#san marino '23

[arabela25]

Eurovision Song Contest 2023 countdown: 9 days left!

Like An Animal - Piqued Jacks, San Marino 🇸🇲

[nyehhh-hh]

MOTOGP 2023 SEASON

MISANO, 2023 - Fabio Quartararo

📸Mirco Lazzari gp

[bread-making-vikings]

oooooooooooooooo good maybe?

[idiotkidthatdoesthings]

Was that the end?

Yes, that's the end

Well, we survived all that, and then got that end

Al least the public was also silence

- the Dutch commentators

[brawngp2009]

Jenson Button (GBR) BAR Honda 007. Formula One World Championship, Rd4, San Marino Grand Prix, Qualifying Day, Imola, Italy, 23 April 2005. Sutton Images.

[thisismyobsessionnow]

Okay, let's go, my top 36!

Based mostly on studio versions and vibes at this point. Really it's still just my first impressions to be honest. Very much subject to change because I've not spent enough time with these songs yet but putting it out there today so I can still catch the change as we go through the last week up until the semifinals.

Switzerland - Nemo - The Code

Slovenia - Raiven - Veronica

Italy - Angelina Mango - La Noia

Croatia - Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim

Poland - Luna - The Tower

Latvia - Dons - Hollow

Serbia - Teya Dora - Ramonda

Norway - Gåte - Ulveham

Lithuania - Silvester Belt - Luktelk

San Marino - Megara - 11:11

11. Czechia - Aiko - Pedestal 12. Portugal - Iolanda - Grito 13. Armenia - Ladaniva - Jako 14. The Netherlands - Joost Klein - Europapa 15. United Kingdom - Olly Alexander - Dizzy 16. Estonia - 5miinust & Puuluup - (Nendest) Narkootikumidest Ei Eea Me (Küll) Midagi 17. Ireland - Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue 18. Spain - Nebulossa - Zorra 19. Luxembourg - Tali - Fighter 20. Moldova - Natalia Barbu - In The Middle 21. Ukraine - Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria 22. Finland - Windows95man - No Rules! 23. Austria - Kaleen - We Will Rave 24. Belgium - Mustii - Before The Party's Over 25. Australia - Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood) 26. Denmark - Saba - Sand 27. Greece - Marina Satti - Zari 28. France - Slimane - Mon Amour 29. Germany - Isaak - Always On The Run 30. Sweden - Marcus & Martinus - Unforgettable 31. Iceland - Hera Björk - Scared Of Heights 32. Azerbaijan - Fahree & Ilkin Dovlatov - Özünlə apar 33. Albania - Besa - Titan 34. Georgia - Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter 35. Cyprus - Silia Kapsis - Liar 36. Malta - Sarah Bonnici - Loop

[alianoralacanta]

Everything You Never Needed To Know About The Two Race Engine Rule (24-10-2007)

Context: Once upon a time, a driver could use three engines in the same day and simply risk a DNQ for not meeting the 107% rule. (Damon Hill, France 1999 qualifying day. Turns out that if one wishes to set a good time, one's has to do sufficient speedy laps on the track and not on stands in the garage). Then it was decided that was too wasteful and teams were banned from swapping engines between qualifying and the race. This was followed in 2005 with a requirement to use engines for two consecutive races before replacement, unless a race was not finished. In 2008, the requirement increased to 3 consecutive races on a single engine. I received a request to provide some statistics about the two-race engine era. Nowadays, each engine must last an average of 6 races, but teams can arrange that running how they want. A driver who wanted to do the first 3 and last 3 races on the same engine, but not any of the ones in between, is nowadays permitted to do so.

Thanks to neil for coming up with the idea for this entry, and especially to concentrate on the successes. To celebrate the fact that the two-race engine rule is now consigned to history, I will be doing some analysis of how the engine rules have influenced the grid.

Three seasons of careful management, impressive calculation and inopportune explosions will be celebrated in what I think is the most fitting way possible… …a ream of annotated statistics.

Victories Against The Odds

It has been mentioned in Autosport (March 23 2006 edition) that a new engine is worth 10-15hp over a used engine. Therefore, to win with a used engine suggests that the driver didn't have everything in their favour. And we all love drivers who win against the odds, don't we?

