The twin Escapade satellites are being prepared for shipment to Florida for another launch try.
Credit: Rocket Lab
When a team headed by the University of California at Berkeley won a NASA contract in 2019 to build and fly a small-satellite planetary science mission, it expected to be off the ground and on its way to Mars in three years. Collapsing the time between contract and launch was one of the principles…
Irene Klotz
Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.
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ATHENS (Greece) – Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead Greece as they revealed their 12-man roster ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025, on Sunday evening.
The Milwaukee Bucks superstar is joined by veteran floor general Kostas Sloukas and offensive-minded Tyler Dorsey, as head coach Vassilis Spanoulis implements a faster-paced, defense-oriented identity that promises to be exciting to watch.
The final roster was announced following Greece’s 92-77 loss against France in Athens, as they finished with a 4-3 record during their preparation for EuroBasket.
Who is playing at FIBA EuroBasket 2025?
Roster tracker: Who is playing at FIBA EuroBasket 2025?
Tracker: Preparation games for FIBA EuroBasket 2025
As well as their experienced stars, there’s also a place on the roster for emerging talent Alexandros Samodurov with the young forward having previously made the All-Star Five at FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2025 earlier this summer.
Hellas will play the Group Phase in Limassol, alongside Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, reigning EuroBasket champions, Spain, and co-hosts Cyprus in Group C.
They will begin their campaign against Italy on August 28, at 20:30 CET.
Dungeons and Dragons has attracted some of the most passionate and talented nerds on the planet. All the wonderful fan art and ever-expanding homebrew campaigns are proof of that creative spark. Sometimes, these projects may even fulfill a niche that no DnD fan thought they needed before. Realdice.org is one such project, and it’s a blast to play with.
Created by u/Lazy_Hovercraft_420 on Reddit, Realdice.org is yet another DnD dice rolling app. While these apps are a dime a dozen, what makes Realdice.org stand out is that it’s a digital app that actually rolls a physical die. The creator has a 24/7 camera trained on a 20-sided die, which users can roll at any time through the website.
What makes the project so charming to me is how jank the setup is. It’s a basic $10 dice roller placed on some random desk with very visible wires. At peak hours, the dice essentially never stop rolling, which makes it a poor app for use in actual campaigns. I thankfully managed to capture my Nat 20 roll before it was unceremoniously replaced by a meager seven.
Personally, I find the overcomplication of a physical dice roll a real rib tickler. I’ve never been one for dice rollers, towers, and what-have-you, but I can’t deny how fun they are to play with. I always appreciate the passion DnD fans have for the game, especially with silly little projects like this.
The creator continues to improve upon the concept, such as increasing video resolution and framerate. The site is rather stable now, so if you feel like killing a few minutes, give the app a few rolls. As of this writing, the app has rolled 18,700 times. Yours truly was the 18,700th roll.
The less said about that roll, the better.
In the market for a new DnD party? The Wargamer Discord has plenty of dice-rolling DnD fans to talk to. If you’d rather stay on top of DnD releases, the DnD release schedule should get you caught up.
This study is the first to investigate the relationship between the CTI and CVD risk among individuals with CKM syndrome stage 0–3. The results revealed a significant positive association, suggesting that the CTI may serve as an important predictor for future cardiovascular events in this population. Cox regression analyses indicated that, even after adjusting for multiple potential confounders, each one-unit increase in the CTI was associated with a 16% higher risk of CVD (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.06–1.27), underscoring its value as an independent risk predictor in CVD risk assessment. Furthermore, quartile analyses of the CTI revealed a clear dose–response relationship. According to the fully adjusted model, individuals in the highest CTI quartile (Q4) had a 42% greater risk of CVD than those in the lowest quartile (Q1) did (HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20–1.68). Kaplan–Meier curves further confirmed a significantly greater CVD incidence in the higher CTI group (log-rank test P < 0.001). RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear association between the CTI and CVD risk, with the hazard ratio rising sharply beyond a certain CTI threshold (CTI = 8.72). Identifying such a threshold may have important clinical implications, providing a basis for more precise risk stratification and highlighting the necessity for early initiation of primary prevention—such as adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids—for patients with CTI values above this threshold. ROC curve analysis showed that CTI had greater predictive value for CVD risk than CRP or TyG. In addition, subgroup and interaction analyses revealed no significant interactions among the ten demographic subgroups examined (interaction p > 0.05), suggesting that the relationship between the CTI and CVD risk is consistent across different demographic groups. Although previous epidemiological studies have generally shown greater CVD risk in males26, our study revealed that the hazard ratio was slightly greater in females (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.35) than in males (HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.33). This phenomenon may be closely related to the age structure of our study population, as all participants were aged 45 years or older, with the vast majority of female being perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Research has demonstrated that estrogen exerts multiple protective effects on the cardiovascular system, including promoting endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production to increase vasodilation, exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, regulating lipid metabolism, and inhibiting thrombosis27. Following menopause, estrogen levels decrease markedly, resulting in the loss of these protective effects and a sharp increase in cardiovascular risk28. In a study involving 302,632 Chinese women, Ling Yang et al. found that postmenopausal women had a 49% higher CVD risk compared with premenopausal women (HR = 1.49, 95% CI:1.32–1.68)29. Therefore, clinicians should intensify their attention to cardiovascular health among perimenopausal and postmenopausal female. Furthermore, this study revealed that individuals with sleep problems had greater CVD risk than those without such problems. In recent years, the prevalence of sleep problems among middle-aged and elderly people has increased significantly. Substantial evidence suggested that inadequate sleep can induce chronic low-grade inflammation and excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system, increase proinflammatory cytokine levels, and promote the development of IR30. Therefore, early clinical interventions to improve sleep quality should be considered important targets for reducing CVD risk and improving cardiovascular outcomes.
