Mark Esper sworn in as US defence secretary

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 15:10

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.

More from International News

Ukraine says it hit Russia's bridge to Crimea with underwater explosives

Ukraine's SBU security service said on Tuesday that it had hit the road and rail bridge linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula below the water level with explosives.
At least 27 Palestinians killed near Gaza aid site; UN demands investigation

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, health officials said, in a third day running of chaos and bloodshed to blight the aid operation.
Russia sets out punitive terms at peace talks with Ukraine

Russia told Ukraine at peace talks on Monday that it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on its army size, according to a document reported by Russian media.
Portuguese police launch new search for Madeleine McCann in Algarve

Portuguese police have launched a new search for Madeleine McCann in Portugal's Algarve region where the British three-year-old disappeared in 2007, following a request from German authorities, the country's investigative Judicial Police (PJ) said on Monday.
Over 200 prisoners break out of Pakistani jail after earthquake panic

Over 200 prisoners escaped in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi late on Monday after they were permitted to leave their cells following a series of earthquake tremors, local officials and police said.

On Virgin Radio today

Non Stop Hits
Midnight - 6:00am

The UAE's #1 Hit Music Station with no interruptions
The Kris Fade Show
6:00am - 10:00am

Kris, Priti and Rossi host the UAE's biggest radio show. It's full of fun, laughs and it's Where The Stars Live.

Trending on Virgin Radio

If Craig David had a verse on Azizam
The legendary Craig David joins The Kris Fade Show for an unforgettable chat!
Middle East Hot 30
Every weekend Kris Fade plays the biggest tracks in the Middle East. Check out this weeks chart...
The Kris Fade Show Podcast
Not in the car so much while Kris, Priti and Rossi are on air? Check out the daily podcast here...
ARN News Centre
Get the latest UAE and world news from our award winning team of journalists. The ARN News Centre is the country's most trusted source of information.