The 25-year-old songwriter has been hit with a very large lawsuit from Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, who claim that Ed’s song Photograph is a “note-for-note” copy of their 2009 track, released by UK X-Factor winner Matt Cardle.
The plaintiffs and their publishing company HaloSongs are being represented by attorney Richard Busch, who represented Marvin Gaye’s family during their recent case over Robin Thicke and Pharrell’s single, Blurred Lines.
“My clients are professional songwriters,” the lawyer told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Their work is their life, and I am honoured that they have trusted me with this very important case.”
“We set out the facts in the lawsuit in great detail.”
Compare the two tracks for yourself in the video player below! Post continues…
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According to Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, “The chorus sections of Amazing and the infringing Photograph share 39 identical notes – meaning the notes are identical in pitch, rhythmic duration, and placement in the measure.”
“The songs’ similarities reach the very essence of the work. The similarities go beyond substantial, which is itself sufficient to establish copyright infringement, and are in fact striking.”
At age 25, Ed is expected to be worth a whopping $76 million.
“The similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that Photograph copies Amazing.”
While Ed or his rep are yet to comment on the lawsuit, the pair are seeking compensation of $20 million USD ($26.7 AUD), as well as statutory damages and any ongoing royalties.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
The ginger talent is best pals with 10-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift.
A mother’s intuition is everything, but tragically, it didn’t help in saving her six-month-old baby boy’s life.
Naomi and Grant Day urged doctors to do further tests on their sick son Kyran but he sadly died in October 2013 due to lack of oxygen flow to the brain, as a result of an obstructed bowel.
The parents told Seven News that they’ve pledged to introduce a law to ensure a parent’s intuition for their child is taken seriously by medical professionals.
A similar law is in place in Queensland, called Ryan’s rule.
Kyran was diagnosed with gastroenteritis after being taken to Shoalhaven Hospital in October 2013, but Mr and Mrs Day knew there was something more going on.
Naomi and Grant Day
Despite rejected pleas to doctors for further tests to be done, little Kyran’s health rapidly deteriorated over the next 30 hours.
When doctors finally realised he had an obstructed bowel, he was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Mr Day said: “He died from the mismanagement and the mistreatment, the treatment that didn’t happen.”
“The deterioration from the night before was horrific. I told my Mum… he’s severely dehydrated, he’s pale, they’re not doing anything.”
The doctor involved in Kyran’s case told Seven News that he apologised to the family and is waiting for the coroners report.
Richard Simmons has lashed out at the National Enquirer’s latest cover story, which alleges the 67-year-old is in the process of a gender transition.
“It’s not true. He is not transitioning into a woman. He has decided to live quietly the last few years,” the star’s rep Tom Estey told US Weekly.
The report has emerged off the back of Richard being admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in LA last week for reportedly displaying “bizarre behaviour.”
Following his hospitalisation, he released a statement reassuring fans he was on the mend.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and concern after hearing I was in the hospital. I was dehydrated and needed some fluids and now I am feeling great! Summer is here -drink plenty of liquids. Big hugs and kisses for caring,” it read.
The explosive magazine cover.
Meanwhile alongside photos of Richard allegedly dressed up as Fiona, The National Enquirer claims the weightloss expert has led a secluded life over the past few years as he undergoes the transition with “breast implants, hormone treatments and medical consultations on castration.”
Richard, who made a name for himself thanks to his Sweatin’ to the Oldeis aerobics empire, has never addressed his sexuality.
Listen to Richard’s denial about being kidnapped in the player below. Post continues after the video…
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It’s not the first time Richard been rocked by wild claims.
In March the New York Daily News ran a story which alleged he was being held captive in his Hollywood Hills mansion by his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles, through the power of witchcraft.
Richard, who has not been seen in public since 2014, vehemently denied the story.
Richard’s rep has vehemnelty denied the National Enquirer’s report.
The Danish palace has released a beautiful portrait of Crown Princess Mary alongside her family.
The official portrait was taken at Queen Margrethe II’s 76th birthday by Photographer Steen Brogaard.
Writing on its Facebook page, the palace said the portrait was taken shortly after the family appeared on the balcony at the Queen’s birthday celebrations.
