World in brief: Storm leads to worry in Haiti over hurricanes

Port-au-Prince, Haiti – A brief rain storm flooded Haiti’s earthquake camps Wednesday, worrying residents hours after they were told to brace for a more-active- than-usual hurricane season.

A windy 20-minute downpour left a half-foot of water inside makeshift tents on the sloping golf course of the Petionville Club, now a tarp-and-tent neighborhood of about 45,000 people.

People ran for cover in viscous mud wearing plastic shower caps and towels over their heads. Leaks sprung in emergency tarps given by aid groups after the Jan. 12 earthquake destroyed their homes.

Earlier Wednesday, Haitian radio broadcast a forecast from Colorado State University researchers that the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than usual because of warm sea temperatures.

Thai protests prompt state of emergency

Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s beleaguered prime minister declared a state of emergency to quell weeks of paralyzing protests costing businesses tens of millions of dollars.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva acted after mostly peaceful protests escalated Wednesday when demonstrators burst into parliament and forced lawmakers to flee on ladders over a back wall, with senior officials hastily evacuated by helicopter.

Wednesday’s chaos was a continuation of the long-running battle between partisans of the country’s former leader – Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup – and those who oppose him. Thaksin was accused of corruption and showing disrespect to the country’s revered monarch.

The demonstrators have demanded that Abhisit dissolve parliament within 15 days and call new elections, claiming he took office illegitimately in December 2008 with the help of military pressure on parliament.