• Netflix director Carl Rinsch took the witness stand in his criminal fraud trial.
• He cast his dispute with Netflix over his failed sci-fi show as one big misunderstanding.
• His account appeared to contradict an earlier deposition and the testimony of Netflix executives.

After a week of testimony about how Carl Rinsch spent millions of dollars on luxury mattresses, Uber Eats, Rolls-Royces, and stock and crypto trades — but not the sci-fi epic that Netflix ordered — the director got to tell his side of the story.

On the witness stand Tuesday, Rinsch cast his dispute with Netflix as one big misunderstanding.

In 2018, the streaming service had agreed to spend tens of millions of dollars on "White Horse," a sci-fi project that depicted a world where artificial, clone-like beings created their own society after a schism with humankind. The show had the endorsement of Keanu Reeves, who starred in Rinsch's movie "47 Ronin."

By November of 2019, Rinsch had spent more than the $44 million Netflix had agreed to pay for one season of the show.

With the project overbudget and unfinished, Rinsch and Netflix executives needed to determine what to do next. Would Rinsch agree to cede some creative control to Netflix, surrendering his prized "final cut" privilege? Would he reduce his ambitions and complete the single season Netflix initially ordered? Or would Netflix give him a bigger budget to deliver two seasons?

In Rinsch's eyes, he was ready to deliver Netflix a mega-franchise on par with "Star Wars" or "Game of Thrones," and was negotiating the terms for a sequel. He had already spent millions of dollars of his own money on the passion project, he testified, and wanted to go bigger.

"This was, in my eyes, a franchise," he testified Tuesday. "It wasn't just one movie."

In March 2020, Netflix sent Rinsch's production company an additional $11 million — the money at the center of his Manhattan federal court fraud trial. According to prosecutors, Rinsch used the funds for a personal spending spree. Rinsch, on Tuesday, testified that he completed all the production work Netflix expected — at a fraction of the price. The rest, he said, was his to keep.

The director ultimately never completed a single season of "White Horse."

Wearing a black three-piece suit with a dark purple tie and pocket square, Rinsch faced the jury as he spoke in a quiet and forceful tone. He kept a sober expression. In a courthouse elevator during the lunch break, he looked heavenward and uttered a short prayer.

The stakes are high. Rinsch — once a Hollywood rising star and protégé of Ridley Scott — has already lost his career and all of his money. If convicted on all charges, he could spend up to 90 years in prison.

'It's too much money'

A keystone of the criminal trial is a March 2020 email that Bryan Noon, then a Netflix executive, sent to Rinsch and his lawyer the day before the $11 million payment.

According to the email, the $11 million was meant to go toward production costs on "White Horse," which had stalled after wrapping up a shoot in Budapest the previous fall.

Noon said Rinsch was required to spend the funds in a five-week period for editing the existing footage and for the costs of storyboards, production design, costume design, location booking, securing talent, and building sets for future filming.

Rinsch testified Tuesday that he estimated all of that would cost only $500,000.

"It's too much money," Rinsch told jurors. "I would never spend $11 million in five weeks."

The other $10.5 million, Rinsch testified, was meant to reimburse him for costs he had paid out of his own pocket to continue filming "White Horse" while the production had gone over-budget.

"I had a crew of probably 100 people staying in a hotel — everybody's ordering room service, everybody's exposed," Rinsch said. "So the idea was I subsidize and pay for us all to be here while we negotiate what the sequel is going to be. That was my cost — and it was a very big cost."

Some jurors wore coats in the chilly courtroom on the 14th floor of the lower Manhattan courthouse, where temperatures outside dipped to 30 degrees. One juror nodded along as Rinsch said that Netflix, in his view, owed him money at the time.

The director contended that he had completed principal photography on the first season of "White Horse" by the end of November 2019, when he had shot scenes in Budapest. In his understanding, Netflix executives wanted him to conduct "soft pre-production" over five weeks and show them visual concepts that would help them decide whether to order a second season — before the first season even hit the streaming service.

In his testimony on Tuesday, Rinsch walked the jury through some of his spending in the weeks following the March 2020 deal that he said was for the production of "White Horse."

Rinsch hired Clayton Townsend, an experienced producer who had worked on several Judd Apatow and "Fast and Furious" movies, paying his production company $30,000. He also paid over $33,000 to secure a castle in Vienna as a shooting location.

He testified about the Rolls-Royces the government accused him of buying with Netflix's money. He explained that in the sci-fi world of "White Horse," he had wanted a "fleet of Rolls-Royces" carrying diplomats between the areas controlled by humans and those controlled by the "organic intelligent" beings.

Rinsch said he continued working on the show throughout 2020 and early 2021, including hiring a production designer to put together concept art. Netflix didn't formally tell him it was done with "White Horse" until March 2021, Rinsch said.

In a civil legal dispute with Netflix, Rinsch's side of the story didn't prevail. An arbitrator in May 2024 awarded the company $8.8 million and control over the "White Horse" footage. Rinsch was indicted by federal prosecutors nearly a year later.

