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.
Shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach kills 12
Police hold person of interest after Brown University shooting leaves two dead
Hamas says Israel's killing of senior commander threatens ceasefire
Ukraine's Zelenskyy ditches NATO ambition ahead of peace talks
Thailand declares curfew along coast as Cambodia border fighting spreads
