Franklin criticizes songwriter over rights lawsuit (AP)

DETROIT – Aretha Franklin says she's "extremely disappointed" over a lawsuit filed by her longtime songwriting partner over song royalties from her latest CD and copyright infringement.

Norman West of Lansing filed the suit July 15 against the Queen of Soul's publishing company in Detroit federal court.

The suit claims Springtime Publishing Inc. failed to sign a royalty agreement for "Put It Back Together Again." The song is on Franklin's "Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love" CD, released in May.

The suit also claims copyright infringement over an earlier song, "Watch My Back."

Franklin didn't immediately respond when news of the suit broke. But she issued a statement Tuesday saying West has "unmitigated gall" considering how she's "personally assisted and advised him over the past 15 years."

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Lady Gaga criticizes Arizona immigration laws (AP)

MEXICO CITY – Singer Lady Gaga says she doesn't agree with Arizona's tough immigration law and wrote the song "Americano" as a response to it.

Lady Gaga is in Mexico City for two concerts.

She said during a news conference Friday she has a strong relationship to Mexican culture, then added: "I don't stand by many of those unjust immigration laws in my country."

An immigration law passed last year allows Arizona police officers to question the immigration status of people they suspect are in the country illegally.

That provision and others in the southwestern U.S. state are on hold pending a court challenge.

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