A livestreamed comeback concert by K-pop superstars BTS attracted 18.4 million viewers worldwide on Netflix, highlighting the group’s enduring global influence.

The one-hour performance marked the first time all seven members—Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—had performed together since October 2022, when they paused group activities to complete mandatory military service in South Korea.

Held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, the free concert drew about 104,000 attendees, according to entertainment giant Hybe Corporation—below earlier projections of 260,000.

Despite the slightly lower turnout, the event marked the launch of the group’s sold-out 82-date world tour and was streamed live to audiences in more than 190 countries. Only around 22,000 fans gained access to the main venue, while others watched via large outdoor screens set up nearby.

The broadcast quickly climbed to the top of Netflix rankings in 24 countries, underscoring the group’s massive international reach. The concert also forms part of Netflix’s broader push into live programming, following major events such as the 2024 boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, which reportedly drew over 108 million viewers.

Security was tight, with around 7,000 police officers deployed, including specialised units equipped with anti-drone systems to manage the large crowds.

Financially, the comeback is expected to be significant. Analysts estimate that BTS and their label could generate over $1bn (£740m) from reunion-related activities, including touring, merchandise, album sales, and streaming. The group remains the primary revenue driver for Hybe, which saw profits decline during their hiatus.

However, investor expectations appeared to shift after the event, with Hybe’s shares dropping by 15.5% on Monday despite months of gains leading up to the reunion.

Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of OnlyFans and a key figure behind its rapid global rise, has died at the age of 43.

The Ukrainian-born entrepreneur, who grew up in Chicago, passed away peacefully following a prolonged battle with cancer, the company confirmed in a statement, requesting privacy for his family.

Radvinsky acquired OnlyFans in 2018 from its UK-based founders and oversaw a period of extraordinary growth that reshaped the online content landscape. Originally launched in 2016, the platform allows creators to share photos and videos while earning income through subscriptions, tips, and personalised content requests.

Its popularity surged dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions turned to digital platforms for income and entertainment. Within three years, Radvinsky’s success with the platform earned him a place on Forbes’ billionaire rankings.

Although creators on OnlyFans produce a wide range of material—from fitness tutorials to cooking content—the platform became best known for adult content and its direct creator-to-fan monetisation model. The company retains a 20% commission on all earnings generated on the platform.

By 2024, OnlyFans had grown into a massive digital enterprise, generating $1.4 billion in revenue from transactions exceeding £7 billion. It also reported more than 377 million subscribers and approximately 4.6 million creators, according to its latest filings.

However, the platform’s expansion also brought regulatory scrutiny. In 2024, Ofcom investigated concerns about potential underage access to explicit content. While the probe was ultimately dropped, the regulator fined the company about £1 million for failing to provide accurate information about its age-verification systems.

Earlier controversies included allegations that the platform did not adequately address illegal material. In response to mounting pressure, OnlyFans announced plans in 2021 to ban sexually explicit content, only to reverse the decision days later after strong backlash from users and creators.

The company has also faced legal challenges from users who claimed they were misled into believing they were communicating directly with creators, when in some cases third-party operators were involved. These cases have so far been unsuccessful.

Radvinsky, who held a degree in economics from Northwestern University, lived most recently in Florida. Beyond OnlyFans, he invested in technology ventures through his firm, Leo.com, and was involved in philanthropic efforts, including donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

According to Forbes, his net worth was estimated at $4.7 billion. He had also been exploring a potential sale of OnlyFans in the past year, signaling possible changes in the company’s future direction before his passing.

Oil markets were jolted by a wave of unusually timed trades just minutes before Donald Trump revealed that the United States would postpone planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, raising fresh questions about possible foreknowledge among traders.

According to market data hundreds of millions of dollars were rapidly committed to oil contracts shortly before the president’s announcement on Monday. The surge occurred roughly fifteen minutes before Trump disclosed via his Truth Social platform that Washington had engaged in “very good and productive conversations” with Tehran, hinting at a potential easing of tensions.

The market reaction was immediate and dramatic. Oil prices plunged by as much as 14% within minutes of the post, rewarding traders who had positioned themselves ahead of the unexpected development. The sharp move also triggered a rebound in global stock markets, which had earlier been under pressure from escalating fears surrounding the Middle East conflict.

Analysts have pointed to the timing and scale of the trades as highly unusual. Activity in New York Mercantile Exchange crude oil contracts spiked sharply at 06:49 Eastern Time, when 733 trades were placed. Just one minute later, that figure surged to over 2,000 trades—representing roughly $170 million in positions.

A similar pattern unfolded in Brent Crude contracts, where trading volume jumped from just 20 transactions to more than 1,600 within the same one-minute window, amounting to approximately $150 million.

Such activity stands in stark contrast to typical trading patterns observed on previous Mondays, when volumes at that time of day are usually far lower. The anomaly has prompted speculation among market watchers that some participants may have acted on advance knowledge of the president’s decision.

The developments come against the backdrop of heightened volatility driven by tensions in the Middle East. Just days earlier, Trump had warned Iran of severe consequences, including threats to “obliterate” its power infrastructure if the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours.

Although markets were closed over the weekend, the impact was felt when trading resumed in Asia on Monday, with equities declining and oil prices climbing on fears of escalation. However, optimism sparked by the announcement of diplomatic progress quickly reversed those trends, sending oil prices lower and boosting investor confidence.