Saturday the 16th of April marked the Queen of Denmark’s 76th birthday, so to celebrate the special occasion, members of the Danish royal family came together.
Taking a break from the celebrations, the family stood on the balcony of the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Crown Princess Mary was seen waving and flashing her pearly whites, wearing a stunning magenta coat adorned with a glittering broach over a white blouse and a black skirt.
Standing alongside her was Crown Prince Frederik, who looked more than happy to be celebrating his mother’s milestone birthday.
The couple’s four children, Prince Christian, 10, Princess Isabella, eight and their youngest, five-year-old twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent also joined in with their grandmother’s festivities, smiling and waving to the crowd.
The family were joined by her majesty herself, who stepped out to acknowledge and thank onlookers, wearing a bright blue dress and long matching coat.
Prince Henrik, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie were also in attendance.
It had been a big week of proceedings for Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, who grew up in Tasmania.
The Crown Princess braved the April chill to welcome the Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife, Angelica Rivera to Helsingor, to Denmark.
Later that evening, the Australian-born royal and her husband attended a formal state banquet at Fredensborg Castle, to officially welcome the Mexican President and the first lady.
To honour Queen Margrethe II on her 76th birthday, Enrique Peña Nieto stood to deliver a message of praise in a touching speech.
“Denmark is an advanced country led by a great woman: Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II,” he said in his native tongue.
“Thanks to your political vision and sensibility, the Danish people rally around you and have respect [for you]. The people recognise their [the monarchy’s] intellectual background, artistic talent and their willingness to help Danes.
The Spaniard continued, “Their international leadership and ability to bring the Danish people together is recognised throughout the world.”
The Danish monarch celebrates her day of birth just days before Queen Elizabeth II turns 90.
“That is an extraordinary occasion, isn’t it?” Queen Margrethe said to the Telegraph of the British monarch, who is her long-term friend.
“She’s wonderful. I really admire the way she has lived her life, the way she continues to live her life. She’s so dedicated and she has a marvellous sense of humour.”
“I’m lucky enough to know her privately and I do enjoy that sense of humour.”
When I was a child, and I couldn’t sleep, my mother would stroke me on my head and reassure me.
“Just rest if you can’t sleep,” she would say. “Resting is just as good.”
She was doing the right thing, trying to ease my concern. I say similar to my own kids when they can’t sleep at night.
But even then, I knew she was wrong. Resting isn’t as good as sleeping. And sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. At best it can make you headachy and foggy. At worst, it can cause health problems, intensify anxiety and depression, increase the risk of accidents, and affect your ability to function.
Recently, Kim Cattrall – best known as Samantha from Sex and the City – revealed that she withdrew from a starring role in a London stage play due to chronic insomnia. The actress was operating on three hours sleep a night, which made her feel like there was a ‘three-ton gorilla on my chest’.
Her admission was incredibly courageous. After all, our society still doesn’t readily recognize ‘invisible’ health issues such as anxiety and depression. Though we support people living with physical illnesses, those with mental illness are expected to just battle on quietly. It is no surprise that when Cattrall dropped out of the play it was generally assumed that she had cancer. We don’t consider the possibility of mental illness. It is barely acknowledged as being real.
But anxiety and insomnia are very real, and the consequences can be devastating. I have suffered from long periods of insomnia, and it has reduced me to a blubbering wreck. When my first babies were born, I became so anxious about their night waking that I would be unable to fall asleep after their feeds. I would lie awake in anguish for hours as they slept, and walked around in a fog the next day. I couldn’t have gone to work at that point; I barely functioned as a parent. I developed post-natal depression which took a good two years to resolve. And if my mother hadn’t helped me out by caring for the kids so I could sleep during the day, I am not sure how I would have survived.
So often in life we are encouraged to push through, no matter what demons we are fighting. Anxious? Stop worrying and get on with it. Depressed? Pull yourself together. Not sleeping? Soldier on anyway.
But anxiety and depression and insomnia are real, and sometimes – as Kim Cattrall has so bravely demonstrated – we just can’t push through. Sometimes we have to take time out to deal with our mental health, just as we would for any physical health problems.
