Briefly

UNITED STATES

Defense chief regrets secrecy over cancer

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin apologized on Thursday for concealing his recent prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalization from President Joe Biden and senior staff members. Still in recovery, Austin, 70, continues to suffer from leg pain and said he used a golf cart for transportation inside the Pentagon ahead of the rare solo news conference. "I did not handle this right," Austin said.

PAKISTAN

24 militants killed near border in 3 days

Pakistan's military has killed 24 militants in three days in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, broadcaster Geo News reported on Friday, citing a military statement. Four law enforcement personnel have also been killed in the operations, it said. Militant violence in Pakistan's border areas has put authorities on alert ahead of national elections due on Feb 8. Also on Friday, at least two people were injured when some unknown miscreants riding on a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade at an office of a political party in Quetta district, Balochistan, police said. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

GERMANY

90,000 transport workers go on strike

Bus and tram stations across Germany were at a standstill on Friday, disrupting millions of commuters and travelers, as labor union Verdi called on more than 90,000 workers to join a walkout to press for improved working conditions. It is the latest in a series of industrial actions that has plagued the country's transportation sector in recent weeks.

Agencies - Xinhua