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RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
All you need to know about Eurovision voting patterns
Analysis: there are many parallels between Eurovision voting and regular election campaigns Both of us love the Eurovision contest but, as members of the Electoral Geography Group (EGG) at Maynooth University (along with Dr. William Durkan), we are also interested in the contest for the similarities that exist between this and "regular" election campaigns. National selection processes, where the different Eurovision countries select their acts and songs for that year's contest, often mirror the candidate selection contests of political parties. Both are sometimes prone to controversy and results are shaped by rules imposed for the selection process. Just like election candidates, selected acts often use the period before the contest to "campaign", or promote their entries, usually being strategic in terms of which countries they focus on. However, the most obvious parallels relate to Eurovision voting patterns. Some countries tend to award high numbers of points to the same countries on a regular basis. This was already a characteristic of the jury-voting era, which lasted until 1997, but a tendency towards "bloc voting" seems to have ramped up further with the introduction of televoting in the late 1990s. This prompted accusations of political voting in the 2000s and claims that different countries – particularly "new" Eurovision countries, such as Russia, Serbia and Turkey – had an unfair advantage due to "friends and neighbours" or "diaspora" voting. This brought about a re-introduction of juries in 2009. Another significant factor which can shape relative success levels is the position a song receives in the semi-final/final running order. Certain positions are generally less favourable than others – most notably, the number two position in the Final running order – while later positions in the running order tend to be more favourable. Language is another factor to consider. Statistics suggest that songs performed in English have a better chance of success than those performed in other languages. Following the abolition of the native language rule in 1999, increasing numbers of countries opted to use English for their entries, with this trend peaking at the 2016 contest in which only three of the entries in a language other than English (including a French-language entry from Austria). However, the success of Portugal's Salvador Sobral with "Amar pelos dois" in 2017 lead to an increase in the number of entries performed in non-English languages sent to subsequent contests. While French chansons dominated the contest in the 1950s and 1960s, a song in the French language has not won Eurovision since Celine Dion won for Switzerland with "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" in Dublin in 1988. However, two French-language entries figure among the strong favourites in 2021 – Barbara Pravi's "Voila" (France) and Gjon Tear's "Tout l'Univers" (Switzerland) – as well as the Italian language "Zitti E Buoni" from Italy's Måneskin. Irrespective of the advantages that certain countries may attain due to "bloc voting" or language, recent results show it is still possible for any country to win Eurovision. In 2019, the Netherlands – a country that failed to qualify for the final eight times in a row between 2005 and 2012 – achieved their first win in the contest since 1975, while North Macedonia – a country that had never finished in the Top 10 in a Final up to that point– won the jury vote. This year sees an unusually large number of countries, who have never won Eurovision before, figuring among the contest favourites, including Bulgaria, Iceland, Malta, Lithuania and Cyprus. Returning to our discussion of the voting trends, simplistic views of televoting trends during the 2000s largely viewed these as being political. While it is fair to note that certain countries still tend to award high numbers of televote points to the same countries every year, these trends probably reflect factors such as shared music markets and cultural commonalities, rather than politics. In fact, it could be argued that the "real political voting" occurs with the juries, more so that the public vote, a discussion for a future Brainstormarticle! Looking at some examples of Eurovision voting patterns, Ukraine tends to win, on average, very high numbers of televote points from other former Soviet states, as well as their neighbours Poland. Other countries may also take advantage of a large diaspora vote, as is the case with Lithuania. While Lithuania is also a former Soviet state, it does not enjoy the same level of success as Ukraine and Russia in terms of winning points from other former Soviet states (with the exceptions of neighbours Latvia, and Georgia). However, the large Lithuanian diaspora in countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland often ensures a significant number of televote points for the Lithuanian act from those countries. While Irish success levels at Eurovision dipped notably during the 2000s, Ireland too relies strongly on "friends and neighbours" voting when it comes to winning televote points at Eurovision. Since the introduction of televoting, the United Kingdom has been the most generous country by far for Irish Eurovision acts. While there is a