The $11 million question

On cross-examination, Rinsch gave explanations that contradicted the accounts of other witnesses. And, at times, that appeared to contradict himself.

During cross-examination, a prosecutor showed Rinsch transcripts of his under-oath answers from a deposition and a hearing tied to his earlier legal dispute with Netflix.

While Rinsch said Tuesday that the bulk of the $11 million was for himself, he said in those earlier settings that he would use the funds for additional production work.

Rinsch said he completed filming principal photography for the first season of "White Horse," and that planned shoots in Kenya and Holland were meant for a second season. Former Netflix executives testified earlier in the trial, however, that the planned shoots were for scenes that were part of the script for the first season.

Under questioning on Tuesday, Rinsch didn't address testimony about him rushing to spend millions of dollars on luxury goods in 2021. Nor did Rinsch share his own account of meetings with former Netflix executive Peter Friedlander, where Friedlander testified that he flew to the set of "White Horse" in Budapest to try to resolve budget issues, but the director walked out of them without a resolution.

Ahead of the trial, Rinsch's lawyers said that his "mental state" could be an issue in the case. While the trial didn't feature any testimony about Rinsch's mental health, jurors saw outlandish text messages and emails he sent to Cindy Holland, the highest-ranking Netflix executive overseeing "White Horse."

In one document attached to an email, Rinsch laid out a scenario where President Donald Trump would "mobilize Chinese community and create a destabilization" of Chinese President Xi Jinping "by unifying the Chinese people to support the one thing they fear more than XJ… death."

He cited this scenario among his reasons for making risky options trades in the pharmaceutical company Gilead.

"I was hedging the market," Rinsch said during cross-examination. "In the instance that we had a total calamity where millions of people died, we would be able to continue working on this show."

Rinsch ultimately lost millions of dollars on his Gilead trades.

It was a long way from when Holland sat in Keanu Reeves' home and read the script for "White Horse," thinking it could be the next big thing.

"I thought it had incredible potential," Holland testified.

• "Real Housewives" star Jenn Shah was released from prison nearly four years early.
• Shah pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a telemarketing scheme targeting the elderly.
• She remains in federal custody under community confinement, a BOP spokesperson said.

"Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah has been released from prison nearly four years early.

Shah, who turned herself in to a minimum security prison camp in Texas in February 2023, walked free from the facility on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons told Business Insider.

The Bravo TV alum, however, is still in federal custody, the spokesperson, Randilee Giamusso, said, adding that Shah had been moved to community confinement, meaning she is either in home confinement or a halfway house.

"For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not disclose an individual's specific location while in community confinement," Giamusso said.

Online prison records indicate that Shah's release date is August 30, 2026.

Representatives for Shah did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider.

The reality TV star was filming "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" when she was arrested in 2021 on federal charges.

Shah was sentenced to 6.5 years after pleading guilty to a wire fraud charge connected to a nationwide telemarketing scheme that targeted the elderly.

Prosecutors have called Shah the "integral leader" of a wide-ranging fraud scheme that victimized thousands of people.

As part of her plea deal, she agreed to forfeit $6.5 million and pay $9.5 million in restitution.

"My actions have hurt innocent people," Shah said at her 2023 sentencing hearing. "I want to apologize by saying I am doing all I can to earn the funds to pay restitution."

Shah's wire fraud charge carried a 30-year maximum sentence, but prosecutors sought a prison term of 11 to 14 years as part of her plea agreement.

For nearly three years, Shah spent her days at FPC Bryan, a prison camp in Texas that also houses Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The prison camp has been known as "Club Fed" due to its cushy digs.

It resembles a community college or a small office park, Justin Paperny, a prison consultant who has advised Shah has previously told Business Insider.

• A Strava report found that Asics Novablasts were more popular than similar Nike or Hoka models.
• Novablasts are very cushioned and bouncy training shoes, which may help runners move faster.
• They're great for beginners, but many still prefer less-springy options.

While Nike and Hoka have been some of the buzziest running brands in recent years, a new shoe reigned supreme this year: the Asics Novablast.

A recent Strava report, which tracked which optional "gear" users selected on their uploaded runs, found that Asics' $150 sneakers beat out Nike Pegasus and Hoka Clifton models, both of which can retail for slightly more (depending on the exact model).

"After run number one, my feet were feeling happy," Keltie O'Connor, a runner and YouTuber, said in her 2024 TikTok review. She raved about how soft they were, without feeling like a memory foam mattress.

Michael Mazzara, the CEO of Half Marathon Guide and Rogue Expeditions, a running tour company, said the data made sense; both complete beginners and more experienced runners gravitate toward the shoes' extreme cushioning.

They also make it easier to run faster — so much so that some formal races, like the Ironman, ban them for giving runners too much of an advantage.

"It's become a lot more common that people want really, really springy shoes to feel like they're going faster or to reduce the impact on their joints," Mazzara said. "They created a really accessible shoe to feel like you felt pretty invincible, even if you just got out there."

