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My mother, Jennifer Preston, who has died aged 89, lived a long and varied life, characterised by care for others, especially children. Jennifer’s career in education and charity work spanned more than 60 years, which enabled her to have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children and families.
From around 1971 she worked as a freelance educational consultant, and taught children with complex special needs to read at the Cheyne Centre in Chelsea. She was proud that she once taught Nigella Lawson at the Vale school, a private preparatory school in Chelsea, where she worked, as the school secretary then a teacher, for about 10 years from 1959. Her interest in children with hearing impairment led her to co-author a respected text called Hearing Loss (1985).
Yet it was her work in epilepsy that was perhaps closest to her heart, driven by the death of her 22-year-old son, William, in 1988. He died of a then little-known syndrome called sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (Sudep), which disproportionately affects young people. Jennifer channelled her grief into producing Epilepsy and the Young Adult (1990), a booklet designed to help those who are diagnosed in their teens, and, with other bereaved families, founded Epilepsy Bereaved, now Sudep Action. As well as serving as a trustee into her 80s, Jennifer volunteered as a point of contact for people who had been recently bereaved.
Jennifer was born in Paddington, central London, to Sir Laurence Kirwan, an eminent archaeologist who worked with military intelligence, and Joan (nee Chetwynd), a Wren. Sir Laurence later went on to become head of the Royal Geographical Society. Her parents separated when she was four, divorcing later. From the age of seven, Jennifer went to Mayfield boarding school in East Sussex.
In her late teens, Jennifer became one of the last eligible society debutantes to be presented to the Queen (the practice was stopped in 1958). She was more intent on adventure, however, and after Mayfield became a librarian in the London Library (1952-54) before going to Rome, in 1956, where she worked as an au pair, and then to the Sorbonne in Paris to do French studies (1957-58). Jennifer travelled extensively, including to the Middle East. Her love of travel never left her and she made her last trip overseas to Australia in 2020, at the age of 87.
In 1965 she married naval historian Antony Preston. Initially living in Chelsea, in 1967 they moved to a house in Fulham, where Jennifer would remain for the rest of her life. They had four children; their eldest, Matt Preston, went on to became a television star in Australia. Jennifer loved sport and was a fan of Fulham FC, regularly attending matches.
In 2018, Jennifer was shortlisted by Hammersmith and Fulham council in their civic honours for a lifetime achievement award – she was the longest-serving school governor in the borough, working at Holman Hunt and Holy Cross primary schools from 1991 to 2017.
Antony died in 2004. Jennifer is survived by her children, Matt, Katie and me, and by five grandchildren.
Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/12/jennifer-preston-obituaryCredit: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/12/jennifer-preston-obituary
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Talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are said to be "moving in the right direction" after a second day of scheduling disruption. BBC News understands there are hopes of a resolution soon but not all issues are "fully resolved" at this stage.
Weekend football coverage has been disrupted due to walkouts triggered by the Match of the Day host's suspension. Director General Tim Davie has apologised to licence fee payers for the changes. Presenters, pundits and commentators pulled out of BBC football coverage in support of Lineker, who was taken off air for criticising government asylum plans.
TV and radio coverage have been hit throughout Sunday as the stand off between the host and the BBC continues. It follows an unprecedented day of turmoil for the BBC's sports operation on Saturday, with some of the most recognisable faces and voices associated with the broadcaster walking out.
BBC Two's Sunday afternoon coverage of the Women's Super League went ahead without studio analysis and had to rely on world feed commentary, while Radio 5 Live was forced to plug gaps in the schedule with pre-recorded programmes for a second straight day. Match of the Day 2 will follow the main programme's much-reduced format - airing for just 15 minutes - without the usual commentators and host Mark Chapman.
Paul Armstrong, a former Match of the Day editor, said there was a "lack of consistency…and clear guidelines" for how impartiality implies to sports staff. Appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg armed with the BBC's latest impartiality rules, he urged everyone to calm down.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the issue between the BBC and Lineker should be resolved by the BBC itself. Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer have both attacked the presenter this week for his comparison between the government's language and Nazi Germany. Labour's Shadow Chancellor Rachael Reeves said the BBC had "clearly come under immense pressure from the Conservative Party to take Gary Lineker off air".