In recent years, the TyG, a surrogate marker for IR, has attracted increasing attention in the field of CVD. In a nested case‒control study including 3,745 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), Jin et al. reported that each one-unit increase in the TyG was associated with a 36% increased risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) (HR = 1.364, 95% CI: 1.100–1.691, P = 0.005)31. Similarly, a large prospective cohort study involving 96,541 Chinese adults conducted by Liu et al. demonstrated a significant positive association between the TyG and cardiovascular event risk, with participants in the highest TyG quartile showing a 34% higher risk of incident CVD than those in the lowest quartile (HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.23–1.45)32. These findings indicated that the TyG is an effective predictor of CVD risk. Nonetheless, as the TyG primarily reflects the state of IR, it does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of other major pathophysiological processes of CVD, such as chronic low-grade inflammation. In contrast, the CTI incorporates both the TyG and the CRP, thereby simultaneously capturing metabolic and inflammatory abnormalities to offer a more holistic assessment. The ROC curve analysis further demonstrated that the CTI had superior predictive value for CVD risk compared with the TyG alone. Furthermore, our results were consistent with two recent large-scale studies that reported a strong positive association between CTI and CVD risk. Xu et al. analysed data from 19,451 adult participants and reported a linear correlation between the CTI and the incidence of CHD, with those in the highest CTI quartile exhibiting an approximately 80.7% higher risk than those in the lowest quartile (HR = 1.807, 95% CI: 1.314–2.484, P < 0.001); importantly, the CTI demonstrated better predictive performance than CRP or TyG alone17. Similarly, Huo et al. analysed data from 10,443 participants and revealed a significant positive relationship between the CTI and stroke risk, particularly among individuals with normoglycemia and prediabetes, with hazard ratios of 1.33 and 1.20, respectively33. In comparison, our study specifically focused on individuals with CKM syndrome stage 0–3, a high-risk population commonly characterized by the coexistence of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic risk factors, which may interact synergistically to exacerbate disease progression. Thus, early identification and accurate risk stratification in this high-risk group are crucial for implementing individualized interventions and effectively preventing adverse cardiovascular events.
As an integrated indicator reflecting both IR and inflammatory status, the CTI is associated with CVD risk through several mechanisms. Firstly, IR can inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This decreases endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production, impairs vasodilation, and ultimately leads to endothelial dysfunction34. Secondly, IR is characterized by consistently elevated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, which aggravates chronic low-grade inflammation, promotes inflammatory cell infiltration, causes further structural damage to the vascular wall, and leads to the instability of atherosclerotic plaques35. Moreover, IR is often accompanied by lipid metabolism disorders, including increased release of free fatty acids (FFAs), elevated plasma triglyceride levels, reduced HDL-C, and accelerated formation of LDL particles, thereby facilitating lipid deposition in the arterial wall and related inflammatory responses36. On the other hand, CRP, a critical biomarker of inflammation, has been shown to play a significant role in the development and progression of CVD. Specifically, CRP can upregulate the expression of adhesion molecules (such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) on endothelial cells, increase leukocyte adhesion and transmigration, and accelerate atherosclerotic plaque formation37. Furthermore, CRP can bind to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and damaged cell membranes, thereby activating the classical complement pathway. This in turn induces a stronger local inflammatory response and promotes the progression and instability of atherosclerotic plaques38.
