AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 9:06 a.m. EDT

Bill Maher will win the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain humor prize following White House denial

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center says Bill Maher will win the prestigious Mark Twain humor prize. The center made the announcement Thursday, less than a week after the White House forcefully denied the award would go to the comedian, who has had a hot-and-cold relationship with President Donald Trump. Maher says he just had the award explained to him and it’s like an Emmy, except he wins. The Kennedy Center has presented the award since 1998 as a way to recognize those who have made significant contributions to humor and commentary in the United States. Previous winners include Conan O’Brien, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Letterman, Carol Burnett and Tina Fey.

Verdicts against social media companies carry consequences. But questions linger

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two landmark jury verdicts against social media companies have arrived in a long line of lawsuits alleging harm to children who use platforms including Instagram and YouTube. Penalties in excess of $380 million were assigned by the juries in California and New Mexico in cases that hold uncertain implications for Meta and YouTube. The California jury’s decision Wednesday in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit could influence the outcome of thousands of similar lawsuits accusing social media companies of deliberately causing harm. New Mexico's trial is heading toward a second phase to determine whether Meta created a public nuisance with its social media platforms and should pay for public programs to fix matters.

Italy seizes millions in assets allegedly stolen from Bond co-star Ursula Andress

MILAN (AP) — Italian police say they have seized about 20 million euros in property and assets linked to money stolen from Swiss actress and original Bond girl Ursula Andress. Financial police said Thursday that the haul includes property, land, artworks, along with financial holdings in Florence and the Tuscan countryside. Investigators opened the case after Andress reported  fraud to Swiss authorities. She says advisers swindled her over the course of eight years. Italian authorities said the stolen funds moved through foreign companies and deals meant to hide their origin. Police do not say if anyone has been arrested.

A soothing study session: Students cram in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw as musicians play

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw turns its famous main hall into a quiet study space, with live classical music playing as students work. At a recent session, students sit in the red seats with laptops, books, and coffee. They study for exams and write dissertations while musicians perform pieces by Pachelbel, Handel and Schubert. Some movie music also slips in. Students say the music feels calm and helps them focus. A neurologist says music can help some people enter a productive “flow” state. The venue started the sessions during COVID. Organizers say it helps welcome younger audiences.

Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer-winning author who turned unlikely subjects into bestsellers, dies at 80

Tracy Kidder, an award-winning narrative nonfiction writer who turned everything from computer engineering to life in a nursing home into unexpected bestsellers, has died. He was 80. Kidder’s longtime publisher Random House confirmed his death in a statement Wednesday. Kidder won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for his 1981 work “The Soul of a New Machine,” which delved into the work of a fledgling computer company long before most people cared about the inner workings of Silicon Valley. Over the ensuing decades, Kidder immersed himself in worlds he was previously unfamiliar with, including life in a fifth-grade classroom and how two friends maintained their dignity in a nursing home.

‘Stand by Me’ stars reflect on the movie, Rob Reiner and its return to theaters 40 years later

Rob Reiner's beloved coming-of-age film “Stand by Me” is coming back to theaters for one week. The 40th anniversary has reunited stars Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman and Wil Wheaton who are eager to remember and honor their director, who died in December. They say the timing of the anniversary has given them a shared place to grieve and remember. It also makes them think about their late co-star River Phoenix. They say the film still connects across generation for its simplicity and authenticity. Audiences at screenings range in age from kids to grandparents. The return to theaters starts Friday.

Celine Dion set to perform in Paris two years after triumphant Olympics appearance

PARIS (AP) — Paris will love her again — and soon. Celine Dion is returning to the French capital for a series of concerts. A person involved in the planning told The Associated Press that Dion will play autumn concerts at the La Defense Arena. The return comes after Dion electrified the opening ceremony in the city of the 2024 Olympic Games where she performed Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à L’Amour” (“Hymn to Love”) from the Eiffel Tower in the rain. In a series of clues, posters recently affixed to lampposts bear the names of Dion song titles, and the singer posted on Instagram a series of shots of her with Paris landmarks.

Stephen Colbert and son will co-write a 'Lord of the Rings' movie

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert, famous devotee to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, is co-writing a “Lord of the Rings” movie with his son. Warner Bros. announced early Wednesday that Colbert will script “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past” along with series veteran Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, Colbert’s son. Producer Peter Jackson revealed Colbert’s involvement in a social media video that introduced a “very special partner” on the film. “Shadow of the Past” will come after Andy Serkis’ upcoming “The Hunt of Gollum,” which is set to arrive in theaters next year.

Movie Review: Vince Vaughn, James Marsden lead quirky action-comedy ‘Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice’

Vince Vaughn does double duty in the new action comedy “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” as a time-traveling hit man who has come back to the past to save his friend. The friend is played by James Marsden who happens to be in love with Vaughn's character's wife. Written and directed by BenDavid Grabinski, the film has a few good laughs, some inspired needle drops, quirky references and a go-for-broke energy that should make it an enjoyable, low-stakes click, Associated Press Film Writer Lindsey Bahr writes in her review. Rated R, it's streaming Friday on Hulu and Disney+.