US defense chief apologizes for concealing cancer hospitalization

Austin effectively vanished from the public eye in late December and early January after suffering complications from treatment for minor prostate surgery on December 22.

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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin takes questions during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2024. Austin apologized for concealing his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalization from US President Joe Biden and the rest of the government. (AFP)