Ralph Lauren receives knighthood
LONDON (AP) — Ralph Lauren has collected an accolade from Prince Charles and it’s a doozy: Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Services to Fashion.
The designer was presented with the insignia, bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II, in a private ceremony Wednesday at Buckingham Palace.
A company statement says Lauren is the first American designer to be recognized with an honorary knighthood. Ralph Lauren Corp. has donated to a breast cancer research center in London and plans to financially support a second center as well.
Lauren said via email he’s always been inspired by the history, traditions and culture of the U.K. and considers the knighthood a “very special moment” as he celebrates 50 years in fashion.
Lawsuit alleges NFL intro copied
NEW YORK (AP) — A songwriting team is suing singer Carrie Underwood, the NFL and NBC, saying they stole a song and used it to introduce “Sunday Night Football” last season.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court over the song “Game On.”
It sought unspecified damages, saying the copyright was violated on a song with the same title that had been pitched to Underwood’s representatives after it was put on the internet two years ago.
The NFL and NBCUniversal Media LLC declined comment. Carrie Underwood’s representatives did not immediately comment.
The plaintiffs are a songwriting team consisting of four individuals from California, Tennessee and Sweden.
The lawsuit said the team was created in 2016 by singer and songwriter Heidi Merrill of Newport Beach, California.
R. Kelly has week to answer lawsuit
CHICAGO (AP) — Attorneys for R. Kelly have one week to respond to a lawsuit alleging sex abuse or face losing the case.
Kelly’s attorneys sought to put the lawsuit on hold while the singer fights sex-related felony charges. Associate Judge Moira Johnson on Wednesday agreed with lawyers for the woman who filed the lawsuit that Kelly needs to file an answer to the litigation.
Johnson gave Kelly’s lawyers until June 26 to respond to the lawsuit.
Kelly did not attend Wednesday’s hearing.
After the hearing, the attorneys for the woman said they expect the lawsuit will be delayed while the criminal case proceeds. However, they said it was improper for Kelly’s attorneys to seek a delay before acknowledging the lawsuit.
The woman who brought the lawsuit is one of four women Kelly is charged with sexually abusing.
