Several governments participated in a meeting on the proliferation of commercial spyware at the United Nations Security Council.
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Viacheslav Madiievskyi / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Excerpts from a North Korean soldier's diary released by Ukraine show a glimpse at how Pyongyang's troops in Russia believed they could defend against drones and artillery strikes.
Ukraine's special forces have been releasing excerpts of the diary since Christmas week, saying the entries were written by a now-deceased North Korean private named Gyeong Hong Jong.
The latest of these, published on Thursday, appeared to feature the young soldier confessing that he was stealing items from his Russian allies to sell. He did not specify what the stolen goods were but wrote that he had been caught.
"While working in the barracks, I thought that no one was watching me and put the Russians' things in my pocket," the diary excerpt said, per Ukraine's special forces.
"I will no longer trade in other people's things. I will heroically advance in the forefront and destroy the enemy," the soldier added.
Other entries released by Ukraine included praises of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and musings on class struggle.
"Longing for my homeland, having left the warm embrace of my dear father and mother here on Russian land. I celebrate the birthday of my closest comrade Song Ji Myong," another entry read, per a translation by The Wall Street Journal.
One of the earliest entries, published by Ukraine on December 26, featured a stick-figure drawing of what the soldier described as "How to eliminate a drone."
The simple illustration showed a figure standing upright on open ground while another two stick figures fired at a quadcopter drone.
"If a UAV is spotted, gather in groups of three," the diary read, per The Journal's translation. "One person must act as bait to lure the drone while the other two take aim and neutralize it with precision shooting. The bait must maintain a distance of seven meters from the drone. The other two should prepare to shoot down the drone from a distance of 10 to 12 meters. When the bait stands still, the drone will stop and it can be shot down."
Ukraine's special forces said the North Korean soldier also wrote of how to avoid artillery strikes. An excerpt of his diary said that Pyongyang's troops were supposed to "disperse in small groups" if fired upon by artillery.
The excerpt also said he could hide in the location of "the previous hit" because he believed artillery doesn't repeatedly strike the exact same spot.
Business Insider couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the diary entries. Ukraine posted photos of what it said were the soldier's corpse and passport. The Journal also cited a former North Korean soldier and a former South Korean major general who said the choice of words in the diary aligned with the ideology and vernacular of North Korea's troops.
The soldier's diary could give insight into how North Korean forces are adapting battlefield doctrine for combat in Russia.
The West worries that Pyongyang's involvement will allow its forces to glean valuable lessons from battling Ukraine, especially as they face off against American and European equipment and encounter drone warfare.
Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy US ambassador to the UN, said on Wednesday that Pyongyang "is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology, and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbors."
Western and South Korean intelligence says that 12,000 North Korean troops are stationed and fighting in Kursk, a Russian border region that Ukraine attacked in the summer of 2024.
Moscow hasn't addressed the presence of Pyongyang's troops on its soil, but Ukraine has increasingly been trying to cast a spotlight on North Korea's direct involvement in the war.
Most recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published images of who he said were two captured North Korean soldiers. He did not provide evidence that they were North Korean, though Seoul's intelligence service backed up his claim.
"This was not an easy task: Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote. He has said that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers were wounded or killed.
Anadolu via Getty Images
Thousands of North Korean troops serve as a valuable source of manpower for Russia, which is relying on mass infantry assaults along the front lines to whittle down Ukraine's defenses.
Still, Pyongyang's reinforcements are still few compared to the over 600,000 people that Ukraine and the West believe Moscow has lost.
Russia is believed to be providing Kim with much-needed finances, economic support, food, and technology in exchange for the latter's troops.
ecstk22/Shutterstock
Mexico is a really popular spot for tourists.
One of its most-visited cities is CancΓΊn, with its famous nightlife and beautiful beaches, which make it an especiallyΒ popular spot for college spring-breakersΒ from the US.
I wished I could have afforded to go there in college with my friends. But now that I'm in my late 30s, I'm not looking to party hard when I visit Mexico β I want history, adventure, and culinary delights.
Luckily, I found all of the above in MΓ©rida, which is about 200 miles inland from CancΓΊn. With millions of fewer tourists annually, MΓ©rida also feels less crowded and more relaxed than CancΓΊn.
I adore the city so much, and I think it's perfect for anyone looking for laid-back adventure in lieu of nonstop beach parties.
eyetravelphotos/Shutterstock
Located on the tip of the YucatΓ‘n Peninsula and founded on the site of an ancient Mayan city, MΓ©rida is both historic and beautiful.
With its distinct blend of Mayan design and 16th-century Spanish colonial architecture, the city's history can even be felt as you walk around it.
It has an array of beautiful churches and arches that made me want to stop in my tracks β and its brightly-colored homes in shades of blue, green, pink, and yellow look straight-up dreamy.
In addition, the city has a range of impressive museums dedicated to topics such as Mayan culture and Mexican music.
No matter your budget, you'll likely eat very well here. In my experience, MΓ©rida's casual restaurants are just as fantastic as its higher-end contemporaries.
Local watering hole The Negrita Cantina is not to be missed. It feels like the special kind of place where you'll know everyone's name by the end of the night.
Its scrumptious food, like ceviche and aguachiles, and wide selection of tequila and mezcal always impresses me β and it frequently has live music that keeps visitors dancing through the morning.
La Chaya Maya is my go-to stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It serves some of the best chilaquiles and margaritas β and many meals cost under $10.
If you're willing to spend more, Museo de la GastronomΓa Yucateca (also known as the Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy or MUGY) is a solid choice.
The restaurant offers a great selection of craft cocktails and local cuisine, as well as many options for people with a range of dietary restrictions.
Carlos. Galvez/Shutterstock
MΓ©rida and the area around it are famous for its cenotes, which are sinkholes or pits filled with fresh water that's often swimmable. Seeing one of these unique chambers has long been on my bucket list.
I especially enjoyed going on a cenote-seeing journey with Magic Cenotes + Hacienda Tour through Airbnb Experiences.
My day trip included a visit to two separate cenotes, a well-rounded guided historical tour, and a homemade lunch in the home of a local resident. I had a fantastic time and made many international friends I still keep in touch with.