distinct geography to Ireland's televote pattern, this is not wholly related to geographical proximity. Ireland fares well in winning points from the "Viking Bloc" states in north-western Europe (especially Denmark), but has struggled to win televote points from France during this same period. In fact, during the last two decades Ireland has tended to be more likely to win televote points from the Baltic States than they are to win points from some western European countries, including Italy and France. Since 2016, each country returns a separate set of televote and jury vote points. This allows for some interesting contrasts between jury vote and televote trends. For some of the countries who finished in the Top 10 at the 2019 Final, there appears to be a significant disagreement in the ranking of these entries between both of the "judging panels". Norway's KEiiNO won the televote by a comfortable margin, but ultimately only finished in sixth place overall due to a much lower ranking from the professional juries. Similarly, acts from Iceland and Russia fared notably stronger with the televoters than they did with the juries. By contrast, North Macedonia's Tamara Todevska won the jury vote, but only finished in seventh place overall, after finishing twelfth in the televote. As in previous contests, Sweden also fared notably stronger with jury voters.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Congo Basin celebrates Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG) Forest Management Certification
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ( Congo Basin office is delighted to announce that Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG), a significant and long-standing player in Gabon's forestry sector, has achieved FSC Forest Management (FM) certification. This significant milestone, attained on December 5, 2024, covers EGG's 256,683 hectares of forest across its Forest Management Units (FMUs) EGG ROUGE and EGG VERT in the provinces of Ogooué Lolo and Haut Ogooué. EGG has demonstrated a long-term commitment to sustainability, operating in these Forest Management Units (FMUs). Between 2014 and 2017, the company developed and secured approval for its sustainable forest management plans. This commitment solidified in 2022 when EGG dedicated itself to achieving FSC certification, diligently working to adapt its processes and approaches to meet the rigorous FSC standard requirements. Their hard work and unwavering dedication to sustainable practices have now been formally recognized with FSC certification under license code FSC-C194914 and certificate code PBN-FM/COC-065131. This achievement represents a substantial increase in the total area of FSC-certified forests in Gabon, rising from over 2.2 million hectares to over 2.4 million hectares, and elevates the total certified area within the Congo Basin to an impressive 6.2 million hectares. FSC Congo Basin expresses its enthusiasm "We warmly congratulate EGG on this significant achievement," stated Patrick Epie, FSC Congo Basin and West Africa Sub Regional Coordinator. "Their consistent dedication to sustainable forest management over the years has rightfully culminated in this well-deserved FSC certification. EGG's commitment clearly demonstrates that responsible forestry is not only viable in the Congo Basin but is also a crucial pathway for safeguarding the long-term health of our invaluable forests and fostering a sustainable economy. This certification provides substantial momentum to our ongoing efforts to promote responsible forest management across Gabon and the wider Congo Basin." Boumi Hypp, Certification Manager at FSC Congo Basin, added, "EGG's journey towards FSC certification is a powerful testament to their proactive and responsible approach to forestry. Achieving certification for such a significant forest area demands considerable effort and a deep-seated commitment to the core principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability that FSC champions. We are confident that EGG's certified operations will serve as a strong and positive example for other forestry companies in the region, encouraging the broader adoption of sustainable practices." EGG celebrates its FSC certification "Obtaining FSC Forest Management certification marks a proud and significant moment for EGG, representing the culmination of years of dedicated work and a deep-seated commitment to sustainable forest management," said Adrien Spaymant, Deputy Director of Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG). "We firmly believe in the enduring value of our forests and are dedicated to managing them in a way that ensures both their ecological integrity and their vital contribution to the local economy. This prestigious certification provides our valued partners and customers with the definitive assurance that our timber is sourced responsibly, actively contributing to a more sustainable future for Gabon's precious forest resources." This certification underscores EGG's strong commitment to sustainable forestry practices and further reinforces the growing and crucial movement towards responsible forest management within the Congo Basin. The FSC Congo Basin office eagerly anticipates continued collaboration with EGG and other key stakeholders to further expand the area of certified forests throughout the region. The International Tropical Timber Association (ATIBT), an organisation promoting the development of a sustainable, ethical and legal tropical timber industry as a natural and renewable resource essential to the socio-economic development of producer countries, congratulates EGG on obtaining its FSC forest management certification. Benoît Jobbé-Duval, Managing Director of ATIBT: 'ATIBT congratulates the teams at EGG and FSC on this new certification in Gabon. Our association, which promotes sustainable management by all means, can only applaud the efforts made to achieve this great result.