While wearing bouncier shoes can feel great, even exhilarating, there are some long-term drawbacks. When it comes to long-distance running and extensive training, extreme comfort can be too much of a good thing, masking injuries around the corner.

A more forgiving shoe

Because of its high stack height, Mazzara said the shoe can feel very forgiving, especially for beginners. "You feel like you just have to think a little bit less about your cadence and your stride because the shoe's doing a lot of the work for you."

It's also very fun to run in, he said, even though it's not technically a race shoe. Novablasts are made for daily training and long runs, unlike carbon-plated race shoes such as Nike Alphaflys, which are designed to increase speed and shouldn't be worn as frequently.

Even so, Novablasts feel like race shoes. "They're really springy, and you feel like you're running very fast," he said. "It's something that people haven't really felt before about a daily trainer."

Running shoes are getting bouncier

In general, running brands like Asics, Nike, Hoka, and Brooks have been investing in foamier, bouncier shoes.

Aylin Woodward of The Wall Street Journal reported that "super shoes" — sneakers with both carbon-plating and high stack heights — have blown up in the past decade after professional marathoners shaved minutes off their finish times with them.

Ultra-bouncy shoes like Novablasts can also feel like a solution to both new and burned-out runners alike, Mazzara said. If you're a total beginner, new aches and pains can feel concerning — even discouraging. "Then, all of a sudden, you try on a shoe that feels like a Moon Boot to run in." You're immediately faster than ever, with no immediate downsides.

For long-term runners who've been running in the same, less-cushioned trainers for years, the sudden switch can be a much-needed mental refresh. Feeling automatically faster "reinvigorates the excitement of daily training and racing," he said.

Too much pep in your step?

There are some downsides to the shoe-cushioning arms race.

Dr. Courtney Conley, chiropractic physician specializing in foot and gait mechanics, said in a Diary of a CEO interview that tall, bouncy shoes like Nike Alphaflys can weaken muscles in the foot.

"If you train in them all the time, and you never let your foot get stronger, it's just a matter of time," she said, before you start feeling hamstring issues.

In his own experience wearing Novablasts, Mazzara said he felt like he didn't have to think about his running form as much. That eventually caught up with him: "I got injured disproportionately more than using a more conventional, less springy shoe," he said.

Asics did not respond to Business Insider's request to comment.

Mazzara and runners he knows, especially longtime ones in their 40s to 60s, prefer shoes like the Nike Pegasus or Hoka Clifton because they offer ample support without as much bounciness, Mazzara said. The shoes feel stabler in the long run, even if they're a little less exciting.

For running beginners who don't know where to start, Mazzara recommended going to a running store to find the perfect fit for your foot shape and stride.

The best principle to follow is also the simplest, he said: "When it comes to running, find something that you love to run in until you love running."

• Returning to work after an 18-year break, I discovered new skills through my experience as a parent.
• Supporting my son's ballet journey motivated me to seek employment for his expenses.
• Parenting taught me confidence and adaptability, which now benefit my university office role.

I watched my 7-year-old son observing his younger sister taking her first dance class. She skipped across the floor, jumping over a taped marking. His eyes were glued to each move. "Mom, can I take this class?" he asked. We'd spent the last week discussing swimming lessons, but dance could fill its place, so he joined.

In the following months, I observed that ballet gave my son problem-solving skills in the form of choreography. At 14, he played Pinocchio. By the end of the performance, I'd felt his character's entire journey. This was when I knew ballet was more than an activity. He wanted to become a professional.

Which then led me to question — could we afford it?

I homeschool our kids

My husband and I spoke to his teachers, looked at dance blogs, and learned as much about the ballet world as possible. He could try many options, such as summer intensives, competitions, attending an academy associated with a company, or applying to a college with a dance major. Most of these options meant sending away a kid much younger than 18 years old — something that scared me.

When my son received a scholarship to a dance academy at 17, I struggled to imagine how we could afford living expenses. I began to wonder if I could work part-time and still be a homeschool mom of 10. It was a plus that my husband worked from home, and that I'd spent years creating a morning school schedule for the kids. Some of them already helped me cook dinner on nights I had to drive other kids to activities. I'd miss being home full-time, but thankfully, my husband could help.

I applied for a job

My previous employment included a few hours at a college campus day care, working as an assistant for a small-business owner, and clerical duties in an X-ray department at our local hospital. A company that takes pride in matching employees with employers thought my best lead would be to look at the three colleges in town and see if they had any openings.

"There's a job at my alma mater," my husband said a few days after I'd mentioned that going back to work could be a way to pay for our son's living expenses at the ballet academy. The post was for an Assistant to the Office of Belonging. Writing a cover letter for this was feasible. I was empathetic toward students of color as a Bangladeshi British American adoptee. One of the college classes I took introduced me to bell hooks, Patricia Williams, and W.E.B. DuBois. When it came to office work, I knew how to use Microsoft Office, and picking up new skills wouldn't have been too difficult.

