Possible successors to Japan PM Kan Japan's centre-left Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced he would resign as head of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
Predators and MRAPS: the military's post-9/11 era The September 11 attacks ushered in a new era of warfare, with the United States relying on a new fleet of robotic aircraft and elite special forces with high-tech gear.
US financial power hides deep economic problems US financial power, which gives the dollar nearly untouchable status, hides structural problems in the world's biggest economy: debt, de-industrialization, inequality and a loss of competitiveness.
India's unsolved bombings Explosions in Mumbai ticked a wearily familiar list of boxes in a country which is no stranger to bombings that go unclaimed.
Belgium's highways shine into space - but for how long? When Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne feels homesick when in space, all he needs to do, provided it's night, is look down for the bright spot for even nowadays, Belgium keeps its highways switched on. The almost 100 percent illumination of the country's highways can indeed be seen from space with a telescopic lens, said European Space Agency (ESA) spokesman in the German city of Cologne.
Key facts on Australia's carbon tax Australia has released details of the nation's long-awaited carbon tax, which the government hopes to move to an emissions trading scheme after three years.
US veteran fighting fit at 59 in Afghan war Who says soldiering is a young man's game? Staff Sergeant Eric Ferguson joined the US army in 1973 and -- now approaching his 60th birthday -- he is still on active duty, leading distribution convoys through some of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan.
Growing urban population strains Chinese cities A forest of buildings and cranes rises through thick fog above roads jammed with cars in a Chinese city the size of Austria and home to more than 32 million people.
Tokyo, the megacity that works On a satellite image of the Earth at night, there is no brighter spot. Greater Tokyo, home to an astonishing 35 million people, is by far the biggest urban area on the planet.