A new US Secretary of Defence has been sworn in, ending the longest period that the Pentagon has gone without a confirmed leader in its history.
Mark Esper is an Army veteran and former defence industry lobbyist.
He replaces Jim Mattis who stepped down 7 months ago, after a series of policy disputes with President Donald Trump.
Trump initially nominated Patrick Shanahan, who served as acting secretary of defence until the disclosure of domestic violence incidents within his family caused the former Boeing executive to withdraw from the nomination process in June.
Kuwait International Airport suffers 'significant damage' after drone attacks
UN establishes task force to address Hormuz navigation challenges
Worker injured in drone attack on Oman's Salalah port, crane damaged
Bahrain contain fire at 'facility' after Iran attack
Rubio says Iran war to last 'weeks not months'; no ground troops needed
Indonesia imposes restrictions on social media for those under 16
NASA's Artemis astronauts enter final preparations for Moon mission
Iran-linked hackers breach FBI director's personal email