The tour was definitely a highlight of my time in MΓ©rida β and I can't wait to go back to see even more of the wonderful city.
Hyunseung Lee and his family defected from North Korea in 2014 after a series of violent executions by North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un. Despite living a privileged life in the elite class of Pyongyang and serving in the North Korean special forces, he feared for his safety.
He tells Business Insider how he escaped to the United States. He also discusses brutal conditions inside the hermit kingdom, how law and order are maintained, and the social hierarchy. He covers public attitudes toward Kim Jong Un and the past dictators, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. He also explains what North Korean propaganda is like, what Hollywood movies and TV shows are shown to the public, and why he believes the North Korean Storm Corps troops will fail in Ukraine.
He now works as a consultant for the Global Peace Foundation in Washington, DC.
Universal Pictures/20th Century Studios
It's 2025, so iconic films including "X-Men" and "Cast Away" are turning 25 this year.
That means it's over two decades since Hugh Jackman first played Wolverine in the "X-Men" franchise and it became impossible to hear the name "Wilson" without imagining Tom Hanks yelling it.
Here are the 13 most iconic movies that turn 25 in 2025.
New Line Cinema
Release date: March 17, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%
Synopsis: "Alex Browning (Devon Sawa), is embarking on a trip to Paris. Alex experiences a premonition β he sees the plane explode moments after leaving the ground. Alex insists that everyone get off the plane, and seven people, including Alex, are forced to disembark. All watch as the plane actually explodes in a fireball. He and the other survivors have briefly cheated death, but will not be able to evade their fate for very long. One by one, these fugitives from fate fall victim to the grim reaper."
American Psycho screengrab
Release date: April 14, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
Synopsis: "In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. The cast is filled by the detective (Willem Dafoe), the fiancΓ© (Reese Witherspoon), the mistress (Samantha Mathis), the coworker (Jared Leto), and the secretary (ChloΓ« Sevigny). This is a biting, wry comedy examining the elements that make a man a monster."
DreamWorks
Release date: May 5, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
Synopsis: "Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas."
Paramount Pictures
Release date: May 24, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%
Synopsis: "Tom Cruise returns to his role as Ethan Hunt in the second installment of 'Mission: Impossible.' This time Ethan Hunt leads his IMF team on a mission to capture a deadly German virus before it is released by terrorists. His mission is made impossible due to the fact that he is not the only person after samples of the disease. He must also contest with a gang of international terrorists headed by a turned-bad former IMF agent who has already managed to steal the cure."
DreamWorks Pictures
Release date: June 30, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Synopsis: "This engaging stop-motion, claymation adventure tells the story of an American rooster who falls in love with a gorgeous hen on a British farm. The couple decides to run away from the farm, but they must first contend with the evil farmer who is intent on keeping them under her control. The chickens decide to attempt an escape so they don't get turned into chicken pot pies."
Dimension Films
Release date: July 7, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%
Synopsis: "Defying the very notion of good taste, 'Scary Movie' out-parodies the pop culture parodies with a no-holds-barred assault on the most popular images and talked-about moments from recent films, television, and commercials. The film boldly fires barbs at the classic scenes from 'Scream,' 'The Sixth Sense,' 'The Matrix,' 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and 'The Blair Witch Project,' then goes on to mock a whole myriad of teen movie clichΓ©s, no matter the genre."
20th Century Fox
Release date: July 14, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Synopsis: "They are children of the atom, homo superior, the next link in the chain of evolution. Each was born with a unique genetic mutation, which at puberty manifested itself in extraordinary powers. In a world filled with hate and prejudice, they are feared by those who cannot accept their differences. Led by Xavier, the X-Men fight to protect a world that fears them. They are locked in a battle with former colleague and friend, Magneto who believes humans and mutants should never co-exist."
Screen Gems
Release date: September 1, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
Synopsis: "Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. When Mickey does not throw his first fight as agreed, an infuriated Brick Top demands another match. Meanwhile, gangster Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) comes to place a bet for a friend with Brick Top's bookies, as multiple criminals converge on a stolen diamond that Frankie has come to London to sell."
Universal Pictures via Youtube
Release date: September 29, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Synopsis: "The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long, he finds himself in dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class-exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson. With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson's zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy's potential."
Sony
Release date: November 3, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
Synopsis:Β "A trio of elite private investigators armed with the latest in high-tech tools, high-performance vehicles, martial arts techniques, and an array of disguises unleash their state-of-the-art skills on land, sea, and air to track down a kidnapped billionaire-to-be and keep his top-secret voice-identification software out of lethal hands. They're beautiful, they're brilliant, and they work for Charlie."
Disney
Release date: November 22, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
Synopsis: "David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is the sole survivor of a devastating train wreck. Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) is a mysterious stranger who offers a bizarre explanation as to why David escaped without a single scratch β an explanation which threatens to change David's family and his life forever."
Getty / Archive Photos / Stringer
Release date: November 17, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 49%
Synopsis: "In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen)."
20th Century Fox/DreamWorks Pictures
Release date: December 22, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Synopsis: "Obsessively punctual FedEx executive Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) is en route to an assignment in Malaysia when his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The sole survivor of the flight, Chuck washes ashore on a deserted island. When his efforts to sail away and contact help fail, Chuck learns how to survive on the island, where he remains for years, accompanied by only his handmade volleyball friend, Wilson. Will Chuck ever return to civilization and reunite with his loved ones?"
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Naomi Baker/Staff/Getty Images
Olympic years are a particularly special time for sports, and 2024 was no different.
As crowds gathered in Paris to watch their favorite athletes compete, the world's biggest stars rose to the occasion. From Simone Biles' triumphant return to the Olympic stage to Julien Alfred winning Saint Lucia's first Olympic medal, the events in Paris captured much of the sport world's attention this year.
And yet, there were still so many more moments to celebrate.
Michael Heiman, VP of global sport at Getty Images, told Business Insider, "It was a busy year. The summer Olympics is always kind of at the height of the sports calendar, the four-year cycle," adding, "But the other thing is that stuff doesn't stop just because it's an Olympic year."
