Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar set to resign, Governors transferred, Iran-U.S. war updates and more: The week in 5 charts

(1) Oil prices soar in the midst of Iran-U.S. war

Oil prices across the board rose sharply last week as the war between Iran, and the U.S. deepened. Oil depots in Tehran have come under attack, as well as a prominent refinery in Saudi Arabia, besides infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf countries. Brent Crude futures traded at close to $80 per barrel on Monday last week (March 2, 2026) as production cuts were announced by different state oil companies due to circumstances created by the war.

Alternative sources can come from Australia, Canada, Qatar and others, as per a PTI report. However, price rises have begun. Indian oil companies increased prices of liquiefied petroleum gas used as cooking fuel, for the first time in about a year, a Reuters report said.

(2) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar set to resign

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he will be stepping down from his current office and join the Rajya Sabha, and filed his nomination on Thursday last week (March 5, 2026). Mr. Kumar’s office of 20 years is one of the longest for the State. His party, the JD(U), won 85 seats in the last Assembly elections, with its ally BJP winning 89. Replacing Mr. Kumar would be a person either from the Backward Class or the Extremely Backward Class, according to BJP sources speaking to The Hindu. Here is a timeline showing his rise in politics.

(3) Accused in Coimbatore gang rape given life sentence

The three men convicted in the gang rape of a 20-year-old woman in Coimbatore were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mahila Court on Saturday last week (March 8, 2026). The crime happened in November last year, with the police nabbing the accused within 24 hours, and convicted within 125 days. Surveillance footage, and DNA evidence played a crucial role.

The crime involved assaulting the survivor’s boyfriend, theft of a vehicle and jewellry from the survivor, and prior preparation on the part of the criminals. Political backlash against the DMK followed, with the Opposition pointing out the lack of safety for women in the State.

(4) Governors given transfer orders

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi was transferred to West Bengal, on Friday last week (March 6, 2026). The transfer comes after a tenure marked by conflict with the State government on several issues. These issues included delay in giving assent to Bills passed by the State legislature, appointments of Vice Chancellors to Universities, differences in political ideology and skipping parts of or the entirety of prepared customary speeches during Assembly sessions.

Here is a timeline of key disagreements in his tenure since 2021.

Alongside R.N. Ravi, seven other Governors were transferred. Former Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is set to take over as Governor of Tamil Nadu.

(5) India wins third T20 World Cup trophy

India defeated New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final match on Sunday last week (March 8, 2026), smashing a 255-run first innings and containing New Zealand to 159 in 19 overs. India’s victories this season were anchored by strong batters like Sanju Samson, bowling prowess of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

This victory wins India its third World Cup trophy, the most any team has won so far. India also became the first team to successfully defend its trophy. It won its second World Cup title in 2024, under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, and its first in 2007 under M.S. Dhoni’s captaincy. Here is a look at the team’s key cricketing milestones ever since its first test match win in 1952.