Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sinatra’s Children Speak: Frank Sinatra doesn’t have cancer and doesn’t need surgery, his children said in condemning published reports to that effect. “It’s still difficult to understand why the media continue to pass along erroneous stories that frighten people,” the Sinatra children, led by Nancy Sinatra, said in a message posted earlier this week on the family Internet site (https://www.sinatrafamily.com). “As far as we, his family, know, at the present time there is no cancer anywhere in Frank’s body, and he is not in need of surgery of any kind.” In separate prepared remarks announcing a new Sinatra charity golf tournament, meanwhile, Barbara Sinatra said her husband is still as feisty as ever. “I want you to know he has slowed down a little bit, but last week [while undergoing undisclosed tests at Cedars-Sinai] he told the doctor, ‘If you hurt me, I’ll break both your legs,’ ” she said.

‘Amistad’ Censored: Jamaican censors have cut the bloody opening scene of Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad” in which rebellious slaves hack to death European traders bringing them across the Atlantic. The Jamaican Cinematographic Authority said it believed the violent scene was too much for a country where more than 90% of residents are descendants of West African slaves. Critics assailed the move, saying that it dilutes the movie’s version of history.

QUICK TAKES

NBC says it is “hopeful” that Katie Couric will return to the “Today” show on Monday. Couric has been on leave since Jan. 23, the day before the death from cancer of her husband, NBC News legal analyst Jay Monahan, 42. . . . The rock group the Eagles has filed suit against the National Foundation to Protect America’s Eagles, claiming that the wildlife group infringes upon the band’s name and image. . . . Burt Reynolds told “Entertainment Tonight” Wednesday that he and girlfriend Pam Seals are officially engaged but gave no wedding date. . . . Director Amy Heckerling (“Clueless”) will receive the American Film Institute’s 1998 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal tonight during the AFI’s tribute to director Robert Wise at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. . . . Tom Cruise called Santa Monica police Tuesday to report that three cars he believed belonged to paparazzi were following him as he drove to pick up his son at school. Police said no crimes were committed, but a traffic report was filed. . . . By court order, actor Robert Downey Jr. was allowed to leave jail Tuesday when he was escorted to Paramount Studios for a recording session, the Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday. Downey, whose nose was cut in a fight with another inmate on Friday, has been jailed since December for parole violations.