AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 11:48 a.m. EST

Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, members of Kiss and more get into Songwriters Hall of Fame

New York (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins and Kiss founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. It is no doubt an eclectic bunch of performers, spanning genre and generation. The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

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.

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

ROME (AP) — Rome is paying its last respects to legendary designer Valentino, whose high-glamour gowns and trademark shade of red became an iconic symbol of Italian elegance. Valentino Garavani, who has died on Monday aged 93, is 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.

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. It has led The Times to more than double 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.

An emotional Prince Harry tells court how publisher made Meghan's life 'a misery'

LONDON (AP) — An emotional Prince Harry struck a defensive tone at the start of his testimony against the Daily Mail's publisher. Close to tears, he disputed that his friends leaked information and provided an emotional glimpse into the toll his battle against the British tabloids had taken. He testified Wednesday that the press continues to target him and have made his wife's life a misery. 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.

Centuries of love letters go on display at the National Archives in London

LONDON (AP) — Love letters spanning five centuries are on display at Britain’s National Archives. They showcase the many facets of love. The exhibition's curator said Wednesday that the documents include legendary romances from British history. They feature royalty, politicians, celebrities and spies. There are also stories of everyday people. The exhibition includes early 20th-century classified ads seeking same-sex romance, letters from sweethearts to soldiers and a medieval song about heartbreak. Highlights include a poignant letter from Robert Dudley to Queen Elizabeth I. "Love Letters" opens Saturday and runs to April 12. Admission is free.

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 “Bog 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.