Latest Lloyd Austin News
Middle East latest: US won't halt any weapons to Israel over Gaza humanitarian aid situation
Eight international aid groups said Tuesday that Israel has failed to meet U.S. demands for greater humanitarian access to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, where hunger experts say the north may already be experiencing famine. However, the Biden administration said Tuesday it won't limit...
US will appeal judge's ruling that 9/11 defendants can plead guilty and avoid the death penalty
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department will appeal a military judge's ruling that plea agreements struck by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and two of his co-defendants are valid, a defense official said Saturday. The ruling this past...
Pentagon chief presses military to carry out a smooth transition and obey all lawful orders
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed the military on Thursday to carry out a smooth transition to President-elect Donald Trump, with a reminder to the force of its obligation to follow the lawful orders of the next commander in chief. While such memos are...
Middle East latest: Large airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs as Israel expands northern Gaza operations
Several large airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early Thursday, including one on a site adjacent to Lebanon’s only international airport. The Israeli military had issued an evacuation notice for the site, saying Hezbollah facilities were there, without giving more details. ...
Plea deals revived for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others
WASHINGTON (AP) — A military judge has ruled that plea agreements struck by alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants are valid, voiding an order by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to throw out the deals, a government official said. The official spoke...
Middle East latest: Israel ends agreement with UN agency providing aid in Gaza
Israel said Monday that it has terminated the agreement facilitating the work of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, in what appeared to be a step to implement legislation passed last month that would sever ties with the agency and prevent it from operating in...
US gives Israel a 'fail' grade on improving aid to Gaza so far
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is stepping up criticism of Israel for not doing enough to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza as a 30-day deadline looms for Israeli officials to meet certain requirements or risk potential restrictions on military assistance. State...
Pentagon bolsters the US presence in the Middle East with bombers, fighter aircraft and warships
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is sending bomber aircraft, fighter jets and more Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster the U.S. presence in the region, the Pentagon announced Friday, as an aircraft carrier and its ships are preparing to leave. Austin ordered...
Israel is falling far short of a US ultimatum to surge aid to Gaza
WASHINGTON (AP) — Halfway through the Biden administration's 30-day ultimatum for Israel to surge the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza or risk possible restrictions on U.S. military funding, Israel is falling far short, an Associated Press review of U.N. and Israeli data shows. ...
US is sending $425 million in military assistance to Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced Friday it was sending an additional $425 million in military assistance to Ukraine as Kyiv prepares to face Russian forces augmented by more than 10,000 North Korean troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said more aid was coming, and...
