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☆ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rejects accusations Israel has committed genocide in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Rebecca Shabad | Mosheh Gains | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on President Biden's proposed budget request for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday said the U.S. has seen no evidence that Israel has committed genocide during its military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Asked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., whether that means Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza, Austin said again, "We don't have evidence of that." Earlier in the hearing, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., had asked the defense secretary if Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7 should be considered an act of genocide. "What we witnessed on Oct. 7, senator, was a horrific terrorist attack by Hamas," Austin said, adding it "certainly is a war crime."

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Biden's, Israel, Austin, Joe Biden's, Sen, Tom Cotton, Roger Wicker Organizations: Defense, Armed Services, Department of Defense, Capitol, Israel Defense Forces, Gaza Ministry of Health, United Nations, International Court of Justice, General Assembly Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Gaza, Israel, South Africa

☆ Biden administration officials believe Netanyahu’s claim a Rafah invasion date has been set is bluster
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Biden administration is dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pronouncement that a date has been set for a ground offensive into Rafah as bluster that is in no small part fueled by the Israeli prime minister’s tenuous political standing at home, senior administration officials told CNN. Privately, multiple senior administration officials chalked up Netanyahu’s pronouncement – which was followed Tuesday by a declaration that that“no force in the world” will stop Israeli troops from entering Rafah – to bravado. Israeli officials argue that four Hamas battalions remain in Rafah that must be taken out. Israeli officials did not provide comprehensive answers to the questions in the meeting, the sources said. Hamas would rebuild from the remaining battalions there, the officials told their US counterparts.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu’s, Israel, chalked, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, ”, Joe Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Defense Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, –, ” Biden, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Blinken, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Biden, Defense, “, Israel Defense Forces, US Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Washington

☆ Biden and Xi speak for first time since November summit amid global tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Mj Lee | Donald Judd | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It is about verifying, as the president says,” the official told CNN when asked about Xi’s pledge that Beijing will not interfere in the US’ 2024 election. The Biden administration plans to continue stressing to Beijing the US’ grave concerns about Chinese efforts to hack US critical infrastructure, the official said. “We would hope there would be a chance for another in-person meeting” in the near future, the senior administration official said. A Treasury official told reporters Monday she planned to have frank discussions on what the administration considers “unfair” trade practices from China. In January, Sullivan met with the Chinese foreign minister in Bangkok, and Blinken met with the Chinese official in Munich in February.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, ”, Antony Blinken, Xi, Xi –, Jake Sullivan, Vladimir Putin, “, Yellen, Janet Yellen, Sullivan, Blinken, Lloyd Austin, CNN’s Sam Fossum, Arlette Saenz Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Biden, CNN, Treasury, Defense Locations: Gaza, Ukraine, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, South, Taiwan Strait, China, Woodside , California, California, ”, Russia, Guangzhou, Bangkok, Munich

Still, officials from both countries described the meeting as “constructive” in a joint statement and said another, in-person meeting could take place as early as next week. The Israeli delegation included national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer, who chaired the meeting. Pentagon officials shared some of their alternatives for Rafah with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant when he was in town last week. Netanyahu has said he is undeterred by the Biden administration’s opposition to an invasion of Rafah. Vice President Kamala Harris left the door open last week for unspecified consequences for Israel if it decides to proceed.

Persons: Biden, Monday’s, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Jon, Brett McGurk, Jack Lew, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, “ It’s, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, Israel “, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, “, ” Still, Kamala Harris, Kevin Liptak, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, White, White House, State Department and Department of Defense, Biden, Pentagon, Israeli, United Nations Security, Netanyahu’s Locations: United States, Israel, Rafah, Gazan, Gaza, “, ”, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, New York

CNN —Israeli forces last week launched another military operation on Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, bringing the sprawling medical facility north of the enclave back into the spotlight. Here’s what we know:Why are the Israeli forces raiding Al-Shifa again? Palestinian residents leave the area with a few items after Israeli forces besiege the Al-Shifa hospital with tanks and heavy gunfire in Gaza City, Gaza on March 18, 2024. Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Getty ImagesResidents of the area around Al-Shifa told CNN there was heavy firing in the vicinity. Meanwhile a doctor who cared for patients trapped inside Al-Shifa told CNN he fears two severely malnourished siblings will not survive due to lack of care and medication.

