• Ukraine has destroyed columns of waiting Russian soldiers with HIMARS, a Ukrainian commander said.
• He said they were targeted as soon as Ukraine got permission to use allied weapons across the border.
• Experts say Ukraine's ability to use Western-supplied weapons on Russian soil is aiding its fightback.

Ukraine has been able to destroy columns of Russian soldiers after it got permission from its allies to use their weapons to strike military targets across the border into Russia, a Ukrainian commander said.

The artillery commander, with the call sign Hefastus, told the Associated Press that Ukrainian HIMARS started firing in the northern Kharkiv region as soon as Ukraine got permission.

"The HIMARS were not silent for the whole day," he said, referring to the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

Ukraine got permission from its allies last month to strike military targets in Russia with weapons they'd supplied, reversing a long-held restriction.

"From the first days, Ukrainian forces managed to destroy whole columns of troops along the border waiting for the order to enter Ukraine," Hefastus said, according to the AP.

He said Ukraine could not have achieved this without its new permissions, as regular ammunition cannot reach that far.

Hefastus added that Ukraine was now able to destroy Russian command centers.

His claims have not been independently verified.

Even so, Ukraine appears to have used HIMARS to strike targets in Russia since the restrictions were lifted.

Russia has also been stationing troops close to the border with Ukraine, ready to be called in to fight.

Ukraine's deputy defense minister, Ivan Havryliuk, told the AP that at least 90,000 Russian troops deep in Russian territory were readying for a new assault when the restrictions were lifted.

It's not clear if any of these were the troops allegedly hit by the HIMARS attacks.

In the past, analysts described Ukraine as being forced to fight with one hand behind its back, with Russia using its own territory to resupply its forces and launch drone, missile, and aircraft attacks.

This changed in May, when many of Ukraine's allies said that it could now use weapons they'd supplied to go after military targets on Russian soil.

The US, which announced its policy change on May 30, did not go as far as some, but still said that Ukraine could use weapons it provided to hit into regions across the border from Kharkiv.

This has allowed Ukraine to fight back more forcefully against a new Russian offensive that started in Kharkiv on May 10.

Experts say this new reality has had a big impact there, particularly given the Russian border is so close to the fighting. Russia was able to resupply its forces with troops, ammunition, and equipment and Ukraine could do little to interfere.

George Barros, a Russian military expert at the US-based Institute for the Study of War, told BI that within the first days there was a "positive difference."

"They've actually helped blunt the Russian offensive at the heart," he said, with Ukraine able to launch "small tactical counterattacks."

Some Russian attacks have been reduced, two Ukrainian officials told The Washington Post, but they added that air bases where it is launching attacks from are out of range of what the US permission allows Ukraine to hit.

According to the AP, Ukraine's new strike abilities have "greatly slowed Russia's momentum," with local reports saying they have also allowed Ukrainian troops to push forward and reclaim some territory, although they are still under great pressure.

• A fire at a battery factory in South Korea has killed 22 mostly Chinese workers.
• Officials told Reuters the fire began after several lithium battery cells exploded.
• Concerns are growing over lithium battery fires, which can be harder to put out than regular fires. 

22 workers have died after a fire tore through a lithium battery factory in South Korea.

Local fire officials told Reuters that the fire at the Aricell battery factory in Hwaseong began after several battery cells exploded inside the warehouse.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but officials said that the blaze was now extinguished.

Local fire official Kim Jin-young, citing information from Aricell, told Reuters that 18 of the deceased workers had been Chinese.

He earlier said that two others had suffered burns and serious injuries, and that due to the intensity of the blaze it was difficult to identify the dead.

The fire is the deadliest in South Korea since 38 people died in a construction site near Seoul in 2020.

Videos on social media showed enormous plumes of smoke rising from the battery plant, where 102 people had been working, according to The New York Times.

Although rare, lithium battery fires can be notoriously difficult to extinguish. A Tesla "Megapack" that caught fire in Australia in 2021 took 150 firefighters four days to put out.

Last year, a container ship carrying nearly 2,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries was forced to remain moored off the coast of Alaska after a fire broke out on board.

