with a kind of surge of gun—related violence linked to the global narcotics trade. an american congressman has warned that a reported test of a hypersonic missile by china should serve as a call to action. mike gallagher, who serves on the house of representatives armed services committee, said china had an increasingly credible capability to undermine us defences. the financial times says the device circled the globe in a low space—orbit before cruising towards its target. china has denied the report saying it was a routine spacecraft test. ford has announced a transformation of its plant at halewood on merseyside in a move that will secure hundreds ofjobs. the car maker is spending more than £200 million converting the factory to produce components for electric vehicles from 2024. it's part of plans to make its entire passenger vehicle line—up in europe electric by 2030.