As the ninth-largest industry in the world β worth $2.65 trillion, according to the Global Institute of Sport β sports smashed new barriers this year, and photographers were there to capture the emotions and history-making moments.
The growth of women's sports was particularly impactful in 2024, and is only gaining momentum. More than 18 million people watched Iowa and South Carolina compete in the NCAA women's basketball championship, the WNBA secured an 11-year media rights deal worth about $2.2 billion, and women's sports merchandise alone is estimated to be worth $4 billion.
As the world raises its expectations for sport in 2025, here's a look at 25 of Getty's top 100 sport photos of the year.
Anne-Christine POUJOULAT/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
British rider Simon Yates, 31, won the overall race with a time of 18 hours, 37 minutes, and five seconds.
Quinn Rooney/Staff/Getty Images
Heiman told BI that the World Aquatics Championships in Doha was the first major event where Getty used its new underwater robotic camera.
"This is a camera we spent the last two years developing," he said, adding that the first version was built in 2015.
To capture the action, the camera was put underwater "a few days" before competition, then photographers were "able to fully control it like a video game" from the pool deck or in the media center.
"What the photographers are really looking for is to tell the story of artistic swimming. It's beautiful from above, but so much happens underwater and you see just all the coordination that it takes to lift this athlete up," Heiman said.
He added, "But really using the reflection that you get from the water above to kind of make this mirror image, it really speaks to what all it takes, everything that goes into performing some of these sequences."
Ezra Shaw/Staff/Getty Images
Of course, it's hard to talk about sports in 2024 without mentioning Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, and one of their biggest moments was the kiss they shared after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to win Super Bowl LVIII.
As one of two Getty Images photographers allowed on the field after the game, "Ezra [Shaw] was tasked with finding Travis and staying as close to Travis as possible, which is really, really hard in this environment," Heiman said.
"There's tons of people, everyone's pushing. You have security, you have other members of media, you have TV, and [Shaw] was just able to get in the right place and get this kind of, the guy wins the game, he gets the girl kind of photo, which was iconic and seen by everyone," he added.
Adam Pretty/Staff/Getty Images
Bornebusch appeared to defy gravity as she completed one of her dives.
Team Australia's Rhiannan Iffland ultimately won the competition with 342 points.
Al Bello/Staff/Getty Images for Teton Ridge
Dougherty was one of four competitors to advance to the bull-riding finals, which was won by Creek Young.
In addition to competing at The American Rodeo, some of Dougherty's 2024 career highlights include winning the Western Stampede, the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, and the Sisters Rodeo. He's also a one-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo.
Phil Walter/Staff/Getty Images for NZOC
Thanks to Getty Images' partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Heiman said photographer Phil Walter was able to "mount a waterproof small action camera on the front of this canoe" in order to "really give you insight into what these athletes are kind of experiencing as they come down the course."
He added that the end result is a credit to collaborating with the athlete and organizers to ensure that everything was safe and not impeding performance.
Butcher went on to compete in his first Olympic Games in Paris, where he won gold in the inaugural men's kayak cross event.
Cameron Spencer/Staff/Getty Images
The acrobatic score was later disallowed, and the Roosters' opponent, the Penrith Panthers, went on to win the match 22-16.
Bruce Bennett/Staff/Getty Images
Orlov hit Brodzinski in the third period of the game. The Hurricanes won the game 4-3 to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive, bringing the series to 3-1.
The Rangers went on to win the series four games to two.
Sean M. Haffey/Staff/Getty Images
Unlike other surfing events where photographers can shoot from the beach, Heiman said the Shiseido Tahiti Pro requires photographers to capture the action from small boats since the waves break about a kilometer off shore.
He added that while there were plenty of "amazing photos during Paris," he wanted to highlight this one because it's "about the preparation."
"You know, [Haffey's] out on the water for 12 hours. There's tons of spray," Heiman said, adding, "What kind of protection do you need for your cameras? What lenses do you need? How does the sunlight work? So, we sent [Haffey] to cover the Tahiti Pro before Paris as a preparation for Paris. So when we got there, we knew exactly what we wanted to do and what we needed to do."
Clive Mason/Staff/Getty Images
Djokovic fought through a right knee injury to defeat Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo during a fourth round match at Roland-Garros.
However, he withdrew from the competition the following day.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Billam-Smith went on to win the fight by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.
Carmen Mandato/Staff/Getty Images
The Panthers won their first Stanley Cup with a 2-1 game seven victory.
Tkachuk told reporters after the game, "It's not a dream anymore. It's not a dream, it's reality. I can't believe it. I can't believe it."
Alex Pantling - UEFA/Contributor/UEFA via Getty Images
Spain defeated England 2-1 to win the Euros, with the game-winning goal coming from Mikel Oyarzabal in the 86th minute.
Julian Finney/Staff/Getty Images
The 21-year-old from Spain defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win his second consecutive Wimbledon title and his fourth overall Grand Slam.
Charles McQuillan/Stringer/Getty Images
While the internet remained focused on Kim's eyewear, a hidden detail in her competition look was her daughter's stuffed elephant toy.
Naomi Baker/Staff/Getty Images
Biles, alongside Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera, brought home the gold in the women's team final.
In Paris, Biles added four medals to her Olympic count, bringing her total to 11, with seven golds, two silvers, and two bronzes to make her the most decorated gymnast in American history.
Richard Heathcote/Staff/Getty Images
Though Heiman said this photo doesn't necessarily look unique, it is because the technology used to capture it was actually five years in the making.
The process started in 2019 at the World Athletics Championships in Doha when the company first communicated with the event's broadcaster about mounting a camera on their rig.
After a small action camera didn't yield the desired quality, they decided to move forward with a bigger camera that was used in Paris and was wirelessly triggered by photographer Richard Heathcote, who was in the media center.
"[Heathcote] was actually our robotics photographer, so while he was shooting this picture, he was also manning two robots that are in the roof, following the action with a little joystick," Heiman said, adding that Heathcote also had a foot pedal controlling a camera. "So all in, there's about 15 remotes on this moment, and [Heathcote's] controlling kind of all of them, as I kind of joke, ends up like a drummer, right?"