Korea's National Fire Agency and Aricell did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside normal working hours.

• A San Francisco home that is listed for $488,000 is valued at more than triple that.
• The catch is that a tenant already lives there and has the right to do so for another 30 years.
• San Francisco is famously expensive, and bargain properties rarely come up.

A three-bedroom home in San Francisco is up for sale for $488,000.

This might seem like a bargain in a famously expensive city, where the average sale price is more than $1.4 million.

According to The San Francisco Standard, the home is worth about $1.8 million — more than triple what it's on the market for.

But there's a catch — the buyer may not be able to move in for 30 years.

According to a listing with Park North Real Estate, the property in Russian Hill, an upscale San Francisco neighborhood, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and is 1,100 square feet.

However, it is also occupied, with the tenant having possible occupancy rights until 2053.

The listing said the tenant pays $416.67 monthly and will continue to pay the same amount throughout their time living there.

Speaking to ABC 7 News, Steven MacDonald, a landlord-tenant legal expert, said: "For some reason, they gave this person a 30-year right of possession. I've seen that before. It's kind of a sloppy way of estate planning."

He added: "They can do it that way. I think they should have done it a different way."

MacDonald said it would take a "very, very unique buyer" who would be open to buying the property below value while waiting decades to move in themselves.

Ilia Smith, who lives on the street, said the listing surprised those in the neighborhood.

She told ABC 7 News: "Thirty years. I don't think I'll be around for that."

According to the San Francisco Standard, the unusual sales proposition stems from a family drama.

The local outlet reported that the current tenant, 83-year-old Sandra Lee, lives there with her daughter Cheryl Lee, 66.

It is owned by Sandra Lee's son. Sandra Lee told The Standard he put the house up for sale against her wishes.

She said her stepfather had secretly arranged a lease in 2018, which secures her low rent and a place to live until 2053.

"If it wasn't for the lease that [my son] didn't know about that was made in 2018, I don't know where we'd be," she told The Standard.

Business Insider was unable to contact the son for comment. Park North Real Estate also did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco metropolitan area is one of the most expensive housing markets in the world.

It was ranked in the "impossibly unaffordable category" in the Demographia International Housing Affordability Report.

• After traveling to over 40 countries, there are a few places that I'm not in a rush to return to.
• Although I loved traveling to Venice, I'd rather explore different places in Italy next time.
• I also thought Phuket was gorgeous, but would prefer other options for a beach vacation in Thailand.

When traveling, I always try to approach each destination with an open mind and a desire to experience the culture, meet the locals, see the guidebook recommendations, and get off the beaten path whenever possible.

More and more people are choosing to travel in 2024 — a record number of about 15.9 million Americans have already traveled internationally in the first quarter of the year — and I'm on the same page.

I've been lucky enough to visit more than 40 countries and have traveled to six of the seven continents. Although I'd love to revisit some of my favorite places that have made an indelible impact on me, a few destinations haven't left me with the same desire to return.

Of the places I've visited so far, these are the ones I probably won't return to.

I loved Los Angeles, but one visit was enough.

Growing up in Australia, I dreamed of visiting Hollywood — the place where so many movies are made. When I was 14, my mom said she was taking me to Los Angeles, and I thought I was the luckiest kid on the planet.

Beforehand, we spent a few weeks road-tripping around Mexico, checking out the Mayan ruins, eating local cuisine, and going to dance parties on the beach. When we arrived in Los Angeles, it didn't have the same allure as Mexico did for me.

We had a wonderful time exploring the movie studios, walking along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and driving by celebrity homes. But once I'd seen LA, I didn't feel the need to go back.

I actually did end up returning with my husband when we were in our 20s, as he was keen to tick off those experiences, too. But he felt the same way I did — there are other places we'd rather revisit.

Monaco was glitzy and glamorous, but it just wasn’t my kind of place.

When we were in southern France, we decided to take a day trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco. My husband was desperate to see the Monaco Grand Prix, so I spent the day exploring the city with his mom while he and his dad checked out the Formula 1 race.