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forest Stewardship Council. More Videos: Media contacts: Israel Bionyi Senior Regional Communications Manager FSC Africa FSC Africa T: +49 (0) 228 367 66 0 F: +49 (0) 228 367 66 65 About FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a nonprofit organization governed by environmental, social, and economic perspectives equally – covers more than 150 million hectares of certified forests and is the global benchmark for sustainable forestry. NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike trust FSC to protect and enhance healthy and resilient forests, for all, forever. About EGG: Founded in 1985, Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG) is a significant player in the Gabonese forestry sector, managing 256,683 hectares of forest. Committed to sustainable operations, EGG supplies timber to industrial partners across Gabon from its UFA EGG ROUGE and EGG VERT concessions.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Leave something for your cousin' – Harlem Eubank backs Chris to dominate Conor Benn but wants to finish job off himself
HARLEM EUBANK expects cousin Chris to dish out a beating on Conor Benn - but hopes there is enough left for him to finish the job off. Eubank Jr and Benn open up their family feud on Saturday night at Tottenham - three decades of from their fathers' two-fight series. 4 Harlem will be in his older cousin's corner tomorrow night - and warned a brutal beating is waiting for Benn. He told SunSport: "I do think it's gonna be a beatdown. "I think it's gonna be one sided and I think the reality is gonna come to fruition and Chris is a world-class middleweight fighter." The second generation grudge match is set at the 160lb middleweight limit - Eubank's weight for the last six years. Welterweight contender Benn meanwhile is having to step up in size. The born rivals were first due to fight in October 2022 in a 157lb catchweight clash. But it was KOd with just days to go as Benn tested positive for clomiphene - a banned substance known to boost testosterone. He protested his innocence and had two wins at the light-middleweight limit in America as his doping saga dragged on. Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn THE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st Century Familial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night. There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person. SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard. Latest News Eubank Jr to appeak £100k fine after slapping Benn with EGG Eubank Jr pays undercard fighters in generous gesture after first date cancelled Eubank Jr says Canelo next is 'logical' after grudge is settled Eddie Hearn aims dig at Eubank Jr after injury pic Eubank Jr reveals strict regime for massive fight Liam Smith 'does not give a s***' at being lined up to face winner George Groves cracks genius joke - but no one notices Chev Clarke fires warning to rival Viddal Riley Canelo reveals he WILL watch Eubank Jr vs Benn in rare decision All the info 4 Eventually, UK Anti-Doping dropped the case against him, allowing Benn to fight on British soil again. And while Harlem warns his cousin will be too big and too strong - he hopes to also get his hands on Benn in the future. 'No two men should have to go through that' - Chris Eubank vs Nigel Benn was so brutal his coach didn't want rematch Harlem, 31, said with a laugh: "Leave something for your cousin!" The undefeated welterweight from Brighton is 21-0 himself and making great strides under the guidance of his legendary uncle Chris Sr. But the British boxing great is estranged from his son Chris Jr - and passionately against the fight with Benn. Eubank Sr feels his eldest's days at middleweight should be up and argues Benn should not be allowed to go up two divisions. Harlem has been stuck in the middle while still maintaining a good friendship and relationship with cousin Chris. And he said: "Jr's his own man and Sr is a dad and dad's are always gonna have the best interests for his son. "Sometimes they're gonna disagree on that and that's how a father-son relationship is." 4 4
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Arsenal fan Anthony Yarde reveals cheeky dig he is preparing ahead of fight with Lyndon Arthur at Tottenham's stadium