My husband went on to say, "I bet my professor would write you a recommendation." We'd stayed in touch with him and his wife. Only, I found out that this job would be working for him. I hoped my application was good enough.

I went to two interviews. Within a few weeks, or friend said, "I'd like to hire you."

I took a breath and accepted.

Being a mom helped me at work

The first day, I put my 2-year-old son down for a nap, organized dinner with the older kids, and walked into my office. I jumped into planning events, meeting with student groups, and creating a newsletter. I noticed patterns of tasks that reminded me of the early days as a new mother.

When I didn't know what to do with a baby, I'd created a schedule for my sanity. I hoped it would help him, too. At work, I studied the calendar of events. Blank days filled up quickly. When my boss assigned me more projects, I was already accustomed to figuring out how to integrate a new agenda item into my day. When homeschooling my older kids, my attention was divided between them and the ones who were much younger.

One area where I surprised myself the most was feeling confident in meeting a lot of new people to form collaborations. In my previous jobs, I'd been timid when it came to talking to clients at the hospital or the parents of the kids I watched at day care. My boss instructed me to smile at clients. As a parent, I pushed myself to talk to other new moms at the library and in the park to form a community. In the workplace, I utilized these skills to identify opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration and establish myself as a valuable resource for others.

Eighteen years ago, I would have felt lost in my current job. Working on a university campus has become a source of inspiration. Although I'm not a student, I find myself setting new life goals. I never expected my son's desired career to also uncover my unknown dreams.

• MrBeast plans to shift some focus from spectacle-based videos to more impactful storytelling.
• The YouTube star is turning to longer videos and new formats like animation.
• He's also looking to diversify his company away from his image and expand the MrBeast brand.

MrBeast became YouTube's top star by making videos featuring stunts like burying himself alive or lavish cash giveaways. But could that format be reaching its limit?

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, recently posted that he wasn't satisfied with the quality of his videos and promised to go into "ultra grind mode and make the greatest content of my life in 2026."

Elaborating in an interview this month, he said he's focusing on stories that are impactful or get people to "feel things."

"We spent millions of dollars a video and we do these big spectacles," he said, speaking at The New York Times' DealBook Summit. "After a while, you do get a little numb to money being given away or numb to spectacles, but hearing a great story is something that you never get numb to."

His comments came as MrBeast has been trying to bring costs under control at his company's media arm, which lost money on its extravagant videos in 2024. Under Jeffrey Housenbold, who became CEO of the holding company Beast Industries in 2024, MrBeast is looking for sponsors to offset the cost of those elaborate videos. Donaldson has spoken about losing millions of dollars on season one of his Amazon show, "Beast Games," and said at DealBook that seasons two and three would be "more efficient."

Beyond videos, MrBeast is also trying to branch out to new areas like a mobile phone business and financial services as he tries to grow the company into a wide-ranging conglomerate.

In the interview, Donaldson touched on other ways he's shifting his video strategy besides a focus on story. He's looking to longer videos, encouraged by their surging popularity on YouTube, which people are increasingly watching on TV screens. Donaldson said MrBeast videos have doubled in length and now run close to 25 minutes.

Other formats are in the works. MrBeast just started producing animation and has mulled micro dramas, the made-for-mobile scripted format that was popularized in China and has grown rapidly in the US.

Like many creators, MrBeast is aware of the limitations of being too dependent on his own image. Donaldson said he's working to change the mix so his videos don't rely too much on him being in them. He also wants to use his videos to showcase his mission-driven interests, like sourcing ethical ingredients for his chocolate bars.

"Whether it's me in the videos or not, I hope people like me, but it's not fundamentally why we get 200 million views for every video," he said. "A lot of times it's because we do these crazy concepts and all these other things that are more replicable. So that's why we're working on building out other channels and other IP."

When asked about the harms of social media, he swiped at TikTok, calling its videos "crack cocaine" and "brain rot" while saying YouTube has more educational content. Donaldson, who is one of TikTok's top creators, said he couldn't afford to ignore the platform because of its importance in reaching certain groups of users.

"We try very hard on TikTok, we try very hard on Instagram, because, obviously, Instagram, a lot of women use that that might not use TikTok or, use YouTube," he said. "In their world, if you're not on that platform, you just don't exist. So they're all important."

• I'm a dietitian and mom who relies on Costco staples to make healthy meals for my family of four.
• Taylor Farms salad kits and raw veggies help me prep dinner in under 30 minutes.
• I also use Amylu meatballs and proteins from Kevin's Natural Foods to make easy weeknight meals.

Even though I'm a registered dietitian, the question "What's for dinner?" always weighs heavily on my mind.

Getting a decent dinner on the table quickly can be a challenge, particularly when I factor in late work meetings and my two kids' after-school activities.

No matter how busy I get, though, I always try to prepare a balanced, nutritious dinner with a high-quality protein and at least one vegetable for my family.

Here are seven products I get at Costco to prep flavorful weeknight dinners I feel good about serving my kids.

I rely on Amylu chicken meatballs for quick meals.

