World News | Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to Undergo Procedure at Walter Reed, Will Transfer Power to Deputy

Washington, May 25 (AP) Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will transfer power temporarily to his deputy, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Austin is continuing to deal with bladder issues that arose in December following his treatment for prostate cancer, Ryder said.

Also Read | Kabosu Dies: Popular Japanese Dog, Who Inspired Cryptocurrency Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Passes Away at 18.

The procedure he will undergo on Friday evening is elective and minimally invasive, “is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis,” the press secretary said.

Austin will transfer authority to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks while he is indisposed, the Pentagon said.

Also Read | Heat Wave in Pakistan: Severe Heat Like ‘Literal Hell’ Sends Thousands to Hospital in South Asian Country, Temperature Likely To Touch 51 Degrees on May 25.

Austin, 70, has had ongoing health issues since undergoing surgery to address a prostate cancer diagnosis. He spent two weeks in the hospital following complications from a prostatectomy. Austin faced criticism at the time for not immediately informing the president or Congress of either his diagnosis or hospitalization.

Austin was taken back to Walter Reed in February for a bladder issue, admitted to intensive care for a second time and underwent a non-surgical procedure under general anesthesia at the time.

The Pentagon has notified the White House and Congress, Ryder said. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)