Blog

  • Tony Gilroy Says He Can’t See Himself Doing Anything Like ‘Andor’ Again

    Tony Gilroy Says He Can’t See Himself Doing Anything Like ‘Andor’ Again

    Over more than 30 years in the business, Tony Gilroy has amassed an enviable list of writing credits that includes Armageddon, Michael Clayton (which he also directed, garnering Oscar noms in both areas), the first four installments of the Bourne franchise (the fourth of which he also directed) and the 2016 Star Wars prequel Rogue One. But “the seminal creative experience” of his life, he says, has been Andor, the Disney+ Rogue One prequel series on which he’s worked for the past six years as creator, showrunner, head writer and EP. (Its second season just received 14 Emmy noms.) And yet he can’t see himself doing anything like it ever again.

    How, a few years after Rogue One, did you wind up working on Andor?

    I’ve known [Lucasfilm president] Kathy Kennedy for years. After Rogue, she had an appetite to do a prequel around the five years of Cassian Andor before the film. She knew that I knew the character really well, and asked me to look at two different versions that they had. One was cool and slick, but it seemed to me that it was going to run out of road quickly, so I wrote a long email to her, sort of a manic manifesto, about how I thought the show should be built. She was like, “This is pretty mad and undoable, but I see what you’re saying about what we’re doing now.” They tried it again, and then they came back to me and said, “We looked at this memo from a year and a half ago, and it makes a lot more sense to us now. Do you want to do that?”

    Did you appreciate how big of an undertaking you were signing up for? At some point the plan shifted from devoting one season to each of the five years, to having the first season cover one year and the second cover four.

    I had no clue what I was stepping into. I’d been on House of Cards for a couple of years as a consultant for Beau [Willimon]. I’ve made some big movies. But my naivete and idiocy about what this was going to take was staggering to me just six months later. I was going to try to direct, rewrite all the scripts, to do all this stuff — it was ridiculous. Then COVID came. The only thing I saw positively about COVID was that it would kill the show, I thought. But eventually they started to build back up. It was obvious I couldn’t go back to London [where the show was to shoot], so we were going to have to get British directors. I wouldn’t be able to direct, but I would be able to keep writing and run the show. I got into rewriting the scripts and figured out how to run the show from here. By the time dailies started to come in, I was getting very excited about what we were doing. When I got out of quarantine, I went over there [to the U.K.], trying to come up with what we were going to do going forward. By then we knew what the scope of the work was, and Diego Luna [Cassian Andor] and I sat down, and it wasn’t a “choice,” even; we simply would not be able to make a show like this in the way we initially planned. It would go on too long. He’d be too old. People would die. But the solve presented itself very elegantly: the structure that we ended up with the second season.

    The appeal of doing Andor, for you, wasn’t anything to do with Star Wars as much as it was getting to delve into subjects like fascism and rebellion?

    I love history and I’ve been consumed with it my whole life, not in any kind of organized way, just out of curiosity. I’d accumulated all this lumber down in the basement that I didn’t ever think I was going to get a chance to use, but then this show came along. When I started on the show, the parallels between what was happening in the world and what was happening in the galaxy and the Empire — those were already obvious. But over the six years we’ve been doing the show, that little monster got on its feet and learned how to run. When Senator Padilla was pulled out of the ICE meeting, like in the episode about the Ghorman senator being pulled out, there was a big text chain in our group like, “Oh my God. It looked like the show.” It’s very sad for us how much it rhymes.

    What made Andor “the seminal creative experience” of your life? Would you ever do this kind of thing again?

    I could see doing a limited series or something, but I can’t see doing anything like this again. For five and a half years, every single day of my life, I had a maximally imaginative involvement that was never complete — writing, designing, music, casting, all of it. Every demand on your imagination that could ever be asked was screaming for your attention. That’s a pretty heady place to live. I grew to love it. But I can’t imagine that I would ever be that fully engaged again.

    This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

    Continue Reading

  • Supernovas are hard to detect. Scientists just found a way to spot them hours after they explode

    Supernovas are hard to detect. Scientists just found a way to spot them hours after they explode

    The early stages of a supernova explosion are revelatory in what they can reveal about stars that go boom. But while catching them immediately after they detonate has proven largely elusive, astronomers now think they have developed a foolproof way to spot a young supernova.

    Although we know what type of star will go supernova, we cannot predict when a star in a distant galaxy might explode. In the past it has been down to pure luck as to whether we were looking in the right direction at the right time to see a supernova just hours after it blows up.

