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Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh to be Next GOC-in-C of Western Command Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh is set to assume the role of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Western Command based in Chandimandir. He will take over the position at the end of the month following the retirement of Lieutenant General M K Katiyar. The appointment marks a significant transition in the Indian Army’s leadership structure, with Singh’s extensive military experience positioning him as a key figure in the region’s strategic operations. Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Singh has spent much of his career in high-profile roles within the Indian Army. Currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) since July 31, 2025, he is a graduate of La Martiniere College, Lucknow. His career has spanned diverse command, staff, and instructional assignments, reflecting his versatility and expertise across various military domains. Singh’s military journey began with his commissioning into the elite 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, on December 19, 1987. Over the years, he has participated in several critical operations, including Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Meghdoot at the Siachen Glacier, Operation Rakshak for counter-insurgency efforts, and Operation Orchid. These operations highlight his involvement in both conventional and specialized military tasks, underscoring his adaptability and leadership under pressure. His command experience includes leading a Special Forces Unit in the Kashmir Valley and along the Line of Control (LoC), an Infantry Brigade, and a Mountain Division along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Additionally, he served as GOC (9 Corps) in Yol, Himachal Pradesh, demonstrating his ability to manage complex operational environments.#lieutenant_general_pushpendra_pal_singh #western_command #chandimandir #parachute_regiment #operation_pawan

Indian Army Set for Top Brass Reshuffle Next Month The Indian Army is preparing for a significant restructuring of its senior leadership starting April 1, with several three-star officers transitioning to key operational commands and administrative roles. Among the notable changes is the appointment of Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth as Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), replacing Lt Gen P.P. Singh, who will assume command of the Western Army. Seth, currently leading the Southern Command based in Pune, will move to Army Headquarters, marking a pivotal shift in his career. Seth, an Armoured Corps officer commissioned in December 1986, has held multiple command and staff positions throughout his service. Before his tenure at Southern Command since July 2024, he commanded the XXI Strike Corps, a critical strike formation based in Mathura. His move to Army Headquarters underscores his growing influence in strategic decision-making. Lt Gen P.P. Singh, who has served as VCOAS, will take over as the Western Army Commander at Chandimandir. This command, responsible for overseeing operations along the Pakistan border, is one of the Army’s most sensitive and strategically important formations. Singh, an officer of the Parachute Regiment’s Special Forces, will become one of the few Special Forces veterans to lead an Army Command, highlighting his expertise in high-intensity operations. Another major shift involves Lt Gen V.M.B. Krishnan, currently the Army’s Quartermaster General, who will assume command of the Eastern Army based in Kolkata. This command oversees operations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, as well as the borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Krishnan will succeed Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, who has led the Eastern Command since January 2024 and will retire later this month.#indian_army #dhiraj_seth #pp_singh #vmb_krishnan #sandeep_jain

Groningen vs Ajax: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Groningen, the club with the worst form in the Eredivisie over the last six matches, will look to end their dismal run on Saturday as they host Ajax at the Euroborg Stadium. Despite not being in immediate danger of relegation due to the struggles of teams below them, Ajax face mounting pressure to capitalize on the opportunity and strengthen their bid for a UEFA Champions League spot next season. Groningen’s six consecutive Eredivisie defeats mark a relegation-threatening slump, with the team now standing alone with the most consecutive losses in the league this season. Even ahead of bottom club Heracles Almelo, who have endured a four-game losing streak, Groningen’s form has been alarming. Dick Lukkien’s side suffered another heartbreaking setback last weekend, conceding a 96th-minute winner against Volendam despite Thom van Bergen seemingly salvaging a point with an equalizer in the second minute of added time to make it 2-2. The Pride of the North last celebrated a victory on January 16 with a 2-0 win at Heerenveen, but since then, they have failed to collect any points, falling to defeats against Fortuna Sittard, Sparta Rotterdam, PSV Eindhoven, FC Utrecht, FC Twente, and Volendam. A major concern throughout this losing streak has been their inability to protect leads, with six of those defeats coming after Lukkien’s team had gone in front, highlighting their defensive fragility. Despite their struggles, Groningen remain 11th in the league with 31 points, thanks to strong early-season form and favorable results against lower-tier teams. They sit nine points clear of the relegation play-off spot, though three consecutive home defeats leave them facing another setback against Ajax, who are chasing European qualification.#ajax #groningen #euroborg_stadium #eredivisie #thom_van_bergen

