Tuesday, September 10, 2024

15 THE STAR ENTERTAINMENT • Tuesday, September 10, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com C atherine, Princess of Wales, is “cancer-free” after completing her chemotherapy treatment. The 42-year-old royal took a step back from public duties earlier this year after revealing she needed a course of preventative chemotherapy following abdominal surgery. But she will return to limited engagements over the next few months following an “incredibly tough” nine months. In a video message filmed last month and released by Kensington Palace on Monday, she said: “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.” The princess admitted her health battle had been “scary” for her whole family, but made her and husband Prince William – with whom she has children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis – for all they have in their life. She added: “The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. “This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.” While Catherine is “looking forward” to returning to work, she will remain focused on her recovery. She continued: “Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. Princess of Wales is cancer-free (AP): J ailed ex-movie mogul Harvey Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery at a New York City hospital on Monday, his representatives said. Weinstein, 72, was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan from the Rikers Island jail complex late Sunday “due to severe medical conditions,” his publicist Juda Engelmayer, and prison consultant Craig Rothfeld said. “We can confirm that Mr Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today,” they said, declining further comment on his condition. News of Weinstein’s hospitalisation was first reported by ABC News. Weinstein has been in and out of Bellevue Hospital since returning to Rikers Island from state prison in April after an appeals court overturned his 2020 rape and sexual assault convictions and ordered a new trial. In July, he was hospitalised for treatment of a variety of health problems, including COVID-19 and pneumonia in both lungs, his representatives said. The state’s Court of Appeals found that the judge in the 2020 trial unfairly allowed testimony from women whose claims against Weinstein weren’t part of the case. Last week, prosecutors disclosed that they’ve begun taking steps to potentially charge him with up to three additional sex assaults. They said they’ve started presenting evidence to a grand jury of up to three previously uncharged allegations against Weinstein – two sexual assaults in the mid-2000s and another sexual assault in 2016. A vote on a potential new indictment is expected soon. At the same time, British prosecutors said last week they were dropping two charges of indecent assault against Weinstein in 2022 because there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction’’. Weinstein has denied that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone. He remains in custody in New York while awaiting a retrial in Manhattan that’s tentatively scheduled to begin on November 12. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on September 12. Weinstein became the most prominent villain of the #MeToo movement, which took root in 2017 when women began to go public with accounts of his behaviour. Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company film studios, was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, producing such Oscar winners as Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love . Harvey Weinstein undergoes heart surgery Rik Jam C ontributed AP Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales. FILE - Harvey Weinstein (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) J ohn M inChillo Rik Jam pleased with Europe tour R ecording artiste Rik Jam has completed a successful performance run, having joined reggae legend Burning Spear on a four- show stint in Europe. Performing a high-energy set at each show, backed by The Island Federation band, Rik Jam’s set list included songs such as Life , Beautiful and Ready Fi Dem , along with two unreleased songs. “The responses from fans have been really wholesome and inspiring to me. The positive feedback gives fuel for my drive towards becoming a better artiste, along with these experiences,” Rik Jam stated. He performed at OLT Rivierenhof Antwerpen, Belgium; Tivoli Vredenburg in Utrecht and Paradiso in Amsterdam, Holland; and Offenbach, Germany. The artiste is now gearing up for the US leg of the tour, which is set to begin this month. “Summer has given so much to me, and the team altogether, which teaches us perseverance, patience and commitment, especially to what we are working for – to make reggae music live on,” the artiste said. He also had the opportunity to introduce his latest single, Hail The King Forever , a remake of his 2023 release Hail The King . Released officially on June 13, the track was produced by Irie Yute Tapes. “My hope for the song is for it to keep reminding the people that there is always a greater power high above, and you have to keep giving thanks throughout the bad days. Plus, He never left your side, so just keep having faith and work,” the artiste said. Rik Jam is preparing to satisfy his fans with more material for them to enjoy in the near future. “There are going to be a lot of new releases coming soon, so we’re just taking our time to make sure everything is right before we give the world what is to come. An album is in the works,” he said.