In brief: Red Shirts storm into Thai hospital

BANGKOK, Thailand – A major hospital in the Thai capital evacuated patients and suspended all but emergency surgery today after anti-government protesters who occupy a nearby zone stormed in to hunt for security forces they suspected were positioned there.

A group of so-called Red Shirts broke into Chulalongkorn Hospital late Thursday despite pleas from its director, then withdrew back into their enclave after not finding soldiers or police within the sprawling compound.

The Red Shirts, who began their protests March 12 in their campaign to force immediate elections, have defied authorities at every turn.

Security forces have in almost every instance been unable or unwilling to stop Red Shirt forays.

Brown humbled after ‘bigot’ gaffe

BIRMINGHAM, England – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown went for broke in the final TV debate on the economy Thursday, drawing on his treasury experience and banking on a political miracle after an embarrassing campaign gaffe.

Brown forgot to turn off his microphone Wednesday after a loyal Labour voter asked about an influx of Eastern European immigrants and was heard muttering “bigoted woman.”

“There is a lot to this job, and as you saw yesterday – I don’t get all of it right,” Brown said in his opening remarks Thursday. But “If we fail to support the economy this year, we risk a double-dip recession.”