Amylu chicken meatballs are a versatile option for a weeknight meal, packing about 3 ½ grams of protein per meatball.

I can prepare them on their own or pair them with sides like brown rice and veggies. I've also served them over pasta, zoodles, or crusty bread for a filling weeknight dinner.

These meatballs reheat well and don't require any time-intensive chopping or prep. They're also great for nights when my kids need something quick and satiating before rushing out the door.

I keep at least one pack in the freezer for backup dinners. They're reliable, kid-friendly, and take all the pressure off when I need something quick.

Rao's Homemade marinara sauce is a staple in my house.

A good jar of marinara sauce can actually taste homemade, and Rao's version is proof. I can't beat its quality for the price, so I stock up on it whenever I see it at Costco.

I like that it has no added sugar (unlike many jarred marinara sauces). The flavor is also rich enough that I can use it without adding any spices or seasonings.

I often pair this marinara with the Amylu chicken meatballs and spaghetti, but I can also use it in my baked chicken recipe or as a quick pizza sauce.

It's one of the few items in my pantry that consistently saves me time while still tasting fresh and flavorful.

Heat-and-serve entrées, like Kevin's Natural Foods' roasted-garlic chicken, require barely any effort.

Costco offers a wide range of heat-and-serve protein options. Kevin's Natural Foods' roasted-garlic chicken is always a staple in our fridge, serving up 21 grams of protein per 5-ounce serving.

I find that each package lasts a long time, so I always keep one on hand for a quick weeknight meal. It's easy to pair with my veggies and other sides of choice.

Cuisine Solutions' sliced grass-fed beef sirloin makes steak nights a breeze.

My husband loves beef, but I sometimes have trouble preparing it just the way he likes.

Thankfully, Cuisine Solutions' sliced grass-fed beef sirloin comes fully cooked and feels impossible to mess up.

It has 19 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving, and is versatile enough to add to dishes like tacos, salads, or soups.

Getting my greens in is easy thanks to Taylor Farms salad kits.

To get a quick meal on the table, I throw a protein over a Taylor Farms salad kit, which comes with everything I need to make a tasty salad in less than five minutes.

The Costco near me carries a wide variety of kits in the produce section, so I get different ones each week to mix up the flavors and ingredients.

Raw vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, come together to make delicious side salads.

My kids prefer their vegetables raw rather than cooked, so a cucumber and tomato salad is a staple side dish on weeknights. Every time I put a batch on the table, my family finishes it.

A three-pack of cucumbers from Costco lasts me the whole week, and I feel good about serving them to my family since they're a source of fiber and vitamin K, which supports bone health.

The store also tends to sell a wide variety of tomatoes, which I use to add a dose of immunity-boosting vitamin C to the salad.

My tomato and cucumber salad is so easy to throw together. Just chop some cucumbers and halve the tomatoes. Then, mix them with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and vinegar.

I heat up Kirkland Signature's chicken-tortilla soup on the busiest nights.

If the week is especially busy, everyone is ravenous, and I have to get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes, I have premade soups, like the Kirkland Signature chicken-tortilla soup, on standby.

Admittedly, some soups have more sodium than I prefer, but at least the Kirkland Signature chicken-tortilla soup also contains tomatoes, corn, and peppers — and 12 grams of protein per cup.

It's a nourishing, cozy meal that keeps everyone's bellies full.

• Navy Secretary John Phelan says he is now overseeing design changes to the new Marine Corps landing ship.
• Phelan said he's reserving Fridays at 5 p.m. for change orders on the vessel.
• It's an unusual approach aimed at avoiding further failures.

The US Navy secretary says he is going to be personally stepping into the shipbuilding process, setting up Friday office hours for any design changes to a new landing ship project.

The oversight is an attempt to avoid repeating mistakes that led to program-crippling cost overruns and delays for the Navy's Constellation-class frigate, which was recently canceled with only two vessels under construction.

John Phelan, the sea service secretary, announced his plan last week at a Reagan National Defense Forum event when asked how the Navy plans to avoid missteps that led to the end of the Constellation program as the service builds the new LSM Landing Ship.

"We have settled on a design, it's a well known ship. The requirements are going to be put in and done before we start building the first one," Phelan said, adding that "when we start building the first one, any change order will have to be put through me," the secretary added, and "I've reserved Friday at 5 p.m. for my change order meeting schedule."

The Navy announced the selection of Dutch-designed vessel, the LST 100 landing ship, as the pick for the new medium landing ship program last week.

"By leveraging a mature, non-developmental design and strategic engineering," Naval Sea Systems Command said, "we are shortening acquisition timelines and ensuring our forces have the littoral mobility they need when they need it."

Marine Corps Commandant Eric Smith said that the Dutch shipbuilder Damen's LST 100, which displaces about 4,000 tons and can carry cargo and helicopters, is "an excellent choice" for the Marines.

"The Medium Landing Ships will enable our Marines to be more agile and flexible in austere environments where there are no ports, providing the joint force the needed operational mobility within the adversary's weapons engagement zone," he added.

