Monster Hunt takes China box-office crown

Chinese fantasy comedy Monster Hunt has toppled Hollywood blockbuster Fast & Furious 7 as China's biggest-grossing film of all time. Hunt has taken in 2.428 billion yuan (S$538 million) since its July debut, overtaking the latter (2.426 billion yuan).

It is the first domestic film to hold the top spot since China reopened its market to foreign movies in 1994.

Birkin's name to stay on bags

Singer Jane Birkin has dropped a request to have her name taken off a Hermes crocodile-skin handbag after the group reviewed its treatment of crocodiles, it said last Friday. Her agent confirmed the news.

Cumberbatch fronts song for refugees

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch is fronting the release of a charity single to raise money for the rising wave of refugees reaching Europe's shores from Syria and other nations.

He has recorded a video message for the re-issue of a 20-year-old song by Australian band Crowded House called Help Is Coming.

All funds from the sale of the single will go to Save The Children, one of many charities trying to help the refugees.

More than 100 leading British cultural figures, including Cumberbatch and actors Keira Knightley and Colin Firth, released a statement last Friday calling for Britain to take in more refugees.