World Series Hockey(WSH)

World Series Hockey (WSH) is an initiative of Indian Hockey Federation with the objective to reinvigorate hockey in India and to make it a ‘sport of choice’ for youngsters in the country. It was to be played in India among eight franchisee-based teams between 17 December 2011 to 22 January 2012, but later was postponed to 29 February 2012 owing to Olympic qualifiers. The entire event will take place on ‘home and away’ basis culminating into multi header Playoffs. Australian Dennis Meredith, a member of the FIH panel of Tournament Directors is the Technical Director of the WSH.


Teams participating:
Bhopal Badshahs
Chandigarh Comets
Chennai Cheetahs
Delhi Wizards
Karnataka Lions
Mumbai Marines
Pune Strykers
Sher-e-Punjab

China sets 7.5 per cent growth target, stressing stability

China on Monday set its growth target for 2012 at a lower-than-expected 7.5 per cent, in an indication that its focus during a crucial transition year would be on maintaining stability and achieving more balanced growth.

Premier Wen Jiabao told the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Chinese Parliament, that the government would place an emphasis on “making progress while maintaining stability”, looking to address the dual challenges of transforming the economy as well as “social conflicts” rather than focus merely on high growth.

The 7.5 per cent target is the first in eight years that has fallen below 8 per cent, long seen by Chinese officials as the minimum level of growth needed to maintain internal stability.. The Chinese economy does, usually, exceed the annual targets set by the government, and is expected to surpass the 8 per cent figure this year as well. The economy grew by 9.2 per cent in 2011, down from 10.4 per cent in 2010.

Putin wins presidential election marred by reports of violations

Elections watchdog agency receives over 3,000 complaints of violations

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has won Russia's presidential election on Sunday.

Mr. Putin has got 62 per cent of the 85 per cent votes counted, the Central Election Commission said. Exit polls conducted by two leading pollsters gave Mr. Putin 58-59 per cent. Mr. Putin needed to win more than 50 per cent to avoid a runoff.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov came second with over 17 per cent of the votes. The other three candidates polled less than 10 per cent each.


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