Japan's military is looking into developing a new fighter jet and boosting its online and space-related defense systems amid fears of North Korea and China.

As the US pushes for higher climate goals ahead of the COP26 conference, Japan says it is "extremely important" to press China to further reduce its carbon emissions.

Japan coast guard officers rescue a drowning dog in a river near the central city of Nagoya. They rushed to the site on a boat after receiving an emergency call from the dog's owner and safely rescued the Sheltie from the cold water.

This week in Africa, elite soldiers over throw the government of Guinea's President Alpha Conde. The Islamist party which ruled Morocco for ten years suffers a crushing defeat in elections. South Africa's ex-president wins an early release from prison on health grounds, and farmers in central Nigeria flee conflict, with disastrous consequences for crops and food prices.

As candidates jostle for the top leadership, analysts fear the country's challenges are too big and voters too impatient for any leader to remain in office long enough to make a tangible difference.

More than a hundred contestants took part in Paris' best baguette contest. The lucky winner is Makram Akrout, a baker of Tunisian origin, who has been living in France for 19 years. He will have the opportunity to serve his bread at the presidential palace for a year. "I'm proud, but it is no accident," says the craftsman.

Taro Kono may be the favorite with members of the Liberal Democratic Party, but factional politics mean that Fumio Kishida is likely to emerge as Japan's new prime minister, say experts.

Fumio Kishida belongs to the ruling party's establishment but is a stronger advocate for change than his predecessor Yoshihide Suga, Martin Fritz reports from Tokyo.

New Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces many economic challenges, not least the impact of the pandemic. However, major policy changes are not expected, at least in the short term.

As climate change contributes to more powerful Pacific storms, a new research center wants to better understand the threats they pose and utilize the energy they generate to help Japan reach zero carbon emissions.

The ruling BJP party has been left without any serious challengers to its power as the Indian National Congress faces a leadership crisis in several states.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is seeking a mandate for his policies in the October 31 parliamentary election. Meanwhile, the opposition has vowed to close Japan's income gap.