SportAccord, a high-powered annual convention run by the GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, is currently under way for this year in Berlin. While the 2005 event seems to be dominated by the five aspirant cities for the 2012 Olympics hawking their stuff, the ICC's very own Malcolm Speed was on deck yesterday giving a talk on "The integrity issue - the impact of betting on sports".

One of the most grandiose cart-before-the-horse schemes imaginable is the BCCI's dream of their own 24/7 cricket TV channel. It's an exciting concept in theory, but remember that this is seen as a solution to the BCCI's chronic inability to sell television rights in a coherent fashion.

Last week, BCCI representatives Lalit Modi and IS Bindra gave a powerpoint presentation of the findings of a feasiblity study into BCCI-TV. There would be a copy of the powerpoint display on the BCCI's website except that... err, the BCCI doesn't actually have a website.

Indians should not play cricket, says Mulayam
(Vinay Krishna Rastogi/Sify.com)

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: "Cricket is not our game, wrestling is."

Hello Vince McMahon, outsourcing opportunity here??

Sourav loses appeal but Dalmiya says match not over yet
(Aninda Sardar and Jaydip Sengupta/Indian Express)

Never say that Dalmiya lets the umpire's decision get in the way of winning the game. But really, wouldn't an appeal to Lausanne be a bit over the top?

Here is the new blog. The re-population will start shortly. Comments welcome, and the main registration system on the Postnuke site is not required here.

From the "It depends what the meaning of is is" shelf at the Doublespeak Shop:

Charles Hurt (Washington Times): Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority or with fundraising?
Tom DeLay: Ever is a very strong word.

(Here is the complete transcript of the interview that led to DeLay's proclamation.)

What more fitting celebration could there be of the 50th birthday of that icon of American culture - McDonald's - than with that other great icon of American culture - the drive-by shooting? No one was hurt when shots were fired outside Macca's at Parramatta Road, Stanmore, in the early hours of Saturday.

April 15, 1955, and the first McDonald's "restaurant" opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, named by milk shaker-salesman Ray Kroc after the McDonald brothers, Dick and Mac, whose hamburger stand in San Bernadino, California became his inspiration. The rest... yeah well you know.

Australian vice-captain Karen Rolton's brilliant 107 not out in yesterday Women's World Cup Final against India is the first century scored in a WCWC Final. Not the second, as has been widely reported in the media today. I've explained why on Cricketwoman. [now available here - RE, 20.2.13]