Palantir Technologies Inc. raised its forecast for adjusted profit in 2023 and authorized a $1 billion share buyback

Special glasses marketed to filter out blue light likely do not make any difference to sleep quality or eye strain from computer use, according to a new review of studies. Blue-light blocking spectacles have been increasingly recommended, often by optometrists, since the early 2000s. Eye patients are frequently prescribed these lenses in many parts of the world with a range of marketing claims existing about their potential benefits. Some of these claims include that the special glasses may reduce eye strain associated with digital device use, improve sleep quality, and also protect the retina from light-induced damage. However, researchers, including those from the University of Melbourne in Australia, say there is “substantial debate” about whether blue-light filtering spectacle lenses have merit in ophthalmic practice. The research, published in the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, assessed data from 17 clinical trials on the benefits offered by these glasses for improving visual performance, providing protection to the retina, and improving sleep quality. The review assessed data from individual studies from six countries, each including five to 156 participants, and the period of time over which the lenses were assessed ranging from less than one day to five weeks. Researchers found that there may be “no short-term advantages” with using blue-light filtering spectacle lenses to reduce visual fatigue associated with computer use, compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses. They say it is also currently unclear whether these lenses affect vision quality or sleep-related outcomes. The research review could also draw no conclusions about any potential effects on retinal health in the longer term. “People should be aware of these findings when deciding whether to purchase these spectacles,” study co-author Laura Downie said. “Our findings do not support the prescription of blue-light filtering lenses to the general population. These results are relevant to a broad range of stakeholders, including eye care professionals, patients, researchers and the broader community,” Dr Downie added. However, scientists said the quality and duration of the individual studies part of the review also needs to be considered. “High-quality, large clinical research studies with longer follow-up in more diverse populations are still required to ascertain more clearly the potential effects of blue-light filtering spectacle lenses on visual performance, sleep and eye health,” Sumeer Singh, another author of the study, said. The potential mechanisms by which these lenses might help with eye strain, sleep, and protecting the retina are also unclear, scientists say. “The amount of blue light our eyes receive from artificial sources, such as computer screens, is about a thousandth of what we get from natural daylight,” Dr Singh said. “Filtering out higher levels of blue light would require the lenses to have an obvious amber tint, which would have a substantial effect on colour perception,” he added. But the new research did not find any consistent reports of adverse side effects from using blue-light filtering lenses. Read More A bed bugs epidemic is sweeping the UK – this is why AI can predict Parkinson’s subtype with up to 95% accuracy, study suggests The return of schedules: How parents can make the most of back-to-school energy

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is not expecting Luke Shaw to make a return to action before the next international break. Left-back Shaw has not played since the 2-0 loss at Tottenham on August 19, United’s second fixture of the season, due to a muscle injury – sitting out nine club games as well as four England matches. Ten Hag’s men are set to play seven times between now and England’s next game, against Malta on November 17. United have been blighted by injuries in defence, with right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka another who has been sidelined since sustaining an injury against Brighton on September 18. Ten Hag said: “Of course they are closer. (But) for Luke Shaw, I don’t expect him back in this block of games. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, I don’t think he’s too far away from returning to team training and so back in the team.” United travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on Saturday night without Casemiro, who emerged from Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela last Friday and Uruguay five days later with an injury. “In the first game he came off but then he played the second game, it was an important one,” Ten Hag said of the midfielder, who is suspended for next Tuesday’s Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen. “I’m sure that game didn’t help him, but it’s a small injury, he’ll return (from Brazil) next week, it will be healed and then he’s ready for our next (league) game (against Manchester City), I’m sure.” United do have defensive pair Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon available again after injury lay-offs, while Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez are other defenders still sidelined alongside Shaw and Wan-Bissaka. Ten Hag – whose side have lost six times in all competitions this term and are 10th in the Premier League – has stressed of injuries that he will “never use it as an excuse” but believes it has not helped new goalkeeper Andre Onana settle after a number of mistakes since his summer arrival from Inter Milan. “Of course when every time you have a different defending line in front of you it is not helpful… but you have to deal with it,” Ten Hag added. “But it didn’t help for the results and it didn’t help his integration, absolutely.” Ten Hag has said defender Victor Lindelof is “ready” to play against Sheffield United after his distressing experience earlier in the week. Lindelof captained the Sweden side whose Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium in Brussels on Monday was abandoned after two Swedish fans were shot dead and another injured three miles from the stadium. Ten Hag also indicated there has been no change in terms of Jadon Sancho, who has been training away from the first team, with the club having said that is “pending resolution of a squad discipline issue”. England’s 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday saw Marcus Rashford score a fine goal – having netted only once previously this season – and Harry Maguire play the full duration in defence. Ten Hag said: “I enjoyed the (performances from the) players involved from us – you saw the qualities. The form the last games was maybe not that good, but I’m sure I will back them, I trust them, I believe in them and I’m sure they’ll be back in very good shape.” United head into Saturday’s match amid considerable talk about their ownership situation, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim last weekend understood to have ended his attempt to buy the club, while INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly looking to purchase a 25 per cent stake that could see him take over football operations. Ten Hag said he had not spoken to co-chairman Joel Glazer. “In this moment I’m not involved so I don’t know. What I know are the agreements I made once I signed this contract,” he said. “Until I hear anything I just keep focusing on my job, in this structure, and that is winning games and get the best out of the season.” Read More Mauricio Pochettino hails Reece James’ leadership and defends captain after ban I don’t remember – Pep Guardiola denies tipping Roberto De Zerbi as successor FIFA hands two-year doping ban to World Cup winner Papu Gomez Rotherham’s game with Ipswich off and Scottish matches postponed due to storm It is bad news – Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi expects Man City to bounce back Kevin Sinfield calls on England to empty tanks against South Africa