My insomnia still rears its ugly head from time to time, but it is rare. I have reduced most of the stressors that intensified my anxiety, and have numerous techniques up my sleeve from my years in therapy. I’ve also arranged my life so that I can have an afternoon nap if necessary, so that I can be as productive as possible. I know how important sleep is, and I know that rest just isn’t as good.
Not everyone can adjust their lives as I have, and not everyone has the resources of Kim Cattrall. Still, our suffering is the same, and the awareness that we are not alone in our experiences is powerful.
But the knowledge that there is hope is the most powerful of all.
The 37-year-old sat down with Woman’s Day Online and spoke about his time with Princes Charles, Duchess Camilla, The Queen, Prince William and Kate and the ever-charming Prince Harry.
Talking to the Royal Butler, it’s clear his time living with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in Balmoral was simply spectacular.
“It was at the Ghillies Ball. In fact, I remember I used to watch it when I was a kid.”
“After a year working with them, they [Charles and Camilla] asked me if I’d like to go. At the time I was really young and in my spare time I took dancing lessons, because an instructor had come up to the area,” he recalled.
Continuing, he laughed, “I remember I felt like such an idiot!”
“One night I was in the drawing room and they both asked me if I was going to go to the ball. I remember hesitating and saying I’m not sure because I don’t really know anybody. And they insisted that I must go.”
“Then the Duchess said ‘you can come with us!’ before she added, ‘and if you come, I’ll dance with you,'” Grant explained of Camilla, who he confirmed has a fantastic sense of humour.
And that was the end of it! True to their word, Grant was invited to the ball and was shown the time of his life by the generous couple.
We knew it! Apparently the Duke and Duchess have a wild sense of humour.
Dressed in his kilt, he drove to the ball with the lady in waiting.
“I felt like their adopted son for the night. I walked in and tried to keep out the way and I remember thinking the Duchess would forget about the dance,” he chuckled.
“And then she spotted me across the room and made her way towards me. She comes right up to me and says, ‘Shall we dance?’ before leading me to the dance floor.”
The scene that followed is like something out of a fairy tale.
“People just parted as we danced across the floor. I recall how hard I tried to dance her around the room. I kept asking ‘Are you OK?’ I was just so nervous and so excited,” Grant fondly remembered.
“But she was so kind, and just made me feel at ease, saying, ‘You’ve got to enjoy this. It is such a great experience for you!’”
As their waltz ended, Grant expected to leave the dance floor but soon discovered another lady was waiting to be twirled… The Queen.
Grant with the Woman’s Day Online team.
“I remember telling the Duchess I was going to go sit and she just smiled, shook her head and motioned for me to turn around.”
Laughing out loud, he remembered the utter shock when he realised Britain’s head of state was standing right behind him.
“I just bowed a little and said, ‘Your Majesty!’”
“Soon the music started. I can’t remember what she said; I think I was just shocked!”
“Suddenly she was on one side; The Duchess took my other hand, while the Prince was opposite me. We all linked up hands and started dancing the Eightsome Reel [Watch what the dance looks like in the video player below… Post continues!]
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“It was absolutely amazing! It felt like something out of the movie.”
And his story does read like a Hollywood film. Growing up in Scotland, Grant came from humble beginnings.
Living with his parents in a council home he always dreamed of bigger and better things.
“Around the time when I was 12, I began this fascination with the royal family. My mum recalls me saying I really wanted to marry them or work for them,” he mused.
Balmoral, where Grant worked, has been a part of Charles’ life since the very beginning.
It wasn’t until he was 17 that he was thrust into the intriguing world of butlers.
Describing it as fate, he told us, “My mum got a job as a housekeeper where they had butlers. I went in one day to help her and saw a private jet fly past. I found out the butlers were in it and I thought ‘Oh wow! I should look into doing this!’”
Soon, the sprightly teen underwent a two-week apprenticeship and the rest is history.
About five years later in 2003, Grant heard a job was available in Prince Charles’ household. Following an intense six-month interview process, he scored a face-to-face chat with the heir to the throne.
Watch Grant teach us the proper way to curtsy. Post continues…
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“I remember he was with the Duchess and they invited me for a cup of tea. We chatted for some time and then he said we’d get in touch. At the time I thought it seemed promising because I remember Charles saying after our chat, ‘I’m sure we’ll work something out!’”
A week later, Grant received an official job offer. He went on to work with the family for over seven years.