    Continue Reading

  • The #1 Fruit for a Healthier Brain, Heart, and Gut

    The #1 Fruit for a Healthier Brain, Heart, and Gut

    Key Takeaways

    • Grapes earn “superfood” status thanks to their high levels of polyphenols, which fight inflammation and protect overall health.
    • Purple grapes pack the biggest punch—their deep color signals higher antioxidant content compared to red or green varieties.
    • Just a cup a day goes a long way, supporting heart, brain, and gut health.

    When it comes down to getting an adequate amount of nutrients and minerals per day, fruits play an essential role in meeting these goals. But according to new research published by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, there’s one standout fruit that promotes a healthier brain, heart, and gut: fresh grapes. More specifically, the study claims that grapes can and should be categorized as a “superfood,” aka nutrient-rich foods that benefit your overall health and well-being. 

    To fully understand the impressive health benefits of grapes, we tapped dietitians to learn more.

    What Makes Grapes Good for You?

    The main reason grapes deserve a “superfood” classification is due to their high levels of phytonutrients—specifically polyphenols. “Polyphenols are a large class of phytonutrients that are known for their antioxidant properties,” explains registered dietitian Avery Zenker, RD, MAN. “Some of the types of polyphenols found in grapes include phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and stilbenes. Many of the health benefits of grapes are attributed to the impact of these compounds on the body, particularly their anti-inflammatory properties.” When these polyphenols enter the body, they focus on neutralizing free radicals—or the molecules that increase oxidative stress—and can improve cardiovascular, brain, immune, and metabolic health over time.

    Between red, purple, and green grapes, however, you may be wondering which color packs the most nutrients. “Most of the polyphenols and antioxidants in purple and red grapes are found in the skin,” Zenker says. “Purple grapes contain more anthocyanins than red grapes, and much more than green grapes. Purple-colored grapes also contain a significantly higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) than red or green grapes. The vibrant color of purple grapes signifies a potent antioxidant content.” Anthocyanins are what give purple grapes their deep hue—something red and green grapes have significantly low levels of.

    Zenker also points out that, while grapes are high in nutrient-dense compounds, understanding the food matrix can better explain how these compounds interact with one another. “The food matrix is the physical and chemical structure of a food, and essentially, how its nutrients interact with each other,” she says. “Grapes are more than just a collection of isolated compounds like phytonutrients. The food matrix determines how those compounds are digested, absorbed, how they interact with the gut microbiome, and how they impact the body.” That’s why you don’t need to eat a boatload of grapes to reap their benefits—roughly one or two cups (or 22 to 44 grapes, to be exact) can do a whole lot for your health.

    3 Healthy Reasons to Eat More Grapes

    To further emphasize the message of this study, we asked our experts for some standout reasons to eat more grapes.

    They Boost Heart Health

    “Grapes are rich in resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, compounds that may help to support heart health by helping blood vessels relax, [lowering] blood pressure, and [maintaining] healthy cholesterol levels,” says cardiology dietitian Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD. This can be especially beneficial for those with a high risk of cardiovascular disease; the more grapes you eat, the more you’re feeding your body heart-healthy nutrients.

    They Support Cognitive Health

    As we age, the brain’s cognitive function tends to decline—but with a healthy diet, along with some brain-boosting lifestyle habits, you can curb or delay age-related cognitive decline. “The variety of antioxidants found in grapes may protect neurons and promote healthy brain function,” Routhenstein says. “Some research suggests that regular grape consumption may improve cognitive function and potentially lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.”

    They Improve Gut Health

    Grapes are an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, properties which play a vital role in maintaining the gut microbiome. “Polyphenols from grapes have been found to improve gut microbiome balance by increasing the quantity and quality of the digestive ecosystem,” Zenker says. “The microbes in the gut have also been found to improve the bioavailability of polyphenols, potentially increasing their health impacts. The relationship between phytonutrients and the gut microbiome is still largely unexplored, so more research is needed to conclude stronger associations.” What’s more, the gut microbiome has a significant impact on other bodily systems, including heart and brain health.

    Continue Reading

  • 7 audio and video editing tools for journalists

    7 audio and video editing tools for journalists

    Editing multimedia content is challenging, especially when you’re not working with the right tools.

    As demand among news audiences shifts to video and audio, newsrooms, journalists and content creators are turning to the formats, too. 

    To help budding professionals working with multimedia, I lay out some tools they can utilize to enhance professional efficiency and take their work to the next level.

