Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday said US commanders should be barred from overturning criminal convictions, in the wake of anger over a quashed guilty verdict in a sexual assault case. Under Hagel's proposal, which would have to be approved by lawmakers, commanders would still have the power to alter sentences handed down in court martial cases, defense officials said. "These changes, if enacted by Congress, would help ensure that our military justice system works fairly, ensures due process, and is accountable," Hagel said in a statement.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday said the Pentagon must "put everything on the table" as it struggles to digest major spending cuts forced by last month's sequester. In a major strategy address delivered at the National Defense University, Hagel vowed to press ahead with plans to trim the US military while insuring it can tackle 21st century challenges like terrorism and cyber attacks.

Washington, Apr 2 (EFE).- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will return part of his salary in solidarity with those civilian employees of the Defense Department who must take pay cuts in the form of unpaid leave, Pentagon spokesman George Little said Tuesday. Hagel will return as much as 14 percent of his salary via a legal mechanism to return money to the Treasury Department, even thought he is not subject to the pay cuts, Little said. As defense chief, Hagel earns an annual salary of about $200,000, according to the daily Politico.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel plans to visit the Jewish state in April to boost cooperation between the two countries, Israel's defence ministry said on Wednesday. The plans were discussed during a telephone conversation between Hagel and new Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, who took up the position on Monday, a ministry statement said. "Defence Secretary Hagel congratulated Minister Yaalon on his appointment as defence minister. Minister Yaalon also congratulated Defence Secretary Hagel on his new position, and on his intention to visit Israel next month."