Furthermore, we explored the potential mechanisms underlying the nonlinear association between CTI and CVD risk. Firstly, when the CTI remains within a certain range, the body is able to maintain homeostasis. However, once CTI exceeds a critical threshold, homeostasis is disrupted and the CVD risk increases sharply. Secondly, inflammation induces IR, which in turn aggravates inflammatory processes. This bidirectional interplay establishes a vicious positive feedback loop, substantially increasing the CVD risk39,40.
This study has several notable strengths. Firstly, it is the first to explore the association between CTI and CVD risk, specifically in individuals with CKM syndrome stage 0–3. Secondly, this research is a prospective, nationwide longitudinal cohort study involving a relatively large sample of middle-aged and older adults with a balanced age distribution, which enhances the reliability of the findings. Additionally, we systematically adjusted for potential confounders and performed subgroup analyses to assess the consistency of associations across different demographic and clinical subpopulations, further strengthening the clinical applicability and external validity of the results.
Nevertheless, several limitations should be acknowledged. Firstly, the definition of subclinical CVD in this study was based on the Framingham 10-year cardiovascular risk score rather than the latest PREVENT equations. Secondly, although multiple known confounders were adjusted for, the possibility of residual unmeasured confounding influencing the results cannot be entirely excluded. Thirdly, since the CRP and TyG were assessed only once at baseline, dynamic changes in these biomarkers and their potential impact on CVD risk over time could not be evaluated. Fourthly, This study utilized data from the CHARLS, and thus the results are primarily applicable to middle-aged and older adults in China. Consequently, the generalizability of these findings to other populations may be limited by differences in ethnicity, culture, healthcare system, and socioeconomic context. Finally, CVD were identified based on self-reported information provided by participants. It is important to acknowledge that self-reported data are subject to misclassification bias, which may includes both under-reporting (failure to report existing CVD) and over-reporting (reporting CVD in the absence of a confirmed diagnosis). Such misclassification can arise from participants’ limited understanding of medical conditions or recall bias.
At GamesCom 2025 in Cologne, ASUS presented KitGuru with the ROG Matrix RTX 5090 30th Anniversary Edition graphics card, and it’s a bit of a monster. The card is currently at the engineering sample stage, but it already highlights the challenges of designing hardware at this scale. There’s no real issue if you want to build it into a ‘lay flat chassis’ on your desktop, but moving a PC around the country, by courier, will take some doing.
ASUS engineers told KitGuru that they are confident the card’s final weight will be under 3.5 kg. For context, NVIDIA’s own RTX 5090 Founders Edition weighs close to 1.8 kg. Given that a standard PCI Express slot provides only shallow physical support, ASUS will need to incorporate some form of internal bracing or expect system builders to find additional reinforcement. Moving a system fitted with one of these cards without damage would otherwise be difficult. We picked this card up with the muscle-memory of ‘regular cards’. You rapidly need to re-think your grip.
Power and Cooling
The Anniversary Edition looks to have a quoted peak power draw close to 800 W, significantly higher than the RTX 5090 Founders Edition’s official 575 W rating. Cooling is handled with an air-based design that uses liquid metal, large copper heatsinks, and a four-fan configuration combining three front fans with a rear blower.
Power delivery is provided by dual 12V-2×6 connectors, along with ASUS’s Back-to-the-Future (BTF) connector, designed to improve cable routing in compatible motherboards.
Historical Contrast
The 30th Anniversary badge refers back to ASUS’s first graphics card, the ASUS 375, launched in 1996 with the S3 ViRGE/DX chipset. That card was physically small, required minimal cooling, and consumed only a handful of watts through the motherboard slot.
By comparison, the new ROG Matrix RTX 5090 pushes modern power and thermal limits, with a footprint and weight that far exceed standard designs. The difference illustrates how far discrete graphics cards have developed over the past three decades.
Availability
ASUS has confirmed that the Matrix Anniversary Edition will be a limited-run product, with only 1,000 units planned worldwide.
The final pricing has yet to be decided, but we expect it to be north of £3,000 for the 1,000 enthusiasts lucky enough to be able to buy one.
Thirty Years Back – and Thirty Years Forward
Looking back, the contrast is stark. From 1996, ASUS’s first card (the 375 with an S3 ViRGE chipset), was one of a first generation of cards to provide any kind of hardware acceleration for your graphics. It certainly would not ‘understand’ modern games. Even with the most generous assumptions, it would need minutes to render a single 4K frame, and in practice it could not attempt the task at all.
