AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 10:02 a.m. EST

Combative Prince Harry disputes having 'leaky' social circle in Daily Mail trial

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry struck a combative tone as he testified in his lawsuit against the Daily Mail's publisher. He disputes claims that he was close with journalists or that his friends leaked information. A judge on Wednesday intervened and told him to stop arguing with the defense lawyer in the case. Harry and others, including Elton John, allege that Associated Newspapers Ltd. invaded their privacy through unlawful information gathering. The publisher denies the allegations. Harry claims the intrusion made him paranoid and blames the media for his mother's death and attacks on his wife, Meghan. The trial is expected to last nine weeks.

Literary agent Georges Borchardt, who championed Nobel laureates, dies at 97

NEW YORK (AP) — Georges Borchardt, a renowned literary agent, has died at 97. He helped introduce U.S. readers to Nobel laureates like Elie Wiesel and Samuel Beckett. Georges Borchardt Inc., the agency he founded in 1967, says he died Sunday in Manhattan. Borchardt was known for his cosmopolitan taste and style. He managed the literary estates of Beckett, Aldous Huxley, and Tennessee Williams. He also represented authors like Ian McEwan and Tracy Kidder. A Berlin native, Borchardt emigrated to the U.S. in 1947 and became a pivotal figure in the literary world. He managed the literary estates of Beckett, Aldous Huxley, and Tennessee Williams. Borchardt was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France in 2010.

Kristen Bell returning as host to SAG's Actor Awards

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kristen Bell is returning as host of the Screen Actors Guild’s Actor Awards for a third time. SAG-AFTRA, the actors union that presents the annual awards, announced Wednesday that Bell will emcee the March 1 awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards. Though the ceremony has often gone without a host, Bell was their first in 2018 and she returned again last year for the awards’ first time on Netflix. Netflix will again stream live the awards from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. “One Battle After Another” leads all nominees with seven nods, including for best ensemble.

This just in from The New York Times: Its first 2-player game, and an evolving business model

There's a lot more to The New York Times than its news stories, and that's by design. The success of ancillary products on its website — Games, the Wirecutter product recommendations, mounds of recipes in cooking and podcasts — have fueled the news company's success over the past decade. Digital subscriptions keep rising from people who can't kick their Wordle habits, and it has led to The Times more than doubling its staff of journalists over the past decade, particularly remarkable at a time of rapid contraction in the news industry. Wednesday's a big day at The Times' Games site, as it introduces its first competition designed for two players.

Rome pays its last tribute to fashion 'emperor' Valentino in a two-day public viewing

ROME (AP) — Rome is paying its last tribute to legendary designer Valentino, who made of his high-glamour gowns and trademark shade of red an iconic symbol of Italian elegance. Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, built his house in the Italian capital, where he will be lying in state at his foundation in Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday and Thursday, just a few steps away from the world-known Spanish Steps. His funeral will be held on Friday in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in central Rome.

We Need Diverse Books launches Unbanned Book Network to fight school bans

NEW YORK (AP) — We Need Diverse Books has launched the Unbanned Book Network to counteract book bans in schools and libraries. The program announced Tuesday will donate banned books and appoint Author Ambassadors to school districts facing bans. It plans to start with 20 under-resourced schools in states where there are bans, including Texas and Florida. CEO Dhonielle Clayton says the initiative addresses both a literacy crisis and rising censorship. Authors Ellen Oh and Meg Medina, whose books have been banned, will be among the participants. PEN America reports a surge in book bans over the past four years, prompting various responses from publishers and advocates.

3 authors win $10,000 prizes for blending science and literature

NEW YORK (AP) — Three authors have been awarded $10,000 prizes for blending scientific research with literary grace. The National Book Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation announced on Wednesday the winners of the fifth annual Science + Literature awards. The books include Kimberly Blaeser's poetry collection “Ancient Light,” Anna North's novel “Bug Queen” and Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian's nonfiction work “Forest Euphoria.” Doron Weber of the Sloan Foundation praises the authors for highlighting nature's beauty and terror. Ruth Dickey of the National Book Foundation emphasized the awards' mission to showcase diverse voices in science writing.

'West Wing' actor Timothy Busfield released from New Mexico jail pending trial

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Actor Timothy Busfield has been released from a jail in New Mexico, where he faces charges of child sexual abuse. Attorneys for the actor known for appearances in “The West Wing” and “Field of Dreams” successfully argued during a detention hearing Tuesday that he's not a danger to the community. Prosecutors sought to keep him behind bars, emphasizing the gravity of the charges and what they say is a pattern of sexual misconduct, grooming behavior and abuse of power by Busfield over decades. Busfield is accused of inappropriately touching a minor while working as a director on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady.” Busfield denies the allegations.

What to know about the 2026 Grammys, where Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga go head-to-head

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This year marks a return to normalcy after the 2025 award show was altered to focus on supporting relief efforts following the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr. says viewers can expect history-making moments. The main show will air live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern. Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the Grammy Awards live as well. A premiere ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. Pacific at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It can be streamed at the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and on live.GRAMMY.com.