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The United States has awarded Lockheed Martin a defence contract worth up to $58.6 billion to expand production of Patriot interceptor missiles, as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine continue to put pressure on American weapons stockpiles. The agreement, announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, is designed to strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities and ensure a steady supply of Patriot missiles over the coming years. The move comes after the United States supplied large quantities of military equipment to its allies while also using significant numbers of precision guided weapons during its own military operations against Iran. The new contract replaces an earlier one year agreement valued at $4.7 billion that was signed in April. It now establishes a seven year procurement framework covering the period from the 2026 to the 2032 fiscal years. According to the US Army, the longer term arrangement is expected to provide greater stability for production planning while helping manufacturers increase output to meet rising demand. The Pentagon has been urging defence companies to speed up production as global security challenges increase. Officials have been negotiating with major contractors throughout the year to secure higher manufacturing capacity for missiles and other critical military equipment. The administration of President Donald Trump has also increased pressure on defence firms to focus more heavily on fulfilling government contracts. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order directing officials to identify companies that were failing to meet contract obligations while continuing to reward shareholders. The administration has argued that expanding production is essential as the US seeks to replenish military inventories. Industry leaders have welcomed the government’s long term procurement strategy, saying it gives manufacturers greater confidence to plan future investments. However, they have also noted that Congress must approve the necessary funding before companies can fully expand production facilities and hire additional workers. Many of the final details surrounding Pentagon weapons contracts, including delivery schedules and production targets, are still being negotiated. The Patriot missile agreement follows a similar initiative involving RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, aimed at increasing production of Tomahawk cruise missiles. Under that plan, annual output is expected to rise dramatically from around 60 missiles to as many as 1,000 each year once production reaches full capacity. Lockheed Martin said the latest contract will support its long term investment plans and help the company significantly expand manufacturing. The company expects to triple production capacity for its PAC 3 MSE interceptor missiles by the end of 2030. It also plans to increase its workforce at its Camden, Arkansas, facility by about 50 percent, raising employment from roughly 1,200 workers to around 1,850. The defence contractor has also announced plans to invest between $8 billion and $9 billion through 2030 to modernise more than 20 facilities across the United States. The investment includes the construction of new munitions production centres in Alabama and Arkansas to support increased manufacturing. The PAC 3 MSE interceptor is one of the most advanced missiles used within the Patriot air defence system. It is designed to destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft through direct impact rather than carrying an explosive warhead. The system has become an important part of air defence operations in several regions facing growing missile threats. Concerns over US missile inventories have intensified in recent months. The Washington based Center for Strategic and International Studies recently estimated that the US military has fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptors and fewer than 250 THAAD interceptors remaining in its stockpile. Both systems have been heavily used during recent military operations in the Middle East while the United States has also continued supplying advanced air defence equipment to partners facing ongoing security challenges.

Chinese made robots are playing an increasingly important role in Britain’s retail industry as major companies turn to automation to improve efficiency, speed up online orders, and tackle ongoing labour shortages. From supermarkets to clothing retailers, robotic systems are becoming a common sight inside warehouses that process thousands of customer purchases every day. Many online orders in the UK now begin with small autonomous robots moving beneath storage shelves, lifting them, and transporting them to warehouse workers. These machines are produced by Chinese robotics company Geek+, which manufactures and tests its equipment at a factory in Hefei before exporting it to customers around the world. Several leading British retailers, including Tesco, Asda, and Next, have adopted the company’s technology. According to Geek+, the robots help businesses process orders faster, improve storage capacity, and reduce mistakes by automating repetitive tasks that would otherwise require significant manual labour. Unlike traditional warehouse automation systems that depend on fixed conveyor belts and expensive infrastructure, these mobile robots move independently using floor markers and safety barriers. This allows companies to introduce automation more quickly and with less disruption to existing warehouse operations. Geek+ has grown into the world’s largest supplier of autonomous mobile robots and expanded its international presence after listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange last year. Britain has become the company’s biggest European market, with its UK partner MotionTech deploying more than 2,000 robots across 10 warehouse sites. MotionTech says demand for automated warehouse technology continues to rise as businesses seek faster order processing while dealing with persistent labour shortages. Company representatives say customers want solutions that increase storage capacity, improve picking speeds, and reduce reliance on large workforces without sacrificing efficiency. The growing use of robotics comes as the United Kingdom continues to struggle with weak productivity growth. Economists have argued that wider adoption of automation will be necessary if businesses are to remain competitive in the years ahead. A recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development found that Britain has been slower than many other advanced economies in adopting robotics, despite its long industrial history. While British companies have embraced many digital technologies, the report said automation and robotics remain underused across much of the economy. Labour organisations have urged businesses to introduce new technology responsibly. The Trades Union Congress has argued that automation should improve working conditions and productivity rather than simply reduce employment. It has called for workers to be involved in decisions about automation and for companies to provide retraining opportunities as technology changes the workplace. China’s rapid progress in robotics reflects a broader national strategy aimed at strengthening advanced manufacturing. President Xi Jinping has identified robotics as one of the country’s key future industries, with automation expected to offset the effects of a shrinking working age population and support long term economic growth. Analysts say China’s leadership in robotics has benefited from its success in electric vehicle manufacturing. Many of the same technologies used in electric cars, including batteries, motors, cameras, sensors, and semiconductors, are now being applied to robotic systems, creating a strong industrial network that accelerates development. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng is among the companies expanding into robotics. The company has introduced a humanoid robot called Iron as part of its strategy to transform from a traditional carmaker into a broader technology company. Industry experts believe China’s robotics industry could follow a similar path to its electric vehicle sector by combining large scale manufacturing with rapid innovation. At the same time, competition in robotics has become increasingly tied to global politics. This week the United States announced restrictions on imports of new advanced foreign made robots, citing national security concerns. China criticised the decision, accusing Washington of using trade measures for political purposes. Looking ahead, Geek+ says it wants to move beyond transporting goods and eventually create fully automated warehouses where robots handle picking, moving, and packing products with minimal human involvement. While companies across China are investing heavily in humanoid robots capable of performing more complex tasks, experts believe these machines are still several years away from widespread commercial use. For now, wheeled warehouse robots remain the most practical solution for retailers. As British businesses continue searching for ways to improve productivity and overcome staffing shortages, warehouses across the country are becoming an important testing ground for China’s rapidly expanding robotics industry.

Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the country’s attorney general after a closely contested Senate vote. Blanche secured confirmation by 50 votes to 49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposing his nomination. Senator Bill Cassidy provided the crucial Republican vote in Blanche’s favour after saying he believed Blanche was the strongest candidate Trump was likely to nominate. The vote ended a prolonged dispute between the Trump administration and Senate Republicans over Blanche’s appointment. He had been serving as acting attorney general since April, after Pam Bondi was removed from the position. All Senate Democrats voted against Blanche’s confirmation. Several Republican lawmakers had questioned Blanche’s record and raised concerns about his involvement in a number of controversial matters. Among them was his handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his role in developing Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. The proposed fund was intended to compensate people who claimed they had been politically targeted or persecuted by the government. However, critics, including Murkowski, warned that the scheme could potentially benefit people prosecuted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. During his confirmation process, Blanche promised to abandon the proposed fund following opposition from Republican senators. Questions remain over whether that commitment would prevent the administration from introducing a similar programme under a different structure in the future. Murkowski said she opposed Blanche because she lacked confidence that he would be willing to challenge what she described as the administration’s worst impulses. She also expressed concern about the increasing politicisation of the Justice Department. Collins raised separate concerns over Blanche’s involvement in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Despite those reservations, she ultimately did not support his confirmation. Cassidy, meanwhile, said he trusted Blanche to provide Trump with independent and candid legal advice. He acknowledged that the president ultimately determines the direction of the Justice Department but argued that Senate confirmation would give Blanche greater authority to advise the administration and push back when necessary. Cassidy also said he did not want political disagreements to prevent the Justice Department from carrying out its responsibilities, particularly in combating violent crime. Blanche’s confirmation marks a significant development for the Trump administration, given his previous role as Trump’s personal lawyer. He was serving as deputy attorney general when he assumed the department’s temporary leadership in April.

Chinese authorities evacuated tourists from the famous Jiuzhaigou National Park on Monday after heavy rainfall triggered mudslides, forcing the temporary closure of parts of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The emergency came as the country issued its highest level warning for flash floods following widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Noul. Located in Sichuan province, Jiuzhaigou is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its crystal clear blue, green, and purple lakes, snow covered mountains, dense forests, and spectacular waterfalls. Every year, the scenic park attracts millions of visitors from around the world. State broadcaster CCTV reported that several major attractions inside the park had been closed to protect public safety while emergency teams evacuated stranded visitors. Authorities said the operation was carried out in an orderly manner and that tourists were being moved to safe locations. Local officials announced that sections of the Rize Valley above Arrow Bamboo Lake, including the lake itself, along with the entire Zechawa Valley, would remain closed until conditions improve. They said the restrictions were necessary because of the high risk of additional mudslides and unstable ground caused by continuous rainfall. The closures followed the impact of Typhoon Noul, the strongest storm to strike China this year. The typhoon brought torrential rain across southern and central regions, increasing the danger of flooding and landslides in several provinces. China’s Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a red alert for flash floods covering parts of Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and southeastern Xinjiang. A red warning is the country’s highest emergency level and indicates an extremely high risk of severe flooding. Mountainous areas across China are especially vulnerable during the summer rainy season. Steep slopes, river valleys, and saturated soil often combine to trigger landslides and mudslides after prolonged rainfall. This month’s severe weather has already caused a series of deadly disasters in different parts of the country. In Chongqing, a major landslide triggered by heavy rain killed at least 11 people, while around 50 others remain missing as rescue teams continue search operations. In Gansu province, another landslide in Tanchang county claimed at least 21 lives. Separate flash floods struck a scenic camping area in Weiyuan county, killing 10 tourists and injuring 23 others. In another incident, five people lost their lives after a house was buried beneath collapsing loess soil in Shanxi province. Emergency workers have been responding to multiple disasters as extreme weather continues to affect large parts of the country. China has now entered its annual peak flood control period, which runs from the middle of July to the middle of August. This is traditionally the time when the country experiences its heaviest rainfall and greatest flood risks. Weather experts have warned that rainfall is expected to become even more frequent and intense in the coming weeks. Forecasts suggest that northern China could receive between 20 and 50 percent more rainfall than average, raising concerns about further flooding, landslides, and disruptions to transportation and tourism. Authorities have urged residents and travelers to closely follow weather updates and avoid areas vulnerable to natural disasters as emergency teams remain on high alert.