Corey Flintoff

With daily violence, a dead economy, health-care system in crisis, corruption, sabotage, chronic shortages of water and gas, and almost no public services, the Iraqi government has more than its share of problems to address. But a few months into their first year in office, most of the government is on a monthlong vacation.

Sunnis are forming their own militias, offering a monthly wage of $700 (with extra for hazardous duty pay). Their goal is to defend Sunni shrines and politicians against Shiite fighters.

Reporters Without Borders, an international journalist organization, launches a new campaign to free American reporter Jill Carroll. Carroll was kidnapped in Iraq seven weeks ago and her kidnappers have threatened to kill her if the United States doesn't release female Iraqi prisoners by Sunday.

Preliminary results from Haiti's presidential elections show former President Rene Preval with a substantial lead. International election observers sharply criticized Haitian election officials for poor organization, but said the vote generally appeared to be free and fair.

Polling stations in Haiti stayed open into the night for the country's first presidential election since Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted two years ago. There were some violent incidents and a few deaths were reported, but the balloting was largely free from the widespread violence so many had feared.

Haitians cast ballots to elect a new leader, nearly two years after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide went into exile after a violent uprising. More than 3 million registered voters are being encouraged to cast ballots despite recent violence.

Elections will be held in Haiti on Tuesday, and many hope the vote will stabilize the country and stop street violence. Corey Flintoff reports from Port-au-Prince about the mood of the country on the eve of the election, and what Haitians might expect from the results.

Haiti prepares for its first presidential election in nearly two years. Officials say they have a system in place to assure a fair process at Tuesday's polls. But the unstable nation is experiencing an upsurge in violence, and U.N. forces will provide security as millions of Haitians vote.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice worked through the night with Palestinian and Israeli officials to help negotiate an agreement that will open border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The deal also provides for construction of a Gaza seaport.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made an unannounced visit to Iraq Friday in an attempt to ease sectarian tensions before next month's elections. Rice's first stop was the northern, Sunni-dominated city of Mosul. Later, she headed for Baghdad to meet with senior government officials in the capital's Green Zone.