In the World

INDIA

Governing party solidifies its rule

India's governing Hindu nationalist party was declared the winner Sunday in two state assembly elections, giving a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic reform agenda.

The strong showing by the conservative Bharatiya Janata Party solidified Modi's control over India just five months into his tenure by making his party the dominant player in two key state governments.

The BJP won a majority of seats in Haryana, a northern state that includes suburbs of the capital New Delhi, and a near-majority in Maharashtra, which comprises the financial center Mumbai.

Modi, who took power in May after leading the party to a resounding victory in national elections, campaigned furiously for the less-watched statewide polls. His message of economic renewal, clean governance, and nationalist pride has resonated. - L.A. Times

SAUDI ARABIA

Warning at border

Saudi Arabia warned Sunday against any breach of its border after Shiite Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen seized a crossing point. "If anyone comes into the border area, we are ready to engage them," said Gen. Mohammed al-Ghamdi, spokesman for Saudi Arabia's border guards. Yemen's Houthi rebels grabbed the crossing along Saudi Arabia's southern border last week as they expand control in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country. - Bloomberg

UKRAINE

Fighting in Donetsk

Authorities in Donetsk said Sunday that at least four people died in shelling after two days of talks between European and Russian leaders to shore up a truce failed to produce a breakthrough in eastern Ukrainian. An attempt to storm Donestk's airport was repelled, according to Andriy Lysenko, a Ukrainian military spokesman. - Bloomberg