Salt Typhoon telecom hackers are “not actively infiltrating information.”
That’s according to FBI Cyber division head Brett Leatherman, who told Cyberscoop that the China-linked hackers are “largely contained” and “dormant” in telecom networks.
Last year, The Wall Street Journal found that Chinese hackers targeted US officials in a breach of major telecom providers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Lumen Technologies. Cybersecurity officials later recommended that Americans use encrypted apps to make calls and send texts.
Hundreds of solar panels could be fitted to eight historic hydro power stations across the south west of Scotland.
Renewable energy giant Drax is exploring the option for its sites in Galloway and Lanark – some of which date back nearly 100 years.
If the plans go ahead they would meet the back-up power needs of the hydro sites which it currently pays to get from the local electricity grid.
The company said that although its proposals were at an early stage the potential impact was “significant”.
Drax
The solar panels would provide back-up power for the historic hydro power stations
Drax bought the hydro scheme – which provides enough energy to power more than 400,000 homes – in late December 2018.
The Lanark system is made up of two power stations – one at Bonnington near New Lanark and one at Stonebyres near Lanark.
It is one of the oldest in the UK and was commissioned in 1926.
The Galloway scheme opened nine years later and comprises six power stations at Drumjohn, Kendoon, Carsfad, Earlstoun, Glenlee and Tongland which run from north of Carsphairn to near Kirkcudbright.
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The Galloway scheme opened in 1935
Plant manager for Drax’s hydro-electric power schemes in Galloway and Lanark, Martin McGhie, confirmed its proposals.
“By generating renewable electricity on-site, we aim to power the schemes’ auxiliary systems sustainably, supporting the operation of the core power generation components at each plant,” he explained
“Although these proposals are still at an early stage and subject to final design work and planning approvals, the potential is significant.
“The solar installations could generate up to 482 MWh of clean electricity each year, enabling us to generate hydro power with solar energy, and further reinforce our commitment to renewable generation.”
Drax
The plants are dotted across the south west of Scotland
If they go ahead, the plans would see about 1,500 solar panels installed across the eight hydro power stations.
The panels would be fitted to the rooftops of the sites and be able to meet the auxiliary power needs of the facilities.
DUBAI: Stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Wednesday as investors monitored global trade developments ahead of the United States’ potential re-imposition of sweeping tariffs on July 9.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was not thinking of extending the July 9 deadline for countries to negotiate trade deals with the US, and continued to express doubt that an agreement could be reached with Japan.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index edged 0.1% higher, after two consecutive sessions of losses, helped by 1.7% rise in Saudi Arabian Mining Company.
The cautious mood dominating the region contributed to mixed sector performances, said Joseph Dahrieh, managing principal at Tickmill.
“Investors are awaiting further developments to gain more clarity, while low oil prices continue to pose a risk, despite a positive economic outlook,” he said.
Among gainers, oil giant Saudi Aramco rose 0.8%.
Oil futures edged up as Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and markets weighed expectations of more supply from major producers next month, while the US dollar softened further.
Dubai’s main share index dropped 0.4%, hit by a 1.3% fall in toll operator Salik Company.
Separately, Dubai commuters may soon have a new way to beat traffic, as Joby Aviation successfully completed the first test flight of its fully-electric air taxi in the emirate this week – a significant step toward the city’s goal of integrating airborne transport into its mobility network as early as next year.
In Abu Dhabi, the index eased 0.1%, while the Qatari index closed flat.
A report on Tuesday suggested that the US labour market stayed resilient in May, sharpening the focus on US nonfarm payrolls figures due on Thursday as investors try to gauge when the Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates next.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday reiterated the US central bank’s plans to “wait and learn more” before lowering rates.
KARACHI: In a major achievement on the economic front, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign reserves jumped by $5 billion to reach $14.51 billion end of the last fiscal year (FY25), surpassing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) target of $13.9 billion. Economists noted that this milestone was made possible through the joint efforts of the SBP and the federal government as they successfully stabilized the external sector by implementing prudent macroeconomic policies and securing timely external inflows.
According to provisional data released on Wednesday, SBPs foreign reserves rose by $5.12 billion during the last fiscal year. With the current increase, the foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP reached the $14.51 billion mark on 30 June 2025 increased from $9.39 billion as on June 30, 2024.