Projecting forward another thirty years offers an interesting perspective. By 2056, today’s ROG Matrix RTX 5090 Anniversary Edition may find itself in the same position, struggling even to interpret the rendering environments of the future (assuming desktop graphics is still a thing). If development continues at its present pace, this RTX 5090 could take minutes to process a single frame – assuming it has the capability to render one at all.
You can find out more about the upcoming 30th Anniversary card here.
KitGuru says: For now, the ASUS ROG Matrix RTX 5090 30th Anniversary Edition promises to be one of the biggest, fastest and heaviest graphics cards on the planet – and it comes in ‘Hot Rod Red’.
Highway being built by the BRO passes by the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers in the Ladakh region, India. — Reuters/File
ISLAMABAD: In an unprecedented move since the May military confrontation, India has contacted Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) to share advance information about possible flooding, official sources said early on Monday.
According to the sources, New Delhi warned Pakistan of a potential major flood in the Tawi River at Jammu.
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad conveyed the alert, with the communication made on the morning of Sunday, August 24, they added.
It is the first major contact of its kind since the Pakistan-India war in May, the sources noted.
Following the alert, Pakistani authorities issued warnings based on the information provided by India, the sources confirmed.
In the wake of the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam area of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April, India held the IWT with Pakistan in abeyance.
New Delhi accuses Islamabad of orchestrating the deadly militant attack, an allegation that Pakistan denies.
Based on these groundless allegations, India waged a war against Pakistan in May, resulting in the heaviest military engagement in decades, before a ceasefire was brokered by the US.
The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over the use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan.
The use of the water is governed by the IWT, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960.
There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.
The treaty had survived three wars and other conflicts between the two rivals, while withstanding many twists and turns in diplomatic ties.
Reuters reported on May 16 that Delhi is considering projects that would likely reduce the flow of water into Pakistan from rivers allocated to that country.
India has also said that it will “keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
In contrast, Islamabad says “any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan” will be an “act of war”.
What is Indus Waters Treaty?
The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over the use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan.
The use of the water is governed by the IWT, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960.
The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi — while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.
What are the concerns over water?
The countries have argued over and disputed several projects on the Indus and its tributaries for years.
Pakistan is heavily dependent on water from this river system for its hydropower and irrigation needs. Pakistan says India unfairly diverts water with the upstream construction of barrages and dams, a charge India denies.
Pakistan is concerned that India’s dams will cut flows on the river, which feeds 80% of its irrigated agriculture. It has asked for a neutral expert and then an arbitration court to intervene in two recent hydropower projects.
India has accused Pakistan of dragging out the complaints process, and says the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects is allowed under the treaty. It has also sought modification of the pact to get around such delays.
What could suspension change?
The suspension of the accord is not expected to have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan, as India does not have enough storage capacity. However, water at a key receiving point in Pakistan briefly fell by as much as 90% in early May after India started maintenance work on some Indus projects.
India’s move could also bring uncertainty to Pakistan’s agricultural system.
The suspension means India can stop sharing crucial information and data on the release of water from barrages/dams or on flooding, Indian officials said, adding that New Delhi will also not be obliged to release minimum amounts of water during the lean season.
How has Pakistan reacted to the decision?
Pakistan says the treaty is a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank and contains no provision for unilateral suspension.
Ghasharib Shaokat, the head of product at Pakistan Agriculture Research, called the treaty the backbone of the country’s agriculture sector.
“It puts our agricultural future on shaky ground. If water flows become erratic, the entire system takes a hit — especially irrigation-dependent crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane,” Shaokat said.
“Yields could drop. Costs could rise. Food prices would likely spike. And small-scale farmers, who already operate on thin margins, would bear the brunt of it.”
Khalid Hussain Baath, chairman of a national farmers’ union in Pakistan, painted the move as an act of belligerence.
“This is a true war,” Baath said from Lahore. “We already have a water shortage because of climate change. Low rainfall this year, and limited snow, means that the water level is already 20-25% lower than last year.”
Key win in the Hague court
In a major victory, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a Supplemental Award in the IWT case in June, favouring Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the government, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue under the framework of the IWT and stressed the need for renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The arbitration court’s ruling confirmed that India’s unilateral actions could not undermine the jurisdiction of either the court of arbitration or the Neutral Expert in proceedings under the IWT.