The following wins were achieved with a used engine:

2005

Fernando Alonso, Renault, Malaysia 2005 (the first time used engines appeared in a Grand Prix weekend was also the first time they won!) Fernando Alonso, Renault, San Marino 2005 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Monaco 2005 Fernando Alonso, Renault, France 2005 Fernando Alonso, Renault, Germany 2005 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Turkey 2005 (the start of a three-race chain) Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren, Italy 2005 (the first time both drivers in the same team win at least one race with used engines - and consecutive ones to boot!) Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Belgium 2005 (this chain of three events, ending with this race, is the first time used engines win more than one race consecutively) Fernando Alonso, Renault, Brazil 2005

2005 used engine win total - 9 2005 new engine win total - 10

2006

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, Europe 2006 Fernando Alonso, Renault, Spain 2006 Fernando Alonso, Renault, Britain 2006 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, USA 2006 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, Germany 2006 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Turkey 2006 (first race to be won by someone with a used engine in two consecutive years) Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, Italy 2006 Fernando Alonso, Renault, Japan 2006 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Brazil 2006

2006 used engine win total - 9 2006 new engine win total - 9

2007

Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Malaysia 2007 (first driver to have won the same event with used engines twice) Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Spain 2007 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Canada 2007 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, France 2007 Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Germany 2007 (second driver to have won the same event with used engines twice) Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Hungary 2007 Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Belgium 2007 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Japan 2007

2007 used engine win total - 8 2007 new engine win total - 9

Grand total Used engines 25 v 29 New engines

Masters of Used Engines - Drivers

Fernando Alonso (11) Kimi Raikkonen (5) Felipe Massa (4) Michael Schumacher (3) Juan Pablo Montoya (1) Lewis Hamilton (1)

Fernando clearly takes the crown of Master of Used Engines. Admittedly, being in a championship-challenging car for three years in a row does help a little. That said, he is Master or Joint Master of Used Engines in each individual year as well (he shares with Michael Schumacher in 2006, and is the outright winner in both 2005 and 2007). This is quite a statement of skill.

Kimi Raikkonen would probably have done better had his engine been reasonably reliable in 2005 or 2006. Or indeed if he'd ever been on the top step of the podium in 2006. However, he plainly does not require a fresh engine to demonstrate his talent.

Felipe Massa is consistent, having two used-engine victories in both 2006 and 2007 (being in a non-victorious Sauber didn't help his 2005 rating much). Don't be surprised if he shows well in 2008's three-race engine environment.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Lewis Hamilton, in a sense, represent past and future. Juan Pablo used to be an exciting F1 driver. He's still exciting, but he's doing NASCAR now, where they don't mess about with multi-race engines as far as I'm aware. Since he's also refused to return to F1, don't expect him to add to this tally in any series.

If Lewis Hamilton doesn't add any used engine victories in the three-race engine era, then I'm an apple tree. The main reason why he's only had one win in this era is because he didn't compete in 2005 or 2006.

Two drivers have won a race with a new engine in this era without winning one with a used engine: Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button. Jenson is not in the used engine winner list largely because his engine blew in free practise on the Saturday of Hungary 2006. Had it held on, he would a) have had an easier time of winning that race and b) be on the list.

Masters of Used Engines - Teams

Renault (8) McLaren (7) Ferrari (7)

The Masters of Used Engines team award has been hotly contested between three great teams - so hotly that no other team has a single used-engine victory to its credit.

Renault's position in the list is particularly remarkable, since only one driver contributed every single used-engine win to its effort. McLaren and Ferrari required three drivers to achieve their results.

All three of these teams won in two out of the three years the rule was in place.

Poles for Used Engines

Wins with an engine that is minus 10-15bhp are challenging, but what about carving perfect laps with imperfect engines? Surely that's got to be pretty tough.

2005

Fernando Alonso, Renault, Malaysia 2005 (again, first pole at first attempt for used engines) Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, San Marino 2005 (first time a pole-sitting used-engine user didn't win the race pole was obtained in - that comes later for Kimi) Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Monaco 2005 (start of a three-race chain) Nick Heidfeld, Williams, Europe 2005 (first time a used engine is taken to pole by a driver who doesn't win a race with a used engine during the two-engined era) Jarno Trulli, Toyota, Canada 2005 (this three-race chain, ending this race, is the first time a used engine is on pole on consecutive occasions) Fernando Alonso, Renault, France 2005 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Turkey 2005 Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren, Belgium 2005

2005 used engine poles: 8 2005 new engine poles: 11

2006

Fernando Alonso, Renault, Monaco 2006 (first race where pole was obtained by someone with a used engine in two consecutive years) Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, USA 2006 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Germany 2006 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Turkey 2006 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Brazil 2006

2006 used engine poles: 5 2006 new engine poles: 13

2007

Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Malaysia 2007 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Spain 2007 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Canada 2007 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, France 2007 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Germany 2007 (first driver to take pole with a used engine at the same race twice) Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Turkey 2007 (second driver to take pole with a used engine at the same race twice) Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Belgium 2007 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, China 2007

2007 used engine poles: 8 2007 new engine poles: 9

Grand total Used engines 21 v 33 new engines

Clearly new engines are a more significant factor in qualifying than in the race. This was especially the case in 2006, where developments were being completed quickly in anticipation of the 2007 engine homologation rules. Notice that in 2007, new and used engines are more evenly matched in qualifying.