In fact, it was the notion of family that brought Grant to our sunny shores with the accommodation booking site Stayz.com.
The stunning Stayz.com mansion is fit for royalty!
The etiquette specialist was flown out to meet the lucky winners of a competition, where they were given the chance to live like royalty in one of Stayz.com’s fabulous properties (To all the reality TV fans out there, you’ll recognise the place from Beauty and the Geek.)
Speaking to us about the experience, Grant mused, “They [the British royals] are very much a family unit, which is what I love about Stayz.com – it’s what they represent.”
“My job was about how the royal family utilised all the rooms in their home, and I got to help show this to the winners.”
Batches of Arbonne ‘It’s a Fine Line’ liquid eyeliner have been recalled over fears it may cause infections.
The make-up (which is imported from the UK) has been found to have high levels of bacteria that could potentially lead to conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Conjunctivitis commonly affects young children and causes red, itchy, watery eyes that creates discharge, and blepharitis is an infection that targets the eyelid, with redness and a burning sensation on the eyes.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission have recalled batches of the black and brown varieties sold between April 14 and May 18.
Look out for these products codes on the eclipse (black) and arbor (brown) eyeliner.
Anyone who has used this product can expect a full refund after returning it to manufacturer Arbonne.
Trending video: Mariah Carey opens up about life with James Packer
Smoothie bowls, loading up on kale and eating gluten-free are definitely trending in the food world at the moment but as each new health fad sweeps in, it brings with it a shock of conflicting information.
So how healthy are these health trends? And are they actually doing more harm than good?
Smoothies:
It feels like we’ve hit peak smoothie; a NutriBullet was sold every 30 seconds on Black Friday before Christmas last year.
And while upping your fruit and veg intake is normally considered a good thing, experts believe that people are overdoing it when it comes to smoothies.
Amanda Freer, a nutritional therapist in the UK, said that “even though the ingredients are natural, they can still be incredibly fattening if eaten in large quantities”, especially when adding in nut butters, high-sugar fruits, bananas and avocados with careless abandon.
If you can’t bear to part with your blender, make sure that your smoothie isn’t doing more harm than good by limiting yourself to one smoothie a day in place of, rather than in addition to, a regular meal.
Acai bowls:
If smoothies aren’t actually all that healthy, then you really need to keep an eye on acai bowls.
The trendy Instagram-worthy health movement – seriously, check out these gorgeous smoothie bowls – takes your already calorie-heavy smoothie and whacks even more fruit, nuts and seeds on top.
Yes, they’re delicious, but these should really only be a once-in-a-while deal; better to serve yourself a healthy portion of kefir yoghurt with a recommended serving of fresh fruit instead.
Gluten-free diets:
While one in 70 Australians suffers from coeliac disease, the disproportionate rise in the gluten-free food industry is worrying experts, who believe that a lot of people are adopting gluten-free diets in a bid to lead a “healthier” lifestyle.
But unnecessarily cutting out gluten (found in wheat products, barley and rye) can do more harm than good.
Adopting a gluten-free diet without appropriate testing can actually increase fat and calorie intakes, and, since gluten-free products are often low in nutrients, may even contribute to nutritional deficiencies.
Whole grains, on the other hand, are a great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, and low GI options can help to boost brainpower, by keeping you mentally alert throughout the day.
Eating kale with every meal:
Kale sales have rocketed in the last couple of years as health gurus took to heaping praise on the leafy green’s health benefits.
And while it’s true that kale is a nutrient-dense vegetable (packed with vitamins A, C and K as well as plenty of iron and calcium) it also contains a high amount of oxalates, which can increase your chance of developing kidney stones.
When it comes to veg, keep it varied; the more colourful your plate, the wider variety of vitamins and minerals you’ll be tucking in to.
Might be safer to stick to one kale smoothie a day, too.
Raw desserts and bliss balls:
You might think you’re plumping for the healthier version by opting for a raw dessert, but this health trend is deceptively high in calories.
Nuts, dried fruits, coconut butter and oil can pack a seriously dense calorie punch, while refined sugar replacements like honey and maple syrup still count as sugars.