An ongoing KC-led review into Richard Sharp's appointment as BBC chairman is investigating whether he failed to properly disclose details of his involvement in the facilitation of an £800,000 loan guarantee for the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He has denied any involvement in the arrangement of a loan for Mr Johnson. The BBC is also conducting its own internal review over any potential conflicts of interest Mr Sharp may have in his current role as BBC chairman. Mr Sharp has resisted calls to quit.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to swirl as to whether Lineker will return to the BBC. Questioned by reporters on Sunday morning outside his home, Lineker replied only "I can't say anything at the moment" when asked if he would return to the BBC or if he had been approached by rival broadcasters.
But his son, George, told the Sunday Mirror that he thought his father would return to presenting Match of the Day. He later tweeted: "Dad is a good man, a good human, and I'm proud of him for standing by his word. That's why he was pulled off the show - because he wouldn't apologise. But he will always speak up for people who don't have a voice."
The row erupted after Lineker called the so-called Stop The Boats Bill an "immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
Credit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64930957
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Drake has jokingly suggested that rappers need to prepare their Fathers Day cards for him as the holiday is fast approaching.
On Saturday (March 11), Drake posted a selfie on Instagram of him cuddled up with his longtime dog companion Diamond, who’s an Akita. Drake made sure to be subtle yet direct with his words in the corresponding caption.
“A lot of them boys you entertain wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me, so don’t forget to wish me a happy father's day June 18th,” Drake said.
While Drake may be throwing light jabs at some of his fellow counterparts, he’s a real life father to 5-year-old Adonis Graham.
Drake hasn’t been shy about letting rappers know that he’s laser-focused on those who try to copy and repurpose his artistic abilities for their own career.
With so many accolades and praise, Drake previously talked about making a “graceful exit” from the rap game during a recent interview with Lil Yachty.
Drake’s contributions to Hip Hop have been the subject of much debate. Rapper Jim Jones recently declared him the G.O.A.T.
Actor Michael B. Jordan shared similar G.O.A.T. sentiments during an interview with Complex on Tuesday (March 7). He also said the Toronto rap star should be ranked higher than Hip Hop greats like 2Pac and JAY-Z. “Fight me,” he said in response to his choice alongside actor and Creed III co-star Jonathan Majors.
In other news, rapper Toosii has accused a police officer of pulling a gun at him in North Carolina. Logic, on the other hand, has hit back at criticism over his Ice Cube remix album.
Credit: https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-rappers-fathers-day-cards
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Roma dropped out of Serie A's Champions League places on Sunday after falling to a shock 4-3 home defeat to Sassuolo. Roma could have moved level on points with second-placed Inter Milan who lost at struggling Spezia on Friday but were stunned by an Armand Lauriente double, Domenico Berardi's penalty and Andrea Pinamonti's neat finish with 15 minutes remaining.
Roma were without the suspended Jose Mourinho and had to play the entire second half a man down after Marash Kumbulla was sent off for kicking Berardi and conceding the spot-kick from which the Italy international gave Sassuolo a two-goal half-time lead. Mourinho's team, who netted through Nicola Zalewski, substitute Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum, are now fifth, level on 47 points with fourth-placed AC Milan but below the champions by virtue of having played a game more. There is little chance of Roma moving back into the top four as Milan host Salernitana on Monday night.
Mourinho was absent after his two-match ban for being sent off during Roma's defeat at Cremonese earlier this month was confirmed. Roma are livid at the decision as Mourinho's red card came following a blazing row with fourth official Marco Serra, who, the capital club claim, insulted their Portuguese coach. Home fans waved hankies in a Spanish-style protest before kick-off while Roma decided on a media blackout for both Sunday's match and next weekend's Rome derby.
A Roma team missing Italy internationals Lorenzo Pellegrini and Andrea Belotti to injury and Bryan Cristante to suspension got made an awful start. They gave away two cheap goals to Lauriente in the first 18 minutes. Zalewski pulled Roma back into the game midway through the first half with a volley which bounced fortuitously over Andrea Consigli. Kumbulla's daft reaction on the stroke of half-time presented Berardi with Sassuolo's third.