Kings of Used Engine Speed - Drivers

Felipe Massa (6) Kimi Raikonnen (5) Fernando Alonso (4) Lewis Hamilton (2) Nick Heidfeld (1) Jarno Trulli (1) Juan Pablo Montoya (1) Michael Schumacher (1)

There is a lot more competition for this contest than the Master of Used Engines award. The winner of the award is Felipe Massa. He appears to be an expert at teasing speed out of a used engine when qualifying comes around. He was better at it than Michael Schumacher in 2006, and he has held his own in 2007. Very impressive, especially in this era when the pole-sitter often goes on to win.

Kimi Raikkonen's moments of brilliance are more spread out, but you can count on there being at least one in each season. Unfortunately, the poles rarely led to victories (his used-engine victories tended to be born in the adversity of second-row starts - or worse).

Fernando Alonso is a much better racer than he is a qualifier. That said, he won the world championship in 2006 without getting one pole with a used engine, so maybe there's a lesson in that for his rivals…

Lewis Hamilton is, in theory, a better qualifier than racer on used engines. That said, with such a small sample it's difficult to tell.

Michael Schumacher seemed to need a new engine in order to get pole. That didn't stop him from being at the sharp end of the grid a lot of the time, though.

Nick Heidfeld and Jarno Trulli never won a race in the two-engine era despite both getting poles with used engines - surely indicating that both qualify better than they race. While this probably isn't news to Trulli observers, those who observe Heidfeld tend not to mention this when writing about him.

Juan Pablo Montoya's single pole with a used engine is probably because he got most of his poles before the rule was introduced. Qualifying used to be a speciality of his.

Kings of Used Engine Speed - Teams

Ferrari (10) McLaren (7) Renault (3) Williams (1) Toyota (1)

The titans in the 2007 championship fight are the ones that are at the head of this list. That said, the clear Masters of Used Engine Speed are Ferrari, largely because Felipe Massa has driven so many pole laps for them. It's almost as if he needs a used engine before he fully lets himself go. That said, Kimi Raikkonen has also found the Ferrari environment conducive to his natural abilities. Even Michael managed to get pole with a used engine once…

McLaren despite having had four drivers help them get their total, are definitely behind Ferrari. This is largely because none of their drivers got consistent poles in the first place (they kept getting let down by their machinery, then polemeisters Massa and Raikkonen got together at the red team).

Renault can credit their entire presence on this list to Fernando Alonso. Williams and Toyota likewise only had one driver contribute to their totals.

The "It'll Be All Right On The Night" Award for Reliability - Engine Suppliers

BMW (1.67/car/year, 5 total) <1 in Williams; 3 + 1 in BMW Sauber> Renault (1.75/car/year, 7 total) <2 + 2 + 2 in Renault; 1 in Red Bull> Ferrari (3.43/car/year, 24 total) <4 + 8 + 1 in Ferrari; 3 in Sauber; 3 in Red Bull; 0 in Toro Rosso; 5 in Spyker> Toyota (3.5/car/year, 21 total) <1 + 8 + 0 in Toyota; 5 + 3 in Jordan/Midland/Spyker; 4 in Williams> Mercedes (3.67/car/year, 11 total) <8 + 2 + 1 in McLaren> Cosworth (3.75/car/year, 15 total) <1 in Red Bull; 2 + 4 in Minardi/Toro Rosso; 8 in Williams> Honda (4,25/car/year, 21 total) <5 + 8 + 3 in BAR/Honda; 2 + 3 in Super Aguri>

The BMW engines are most likely to be "all right on the night", with Renault closely following. This is a significant factor into both team's successes during the two-engine era - BMW's improvement was helped because it could chase up pesky gearboxes and speed instead of engines. Renault's tendency to stay in one piece helped Fernando Alonso's championship campaigns considerably. Renault is statistically the best engine on offer to customers - lucky Red Bull for having that supply!

