Bill Clinton seeks to regain donors’ attention on first visit as UN envoy to troubled Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Bill Clinton aims to refocus international attention on this Caribbean country’s deep economic problems and environmental decay during his first visit as the United Nations’ special envoy to Haiti.

From open flames in the cabin to smoking engines, third-world air travel can be scary

JOHANNESBURG — First there was smoke, then flames burst out of the aircraft engine. But I was having difficulty communicating with the Mozambican flight attendant who was fussing with warm sodas and soggy sandwiches and did not speak English.

World Bank, IMF forgive $1.2 billion of Haiti’s debts to ease burden on impoverished nation

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Three international organizations canceled $1.2 billion of Haiti’s debt Tuesday, freeing up millions of dollars each year for the deeply impoverished Caribbean nation that is beset by humanitarian crises.

Haiti president’s party picks up 5 Senate seats in run-off elections marred by low turnout

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — President Rene Preval’s party won five of 11 contests to fill open Senate seats, according to preliminary results released Monday by the provisional electoral council.

Protester killed in UN clash was slain by bullet, autopsy finds

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian police say a demonstrator found slain after a clash with U.N. peacekeepers during a funeral procession was killed by a bullet, and not by a rock as peacekeepers initially reported.

Many Haitians stay away from polls in Senate run-offs, ignoring efforts to improve turnout

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitians fed up with chronic poverty and unresponsive leaders stayed away from Senate run-off elections Sunday, ignoring government efforts to improve on the paltry voter turnout that undercut the first round of voting in April.

Haitians weigh whether to vote in run-off for Senate seats amid violence, political tensions

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Election officials flew street banners and sent text messages to encourage a big turnout for Haiti’a hotly anticipated Senate run-offs, but very few in the capital city were voting Sunday.

Haitian TV airs footage of confrontation between UN troops and protesters at priest’s funeral

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A Haitian television station broadcast video Friday that provided new details on a deadly confrontation between U.N. peacekeepers and mourners for a popular priest allied with former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Marchers accuse UN troops of shooting at Haiti funeral for priest

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Gunfire broke out during a funeral procession Thursday for a popular Haitian priest, apparently killing a man and prompting angry protests that could inflame government opponents with days to go before elections in the troubled nation.

Some Haitian senators allege fraud in election, call for results to be thrown out

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Some of Haiti’s most powerful lawmakers are calling for last month’s parliamentary elections to be thrown out because of allegations of voter fraud and political manipulation.

Haiti turns back food aid, fearing Mexican navy ship could carry swine flu

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian officials rejected a Mexican aid ship carrying 77 tons of much-needed food aid because of “unfounded” swine flu fears, Mexico’s ambassador said Wednesday.

No winners in 1st round of Haiti Senate election marked by low voter turnout

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — None of the candidates for Haiti’s Senate received the majority vote needed to win outright in balloting this month, leaving 11 vacant seats up for grabs in the runoff election.