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'Game' is a funny word. On its face, it describes lighthearted, fun, frivolous things. Even a very serious game of snooker, in which people wear waistcoats, is 'just a game' on some level. But of course video games can be very different, and Pine is one such game. The subtitle gives it away – A Story of Loss – and it does exactly what it says on the tin. You might be inclined to imagine something like Arise: A Simple Story , where some light platforming guides you through allegorical landscapes in between cutscenes. However, Pine could be politely described as 'gameplay-light'. The protagonist is an unnamed man living alone in a forest clearing. He fells trees for firewood, grows vegetables in a small allotment to feed himself, and does little else besides carving little statuettes of a woman he loves but has lost. Clearly prioritising touchscreen controls, you begin the game with plenty of swooping your finger to pre-empt the swing of an axe into wood, lifting and placing to simulate the management of the vegetable patch, or tapping to eat food from a plate, chomp by chomp. Playing with a controller really trivialises this, as the interactions are essentially reduced to pressing down a few times languidly, pressing 'A' a few times lethargically, and so on. That said, even the touch interactions are pretty bog standard. The idea of replicating on-screen actions with similar gestures is one that’s been well and truly done, and painting guidelines on the screen so you can put your hand in the way of the lovely artwork is actually kind of anti-immersive. Brief puzzle interludes likewise risk interrupting the narrative flow. While we appreciate this is not painting a thrilling picture of Pine, there is something going on here that is worth a look. The artwork is attractive, and the sounds are evocative of the simplicity of the work our man is doing to keep on going with life in the face of having lost his true love. The music breathes in and out, swelling and fading, driving the sad persistence of the story. And persisting is all the protagonist is really doing. It’s a portrait of depression and grieving, so be ready for that if you are going to give Pine a shot. The game only lasts a couple of hours, but it felt longer, sometimes like we could see the paint of the artwork drying in front of our eyes. That’s the point, though, as it leans into the monotony and bleakness of half-heartedly pressing on. The later stages lighten the interaction even further and are more like watching an animated film with only occasional button inputs. It becomes 'Press A to Continue... Existing'. Whether you find the resolution of the tale relatable is of course going to be very much a personal matter, but we didn’t quite click with it, interpreting a message that loss is to be forgotten more than digested. Pine, then, is part of the video game world, but it’s far from 'just a game'. With appealing visuals and a haunting atmosphere, it demands patience and introspection. For those eager to explore its ideas of loss and moving on, it’s worth a look; for others, it might feel like the world’s saddest gardening simulator.NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers than ever are on track to use ‘buy now, pay later’ plans this holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago. The company forecasts shoppers will purchase $18.5 billion worth of goods using the third-party services for the period Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, with $993 million worth of purchases on Cyber Monday alone. Buy now, pay later can be particularly appealing to consumers who have low credit scores or no credit history, such as younger shoppers, because most of the companies providing the service run only soft credit checks and don’t report the loans and payment histories to the credit bureaus, unlike credit card companies. This holiday season, buy now, pay later users can also feel more confident if a transaction goes awry. In May, the CFPB said buy now, pay later company must adhere to other regulations that govern traditional credit, such as providing ways to demand refunds and dispute transactions. To use a buy now, pay later plan, consumers typically sign up with bank account information or a debit or credit card, and agree to pay for purchases in monthly installments, typically over eight weeks or more. The loans are marketed as requiring no or low interest, or only conditional fees, such as for late payment. Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm are three of the biggest buy now, pay later companies. But consumer advocates warn that shoppers who sign up for the payment plans using a credit card can be hit with more interest and fees. That's because individuals open themselves up to interest on the credit card payment, if it's carried month to month, on top of any late fees, interest, or penalties from the buy now, pay later loan itself. Experts advise against using a credit card to pay for these plans for this reason. Consumer watchdogs also say the plans lead consumers to overextend themselves because, for example, not paying full price up front leaves, in the shopper’s mind at least, more money for smaller purchases . They also caution consumers to keep careful track of using multiple buy now, pay later services, as the automatic payments can add up, and there is no central reporting, such as with a credit card statement. “Buy now, pay later can be an innovative tool for purchases you’re going to make anyway,” said Mark Elliott, chief customer officer at financial services company LendingClub. “The challenge is that it does fuel overspending.” For merchants, that’s part of the appeal. Retailers have found that customers are more likely to have bigger cart sizes or to convert from browsing to checking out when buy now, pay later is offered. One report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York