Walking around Monte Carlo, we were blown away by the opulence, which isn't surprising, considering it's ranked one of the top cities in the world on a wealth per capita basis. I don't think I've ever seen so many luxurious yachts or flashy cars.

The gardens were perfectly manicured, and the streets were spotlessly clean. However, it just wasn't my kind of destination.

We were constantly surrounded by wealth, but I prefer visiting places where I can interact with people from different socio-economic backgrounds.

I’m glad I’ve seen Venice, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Venice is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. Built on a group of islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, there really is nowhere else like it in the world. The absence of cars gives it a particular charm, and it almost feels like the buildings are floating on water.

I traveled to Venice on a European vacation with my now husband when I was 23 years old. We splurged on a gondola ride through the canals and marveled at the Renaissance and Gothic architecture. In Piazza San Marco, we bought an overpriced ice cream and checked out St. Mark's Basilica.

Venice is definitely worth putting on your bucket list, especially considering it's predicted to sink as soon as 2100. However, it's probably not the kind of place I'd visit multiple times because I found it to be crowded and expensive.

If I go back to Italy, there are other places I'd like to see, like Lake Como.

Phuket is beautiful, but I'd rather explore other areas of Thailand.

Phuket is home to some of Thailand's most popular beaches, seaside resorts, restaurants, and bars, making it somewhat of a tourist hot spot.

When I was 17, my parents took me there for a weeklong vacation, and we stayed in a resort in Patong. Although it was fun swimming in the resort pool and parasailing around the bay, I didn't leave wanting to return.

On return trips to Thailand, I've found other places I've enjoyed more. For example, I loved Krabi, a province in southern Thailand known for its limestone cliffs and sandy beaches. It was less crowded than Phuket and, in my opinion, much prettier.

• LVMH has bought a majority stake in the tiny 100-year-old Paris bistro Chez L'Ami Louis.
• LVMH is owned by Bernard Arnault, who regularly jostles with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk for the title of world's richest person.
• Chez L'Ami Louis is famed for its roast chicken, finely-cut fries, and celebrity patrons.

LVMH boss Bernard Arnault has bought one of Paris's most iconic restaurants.

LVMH, the French luxury-goods conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tag Heuer, has acquired a majority stake in the tiny 100-year-old bistro Chez L'Ami Louis, renowned for its high prices, Bloomberg reported.

The conglomerate didn't close the financial terms of the detail, per the report.

"Chez L'Ami Louis has acquired an unprecedented atmosphere and popularity among Parisians, becoming a go-to destination for those seeking an authentic culinary experience in the capital," LVMH said in a statement.

Arnault — the world's third-richest person whose wealth Bloomberg puts at $200 billion — has been building up LVMH's portfolio of luxury hospitality companies. This includes the Cheval Blanc and Belmond hotel chains, as well as travel retailer DFS and yacht builder Royal Van Lent.

Chez L'Ami Louis is famed for its roast chicken, snails, and finely cut fries, and is said to have welcomed diners including Bill Clinton, Francis Ford Coppola, Keanu Reeves, and Marlene Dietrich. Arnault has also eaten at the restaurant, CNN reported.

But reviews are mixed. While some guests love the restaurant, others have left scathing feedback, leading to an overall 3.5-star rating on Tripadvisor.

"It's undeniable that L'Ami Louis really is special and apart," Scottish critic AA Mill wrote in a 2011 review of the restaurant for Vanity Fair. "It has earned an epic accolade. It is, all things considered, entre nous, the worst restaurant in the world."

Arnault regularly jostles with tech titans Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk for the title of world's wealthiest person: Bezos currently tops the list with an estimated fortune of $211 billion, per Bloomberg. Arnault's estimated wealth is more than double that of Europe's second-richest person, Inditex founder Amancio Ortega, from Spain.

• The Justice Department is considering whether to bring criminal charges against Boeing.
• The NYT reported it could offer a second settlement, while Reuters said prosecutors recommend charges.
• If convicted of felony fraud, Boeing would risk losing significant government contracts.

Conflicting reports suggest indecision at the Justice Department about whether to prosecute Boeing.

