UK names Grant Shapps as new defence secretary

News Snapshot:

Grant Shapps was on Thursday appointed UK defence secretary, succeeding Ben Wallace who formally stepped down after a key role shaping the country's military backing for Ukraine against Russia. Wallace, a popular lawmaker once tipped as a potential party leader, was the longest-serving Conservative defence secretary since Winston Churchill. He had announced in a newspaper interview in July that he would step down before the next government reshuffle and not contest the next general election, which is expected in 2024. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office announced Shapps' appointment, around an hour after he was seen entering 10 Downing Street. Shapps...