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Russian schoolchildren are to be taught the basics of operating combat drones as part of a push by Vladimir Putin to "cultivate a culture of militarised patriotism", the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said the lessons will include "how to conduct terrain reconnaissance and ways to counter enemy uncrewed aerial vehicles" as part of a revised "Basics of Life Safety syllabus" for year 10 and 11 students to be taught from September. The syllabus also includes assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid. It comes as the Russian Defence Ministry claimed to have intercepted and destroyed two drones in Moscow in the early hours, with reports that their fragments were found about a mile from the ministry’s building. Russia, as ever, has blamed Ukraine for the attack – although Kyiv is remaning silent on the matter. Moscow has faced a number of such attacks in recent months, an embarrassment for the Kremlin, despite it using such incidents to try and build support for its invasion among Russian citizens Read More Ukraine’s ambassador to UK sacked after Zelensky ‘sarcasm’ row Why Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s ports matter for us all Russian pro-war Putin critic Igor Girkin facing charges of inciting extremism in latest Kremlin crackdown Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s fuel margins have more than doubled since start of Ukraine war

Ukraine has denied direct involvement in a series of early morning drone attacks in Moscow that brought the war to the heart of Russia. Sergei Sobyanin, the capital’s mayor, said that two people were hurt - but not seriously injured - in the strikes. Buildings were also damaged. It was the first time Moscow has been targeted by multiple drone attacks since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his illegal invasion of Ukraine on 24 February last year. The strikes came as Russia launched another round of attacks on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, where one person has been killed and four injured by falling debris. Where did the strike attacks take place? Residents in Moscow - which is about 530km from the most northwesterly point in Ukraine, beyond the city of Sumy - reported hearing explosions around 6:24am and 6:58 local time. Some filmed a drone being shot down and a plume of smoke rising over the Moscow skyline. Early media reports said that as many as 30 drones had been involved in the attack - Russia’s defence ministry said it shot down eight. RBC reported that three buildings had been hit by the drones: two near southern Moscow’s Leninsky Prospekt, and a third in the town of Moskovskiy, close to Vnukovo Airport. The areas are known to be some of the more wealthy neighborhoods in the Russian capital. A senior Russian lawmaker said three of the drones had been downed over the capital’s exclusive Rublyovka suburb, which is home to Russia’s political and business elite and where Mr Putin has an official residence. Where did the drones come from? Drones, remote-controlled or preprogrammed, have been used extensively in battle to gather intelligence, direct artillery strikes and, to a lesser extent, drop explosives. It remained unclear on Tuesday afternoon where exactly the drones used in the attack on Moscow had been launched from. There are many different types of drones and Ukraine has several at its disposal, including the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, which has been used by Kyiv’s troops on Russian targets. Ukraine also has Switchblade drones, Phoenix Ghost drones and DJI Mavic 3 drones. According to the Military Today website, the TB2 has a range of up 300km (186m). The Switchblade drones have a range of over 40km (24m) and the Phoenix Ghost has a similar range. The DJI Mavic 3 drone have a range of around 15km. Was it the first drone attack on Russia since the invasion? There have been sporadic drone attacks on targets in Russia since February last year, although those on Tuesday morning were the first multiple strikes aimed at the capital. Earlier this month an oil storage depot in Russia exploded after coming under attack from a drone. A tank containing tons of fuel burst into flames at a port near Volna village on the Black Sea, close to a key bridge linking Russia to the annexed Crimea peninsula, on 3 May. Ukraine also denied direct responsibility for that strike. What has Russia said? Russia’s defence ministry blamed Ukraine for what it called a "terrorist" attack and claimed it had shot down all of the drones. The defence ministry said that eight drones had attacked the Russian capital. Baza, a Telegram channel with links to the security services, said that more than 25 drones were involved. Later on Tuesday Russia’s foreign ministry Tuesday said it reserved the right to take the most "severe measures" in response to a drone attack on the capital Moscow earlier in the day. "Assurances by NATO officials that the Kyiv regime will not launch strikes deep into Russian territory prove to be completely hypocritical," the ministry said in a statement. "Russia reserves the right to take the harshest possible measures in response to the terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime," it added. What has Ukraine said? Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv was watching the strike "with enjoyment" and predicted more such attacks, even as he denied Ukraine’s involvement. Read More Watch live: Kyiv mayor visits attack sites after overnight strikes Ukraine-Russia war – live: Drone attack hits Moscow after Putin targets Kyiv again Ukraine warns of revenge attacks after wave of Russian missile strikes on Kyiv The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

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Standout rookie C

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Five European Union countries will extend their ban on Ukrainian grain to protect their farmers’ interests