The Weeknd Hits $1B Milestone on Record-Breaking Global Tour
The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour has surpassed $1 billion in worldwide earnings, becoming the highest-earning tour ever by a male solo artist. Since launching in 2022, it has sold over 7.5 million tickets across 153 shows and set numerous attendance records. The tour has also generated more than $8.5 million in charitable donations to his XO Humanitarian Fund and Global Citizen. After a record-breaking 2025 North American run, the tour will continue in 2026 with 40 additional dates across Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and the UK.
U.S. Adds 119K Jobs in September; Unemployment Hits Highest Rate Since 2021
The U.S. added 119,000 jobs in September, a surprisingly strong gain compared with expectations and a rebound from August’s revised job losses. At the same time, the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, its highest point since 2021, while wages continued to grow at a moderate pace. This report is the first comprehensive look at the labor market since the prolonged government shutdown halted data collection for weeks. It also lands during a turbulent moment for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following major revisions to earlier reports and the recent firing of its commissioner.
‘The White Lotus’ is Officially Headed to France, HBO Says
The White Lotus is officially heading to France for its fourth season, HBO chief Casey Bloys confirmed Thursday during a programming presentation in New York. Creator Mike White has only just begun writing and is still in the very early stages of casting. On the show’s official podcast, White also suggested that the new season will shift away from the beachside resort settings of Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand for a different kind of atmosphere.
LEGO, F1 Academy Strike Multi-Year Partnership
The LEGO Group and F1 Academy announced a multi-year partnership on Thursday to inspire young fans, especially girls, through creative play and representation. In 2026, Dutch driver Esmee Kosterman will race for LEGO Racing in her first full F1 Academy season, driving a car featuring a unique LEGO-themed livery. The collaboration also includes the release of a special LEGO set, now available for pre-order and hitting shelves on March 1.
Travis Scott Teams Up with Cincoro Tequila on Limited-Edition Bottle
Cincoro Tequila has teamed up with Travis Scott for a limited-edition release, ‘Cincoro Jack’ Añejo, blending Scott’s Cactus Jack brand with Cincoro’s premium tequila. Priced at $149.99 for a 750ml bottle, the Añejo is aged over 26 months and features a bold chocolate brown gradient and co-branded logo. The collaboration is accompanied by the “FuelYourFlame” campaign, offering cinematic visuals of Scott’s world. The bottle is currently available for pre-order online and at select retailers.
WNBPA, Panini Ink Historic Licensing Deal
The WNBPA has inked a historic multi-year licensing renewal with Panini America, the world’s largest sports collectibles company, calling it the most lucrative licensing deal in women’s sports history.” Since partnering in 2019, Panini has helped transform the women’s basketball trading card market, increasing sales by more than 100x. The renewed agreement is expected to drive record revenue and player royalties, further emphasizing the growing cultural and commercial influence of WNBA players.
Ralph Lauren Drops Special Collection for USPS’s 250th Anniversary
The USPS is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, and Ralph Lauren is marking the occasion with a special capsule inspired by more than a century of mail carrier uniforms. Working with USPS archivists, the brand designed a limited-edition Carrier coat, leather bag, and mesh cap. The standout wool twill coat, featuring historic details like 1870s-inspired silhouettes, brass buttons reproduced from original molds, and “1775” and “2025” embroidery, will retail for $1,298.
Universal, Warner, Sony All Sign Licensing Deal with AI Music Startup
For the first time, all three major music companies – Universal, Sony, and Warner, along with their publishing divisions – have signed individual licensing deals with the same AI-focused music startup, Klay. The companies say Klay’s subscription platform lets fans customize their listening experiences while ensuring that artists and songwriters whose music trains the model are credited and compensated. Klay emphasizes that its system is built only on licensed music and is working to bring in independent creators as well.
The Most Expensive Comic Book Just Sold For Over $9M
A remarkably well-preserved copy of Superman No. 1 (1939) sold for $9.12 million at Heritage Auctions, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold. The issue was discovered in a California attic by three brothers sorting through their late mother’s belongings, where it had been forgotten for decades. Superman No. 1 marked the hero’s first standalone series after his 1938 debut in Action Comics. Other notable sales include Action Comics No. 1 at $6 million, Amazing Fantasy No. 15 at $3.6 million, Captain America Comics No. 1 at $3.12 million, and Batman No. 1 at $2.22 million.
Mara Brock Akil to Receive Producers Guild’s Norman Lear Achievement Award
Mara Brock Akil will receive the Producers Guild of America’s 2026 Norman Lear Achievement Award, honoring her influential career as a TV producer. The award will be presented at the 37th annual PGA Awards on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles. Brock Akil is celebrated for her work on Girlfriends, The Game, Being Mary Jane, and for executive producing Netflix’s Stamped From the Beginning, which made the 2023 Oscars documentary shortlist.
Image: Prince Williams / WireImage / Getty Images
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