The Force Awakens top-grossing movie in North America

Star Wars: The Force Awakens soared past Avatar on Wednesday to become the top-grossing movie in North America, the Disney studio announced.

It did not provide figures, but the film grossed US$758.2 million (S$1 billion) through Tuesday, when it took in US$8 million and surpassed on Wednesday the US$760.5 million earned by James Cameron's Avatar.

At US$1.56 billion in global earnings, the film still has some work ahead to overtake Avatar (US$2.79 billion) or Titanic (US$2.19 billion).

Janet Jackson denies having cancer

Janet Jackson, 49, denied she has cancer as speculation swirls over a mystery malady that led the pop star to suspend her world tour.

On Wednesday, in a written message seen on video on Twitter, she said: "The rumours are untrue. I do not have cancer. I'm recovering," adding that her concerts in Europe will be rescheduled.

On Christmas Eve, she had said the upcoming shows would be postponed as doctors told her she needed an operation "soon".