Roma were forced to bring on Dybala, being rested ahead of the trip to Real Sociedad in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday. Even though the Argentina forward did crash in his team's second in the 50th minute there was no stopping Sassuolo. Pinamonti dinked home a lovely finish after being sent through by the lively Lauriente. Wijnaldum's first Roma goal was scant consolation.
Earlier Verona's survival bid stalled after a 1-1 draw with Monza left them five points from 17th-placed Spezia and safety. Simone Verdi's 51st minute opener for the hosts was almost immediately cancelled out by Stefano Sensi's tap-in from Carlos Augusto's pull-back. Fiorentina beat bottom team Cremonese 2-0 to win their fifth straight match.
Credit: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230312-ten-man-roma-stunned-by-sassuolo-and-out-of-serie-a-top-four
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Jose Mourinho was absent from the bench as Roma lost 4-3 at home to Sassuolo on Sunday. Armand Laurienté scored twice for Sassuolo before Nicola Zalewski pulled one back. However, Roma's Marash Kumbulla got a red card for violent conduct, and Domenico Berardi converted the resulting penalty. Roma's Paulo Dybala scored at the start of the second half, but Andrea Pinamonti all but sealed the result 15 minutes later. Georginio Wijnaldum scored one at the end.
Roma remained even with AC Milan, who will play Salernitana on Monday. Lazio was two points ahead of Roma and Milan, having drawn at Bologna on Saturday. Inter was one point further ahead after an unexpected loss at Spezia on Friday. Mourinho will not be able to play in Roma's next Serie A match against Lazio.
Wijnaldum missed a clear chance for Roma during the early minutes of the match. Sassuolo scored in the 13th minute when Laurienté tapped in the rebound after Chris Smalling charged down Davide Frattesi's shot, and Pinamonti's effort was parried by Rui Patrício. Laurienté doubled their lead five minutes later. Roma recovered and pulled one back when Zalewski's volley bounced into the ground and over Consigli.
Roma's Marash Kumbulla got a red card for violent conduct near the end of the first half, and Berardi drilled home the spotkick. Dybala sent a swerving effort into the top-right corner five minutes later, and Sassuolo almost immediately restored its two-goal advantage but Berardi's shot clipped the crossbar. Sassuolo sealed the result when Laurienté set up Pinamonti's goal. Wijnaldum reduced the deficit in stoppage time.
Juventus beat Sampdoria 4-2 despite missing a penalty. The Bianconeri, with hefty points punishment, moved to within four points of sixth-place Atalanta. Bremer and Adrien Rabiot gave Juventus 2-0 lead after 26 minutes. Sampdoria leveled it in the 32nd after Tommaso Augello and Filip Đuričić scored in under 90 seconds. Rabiot doubled the tally in the 64th, but Dušan Vlahović missed the penalty. Matías Soulé scored for Sampdoria in stoppage time.
Monza drew 1-1 against Hellas Verona, which inched to within five points of safety and 17th-place Spezia. Stefano Sensi scored for the visitors while Simone Verdi scored the equalizer. Gianluca Caprari's goal for Monza was disallowed for a tight offside decision.
Cremonese drew 0-2 against Fiorentina and was 12 points from safety level with Sampdoria. Torino won 2-0 at Lecce.
Credit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/03/12/mourinho-roma-dybala-juventus-serie-a/491bb096-c10d-11ed-82a7-6a87555c1878_story.html
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"I think that's the hope [that he'll return], but really there's nothing to report on," Kerr said prior to the team's overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. "We're giving him his space as he deals with something that's way more important than a game. If he's able to come back, then that would be great, and if not then that's the case. Whatever happens we'll handle it accordingly."
"Friend to friend, teammate to teammate, sending him support," Steph Curry said. "Tough situation with him being away for so long but necessary. Life is bigger than basketball. Whatever him and his family are going through, that's all that matters. Whenever he's ready to come back, I'm sure he will. That's how he's built in terms of being available. I know he's missing the vibe and being with us, and we miss him too."