"It's just a really good composition. You have the Olympic rings, you have Paris in there, you know where it is, you see the purple lights in the background, all the nation's flags in the background. It's just a really amazing athletics photo and a really unique one," Heiman said.
Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images
"One of the ideas that Hector [Vivas] came up with was he wanted to shoot the Games with this technique he's been working on called layering, and that's really, you set a camera up at one spot, it stays fixed, so it's and then you shoot as the event unfolds," Heiman said, noting that Vivas decided when to fire the shutter each time.
"Every time I look at it, I find a new part of it that I didn't see before," Heiman added, comparing the photo to pages of "Where's Waldo?"
Richard Pelham/Stringer/Getty Images
Throughout the Olympics, Khelif was ridiculed after misinformation about her sex was spread.
However, despite the scrutiny, she went on to win the gold medal in the welterweight boxing event. Khelif wrote on Instagram, "From dreams to reality, the journey is gold. Proud to stand at the top for my country and the ones who believed. The fight never stops, only gets stronger."
Ezra Shaw/Staff/Getty Images
Rachael Gunn, also known by her B-girl name Raygun, also received a lot of attention online for her performance at the 2024 Olympics.
Though she was eliminated during the round-robin stage of the competition, her moves were instantly documented as memes and she became the subject of misinformation.
Gunn retired from competitive breaking in November.
Ezra Shaw/Staff/Getty Images
Standing at 6-foot-2, Curry launched his shot over 7-foot-3 Wembanyama.
The US won the game 98-87, and Curry finished with 24 points and five assists.
Steph Chambers/Staff/Getty Images
According to the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) Wheelchair Fencing, category A fencers "have good trunk control."
DrΓ³ΕΌdΕΌ defeated Eva Andrea Hajmasi of Hungary 15-12 in the women's sabre category A semifinal to advance to the final.
There, she won the silver medal after losing to Haiyan Gu.
Warren Little/Staff/Getty Images
Olesen tied for second place with Yannik Paul, Sam Bairstow, and Jeff Winther, all of whom scored 15 under.
English golfer Dan Bradbury came in first place with a score of 16 under par.
Maddie Meyer/Staff/Getty Images
Freeman's home run in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a win against the New York Yankees in game one of the World Series.
The Dodgers went on to win the series four games to one.
Ezra Shaw/Staff/Getty Images for IRONMAN
Heiman said that photographer Ezra Shaw used a drone to take this image of Ironman competitors, which takes a lot of preparation.
"He has to go photograph the actual venue. He's not just there operating a drone, so he needs to get there, set it up, fly it, take his pictures, come down, and then go on to probably the athletes coming out of the water to get on the bikes," Heiman said.
Apu Gomes via Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Boeing is "on a much better track" after changing CEOs, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday.
Musk was talking about America's shortage of engineering talent on X when he was asked about the embattled aerospace manufacturer.
"That said, talking in terms of specific companies, Boeing is on a much better track with the new CEO. The prior guy had no idea how airplanes or rockets worked. Just zero," Musk wrote in his post.
Boeing was previously led by Dave Calhoun, who served as the company's CEO from January 2020 to July 2024.
The Virginia Tech accounting graduate was succeeded by former Rockwell Collins CEO Kelly Ortberg in August. Ortberg holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.
When Boeing announced Calhoun's resignation in March, Calhoun said the decision was 100% his own.
"I've entered my fifth year. At the end of this year, I'll be close to 68 years old," Calhoun said in an interview with CNBC.
This isn't the first time Musk has criticized Calhoun's academic background. Back in June, Musk said that Boeing had lost touch with its engineering roots.
"The CEO of an aircraft company should know how to design aircraft, not spreadsheets," Musk wrote in an X post on June 25.
Representatives for Calhoun and Ortberg at Boeing did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Musk also did not respond to a request for comment.
Calhoun's departure came amid a deepening quality-control crisis at Boeing.
The aerospace company faced intense scrutiny in January after a door plug flew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 during an Alaskan Airlines flight from Oregon to California.
The incident resulted in a series of investigations from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Justice, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
According to a Senate subcommittee report on Boeing's safety and quality practices that was published in June, several whistleblowers came forward to express concerns about how Boeing handles faulty plane parts.
Calhoun's predecessor, Dennis Muilenburg, was fired after two crashes involving a different Max variant, the Max 8, killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.
Calhoun publicly apologized to the families of the crash victims during a Senate hearing in June, but defended Boeing's safety record when he was grilled by lawmakers.
"You're proud of the safety record?" Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri asked Calhoun.
"I am proud of every action we've taken," Calhoun said.
In October, Ortberg shared his four-part turnaround plan for Boeing in a memo to employees.
Ortberg's plan called for a fundamental change in the company's culture, a stabilization of its business, an improvement in execution discipline, and the building of a new future for the planemaker.
"We need to be on the factory floors, in the back shops and in our engineering labs. We need to know what's going on, not only with our products, but with our people," Ortberg wrote.
"And most importantly, we need to prevent the festering of issues and work better together to identify, fix, and understand root cause," he added.
Boeing reported a net loss of $6.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024 in the same month. The company recorded a loss of more than $1.4 billion in the previous quarter.
Boeing's shares are down by over 31% this year.
"It will take time to return Boeing to its former legacy, but with the right focus and culture, we can be an iconic company and aerospace leader once again," Ortberg said in his October memo.
NASA/Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
The fastest human-made object is hurtling toward the sun at this very moment, approaching speeds of 430,000 mph β and on December 24, it's scheduled to make history.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe launched in 2018 and has completed 21 close flybys around the sun. However, its mission on Christmas Eve will be unlike any other.
At 6:53 a.m. ET, the spacecraft is set to fly the closest to the sun of any human-made object. The mission will take it closer than any previously scheduled or planned future approaches.
If all goes to plan, the uncrewed spacecraft will come within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface.
NASA anticipates the probe will experience temperatures of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, which shouldn't be an issue since the spacecraft's protective heat shield is designed to withstand temperatures over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, 3.8 million miles is far by Earth's standards, but it's ridiculously close when you're out in deep space.
