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AT least 250 people died in massive floods across northern Haiti after Tropical Storm Jeanne hit the crushingly poor Caribbean nation over the weekend, a UN spokesman said today. Meanwhile, authorities were without news from the country's second largest island, La Tortue. Staff from the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) could not find the island of 26,000 people while flying over the region by helicopter.

(CNSNews.com) - In a furious press release on Tuesday, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) condemned Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent visit to Haiti, calling it a "contemptible example of this administration's handling of the crisis in Haiti that it helped to create." Waters, a close friend and staunch defender of ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, is angry that Powell "has accomplished nothing and [wasted] taxpayer dollars" by visiting the newly appointed prime minister. Powell made a five-hour visit to Haiti on Monday, where he offered the "full support" of the United States for the country's interim leader -- and rejected...

Haiti leader visits slum city's "freedom fighters" By Ibon Villelabeitia GONAIVES, Haiti (Reuters) - Haiti's new prime minister flew on Saturday into the chaotic city where an armed revolt began six weeks ago and hailed as "freedom fighters" a ragtag gang that helped oust President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Arriving in a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter -- escorted by a second Black Hawk and a twin-rotor Chinook -- Gerard Latortue landed on a soccer field in Gonaives to a raucous welcome by about 2,000 people. The 69-year-old economist, named by a council of Haitians to take over after Aristide was driven...

Haiti (Reuters) - Haiti's new prime minister picked a Cabinet on Tuesday that excludes allies of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a source close to the new government said. "The government has been selected this afternoon," an aide to Prime Minister Gerard Latortue told Reuters. He gave no further information. Sources close to the new prime minister said not one of the 13 ministries was handed to members of Aristide's Lavalas Family party, a move likely to fire up anger among his supporters and prolong tensions in the revolt-torn country.

Mar 13, 5:32 AM ESTHaiti's New Prime Minister Is Sworn In By PETER PRENGAMANAssociated Press Writers PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Haiti's new prime minister Gerard Latortue promised to unite his rebellion-scarred country, even as he criticized Jamaica's decision to host a visit to the region by ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.U.S. Marines, engaged in nightly gunbattles with looters and dissidents, guarded the National Palace on Friday as Latortue took the oath of office in front of 200 dignitaries and members of Haiti's former opposition."I"m a man of dialogue," he said. "I give you the assurance that I will work and listen...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Former Haitian exile Gerard Latortue was sworn in Friday as the country's prime minister, promising to united the country after months of bloodshed and political strife that led to the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Under heavy security, Latortue took the oath of office in front of a crowd of 200 people, saying he was happy to serve his country. "This is an occasion for hope for all Haitians," he said. "Together we will form a responsible government that respects its institutions, and I will see that every dollar given to development projects will be well spent."...