US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday was released from hospital and resumed his duties, the Pentagon said. On Sunday, the defence secretary had been admitted to hospital for a bladder issue and his duties had been transferred to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks. Austin was released at about 3:30 pm (2030 GMT) and “resumed his full functions and duties” less than two hours later, the Pentagon said. “On the advice of his doctors, Secretary Austin will recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week. He has full acces…