This surge is attributed to substantial foreign inflows received last week from international financial institutions and lenders. The State Bank received $3.1 billion in commercial loans on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, along with over $500 million in multilateral funding, significantly boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
SBP’s reserves drop over $2bn in a week on major debt repayments
Governor SBP Jameel Ahmed in January this year projected that despite massive external debt servicing, State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves will cross the $14 billion mark at the end of FY25.
Economists said that this significant surge reflects strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, driven by an improved current account balance, higher home remittances inflows, and disciplined fiscal management. “The recent inflows are expected to further boost confidence in Pakistan’s economic recovery and support ongoing efforts to ensure external stability and sustainable growth”, they added.
Muhammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities, said that thanks to the strong performance of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the government, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have exceeded the IMF’s target of $13.9 billion-a major achievement.
He described this as a positive signal for Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability, adding that the milestone reflects improved external account management, rising remittances, stronger exports, and disciplined policy implementation under IMF guidance.
It may be mentioned here that during the week ended on Jun 20, 2025, SBP foreign reserves decreased by $ 2.657 billion to $ 9.064 billion due to government of Pakistan’s external debt repayments, mainly repayment of commercial borrowing. However, SBP has successfully maintained the reserves by bringing over $5 billion inflows in a week.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab has begun finalising its protest strategy in the light of directives issued by PTI’s Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan, which is expected to be launched after Ashura “to resist the ongoing human rights violations in the country and to restore constitutional and legal order”.
According to the PTI Punjab, meetings are underway across different regions of the party under the supervision of Chief Organiser Punjab Aliya Hamza. Regional leadership is being consulted, and practical, on-the-ground strategies are being devised. To mobilise party workers, organisational office-bearers at the district, tehsil, and regional levels have been assigned responsibilities.
“In the face of this oppression and injustice, protest is now our only remaining option. The inhumane treatment and cruelty being inflicted upon PTI founder Imran Khan is condemnable and intolerable; detaining a political leader under such severe restrictions and in clear violation of human rights is the worst form of state oppression and political revenge,” it added.
According to the party, Khan is kept confined for 22 hours a day in a small, dark cell with no sunlight or fresh air. This is not merely imprisonment, but it is systematic mental and physical torture. As a result of this inhumane treatment, he is rapidly losing weight, and his health is deteriorating. Yet the extent of state oppression is such that he is not even allowed to meet his physician. To make matters worse, Khan has been completely isolated from his family, legal team, and party leadership. This represents a grim image of authoritarianism in Pakistan.
“This treatment of Pakistan’s greatest national hero is not only a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan and the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978 but also of the United Nations’ Nelson Mandela Rules. According to these regulations, every prisoner has an inalienable right to natural light and air, a balanced diet, daily exercise and walking, regular medical checkups, and meetings with family, lawyers, and associates. If a globally renowned leader, a former Prime Minister, and a national hero can be deprived of these basic rights, it raises a painful question for the entire world: is Pakistan truly a democracy or has it become a political torture chamber,” it said.
It’s nearly the end of the road for Warcraft Rumble. Blizzard has announced that it will no longer be developing new content for the free-to-play mobile strategy game, and instead focus on “regular, systemic in-game events and bug fixes.” The change comes as the rest of Microsoft’s business is in upheaval: The company is laying off as many as 9,000 employees across its global workforce.
Blizzard’s statement doesn’t get into the details of what motivated the decision, but is clear that Warcraft Rumble hasn’t been living up to expectations. The game “struggled to find its footing” relative to Blizzard’s ambitions, prompting the studio to explore different options to improve it over the last few years. “Some of that work showed signs of progress, but ultimately wasn’t enough to put the game on a path to sustainability,” Blizzard writes.
Warcraft Rumble was announced in 2019 as Warcraft Arclight Rumble. Much like Hearthstone, the game was a high-profile attempt to translate a popular Blizzard franchise into something that works on smartphones and tablets. Warcraft Rumble plays like a more flexible version of Clash Royale, where miniaturized armies face off in PVP or singe-player challenges, and the biggest strategic choices are when and where characters are placed.
Aftermath reports that winding down Warcraft Rumble is a direct result of the wider Microsoft layoffs effecting Blizzard. While some of the team who created new content for Rumble will be given new roles at the studio, others will be let go, according to a staff email sent by Blizzard president Johanna Fairies that Aftermath viewed. Blizzard’s public statement doesn’t acknowledge these layoffs beyond a mention that the studio is “focused on supporting [its] teammates,” which is telling in context.
