Australia: In reaction to China's increased aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific area, Japan and Australia have committed to promote security cooperation among the Quad group, which also includes the US and India, according to a media report.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Australian colleague Marise Payne agreed to raise the two countries' "special strategic partnership" to a higher level during a meeting on Saturday in Liverpool as part of efforts to create a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Both leaders emphasized the need of a treaty involving Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati, as well as Japan, Australia, and the United States. The agreement calls for the construction of a new underwater cable that will increase internet connectivity for the three Pacific island nations. On the sidelines of the Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting on Sunday, the two presidents met.

On Sunday, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne was invited to expanded sessions alongside her counterparts from South Korea, India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in what appears to be a move by the G-7 nations to tighten the noose around Beijing, whose military and economic clout in the Info-Pacific has been growing, according to reports.

Joe Biden said, 'This is one of the biggest storm outbreaks in history'

Japan earthquake jolts people, many trains shut down

Saudi Arabia banned the Tablighi Jamaat