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8jbet CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Source Energy Services Ltd. (“Source” or the “Company”) ( ) is pleased to announce that it has completed a comprehensive refinancing of its credit facilities by entering into a new five year $135 million (USD) term loan (the “Term Loan”) with Silver Point Finance, LLC (“Silver Point”) and a new $40 million (CND) revolving asset-backed loan (“CIBC ABL”) facility with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”). Proceeds from the Term Loan will be used to redeem the outstanding 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due March 15, 2025 (the “Notes”) and repay the outstanding amounts drawn on the Company’s current asset backed loan facility. The refinancing package provides Source with: “The new credit facilities strengthen our balance sheet and enhance our liquidity, which further positions us to execute on our long-term growth strategies, while continuing to de-lever the business,” said Derren Newell, Chief Financial Officer. “We are excited to partner with Silver Point and CIBC for the next chapter of our business and we would like to thank both FGI and the noteholders for their past commitments.” The Term Loan agreement with Silver Point matures on December 20, 2029 and bears interest at Term SOFR plus an applicable margin. The Term Loan agreement contains covenants and principal amortization typical for this type of facility. The CIBC ABL facility remains undrawn at close, matures on December 20, 2027, and may be drawn in Canadian or U.S. dollars. Interest rates are determined, using Prime, Base rate, CORRA or SOFR plus an applicable margin, based on average monthly amounts drawn on the facility. The borrowing base formula is applied to accounts receivable and inventory, and the facility contains covenants that are typical for this type of facility. Source has delivered a notice of redemption (the “Redemption Notice”), effective December 19, 2024, for all of its outstanding Notes, representing an aggregate principal value of $140.5 million. As set forth in the Redemption Notice, the redemption date will be January 20, 2024 (the “Redemption Date”) and the redemption price is 100% of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but excluding the Redemption Date, in accordance with the provisions of the indenture governing the Notes (the “Redemption”). This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption of the Notes. Information concerning the terms and conditions of the Redemption is described in the Redemption Notice distributed to holders of the Notes by Computershare Trust Company, as trustee, with respect to the Notes. Beneficial holders of the Notes with any questions about the Redemption should contact their respective brokerage firm or financial institution. A redacted copy of the Silver Point Term Loan agreement and the CIBC ABL agreement will be available on Source’s SEDAR Plus Profile at in accordance with National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations as adopted by the Canadian Securities regulatory authorities. Source is a company that focuses on the integrated production and distribution of frac sand, as well as the distribution of other bulk completion materials not produced by Source. Source provides its customers with an end-to-end solution for frac sand supported by its Wisconsin and Peace River mines and processing facilities, its Western Canadian terminal network and its “last mile” logistics capabilities, including its trucking operations, and Sahara, a proprietary well site mobile sand storage and handling system. Source’s full-service approach allows customers to rely on its logistics platform to increase reliability of supply and to ensure the timely delivery of frac sand and other bulk completion materials at the well site. Silver Point is a leading global credit investing firm founded in 2002. With a dedicated team of more than 320 employees, Silver Point oversees $37 billion in investable assets across a comprehensive credit platform that includes public and private investment strategies. Silver Point’s Direct Lending business has delivered customized financing solutions to middle-market companies across a broad range of industries. It works in close partnership with borrowers, developing a thorough understanding of their businesses and addressing a wide variety of capital needs with speed and certainty. Silver Point’s flexible mandate allows clients to execute on M&A activity, refinancings and growth capital, among a range of transaction types. Along with its affiliates, Silver Point’s Direct Lending business manages over $15 billion in investable capital. For more information, please visit . CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at . Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements relating to, without limitation, expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs, including information as to the future events, results of operations and Source’s future performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects”, “believes”, “continues”, “focus”, “trend”, or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements reflect Source’s beliefs, estimates and opinions regarding its future growth, results of operations, future performance (both operational and financial), and business prospects and opportunities at the time such statements are made, and Source undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or circumstances should change unless required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions made by Source that are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining, but not limited to: the Company’s ability to use the proceeds of the Term Loan to redeem the Notes and repay the outstanding amounts drawn on the current asset backed loan facility; the Company’s ability to execute on its long-term growth strategies; the Company’s ability to de-lever its business over time; and expectations relating to the Redemption, including the terms and conditions of such Redemption and the anticipated timing thereof. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous current assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Source to differ materially from those anticipated by Source and described in the forward-looking statements. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: future oil, natural gas and liquefied natural gas prices; future global economic and financial conditions; future commodity prices, demand for oil and gas and the product mix of such demand; levels of activity in the oil and gas industry in the areas in which Source operates; future capital expenditures to be made by Source; future sources of funding for Source’s capital program; Source’s future debt levels; the impact of competition on Source; and Source’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms. A number of factors, risks and uncertainties could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated and described herein including, among others: the effects of competition and pricing pressures; risks inherent in key customer dependence; effects of fluctuations in the price of proppants; risks related to indebtedness and liquidity, including Source’s leverage, restrictive covenants in Source’s debt instruments and Source’s capital requirements; risks related to interest rate fluctuations and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; changes in general economic, financial, market and business conditions in the markets in which Source operates; changes in the technologies used to drill for and produce oil and natural gas; Source’s ability to obtain, maintain and renew required permits, licenses and approvals from regulatory authorities; the stringent requirements of and potential changes to applicable legislation, regulations and standards; the ability of Source to comply with unexpected costs of government regulations; liabilities resulting from Source’s operations; the results of litigation or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against Source; the ability of Source to successfully bid on new contracts and the loss of significant contracts; uninsured and underinsured losses; risks related to the transportation of Source’s products, including potential rail line interruptions or a reduction in rail car availability; the geographic and customer concentration of Source; the impact of extreme weather patterns and natural disasters; the impact of climate change risk; the ability of Source to retain and attract qualified management and staff in the markets in which Source operates; labour disputes and work stoppages and risks related to employee health and safety; general risks associated with the oil and natural gas industry, loss of markets, consumer and business spending and borrowing trends; limited, unfavorable, or a lack of access to capital markets; uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of mineral resources; sand processing problems; implementation of recently issued accounting standards; the use and suitability of Source’s accounting estimates and judgments; the impact of information systems and cyber security breaches; the impact of inflation on capital expenditures; and risks and uncertainties related to pandemics such as COVID-19, including changes in energy demand. Although Source has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will materialize or prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by law, Source expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements or information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained in this press release regarding prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action based on management’s assessment of the relevant information that is currently available. Projected operational information contains forward-looking information and is based on a number of material assumptions and factors, as are set out above. These projections may also be considered to contain future oriented financial information or a financial outlook. The actual results of Source’s operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. Actual results will vary from projected results. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this document speak only as of the date hereof and have been approved by the Company’s management as at the date hereof. The Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required pursuant to applicable laws. Scott Melbourn Chief Executive Officer (403) 262-1312 investorrelations@sourceenergyservices.com Derren Newell Chief Financial Officer (403) 262-1312 investorrelations@sourceenergyservices.com