While Warcraft Rumble will live on for now in a diminished state, some future Xbox games have been outright cancelled as a result of Microsoft’s restructuring, including Everwild and Perfect Dark. The bigger damage is the loss of talent. Greg Mayles, the lead designer on Donkey Kong Country and creative director of Sea of Thieves, is leaving Rare, according to Video Game Chronicle. ZeniMax Online Studios shared on X that director Matt Firor is also making an exit following the cancellation of the studio’s next MMO.
Angela Freeman has retired after 34 years at the Glasgow Film Theatre
With surreal films like Blue Velvet and his mind-bending TV series Twin Peaks, David Lynch often left audiences scratching their heads.
However the legendary director, who died earlier this year, was left bemused himself on a visit to Glasgow in 2007.
“He was bewildered by the smoking ban,” recalls Angela Freeman, the front of house manager at the GFT cinema that hosted the American filmmaker.
“He chain smoked, so I had to walk him and his main personal assistant round the block, past what was C & A at the time, so he could smoke a bit – I was thinking I can’t believe I’m walking down the road with David Lynch!”
An encounter with Lynch – one of Angela’s favourite directors of all time – was just one of many celebrity encounters during a 34 year career at Glasgow’s main independent cinema.
Angela finally stepped down from her role last week, having started at the film house at the tail end of the 1980s.
David Grinly
David Lynch attracted a huge crowd when he appeared in Glasgow in 2007
It was three decades that saw massive change to both the city and the cinema itself, as well as an array of A-list names visiting the cinema to promote their work.
And it often fell to Angela to look after them when they arrived – even if that meant finding a sandwich for a singing legend.
“Shirley Bassey came in with Sean Connery once. They’d been involved in a children’s film and they came in to watch a test screening together.
“That was surreal – my mum absolutely adored her, but I remember someone had to go out and get a tuna and sweetcorn sandwich for her during it!”
Alan Wylie
Quentin Tarantino at the GFT to promote his breakthrough film Reservoir Dogs
Then there were the names who arrived as bright young things, before going on to achieve huge fame and fortune in later years.
Angela recalls the GFT scoring a huge hit in 1992 by showing a brash, violent crime thriller, and securing a visit from its director to promote it.
The film was Reservoir Dogs and the director was Quentin Tarantino.
“He was quite young, and just delighted audiences were loving it so much. Several years later he came back, and that was a completely different experience – him coming in to do this red carpet experience, with all this security.
“Reservoir Dogs was unique for us. It shocked audiences at the time in a way they hadn’t experienced before – it was a real coup, but I know the council got a lot of complaints over us even showing it because of the violence.
“It made me feel that every young director we have come in here could go on to be a Tarantino.”
It wasn’t all glamour though. When Angela joined the staff the cinema had only just opened a second screen, and buckets were deployed across parts of the Rose Street building because of water leaking in constantly.
Angela moved from her native Liverpool to study at Edinburgh College of Art in 1985, and four years later headed west to Glasgow, going on to take a job at the GFT box office.
“All the ticketing was done manually, so you were stamping up tickets using the old fashioned ticket machines.
“I still remember the two ladies training me up with the box office floor just £10 or £20 notes as everyone paid cash – no-one used credit cards then. It was an amazing place.”
Reuters
Angela once served Willem Defoe as he popped into the cinema while passing by
It could be amazing in other ways, given you never quite knew who would walk in off the street.
“I was once working at the box office and Willem Defoe walked in. He was at the Tramway I think with his theatre group and he just walked in, full-length black coat on and soaking.
“He just wanted to see what was on. I was quite respectful, and didn’t want him to feel like I was starstruck. But I did acknowledge who he was and said it was amazing to meet them.
“There was a few like that, Ralph Fiennes and Neil Sedaka both just wandered in. Gillian Anderson came in regularly when filming House of Mirth, and Hugo Weaving was another one.”
GFT
The GFT is the main venue for the Glasgow Film Festival
Angela is proud of the cinema’s charitable status, and of special screenings for people with dementia and children with autism.
The biggest challenge came when managing the expansion of the building, as the famed Cafe Cosmo closed and a third screen was added.