It's like if you put the Earth and sun at opposite ends of an American football field: "Parker Solar Probe is on the 4-yard line approaching the sun," Joe Westlake, Director of NASA's Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Division, told 6abc Philadelphia.
"It is getting so close that we're actually in the sun's upper atmosphere. We're actually touching the sun with humanity's first mission to a star," Westlake added.
The Christmas Eve flyby is the moment the mission has been building up to for years.
"This close approach is only possible because of the mission's orbital design," a NASA spokesperson told Business Insider via email.
"The spacecraft had to shed a lot of orbital energy to get this close to the sun, so that's why it took several years," the spokesperson added.
Over the years the Parker Solar Probe, about the size of a small car, has made increasingly close flybys.
For example, in September 2020, it flew within 8.4 million miles of the solar surface. By September 2023, it reached within 4.5 million miles.
When the spacecraft makes these close approaches, it cuts communication with Earth and flies autonomously, guiding itself through the sun's harsh upper atmosphere until it's far enough away to reestablish coms.
NASA last heard from Parker Solar Probe on December 22 and expects to hear from it again around midnight between Thursday and Friday, Nour Rawafi, Parker Solar Probe project scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, said during a recent NASA livestream.
While flying so close to the sun doesn't hold any promise of discovering alien life there or paving the way for future crewed missions to walk on the solar surface, the Parker Solar Probe's mission is, arguably, more important.
Here's what you need to know about this historic mission and how it could help humanity solve some of the world's biggest questions.
It may appear calm and quiet from far away, but the sun is a turbulent sphere of activity. It's got solar flares and massive eruptions that fire fast-moving, charged particles deep into our solar system.
"Without that activity, we would not exist. That activity is really necessary for life to kick off," Rawafi said during NASA's livestream.
So, on a grand scale, understanding how our sun works can help us better understand how life originated on Earth and where it might exist elsewhere in the universe.
Also, by studying our own star up close, we can learn how other stars in the universe interact "with the billions and billions of other planets that may or may not be like our own planets," Alex Young, associate director for science communication in NASA's Heliophysics Science Division, said during the livestream.
Rawafi said the best gift the sun could give scientists during Parker Solar Probe's coming approach is "one of the strongest explosions ever."
The sun is currently at aΒ solar maximumΒ β a period of peak solar magnetic activity lasting one to two years and causing powerful flares, eruptions, and ejections.
Sometimes, the charged particles from these eruptions reach Earth. When that happens, it canΒ disrupt satellites, mess with GPS, and subsequently ground flights. It can also expose astronauts to high levels of space radiation.
As we continue to launch more satellites and people into space, these solar events are a growing threat. Yet, scientists don't have a highly accurate forecasting model for warning satellite operators and astronauts far in advance.
That's why Rawafi wants a big explosion: The probe would be in a perfect position to study the event mere moments after it occurs, offering scientists swaths of data that could help inform and improve forecasting models.
Parker Solar Probe has already collected so much data during its years of operation that it will take decades to study it all, Rawafi said at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting in early December.
According to NASA, the spacecraft is scheduled to complete 24 orbits around the sun, with its last two planned for 2025.
Netflix; Rebecca Zisser/BI
Amid shake-ups in the television industry, 2024 still delivered a slate of great TV series ranging from familiar continuations to ambitious debuts.
That includes series like FX's "ShΕgun," an immersive adaptation that brought top Japanese talent to American screens; the Brian Jordan Alvarez comedy "English Teacher," which turns high school culture wars into comedy fodder; and hits like "Baby Reindeer," which captivated the world with a story pulled from creator Richard Gadd's life.
Here are our favorites from this year.
Gilles Mingasson/Disney
Season four of "Abbott Elementary" picks up with Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) officially dating after their slow-burn romance played in the show's previous seasons. At the start of this season, the pair are unsuccessfully trying to keep their relationship a secret from their Abbott Elementary coworkers when they return to school.
The writing of "Abbott Elementary" remains as sharp and culturally relevant as ever, and the latest season sprinkles in new characters that keep the show fresh and exciting β from Jacob's younger brother Caleb (Tyler Perez) and an IT guy named O'Shon (Matthew Law) whom the staff have a crush on to a lovable guinea pig named Sweet Cheeks who breaks through Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) tough exterior. β Olivia Singh
Netflix
Netflix and Riot Games' "Arcane" is one of the most impressive and ambitious animated works of the past decade β and while it doesn't always find its footing, the end result is still so spectacular.
The series is adapted from Riot Games' massively popular video game "League of Legends," honing in on a small cast of characters who live in Piltover, the gleaming city of progress, and Zaun, its less-than-scintillating undercity. The conflict between the two cities has reached a critical point by season two. Unfortunately for all parties, so has the evolution of Hextech, a magic-powered technology that has spiraled out of control and turned one of its developers into a misguided messiah. Oops!
Season two is nothing if not ambitious and widens its scope while leveling up its already excellent animation, courtesy of the French studio Fortiche. In the process, it loses some of the intimate character work and tight focus that made its first season truly extraordinary. Still, the second season serves as a fitting conclusion and is a harbinger of good things to come from Riot's entertainment arm. β Palmer Haasch
Read Haasch's interview with "Arcane" showrunner Christian Linke.
Ed Miller/Netflix
Few shows caused as much of a stir this year as "Baby Reindeer," starring and written by comedian Richard Gadd. Netflix and the creator himself billed the series as a true story based on Gadd's real-life experience of being stalked by an older woman. Unfortunately, the show's stalker character, Martha Scott, was quickly outed as Fiona Harvey, who took legal action against the streamer.
Despite all the behind-the-scenes controversy, "Baby Reindeer" is a work of art. Gadd lays himself bare as Donny, who's loosely based on himself. He's a powerhouse in episode four, which flashes back to explain the source of Donny's trauma before meeting Martha.
It's an engrossing watch with equally powerful performances from Jessica Gunning, who plays the disturbed but deeply sad Martha, and Nava Mau, who plays Donny's girlfriend, Teri. β Caralynn Matassa
Read about the legal drama behind "Baby Reindeer.'
