Kenya's opposition calls for new protests

Kenya's opposition accused the government of backing away from plans to share power after a deeply flawed presidential election and called for nationwide protests on Thursday, raising fears of new violence.

The two sides are engaged in lengthy and often bitter negotiations to end the deadlock over the Dec. 27 vote, which the opposition says was stolen. Widespread fighting that killed more than 1,000 people in the weeks after the election has largely subsided, but this once-stable African country remains on edge.

A power-sharing deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga seemed imminent last week, but the breakthrough never came.

Antananarivo, Madagascar

Storm's toll rises; relief thwarted

The death toll has risen to 44 and the number of homeless is up to 145,000 more than a week after a cyclone tore through this island in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar's government said Monday.

Areas on the eastern side of the island remained cut off by floodwaters. Seven major roads were impassable and bridges have been destroyed, hampering attempts to deliver aid, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Cyclone Ivan lashed Madagascar on Feb. 17 with torrential rain and winds of up to 140 miles per hour.

Madagascar now faces food shortages after 37,000 acres of rice fields were flooded in the region of Alaotra Mangoro, which provides nearly a third of the island's staple food.

London

More bodies sought at ex-youth home

Police used dogs to search for more bodies Monday at a former children's home on the British island of Jersey after a child's skull was found under a concrete slab there.

The skull was found Saturday by a police dog in an investigation of the property, which was a home for orphaned and abandoned children until 1986. Forensic experts have determined the remains are at least 20 years old.

Officials said that without dental records and a full list of who went missing from the home, it may be difficult to determine the child's identity.

The building that housed the Haut de la Garenne home was built in 1867 and reopened in 2004 as a youth hostel on Jersey, about 100 miles south of Britain's main island and 14 miles from the French coast. The home was operated as part of Jersey's state-run child-care program.

Police have received the names of people believed to be missing and are trying to determine if their remains are on the property, Harper said.

About 150 people who lived in the home have come forward to say they were abused there, many prompted by the discovery of the skull.

Also

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island Monday, triggering a tsunami warning. Hours later, a strong aftershock hit the same fault line. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

Seattle Times news service