There is a large gap to the next engine supplier, then you reach Ferrari. In its own cars the engines have worked quite unreliably until the homologation rules kicked in. That said, three of the eight failures in the works team happened to Felipe Massa during the Malaysian GP weekend, which reduced the pain somewhat. For that matter, apart from Spyker, all its customers got more reliable units than the works team. Maybe the customer engines were slower, but at least the teams could depend on Ferrari to clear out some of the bugs that appear to be inherent in Ferrari engine design.

Toyota is slightly worse than Ferrari, much of which can be attributed to an atrocious run of unreliability in 2006. In general, the customer units do not appear to have had many of the reliability flaws removed - not a good sign, since this means progress is relatively slow.

For all Mercedes developed a lousy reputation for reliability, this would appear to only be justified for 2005. However, eight failures in a year when no other works team had half that many said a lot. Since then, it is clear that lots of effort has been made to send out working units to the drivers, which has been particularly helpful in 2007.

Cosworth was the customer of last resort, which may go some way towards explaining its poor record. Integration into teams was not very high, simply because teams expected to be using another engine as soon as possible and therefore didn't work so well with the engine supplier. Though it is true that lack of money didn't help.

Honda should be embarrassed. Clearly it can send a reasonably reliable unit to customers (as Super Aguri can happily testify), so why can't it send something functional to its own works drivers? No wonder Button and Barrichello look like pulling their hair out at times…

The "It'll Be All Right On The Night" Award for Reliability - Teams

Red Bull (5) Super Aguri (5, across two seasons only) Renault (6) Minardi/Toro Rosso (6) (BMW) Sauber (7) Toyota (9) McLaren (11) Williams (13) Jordan/Midland/Spyker (13) Ferrari (13) BAR/Honda (16)

For the most part, customer teams had more reliable engines than their works providers. The exceptions are Williams and Spyker, who have chopped and changed a lot. Integration, or lack of same, explains their woes quite eloquently.

[aijamisespava]

THE EUROVISION 2024 RANKING!

The time has finally come for me to rank the Eurovision songs we have this year. But before I do, I do want to make a couple of points because there are, I feel, a couple important comments that need to be made.

For one, you'll notice that I ranked only 35 countries while the list has 37 songs. There are 2 countries that should not be competing this year, and I decided not to include them in my ranking or any other posts I make here on Aijamisespava, especially as a heavily opinion-based platform. Second, this was a REALLY hard year to rank. So if you see a song ranked super low, it's not that I hate it (I don't really hate any of these songs), it's just I liked some more than others. And finally, I won't be providing explanations for my rankings quite yet. I have a fun 2023 vs. 2024 post for next week planned where I will explain things.

Ready? Set? Here are the first Aijamisespava Eurovision Rankings!

35. Finland: "No Rules!" by Windows95Man 34. Latvia: "Hollow" by Dons 33. Albania: "Titan" by Besa 32. Cyprus: "Liar" by Silia Kapsis 31. Ireland: "Doomsday Blue" by Bambie Thug 30. Luxembourg: "Fighter" by Tali 29. Sweden: "Unforgettable" by Marcus & Martinus 28. Netherlands: "Europapa" by Joost Klein 27. Austria: "We Will Rave" by Kaleen 26. Australia: "One Milkali (One Blood)" by Electric Fields 25. Iceland: "Scared Of Heights" by Hera Björk 24. Germany: "Always On The Run" by Isaak 23. Malta: "Loop" by Sarah Bonnici 22. Czechia: "Pedestal" by Aiko 21. Moldova: "In The Middle" by Natalia Barbu 20. United Kingdom: "Dizzy" by Olly Alexander 19. Spain: "Zorra" by Nebulossa 18. Greece: "Zari" by Marina Satti 17. Portugal: "Grito" by Iolanda 16. Armenia: "Jako" by Ladaniva 15. Estonia: "(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi" by 5MIINUST & PUULUUP 14. Italy: "La Noia" by Angelina Mango 13. Ukraine: "Teresa & Maria" by alyona alyona/Jerry Heil 12. Denmark: "Sand" by Saba 11. Switzerland: "The Code" by Nemo 10. France: "Mon Amour" by Slimane 9. Poland: "The Tower" by Luna 8. Lithuania: "Luktelk" by Silvester Belt 7. Georgia: "Firefighter" by Nusta 6. Slovenia: "Veronika" by Raiven 5. San Marino: "11:11" by Megara 4. Norway: "Ulveham" by Gåte 3. Croatia: "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" by Baby Lasagna 2. Serbia: "Ramonda" by Teya Dora 1. Belgium: "Before The Party's Over" by Mustii

Final Verdict: This year started off a tad underwhelming. Maybe this was my saltiness at my national final winners not winning. However, as I listened to some songs more and more, I started really liking a lot of the entries. And then the internally selected songs came out and I was utterly blown away by some of the songs we got. Was this a good year? Absolutely. I can't wait to see all these songs fight it all out in May! *oh yeah, may I note that my opinions may change? My winner has been flip flopping between Serbia and Belgium for a while and may continue to do so until the end of time*

Congrats to Belgium for winning my personal Eurovision so far, and scoring their 2nd victory in my rankings (having been my winner for 2015).

