(1) Oil prices soar amid war between Iran and the United States
Oil prices across the board rose sharply last week as the war between Iran and the United States deepened. Oil depots in Tehran have been attacked, as has a major refinery in Saudi Arabia, as well as infrastructure in neighboring Gulf countries. Brent crude oil futures were trading at around $80 per barrel on Monday of last week (March 2, 2026), when different state oil companies announced production cuts due to the circumstances created by the war.
Alternative sources may come from Australia, Canada, Qatar and others, according to a PTI report. However, price increases have begun. Indian oil companies have raised prices for liquefied petroleum gas used as cooking fuel for the first time in about a year, according to a Reuters report.
(2) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar set to resign
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he will leave his current post and join Rajya Sabha and filed his nomination on Thursday last week (March 5, 2026). Mr. Kumar’s 20-year tenure is one of the longest in the State. His party, the JD(U), won 85 seats in the last Assembly elections and its ally, the BJP, won 89. Replacing Mr. Kumar would be a person from the backward class or extremely backward class, according to BJP sources who spoke to The Hindu. Here is a timeline showing his rise in politics.
(3) Coimbatore gang rape accused sentenced to life imprisonment
The three men convicted for 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 occurred in November last year, and the police arrested the accused within 24 hours and sentenced him within 125 days. Surveillance footage and DNA evidence played a crucial role.
The crime involved assault on the survivor’s boyfriend, theft of a vehicle and jewelry from the survivor, and prior preparation by the criminals. A political backlash against the DMK followed, with the opposition pointing out the lack of safety for women in the state.
(4) Governors receive transfer orders
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi was transferred to West Bengal on Friday last week (March 6, 2026). The transfer comes after a term marked by conflicts with the state government on several issues. These issues included delays in the passage of bills passed by the state legislature, appointments of vice-chancellors of universities, differences in political ideology, and partial or complete omission of the usual speeches prepared during Assembly sessions.
Here is a timeline of the key disagreements in his tenure from 2021.
Besides RN Ravi, seven other governors were transferred. Former Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will take over as Tamil Nadu Governor.
(5) India wins third T20 World Cup trophy
India defeated New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup on Sunday last week (March 8, 2026), smashing a first innings of 255 runs and containing New Zealand to 159 in 19 overs. India’s victories this season were backed by strong batsmen like Sanju Samson, the bowling prowess of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
This victory gives India their third World Cup trophy, the most any team has won so far. India also became the first team to successfully defend their trophy. He won his second World Cup title in 2024, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, and his first in 2007 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Here’s a look at the team’s key milestones in cricket since their first Test match victory in 1952.
Published – Mar 9, 2026 07:18 pm IST