The planemaker is under scrutiny as officials examine the terms of a 2021 settlement. Boeing was charged with fraud conspiracy after 346 people died in two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. It paid $2.5 billion as part of a deferred prosecution agreement.

That deal was due to expire just two days before January's Alaska Airlines blowout. A door plug came off a 737 Max in midair, sparking a crisis at Boeing while the DoJ examined whether this violated the settlement.

In a May court filing, it said the planemaker had broken the terms of the agreement, and as a result, "Boeing is subject to prosecution by the United States." Boeing said it believes that it has honored the terms of the agreement.

The Justice Department has until July 7 to make a decision on whether to prosecute Boeing.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that Boeing could avoid criminal charges. The firm could instead be given another deferred prosecution agreement as a result of breaking the previous one, per the NYT.

In an email to Business Insider, Paul Cassell, an attorney representing the families of victims of the 737 Max crashes, said he received a letter from Glenn Leon, the DoJ's criminal fraud chief, calling The Times' report "simply not correct."

"The Department has not made a decision on how to proceed or whether to pursue prosecution of Boeing," Leon added.

Cassell, a criminal law professor at the University of Utah, said: "We hope that the DoJ is not claiming to have made 'no final decision' as a ploy to gain additional time to hammer out a deferred prosecution agreement deal with Boeing."

"There is no reason to think a second DPA deal would be any better than the first," he added.

On Sunday, Reuters reported that prosecutors are recommending to Justice Department officials that they do bring charges against Boeing.

The NYT's report said that the Justice Department believes it's unlikely that a jury would find Boeing guilty.

And if Boeing was convicted of felony fraud, it could jeopardize its contracts with the government — including the Defense Department — which make up significant revenue.

The DoJ and Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent by Business Insider outside US working hours.

• The first Netflix House venues will open in 2025 at malls in Texas and Pennsylvania.
• Netflix seems to be following Disney's playbook, creating immersive, in-person experiences.
• Could Netflix World be next?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Just ask Netflix.

The company will unveil its first Netflix House venues in 2025 at two US-based malls: King of Prussia and Galleria Dallas.

"We've launched more than 50 experiences in 25 cities, and Netflix House represents the next generation of our distinctive offerings. The venues will bring our beloved stories to life in new, ever-changing, and unexpected ways," Marian Lee, Netflix's chief marketing officer, said.

If the concept of taking original IP and turning it into an immersive, in-person experience sounds familiar, that's because it is.

That's Disney's formula.

The Walt Disney Company began as a cartoon studio but expanded to theme parks in 1955 with Disneyland in California. It's since launched theme parks worldwide. It also added other experiences, like cruise lines, resorts, and residential real estate communities.

Theme parks are a major money maker for Disney. Its experiences division, which includes theme parks, was Disney's top earner in 2023, bringing in $32 billion in revenue.

Netflix, meanwhile, made about $32 billion in total in 2023.

So it's not surprising that the company, looking for ways to add to its bottom line, sees Disney as a role model. At a 2019 conference, former Disney CEO Reed Hastings said that Netflix admired Disney.

But media and retail analysts told Business Insider that while Netflix is taking a page from Disney's playbook, the end result might look different.

How Netflix can expand beyond streaming

David A. Steinberg, CEO of Zeta Global, called this phenomenon "clicks and bricks," which refers to a consumer's desire to merge online spaces and the real world.

Consumer data collected by Zeta Global found that "the vast majority of transaction research is done on the internet, but the vast majority of transactions are still created in the real world," he said.

It's a recipe that Disney has perfected over decades of operating its theme parks and other experiences. One of the newest additions to its collection is Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disney World, a ride based on the 2009 film "Princess and the Frog."

While Netflix House will likely attract its subscribers, Resonate MCO Ericka McCoy said the potential for new audiences can't be overlooked. That includes younger generations who are desperate for real-world connections.

"There's a big opportunity for Netflix to make this a really interesting experience that not only captures Netflix watchers but a significant portion of cinema-goers looking for that new thing," she said. "They should be able to capture those audiences that are loyal to concerts."