Okay, I'm gonna go now, bye!

[nyaheum]

My Annual Eurovision List - 2023

Completely based on music videos until we actually see some staging. Don’t come at me.

37. POLAND

Solo – Blanka

LMAO fuck TVP. Jann would have been my winner.

36. LITHUANIA

Stay (ČIŪTO TŪTO) – Monika Linkytė

Bleh. I know some people really like this song, but...bleh. There’s nothing here that sticks with me. The song was over and I forgot what it sounded like. I don’t know, I’m used to more from Lithuania.

35. IRELAND

We Are One – Wild Youth

This is the point where I feel like too many bands are hurting this year. They would have been fine any other year, but comparing them to the other bands this year, they’re quite weak. I also expect them so sing “We are Young” every single time...what is fun. up to anyway? (hiatus, apparently.)

34. AZERBAIJAN

Tell Me More – TuralTuranX

Uh...it’s a song. Their name reminds me of Duran Duran. Remembering the name of Duran Duran was the main thing I did while listening to this song. I abolutely HATE spoken word, oh my god. And apart from that, this sounds like one of those songs from an average to slightly bad romcom. Not even the ending song, but the one from the middle, the part where the producers knew that they wanted to convey the passage of time so they simply chose to do a montage.

33. ALBANIA

DUJE – Albina dhe Familja Kelmendi

The guy singing in between is absolutely taking me out. Definitely would’ve liked this more if the chorus hit harder, like this it’s just...kind of sad? But not the good kind, the melodramatic kind (which I can appreciate, to a certain extent, but not to THIS extent.)

32. CYPRUS

Break A Broken Heart – Andrew Lambrou

Did you know that Andrew actually wanted to participate for Australia in 2022? Yeah. I googled this while listening to the song because it has nothing that pulls me in. It’s fine, don’t get me wrong, he has a great voice, but...eh.

31. GREECE

What They Say – Victor Vernicos

Why is he a child. I like the chorus, kind of, but that’s pretty much it. Very meh.

30. LATVIA

Aijā – Sudden Lights

Another song that really takes its time to build up to nothing noteworthy, which is a shame, because in its basics, I quite enjoy it. It’s just a little...frustrating when the chorus comes and goes and nothing in me has changed? Idk lmao.

29. SWITZERLAND

Watergun – Remo Forrer

This is my grandma’s favourite song this year, yay? For some reason I keep reading his name as Ferrero Rocher. The letters barely match, I think it’s just because this is Switzerland. (yes, ferrero is italian, idk.) Oh, the song? It’s fine. It’s not his fault he’s not Gjon.

28. ICELAND

Power – Diljá

It’s fine. Feels very generic, but doesn’t hit hard enough to justify it. Specifically considering it’s Iceland sending it.

27. ARMENIA

Future Lover – Brunette

Surprisingly good in theory, but in the end I only actually like the middle part. The beginning is well sung but a little too slow for me, and I don’t really enjoy the end in general? I’m very unsure with this.

26. NETHERLANDS

Burning Daylight – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper

I don’t find any joy anymore either, dude. We’re so in synch, damn. Why does the first chorus do that thing where it teases a nice build up for half a second just to drop immediately? And then the second one doesn’t even properly redeem it. Ruined the whole song for me, genuinely. Not that I liked it a lot before, ehem.

25. DENMARK

Breaking My Heart – Reiley

I listened to this and kept thinking that it sounds like a song I already know, but...turns out it was just this song the whole time. Apparently someone at my local radio station really likes it. I don’t, really, I feel like I might be too old for this type of music. Talking about this...you’re telling me Reiley is OLDER than me? What the hell.

24. ITALY

Due Vite – Marco Mengoni

Second year in a row where Italy doesn’t really do it for me, damn. At least it’s a lot better than whatever was going on last year with Brividi. I still liked Supereroi a lot more and think it should have won. Meh.

23. SAN MARINO

Like an animal – Piqued Jacks

Certainly a song. All I could think about while watching this is one Youtube comment simply saying “He is a little hot” because...they’re not wrong? The song itself just doesn’t hit – but I have the fleeting suspicion that this might be fixed by having the sound mixing done by literally anyone that ISN’T San Marino. I don’t even dislike it or anything.