Persons: Shifa, ”, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Israel, Dawoud Abo, –, Mohammad Al Shawwa, Al Shawwa, “, ” Al Shawwa, Al Shawwa’s, Dr Ali Alghaliz, Rafiq Dughmosh, Rafif Dughmosh, Alghaliz, Mahmoud, Rafiq, “ Rafiq, Dr Ali, ” Alghaliz, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, ” Ghebreyesus, Jake Sullivan, Lloyd Austin, Jacquelyn Martin, ” Sullivan, Samantha Power Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, Al, United Nations, IDF, Defense Ministry, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Shifa, Dawoud Abo Alkas, Getty, Islamic, Al Ahli Baptist Hospital, Aid, Health Organization, WHO, National, US, Pentagon, US Agency for International Development, USAID Locations: Al, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, “, –, Anadolu, Al Ahli, Israel’s, Shifa, Rafah, ”

☆ U.S. Defence Chief Reaffirms Support for Philippines, Chides 'Dangerous' Chinese Conduct
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and criticised as "dangerous" China's use of water cannon and disruption of a Philippine resupply mission last week. In a phone call on Wednesday with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, Austin "reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines" following Chinese obstruction at the Second Thomas Shoal "of a lawful Philippine resupply mission," said a statement from the Pentagon. Austin emphasised support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, it said. The Philippines routinely sends boats to the Second Thomas Shoal to deliver supplies to a small group of its soldiers posted to guard a warship that was intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago. The Philippines has been furious over what it calls repeated aggression by China's coastguard around disputed features located inside Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Gilberto Teodoro, Austin, Thomas, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty Organizations: . Defense, Philippine, Pentagon, China's coastguard Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Philippine, China, United States

☆ Israel has ‘no choice’ but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Benjamin Brown | Eugenia Yosef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Israel has faced criticism internationally ahead of its planned offensive on the southern Gaza city, in which more than one million people are currently sheltering. Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could “just move” out of Rafah and “move with their tents.”“There’s all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah,” Netanyahu said. “People move down, they can move up,” the prime minister added. Disagreements over the impending invasion of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza have driven relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden to a low. The White House said Wednesday that Netanyahu had agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the possible Rafah operation.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ We’ve, We’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel “, Said Khatib, Israel, Biden, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Gallant Organizations: Israel CNN, Israeli, ’, Wednesday, ”, Minister’s, Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Getty, UN Security, Security, CNN, Defense, National Locations: Haifa, Israel, Gaza, It’s, Jerusalem, Rafah, AFP, Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has agreed to reschedule a planned meeting with US and Israeli officials to discuss a possible operation in Rafah, the White House confirmed Wednesday, just days after Netanyahu canceled the delegation. “The Prime Minister’s Office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. During Wednesday’s briefing, the press secretary declined to say when the administration is hoping to reschedule the meeting, but emphasized it’s an “urgent” priority. Netanyahu canceled the delegation’s planned trip this week over objections to the US abstaining from a UN Security Council vote calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. An Israeli official told CNN they are in the process of rescheduling the visit to DC to hear US ideas for how to target Hamas in Rafah.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Karine Jean, Pierre said, we’re, Jake Sullivan, Tony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Bill Burns, ”, CNN’s Jennifer Hansler Organizations: White House, CNN, UN Security, US Locations: Rafah, Gaza, “ Rafah

☆ The US allowed a Gaza ceasefire resolution to pass at the UN. What does that mean for the war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Abbas Allawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Following several failed attempts over five months of Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council on Monday finally passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Israeli officials lambasted the resolution, saying they have no intention of ceasing fire. Israel criticized the language of the resolution, saying it doesn’t firmly tie a ceasefire to the freeing of the hostages held in Gaza. Oren Ziv/AFP/Getty ImagesIs the resolution binding on Israel? After the resolution passed, US officials went to great lengths to say that the resolution isn’t binding.