Netflix could rescue struggling shopping malls

Netflix investing in shopping malls might seem at odds with headlines announcing the "retail apocalypse." However, Steinberg said there's still money to be made in these establishments.

"Malls are certainly having problems in a large component of the country, but it's a very low-cost way of getting large amounts of foot traffic," Steinberg said.

He said that Netflix would likely get more foot traffic in a mall than if they built stand-alone shops.

"Even though numbers might be softer than in the past, these are two of the biggest and most frequented malls in the country," Steinberg added, referring to King of Prussia and Galleria Dallas.

McCoy told BI that the physical space offered at these malls is perfect for "voluminous experiences."

"Think of Hollywood Studios," McCoy said, referring to the Walt Disney World theme park. "You have that opportunity to create stages. Immersive experiences where you're walking into a set. You can't do that in a small space, and you'd have to build it from scrap."

On the other hand, OptiMine Software CEO Matt Voda says securing a Netflix House venue could be a win for mall operators trying to replace anchor tenants.

"It's a way for them to avoid more boutique things that might be more expensive because the mall operators are so hungry to get consumers to show up," Voda said.

Voda added that Netflix has an "analytic advantage" over smaller brands since their data can reveal fan interests and passions — something that can steer business decisions.

"They know how many fervent fans there are in any given location, so they're able to reduce a lot of the variables that are big risks in retail," he said.

Netflix House and then Netflix World?

All three experts told BI that Netflix House could usher in a more immersive era for the company, but it's too soon to know Netflix's official endgame.

"Is this just a brand play to drive engagement and awareness of Netflix, or is there a bigger economic opportunity where they might do something like a theme park?" Voda said. "I think they would have to test this and see if it sustains itself over the years."

Steinberg leaned away from theme parks and suggested Netflix expand its permanent locations by making the experiences richer.

"That could be rides, or that could be virtual experiences," he said. "Part of it could be opening themed restaurants."

"I guess time will tell," Voda added.

• Marissa Rodriguez visited Greece on holiday and decided to stay in Athens to work on her business.
• She told Business Insider it took her time to adjust to a more relaxed lifestyle.
• She spent her first months working with clients in the US from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. while traveling.

When Marissa Rodriguez left her home in Puerto Rico to attend New York University in 2001, she didn't know she'd stay in Manhattan for two decades.

Rodriguez started working in fashion at 24 in 2007. She began her career building wholesale brands for different fashion houses.

Rodriguez told Business Insider she'd wake up at 6 a.m., go to the gym, and hustle to start work at 9 a.m. By the time she got into the office, she would already have many messages from colleagues.

"I was always rushing and always behind schedule and feeling like it was never enough," she said. Still, she had a dream apartment and thought she'd live in Manhattan for the rest of her life.

She lost her job

Rodriguez started working for C.Wonder, a company run by Chris Burch, an investor and entrepreneur, in 2013.

She told Business Insider she worked 16 hours a day some days and often worked weekends. Rodriguez said that lifestyle was the norm in New York, and she didn't question it.

When she was on holiday in January 2015, the CEO called her to tell her the company was shutting down. She lost her job immediately. Later that year, C. Wonder was acquired and started running under new management.

Rodriguez told BI they'd been working hard on a new project just before being let go. "We left feeling so good right before Christmas," she said. "It really came out of nowhere."

Rodriguez had worked since college, and her newly unemployed status was stressful, "I was on my own, so it was terrifying," she said. "But it was also an incredible moment because I had to take a pause for the first time."

She re-evaluated her career

For a few months, Rodriguez applied for jobs in fashion but left every interview feeling like she didn't want to do the role. She wanted greater autonomy and flexibility than her previous work and decided to move into consultancy.

She told BI she'd been interested in e-commerce for several years. In 2016, she launched Inspired Brands, a consultancy business that worked with e-commerce brands.

"I worked for some really weird businesses and weird clients while I was finding my footing," she said. A year into running the business, she started landing larger clients, such as Sofia Vergara and Renata Black's lingerie brand, EBY.