cited research that found customers spend 20% more when buy now, pay later is available. “The reality is that the increased cost-of-living and inflation have put more people in a situation where they’re already relying on revolving credit,” Elliott said. “The psychographics of ‘buy now, pay later’ may be different — people don’t think of it as debt — but it is.” If a consumer misses a payment, they can face fees, interest, or the possibility of being locked out of using the services in the future. Emily Childers, consumer financial expert for personal-finance technology company Credit Karma, said that internal data shows member credit card balances are up more than 50% for Gen Z and millennial members since March 2022, when the Fed started raising interest rates. “Young people are entering this holiday season already in the red,” she said. “And, based on what we’re seeing in the data, they’re continuing to bury their heads in the sand and spend.” The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards
The reigning Super Bowl champions saw their run of 15 straight wins ended by the Buffalo Bills last week, but got back to winning ways thanks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After a late Chuba Hubbard touchdown and two-point conversion had made it 27-27, the Chiefs got the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock and a 33-yard run from Mahomes helped set up Spencer Shrader for a game-winning field goal. THE CHIEFS SURVIVE AGAIN. 🔥 Patrick Mahomes comes up CLUTCH with a 33-yard run late, before Spencer Shrader wins it as time expires! Get your #NFL action on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/POt57HQYig — ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) November 24, 2024 Mahomes finished the game with 269 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Noah Gray in the first half. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 to improve their record to 10-1, matching that of the Chiefs. David Montgomery also ran for a score before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win over the New York Giants, who “mutually agreed” to terminate the contract of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones’ replacement Tommy DeVito was sacked four times while opposite number Baker Mayfield ran for a touchdown and completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker also ran for touchdowns in a one-sided contest. The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a remarkable 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders, with 30 points scored in the final three minutes. KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown looked to have sealed victory for the Cowboys, only for the Commanders to respond with a field goal before getting the ball back with 33 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin sprinted 86 yards through the Dallas defence for a touchdown, only for Austin Seibert to miss the extra point. 99 YARDS TO THE 🏡 @KaVontaeTurpin was gone!! 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/4ckMWDEDPL — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 24, 2024 The Commanders tried an onside kick and Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes as the Miami Dolphins cruised to a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans pulled off a surprise 32-27 victory at the Houston Texans. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 9-2 thanks to a 30-27 overtime win against the Chicago Bears, Parker Romo kicking the decisive field goal from 29 yards.
Share Tweet Share Share Email As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, more viewers are turning to IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional cable or satellite TV services. For UK residents, IPTV offers an expansive selection of channels, on-demand content, and live TV streaming, all accessible via the internet. In this article, we’ll explore the best IPTV services in the UK , highlighting key features, pricing, and what makes them stand out . What is IPTV? IPTV allows you to stream television content via the internet rather than through traditional broadcast methods like satellite or cable. IPTV services provide live TV channels, on-demand shows, movies, and sports content, making it an attractive option for people looking to cut the cord and avoid high cable fees. The flexibility to stream content on multiple devices (such as smart TVs, phones, tablets, and laptops) is another reason for its growing popularity in the UK. Top IPTV Services in the UK The UK IPTV market offers a variety of services, each catering to different preferences and budgets. Let’s take a look at the best IPTV services for UK viewers : 1. Flawless TV Flawless TV is one of the most popular IPTV services in the UK, offering a vast selection of live TV channels, on-demand content, and pay-per-view events. It’s known for its reliability, high-quality streams, and an affordable subscription model. Key Features: Over 1,000 channels : Includes UK and international channels. High-definition streaming : Stream in HD, Full HD, and even 4K for supported channels. Multi-device compatibility : Use on Android, iOS, smart TVs, Firestick, and more. Sports and PPV : Access to major sports channels and events, including boxing, football, and Formula 1. Pricing: Plans start from £15 per month, with discounts for longer subscriptions. 2. IPTV UK IPTV UK is another solid option for British viewers, providing access to UK channels, international channels, and a rich library of on-demand movies and shows. With its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, IPTV UK remains a favorite choice for many. Key Features: UK-focused content : Access popular British channels such as BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. Global channels : Get channels from the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Catch-up TV : Missed a show? Catch up on your favorite TV programs. Stream on multiple devices : Watch on smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and streaming boxes. Pricing: Subscription plans start at £12 per month, with flexible options available for 6-month and 12-month packages. 