“Court has affirmed its competence in light of recent developments and that unilateral action by India cannot deprive either the Court or the Neutral Expert… of their competence to adjudicate the issues before them,” read the statement.
Following the award, Pakistan called on India to immediately resume the normal functioning of the IWT, and to fully and faithfully honour its treaty obligations.
“In a supplemental award announced on June 27 2025, the Court hearing the Pakistan-India dispute over Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects has found that its competence remains intact, and that it has a continuing responsibility to advance these proceedings in a timely, efficient, and fair manner,” the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.
“The Court of Arbitration decided to announce this supplemental award in the wake of India’s illegal and unilateral announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance,” it added.
Ayn added more than just a touch of nostalgia with its upcoming dual-screen handheld that gives us modern-day Nintendo DS vibes. After teasing the device in a YouTube video earlier this week, Ayn dropped the full spec sheet, price range and release date for its Thor handhelds. The Thor Lite base model will start at $249 for preorder pricing, but you can opt for the top-of-the-line Thor Max model that goes for $429. Besides the clear purple colorway, the Ayn Thor will come in black, white and rainbow, which colors its buttons like the SNES.
Ayn built all of its Thor models with a primary six-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, while the secondary 3.92-inch AMOLED screen will have a 60Hz refresh rate and a smaller 1,240 x 1,080 resolution. The Thor Lite maxes out at 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, but you can upgrade to 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage with the Thor Max. The Pro and Max models will pack a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the Lite will use the less powerful Snapdragon 865.
Outside of the spec differences, all Thor models will run on a 6,000 mAh battery and Android 13. The dual-screen handheld will have video output capabilities, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, a TF card slot and can connect via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. As with all foldable devices, the hinge is often a point of failure, so Ayn built the Thor with a reinforced hinge, along with an active cooling system and Hall effect joysticks.
Ayn isn’t the only handheld maker getting into dual-screen devices. The market was previously dominated by the Ayaneo Flip DS, which currently starts at $1,139, but Ayaneo has announced a more affordable dual-screen handheld called the Pocket DS. Along with the Retroid Flip 2 that was released earlier this year, Retroid is selling an add-on accessory to make some of its other products into a dual-screen handheld. As for the Ayn Thor, preorders start August 25 at 10:30PM ET, with the first shipments expected in mid-October.
Growing up above their parent’s pub in the West Midlands, England, Benjamin and Jodie Caron would bustle around the office pretending to oversee a business. “I can’t remember what we were running, but I would be typing furiously on the typewriter and Jodie would be taking notes,” recalls Benjamin. They also spent a lot of time consuming entertainment, so much so that their parents warned they would get “square eyes” from watching so much television.
In a way, they were right, as the siblings have now launched Square Eyed Pictures, a production company focusing on documentaries, feature films and high-end television drama. That includes the drama-thriller “Night Always Comes,” directed by Benjamin and produced by the pair, now streaming on Netflix. Adapted by Sarah Conradt from the 2021 novel by Willy Vlautin, the film stars Vanessa Kirby as Lynette, a woman given one night to come up with the money to keep her family from losing their home. Already juggling multiple jobs, including as a personal escort, Lynette goes to increasing extremes to make her deadline.
Prior to collaborating, the Carons had both forged successful paths in the UK entertainment industry. Jodie served as a development executive for Working Title Films, where she contributed to such films as “Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice.” Benjamin began directing factual entertainment and specials before moving into narrative series, where he earned three nominations for directing episodes of “The Crown” and “Andor.” It was on the former where Benjamin brought his sister on and she eventually served two seasons as script editor.
Square Eyed was founded at the time of Benjamin’s debut feature, “Sharper,” which was released in 2023. “That was the first project we produced together, and I guess the moment where we said, ‘Can we do this?’ Benjamin notes. “I guess we didn’t really shout about it at the time because we wanted to establish ourselves first.” “Night Always Comes,” was built alongside Vanessa Kirby’s Aluna Entertainment, from the ground up – “from book to script to selling” – after Kirby sent him Vlautin’s novel. Benjamin had been looking to reunite with Kirby since working together on “The Crown.” “It was one of those great reads where you sit down to read and in a blink you’re finished,” Benjamin notes. “I thought it could make a really taut, propulsive thriller and there was something about Lynette I really wanted to explore.”
