Category: Business

• A US Navy fast-attack submarine just arrived in Cuba, shortly after a Russian sub showed up there.
• The Los Angeles-class USS Helena is in Guantanamo Bay, while the Yasan-class Kazan is near Havana.
• US and Western officials have long expressed concerns over Russia's Yasan-class boats.

A US Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine arrived in Cuba on Thursday, the Pentagon revealed, putting the American combat vessel in the Caribbean nation at the same time as one of Russia's most formidable subs.

US Southern Command said the fast-attack submarine USS Helena is presently in Guantanamo Bay as part of a routine port visit while conducting a "global maritime security and national defense mission" through SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility.

"The vessel's location and transit were previously planned," the military wrote in a statement.

The Helena is a Los Angeles-class submarine, a class of nuclear-powered boats that make up the backbone of the Navy's sub force. It was commissioned in the late 1980s and can be armed with torpedos, Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Meanwhile, more than 500 miles away on the other side of Cuba, in waters near Havana, is a flotilla of Russian naval vessels that arrived this week ahead of maritime exercises in the Caribbean.

One of these vessels is the Kazan, a Yasan-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine.

US and other Western officials have long expressed concerns about Yasan-class subs like the Kazan because of their strike and stealth capabilities. These vessels are relatively new — the first in the class was commissioned just over 10 years ago — and they can be heavily armed to conduct attacks against targets on land and at sea.

A spokesperson for SOUTHCOM said that the Helena's arrival in Cuba was not a direct response to the Russian naval vessels. "Russia's activities pose no threat or concern to the United States, and we see no reason to alter previously planned, routine activity in response to Russian activity in the region," they said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Thursday called the visit a "normal practice" and said Moscow doesn't see any reason to be concerned. The naval activity has been seen by some, however, as an attempt by Russia to flex its naval power after losing a string of warships in the Black Sea to Ukrainian missiles and drones, but if it's intended to project power, it's limited.

The visit comes amid elevated tensions between Washington and Moscow over the Ukraine war. The US recently lifted some restrictions on the Ukrainians, allowing Kyiv to strike Russian territory with American-made weapons, a move that was met with anger by the Kremlin.

Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon spokesperson, said the US has been tracking the Russian naval movement and described the port call as a "routine" visit that does not come as a surprise.

"We're always constantly going to monitor any foreign vessels operating near US territorial waters," Singh said during a Wednesday briefing. "We, of course, take it seriously, but these exercises don't pose a threat to the United States."

• I reviewed 27 seasonal summer products from Trader Joe's as part of an ongoing taste-test series. 
• Foods like the key-lime tea cookies and Bloody Mary salsa will become summertime staples of mine.
• Next time, I'll pass on the pickle chips, Enchanted Jangle, and dark-chocolate watermelon sticks.

From versatile crispy jalapeño pieces to luscious Southern-style peach ice cream, Trader Joe's has plenty of seasonal items for the summer. 

As part of an ongoing series in which I review Trader Joe's seasonal products, I gave the chain's summer offerings a try. Products vary each year from summer to summer, but many return. 

Keep reading to find out which products I'll return for and which ones I'll pass on next time. 

The lemony arugula salad made for a light and refreshing lunch

I know that arugula gets a bad rap because of its strong, slightly bitter flavor, but give this salad a chance.

This salad's astringent of greens packed every bite with a bold, peppery flavor that played well with the delicious melange of nutty roasted almonds, sweet carrot ribbons, and salty Parmesan flakes.

There wasn't a ton of each topping, but enough for me to notice the textural contributions.

All of this was tied together with a lemon-basil vinaigrette that tasted more like a mustard dressing than any of the two named ingredients, yet somehow still worked perfectly with everything else. 

That said, the salad certainly could have used more dressing. So this is me, once again, asking Trader Joe's to please give us two packets of vinaigrette with every bagged salad.

Nevertheless, this salad tasted like something I'd pay $14 for at a swanky brunch restaurant. Plus, it comes as an all-in-one meal kit, with no additional shopping, chopping, or slicing required.