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 130-106. Oklahoma City Thunder Top Performers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 35 points (14-19 FG / 73.7 FG%), 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Kevin Durant (2x) as the only players in Thunder franchise history to record multiple games with 35+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists on 70%+ FG% Jalen Williams – 14 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals Memphis Grizzlies Top Performers Desmond Bane – 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 3PM Jay Huff – 17 points, 3 3PM The Oklahoma City Thunder move to 26-5, while the Memphis Grizzlies fall to 22-11.Ireland blamed Northern Ireland Office for ‘damaging leaks’, records showBambey — Une coopérative agricole couvrant 116 hectares a été lancée dans le domaine du Centre national de recherches agronomiques (CNRA) de Bambey (centre), a constaté l'APS. C'est le ministre de la Microfinance et de l'Economie sociale et solidaire, docteur Alioune Dione, et Ousmane Mbaye, le secrétaire général du ministère de l'Agriculture, de la Souveraineté alimentaire et l'Elevage qui ont procédé à ce lancement. La cérémonie de lancement de cette structure présentée comme la coopérative communale de Bambey s'est déroulée en présence des autorités administratives et locales, des élus locaux, du directeur général du CNRA de Bambey et des responsables de groupements d'intérêt économique (GIE). Cette coopérative est initiée par le ministère de la Microfinance et l'Economie sociale et solidaire. Elle va bénéficier d'une ligne de crédit de la Plateforme d'appui au secteur privé et à la valorisation de la diaspora sénégalaise (PLASEPRI). Ce programme vise en particulier la création et le renforcement des PME locales et à favoriser l'investissement dans leur pays d'origine des Sénégalais vivant dans la diaspora. « Dès ma prise de fonction, j'ai été contacté par plusieurs personnes qui avaient nourri l'ambition de retourner vers l'agriculture alors qu'on dispose de plusieurs potentiels dans le département de Bambey avec le domaine du CNRA », a expliqué le ministre de la Microfinance et de l'Economie sociale et solidaire, Alioune Dione. Il a expliqué que « c'est à partir de cette réflexion » que son département a »décidé de lancer avec le ministre de l'Agriculture, de la Souveraineté alimentaire et de l'Elevage la coopérative communale de Bambey ».. Selon lui, cette initiative place le développement endogène au coeur de l'encadrement des potentiels économiques des terroirs. « Aux promoteurs qui participent à cette aventure qui va faire de Bambey un pionnier dans la stratégie de financement ciblé mais aussi dans la stratégie de développement de l'entrepreneuriat rural à travers des coopératives structurées, je les invite à se séparer de l'individualisme pour viser une participation à la réussite collective de cette initiative », a lancé le ministre. Il estime que « la mise en place de cette coopérative qui débute avec des financements sécurisés sera le point de départ de la plateforme nationale des acteurs de l'économie sociale et solidaire ». Il a assuré que son département ministériel va veiller au renforcement de capacités en techniques agricoles, en gestion financière et en technique de vente pour les bénéficiaires. Alioune Dione a assuré que son ministère, de concert avec ses collègues de l'agriculture et du commerce, va travailler à mettre en place des coopératives communales sur toute l'étendue du territoire. Pour le secrétaire général du ministère de l'Agriculture, de la Souveraineté alimentaire et l'Elevage, Ousmane Mbaye, le secteur de l'agriculture « ne peut pas aller seule » et a besoin de l'économie sociale et solidaire pour se développer. « La coopérative que nous venons de lancer à Bambey fera partie des premières coopérations opérationnelles de notre département ministériel », a-t-il déclaré devant les promoteurs de la coopérative, tous membres de groupements d'intérêt économique. Ousmane Mbaye a assuré que le ministère de l'Agriculture, à travers notamment le CNRA de Bambey, va accompagner la mise en oeuvre de cette coopérative agricole. De plus, a-t-il ajouté, cette coopérative peut contribuer à la production de semences certifiées, pour répondre rapidement en qualité et en quantité aux besoins des agriculteurs. « Ce modèle doit être dupliqué dans les autres communes du Sénégal pour booster la production agricole afin de garantir une souveraineté alimentaire conformément aux orientations des plus hautes autorités du pays », a ajouté M. Mbaye. Lire l'article original sur APS .