    Audio editing

    Audacity

    Audacity is an open-source tool that allows users to easily record, edit and adjust sound. Journalists, podcasters, creators and anyone running a digital-first newsroom can use Audacity to create high-quality audio content. Among the capabilities, users can copy, paste and trim sound while working with multiple tracks at a time. 

    Access: Free for basic use. Paid access is required for additional features.

    Adobe Audition

    Similar to Audacity, Adobe Audition allows users to record, edit and adjust sound. Journalists can use it as a virtual studio in which they work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously, visualize, isolate and remove parts of audio that they feel are no longer needed or relevant to their work. It has the ability to help clean recordings with an advanced noise reduction system. 

    The tool is also integrated to work effectively with other Adobe apps like Premiere Pro, which is used for video.

    Access: It has a 7-day free trial after which users pay US$24.71 per month. 

    WavePad

    WavePad is a software that allows users to record and edit audio. Among the capabilities, you can copy, cut and paste parts of audio files, or utilize effects like echo, amplification and noise reduction.

    Access: Free for basic use. Paid access is required for additional features.

    AudioMass

    AudiioMass is an open-source tool that runs on a browser. It allows users to record, use an existing audio track, or modify it by trimming, cutting, pasting or applying a series of other functions. 

    The tool supports various audio file formats and is suitable to use for editing podcasts, music and more. 

    Access: Free to use.

    Video editing

    DaVinci Resolve

    DaVinci Resolve is a software tool with a simple, easy-to-use interface for video editing. It offers the user functions for color correction, motion graphics, and audio post-production. It integrates multi-user collaboration tools for group members. 

    Access: Free for basic use. Requires paid access for advanced features such as AI-powered noise reduction and an upscaling feature to attain higher visual quality. 

    CapCut

    CapCut is a popular platform for editing videos, developed by ByteDance, the same company that owns TikTok. It is popular among broadcasters, brand influencers and content creators. The tool offers a variety of ready-made templates that users can choose from, also incorporating a large library of free music tracks. 

    CapCut includes features like speed adjustment, text overlay and keyframe animation. Edited videos can be easily exported.

    Access: Capcut is free to use and it has an advanced version available with a subscription. Of note, the tool’s data collection practices have raised concerns, specifically in the U.S. and India. The Indian government banned CapCut in June 2020 due to political tension with China, and the app also temporarily went dark in the U.S. as part of the January 2025 executive order that banned TikTok.

    EDIUS.net 

    EDIUS.net is a non-linear editor (NLE) that works with most modern video formats.

    Among its features, the tool  can be used to fix poor audio, provide speech-to-text capabilities for captions, and more. The Pro version offers additional features such as high dynamic range (HDR) editing and image stabilization for unsteady shots. 

    Access: The tools offers a 30-day free trial after which pricing for the software depends on the version and licensing options.

    Photo by Techivation on Unsplash.

    Continue Reading

  • Semaglutide Not Associated With Increased Risk of Eye Disorders

    Semaglutide Not Associated With Increased Risk of Eye Disorders

    A meta-analysis evaluating the relationship between semaglutide and risk of eye disorders has not found any significant association, according to a new study published in JAMA Opthalmology.1 The authors noted that the relationship between semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) demands further research to confirm any association between them. However, another study, published recently in JAMA Network Open did determine that semaglutide and tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes did lead to an increased risk of NAION.2,3

    Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) that is primarily used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity and has been found to have cardiovascular benefits,4 including the reduction of cardiovascular events in those who are overweight or obese. As certain eye disorders can come as an adverse effect related to diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, the association between semaglutide and the risk of eye disorders is of particular interest in the treatment of both diabetes and eye disorders in conjunction. This meta-analysis aimed to collect data from randomized clinical trials to evaluate the association between ocular adverse effects and semaglutide, specifically as it pertains to the development of NAION and diabetic retinopathy.

    Semaglutide was not associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy or other eye disorders | Image credit: Peter Hansen – stock.adobe.com

    Studies from MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Central Register were used to perform the meta-analysis. All studies published prior to April 10, 2025, were considered for the analysis. All randomized clinical trials that evaluated adults treated with semaglutide compared with a placebo, no intervention, or an active comparator were included in the analysis. Diabetic retinopathy and NAION were assessed along with any trials reporting adverse events. Studies of any language could be included in the analysis.

    There were 78 studies, including 73,640 participants, that were included in the final meta-analysis. A total of 51 reported at least 1 event of eye disorders, 38 reported on diabetic retinopathy, and 5 reported on NAION. There were 52 studies that required diabetes as part of their inclusion criteria. The mean baseline age ranged between 33 and 70 years.