22. ESTONIA

Bridges – ALIKA

I know that everybody loves this, okay? It’s good enough. Perfectly good ballad. It’s not her fault I dislike most ballads. I do like the last minute though, it picks up a lot, I enjoy that.

21. AUSTRALIA

Promise – Voyager

I love how Australia is really going through the classic Eurovision evolution. My right ear also likes the song. I watched the music video, and I think the left one just didn’t get invited or something. It’s actually REALLY off-putting.

20. SLOVENIA

Carpe Diem – Joker Out

Please don’t come for me, but why does everyone love this SO much? Like, I like it a bit too, but not as much as everyone else seems to? I genuinely feel like I’m missing something here.

19. BELGIUM

Because Of You – Gustaph

This is so groovy, I don’t know why everybody hates it. (I mean, I DO know, but apart from that...it’s not that bad.) It’s not the best thing I’ve ever heard, and the aspect ratio of the official music video freaks me out, but it’s very camp – which is a good thing, obviously this is Eurovision after all!

18. UNITED KINGDOM

I Wrote A Song – Mae Muller

I had no expectations for the UK, mainly because I missed all of the teasing they did, so I’m completely fine with this...it just feels like a lot of songs this year sound similar to this? Maybe I’m going insane. But it’s nice to listen to. I wouldn’t turn the radio off if it came on.

17. GEORGIA

Echo – Iru

Imagine how much more this could have slapped if it was in Georgian. Just imagine. It’s fine like this too, and I’m sure it will be elevated by the staging, but...just imagine, honestly.

16. ROMANIA

D.G.T – Theodor Andrei

Okay, let’s ignore the performance for a bit, and just judge the song. I quite like it, actually. His voice is nice, it’s absolutely something different, and I always give a native language bonus.

15. MALTA

Dance (Our Own Party) – The Busker

The revamp did good things for this song. I like a good saxophone, and I feel like this is quite underrated in the community. It’s fun(ky), I think they will be great live, and the music video is definitely worth a watch while you’re at it.

14. SPAIN

Eaea – Blanca Paloma

I feel like I shouldn’t talk about this song without my lawyer. It’s growing on me, very slowly, but there’s still only select parts of the song that I really like, while the rest is just something I have to go through to reach them. Like the salad you get when you order a steak with fries. (I also just liked Agoney a lot more.)

13. PORTUGAL

Ai Coração – Mimicat

After a song I absolutely couldn’t stand last year, Portugal absolutely delivers again. Feels very authentic to Portugal, I really like her voice, it’s quite fast-paced, I really enjoy it.

12. SWEDEN

Tattoo – Loreen

It’s a song. I don’t know, I don’t care about it, it’s good, sure, but it’s absolutely not a winner for me. Also, the pre-chorus sounds so much like another song I know, but I cannot figure out which one and it’s driving me insane. (I have to admit though, rhyming pain and rain IS true lyrical genius, and whoever wrote that part should win an award.) I like the studio version more than the live version by the way. Yes, even with the performance. Don’t ask me why.

11. MOLDOVA

Soarele si Luna – Pasha Parfeni

I love that as long as we have Moldova, Eurovision will never be boring. This is genuinely nice, too, and fills the void Fulenn left in my heart last year perfectly.

10. FRANCE

Evidemment – La Zarra

C’est très...French. Obviously. Good French, but French nonetheless. Groovy, though. I can appreciate that it’s not really a chanson chanson.

9. UKRAINE

Heart Of Steel – TVORCHI

It’s completely fine. Quite good, even, but I just don’t think that it lives up to the songs Ukraine sent the past decade or so...which is understandable, not only because of their situation, but because the song sent by the winning country never really is. I still really appreciate it for it’s modern tone and the bass. (still preffered fiinka though sorry)

8. CROATIA

Mama ŠČ! - LET 3

This is my absolute guilty pleasure this year. I even rather like it musically, I quite enjoy it away from all the chaos. Of course, the chaos is the main reason I like it. What would Eurovision be without these songs, seriously? BRRRR, TRAKTOR.

7. ISRAEL

Unicorn – Noa Kirel

I know people don’t like this because it sounds like three songs mashed together, but I quite like it. Why? Probably because I listen to K-Pop, I’m used to the mashed-together-sound, and I quite like it. Apart from that I enjoy the song, of course, although I’m purposefully ignoring the lyrics.