Persons: doesn’t, ”, United Nations Gilad Erdan, Israel Katz, ” Katz, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, Joe Biden, Gabriela Shalev, Louis Har, Oren Ziv, Matthew Miller, John Kirby, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Zhang Jun, Farhan Haq, VI, VII, Maya Ungar, ” Ungar, Yossi Mekelberg, ” Mekelberg, Ungar, ” Shalev, ” Biden, Dawoud Abu Alkas, Biden, Kamala Harris, Kirby, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Shalev, Israel Organizations: CNN, United Nations Security, Hamas, United Nations, Council, Foreign, US, UN, Hebrew, Getty, State Department, White, National Security, Crisis Group, ICG, Chatham House, Security Council, Assembly, Reuters, Washington, Israel’s Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Washington, Rafah, Israeli, Tel Aviv, UN, Brussels, East, North Africa, London, Al Shifa, Gaza City, Reuters Israel

☆ Israel defense minister’s meeting with Lloyd Austin comes at a delicate moment in push for US weaponry
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Gallant will be told that the various cases of weapons sales are being worked on, a senior administration official told CNN. “There is scrutiny, but no policy decision to deny” the provision of additional weapons to Israel, the official told CNN. But the defense secretary’s position on providing weapons to Israel has not shifted much since the war began, officials said. “If there is one, that would be something we would want to hear,” said the senior administration official who added that consequences for ignoring US urgings are increasingly being considered. Austin also told Gallant last week that Israel needs “to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah,” according to a Pentagon readout of their call.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Gallant, —, Joe Biden’s, Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, We’re, John Kirby, Israel, “, Patrick Ryder, ”, ” Gallant, Biden, Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, ” CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: US, Israel, Pentagon, UN, ” National Security, CNN, Austin, Israel Defense Forces, Foreign, State Department, Congress, Democratic Locations: Gaza, Israeli, Washington, Rafah, Israel, Lebanon, ”

☆ Lloyd Austin says US support for Ukraine remains resolute even as security aid remains stalled in Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ramstein Air Base, Germany CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized Tuesday that the US “will not let Ukraine fail,” as Congress continues to delay critical funding for Ukraine aid. “So, our message today is clear: The United States will not let Ukraine fail. This coalition will not let Ukraine fail. And the free world will not let Ukraine fail.”The trip is Austin’s first official trip abroad since his prostate cancer procedure in December. “And Ukraine continues to down Russian warplanes.”The future of supplemental aid in Congress remains unclear.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ”, Austin, Rustem Umerov, “, Russia “, ” Austin, Mike Johnson, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Johnson, Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Ramstein Air Base, Germany CNN — US, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ukrainian Defense, CNN, Russia, Russian Navy, Republican, ”, Pentagon, Army Locations: Germany, Ukraine, United States, Russia, Europe, “, Oklahoma

☆ Lloyd Austin Praises NATO Allies for Commitment to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Lara Jakes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With additional American aid still in doubt, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on Tuesday called for “creative, adaptable and sustainable ways” to continue arming Ukraine and praised European allies who were trying to bolster Kyiv’s military as the war against Russia entered a critical stretch. Mr. Austin, in Germany for the start of a semiregular meeting of nearly 50 nations who are supplying Ukraine’s forces, said that allies would “dig deeper to get vital security assistance to Ukraine.” He singled out Denmark, France, Germany and Sweden for recent donations of weapons and noted the Czech Republic’s efforts to provide 800,000 artillery shells — the first tranche of which could arrive on the battlefield within weeks. Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said Berlin would send Ukraine 10,000 rounds of badly needed artillery shells, 100 armored infantry vehicles and transport equipment in a new infusion of support worth 500 million euros, about $544 million. “Things are progressing sometimes in small steps, sometimes in larger steps, but the main thing is the constant supply of ammunition,” Mr. Pistorius told journalists in Germany, according to local news reports.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, ”, Boris Pistorius, Mr, Pistorius Organizations: Russia Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden, Czech, Berlin

☆ The once-forgotten flying wing has taken over the US's bomber fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ben Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Originally designed before America's entry into the Second World War, the YB-49 flying wing was intended to be America's first intercontinental bomber. US Air ForceThe flying wingThe YB-49 was the final iteration of a flying wing bomber concept created by legendary aircraft designer Jack Northrop, founder of the Northrop Corporation. A larger test aircraft, the N-1M, was tested in July of 1940, proving the potential of the flying wing design. The problems with aerial instability could now be solved by computers utilizing fly-by-wire technology and differential thrust, and so a flying wing design was submitted. In order to maintain a powerful bomber force and to keep up with technological innovation, the Air Force launched the Long Range Strike Bomber program in 2011.

