Senior US officials did not know for days that defence secretary was in hospital

US Pauses Weapon Shipments to Israel Over Rafah Invasion Concerns

US Pauses Weapon , Shipments to Israel , Over Rafah Invasion Concerns. Al Jazeera reports that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that the United States will pause weapon shipments to Israel amid growing international pressure. Al Jazeera reports that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that the United States will pause weapon shipments to Israel amid growing international pressure. While speaking before a U.S. congressional subcommittee, Austin said that that Biden administration had already paused “one shipment of high payload munitions.”. While speaking before a U.S. congressional subcommittee, Austin said that that Biden administration had already paused “one shipment of high payload munitions.”. The decision reportedly comes amid concerns about Israel's push to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah. We’ve been very clear … from the very beginning that Israel shouldn’t launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace, Lloyd Austin, United States Defense Secretary, via Al Jazeera. We’ve not made a final determination on how to proceed with that shipment [of weapons], Lloyd Austin, United States Defense Secretary, via Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reports that the paused shipment included 1,800 bombs weighing approximately 2,000 lbs each, and another 1,700 bombs weighing about 500 lbs each. Al Jazeera reports that the paused shipment included 1,800 bombs weighing approximately 2,000 lbs each, and another 1,700 bombs weighing about 500 lbs each. Senator Bernie Sanders welcomed the administration's decision to pause the shipment, but stressed that it “must be a first step”. The US must now use ALL its leverage to demand an immediate ceasefire, the end of the attacks on Rafah, and the immediate delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid to people living in desperation, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, via Al Jazeera. The US must now use ALL its leverage to demand an immediate ceasefire, the end of the attacks on Rafah, and the immediate delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid to people living in desperation, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, via Al Jazeera. Our leverage is clear. Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, via Al Jazeera. The decision comes amid criticism of the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel amid the war on Gaza, which already killed over 34,000 Palestinians. . The decision comes amid criticism of the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel amid the war on Gaza, which already killed over 34,000 Palestinians.

Top US Commander Reaches Israel As Iran Vows Retaliation After Consulate Attack| Oneindia News

Amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, General Erik Kurilla's visit to Israel aims to address security concerns following an Israeli airstrike in Syria. Iran's threats of retaliation and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's stern warning against Israel add to the volatility. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirms support for Israel's defense, while the US imposes travel restrictions on its personnel in Israel amid escalating regional tensions. #Iran #Israel #MiddleEast #Syria #AyotallahKhamenei #JoeBiden #BenjaminNetanyahu #IsraelIran #IsraelattacksIran #Israelattack #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews ~ED.101~HT.98~

US Rejects Gaza Genocide Claims Citing Zero Evidence, Asks Israel for Ongoing Aid Support| Oneindia

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rejects claims of genocide by Israel in Gaza but acknowledges the need for sustainable improvements. The remarks came during a Senate hearing, where concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions were raised. Efforts to press Israel to protect civilians continue amid ongoing conflict, with the US emphasising the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis. #UnitedStates #LloydAustin #IsraelGaza #Israel #Gazawar #Israelnews #Biden #Israelwar #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews ~ED.103~GR.123~

White House Issues New Rules on How Government Can Use AI

White House Issues New Rules , on How Government Can Use AI. White House Issues New Rules , on How Government Can Use AI. The policy was released by the White House on March 28, 'The Hill' reports. . It is intended to reduce AI risks within the government. According to a White House memo, federal agencies must now appoint a chief AI officer, add safeguards and issue reports about how AI is being used. . Those reports will also be made public, according to 'The Hill.'. However, some AI uses, such as those employed by the Department of Defense, do not require reports because they would be "inconsistent with applicable law and government policy.". Agencies will have 60 days to appoint a chief AI officer. Safeguards to protect Americans' rights and safety must be implemented by December. Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in on the development. I believe that all leaders from governments, civil society and the private sector have a moral, ethical and societal duty... , Vice President Kamala Harris, via call with reporters. ... to make sure that artificial intelligence is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm, while ensuring everyone is able to enjoy its full benefits, Vice President Kamala Harris, via call with reporters

This Day in History: US Withdraws From Vietnam

This Day in History:, US Withdraws From Vietnam. March 29, 1973. After eight years of an extremely unpopular war with North Vietnam, the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam. Peace talks between the U.S. and communist North Vietnam had begun in 1968, culminating with a peace agreement signed in January of 1973. Provision of the agreement included a ceasefire throughout Vietnam, the withdrawal of American troops and the release of POWs. 7,000 U.S. Defense Department civilians remained in Saigon to assist the South in their continued efforts against the North. The remaining U.S. civilians would be airlifted out of Saigon a year later when the city fell to the North. 58,000 American and an estimated 2 million Vietnamese lives were lost in the war

Biden faces silent Gaza protest at Martin Luther King Jr's college

Biden Asserts Executive Privilege Over Audio of Interview With Robert Hur

Biden Asserts Executive Privilege , Over Audio of Interview With Robert Hur. In February, Hur's yearlong investigation into whether President Biden mishandled classified documents ended without enough evidence to support criminal charges. In February, Hur's yearlong investigation into whether President Biden mishandled classified documents ended without enough evidence to support criminal charges. House Republicans were provided a transcript of Biden's interview with Hur, but they wanted the audio, which the DOJ denied. As a result, House Republicans were moving to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. On May 16, the Department of Justice told House Republicans that the president asserted executive privilege over audio from his interview with the special counsel. The move protects Garland from criminal exposure as GOP lawmakers seek to hold him accountable. Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte explained the DOJ's actions in a letter. The Attorney General must draw a line that safeguards the Department from improper political influence and protects our principles, our law enforcement work, and the people who carry out that work independently, without fear or favor, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter . The Committees seek to hold the Attorney General in contempt not for failing in his duties, but for upholding them, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter . With the information you now have, the Committees ought not to proceed with contempt and should instead avoid unnecessary and unwarranted conflict, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter . White House Counsel Ed Siskel also wrote a letter supporting the assertion of executive privilege. . The absence of a legitimate need for the audio recordings lays bare your likely goal—to chop them up, distort them, and use them for partisan political purposes, White House Counsel Ed Siskel, via letter