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full screen US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks is stepping in for the regular, Lloyd Austin, who has been hospitalized again. Archive image. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP/TT
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s duties will be temporarily taken over by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, the Pentagon, US Defense Headquarters, announced.
Austin had surgery before Christmas for prostate cancer. Around the turn of the year, he was hospitalized due to complications after the procedure, and on Sunday he was rushed to hospital for bladder problems.
The initial announcement from the Pentagon was that he would continue in service, but that quickly changed. He is now receiving care.
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