New York:  US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin held talks with his counterparts in Japan, Britain and South Korea. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that during his meeting with Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, Austin reiterated America's commitment to the US-Japan alliance and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. "Austin and Kishi discussed the broader dimension of defense issues in the Indo-Pacific and exchanged views on ensuring preparedness of allied countries even after the challenges of the Kovid-19 epidemic," Kirby said. 

Austin had a long telephone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi. During this time, the two leaders discussed the Indo-Pacific region and the East China Sea territorial disputes, including the Senkakush Islands protected by the US-Japan Security Pact. The US Secretary of Defense made it clear that the United States opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea. Austin said on the occasion that Washington was fully committed to protecting Senkakush Island under the US-Japan Security Treaty. The two leaders also discussed the Kovid-19 epidemic with regional security.

The special thing is that the US Defense Secretary has had a phone conversation with the Japanese counterpart for the first time since Joe Biden took the Presidential oath in the US. In this dialogue, the US has made its stand clear that it is complementary to Trump policies. Austin commended him for continuing the coalition's role in providing security in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthening Japan's contribution to it. Let us know that Senkakush Island is located on East China Sea. Geographically it is near Taiwan. East China Sea is a part of the Pacific Ocean. Being in the east of China, it got its name as East China. There is no population on Senkakush Island. It is a secluded place. But it is very important in strategic and business terms. That is why China is watching it. 

Kirby reports that Kishi congratulated Austin for becoming the Minister of Defense. Austin spoke to Britain's Defense Minister Ben Wallas and reiterated the importance of special relations between the two countries. A number of issues of mutual interest were discussed between the two defense ministers, including dealing with the Kovid-19 epidemic, the growing influence of China and the threats posed by Russia, campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Defense Minister Austin also held talks with South Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook and noted the need for closer cooperation between the two countries. Austin outlined America's commitments to protect South Korea.

Both ministers also discussed defense conditions in the Korean peninsula. Austin, for the first time since taking charge, has asked top Defense Ministry officials to send him reports of programs related to preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military within two weeks. Along with this, they should also tell which programs were effective in preventing sexual assaults and which programs were not effective. Austin promised senators last week that he would deal with sexual assault and sexual harassment problems in the military during a hearing confirming his name as defense minister.

New Zealand is shaken once again by the strong tremors of the Earthquake. On Saturday, the northern islands of the country were shaken by the vibration of the earth. The earthquake on the Richter scale was 6.4. In New Zealand on Friday, earthquake tremors were felt, after which tsunami warnings were issued. The US Geological Survey has given this information. At the same time, there is no news of any kind of loss of life or property due to the earthquake. A tsunami warning has not been issued for the earthquake that has struck today.

These tremors were felt late at 12.16 pm local time. Its center was nine kilometers of land 181 kilometers from the city Gisborne, located in the northeast. No casualties were reported after the earthquake. At the same time, no information has been found to damage any building or house. On the other hand, tsunami warnings have not been issued. Significantly, in the last few days, the sharp tremors of earthquake are being felt in New Zealand.

Three times earthquake shook New Zealand

A powerful 8.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in New Zealand late on Thursday night. In fact, earthquake tremors were felt on Kermadec Islands in New Zealand. The earthquake on the Richter scale was 8.1. Tsunami warning was issued in New Zealand after this earthquake. During this time people started running out of their homes. In all, three times the earthquake raised the concerns of New Zealanders. A tsunami warning was issued after the earthquake.

Warning was given for waves up to three meters

At the same time, the authorities asked the people living in the coastal areas to leave their homes and move to a safe place, because of the threat of tsunami here. However, the warning that was issued for lifting up to three meters, the effect was not seen. Although the height of the waves in the coastal areas increased, but its level was not dangerous. On the other hand, the authorities have still warned that people should stay away from the coastal area and beach.

Why do earthquakes occur?

There are seven plates roaming inside the earth. Where there is a collision of these plates, it is called fault line zone. Due to their collision, the corners of the plates start to turn, due to which the pressure starts to build. This causes the plates to break and the energy exiting from them looks for a way to get out. When this energy goes out, it causes earthquakes.