Taiwan elects Speaker: In a dramatic demonstration of the ruling Nationalist Party's declining power, its choice for speaker squeaked through the legislature by Just one vote Thursday against a determined opposition onslaught. AP reports from Taipei.

Liu Sung-pan defeated Shih Ming-teh. chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party. 81-80, after an 80-80 tie in the first vote. The close vote reflected the weakened state on the Nationalists, who have dominated Taiwanese politics since they fled the Communist takeover of mainland China in 1949.

US consulate closed in Bordeaux: The US consulate in Bordeaux, southwest French city, the oldest American diplomatic representation in the world, shut down on Wednesday after more than 200 years because of budget cuts. AFP reports from Bordeaux. France.

The consulate was established in 1790, 14 years after the 1776 US declaration of Independence, when Bordeaux was the biggest French Atlantic port. Robert Kiene. Acting Consul since the departure last August of Consul Alan Eastham Junior, said on January 3 the closure decision had not been an easy one. "Budget restrictions are the cause of this decision." he said.

WWII bomb found in London: Scores of people were advised to leave their homes early Thursday as army experts worked to defuse an unexploded World War 11 German bomb found in southeast London, AP reports from London.

A park keeper spotted the 110-pound (50 kg) four-foot (1.2 metres)-long bomb in an ornamental lake in a park in the South Norwood district on Wednesday. It had been there undiscovered since being dropped and failing to explode in an air raid over London more than 50 years ago.

4 Germans die as balloon smashed: A hot air balloon smashed into a mountain in central Switzerland on Wednesday, killing at least four people, while at least four more were killed in a helicopter crash in the country's northeast, police said. AFP reports from Geneva.

The balloon was hit by severe turbulence In the Lauter-brunnen valley and was knocked against a mountain at an altitude of 2.400 metres (8.000 feet). Four of its five passengers. all Germans, were found dead. The fifth was still missing late Wednesday, police said. Two other balloons that had taken off with the Germans' were safe.