70-year-old United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was hospitalized in Washington due to bladder issues, has delegated his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, announces Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder. According to the official at the briefing, Austin was transported on Sunday to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of symptoms indicating an urgent issue with his urinary bladder. Before this, it was reported that the Secretary of Defense retains the functions and duties of his office. However, the Pentagon also stated t…