Bliss balls in particular can lull health-conscious foodies into a false sense of security; while, nutritionally speaking, swapping out white flour, sugar and butter can make for a healthier alternative, it’s easy to overeat homemade treats, which cancels out the benefits.
Last year, my husband and I went through a rough patch.
It’s easy to say that now, but at the time I thought we might be done.
I was expecting to have that talk any day, and I was dreading it.
And then he suggested we see a counsellor.
I was hugely relieved but had no idea what to expect.
I’d never seen a marriage counsellor before.
It’s not something you do a lot, is it?
But it turned out to be a marriage saver.
Here’s what I learned:
Apparently there are two sides to every story. It turned out all the stories, complaints and general unhappiness I had about our relationship was experienced very differently by my husband. We came to this union from vastly different backgrounds and our experiences have shaped the way we experience pretty much everything. Hearing my husband talk about events that I thought were very clear cut in a totally new way shocked me, but it also gave me a level of empathy for his experience I didn’t have before.
Communication is key. When things aren’t going my way, I’m a stonewaller. I withdraw from conversations and refuse to make myself vulnerable and give anyone the chance of hurting me further. Or at least I did. Now I know that I need to open up and talk it out until there is resolution. Sometimes this is unpleasant, but eventually we get to the bottom of everything. That’s a big step for me.
What you focus on is what you will see. Sure, maybe the dishes don’t always get done, or the bread tag is always left on the kitchen bench (what is up with that?), but if that’s where you focus your attention, you’re going to be disappointed. If you focus on the fact that your partner is a great parent, can make you laugh until you snort, or is your best confidant, you’ll be a lot happier. And it’s just a bread tag.
Honesty isn’t always the best policy. It’s okay to pretend to like stuff you don’t, if you want to spend quality time together and make your partner feel special. Watch Game of Thrones. Go to the footy. Learn to play chess. Throw yourself into it and have a good time. Not all the time, but sometimes. Your partner might not even be aware of the effort, but they’ll love it all the same.
Be each other’s biggest fan. Talk each other up to everyone who will listen. Be your partner’s cheer squad and celebrate their victories. And never criticise them to others – especially if they are within earshot. We all know those couples who talk about each other’s shortcomings at social gatherings – it just makes everyone feel uncomfortable, and does nothing for their relationship.
It’s important to think about the future together. Dream, plan, fantasise. Where will you be in 10, 20, 30 years? What would you dream home look like? What do you want to do when you retire? Talk about it together and share your goals.
These five lessons alone have turned my marriage from rocky to rejuvenated.
Things aren’t always perfect, but I at least feel like we’re working together to steer this ship in the right direction.
Prince Philip is renowned for his chipper sense of humour and ability to get a few giggles from those around him, and this week, despite his recent health setback, the Duke was on fire.
The 94-year-old and his wife The Queen made the journey to Wales to open a new $85 million Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre in the city’s capital.
It was business as usual for the royal couple, but when speaking to a group of schoolchildren, the Prince had a minor but hilarious slip-up.
“You must have really good brains to speak Welsh,” he quipped to the pupils, according to BBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt.
The Queen and her husband were greeted by children from the local schools.
Moving on swiftly from his awkward moment, Philip and The Monarch took a tour of the new research centre accompanied by Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who seemingly colour coordinated outfits with The Queen.
Both ladies were dressed in bright, mint green coats with matching hats while their husband’s looked oh-so-dapper in blue suits.
It was a great sight to see the Duke of Edinburgh in such high spirits, particularly after the death of his longtime friend earlier this week.
Perhaps these royals should have talked on the phone first!
While the royal is set to turn 95 on June 10, he has this week been mourning the loss of his royal gatekeeper and friend, who was in integral part of the Duke’s working and social life for the last 35 years.
Sir Brian McGrath reportedly joined the royal’s staff as a private secretary in 1982, but it wasn’t long before he was appointed the household’s head.
Get a glimpse of the royal’s sense of humour in the video player below. Post continues…
Although he officially retired in 1992, Philip chose to keep him on the Buckingham Palace team.
On Saturday, Sir Brian passed away at age 90.
“The Duke is deeply upset about his death, as is the Queen. He was the Duke’s closest friend,” said a source to Mail Online.
Sir Brian was allegedly only member of the household allowed to bring his dog, a black Labrador, into work.