6. SERBIA

Samo mi se spava – Luke Black

I listen to music like this quite a lot, so I obviously enjoy it...I’m just very afraid that it won’t really land at Eurovision, not with the juries and not with the televote. But I’ll be optimistic and delude myself into thinking that there’s no way it won’t at least make it out of the SF. (And I would absolutely believe it if it was in Semi 2 instead of Semi 1.)

5. NORWAY

Queen of Kings – Alessandra

She, Queen of the Hype! For good reason though, this is GREAT. Very Eurovision, very European in general, I love good party music.

4. CZECH REPUBLIC

My sister’s crown – Vesna

PLEASE PLEASE LET THEM BE GOOD LIVE. I can’t take another Austria 2022. This is SO good. I love it musically, I love the mix of languages, I might have a small crush on their rapper, please let them be good live. Please. I beg you. (I have a bad feeling, though. Especially the chorus just seems very hard to replicate life. I’ve seen the NF, I know.)

3. GERMANY

Blood & Glitter – Lord Of The Lost

I’m still so...in awe that we’re actually sending something good this year? Like, how did this happen? Who did we sacrifice for this? (Answer: Electric Callboy.) This kind of music just feels very German, even if they’re singing in English. My only critique is that I want him to growl more, but if their Eurovision stage is anything like their winners performance at the NF, I’m not worried.

2. AUSTRIA

Who The Hell Is Edgar? - Teya & Salena

No, seriously, who is Edgar? I only know Teya & Salena. This is such a bop – WITH a message, damn. Easily moved into my Top 5 immediately after it came out. Probably my most listened to song this last week. It’s REALLY addicting. What the hell, Österreich? Not both of us going through change right now, aww.

1. FINLAND

Cha Cha Cha – Käärijä

This song came out, I heard it once, and decided it’s my winner this year. Only Gladiator could have possibly challenged it, but we know how that went, so this is my undisputed first place. Please, juries and televote, do not rob our small king.

[gaymer-hag-stan]

My Eurovision 2023 Ranking (As of the 22nd of April)

1. 🇦🇹 Austria - TEYA & SALENA - Who the Hell Is Edgar?

2. 🇫🇷 France - La Zarra - Évidement

3. 🇨🇾 Cyprus - Andrew Lambrou - Break a Broken Heart

4. 🇪🇸 Spain - Blanca Paloma - EAEA

5. 🇨🇿 Czechia - Vesna - My Sister's Crown

6. 🇷🇸 Serbia - Luke Black - Samo mi se spava

7. 🇺🇦 Ukraine - TVORCHI - Heart of Steel

8. 🇸🇪 Sweden - Loreen - Tattoo

9. 🇳🇴 Norway - Alessandra - Queen of Kings

10. 🇫🇮 Finland - Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha

11. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom - Mae Muller - I Wrote a Song

12. 🇲🇹 Malta - The Busker - Dance (Our Own Party)

13. 🇮🇱 Israel - Noa Kirel - Unicorn

14. 🇲🇩 Moldova - Pasha Parfeni - Soarele si Luna

15. 🇱🇹 Lithuania - Monika Linkyte - Stay

16. 🇧🇪 Belgium - Gustaph - Because of You

17. 🇬🇪 Georgia - Iru - Echo

18. 🇮🇸 Iceland - Diljá - POWER

19. 🇵🇱 Poland - BLANKA - Solo

20. 🇩🇪 Germany - Lord of the Lost - Blood & Glitter

21. 🇦🇲 Armenia - Brunette - Future Lover

22. 🇭🇷 Croatia - Let 3 - Mama SC!

23. 🇮🇪 Ireland - Wild Youth - We Are One

24. 🇦🇺 Australia - Voyager - Promise

25. 🇸🇮 Slovenia - Joker Out - Carpe Diem

26. 🇮🇹 Italy - Marco Mengoni - Due vite

27. 🇷🇴 Romania - Theodor Andrei - D.G.T (On and Off)

28. 🇱🇻 Latvia - Sudden Lights - Aijā

29. 🇸🇲 San Marino - Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal

30. 🇵🇹 Portugal - Mimicat - Ai Coração

31. 🇦🇱 Albania - Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje

32. 🇨🇭 Switzerland - Remo Forrer - Watergun

33. 🇪🇪 Estonia - ALIKA - Bridges

34. 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan - TuralTuranX - Tell Me More

35. 🇳🇱 Netherlands - Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper - Burning Daylight

36. 🇩🇰 Denmark - Reiley - Breaking My Heart

37. 🇬🇷 Greece - Victor Vernicos - What They Say

[arabela25]

Like An Animal, Piqued Jacks - Una Voce Per San Marino | San Marino, Eurovision Song Contest 2023

[nyehhh-hh]

MOTOGP 2023 SEASON

MISANO, 2023 - Fabio Quartararo

📸Mirco Lazzari gp

[totallyseiso]

The non-binding UNGA resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza passed with 153 in favour, 10 against, and 23 abstentions.