3. Sports 365 IPTV As the name suggests, Sports 365 IPTV specializes in providing sports content for fans in the UK. It’s perfect for viewers who want to watch live sports events, including Premier League football, rugby, and other major sporting events. Key Features: Extensive sports coverage : Access to all major sports channels and live events. Multiple stream quality options : HD, Full HD, and 4K resolution for superior viewing. Dedicated sports section : Easy navigation to find live games and sports shows. 24/7 customer support : Always available to assist with any technical issues. Pricing: Starts from £20 per month, with options for longer-term subscriptions. 4. Smart IPTV Smart IPTV is a versatile service offering UK-based and international content for a smooth viewing experience. It’s a great choice for viewers looking for a simple, reliable IPTV service with an intuitive user interface. Key Features: Over 1,000 channels : Includes UK, US, and European channels. Catch-up TV and VOD : Watch shows and movies on-demand whenever you want. High-quality streaming : Supports HD and 4K streams for an immersive experience. Compatibility : Works on smart TVs, Android devices, and more. Pricing: Plans start from £12.99 per month, with discounts for longer plans. 5. King IPTV King IPTV is renowned for its solid streaming quality and large channel lineup. Offering a blend of UK channels and international options, King IPTV is a great all-rounder for families or individuals who want variety in their viewing options. Key Features: Extensive channel list : Includes UK, US, and European channels. VOD and live TV : Enjoy movies, shows, and live TV content from around the world. Customizable packages : Choose the content you want, including niche genres like children’s programming or niche sports. User-friendly interface : Easy to navigate with quick access to channels and shows. Pricing: Subscription plans start from £14.99 per month. 6. Vader IPTV Vader IPTV is a reliable service that offers a great variety of channels, sports events, and on-demand content for UK viewers. Known for its affordable pricing and high-quality streaming, Vader IPTV is gaining popularity among UK streamers. Key Features: Live TV & VOD : Offers a mix of live channels, movies, TV shows, and sports. HD and 4K streaming : Enjoy crisp, clear visuals on supported devices. Access to international channels : Includes US, UK, and global content. Multiple devices : Stream on any device, including edulastic smartphones, tablets, and Android TV boxes. Pricing: Starting from £15 per month, with options for longer-term subscriptions. Benefits of Using IPTV in the UK IPTV services have been rapidly growing in popularity in the UK, and for good reason. Here are some of the key benefits of using IPTV: 1. Cost-Effective IPTV services are often more affordable than traditional satellite or cable subscriptions, which can save you money on your monthly entertainment bill. 2. Extensive Content Options Whether you’re into sports, movies, news, or international programming, IPTV offers a vast array of content that traditional TV services can’t match. 3. Flexibility Watch your favorite shows on your terms. With IPTV, you can watch live TV or on-demand content whenever and wherever you want, as long as you have an internet connection. 4. High-Quality Streaming Many IPTV services support HD and 4K resolution, ensuring that you enjoy crisp and clear images for the ultimate viewing experience. 5. Multi-Device Compatibility IPTV services can be accessed on various devices, from smart TVs to smartphones, tablets, and computers, allowing you to watch your favorite shows on the go. How to Set Up IPTV in the UK Setting up IPTV in the UK is relatively simple. Here’s a general guide: Choose an IPTV Provider : Select one of the IPTV services mentioned above based on your content preferences and budget. Subscribe to a Plan : Choose your subscription package and sign up on the provider’s website. Install the IPTV App : Download the appropriate IPTV app for your device (such as Smart IPTV, Perfect Player, or IPTV Smarters). Enter Credentials : Once the app is installed, input the subscription credentials (like playlist URLs or activation codes) provided by the IPTV service. Start Streaming : Open the app and begin enjoying your channels, movies, and sports. Conclusion The best IPTV services in the UK provide an excellent alternative to traditional cable and satellite TV, offering flexibility, affordability, and a vast content library. Whether you’re looking for live sports, movies, or international TV shows, these IPTV services offer something for everyone. Choosing the right IPTV service depends on your content preferences, streaming quality requirements, and budget. With affordable plans, high-quality streaming, and user-friendly interfaces, IPTV has become the ultimate solution for UK viewers looking for more control over their entertainment experience. Related Items: Top IPTV Services , UK Viewers Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments
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'Youth experiencing unstable housing is growing in our community': Rebound Child and Youth ServicesLONDON — Russia is "exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm," and "no one should underestimate" the threat to NATO, a senior UK minister will declare in his address Monday. Pat McFadden, whose portfolio includes national security, will tell a NATO cybersecurity conference in London that Moscow "won't think twice about targeting British businesses," according to excerpts of his address released Sunday by his ministry. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.