It also fit in with the themes that interest both siblings. “We’re really drawn to stories of outsiders – the antiheroes, the misfits, the villains,” says Benjamin. “I think we love stories that take a sideways glance at familiar worlds. Stories in which characters are searching for their place in the world, because that feels really resonant to us.” That certainly applies to the thriller “Sharper,” in which a roundelay of actors including Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan keep you constantly guessing as a story is told from the point of view of five different characters. Or to the many struggling characters who make questionable choices that Lynette encounters on her journey. And even to Lynette herself, who has audiences relating to her (if not outright rooting for her) as she continues down an increasingly criminal path.
They also love working with actors, and often cast familiar faces against type. It would be challenging to name more different roles than the two Kirby is currently appearing in – as the polished, otherworldly Sue Storm in “The Fantastic Four” and the struggling, visceral Lynette. “Night Always Comes” also features Randall Park, best known for his comedy work, in a serious role – and includes his first onscreen love scene.
They enjoy working with actors and casting director Carmen Cuba and come from a deep love of theater. “Both of us had amazing and inspirational drama teachers that really taught us about exploring stories through theater,” says Jodie. Benjamin did some directing for theater and admits he considered becoming an actor at one point so he loves the rehearsal process. “Acting is about playing and a permission to try things out and fail,” he says. “I love the process, I love improvising and working it out with actors. And that sometimes helps the characters feel more authentic and truthful. Which is what happened with ‘Night Always Comes.’”
The two also credit their childhood in that pub with their attraction to characters and stories. “A public house is really the sort of epicenter for so many stories,” says Benjamin. “You’ll have a barrister and a bricklayer and they’ll all talk to you as the children of the landlord. And every person is so individual and distinctive and has their own story. I feel like I’m somehow retelling those experiences in some way.”
In addition to being a “voracious reader,” Jodie says she genuinely loves “the practical producing side.” She adds, “I love working with crews and ensuring that, as much as possible, the film set is a good place to be. I want to work towards enabling people to do their best work. Ultimately, we want to tell the best stories we can tell, and give space for people to do their best work.”
Like their actors, the producers don’t want to be typecast – Jodie reveals her brother considered directing the new “Bridget Jones” sequel and they are more than open to a rom-com. And Square Eyed won’t just be concentrating on projects for Benjamin to direct. On the TV side, they have a Roman Empire epic and a returning series set in the world of fashion. And on the features side, a film set in the 1940s New York criminal underworld, a contemporary spy thriller and a dark comedy set on a Scottish island. Jodie also served as producer on Morven Christie’s debut short film “Stray,” which just premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
They’ve now worked together for over a decade and admit they don’t really know why it’s so harmonious. “People ask us all the time, ‘How do you not kill each other?’” Jodie reveals. “It just works. There’s an honesty you can have and arguments will blow over quickly because there’s a love and respect for each other. And we genuinely like each other. We talk about 80 times a day, no exaggeration.”
Microsoft’s updates this month are something of a nightmare. Multiple fails, an emergency update and warnings on streaming sand saving files has created a minefield for affected users. But in the midst of this, there’s also a major decision to make.
This is all about Windows 10 and the 700 million (a number now increasing) users sticking with Windows 10 despite a 60-day warning that October’s security update will be their last. That’s unless and until they enroll in a 12-month security lifeline.
ForbesDo Not Use These Networks On Your Phone, TSA Warns—Here’s WhyBy Zak Doffman
Per Windows Latest, all those users will now “see full-screen ‘it’s time to upgrade your PC before the end of support’ banner more often. Windows Latest observed this behavior across dozens of our PCs and virtual machines using Windows 10.”
This begins “immediately” after you install August’s security update. “It’s quite obvious that you can’t ‘escape’ these full banners if you choose to keep running Windows 11.”
You can exit the nag but it’ll come back. And it will always include a helpful button that “instantly begins installing Windows 11.” There is a much smaller link to decline the upgrade and keep Windows 10, “which doesn’t really quit the campaign.”
If you do decline the upgrade, “Microsoft tries to convince you again with a slideshow of Windows 11’s new features.” You can then either download Windows 11 while using your PC or decline the upgrade offer.” That’s where the decision making kicks in.
ForbesFBI Warning—Do Not Call Any Of These Phone NumbersBy Zak Doffman
Again with August’s update, the free 12-month support offer has been issued to millions more Windows 10 users. You will see the enrollment button (if it’s made its way onto your PC) on the Windows 10 update screen. You can then select the option that works for you. If you use your account and OneDrive, you can do this for free.
Microsoft has confirmed that October’s security update will be your last unless you enroll in an extension option or upgrade to Windows 11. Don’t leave it too late and make sure that’s done well ahead of the deadline. It’s just not worth the risk.