With her new business, Rodriguez thought she needed to stay in New York to meet clients in person. But her perspective shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She took a solo trip to Greece

Rodriguez decided to attend a friend's birthday party in Greece in June 2021. She'd never visited the country before and decided to take a 10-day solo vacation to Greece around the party.

"I had had three really awful relationships back to back," she said. "I thought: 'I need to go face a fear of being alone, so I'm going to go travel by myself to Greece.'"

But her 10-day vacation turned into four months of traveling around the Greek islands while working on her business.

"It was an expensive four months," she said.

She changed her lifestyle

Rodriguez said she felt like a different person in Greece. As a self-proclaimed "type-A" personality, she always had to have a plan for the day and struggled to go with the flow in New York.

While traveling, she would wake up at 9 a.m. — a welcome break from her 6 a.m. alarm in New York — and spend the day exploring. "I loved waking up in the morning when America is asleep and getting eight hours of the day to myself to do that I wanted," she said. Rodriguez would then work remotely from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m.

"All of a sudden, my entire lifestyle changed, and I found that I loved it."

Though she was traveling alone, Rodriguez said she never felt lonely. "I made so many friends," she added, "Greek people are so warm and welcoming."

Athens felt like an unexpected homecoming

Two months into her vacation, she returned to Athens, which she had passed through at the start of her trip.

"I landed in Athens and had this sense of being home," she said. "Almost like I could have been here in another life."

For Rodriguez, Athens felt like a combination of what she liked about New York — a cosmopolitan city with distinct neighborhoods that are different from each other, and Puerto Rico — everyone knowing everyone and being near the water. She wanted to stay but didn't know how.

By October, she was due to leave Greece and couldn't stay in the country any longer without a visa. She heard that the government had launched a digital nomad visa, which allows nomads who earn a minimum of $3,769 a month to live in Greece for up to three years.

Rodriguez moved back to New York and applied for a visa. Her visa was approved, and she moved to Athens in December 2021.

She told BI that finding an apartment in Athens was easy compared with New York, one of the most expensive cities in the US, where the median monthly rent is $1,574.

"From 20 years in New York, I now understand that my entire understanding of 'normal' was totally skewed," she said, adding that food is much cheaper in Athens and there's a better food delivery service.

She's getting used to lifestyle changes

At first, Rodriguez was surprised by some differences between the US and Greece. She found that apartments didn't necessarily have air conditioning or hot water, but she's relaxed into her new lifestyle.

A Greek friend became her boyfriend in August 2022. "All of the caricature differences between us exist," she said. "I'm super American and very into personal development and growth. He'll say: 'Oh my God, take a nap, relax, watch the sunset. Stop being so American.'"

Rodriguez launched an e-learning platform called "Through Experience" this year. She works on her course in the morning and with her US clients in the afternoon.

"I don't miss the hustle and bustle of New York City," she said. "The energy is just too much."

• A Korean Air flight bound for Taiwan had to turn back after a pressurization fault was detected.
• Flight data shows the plane dropped nearly 25,000 feet in five minutes shortly after takeoff.
• Korean Air said that 17 passengers received medical care after the plane landed.

A Korean Air flight bound for Taiwan had to turn back and make an emergency landing after detecting a fault with the aircraft's pressurization system.

The Boeing 737 Max 8 plane departed from Incheon International Airport at 4:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, Yonhap News Agency reported.

A pressurization fault was detected while the plane was flying over South Korea's southern Jeju Island, per Yonhap.

Roughly 30 minutes after taking off, the plane started descending sharply, dropping nearly 25,000 feet in five minutes, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Videos on social media show the campaign shaking and oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling.

Yonhap News Agency, citing information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, reported that 15 passengers were hyperventilating and suffered from eardrum pain when the flight descended.

"We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident," a Korean Air spokesperson told Business Insider.

The spokesperson said 17 passengers were evaluated at medical facilities and were discharged without severe injuries.

The spokesperson added that the aircraft is just under 5 years old and was delivered to Korean Air in July 2022.

"Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remains unchanged. We apologize to all affected by this incident," the spokesperson said.

Passengers on the affected plane reached Taichung International Airport safely on Sunday via a different flight, the Taipei Times reported.