Like the Constellation, which was based on Italian navy frigates, the LSM comes with a preconceived design. But the Navy decided to build the first Constellation vessel before the design was set, leading to cost and delivery problems. Now, the service is only building two of them; it originally awarded Wisconsin-based Fincantieri Marinette Marine $22 billion for 20.

Phelan posted about the plan for the new landing ship on social media, writing that "any change order comes through me."

He said "we are going to take our warfighters' requirements, translate them into stable, producible designs, and stick with them once they're set," adding that "if anyone wants to tinker with them, I've reserved Fridays at 5pm in my office for change order decisions — no drift, no delay."

The secretary's oversight plan puts him more directly in control of the LSM's design.

The Navy secretary's role is broad and policy-driven, centered on budgets, procurement, and shipbuilding programs. The specifics of fleet strategy and ship configuration typically fall to the chief of naval operations and NAVSEA, though the secretary still influences the fleet through major acquisition and funding decisions.

Phelan, who comes from a background in business, has previously stressed the need for more oversight of shipbuilding projects. Now he's taking that on himself.

"Secretary Phelan's decision to personally engage in the change order process is a necessary first step," Thomas Modly, a former Navy secretary during the first Trump administration, told Business Insider. "That being said, that decision is not an institutional change, just a personal one."

"The Navy itself needs to demonstrate that it can adopt its thinking to accept the concept of minimally altered foreign ship designs, and the programs need long-tenured program managers who believe in it," he said. "That's a harder problem."

Phelan's plan needs to establish successful oversight into the Navy's future as well. "Any fixes in this regard must outlive Secretary Phelan's tenure, or we will be looking at the same issues again in the future," Modly added. "Also, I hope the secretary is prepared to say 'no' a lot more than he says 'yes.'"

Under the second Trump administration, senior leadership, like Phelan, has made tackling key long-standing shipbuilding problems a priority, focusing on clearer designs and requirements as well as staying on budget and on schedule. Many of these issues stretch back decades and have been compounded by a shrinking workforce, stagnant wages, and aging shipyards that rely on outdated technology and practices.

When Phelan recently announced the cancellation of the Frigate on X, he said the vessel no longer offered strategic value to the fleet.

Although the acquisition of this vessel was important to the service's vision of a 355-ship fleet, the secretary said ending the program would help meet "the need to grow the fleet faster to meet tomorrow's threats" as the service prioritizes other classes of ships for faster shipbuilding timelines.

Other lines of effort for the Navy include uncrewed autonomous vessels, and there are reports of a "Golden Fleet" plan that seemingly concerns the development of hypersonic missile carriers. Where such projects fit into fleet design planning remains to be seen.

Phelan, like other service secretaries, has been keen on doing business with new partners alongside traditional defense companies.

"The Navy's going to be a better customer," the secretary said at the recent security forum, "But it's going to become a smarter customer," he added. "I think we are going to try to become a better partner with industry and new players as well."

• I lived in Budapest, Hungary, for seven years and was able to visit Christmas markets around Europe.
• The Nyhavn Christmas Market in Copenhagen, Denmark, was beautiful, and I loved tasting Æbleskiver.
• In Geneva, Switzerland, the melted cheese raclette at the Noël au Quai market was incredible.

I've always been enchanted by the idea of European Christmas markets. Complete with rosy glowing lights, steaming mulled wine, and stalls dripping with handmade crafts, they seemed like something out of a storybook.

So, when I moved to Budapest in 2017 and was suddenly just a quick flight or train away from many of the continent's most famous markets, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity.

Here are six of my favorite cities that I think should be at the top of your list if you're planning to visit Europe's Christmas markets this holiday season.

Budapest is home to two incredible markets.

Of course, I have to start with Budapest. The city is famous for its grand palaces, and come winter, it's dotted with incredible Christmas markets.

One of my favorites is the Advent Basilica Market, which pulls you in like a magnet with colorful stalls, a towering Christmas tree, and a light show every 30 minutes — all in front of St. Stephen's Basilica.

The market is filled with so many amazing scents, from the lavender goods and crafts made on the peninsula of Tihany to the paprika Hungary is famous for — it's even in soap.

For a truly local experience, hop across the river to ice skate at the Advent in Óbuda market, located about 20 minutes from the Basilica on public transport.

While you're in the city, I recommend trying kürtőskalács, which you can watch vendors make at all of the major markets.

Translated as "chimney cake," this spiral of dough is cooked over hot coals before being rolled in toppings, such as sugar, cocoa, or cinnamon (to name a few). When it's fresh off the coals, steam rises from the center of the pastry, resembling a smoking chimney.

Copenhagen's Nyhavn Christmas Market is located along the harbor.

I first fell in love with Danish Christmas markets when I studied in Copenhagen for a semester, delighted by how they brought warmth to the darkness of Scandinavian winters.

The Nyhavn Christmas Market is located on the banks of the canal, with the colorfully painted buildings decorated with lights and julehjerter (Christmas hearts).