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Republic of Moldova, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, East Timor, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Against: Austria, Czechia, Guatemala, Israel, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, United States

Abstain: Argentina, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Romania, Slovakia, South Sudan, Togo, Tonga, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay

[nuadox]

Study: Sickle cell disease 11 times deadlier than previously recorded

- By Nuadox Crew -

A new study published in The Lancet Haematology journal reveals that the number of deaths caused by sickle cell disease is significantly higher than previously estimated. 

The study found that the mortality rate attributed solely to sickle cell disease is 11 times lower than the actual number of deaths when considering various risk factors and associated conditions. Sickle cell disease not only leads to underdiagnosis but also increases the risk of infections and death from conditions such as stroke, heart problems, kidney problems, and pregnancy complications. As a result, doctors may overlook the connection between sickle cell disease and the cause of death when listing it on death certificates.

By combining data on prevalence, birth incidence, and mortality, the study estimated that the total mortality burden of sickle cell disease in 2021 was 373,000 deaths worldwide, compared to the previously reported figure of 34,600 deaths solely attributed to sickle cell disease. The increase in mortality was particularly significant in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where the fatality rates were 67 times and nine times higher, respectively, than previously believed.

The research analyzed global health data from 2000 to 2021 and was part of the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine. The study highlights the rising number of babies born with sickle cell disease and the need for early detection and treatment due to the increased susceptibility to severe conditions and infections.

In 2021, approximately half a million babies were born with sickle cell disease, with over three-quarters of these births occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. When considering the total mortality burden, sickle cell disease was the 12th leading cause of death globally for children under the age of 5. However, it ranked among the top three causes of death in countries such as Portugal, Jamaica, Libya, Oman, and San Marino.

The study emphasizes the importance of improving data collection to track progress on sickle cell disease. Instead of relying solely on mortality data, the researchers used a mathematical algorithm that incorporated data on birth incidence, survival rates, and prevalence to estimate total deaths due to sickle cell disease. This approach provided a more comprehensive understanding of the true burden of the disease and its comparison to other leading causes of death.

The research highlights the urgent need for policymakers and public health advocates to address the underestimated burden of sickle cell disease. The implementation of universal newborn screening, the establishment of public registries for case monitoring, and early intervention treatments can significantly alleviate suffering for the approximately 8 million people living with sickle cell disease.

The study also stresses the importance of universal newborn screening for early diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease. While newborn screening is universal in the United States, many low- and middle-income countries lack a comprehensive screening process. Increasing global awareness and adopting health policies that expand neonatal screening and improve treatment accessibility are crucial for improving health outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease.

--

Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Full study: Global, regional and national prevalence and mortality burden of sickle cell disease, 2000-2021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, The Lancet Haematology (2023)  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00118-7

Read Also

Yaw Ansong Jnr speaks on technologies for sickle cell disease patients

[residentraccoon]

Oh no Top 30 moment 😳

1. Norway - this will be my 1st the whole season ❤

2. Estonia

3. Slovenia

4. San Marino

5. Denmark

6. Lithuania

7. Belgium

8. Latvia

9. Switzerland

10. Czechia - just now I realised that it's literally in my top 10 and it's so underrated I actually really like Czechia you guys are just mean

11. Croatia

12. France

13. Spain - grower of the season for me

14. Netherlands - europapa lives rent free in my head at this point it's actually insane and idk what to do

15. Italy

16. Ukraine

17. Ireland

18. Poland

19. Finland

20. Malta

21. Austria

22. Moldova

23. Australia - I loved the language inclusion and the slightly 2015ish sound it's very nostalgic to me for some reason, but I think I need a few more listens tbh

24. Serbia - okay please do not @ me but it kinda underwhelms me a lil...but who knows it might grow !!

25. Cyprus

26. Luxembourg

27. United Kingdom - mmm I have no strong feelings to this tbh...solid entry though

28. Iceland

29. Albania

30. Germany

[brawngp2009]

Jenson Button (GBR) BAR talks with engineers. Formula One World Championship, Rd4, San Marino Grand Prix, Practice Day, Imola, Italy, 23 April 2004. Sutton Images.