Clippers vs. Nuggets Best bets: Odds, expert picks and predictions, recent stats, trends for December 13Kagro in the Morning podcast (AUDIO): Friday, December 13, 2024
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Mumbai: The BJP logged the highest vote share of 26.77 per cent in the Maharashtra assembly elections, winning 132 out of 149 seats it had contested and garnering 17,293,650 votes, as per ECI data. The BJP’s 132-seat haul marked a hat-trick of crossing the 100-seat mark in assembly elections. The saffron party had bagged 122 seats in the 2014 elections, which it contested solo without undivided Shiv Sena, and 105 seats in 2019 polls which it faced with the former ally Shiv Sena on its side. The BJP’s stellar performance at Maharashtra hustings, results of which were declared on Saturday, saw the party reaping a rich harvest of 132 seats in the 288-member House. Its Mahayuti partners Shiv Sena and NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Congress, which won only 16 out of 101 seats it had contested, came a distant second with a 12.42 per cent vote share. The Grand Old Party polled 8,020,921 votes. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s tally of 57 seats out of 81 it had contested saw a vote share of 12.38 per cent and 7,996,930 votes. Interestingly, the vote share of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the quantum of votes polled for the party surpassed the rival NCP faction despite the former’s rout in the elections. The NCP (SP) contested 86 seats but won only 10 with an 11.28 per cent vote share and 7,287,797 votes. In contrast, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP registered a 9.01% vote share despite winning 41 of the 59 seats it had contested and polling 5,816,566 votes. The rival Shiv Sena (UBT), which won 20 seats, logged a vote share of 9.96 per cent and polled 6,433,013 votes. At 4,61,886, NOTA votes dropped to 0.72 per cent in Maharashtra. A voter turnout of 66.05 per cent was recorded for the state assembly elections held on November 20, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019, according to Election Commission officials.LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Allowing two kickoff return touchdowns and missing an extra point all in the final few minutes added up to the Washington Commanders losing a third consecutive game in excruciating fashion. The underlying reason for this slide continuing was a problem long before that. An offense led by dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that was among the NFL's best for a long stretch of the season put up just nine points and 169 yards for the first three-plus quarters against Dallas before falling behind 20-9 and teeing off on the Cowboys' conservative defense. “We just couldn’t really get it going,” said receiver Terry McLaurin , whose lengthy touchdown with 21 seconds left masked that he had just three catches for 16 yards through three quarters. “We’ve got to find a way to start faster and sustain drives, and that’s everybody: the whole coaching staff and the offensive players just going out there and figuring out ways that we can stay on the field.” This is not a new problem for Washington, which had a season-low 242 yards in a Nov. 10 home loss to Pittsburgh and 264 yards four days later in a defeat at Philadelphia. Since returning from a rib injury that knocked him out of a game last month, Daniels has completed just under 61% of his passes, after 75.6% over his first seven professional starts. Daniels and coach Dan Quinn have insisted this isn't about injury. The coaching staff blamed a lack of adequate practice time, but a full week of it before facing the Cowboys did not solve the problem. It is now fair to wonder if opponents have seen enough film of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system to figure it out. “I think teams and coordinators are going to see what other teams have success against us and try to figure out how they could incorporate that into their scheme," Daniels said after going 12 of 22 for 80 yards passing through three quarters in the Dallas game. "We’ve been in third and longer a lot these past couple games, so that’s kind of where you get into the exotic pressures and stuff like that. We’ve just got to be better on first and second downs and stay ahead of the chains.” Daniels has a point there, and it predates this losing streak. The Commanders have converted just 36% of third-down opportunities (27 for 75) over their past seven games after 52% (31 for 60) in their first five. That challenge doesn't get any easier with Tennessee coming to town Sunday. The Titans, despite being 3-8, have the second-best third-down defense in the league at 31.6%. The defense kept the Commanders in the game against Dallas, allowing just 10 points until the fourth quarter and 20 total before kickoff return touchdowns piled on to the other side of the scoreboard. Even Cooper Rush's 22-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker with five minutes left came after a turnover that gave the Cowboys the ball at the Washington 44. The defense spending more than 35 minutes on the field certainly contributed to fatigue as play wore on. The running game that contributed to a 7-2 start has taken a hit, in part because of injuries to top back Brian Robinson Jr. The Commanders got 145 yards on the ground because Daniels had 74 on seven carries, but running backs combined for just 57. Daniels could not say how much the rushing attack stalling has contributed to the offense going stagnant. “You’ve got to be able to run the ball, keep the defense honest,” he said. "We got to execute the plays that are called in, and we didn’t do a good job of doing that.” Linebacker Frankie Luvu keeps making the case to be first-year general manager Adam Peters' best free agent signing. He and fellow offseason addition Bobby Wagner tied for a team-high eight tackles, and Luvu also knocked down three passes against Dallas. Kicker Austin Seibert going wide left on the point-after attempt