THREAT: Many security experts say that China's main objective in upgrading its submarine fleet is the ability to delay or deter US intervention on behalf of Taiwan
Several recent events, from an eagle-eyed spotting of an image on Google Earth to an overt military delivery from Russia, suggest that China is continuing its rapid expansion of a submarine fleet that would be particularly useful in a conflict with the US over Taiwan, analysts and military officials said.

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EUROPEAN SWEEP: All four acting honors went to Europeans, the first time since 1964 that no American nominee won. Daniel Day-Lewis won his second Oscar
The Coen brothers completed their journey from the fringes to Hollywood's mainstream, their crime saga No Country for Old Men winning four Academy Awards, including best picture, in a ceremony that also featured a strong international flavor.

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Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro president to replace his brother Fidel, prompting a guarded response yesterday from countries looking for signs of reform.

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South Korea's new President Lee Myung-bak vowed yesterday to work more closely with Washington to denuclearize North Korea, insisting the move would not raise inter-Korean tensions, a US envoy said.

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By Jerry Lin
State-run CPC Corp Taiwan (CPC, 台灣石油) is slated to sign a 20-year natural gas purchase contract on Friday worth NT$1.5 trillion (US$47.63 billion) with Woodside Energy Ltd, Australia's second-largest oil and gas producer, local media reported.

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