Persons: —, Northrop Grumman, Jack Northrop, Northrop, Dunne, elevons —, William Lewis, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Service, US Air, US Air Force, Northrop Corporation, United States Army Air Forces, US Army Air Forces, Britain, USAAF, Air Force, Flag, Nellis, Nellis Air Force Base, Raider, Technology Bomber, Northrop, ATB, Defense Locations: Nazi, Europe, British, Jan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya

☆ Nuclear War: The Rising Risk, and How We Stop It - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( W.J. Hennigan | W.J. Hennigan Writes About National Security For Opinion. | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The United States estimates Russia has a stockpile of up to 2,000 tactical nuclear warheads, some small enough they fit in an artillery shell. But the detonation of any tactical nuclear weapon would be an unprecedented test of the dogma of deterrence, a theory that has underwritten America’s military policy for the past 70 years. Possessing nuclear weapons isn’t about winning a nuclear war, the theory goes; it’s about preventing one. If Mr. Putin dropped a nuclear weapon on Ukraine — a nonnuclear nation that’s not covered by anyone’s nuclear umbrella — what then? Many in the administration believed the Kremlin’s dirty bomb ploy posed the greatest risk of nuclear war since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Persons: Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Lloyd Austin, Russia Sergei Shoigu, Britain Ben Wallace, Defense Turkey Hulusi Akar, Sebastien Lecornu, General Austin, Mark Milley, Biden, Putin’s, William J, Burns Organizations: United, of American, NATO, Defense, State, Defense Turkey, National Defense, Defense Minister American, Russian, Biden, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Moscow, White House, State Department, The Energy Department, Strategic Command, ’, Pentagon, Unmute Defense, Central Intelligence Agency Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Kharkiv, Kherson, Russian, U.S, Crimean, Moscow, Poland, China, India, Turkey

☆ Republicans slam Defense Secretary Austin's 'unacceptable' handling of hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a House Armed Services Committee hearing about his failure to disclose his cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 29, 2024. Republicans grilled U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a hearing Thursday about the handling of his January hospitalization following his cancer diagnosis. Thursday's hearing centered around why the Deputy Defense Secretary and the White House were not immediately informed that Austin was hospitalized after complications arose from surgery to treat his prostate cancer. ... As you know, I've apologized, including directly to the president, and I take full responsibility," Austin said at Thursday's hearing. The Defense Department's inspector general is also conducting a review of the incident.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Defense Lloyd Austin, Mike Rogers, Austin, Michael Waltz, she's, you've, I've, Joe Biden, Jim Banks, Adam Smith Organizations: Defense, Armed, Capitol, Pentagon, House Armed Service Committee, Deputy Defense, White, Republicans, Armed Services Committee Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Ukraine

☆ US expected to reduce forces near to Middle East by removing Marine rapid response force from Mediterranean Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A Marine rapid response force is expected to leave the eastern Mediterranean Sea in the coming weeks and return to the United States, according to two defense officials, in a significant reduction of US forces in the region. The Marine rapid response force first deployed in July and was sent to the region in October. It had previously been extended to remain in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, as CNN reported. The US has maintained an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea since shortly after the October 7 attacks in Israel. The Ford carrier strike group, which had been extended several times, left the eastern Mediterranean Sea in early-January, replaced by the Bataan amphibious ready group and the Marine rapid response force.

