Farrakhan arrives for visit in Haiti

Farrakhan arrives for visit in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has arrived in Haiti, saying he wants to see how his organization can help the poor Caribbean country rebuild from the devastating 2010 earthquake.

Farrakhan tells reporters at the airport that he has always wanted to visit Haiti. He says he is particularly interested in learning about Voodoo, the religion widely practiced in Haiti.

He was greeted at the airport Sunday by Haitian Foreign Minister Laurent Lamorthe before talking to reporters..

Romney doesn’t disavow $10,000 bet

HUDSON, N.H.

Democrats and Republicans alike are accusing Mitt Romney of being out of touch after he said during this weekend’s debate that he would make a $10,000 bet with Rick Perry.

Romney didn’t back away from the comment Sunday — but he said he’s been told he’s not a good gambler.

He said his wife told him after the debate he had done a good job and told him he does many things well, but “betting isn’t one of them.”

Romney’s Republican rivals and Democrats have used his remark to portray him as out of step with the concerns of most normal Americans. They say $10,000 represents more than three months’ salary for most. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, in Iowa Sunday, said that kind of money represents “pocket change” for Romney.

9 suspects, guard flee from jails

MANILA, Philippines

Philippine authorities are searching for three Chinese drug-trafficking suspects who escaped from a Manila jail together with a guard.

Video from a surveillance camera showed the guard unlocking the gate and leading the suspects out of Paranaque City Jail on Saturday.

Bureau of Jail Management Director Rosendo Dial said Monday that the guard and the suspects are armed and dangerous. He says police, the immigration bureau and coast guard are working to capture them.

Associated Press