I loved that the market was in one of Copenhagen's most iconic areas — it felt like celebrating Christmas in a postcard.

For a unique holiday experience, visit Tivoli Gardens, the second-oldest amusement park in the world. The already whimsical theme park is covered in Christmas decorations this time of year, plus there's ice skating and a traditional market for visitors to explore.

Don't forget to stop for a ride or two, and try Æbleskiver from one of the market stands. These fluffy, pancake-like balls, dusted in powdered sugar, are so easy to eat, especially with a side of gløgg (mulled wine) to keep you warm.

In Geneva, cheese and chocolate vie for your attention.

Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva is the Christmas market Noël au Quai. To get a great view of the Jet d'Eau (an iconic fountain in the lake), hop onto the market's Ferris wheel, then stroll between chalets filled with crafts, gifts, and food.

One thing I love about Swiss Christmas market food is the dedication to cheese. As soon as I saw a stall selling Chäsbängel — a hollowed-out baguette filled with melted cheese — I knew I had to have it.

I also enjoyed raclette, another melted cheese that pairs well with potatoes, pickles, and more, and absolutely hits the spot on a cold winter's day.

Oh, and it's also a great opportunity to try famous Swiss chocolate.

Vienna's Christmas markets put you up close and personal with European history.

Vienna is home to some of the most storied Christmas markets in Europe.

My favorite — and arguably the city's most famous — is the sprawling market at the Rathausplatz (City Hall), which has a whimsical carousel and towering displays of keepsake ornaments.

I also suggest stopping by Stephansplatz Market, located in the city center, wrapping around the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral.

It's so cool to stand around the small tables in the shadow of such a Gothic masterpiece, keeping your hands warm by wrapping them around a mug of glühwein (mulled wine). Plus, for a few extra Euros, you can buy a keepsake mug to take home with you.

It's impossible for me to choose between the Christmas markets in Bruges and Ghent, Belgium.

Luckily, with just a 20-minute train ride between Bruges and Ghent, it's easy to visit both cities' markets in a day. Plus, both are about an hour from Brussels, too, making them good options for a day trip from the capital.

The red brick building facades and cobblestone streets of Bruges make the city look like something straight from a fairytale.

Beyond the official markets, I loved window shopping among the seemingly endless chocolate shops, dressed with holiday decor and piles of handmade bonbons.

And in Ghent, the markets are scattered throughout the small city, offering visitors ample opportunity to stroll around and admire the medieval architecture all dressed up for the festive season.

While you're at the markets, make sure to grab a cone of piping-hot, crispy frites (fries) and a side of rich Belgian mayonnaise for dipping.

• UK startup Vertical Aerospace unveiled its new flying taxi this week.
• Traveling at speeds of up to 150mph, it could replace hourlong road journeys with 12-minute flights.
• It includes tech that makes the pilot's job easier with designs inspired by the F-35 fighter jet.

Vertical Aerospace has unveiled its new flying taxi, Valo.

Ahead of its big reveal on Wednesday, I was one of the first people to get a look at the aircraft.

Flying taxis are officially called electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs.

The starting use case is that they can significantly reduce commute times between airports and city centers. Plus, they're quieter and less polluting than helicopters.

For example, Vertical says it would take 12 minutes between Canary Wharf and London Heathrow Airport, compared to over an hour via public transit or car.

However, its planned network also includes regional links between significant English cities, which it hopes could boost growth.

Valo could also be operated for emergency medical services and cargo missions, while Vertical is planning a future hybrid version with autonomous capabilities.

It's aiming for regulatory approval from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority in 2028.

"Valo sets a new standard — bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector," said Vertical's chair, Dómhnal Slattery. "It's a breakthrough for aviation and a clear sign of the UK's leadership in aerospace."

Here's what it looks like inside Valo, and how it's also using design ideas from fighter jets.

Vertical unveiled its new aircraft at an events space in London.

Canary Wharf is one of London's two primary financial districts, alongside the historic City of London. It was built on old docklands, and JPMorgan Chase recently announced plans for a new tower there.

The aircraft's design was slick and quite striking.

I got a look at the aircraft at the same time as numerous Vertical customers, which include American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and the helicopter operator Bristow.

Called "Valo," the new aircraft is the culmination of months of tests on its last prototype.

Valo can reach speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. The firm aims to produce 175 units a year by 2030, ramping up to over 225 units annually.

Unlike some rivals, Vertical plans to leave the operations up to its customers.

Vertical is positioning itself as an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM — the same sort of role as Airbus and Boeing.

Meanwhile, competitors like Archer Aviation are working on operational plans as well, which include setting their own ticket prices and planning apps for hailing aircraft.

Vertical also unveiled its planned route network, which it hopes will help boost the economy.

Vertical is working with Skyports and Bristow on this network. The former builds infrastructure, known as vertiports — similar to helipads but with facilities for passengers and aircraft charging. Bristow specializes in operating civilian helicopters.

