The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.----------Japan, South Korea agree to expand joint search-and-rescue drillsSEOUL - Japan and South Korea agreed Sunday to expand joint maritime search-and-rescue exercises and strengthen communication as the two U.S. allies continue to deepen defense cooperation amid their improving ties.Meeting in Seoul, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back welcomed the resumption earlier this month of humanitarian search-and-rescue drills between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense …READ FULL ARTICLE