Ajax set to be without Japanese defender for clash with FC Groningen Japanese defender Ko Itakura will miss the upcoming match between his current club Ajax and his former employers FC Groningen. Fred Grim confirmed that the Ajax defender has been dealing with back issues for several weeks, having not appeared in the Eredivisie since January 24th. Itakura was on the bench for Ajax during their recent encounter against AZ. Itakura joined Ajax in the summer from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he had spent three seasons. Prior to that, he played for Schalke 04, the club he left to join the Eredivisie in 2021. Before his move to Ajax, the 29-year-old had made 59 appearances for FC Groningen. Since joining Ajax, he has featured in 21 games. Ajax enters the match with a five-match unbeaten run, though they have only secured one victory in that span. The team faces a Groningen side that has struggled significantly after a strong start to the season. Groningen have not won since January 18th and are on a six-game losing streak. While they are not in immediate danger of relegation, their recent form has been a stark contrast to their early-season success.#borussia_monchengladbach #fc_groningen #ajax #ko_itakura #schalke_04

Ajax Scramble for Champions League Spot Away to Hapless Groningen: Where to Watch the Match Online, Live Stream, TV Channels, and Kick-Off Time FC Groningen will host Ajax in a crucial Eredivisie clash on March 7, 2026, with the match set to kick off at 10:30 EST (15:30 GMT). The game will take place at the Euroborg stadium, marking a challenging test for the struggling Groningen side. Ajax, the Dutch giants, are seeking to maintain their competitive edge despite a recent slump in league form, while Groningen, currently languishing in 11th place, face a daunting task against their rivals. The Eredivisie match will be broadcast live on multiple platforms, including Sportsnet in Canada and ESPN Africa in South and Sub-Saharan Africa. For viewers outside these regions, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help bypass geo-restrictions. Services like ExpressVPN allow users to access regional streams by changing their virtual location, ensuring fans can watch the game regardless of their physical location. A step-by-step guide to setting up a VPN for streaming is available for those unfamiliar with the process. Groningen’s woes are evident as they enter the match on a six-match losing streak, having recently fallen to Volendam in a 3-2 defeat. Their struggles have pushed them down the league table, though relegation remains a distant concern. In contrast, Ajax, despite their recent draw-heavy campaign, have shown resilience with breakout star Mika Godts contributing 13 goals and eight assists in 23 Eredivisie appearances. The club’s inability to secure the Eredivisie title since 2021-22 adds pressure to their performance in this match. Key injuries and suspensions will impact both teams. Groningen’s captain, Stije Resink, is sidelined for up to 12 months following a severe knee injury, while Younes Taha faces a suspension.#ajax #fc_groningen #euroborg #sportsnet #espn_africa

Come up with something new: Suryakumar on ‘silence the crowd’ jab ahead of T20 World Cup finalAfter Pat Cummins managed to stun the Narendra Modi Stadium in the ODI World Cup final in 2023, a new-look squad led by Suryakumar has taken up the challenge to flip the script. After Pat Cummins managed to stun the Narendra Modi Stadium in the ODI World Cup final in 2023, a new-look squad led by Suryakumar has taken up the challenge to flip the script. #World_Cup #squad_led #Narendra_Modi #Pat_Cummins #Cup_final #Modi_Stadium #ODI_World #Cummins_managed #Cup_finalAfter #new-look_squad

Nifty Prediction For Monday: Market May See Another Gap-Down On March 9; Know Support, Resistance Levels Indian equity markets are expected to open sharply lower on Monday, March 9, following a volatile week marked by heavy selling pressure and escalating geopolitical tensions. The GIFT Nifty, an early indicator for the Nifty 50, closed at 24,300 on Saturday, signaling a likely gap-down opening. This comes amid rising crude oil prices and continued selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which have dampened investor sentiment. The week’s decline was driven by heightened uncertainty over the Iran-Israel-US conflict and its potential impact on global oil markets. Crude oil prices surged sharply, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $95 per barrel, raising concerns about inflation and the Indian economy. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India faces significant pressure from sustained high oil prices, which could widen its current account deficit and increase input costs for sectors like transportation, power, and manufacturing. The Nifty 50 closed the week at 24,450, down 2.9%, while the Sensex fell 2.9% to 78,919. The Bank Nifty underperformed, dropping 4.5% to 57,783. Analysts attributed the decline to global uncertainties and rising energy costs, which have kept investor sentiment subdued. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, noted that the market remained volatile and under selling pressure due to geopolitical risks and elevated oil prices. Foreign institutional investors continued to exit Indian equities, selling shares worth Rs 21,831 crore during the first week of March. However, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) provided some support, buying equities worth Rs 32,787 crore. This balance of selling and buying helped cushion the market’s fall but did not reverse the overall downward trend.#sensex #nifty_50 #indian_equity_markets #gift_nifty #bank_nifty