Persons: “, hasn’t, ”, Sabrina Singh, Dwight D, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R Organizations: CNN, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Pentagon, Marines, MEU, Eisenhower, Red Sea, Navy, Ford, US, Bataan Locations: United States, Bataan, Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Red, Yemen, Gulf, Oman, Lebanese

☆ U.S. and British strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen answer militants’ surge in Red Sea attacks on ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which is currently in the Red Sea, officials said. President Joe Biden and other senior leaders have repeatedly warned that the U.S. won't tolerate the Houthi attacks against commercial shipping. During normal operations, about 400 commercial vessels transit the southern Red Sea at any given time. The Rubymar, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo vessel, was attacked while sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Associated Press, relying on satellite images from Planet Labs PBC of the stricken vessel, reported Tuesday that the vessel was leaking oil in the Red Sea.

Persons: Dwight D, Lloyd Austin, Grant Shapps, Shapps, Joe Biden, haven't, We've, Sabrina Singh, we've, Mason, Abdul Malik al, Hope Organizations: US Coast Guard, US Central Command, U.S, Eisenhower, Defense, Yemeni Armed Forces, RAF, Islander, Hamas, Houthi, Aden , U.S . Central Command, Central Command, Khorfakkan, United, Command, Associated Press, Planet Labs PBC Locations: Iran, Yemen, Tampa , Florida, United States, U.S, Gulf of Aden, British, Red, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Gaza, Aden , U.S, Asia, Europe, Africa, Suez, Mandeb, Gulf, Aden, Palau, Belize, Lebanese, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates

☆ Ukraine war live updates: 13 Russian missiles shot down as Kyiv comes under fire; Zelenskyy vows to 'clear the Black Sea'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday said Washington would continue to support Ukraine, amid uncertainty over whether the House of Representatives will pass a bill to provide Kyiv with $61 billion worth of aid. And America will continue to support Ukraine's principled fight against Putin's imperial aggression," Austin said. Austin was speaking virtually at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which was formed in April 2022 to coordinate support for Ukraine and discuss developments in the war. It comes as tensions over funding for further aid for Ukraine have reached boiling point in the U.S., with various Republican lawmakers opposing a bill that would provide monetary support to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Austin also said supporting Ukraine was central to national security interests and that the outcome of the war would "define global security for decades."

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, Sophie Kiderlin Organizations: Defense, Wednesday, Ukraine Defense Contact Locations: Washington, Ukraine, United States, America, U.S, Israel, Taiwan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black History Month, often a time to recognize the contributions of African Americans in U.S. history, was marked in the nation’s capital this week with a focus on present divides and the November election when Black turnout will be integral to the outcome. A few hours later, Republicans held a reception in Washington's U Street neighborhood, a key part of Black history in the city, to celebrate former GOP officials and activists who have engaged Black voters. The White House has taken Black History Month as an opportunity to highlight the administration's efforts on priorities such as education, voting rights and jobs. Republicans held their own Black History Month celebration later that evening with about 100 people. And party officials and strategists stress that its emphasis on Black voters extends beyond a single month of events.

Persons: Biden, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden's, Terri Sewell, Sewell, ”, Ronna McDaniel, they’re, ” McDaniel, Steve Horsford, Donald Trump, Nick Fuentes, “, Donald Trump’s, Michael Tyler, they’ll, Trump, Harris, Lloyd Austin, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Jim Clyburn, Quenton Jordan, Ken Blackwell, we've Organizations: WASHINGTON, Black, White, Republicans, GOP, Democratic, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, “, Republican, RNC, ”, Congressional Black Caucus, Donald Trump’s Republican Party, Biden, Defense, Supreme, Democratic National Committee, South Carolina Rep, Civil Rights, Ohio Republican Locations: Selma, Alabama, Black, ” Nevada, Mar, South Carolina, Ohio

In his opening remarks to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a regular gathering of about 50 member countries that coordinate military support for Ukraine, Austin said Wednesday he’d intended to be with the group in person, “but I had to return to the hospital for non-surgical procedures." Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Monday after being treated for a bladder issue. The Pentagon has been out of funds to send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine since December. Since then European allies have continued to send some support but the loss of regular shipments of ammunition to Ukraine is having an impact. The Pentagon has argued that the Ukraine and Israel funding package is also good for the U.S. economy.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, he’d, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ukraine, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Pentagon, West Bank Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Israel, U.S, Taiwan, China, Gaza

