The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.----------Japan PM candidates eye ties with like-minded nations amid China riseTOKYO - Candidates in Japan's ruling party leadership election on Saturday underlined the importance of bolstering ties with like-minded partners in Asia and beyond to cope with the rise of an assertive China and provocative North Korea.To resolve outstanding issues, Shinjiro Koizumi, seen as one of the leading contenders in media polls, said he will pursue direct talks with his Chinese and North Korean counterparts if he becomes premier.--…READ FULL ARTICLE