Briefly: Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Lisa Germano, Beth Orton

Pop star Britney Spears reportedly has filed a $20 million lawsuit against celebrity magazine Us Weekly, claiming libel and misappropriation of her name and image.

The suit alleges that the magazine published an item on Oct. 17 falsely claiming Spears and her husband, Kevin Federline, made a sex tape, and watched it with their lawyers.

The magazine's spokesperson, in a statement, said that the magazine has a "very credible source" and stands by the story.

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Us Weekly reports that Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale are expecting their first child in June. According to the magazine, Rossdale's father and Stefani's mother each confirmed the pregnancy, but the artists' publicists hadn't vouched for the report by press time.

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Singer/songwriter Lisa Germano has signed with Young God Records, and is working on a new album for the label.

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Beth Orton is scheduled to release a new album titled "Comfort of Strangers" on Feb. 7. Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth, Wilco) produced the 14-track set.