Prime Video
If "The Boys" is Prime Video's NSFW answer to superhero fare like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then season four feels like the equivalent of "Avengers: Infinity War" β minus a snap from a villain that wipes out half the universe.
Season four of "The Boys" is darker than past seasons, as the characters confront deep-seated traumas. For an aging Homelander (Anthony Starr), this means grappling with the legacy he'll leave behind for his son Ryan. For his nemesis Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), it means coming to terms with his looming death and trying to prevent Ryan from succumbing to Homelander's darkness.
It's a season filled with even more gory, jaw-dropping scenes and yet another Emmy-worthy performance by Starr, particularly in Homelander's gory homecoming episode.
The endgame is nearing, with aΒ fifth and final season of "The Boys"Β likely premiering in 2026. Season four ends with the perfect foundation for all hell to break loose one last time. β OS
Richard Ducree/FX
It's astounding that it took this long for Brian Jordan Alvarez to get a series order after the release of his excellent 2016 web series "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo" β but thankfully, "English Teacher" premiered this year.
The series stars Alvarez as Evan Marquez, a beleaguered but idealistic Texas high school teacher who comes under fire at work when a parent complains about him kissing his ex-boyfriend in front of the students.
While "English Teacher" embraces the thorny politics of being an American educator in 2024, it doesn't spin them into saccharine teaching moments or cheap jokes. It mines them for character threads and comedy. β PH
Prime Video
With "Fallout," Jonathan Nolan proved that prestige-y video game adaptations weren't exclusive to HBO. Rather than directly adapting one of the multiple games in the postapocalyptic "Fallout" universe, Nolan instead leverages the style, humor, and striking visual identity of the games to show us something new.
"Fallout" stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a naive resident who grew up in an underground bunker known as a Vault, established to protect humanity from nuclear armageddon. However, after tragedy befalls her home, she ventures to the surface, only to learn it isn't as deserted or unsurvivable as she was led to believe.
The series features stellar performances from Purnell and Walton Goggins, who spends most of the season admirably noseless. And while it's set in the grim aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, it's also irreverently funny and endearing. β PH
Read Eammon Jacobs' review of "Fallout" and Jason Guerrasio's interview with Walton Goggins.
Jake Giles Netter/Max
The Max original "Hacks" has only gotten better with age, and in season three, it feels like the show has hit its stride.
The show follows veteran stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, who, on the coattails of a successful comedy special, is gunning for her dream: a late-night hosting gig. After cutting her young writer, Ava Daniels, loose at the end of season two, Deborah realizes that she needs Ava β and Ava craves working with Deborah again, too.
This central relationship β and all the ways Deobrah and Ava support, encourage, and mess each other up β is constantly in flux. Season three not only succeeded in being funnier and more resonant than its predecessors but also in shifting Deborah and Ava's power dynamic into something new and a bit dangerous ahead of season four. β PH
Read Haasch's interview with "Hacks" stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Mark Indelicato.
Simon Ridgway/HBO
Move over, "Succession" β there's another contender for the best HBO show about horny, psychopathic capitalists. "Industry," the show about London's most dedicated and depraved bankers, finally broke through to the mainstream with its third season.
Seasons one and two delivered well-written, well-acted, character-driven drama about the highs and lows of a group of young bankers trading stocks (and spit). Still, season three upped the ante, spending more time away from the office in lavish locations, such as the English countryside, a yacht in the Mediterranean, and a Davos-like conference in Switzerland.
The change in scenery enhanced the story and deepened our understanding of the series' core group of complicated characters, most of whom have greatly evolved since we first saw them sitting and sweating at their Pierpoint desks.
All of it leads to an explosive finale that's massive in both budget and sheer plot, effectively wiping the slate clean for a now-confirmed season four. It's an appropriately daring move for a show confident in its vision. It's peak TV at its peak. β Samantha Rollins
Read Rollins' interview with "Industry" showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.
Ben Symons/Peacock
There were many (many) reality dating shows that aired in 2024. Having regrettably watched most of them, I can confirm that the latest installment of "Love Island USA" blew them all out of the water.
The franchise, which spun off of the UK edition, has the secret sauce that makes this genre sing. It's largely thanks to a format that other shows have tried βΒ and failed βΒ to replicate, wherein participants must constantly recouple to find true love (and win a cash prize).
Season six had a particularly explosive set of personalities among its cast, leading to some serious drama, shocking betrayals, truly memorable moments, and fan-favorite standouts, including Serena Page, Leah Kateb, and Jana Craig. β CM
Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix Β© 2024
"A Man on the Inside" is initially presented as a spy mystery series as Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a widower who recently lost his wife, accepts a job to go undercover in a retirement home.
That's all background noise to the main event, which follows the lives of a kooky gang of residents who find community with each other after being left behind by their loved ones.
Anyone who has seen Danson in any of his other many roles would not be surprised that he is an incredible leading man. However, the show's real strength is the supporting cast, especially Margaret Avery, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sally Struthers, who provide so much humor and heart that they may make you shed tears.
"A Man on the Inside" proves we really need more TV shows centered on older characters, and there's ample talent out there to make those stories worth watching. β Ayomikun Adekaiyero
Read Rollins' interview with "A Man on the Inside" creator Mike Schur.
David Lee/Prime Video
Prime Video's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a reboot of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 2005 film (mostly in name only), is deeply funny, emotionally stirring, and clever.
Sure, both titles share a similar premise β a husband and wife who are both assassins β but the television series flips it on its head to create something much better.
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine play two strangers who, upon taking a new job as shady agents for a mysterious boss, are paired together as a cover story.
The 10-episode season features a laundry list of guest stars, ranging from Ron Perlman to Micaela Coel. β PH
Read Haasch's review of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and Jacobs' interview with guest star Ron Perlman.
Hopper Stone/Netflix
Rom-coms are so back.
Six years after Netflix was credited with a rom-com renaissance thanks to hits like "Set It Up" and "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," the streamer struck gold again with "Nobody Wants This," a comedy series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. The show became an instant hit, proving audiences yearn for more high-quality modern rom-coms.