    The risk of eye disorders was not changed with the treatment of diabetes using semaglutide. The absolute effect per 1000 study participants was 1 more event when evaluating the studies that included eye disorder adverse effects. The results did not change when studies without eye disorder events were included, and a linear mixed model had consistent results (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98-1.10). There were no differences based on population (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.91-1.12) or follow-up duration (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.91-1.12). Although semaglutide was shown to be superior to an insulin group, this association was not significant.

    There were 38 trials that reported at least 1 event related to diabetic retinopathy, but semaglutide did not affect the risk of diabetic retinopathy. There was an absolute effect of 1 more event per 1000 participants, and this did not change after including trials that did not contain events related to diabetic retinopathy. Consistent results were found in the linear mixed-model analysis (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96-1.11).

    In the 5 trials that reported NAION, semaglutide was associated with a higher risk of NAION (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.02-15.02) with no statistical heterogeneity observed. The trials included 25,330 participants but had a low number of events of NAION, which indicates a need for further study.

    There were some limitations to this study. Most of the included studies did not aim to assess ocular adverse events. Ophthalmic assessments were different across the studies, including some studies not including retinal imaging or eye examinations. No diagnostic code was present for NAION in any study. Participants with either proliferative retinopathy or maculopathy were excluded. Some included studies were also not specifically designed to assess NAION even though other ocular adverse events were studied.

    The researchers concluded that semaglutide was not associated with an increased risk of eye disorders or diabetic retinopathy.

    “However,” they wrote, “treatment with semaglutide was associated with occurrence of NAION, despite the fact that no definitive conclusions regarding this association could be drawn. Additional studies dedicated to checking the relationship between semaglutide and NAION are needed.”

    References

    1. Natividade GR, Spiazzi BF, Baumgarten MW, et al. Ocular adverse events with semaglutide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online August 14, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.2489

    2. Steinzor P. Semaglutide, tirzepatide linked to small increase in eye disorder risk. AJMC®. August 18, 2025. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/semaglutide-tirzepatide-linked-to-small-increase-in-eye-disorder-risk

    3. Wang L, Volkow ND, Kaelber DC, Xu R. Semaglutide or tirzepatide and optic nerve and visual pathway disorders in type 2 diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(8):e2526327. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.26327

    4. Bonavitacola J. Experts encourage use of GLP-1s in cardiovascular care. AJMC. August 3, 2025. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/experts-encourage-use-of-glp-1s-in-cardiovascular-care

    Continue Reading

  • Guy Pearce to Star as Rupert Murdoch in Danny Boyle Movie

    Guy Pearce to Star as Rupert Murdoch in Danny Boyle Movie

    Guy Pearce, who is coming off his recent Oscar nomination, is circling a starring role as media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

    Pearce is in talks to lead director Danny Boyle‘s movie Ink, which is set to center on Murdoch’s path to power. The film from Studiocanal, Media Res and House Productions also has Jack O’Connell eyeing a role as Larry Lamb, the late editor of The Sun.

    Boyle helms the film from a script by James Graham, who adapted his play of the same name that opened in London in 2017. In his 2019 review for The Hollywood Reporter of the Broadway run that earned two Tonys, critic David Rooney wrote that the play “has undeniable currency in the era of Brexit and Trump.”

    Ink is set in 1969 and focuses on Murdoch acquiring struggling newspaper The Sun and hiring Lamb to run it. The film’s team is planning to begin shooting in October.

    Boyle, Tessa Ross, Michael Ellenberg, Tracey Seaward and Tonia Davis serve as producers on the movie.

    Pearce was nominated at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony for his supporting role in The Brutalist. His forthcoming features include The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Dog Stars.

    O’Connell has had a big year, having played memorable roles in Sinners and the Boyle-directed 28 Years Later. His next projects include 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.

    Boyle most recently directed 28 Years Later, the latest installment in the franchise that launched with his original 2002 film, 28 Days Later. Sony released 28 Years Later in June — starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and O’Connell — and the film surpassed $150 million at the global box office.

    Deadline was first to report on the movie adaptation of Ink.