6 analysts have expressed a variety of opinions on ZoomInfo Technologies ZI over the past quarter, offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish. The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 1 0 4 0 1 Last 30D 0 0 1 0 0 1M Ago 1 0 3 0 1 2M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 3M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for ZoomInfo Technologies, revealing an average target of $11.3, a high estimate of $15.00, and a low estimate of $8.50. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 8.65% from the previous average price target of $10.40. Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive ZoomInfo Technologies. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Raimo Lenschow Barclays Raises Equal-Weight $12.00 $11.00 Allan Verkhovski Scotiabank Announces Sector Perform $10.30 - Tyler Radke Citigroup Raises Sell $8.50 $7.00 Joshua Reilly Needham Maintains Buy $15.00 $15.00 Siti Panigrahi Mizuho Raises Neutral $11.00 $9.00 Brent Bracelin Piper Sandler Raises Neutral $11.00 $10.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to ZoomInfo Technologies. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of ZoomInfo Technologies compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of ZoomInfo Technologies's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time. Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of ZoomInfo Technologies's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on ZoomInfo Technologies analyst ratings. Get to Know ZoomInfo Technologies Better ZoomInfo Technologies Inc provides a go-to-market intelligence platform for sales and marketing teams. Its cloud-based go-to-market data and insights platform deliver comprehensive and high-quality intelligence and analytics to provide sales and marketing professionals with accurate information and insights on the organizations and professionals. Nearly all of its revenue is derived from the United States. A Deep Dive into ZoomInfo Technologies's Financials Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale. Negative Revenue Trend: Examining ZoomInfo Technologies's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -3.25% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Communication Services sector. Net Margin: ZoomInfo Technologies's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 7.84%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management. Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 1.35%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): ZoomInfo Technologies's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.36%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets. Debt Management: ZoomInfo Technologies's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.82 , the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk. How Are Analyst Ratings Determined? Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions. Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin extended its streak of record highs after ticking above $99,000 for the first time. The cryptocurrency has rocketed more than 40% in just two weeks. Now, bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000, just two years after dropping below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . The dramatic rally rolls on as industry players expect the incoming Trump administration to bring a more “crypto-friendly” approach toward regulating the digital currency. Bitcoin was trading at $99,526 Friday afternoon, according to CoinDesk. As with everything in the volatile crypto markets, the future is impossible to know. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Here’s what you need to know. Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But, chances are, you've heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but the large majority of daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Crypto industry players have welcomed Trump’s victory, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, recently pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. How of this will actually pan out — and whether or not Trump will successfully act quickly on these promises — has yet to be seen. “This is not necessarily a short-term story, it’s likely a much longer-term story," Citi macro strategist David Glass told The Associated Press last week. "And there is the question of how quickly can U.S. crypto policy make a serious impact on (wider adoption).” One step Trump must take in the short-term is name a new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which shares oversight of cryptocurrencies. Gary Gensler, current chair of the SEC, has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on crypto over recent years, penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. But he's also faced criticism from industry players in the process, like the chief legal officer of Robinhood , who described Gensler's approach toward crypto as “rigid” and "hostile.” Gensler will step down in January when Trump takes office. Adam Morgan McCarthy, a research analyst at Kaiko, thinks the industry is craving “just some sort of clarity.” Much of the approach to regulating crypto in the past has been “enforcement based,” he notes, which has been helpful in weeding out some bad actors — but legislation might fill in other key gaps. Despite crypto’s recent excitement around Trump, McCarthy said that 2024 has already been a “hugely consequential year for regulation in the U.S.” — pointing to January’s approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, for example, which mark a new way to invest in the asset. Spot ETFs have been the dominant driver of bitcoin for some time now — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. According to Kaiko , bitcoin ETFs recorded $6 billion in trade volume for the week of the election alone. In April, bitcoin also saw its fourth “halving” — a preprogrammed event that impacts production by cutting the reward for mining, or the creation of new bitcoin, in half. In theory, if demand remains strong, some analysts say this “supply shock” can also help propel the price long term. Others note it may be too early to tell. History shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of Federal Reserve rate hikes. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs. But experts still stress caution, especially for small-pocketed investors. And lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could mean less guardrails. “I would say, keep it simple. And don’t take on more risk than you can afford to," McCarthy said — adding that there isn't a “magic eight ball” to know for certain what comes next. Assets like bitcoin are produced through a process called “mining,” which consumes a lot of energy. Operations relying on pollutive sources have drawn particular concern over the years. Recent research published by the United Nations University and Earth’s Future journal found that the carbon footprint of 2020-2021 bitcoin mining across 76 nations was equivalent to the emissions from burning 84 billion pounds of coal or running 190 natural gas-fired power plants. Coal satisfied the bulk of bitcoin’s electricity demands (45%), followed by natural gas (21%) and hydropower (16%). Environmental impacts of bitcoin mining boil largely down to the energy source used. Industry analysts have maintained that clean energy has increased in use in recent years, coinciding with rising calls for climate protections