A notable aspect of this network is its planned connections to Oxford and Cambridge. Transport links to the two cities, given their strength in academia and burgeoning startups, are seen as key to helping boost economic growth in the UK.

Valo also includes a surprisingly large cargo area.

Michael Cervenka, Vertical's chief commercial and strategy officer, compared it to the TARDIS from "Doctor Who," which is famous for being much bigger on the inside than from the outside.

It was indeed surprising to see suitcase after Rimowa suitcase pulled out — 12 altogether.

I had the chance to sit in the pilot's seat and learn more about the tech.

The two sidesticks are used for going forward and backward, or right to left. Valo utilises fly-by-wire technology, which means computer-controlled systems process the pilot's inputs.

Cervenka explained how Valo utilizes a philosophy called "unified control," which was first developed for fighter jets capable of vertical takeoff, such as the Harrier and the F-35.

"So what you want in an aircraft that's doing a transition between hover and forward flight is, it doesn't matter where you are in the flight envelope, you're essentially doing the same commands," he told Business Insider.

"It doesn't matter where you are; you can use those receptors, and they do the same thing. In hover, if I let go of everything, the aircraft stays stationary," he added.

Tilting propellers provide more maneuverability.

EVTOL manufacturers are building a new type of aircraft, so safety is paramount as they work toward certification. They're aiming to achieve the highest standard, which is also used for commercial airliners. This is referred to as 10^-9, meaning one catastrophic failure in a billion flight hours.

Having several propellers and flaps means that if one of them stops working, the aircraft can still fly.

Tilting propellers also provide the pilot with more control.

"We can do something you would really struggle to do in any other tilt rotor or helicopter," Cervenka said. "We can take off, we can hover one meter above the ground, or less, and we can do a 360-degree turn in gusting winds with the aircraft staying very stable."

Inside the cabin, the futuristic and premium atmosphere was tangible.

This model was arranged with four seats, but there's also room for another two.

I especially liked the thin screen that displayed details like the flight time.

While Archer and Joby's passenger seats are all forward-facing, this arrangement felt more futuristic.

Valo has a divider between the cabin and cockpit, and the pilot can talk to passengers via a speaker. In addition to privacy, this physical barrier enhances safety as nobody can interfere with the controls.

"Here, one of the really important things for us was: Yes, this starts with a premium service, but you don't know who you're getting into the aircraft with," Cervenka said.

• We sold our Washington house and moved across the country to live with my parents in Maryland.
• I'm glad my child gets to spend more time with her grandparents and we're saving money on housing.
• However, I miss my life in Washington and am struggling to build community here.

I always knew selling our house in Washington and moving across the country to live with my parents in Maryland was not my dream.

However, the practical side of me thought it might at least be a good idea.

For several years, my partner and I had been struggling with the high cost of living in Western Washington. And, like many millennials, I've struggled to juggle parenting, work, and a social life.

By moving, I hoped we'd feel less stretched financially and mentally, and that our daughter (who was 2 years old at the time) would have more support from and involvement with her grandparents.

As much as we loved Washington and the friends and family members we had there, we decided to take a risk and pursue a different life across the country.

I spent months hawking our things on Facebook Marketplace and our local "Buy Nothing" group. We sold our house, said goodbye to our community, and crammed the rest of our belongings into a truck and a small U-Haul.

One week and many hours of driving later, we pulled up to my childhood home and moved in.

Moving in with my parents was a smart financial decision — but I've lost a lot

Living with my parents in Maryland has come with a lot of clear benefits.

My daughter gets to have rich involvement with a lot of our adult relatives, including daily interactions with her grandparents. I get support from nearby family members who can often provide care for her when I need it.

My partner and I no longer have a mortgage to cover or any of the other expenses that come with owning a home. We have a community style of living that means shared responsibilities for things like making dinner and taking care of household costs.

Despite the support and financial benefits, there are many things I miss since moving. I've thought of Washington as its own "person" in my story to mourn losing.

I fell in love with our slice of the state, a small walkable city right on the Puget Sound. I treasured the environment where we lived — full of rich outdoor adventures, moody weather moments, magical sunny days when they came, and the best coffee culture.

We left behind a small but mighty community, and moving back home meant starting over.

A year later, I'm still working to make deep connections, and I have many days when I feel lonely.

The last time I lived in Maryland was more than 10 years ago, so I didn't have a group of friends here waiting for me. I've had to dive into building a community from scratch, which can take a lot of time.

I'm still deciding if the trade-offs were worth it

Though I grew up in Maryland, it still doesn't feel like home as much as Washington did.

I know we're in the right place for us right now, but I can't help but wonder about the life I left behind. Were the higher costs of living worth it? Should I trade this newfound financial stability for a scrappier, penny-pinching life with a fuller heart?

Perhaps finding community and falling in love with the place I live now just takes more time than I'm willing to give at the moment.

Either way, for now, I'm embracing the financial stability and family support this move has given me, even as I continue to miss our life in Washington.

Maybe the real lesson is that financial decisions can't be measured in dollars alone — and sometimes the biggest cost is what you give up.