“It was a big ask to try and remain open during the building phases”, she recalls.
“Every day I had to do a handover with the building manager, walk through it to know where the fire exits were and make sure everything was safe for the public.
“At the end of the day we went though it, and came out the other side.”
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A special screening of Withnail & I will mark Angela’s retirement
She is more circumspect when asked if any guests posed any particular challenges – though one actor, unidentified beyond the clue they starred in a massive 70s blockbuster, did give some headaches.
“You occasionally get diva behaviour. We had a film festival guest wanting the hotel switched as it was too hot, then he wanted to fly out a day early, which would have cost us something like eight grand.”
However, most of Angela’s memories are of the sweeter kind, while her retirement is being marked with the GFT screening one of her favourite films – Withnail & I – on Sunday.
She estimates she helped organise 12 weddings at the cinema over the years, including one with a theme based around the films of quirky director Wes Anderson.
The last nuptials she helped organise also proved poignant.
“There was a couple last year who had a video played on the big screen with various memories of their relationship, and the GFT featured a few times.
“I was sitting watching it getting emotional. It was lovely to see the impact the cinema has on people – it’s still all about bringing a group of individuals together to share in an experience.”
Microsoft says it is laying off about 9,000 workers, its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years.
The tech giant began sending out layoff notices Wednesday that hit the company’s Xbox video game business and other divisions.
Among those losing their jobs are 830 workers tied to Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, according to a notice sent to state officials Wednesday.
Microsoft said the cuts will affect multiple teams around the world, including its sales division, part of “organizational changes” needed to succeed in a “dynamic marketplace.” The company won’t say the total number of layoffs except that it was about 4% of the workforce it had a year ago.
READ MORE: Trump’s tariffs would cost U.S. employers $82.3 billion, potentially causing price hikes and layoffs
A memo to gaming division employees Wednesday from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said the cuts would position the video game business “for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas.”
Xbox would “follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness,” Spencer wrote.
Microsoft employed 228,000 full-time workers as of June 2024, the last time it reported its annual headcount. Its latest layoffs would cut fewer than 4% of that workforce, according to Microsoft. But it has already had at least three layoffs this year and it’s unlikely that new hiring has matched the amount lost. Either way, a 4% cut would amount to somewhere in the range of 9,000 people.
Until now, this year’s biggest layoff was in May, when Microsoft began laying off about 6,000 workers, nearly 3% of its global workforce and its largest job cuts in more than two years.
The cutbacks come as Microsoft continues to invest huge amounts of money in the data centers, specialized computer chips and other infrastructure needed to advance its AI ambitions. The company anticipated those expenses would cost it about $80 billion in the last fiscal year. Its new fiscal year began Tuesday.
Microsoft just last month cut another 300 workers based out of its Redmond headquarters, on top of nearly 2,000 who lost their jobs in the Puget Sound region in May, most of them in software engineering and product management roles, according to information it sent to Washington state employment officials.
Microsoft’s chief financial officer Amy Hood said on an April earnings call that the company was focused on “building high-performing teams and increasing our agility by reducing layers with fewer managers.”
The company has repeatedly characterized its recent layoffs as part of a push to trim management layers, but the May focus on cutting software engineering jobs has fueled worries about how the company’s own AI code-writing products could reduce the number of people needed for programming work.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said earlier this year that “maybe 20, 30% of the code” for some of Microsoft’s coding projects “are probably all written by software.”
The latest layoffs, however, seemed centered on slower-growing areas of the company’s business, said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.
“They’re focused more and more on AI, cloud and next-generation Microsoft and really looking to cut costs around Xbox and some of the more legacy areas,” Ives said. “I think they overhired over the years. This is Nadella and team making sure that they’re keeping with efficiency and that’s the name of the game in Wall Street.”
The trimming of the Xbox staff follows Microsoft’s years-long expansion of the business surrounding its gaming console, culminating in 2023 with the $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard — the California-based maker of hit franchises like Call of Duty and Candy Crush.
Before that, in a bid to compete with Sony’s PlayStation, it spent $7.5 billion to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Maryland-based video game publisher Bethesda Softworks.
Many of those game studios, which have locations across North America and Europe, were struggling with the layoffs Wednesday, according to social media posts from employees who announced they were looking for new jobs.
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