ARSENAL fan Anthony Yarde has a cheeky trick up his sleeve as he prepares to fight behind enemy lines at Tottenham's stadium. The light-heavyweight Gooner faces Lyndon Arthur in a trilogy bout on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn. Yarde has worn Arsenal attire all week in what could rile up any Spurs fans attending the event. And now the two-time world title challenger teased going one further by walking out to Gunners' theme tune North London Forever. He told Sky Sports: "I might even come in to the theme song." Yarde was stunned to a points defeat to Arthur in 2020. But he viciously got redemption in the rematch with a brutal fourth-round stoppage. Now they prepare to settle the score nearly half a decade after their rivalry first started. Yarde, 33, said: "Sometimes that's just how it all works out and it's boxing. "I just take every fight very, very seriously. He's going to be a person that wants to get, you can call it revenge. Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn THE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st Century Familial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night. There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person. SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard. Latest News Eubank Jr to appeak £100k fine after slapping Benn with EGG Eubank Jr pays undercard fighters in generous gesture after first date cancelled Eubank Jr says Canelo next is 'logical' after grudge is settled Eddie Hearn aims dig at Eubank Jr after injury pic Eubank Jr reveals strict regime for massive fight Liam Smith 'does not give a s***' at being lined up to face winner George Groves cracks genius joke - but no one notices Chev Clarke fires warning to rival Viddal Riley Canelo reveals he WILL watch Eubank Jr vs Benn in rare decision All the info Eubank Jr vs Benn - Start time, full undercard, TV and stream for huge night Anthony Yarde meets Lyndon Arthur in huge trilogy Liam Smith vs Aaron McKenna in crossroads fight for both Best bets - Get Eubank Jr at 30/1 and Benn at 40/1 "I want to do a better job than I done last time. It's due to be a good clash." Arthur, 33, said: "I have to be better than the first (fight) better than the second fight. "I have to take from both, good things that I did in both. Obviously, the second fight was only four rounds but there were still some good bits. "Personally, I think he's taking this fight lightly. By accident, just naturally thinking it will be easy because of how the second fight went." 3 3
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Chris Eubank Jr's promoter teases stunning Conor Benn rematch at Old Trafford over 30 years after dads' famous fight
CHRIS EUBANK JR and Conor Benn could follow in their fathers' footsteps again with a rematch at Old Trafford. The born rivals renew their family feud for a massive middleweight grudge match at Tottenham's 60,000-plus seater stadium on Saturday. 3 3 It comes 35 years after Eubank Sr defeated Nigel Benn before they controversially drew at Manchester United's ground three years later. The sons already have a rematch clause agreed - and Eubank Jr's promoter Ben Shalom warned not to rule out another family outing to Manchester. Shalom told SunSport: "I think this fight was a London fight, it's so big. "It's got an international feel, you have people flying in from all over the world. "This is a big event, but the rematch at Old Trafford sounds good to me." Eubank Jr, 35, and Benn, 28, were first set to fight in a 157lb catchweight clash in October 2022. But the bout was pulled with just days to go after it emerged Benn had failed two drug tests for clomiphene - known to boost testosterone. The unbeaten welterweight protested his innocence and took his career to America amid his drugs scandal. Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn THE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st Century Familial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night. There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person. SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard. Latest News Eubank Jr to appeak £100k fine after slapping Benn with EGG Eubank Jr pays undercard fighters in generous gesture after first date cancelled Eubank Jr says Canelo next is 'logical' after grudge is settled Eddie Hearn aims dig at Eubank Jr after injury pic Eubank Jr reveals strict regime for massive fight Liam Smith 'does not give a s***' at being lined up to face winner George Groves cracks genius joke - but no one notices Chev Clarke fires warning to rival Viddal Riley Canelo reveals he WILL watch Eubank Jr vs Benn in rare decision All the info 3 He won twice at the light-middleweight limit before his provisional UK Anti-Doping ban was lifted - freeing him to fight in Britain again. But this time around Eubank made no exceptions at the weight - baring a 10lb hydration clause - as Shalom negotiated a middleweight fight. It is disgraceful! Eubank Sr | Eubank Jr V Benn: No Glove Lost fight preview He said: "It should have never been at 157. It was irresponsible for everyone involved that we asked Chris Eubank Jr to get 157. "I almost can't believe it now knowing and working with Chris and seeing what his weight's like, 160 is a push. "Yeah, absolutely crazy that that was ever agreed to but we're here now. He'll make the weight and he'll be ready to go." Nearly 20 MILLION viewers tuned in to watch Eubank Sr and Benn fight to a controversial draw three decades ago. And it brings two different generations of fans to the pay-per-view spin-off in North London - where family bragging rights again go on the line. Shalom added: "Both fighters wanted it. It made sense. The license had been sorted out. "And the thing for Chris, it's just a perfect fight to make him even a bigger star and that's what Saturday night's all about. "It's about Chris Eubank Jr putting on a a huge statement."