☆ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is released from hospital and resumes duties
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Zoë Richards | Mosheh Gains | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin takes questions during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 1, 2024. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital Tuesday after he was admitted to a critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center this week following hospitalization for a bladder issue. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital Tuesday after he was admitted to a critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center this week following hospitalization for a bladder issue. The Defense Department said in a news release that Austin was released from the hospital in Washington in consultation with medical staff members at about 3:30 p.m. Austin had transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on Sunday, the day he was hospitalized.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, Sabrina Singh, John Maddox, Walter Reed's, Gregory Chesnut, Kathleen Hicks, Hicks Organizations: US, Pentagon, Washington , D.C, Walter Reed National Military Medical, The Defense Department, NATO, Ukraine Defense Contact, Joint Chiefs, Staff, White, American, Armed Locations: Washington ,, Washington, Brussels, Ukraine

☆ Lloyd Austin: Defense Secretary expected to be released from hospital later on Tuesday, Pentagon says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to be released from hospital later on Tuesday after being treated for a bladder issue, Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said. “Secretary Austin is still at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition. Deputy Secretary (Kathleen) Hicks continues to retain the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense at this time. However, we anticipate Secretary Austin will be released from the hospital later today,” Singh said. Singh added that the bladder issue that hospitalized Austin on Sunday was not related to the prostate cancer diagnosis he received in December.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Sabrina Singh, Austin, Kathleen, Hicks, ” Singh, Singh, “, ” Austin, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: CNN, US, Pentagon, “, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Defense, Contact, White, American

☆ Nikki Haley says she thinks President Joe Biden should resign
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Ebony Davis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Tuesday said she thinks President Joe Biden should resign, as it would be in “the best interest of the country.”Asked by radio host Hugh Hewitt during an interview if she believes the president should step down, Haley responded: “Yes, I do.”“I think the Democrat Party knows that and I think that it is not just in the best interest of their party. It’s in the best interest of the country. What I will tell you – and I have said this from the very beginning – the party that gets rid of their 80-year-old candidate is the party that will win,” Haley said. The former South Carolina governor has frequently taken digs at Biden, who is 81, and former President Donald Trump, 77, over their age, arguing they are both too old to serve another four years as president. Haley, 52, has also been adamant about calling for term limits and mental competency tests for any politician over the age over the age of 75.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Joe Biden, Hugh Hewitt, Haley, ” Haley, “, Lloyd Austin, Biden, Robert Hur’s, Donald Trump Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democrat Party, South Locations: South Carolina

☆ Secretary Austin cancels Brussels trip for Ukraine, NATO meetings after hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled a trip to Brussels this week where he was set to attend meetings related to Ukraine's defense and NATO, after his emergency hospitalization over the weekend. Austin was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday afternoon due to "emergent bladder issues." The Defense secretary has been fighting prostate cancer and recuperating from surgery over the past few months. President Joe Biden is "not at all" concerned with Austin's ability to continue serving as Defense secretary, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday. Austin later transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on Sunday evening.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Aden Duale, Donald Trump, Austin, Walter, Walter Reed doctors, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Biden, Doctors, Kathleen Hicks Organizations: Defense, Kenyan Defense, Pentagon, NATO, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Security Locations: Arlington , Virginia, Brussels, Ukraine, Austin

☆ Defense secretary taken to hospital for symptoms of ‘emergent bladder issue,’ admin officials notified, Pentagon says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for symptoms “suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” and administration officials have been notified, the Pentagon said Sunday. Austin was taken by his security detail to the hospital at approximately 2:20 p.m., Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement. The White House and Congress have been notified of the hospital visit, as have the deputy defense secretary and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. As of now, Austin retains the duties of his office, Ryder said, though Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks is ready to assume the duties if required. Austin traveled to the hospital with unclassified and classified communications systems that are required for his duties.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Walter, Austin, Pat Ryder, “, ” Ryder, Ryder, Kathleen Hicks Organizations: CNN —, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Pentagon, House Locations: Austin

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