NEW DELHI: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to make gains in four recent state elections, according to preliminary voting trends released Sunday by the independent Election Commission, indicating his Hindu nationalist party’s political strength may be slipping as the country struggles to contain an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.
The Election Commission’s vote forecast showed the Bharatiya Janata Party trailing in West Bengal state behind a powerful regional party, apparently unable to dislodge the state’s firebrand chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, after a hard-fought campaign.
Modi’s party looks set to retain power in the northeastern Assam state for a second term, but failed to pick up any significant gains there or make inroads in two southern states, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Final results will be released late Sunday.
Nour Mousa is the CEO and co-founder of the Saudi solar energy firm Desert Technologies.
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Oil prices rose to a six-week high amid bullish oil demand and a positive outlook for the US economy, despite fears the recovery demand will be impacted by the resurgence of coronavirus infections in India. A weak dollar, which was pinned near nine-week lows, also lent some support to oil prices.
On the week closing, Brent crude price rose to $67.25 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to $63.58 per barrel.
At their latest monthly meeting, OPEC+ producers decided to maintain their existing plans to boost oil output gradually by easing production output cuts but this did not impact oil prices, signaling the group’s confidence in the demand outlook and that they do not see any lasting impact from India’s coronavirus crisis.
May 02 2021, 10:05 AM
May 01 2021, 8:30 PM
May 02 2021, 10:05 AM
(Bloomberg)
(Bloomberg)
Iran said it reached an agreement with parties to the 2015 nuclear deal for the Biden administration to lift a raft of economic sanctions that could propel talks aimed at restoring the historic accord.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the negotiations in Vienna on Saturday, Iranâs Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there was an âagreement in placeâ over lifting sanctions on âmost individualsâ and on Iranâs energy, autos, financial, insurance and ports sectors, adding that negotiations were âongoingâ on penalties that apply to other individuals.
He gave no additional details, and U.S. officials attending the talks in Vienna didnât immediately comment. The U.S. isnât negotiating directly with Iran, but is participating in the discussions led by the other parties to the treaty.
Ramadan atmosphere returns with Madinah’s Quba Front
The area is called Rouh Quba because when the carnival was created it brought life to the area, so many people visited and all age groups played. It’s so much fun for all of them”
Updated 01 May 2021
May 01, 2021 23:10
JEDDAH: A pedestrian walkway in Madinah connecting the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque is bringing families together to enjoy the Ramadan atmosphere.
After a year of very limited public events due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions, people across the Kingdom have been excited to experience the holy month while being out and about and with their loved ones.