"Nobody Wants This," created by Erin Foster and loosely inspired by her love story, follows Noah (Brody), an attractive and newly single rabbi, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), the outspoken agnostic host of a sex podcast. Despite their different views on religion and lifestyle, they pursue a relationship.
Noah and Joanne's swoon-worthy first kiss scene went viral, people realized that Brody had been leading man material all along, and the show jumped to the No. 2 slot on the streamer's Top 10 list for English-language TV in the week of its debut. Unsurprisingly, "Nobody Wants This" will be returning for a second season, which begins filming in February. β OS
Ludovic Robert / Netflix
The second attempt at bringing David Nicholls' bestselling novel "One Day" to the screen (after a 2011 film adaptation) is a rousing success.
The novel of the same name is already beautifully tragic, relatable, and perspective-altering, but the Netflix show amplifies all these strengths with gut-punching performances from leads Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod, who play destined lovers Dexter and Emma.
With each episode set in a different year, "One Day" takes audiences on a 14-year journey as the two grow into adults and fall in love with other people and each other, but never at the right time. For romantics or young people worried about the future, this is the show to watch from 2024. β AA
Macall Polay/HBO
Colin Farrell leads the spinoff sequel to the 2022 film "The Batman," playing the titular comic book villain Oz "Penguin" Cobb. It was fascinating how quickly it became apparent that the show had more in common with "The Sopranos" than nearly anything DC Studios has released.
Farrell utterly transforms as Cobb, the mobster clawing to the top in Gotham after the death of crime boss Carmine Falcone in "The Batman" left a power vacuum. Still, Cristin Milioti is the real standout as Sofia Falcone, Carmine's daughter and accused psychopathic serial killer, fresh out of a stay in Arkham State Hospital. β CM
Read Jacobs' interview with "The Penguin" showrunner Lauren LeFranc.
Disney / Fred Hayes
On its surface, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was a show greenlit solely because of a TikTok scandal where several couples in a Mormon community were implicated in an alleged swinging scandal. That premise didn't seem like it'd carry far, but turns out the swinging was possibly the least dramatic thing about these women.
After a moderately slow start, "Secret Lives" turns the dial up to 11 in episode four, a group birthday vacation where all hell breaks loose as the group of friends and frenemies start calling one another out. (Shout out to the truth box, the real MVP.)
It was hard not to root for Taylor Frankie Paul and follow her tumultuous relationship with Dakota Mortensen or to root against the deeply annoying Whitney Leavitt, who became the sleeper villain of season one. We're dying to see what becomes of MomTok when the show returns in 2025. β CM
Read Haasch's interview with Taylor Frankie Paul and Mayci Neeley.
Katie Yu/FX
There was no stopping "ShΕgun" at the 2024 Emmys, and for good reason. Based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, the stunning historical epic focuses on an English sailor who finds himself shipwrecked in Japan and crosses paths with Lord Toranga, a powerful warlord.
With incredible performances, sweeping visuals, and mesmerizing battle sequences, it's no wonder the show set a record for the most Emmys won by a single season of television and that the creators decided to rethink their limited series plan and continue the show with second and third seasons. β CM
Peacock
They were the words heard 'round the reality TV-loving world: "Oh lord, not Ekin-Su."
Few shows were as memed as "The Traitors," the US iteration of the international competition series where reality stars and celebrities try to deceive one another to claim a cash prize.
Season one, which aired in 2023, was entertaining, but season two reached new heights, largely thanks to compulsively watchable characters like meme factory Phaedra Parks and "Shahs of Sunset" star MJ Javid, who gave us one of the best reaction shots of the year. β CM
Read Matassa's interview with "Big Brother" alum Dan Gheesling, who tried and failed to extend his gaming skills to "The Traitors."
Marvel Studios/Disney
Not only did "X-Men '97" expertly capture the spirit of the original animated "X-Men" series, but it also made it feel modern and relevant to the 2020s amid some gorgeously animated action.
The performances are seamless with the original show, adding new dimensions to the Marvel Universe that fans, new and old, will appreciate.
It deserves all of the praise for easily navigating the messy Jean Grey/Madelyne Prior clone saga from the comics. Season two can't come quickly enough. β Eammon Jacobs
Firearms expert Patrick McNamara rates gun technique in movies.
McNamara talks about recovering ammo on the battlefield in "John Wick: Chapter 2," starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Common. He explains how to handle different types of machine guns in "Rambo: First Blood Part II," starring Sylvester Stallone; and "Pulp Fiction," starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Bruce Willis. He critiques James Bond's shooting form in "Die Another Day," starring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry and Judi Dench; and "No Time to Die," starring Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, and Ana de Armas. He breaks down how to fire at a moving target in "Deadpool," starring Ryan Reynolds. He discusses firing two guns at once in "The Bourne Identity," starring Matt Damon and Clive Owen. He describes shooting range exercises in "S.W.A.T.," starring Colin Farrell, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jeremy Renner; and "Lethal Weapon," starring Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. He looks at shooting in dark environments in "Sicario," starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio del Toro. He analyzes the reload techniques displayed in "Scarface," starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. He walks us through different sniper positions in "Mad Max: Fury Road," starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult. Finally, he deconstructs Tom Cruise's shooting stance in "Collateral," also starring Jamie Foxx and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Patrick McNamara served for 22 years in Army special operations forces. He is president of TMACS, where he trains people in tactical marksmanship.
You can learn more about safe gun-handling techniques from Patrick here:
https://www.youtube.com/@patmcnamara
Contributor/Getty Images
North Korea has called South Korea a dictatorship after the latter's short-lived attempt at martial law.
Last week, South Korea's president, Yoon Suk-yeol, declared martial law in the country in a surprise announcement, citing the need to eliminate "anti-state" forces.
The unexpected decision was met with widespread protests, and hours later South Korea's parliament voted down the measure. Yoon's government quickly rescinded it.
In an article published by North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency on Wednesday, the situation in South Korea was characterized as "pandemonium."
It referred to Yoon as a "puppet" who proclaimed martial law "in a bid to escape from the worst ruling crisis."
Kim Jong Un exerts near-total control over North Korea's population, using extensive surveillance, state-run media, suppressing dissent, and offering no real choice in elections.
