, and Hybrid technologies. LBS applications include smart city projects, 3D mapping, e-commerce, mobile apps, artificial intelligence, real-time location tracking, Bluetooth beacons, autonomous vehicles, disaster information systems, and more. The integration of LBS with IoT, AR, VR, navigation and tracking, indoor location services, transportation and logistics, healthcare, 5G infrastructure, and business intelligence is revolutionizing various industries. Real-time data from positioning technologies is driving innovation in navigation services, fleet management, local search, and food delivery services. Hardware and software solutions are essential for implementing these services, making it a thriving business opportunity. Smartphone use and social media are also major contributors to the growth of the LBS market. Location-Based Services (LBS) offer consumers coupons, deals, and promotions based on their personal information, which includes location data. This data is shared among players in the LBS value chain, increasing the risk of information leakage without consent. Network providers manage and own databases, granting them access to end-users' location data. Additionally, using LBS may result in unintended disclosure of visiting places, meeting people, and attending events, which can be obtained and misused without consent. Ensuring data security and privacy is crucial in the LBS market. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This location-based services (lbs) market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Hardware 1.2 Software 1.3 Services 2.1 Outdoor 2.2 Indoor 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Hardware- The Location-Based Services (LBS) market is driven by various hardware components, including RFID tags, beacons, and sensors. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) offers Aruba Tags, which provide location-related data for assets and enable tracking in indoor and outdoor locations. Aruba Tags utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and offer features such as maintenance-free batteries, true locations on maps, and compatibility with medical applications. HPE's Aruba beacons provide remote management support, easy deployment, and battery and USB-powered options. Cisco Systems offers a Cisco Beacon Point Module, which provides Wi-Fi access and acts as a BLE beacon. RFID tags, such as those provided by AiRISTA Flow, are cost-effective and optimize battery usage with motion sensors. These hardware components, provided by vendors like HPE and AiRISTa, are essential for implementing location-based solutions and will drive the growth of the LBS 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 Location-based services (LBS) refer to technologies and applications that use geographic location information to enhance and facilitate various activities. Mobile positioning, such as Satellite-based GPS, E-OTD, OTDOA, Wireless-assisted GNSS, and A-GNSS, are key positioning technologies used in LBS. Hybrid technologies combine multiple positioning methods for improved accuracy. LBS finds applications in smart city projects, 3D mapping applications, IoT, AR, and VR, enabling real-time data access and navigation services. Connected devices, GPS, and smartphone use are essential for LBS, while social media platforms provide additional opportunities for location-based features. Geolocation data is a valuable asset for businesses and individuals alike, driving innovation and growth in the LBS market. Market Research Overview Location-based services (LBS) refer to technologies and applications that use mobile positioning, such as Satellite-based GPS, E-OTD, OTDOA, Wireless-assisted GNSS, A-GNSS, and hybrid technologies, to provide real-time data and navigation services. These services are used in various industries, including smart city projects, transportation and logistics, healthcare, and e-commerce. Real-time location tracking is made possible through technologies like Bluetooth beacons, 5G infrastructure, and IoT. LBS are integrated into mobile apps, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) for indoor location services and navigation. LBS are also used in disaster information systems, transportation, and fleet management. Geolocation data is essential for business intelligence, local search, and social media. LBS are transforming industries, from food delivery services to transportation, by providing accurate and real-time data, enabling efficient and effective operations. Hardware and software solutions are continuously evolving to meet the demands of this growing market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Component Hardware Software Services Type Outdoor Indoor Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 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: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio