SEOUL — BTS performed their first full-group concert in nearly four years Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, drawing an estimated 40,000 to 42,000 fans to the historic plaza despite initial expectations of up to 260,000 attendees.
BTS Comeback Concert Draws 40,000 Fans to Gwanghwamun Square in Emotional Seoul Return
The one-hour free event, titled “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG,” marked the septet’s official return after completing mandatory military service and the release of their fifth studio album *Arirang* on March 20. The seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — delivered a set heavy on new material from the album, blending Korean cultural motifs with their signature sound in front of a sea of purple light sticks.
Seoul Metropolitan Government and police estimates placed attendance at 40,000-42,000 in the Gwanghwamun area as the show began at 8 p.m. KST, significantly below pre-event projections of 260,000 that prompted massive security preparations including 15,000 personnel, anti-drone systems and traffic restrictions. About 22,000 fans with free tickets accessed a cordoned-off standing area near the stage, while others watched from surrounding streets on temporary screens or via Netflix’s global livestream to 190 countries.
The lower turnout reflected stricter crowd controls and the symbolic yet compact venue choice — Gwanghwamun Square, flanked by Gyeongbokgung Palace and statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin — rather than a larger stadium. Authorities designated the area “crowded” but managed dispersal smoothly, with Gwanghwamun Station resuming service by 10 p.m. as fans exited.
The concert opened with RM greeting the crowd: “Hello, Seoul,” before launching into tracks like “Body to Body” and “Swim,” the lead single. The setlist emphasized *Arirang*’s themes of Korean identity and resilience, with fan-favorite moments including group harmonies on “Into the Sun” and a medley nod to older hits. Jung Kook’s high notes, Jimin’s emotive delivery and SUGA’s rap intensity drew cheers, while the members appeared energized despite the long hiatus.
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HYBE, BTS’s agency, described the event as a “historic milestone,” with the title *Arirang* — drawn from Korea’s beloved folk song — symbolizing roots and renewal. RM reflected on the wait: “We’ve been away, but our hearts never left.” The show also served as a prelude to the *Arirang World Tour*, starting April 9-12 in Goyang, South Korea, with 82 dates planned across continents through 2027.
The free, open-air format aimed to reach as many fans as possible, with Netflix handling the global stream. While physical attendance fell short of hype, the broadcast reached millions, reaffirming BTS’s worldwide influence. Fans chanted and danced safely, with police praising orderly behavior amid the massive gathering.
The event underscored K-pop’s cultural weight in Korea, temporarily transforming a political and historical landmark into a celebration space. Security was tight — body checks, barricades and restricted access — but the atmosphere remained festive, with purple lights illuminating the square long after the performance ended.
As BTS embarks on their next chapter, the Gwanghwamun show will be remembered as a heartfelt reunion blending intimacy with spectacle, even if the crowd size surprised some observers. The group’s return signals renewed momentum for K-pop’s biggest act.
OAKLAND, Calif. — A viral X thread capturing live courtroom notes from Elon Musk’s high-stakes lawsuit against OpenAI has thrust the landmark trial into the spotlight, with the plaintiff’s lawyer dramatically declaring that the company “stole a charity” created for the benefit of humanity rather than private profit. The April 28 post by attorney Ariel Givner, who received real-time updates from inside the federal courthouse, quickly spread as opening statements laid bare the bitter feud between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Givner’s thread, posted during the first full day of testimony in the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, detailed Musk’s side of the story: how he co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit dedicated to safe, open artificial intelligence development for all mankind. Musk contributed tens of millions of dollars, recruited top talent including Ilya Sutskever, and emphasized existential risks from advanced AI. The lawyer argued that OpenAI’s later shift to a for-profit structure, fueled by billions from Microsoft, betrayed that mission and left the nonprofit shell with “almost no assets.”
The dramatic line — “THEY STOLE A CHARITY” — capped the plaintiff’s opening and echoed through social media. Givner’s notes highlighted an emotional close: “NOBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STEAL A CHARITY.” The thread also shared a 2017 email exchange in which Musk told Altman, “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” and Altman replied enthusiastically, “I remain enthusiastic about the non-profit structure!” A contemporaneous diary entry from OpenAI President Greg Brockman reportedly called the nonprofit commitment a “lie” if the company pursued a B-corp structure.
9/ This email exchange from September 2017 was shown to jurors
Musk: “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit.”
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Altman: “I remain enthusiastic about the non-profit structure!”
The lawsuit, filed in 2024, accuses Altman, Brockman and OpenAI of breaching fiduciary duties by converting the organization into a profit-driven entity valued at hundreds of billions and preparing for an IPO. Musk seeks more than $150 billion in damages and an order to unwind the changes, returning control and intellectual property to the nonprofit. He claims the original mission required no financial return and focused on humanity’s benefit, not enriching insiders or partners like Microsoft.
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OpenAI’s lawyers fired back in their opening, arguing Musk knew about plans for a for-profit arm from the start and left the board voluntarily in 2018. They portray the suit as a competitive move by Musk, whose own xAI startup now rivals OpenAI. Defense attorney William Savitt told jurors the case boils down to Musk not getting his way, not a betrayal of any binding promise.
The trial, which began with jury selection on April 27 and opened in earnest April 28, has already featured heated testimony. Musk took the stand as the first witness, recounting his upbringing, early companies and long-standing fears about artificial general intelligence. He described OpenAI as a response to Google’s dominance and insisted he could have launched it as a for-profit but chose the nonprofit path for ethical reasons. Cross-examination grew tense, with Musk accusing OpenAI’s lawyer of trying to “trick” him and snapping, “You’re misleading.”
As of May 1, the proceedings have entered their fourth day. Musk has spent multiple days on the witness stand, with cross-examination continuing and expected to wrap soon. Altman, Brockman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella are among those slated to testify later. The monthlong trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers could reshape AI development, corporate governance and the balance between nonprofit ideals and commercial realities in Silicon Valley.
Legal observers say the case hinges on whether OpenAI’s founders made enforceable promises to keep the organization nonprofit forever. Musk’s team presented the 2017 emails and Brockman’s diary as evidence of bad faith. OpenAI counters that the nonprofit structure was always intended to evolve with a for-profit subsidiary to fund research, similar to a museum gift shop supporting the museum. The company argues it has delivered on its mission by developing safe AI while attracting necessary capital from Microsoft.
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The courtroom drama has drawn intense media attention and public fascination. Demonstrators gathered outside the Oakland courthouse during jury selection, reflecting broader debates about AI ethics, corporate power and Musk’s influence. Givner’s real-time X updates, which included apologies for typos and promises of more notes during breaks, turned the usually opaque legal process into a live-streamed spectacle followed by tech enthusiasts and Musk supporters.
Musk founded xAI in 2023 partly to counter what he sees as OpenAI’s closed, profit-driven direction. He has repeatedly warned that unchecked AI development poses existential risks, a theme he reiterated in testimony. OpenAI maintains it remains committed to safety and has implemented safeguards in models like ChatGPT, while pursuing the resources needed to compete globally.
The stakes extend far beyond personal animosity between former friends Musk and Altman. A ruling in Musk’s favor could force OpenAI to restructure, potentially slowing its momentum or returning valuable IP to the nonprofit. A defense victory would affirm the company’s right to adapt its structure and validate its multibillion-dollar valuation. Either outcome could influence how future AI labs are organized and funded.
Givner, an IP and corporate attorney with experience in fintech and crypto, positioned her thread as neutral live coverage. Her bio notes roles with MonkeDAO and DiversiFi, lending credibility to her detailed legal observations. The thread’s rapid spread underscored X’s role as a primary source for breaking courtroom news in the social media era.
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As the trial continues into its second week, both sides prepare for testimony from key figures who shaped OpenAI’s early days. Musk has described himself as a “fool” for continuing to fund the organization after tensions arose, while OpenAI insists he was fully aware of and supported early commercial moves. The jury will ultimately decide whether the shift from nonprofit to for-profit constituted a betrayal or a necessary evolution.
For now, the viral thread from April 28 serves as a time capsule of the trial’s explosive opening, capturing the raw emotions and high principles at stake. Whether Musk’s vision of AI as a public good prevails or OpenAI’s commercial model is upheld, the case has already highlighted the tensions between idealism and pragmatism in the race to build the future’s most powerful technology.
Insperity, Inc. (NSP) Q1 2026 Earnings Call April 30, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Company Participants
James Allison – Executive VP of Finance, CFO & Treasurer Paul Sarvadi – Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO
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Conference Call Participants
Daniel Maxwell – William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division Jeff Martin – ROTH Capital Partners, LLC, Research Division Mark Marcon – Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division Tobey Sommer – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division Brendan Biles – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
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Presentation
Operator
Good day. My name is Ali, and I will be your conference operator today. I would like to welcome everyone to the Insperity First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] And please note, this conference call is being recorded.
At this time, I would like to introduce today’s speakers. Joining us are Paul Sarvadi, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; and Jim Allison, Executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
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At this time, I’d like to turn the call over to Jim Allison. Mr. Allison, please go ahead.
James Allison Executive VP of Finance, CFO & Treasurer
Thank you. We appreciate you joining us today. Let me begin by outlining our plan for this afternoon’s call. First, I’m going to discuss the details behind our first quarter 2026 financial results. Paul will then comment on 3 strategic initiatives in 2026: Our margin recovery plan, our efforts to rebuild growth momentum, including the HRScale rollout and our AI initiatives. I will return to provide financial guidance for the second quarter and full year 2026. We will then end the call with a question-and-answer session.
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Before we begin, I would like to remind you that Paul or I may make forward-looking statements during today’s call, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. In addition, some of our discussion may
Ben Johns comes over to the right side to hit a dink shot against Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquine in the 2026 PPA Carvana Mesa Cup finals match of the Pro Mixed Doubles Division at Arizona Athletic Grounds on February 22, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona.