    Continue Reading

  • ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Sequel ‘Zhongkui’ Set From Developer Game Science – Variety

    ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Sequel ‘Zhongkui’ Set From Developer Game Science – Variety

    1. ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Sequel ‘Zhongkui’ Set From Developer Game Science  Variety
    2. “Black Myth: Zhongkui” Trademark Unearthed Ahead of Gamescom  MP1st
    3. Black Myth: Wukong Release Date, Release Times & Preload Details On Xbox  Pure Xbox
    4. Black Myth: Wukong DLC Could Be Revealed During Gamescom  Insider Gaming
    5. Mysterious Black Myth: Wukong tease has fans of the action RPG hoping for a DLC reveal at Gamescom next week  GamesRadar+

    Continue Reading

  • Timing Key in Treating Genetic Brain Disorders

    Timing Key in Treating Genetic Brain Disorders

    A Yale research team has created a new computer tool that can pinpoint when exactly genes turn on and off over time during brain development – a finding that may one day help doctors identify the optimal window to deploy gene therapy treatments.

    Dubbed “chronODE,” the tool uses math and machine learning to model how gene activity and chromatin (the DNA and protein mix that forms chromosomes) patterns change over time. The tool may offer a variety of applications in disease modeling and basic genomic research and perhaps lead to future therapeutic uses.

    “Basically, we have an equation that can determine the precise moment of gene activation, which may dictate important steps such as the transition from one developmental or disease stage to another,” said Mor Frank, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and study co-author. “Consequently, this may represent a potential way to identify, in the future, critical points for therapeutic intervention.”

    Results of the study were published August 19 in the journal Nature Communications.

    /University Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

    Continue Reading

  • Majesticks GC and Iron Heads GC set for Wednesday showdown

    Majesticks GC and Iron Heads GC set for Wednesday showdown

    How they got here: The Majesticks earned 9.16 points for the season. They accumulated points in the first two tournaments this season, including a season-best T5 in Adelaide, but followed that with three consecutive results at the bottom of the team leaderboard. It was a poor season overall for the Majesticks, who had all three of their tri-captains competing to avoid the drop last week in Indianapolis. However, they do enter Michigan off their second-best performance of the year, a solo sixth.

    Ian Poulter made birdie on four of his last five holes to sneak into the Open Zone, which unfortunately knocked his teammate, Henrik Stenson, down into relegation territory. Poulter finished 48th in the LIV Golf standings with Stenson falling to 49th.

    Lee Westwood had an up-and-down season with a few flashes of brilliance. Although he finished 46th in the standings, his ceiling was higher than Poulter’s and Stenson’s. Westwood finished T10 in Virginia and had a strong Open Championship performance where he finished T34.

    Sam Horsfield finished 39th in the standings with his best finish of the season coming in Adelaide (T7).

    Previous Team Championship matches: Majesticks GC defeated Iron Heads GC in 2022, however Kevin Na was the only Iron Heads player who’s currently on the roster in 2025. Na was defeated by Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson won his singles and Ian Poulter and Sam Horsfield won their foursomes match. This will be the first time that Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson will be paired together for foursomes at the Team Championship.

    Reason for optimism: There’s no denying that the Majesticks had a poor season, but match play has historically been a strength for Poulter, Stenson and Westwood. Poulter has represented Europe in seven Ryder Cups (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021), with an overall record of 15-8-2, including an unbeaten 6-0-1 in singles matches. He was part of five winning European teams, earning the nickname “The Postman” for his ability to deliver under pressure. Westwood has a great deal of match play experience and holds the record for the most matches played for Team Europe (47), surpassing Nick Faldo in 2021. Stenson holed the winning putt for Team Europe in his Ryder Cup debut in 2006 at The K Club. He competed in five Ryder Cups (2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2018) and formed a formidable duo with England’s Justin Rose.

    Continue Reading

  • Nadeen Ayoub will be first model to represent Palestine at Miss Universe pageant

    Nadeen Ayoub will be first model to represent Palestine at Miss Universe pageant

    Model Nadeen Ayoub will become the first woman to represent Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant.

    “I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe. Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title—but with a truth,” she said in a statement on Instagram.

    The decision comes amid the continued criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza. Ayoub addressed the turmoil in her post.

    “As Palestine endures heartbreak — especially in Gaza — I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced,” she said. “I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see. We are more than our suffering — we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.”

    Ayoub said in a post on Tuesday that wearing the sash is an honor that “carries the weight of generations, the dreams of our daughters, and the strength of a homeland still standing with grace.”

    “This is for every Palestinian who rises despite the odds,” she said. “For every child who deserves a life of peace, dignity, and possibility. I walk with you. I speak for you. I carry Palestine in my heart and across every stage I step onto.”

    The 74th Miss Universe Competition will take place on Nov. 21 in Thailand.

    Continue Reading