Trials of vision-improving substances are showing good results, though so far only two have been authorized for use in the United States. The Stats don't lie: after age 65, most people will struggle to focus visually on close-up objects. You might have seen this among your friends and relatives or even experienced it yourself, holding books, magazines, or your phone farther away from your face to try to bring words and pictures into focus. Many of those affected start using reading glasses. But a new treatment could become available: eye drops.

Can Ukraine restore its pre-war borders? Is Russia testing NATO with aerial incursions in Europe? Boris Akunin is one of Russia's most popular authors. Erast Fandorin, his series of historical detective novels, has been adapted into feature films and TV miniseries. But he is also an enemy of the state, having been branded a "foreign agent" by the Russian authorities last year. Akunin, whose real name is Grigory Chkhartishvili, has been outspoken against President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Why have Spain, Italy sent ships to assist the Gaza flotilla? Israel's mass surveillance: Microsoft blocks the army from using its software United States tech giant Microsoft has cancelled some services it provides to the Israeli military over concerns it is violating its terms of service by using the firm's cloud computing software to spy on millions of Palestinians, the company's vice chair and president Brad Smith confirmed. Smith wrote in a Thursday blog post that the company had "ceased and disabled a set of services" to a unit within the Israeli Ministry of Defence in response to an August 6 joint investigation by The Guardian newspaper, +972 Magazine, and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call. Unit 8200 is the Israeli military's elite cyber warfare unit responsible for clandestine operations, including collecting signal intelligence and surveillance. The investigation by journalists revealed that following a 2021 meeting between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Unit 8200's leader Yossi Sariel, an agreement was reached to collaborate on moving large volumes of sensitive intelligence material into the company's Azure platform.

China is making and installing factory robots at a far greater pace than any other country. China is making and installing factory robots at a far greater pace than any other country, with the United States a distant third, further strengthening the East Asian nation's already dominant global role in manufacturing. There were more than 2 million robots working in Chinese factories last year, according to a report released Thursday by the International Federation of Robotics, a nonprofit trade group for makers of industrial robots. Factories in China installed nearly 300,000 new robots last year, more than the rest of the world combined, the report found. While Chinese factories have been using more robots, they have also gotten better at making them. The government has used public capital and policy directives to spur Chinese companies to become leaders in robotics and other advanced technologies such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

KKR Co-CEO Joe Bae says that if Japan doesn't invest in areas such as automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, the aging population and decline will become a bigger and bigger challenge for its success as a nation." KKR says Japan's aging population presents opportunities to invest in areas that tap artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to make the most of a shrinking workforce. We're looking for ways to invest in businesses and industries that fundamentally improve the productivity of Japanese workers," KKR Co-CEO Joe Bae said in an interview in Tokyo. If Japan doesn't invest in areas such as automation, robotics and AI, the aging population and decline will become a bigger and bigger challenge for its success as a nation." Bae is keen on technology or software companies that can help provide skilled labor or services to boost productivity and negate Japan's demographic trends.

Toyota has opened the doors to the first phase of Woven City, its experimental town meant to act as an incubator for technologies from autonomous driving to artificial intelligence. Woven City aims to serve as a test bed for the innovative technology the world's No. 1 automaker needs to regain its competitive edge in an industry dominated by battery-powered cars with sophisticated software. Still, it was unclear during a Thursday tour for media and stakeholders how the city might fit that requirement. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories.

Chinese drone experts have flown to Russia to conduct technical development work on military drones at a state-owned weapons manufacturer that is under Western sanctions, according to two European security officials and documents. The Chinese experts have visited arms maker IEMZ Kupol on more than half a dozen occasions since the second quarter of last year. During that time, Kupol also received shipments of Chinese-made attack and surveillance drones via a Russian intermediary, according to the documents and two officials. In September last year, it was documented that Kupol had developed a new drone, the Garpiya-3, in China with the help of local specialists, with specific details of the extensive involvement of Chinese experts in tests and technological work on military-use drones inside Russia now being reported for the first time. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.

Israeli strike on Yemen's Houthis reportedly kills eight The Israeli military says its air force has carried out its most powerful strike in Yemen in response to the Houthi movement's repeated drone and missile attacks on Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said dozens of its aircraft bombed targets belonging to the Houthis' security and intelligence services, and military in the capital Sanaa. The Houthi-run government's health ministry denounced what it called Israel's brutal crime, saying civilian facilities and residential buildings were hit and that eight people were killed. It comes a day after 22 people were injured, two of them seriously, in a Houthi drone attack in the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat. The Houthis have controlled much of north-western Yemen since they ousted the country's internationally recognised government from there 10 years ago, sparking a civil war.

Can Israel survive economic isolation? Why have Spain and Italy sent ships to assist the Gaza Sumud flotilla? Italy and Spain have decided this week to dispatch naval vessels to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla on its way to break Israel's siege of Gaza. The unprecedented move to support a flotilla headed towards the Palestinian enclave comes after repeated attacks against the Sumud Flotilla, including a drone attack early on Wednesday. Israel is widely believed to be behind the attacks.

Can Israel survive economic isolation? The activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla remain alert. Wednesday's drone attack on the vessels - heading towards Gaza to break Israel's siege on the Palestinian enclave - is not expected to be the last. As the flotilla, currently travelling in Greek territorial waters, nears Gaza, a larger Israeli attack is expected. Acar is experienced in spotting drones and assessing security risks, having previous experience trying to reach Gaza on June's Madleen flotilla, which Israel intercepted.