PRINCESS CATHERINE and Prince William in a trip to Canada (Wikipedia).

Princess of Wales Catherine – “Kate” – announced in a video message on Friday that she has cancer and is being treated with chemotherapy.

The kind of cancer has not been publicly revealed. It has been revealed that she underwent abdominal surgery on Jan. 16 in England. “Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” she said in the video.

“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”

Terrorist attack hits Moscow concert hall

More than 60 people were killed and over 100 injured in a terrorist attack on Monday in Moscow, capital city of the  Russian Federation.

Responsibility was claimed by the Islamic State group on social media.

The attack took place in the concert hall. Attackers charged into the hall and opened fire, then set fire to the building. The roof eventually collapsed.

Associated Press reports the U.S. intelligence community learned that Islamic State in Afghanistan was planning an attack in Moscow and warned the Russians.

Concert-goers had gathered to watch a performance by the Russian rock and roll band Picnic. Surviving witnesses say that men in military uniforms entered the venue and opened fire with assault rifles. Security personnel at the concert hall were unarmed.

Gaza cease-fire resolution defeated

UNITED NATIONS Security Council (Shutterstock).

A U.S.-backed resolution to have the United Nations Security Council to call for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Gaza Strip was defeated when Russia and China used their veto power.

Under UN rules, an action of the Security Council can be blocked if one of its five permanent members – the U.S., Great Britain, France, China and Russia – vote against it.

The overall vote was 11 in favor with three – including Algeria – against.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his intention to send troops into the Rafah area of Gaza to destroy the Hamas militants who started the conflict with raids into Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages.

GOP House margin getting smaller

SPEAKER of the House Mike Johnson (Wikipedia).

The resignation of a Wisconsin Congressman is further reducing Republicans’ hold on the House of Representatives. Mike Gallagher, 40, announced on Friday that he would resign his post on April 19. He had previously said he would not be seeking re-election this fall.

When Gallagher leaves, the Republican caucus will be 217, compared to the Democratic count of 213. A handful of defections on certain votes might block any attempt to pass legislation.

Also on Friday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Georgia) filed a motion to declare the post of Speaker of the House – held by Mike Johnson – vacant. The threat to remove him comes as the House leaves for a two-week spring recess.

Weather: Don’t wash your car

Some rainy skies are forecast for our West Orange County area for the weekend. Saturday will have rain with a daytime high of 63 and an overnight low of 50.  Thunderstorms may be present on Sunday afternoon with a high of 63(46). Partly cloudy skies will return on Monday with a high of 65(52) and Tuesday with a high of 68(50).