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wednesday, Page 2

Death toll from China blasts rises to 104, Xi urges changes

By Megha Rajagopalan TIANJIN, China (Reuters) – The death toll from two massive explosions that tore through an industrial area in the northeastern Chinese port of Tianjin has risen to 104, state media said on Saturday, as China's president urged improvements in workplace safety. Chinese President Xi Jinping said authorities should learn the lessons paid for with blood in Wednesday warehouse blasts, according to the official Xinhua news agency. China evacuated residents who had taken refuge in a school near the site of two huge explosions, state media said, after a change in wind direction on Saturday prompted fears that toxic chemical particles could be blown inland.

Indonesian court expects verdict on French death row convict in 2 weeks

By Fergus Jensen JAKARTA (Reuters) – An Indonesian judge said on Wednesday a court will decide in two weeks whether to proceed with a last-ditch appeal by a French death row inmate who is challenging the president's refusal to grant him clemency. Convicted drug trafficker Serge Atlaoui was due to face the firing squad with other convicts last month but was granted a last-minute reprieve to allow for the completion of his legal appeals. France's foreign minister has warned Indonesia it would face repercussions if the Southeast Asian nation goes ahead with the execution. The Jakarta administrative court would hold another hearing on the case next Wednesday, with a verdict expected on May 28, said Judge Ujang Abdullah.

Bills banning most vaccine exemptions fail in Northwest

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Legislative efforts to increase pressure on parents to get their kids vaccinated failed in Oregon and Washington state Wednesday amid stiff opposition as a handful of other statehouses consider similar bills prompted by a measles outbreak at Disneyland.