A week of plane chaos

The Korean Air news comes after a week in which multiple planes were forced to make emergency landings for various reasons.

On Thursday, a Malaysia Airlines plane was forced to turn around and head back to Hyderabad, India. A video showed its engine on fire, with sparks flying behind it.

Also, on Thursday, a United Airlines flight from Connecticut to Colorado was cut short after a piece of its engine cover fell off during takeoff.

Boeing planes have also been plagued by issues in recent months. In January, a door plug came off a Boeing 737 Max 9 Alaska Airlines jet at 16,000 feet, resulting in a gaping hole in the plane.

Several Boeing whistleblowers have since come forward with bombshell testimonies alleging that the company cut corners with quality control.

There have also been other instances of late where commercial planes encountered sudden drops in cruising altitude that resulted in injuries.

In May, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER airplane encountered turbulence so severe that the plane dropped 178 feet in four seconds.

The flight from London to Singapore was cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet over Myanmar when it was thrust up and down rapidly for 62 seconds, leading to one death and over 100 injuries.

Representatives for Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

• In a couple of months I will turn 68 and retire. 
• I'm looking forward to more travel but I'm also worried because I will need to leave California. 
• I'm a single, childless, Black woman, and decided to move to the South.

Later this year, I will turn 68, and I will retire. There's much to look forward to — more travel and a long-awaited return to doing the crafts I set aside while building a career. I'm finding, however, that I mostly feel frightened.

I'm afraid because California, where I live, is just too expensive, and I can't afford to retire here. It's a shame that I am priced out of retiring in California and have to uproot myself and start all over again in a new place.

I can't afford California

I considered staying put in Los Angeles, in the apartment I've lived in for the past 20 years. It's roomy and features high ceilings, crown moldings, French windows, and stained glass. That's nice, but I'm older now, and I want some comfort. Things like not having to climb 20 steps just to enter my living space, which is on the second floor. I'd like off-street parking and not to have to worry about moving my car to accommodate twice monthly street cleanings. I want in-unit laundry and to never again have to schlep to a coin laundry.

I've looked into moving to a different apartment. The rent on a studio or one-bedroom unit with the features I want would be $1,800 at a minimum and, depending on the neighborhood, up to $2,400 for just a basic apartment. That would be at least a $600 a month increase over what I currently pay.

I reason that if I'm going to pay that much, I should buy a house. And that means I have to leave California. A few years ago, I shopped for a house in Los Angeles. The experience was bleak. I was pre-approved for a price range of $250,000 to $300,000. Single-family homes in Southern California, which on average sell at over $780,000, were beyond my price point, so I was steered toward condos. Everything I was shown in that range was disappointing. The rooms were too small, there wasn't enough natural lighting, and the bathrooms and kitchens desperately needed updating.

I'm planning to move to the South

I knew then that I would have to move to another state, one where my budget would stretch further. There are a lot of places in this country where I can buy a nice house with a yard, a driveway, and laundry hookups. The decision was made, I then had to determine what part of the US I'm willing to move to.

For someone like me, a single, never married, childless Black woman, it's not an easy search. I am a Midwesterner from Detroit. I like the Midwest, but after 30 years in California, I can't do long winters anymore. Much of the East Coast, where I have family, is too expensive. So I settled on moving to the South, which, even in 2024, is potentially problematic for a Black person. However, it can't be denied that the cost of living in that region is better suited to my income and housing budget.

There are plenty of articles online that list the best places to retire. But none of the lists ever include racial or ethnic demographics information. When I do the research myself, invariably, the towns have minuscule BIPOC populations, and just knowing the numbers doesn't tell me how welcoming the community may be. I have no family or friends in any of the states I'm considering.

Despite my apprehensions, there is a persistent part of me that remains excited by the prospect of retiring — and of living in a new town. I'm finding some resources, such as groups I can join on social media that offer information about relocating to specific cities. AARP offers a real estate buying program that I'm looking into. Having a comfortable retirement is important to me, and I'm willing to explore other parts of the country to ensure it.

I'm ready to say farewell to California and hello to retirement.