Credit: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/warriors-uncertain-if-andrew-wiggins-will-play-again-this-season-due-to-personal-matter/
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In true 1975 fashion, the band released a mini-documentary about the lead-up to their SNL performance. In one part of it, Matty Healy is on the phone with Chris Martin of Coldplay, who played SNL for the seventh time last month. Healy asks for Martin’s advice on what songs to do, and Martin provides this helpful tip: “If you want it to go over massively, play a Coldplay song.”
No Coldplay covers last night, but check out the performances below.
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Credit: https://www.stereogum.com/2216619/the-1975-saturday-night-live-performance-2023/news/
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The 1975 returned to Saturday Night Live on March 11, lighting up the Studio 8H with their electric performance. Led by the charismatic frontman, Matt Healy, the British alternative rock band gave a stellar performance of “I’m in Love With You” and “Oh Caroline” from their latest album, "Being Funny in a Foreign Language." The album, produced by Jack Antonoff, debuted and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart in October 2022.
The 1975 took a brief break from touring to give their amazing performance to SNL. Later this month, they are scheduled to play at Lalapalooza in Argentina and Chile before embarking on dates in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
The Saturday Night Live episode featuring The 1975's performance was hosted by Wednesday star Jenna Ortega. For those who missed the broadcast, SNL is available to stream on Peacock. Fans can sign up for the account to access previous SNL episodes as well.
You can watch The 1975’s SNL performance on the video links provided below. Prepare yourself for a rockin' good time!
Credit: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-1975-matt-healy-snl-musical-guest-videos-1235284271/Credit: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-1975-matt-healy-snl-musical-guest-videos-1235284271/
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Passengers travelling with Flair Airlines were “impacted” on Saturday after four of its leased aircraft were seized in Toronto, Edmonton and Waterloo, Ont., in what the company described as a “commercial dispute.”
The air carrier said Flair would use “additional fleet capacity” to lessen the affects on passengers, adding it did not foresee any major disruptions to its route map. Company spokesman Mike Arnot said a number of Flair flights were cancelled Saturday morning, but the company had three spare aircraft to backfill those flights. Passengers travelling in the next 72 hours will either be accommodated on Flair flights or another airline at Flair’s expense if a Flair flight isn’t available.
Customers can also rebook their own travel and receive a reimbursement within seven days.
A person familiar with the matter said the payments for the affected planes were only a few days behind and the amount owed was small relative to Flair’s overall revenue. The leasing company, which Arnot confirmed was Airborne Capital, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
“Flair Airlines will continue to engage in a consensual mediation with the lessor to remedy the situation,” the statement said.
The disruption occurred as airports and airlines prepared for a surge in passengers during spring break, which kicks off in Ontario this weekend.
Flair Airlines announced in September it planned to become Canada’s third-largest domestic airline by this summer and expand its fleet to 30 aircraft by the end of 2023, serving 70 routes. The airline faced obstacles last year over whether its relationship with a Miami-based investor violated rules restricting foreign entities to no more than 49% ownership of a Canadian airline.
The dispute ended, following Flair’s moves to rejig the composition of its board to ensure at least half the directors are Canadian and to end any unique shareholder rights by the investor.
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The former Private Eye cartoonist Bill Tidy has died at the age of 89. Tidy, known for his appearances on Countdown and Watercolour Challenge, was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to journalism. His death was announced on his Facebook page by his family.
The post said: “It is with huge sadness that I have to share with you the tragic news that we lost our dad, who is not only the most brilliant cartoonist [but] the very best dad two sons, a son-in-law and a daughter could ever wish for.”
Tidy was born in Liverpool in 1933, the BBC reported. He did not receive formal artistic training, instead working for the Royal Engineers before becoming a cartoonist. His career began when he sold a sketch to a Japanese newspaper in 1955.
Among his cartoons was The Cloggies, which appeared in Private Eye from 1967 to 1981, and The Fosdyke Saga, which ran in the Daily Mirror from 1971 to 1985. The Fosdyke Saga’s popularity led to it being adapted into a BBC radio serial in 1984.
Bill Tidy’s passing is a sad loss to the world of cartooning and journalism. His influence and creativity will be missed by many, but his legacy will live on through the countless cartoons and illustrations he created over his long and illustrious career.
Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/mar/12/bill-tidy-former-private-eye-cartoonist-dies-aged-89
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