that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left was his third miss of the game. He also was short on a 51-yard field goal attempt and wide left on an earlier extra point. Seibert, signed a week into the season after Cade York struggled in the opener, made 25 of 27 field goal tries and was 22 of 22 on extra points before injuring his right hip and missing the previous two games. He brushed off his health and the low snap from Tyler Ott while taking responsibility for not connecting. “I made the decision to play, and here we are,” Seibert said. “I just wasn’t striking it well. But it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot moving forward.” Robinson's sprained ankle and fellow running back Austin Ekeler's concussion from a late kickoff return that led to him being hospitalized for further evaluation are two major immediate concerns. Quinn said Monday that Ekeler and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie are in concussion protocol. It's unclear if Robinson will be available against Tennessee, which could mean Chris Rodriguez Jr. getting elevated from the practice squad to split carries with Jeremy McNichols. The Commanders still have not gotten cornerback Marshon Lattimore into a game since acquiring him at the trade deadline from New Orleans. Lattimore is trying to return from a hamstring injury, and the secondary could use him against Calvin Ridley, who's coming off a 93-yard performance at Houston. 17 — Handoffs to a running back against Dallas, a significant decrease from much of the season before this losing streak. Don't overlook the Titans with the late bye week coming immediately afterward. The Commanders opened as more than a touchdown favorite, but after the results over the weekend, BetMGM Sportsbook had it as 5 1/2 points Monday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Liberal MP accuses opposition MPs of wasting time on another Boissonnault probe
LAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Get local news delivered to your inbox!This is a customer submitted press release. Submit your press release. Ontario, N.Y. — Optimax, the largest precision optics manufacturer in the United States, has announced the appointment of Joseph Spilman as CEO and Pete Kupinski as president. With a solid succession plan in place, Optimax CEO Rick Plympton will join president and founder Mike Mandina in retirement. Mandina stepped down in 2021 and passed the president title to Spilman, strategically positioning him for the role of CEO. Plympton and Mandina will now assume the title of corporate fellow. Optimax employs nearly 500 employees in Rochester and serves customers and industries worldwide. Also part of the succession plan, the company has operated since 2020 under a perpetual purpose trust that stipulates all employees share in the profit, the company cannot be sold, and leadership must pursue cutting-edge solutions for industry. Optimax’s achievements in 2024 include launching Starris: Optimax Space Systems; expanding cleanroom assembly facilities; and collaboratively developing and licensing a monolith telescope technology with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Continually innovating, the company has robust plans for expansion in advanced manufacturing and optical systems in markets spanning space exploration and astronomy, semiconductor, defense, and medical. “I believe the management team Rick and I are handing the keys to is one of the best management teams in the industry,” Mandina said. “We have worked with them over a dozen years, shoulder to shoulder. And after visiting hundreds of companies, this team is exceptionally qualified to lead this company to its future. I trust them completely.” Spilman has worked in the optics and photonics industry for 20 years. His previous roles include director of sales and marketing at Optimax, serving on the executive team at ArmorLine Corp., and roles supporting NIR and IR laser optics applications for II-VI Inc. (Coherent). Spilman holds a bachelor’s degree in optics from the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology’s Saunders College of Business. “I am proud to foster our company mission, which is to enable customer success and employee prosperity,” Spilman said. “Rick and Mike have set us up with a resilient business model and an immensely successful company, and I am honored to further their legacy. Considering the Optimax Trust, our talent, our team, and our offerings, Optimax has an incredibly bright future.” In their roles, Spilman will focus on market strategy and Kupinski on operations. The Optimax C-suite also includes CFO Tom Starin and CTO Mike Hyman. Kupinski has served as Optimax’s chief operating officer and director of engineering. He has worked with Optimax for 13 years, with previous positions with Sony, at Kodak working on the James Webb Space Telescope, and in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester (UR). He holds an MBA from UR’s Simon School of Business and a master’s degree in materials science and engineering from Alfred University. “Optimax strives to be the best possible place to work, offering interesting technical challenges, job security, and the opportunity for career growth,” said Kupinski, who was an Optimax customer before joining the company, drawn to the culture. “I’ve never worked with so many good people under one roof. What’s most important to me, as well as the Optimax board, is taking care of our employees.” Revered as successful business leaders locally and nationally, Plympton’s and Mandina’s honors include induction into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame in 2018. “Our intent has been to set Optimax up for 100 years of prosperity and growth, creating career opportunities for our employees,” said Plympton. “It has been important to me and Mike that we created a company where people can work their whole career, for many decades. A robust and resilient business model creates job security.” MEDIA: Dresden@BellCollaborative.com (585) 319-1812 Images at https://tinyurl.com/OptimaxNov24