Stock indices down 1.3% as oil prices keep investors anxious Benchmark stock indices fell 1.3% for the third consecutive session of the week, driven by rising oil prices and concerns over supply disruptions following Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Nifty 50 opened steady at 24,656.40 points but later dropped to a day’s low of 24,415.75 before closing at 24,450.5 points. The Sensex 30 also declined by 1.4%, ending at 78,918.90 points. Of the 21 sectoral indices on Nifty, only three closed higher than the previous day, with most indices falling nearly 2% from their prior close. About 55% of actively traded stocks on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange declined, reflecting broad-based negative sentiment. This is slightly better than the previous day’s performance, which saw a market meltdown after Iran’s actions. The week had only four trading sessions due to a holiday on March 3, 2026, marking Holi. Markets declined on three of the four days, with a brief relief on March 5. The primary driver of the market weakness remains elevated oil prices. Brent crude futures closed at $90.64 on March 6, 2026, as fears of supply shocks intensified. The Strait of Hormuz blockade has heightened anxieties, with experts warning that the cost of rerouting oil supplies, freight, and insurance will keep prices high. The Indian rupee also weakened, closing 6 paise lower at 91.70 against the U.S. dollar in range-bound trading amid regional tensions. Analysts noted that investors are shifting toward safe-haven assets and adopting a cautious stance, awaiting clarity on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, advised against panic selling and emphasized the importance of a long-term perspective.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #nifty_50 #geojit_investments_limited #vinod_nair

Dalal Street Blues: Sensex falls 1,100 points, closes below 79,000 after 10 months MUMBAI: The Indian stock market experienced a significant downturn on Friday as geopolitical tensions in West Asia and global market conditions dragged the Sensex down by nearly 1,100 points. The benchmark index closed below the 79,000 mark for the first time since April 2025, marking a notable decline. Banks were among the worst performers as foreign investors continued to sell shares, according to dealers. The Sensex opened the session weak, dropping around 350 points from Thursday’s close at 80,016, primarily due to an overnight sell-off in U.S. markets. The index remained in the red throughout the session, hitting an intra-day low of 78,812 before closing at 78,919, a decline of 1,097 points or 1.4%. The Nifty 50 on the National Stock Exchange also fell, losing 315 points (1.3%) to close at 24,450. Market volatility spiked sharply, with the India VIX, often referred to as the fear gauge, closing 11% higher. Investors faced a net loss of approximately Rs 3.2 lakh crore, pushing the BSE’s market capitalization to Rs 449.7 lakh crore. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continued their selling trend, with a net outflow of Rs 6,030 crore on the day. Over the past four sessions, FPIs have withdrawn nearly Rs 21,600 crore, equivalent to about $2.4 billion. Analysts attributed the sell-off to rising oil prices, which could dampen investor sentiment and impact India’s fiscal and inflationary outlook. Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments noted that higher U.S. 10-year bond yields and a stronger dollar have prompted FPIs to adopt a risk-averse stance toward Indian equities. In the commodities segment, crude oil futures on the MCX platform surged sharply, hitting consecutive upper circuit levels.#mumbai #sensex #nifty_50 #foreign_portfolio_investors #geojit_investments

Phillipp Mwene träumt von einer WM-Begegnung mit Lionel Messi und schwärmt von seiner Zeit bei Mainz 05 Phillipp Mwene, der aktuelle Profi bei Mainz 05, sieht in seiner Karriere eine wichtige Station und träumt von einer WM-Begegnung mit dem argentinischen Star. Der 25-Jährige, der einst für den VfB Stuttgart spielte, spricht über seine Erfahrungen im Verein, die Herausforderungen im Kampf um den Klassenerhalt und seine Ziele in der Bundesliga. Mwene betont, wie wichtig die eigenen Spiele für Mainz 05 sind. „Wir müssen unseren guten Lauf nutzen, um noch mehr Punkte zu holen“, sagt er. Die Mannschaft stehe vor der Herausforderung, den Klassenerhalt zu sichern, nachdem sie in der Hinrunde knapp an wichtigen Punkten vorbeigeschlittert sei. Gegen den HSV und Leverkusen habe Mainz 05 zwar gute Chancen erarbeitet, doch die unglücklichen Ausgleiche hätten den Abstiegskampf erschwert. Der Spieler, der in der Jugend beim VfB Stuttgart trainierte, erinnert sich an die Tafelspitz-Anekdote aus seiner Zeit in Stuttgart. „Das war gleich an meinem ersten Tag. Es gab Tafelspitz zum Mittagessen. Den mochte ich noch nie, er war total zäh, eine absolute Katastrophe“, lacht Mwene. Doch die Erfahrungen im Internat hätten ihn als Fußballer geprägt. Mwene betont, dass Mainz 05 eine Mannschaft sei, die auf Erfahrung bau. „Einige Spieler – wie ich – machen den Abstiegskampf jetzt schon das dritte Mal mit. Wir wollen die Ruhe ausstrahlen, um alle mitzuziehen und daran zu glauben, den Klassenerhalt immer schaffen zu können“, erklärt er. Die Wintertransfers hätten die Mannschaft gestärkt, und Mwene ist zuversichtlich, dass Mainz 05 den Klassenerhalt schaffen wird. Der Spieler, der in der Bundesliga und der Conference League eingesetzt wird, sieht in der Europapokalsaison eine Chance, die Mannschaft zu zeigen.#vfB_stuttgart #mainz_05 #philipp_mwene #lionel_messi #conference_league