The UK competition regulator has accused Apple and Google of failing to give consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers and recommended the US technology giants face an investigation under new digital rules that come into force next year. The Competition and Markets Authority said on Friday that Apple was “holding back innovation in the UK” by stopping rivals from giving users new features such as faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which do not need to be downloaded from an app store and are not subject to app store commissions, the report said. “This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices,” the regulator said in a provisional report on the investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on “mobile ecosystems”.

Global equity funds see robust inflows as investors bet on growth, ignore political turmoil

US plans to blacklist company that ordered TSMC chip found in Huawei processor, source saysSimple Hacks to Make the Holidays Merrier (and Cheaper)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.”

Adam Clark scores 18 to help Merrimack knock off Niagara 80-62

Now four years removed from his Cy Young Award in the shortened 2020 season, Shane Bieber will return to the Guardians after agreeing to a one-year, $10 million deal with a $16 million player option for 2026 that includes a $4 million buyout, according to a league source. The contract comes with the clear potential for upside as Bieber looks to return from Tommy John surgery and reestablish himself as one of the game’s best pitchers. Bieber may not be ready for major-league action until early summer at best, but he remains an intriguing addition despite his injury. Before surgery, Bieber had a 3.13 ERA over 70 starts after his Cy Young Award-winning season. Although his fastball velocity declined to an average of 92 mph in 2024, he has a reputation for top-notch command and a swing-and-miss slider. Bieber also throws a tumbling knuckle curveball and began honing a trendy “splinker” to complement his arsenal before the injury. Advertisement Now 29 years old, this will be a prove-it deal for a pitcher who did show evidence of decline in 2023, when his average exit velocity allowed (91.6 mph) ranked in the bottom 2 percent of all MLB pitchers and he struck out only 7.5 batters per nine innings. Bieber made only two starts and threw 12 scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts last season before his injury. Bieber told The Athletic in October that he’s targeting a June/July return next season. As he returns to the mound, there will be uncertainty, but an unpredictable arsenal and a track record of success could help Bieber remind everyone why he can be among the best starting pitchers in the game. GO DEEPER MLB Top 40 Free Agent Big Board: Welcome to the Juan Soto sweepstakes (Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)