Flying debris just misses leader

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian had a narrow escape when he was almost hit by the sharp edge of an acrylic panel which fell from the roof of his Taipei mansion when Typhoon Talim crashed into the city on Wednesday night. Mr Chen was walking down from his second-floor chamber when sustained winds up to 184km/h ripped off the skylight, presidential officials said.

The panel landed just centimetres from the president, reports said, adding the soaked Mr Chen immediately called for help from his guards, who later covered the gaping hole with a piece of canvas.