Bruce Yeung | Getty Images
Pickleball Inc., the new parent company of Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour, said Friday it has raised a record $225 million in new investment, as the paddle sport continues its rapid growth trajectory.
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The latest investment comes from Apollo Global Management’s newly created sports fund, Apollo Sports Capital, and Dundon Capital Partners, owned by billionaire Tom Dundon. Dundon is an owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team and the Carolina Hurricanes NHL team and was an early investor in pickleball.
The fresh funds bring the total investment in Pickleball Inc. to $315 million, as investors continue to look at emerging sports as a place to park their money. The raise values Pickleball Inc. at $750 million, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked to remain unnamed because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the company’s valuation.
The deal also includes rolling up several pickleball assets under the Pickleball Inc. umbrella, creating what the company called the largest pickleball ecosystem to date.
Pickleball Inc. will take on a portfolio of pickleball assets previously owned by Dundon, including Pickleball Central, a leading site for pickleball equipment founded in 2006. The portfolio also includes PickleballTournaments.com, software that powers thousands of tournaments across all levels of play, as well as Just Courts, a pickleball court installer.
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Pickleball Inc.’s newly merged business verticals combined generated over $140 million in 2025 revenue, the company said.
In a release, MLP and PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe called the new investment a “seismic day” for pickleball’s rapidly growing business at all levels.
“This investment allows us to fully integrate the sport into one cohesive ecosystem – uniting professional pickleball, consumer goods, technology, and media under a single, unified platform,” Pardoe said.
Dundon and the Pardoe family will remain majority shareholders in the business after the investment.
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Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years, with more than 24 million U.S. players participating in 2025, making it the fastest growing sport in the country over the last three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s Annual Report.
At the professional level, the MLP and PPA Tour have seen major growth with a combined $30 million in sponsorship revenue in 2025 and $60 million in combined top line revenue for 2025, according to the United Pickleball Association, which operates both leagues. The MLP and PPA Tour are projecting $74 million in combined revenue in 2026.
The new capital for Pickleball Inc. will be used to further integrate the pickleball business at all levels of play and create a streamlined pickleball ecosystem, the company said.
“This capital raise will allow us to expand our focus into new and scalable opportunities like content, media, and the development of infrastructure to support our fast growing events,” MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani said in a statement. “The continued and dynamic year-over-year growth data has proven without doubt that pickleball is no longer an emerging sport, and is instead quickly becoming the next tier one sport in America.”
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Gold prices were trading almost flat in the international market on Friday, but the yellow metal is on track to record a nearly 2% weekly loss. This comes as oil prices briefly skyrocketed to $126 per barrel, fuelling inflation worries and reinforcing expectations of higher interest rates for longer.
Spot gold prices were steady at around $4,620 per ounce on Friday morning. US gold futures for June delivery rose 0.1% to $4,632.70. This came after gold prices dropped to a one-month low on Wednesday.
Notably, MCX is closed in the morning session today on account of Maharashtra Day. Earlier on Thursday, gold futures with June expiry on the exchange closed around Rs 114 higher at Rs 1,51,225 per 10 grams. The contracts with August expiry also closed marginally higher at Rs 1,54,390 per 10 grams.
Iran-US war
After hitting as high as $126 per barrel on Thursday, oil prices cooled down but continued to remain elevated above $110 per barrel today. This comes as the war between Iran and the US entered its third month, with the Strait of Hormuz continuing to remain choked and keeping investors on edge.
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US President Donald Trump said that the military blockade of Iranian ports could last for months. A report by Reuters, citing officials, hinted that the US President may be planning a series of fresh military strikes to compel Iran to negotiate an end to the conflict. Iran, meanwhile, said that it would respond with “long and painful strikes” on US positions if Washington renewed its strikes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that it was not reasonable to expect quick results from US talks, according to the official IRNA news agency. “Expecting to reach a result in a short time, regardless of who the mediator is, in my opinion, is not very realistic,” he was quoted as saying.
What lies ahead?
“In the near term, gold is expected to remain volatile and range-bound, with support near Rs 1,48,000 and resistance around Rs 1,52,000,” said Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst of Commodity and Currency at LKP Securities.
Gold prices fell as oil prices rose, suggesting that the market is fearing increasing inflation and a potential central bank reaction more than rising growth risks, said Carsten Menke, Head Next Generation Research at Julius Baer. “Such short-term and sometimes sharp swings typically mirror moves in the paper market, not the physical market. They are the result of position squaring by speculative futures traders and trend followers, not safe-haven seekers,” he said.
Deutsche Bank, Germany’s leading international investment bank, recently predicted that the bullion’s share in global central bank reserves could increase to 40%, up from around 30% currently. Based on this scenario, the bank’s calculations indicate that gold prices could climb to $8,000 an ounce within five years, implying nearly 80% upside from current levels.
(With inputs from agencies)
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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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