The article also criticized South Korea as a "fascist dictatorship," which it said was under the watch of the international community.
In reality, North Korea is widely regarded as a global pariah due to Kim's authoritarian governance, whereas South Korea is recognized as a democratic nation.
According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World rankings, South Korea scores 83 out of 100. In contrast, North Korea scores just 3 out of 100 and is designated "not free."
Martial law is no longer in place in South Korea, and Yoon is now under investigation for treason, with a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country.
But over the weekend an attempt to impeach Yoon narrowly failed after many lawmakers from his ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote. The main opposition party is expected to continue its impeachment efforts.
During the political chaos that rocked South Korea last week, there were concerns that North Korea might exploit the turmoil, using a moment of weakness to its advantage.
Business Insider reported that this could take the form of propaganda designed to erode trust in democracy in South Korea.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
A musical inspired by Rachael "Raygun" Gunn, the Australian Olympic breakdancer who became a viral meme earlier this year, has been canceled after Gunn's lawyers got involved.
The organizers described the musical, which was due to debut over the weekend, as a "parody exploration of a breakdancer's journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics."
Raygun, an academic and lecturer, became one of the standout stars of the Olympics this summer, though not for her sporting prowess.
In August, her routine at the round-robin stage of the women's breaking competition, which included unconventional moves inspired by kangaroos, scored zero points.
The backlash she received prompted her to retire from breakdancing.
Gunn said the scrutiny she faced had been "really upsetting" and "impossible to process."
She told 2DayFM, a Sydney radio station, "I still dance, and I still break, but that's like, in my living room with my partner."
Steph Broadbridge, a comedian and the creator of 'Raygun: The Musical,' announced its cancellation in an Instagram video, saying the show's venue had received a legal notice from Gunn's lawyers.
Kinselas, the venue, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
The BBC said her lawyers sent a cease and desist.
In the video post, Broadbridge said: "Raygun's lawyers got in touch with the venue and threatened legal action, so we will be refunding everyone their $10 or comp ticket back for that."
She said that the legal team was "worried that I was damaging her brand, which I would never do."
"She doesn't need me to do that," Broadbridge added.
The comedian also said in the post that the lawyers had instructed her not to do the "kangaroo" dance because Gunn "owns" it.
Gunn's representatives did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
However, the retired breakdancer's legal and management team confirmed in a statement provided to The Guardian that they had intellectual property rights concerns.
"The use of the 'Raygun' name by a comedian without approval has caused confusion among the public, potentially leading them to believe that 'Raygun The Musical' had Rachael's endorsement or approval," they said.
"This misuse of intellectual property is not only misleading but also jeopardises Rachael's other commercial ventures, which rely on the integrity of her brand," they added.
The team told the outlet that they had "immense respect" for the work that went into developing the show, but that their actions were to "safeguard Rachael's creative rights and the integrity of her work."
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
For many people, there's nothing better than the smell of cinnamon rolls straight out of the oven wafting through the house, especially around the holidays.
The comforting aroma of cinnamon rolls is more than nostalgic β it's also a major business driver, especially during the holiday season when sales of seasonal products like store-bought cinnamon rolls rise.
Pillsbury is one brand dominating the ready-to-bake market, but smaller brands like Immaculate Baking Company and Annie's Organic also have their own versions. Even Amazon, which has its own e-commerce grocery brand, has joined the competition with its own line of cinnamon rolls.
I tried five different kinds of store-bought, canned cinnamon rolls from Pillsbury's, Immaculate Baking Company, Annie's Organic, and Amazon to see which brand had the best-canned cinnamon rolls.
Here's how the store-bought cinnamon rolls ranked, from worst to best.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I tried cinnamon rolls from Pillsbury, Immaculate Baking Company, Annie's, and Amazon's Happy Belly, which has since rebranded as Amazon Fresh.
To make the cinnamon rolls, I greased a baking sheet and baked them according to the instructions on each can. They all took around 20 minutes to bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Each can of cinnamon rolls also came with icing, which I allowed to come to room temperature while the rolls were baking.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The can cost $2.49 and included eight rolls plus a bag of icing. This was the least expensive brand I tried, and it came with the most rolls.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
However, each cinnamon roll was smaller. The icing, which came in a small plastic bag, melted nicely onto the rolls when they were fresh out of the oven.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I didn't love the texture of this cinnamon roll. It was a little stodgy and thick rather than flaky.
It also lacked the spiced flavor I expect from a cinnamon roll. It was a touch bland, and all I could taste was the sweet, sticky icing. It wasn't bad, per se, but it wasn't my favorite out of all of the rolls I tried.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The can came with five cinnamon rolls and icing. It cost $8.49, making it the most expensive brand I tried.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
This made them easy to hold and bite into. I could see a rich layer of cinnamon swirled inside the bun.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The cinnamon roll was sweet, spicy, and buttery, and the icing wasn't too sweet β it was just right. However, for such a high price tag, I expected to be more impressed with these rolls than I was.
Erin McDowell/Insider
A can of five rolls, including Cinnabon icing, cost $3.49.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The icing, which came in a small plastic tub, did require a knife to spread over the top of the roll, which added an extra step. However, I thought it was worth it.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The roll was slightly crispy on the outside but fluffy in the center. The Cinnabon icing was also very decadent, without being sickly sweet or toothache-inducing.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The can came with five cinnamon rolls and cost $7.99.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The icing settled into a creamy coating over the top of the rolls.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I thought these cinnamon rolls had the perfect balance between buttery and flaky texture, without being too sweet.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
A can of five rolls, including Cinnabon icing, cost $7.69.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Its texture was super flaky, just as the packaging promised, and the texture of the roll was very similar to a croissant.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The roll had just the right amount of cinnamon and butter flavor, but its texture blew me away. It practically melted in my mouth.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Not only did the Pillsbury Flaky Grands cinnamon rolls have the best flavor and texture, but I also thought they were well-priced for such a decadent dessert. They tasted like they could have come from an actual bakery.
The next time I'm looking to make a cozy, holiday breakfast, I know which brand I'll be reaching for at the grocery store.