Goodbye, boring mixed-green salads — I've met my match.

VERDICT: If I had a cooler, this is exactly the kind of salad I'd throw in it and take to an outdoor lunch.

Given how much it would cost to buy this salad's individual ingredients — like the almonds alone — it's worth buying. 

The combination of powdered sugar, shortbread, and citrus in these key-lime tea cookies was absolutely divine

Upon opening the box, I was met with the fresh, invigorating scent of key limes — a nice preview for the bright, aromatic, and all-around delightful snacking experience to come.

The cookies themselves were roughly the size of a silver dollar and just a bit thicker than a standard wafer treat, lending them a delicate quality that would make them perfect for an outdoor picnic or afternoon tea, as the name aptly suggests.

Trader Joe's absolutely nailed the shortbread texture.

Key-lime pie is often paired with a honeyed graham-cracker crust, but the simple, buttery shortbread made the citrus flavor pop and lent the cookies a soft yet crumbly mouthfeel.

Every bite was bursting with refreshing key-lime flavor that tasted exactly like the center of the famous pie, and the dusting of powdered sugar enhanced the citrus' subtle sweetness.

VERDICT: These key-lime tea cookies were such a nice change of pace from the usual chocolate or strawberry-themed sweets I enjoy during the summer.

Between their delicate texture and yummy key-lime flavor, these cookies will be a staple of mine for years to come — no tea party necessary.

This dill-pickle mustard would upgrade nearly any summer sandwich

This dill-pickle mustard packed quite a punch. The herbaceous dill was in full effect, almost to an unrelenting degree, and dominated every corner of my nose and taste buds, with a kick of tangy vinegar in tow.

Although dill was the dominant flavor, it didn't completely bury the sharp, savory mustard that was the perfect pairing for this herb and made the whole mix even spicier.

This mustard is flavored with dill weed and contains chunks of pickle. I liked the added texture.

It tasted great on my barbecue sandwich, and I can totally see it elevating a hamburger or hot dog, especially if you're a pickle fan.

By itself, it's a bit too sharp and strong, but then again, most people aren't just eating mustard by the spoonful. 

VERDICT: This mustard was pretty good, but I can't see myself buying it more than once every year or two.

Still, the fun combination of vinegary pickles, aromatic dill, and sharp mustard makes this a great condiment for any summer barbecue.

Trader Joe's pulled chicken in hickory-smoke-flavored sauce may have been the best instant barbecue I've ever had

I'm not sure it gets any better than tender chicken doused in a slightly smoky yet sweet sauce.

Each package of this item comes with a pound of ready-to-eat chicken in chunks that are just the right size to add to any dish, which I appreciated as a working single person who doesn't always have time to meal prep.

Everything comes precooked, but you can microwave the meat for two minutes if you prefer it warm.

The tender and flavorful results made this option that much better than Trader Joe's year-round offerings, so much so that I don't even know why I'm bothering to cook this summer.

Even better, there was ample sauce to go around, and this stuff tasted like liquid gold and clung nicely to each chunk of meat. It wasn't too sweet and boasted a refined, woody, peppery profile with subtle notes of molasses. 

This product is the absolutely perfect execution of a convenient meal. Bravo, Trader Joe's.

VERDICT: As someone who loves barbecue but doesn't own a grill or smoker, I'm certain this pulled chicken will be a staple in my house.

It's easy to throw together and also super versatile — the tender chunks of meat would make the perfect addition to sandwiches, pizzas, and salads.

The tangy and garlicky dill-pickle hummus would be a superb summertime snack 

Amazingly, this dip had the same creamy texture as the chain's other hummus options, so you'd never guess there's real pickle and might even mistake the green bits of dill for other herbs like basil.

That said, you can absolutely taste it, but the vinegary tang was light enough to be enjoyable.

The tahini, chickpea, and garlic flavors paired well with the dill, which makes sense since the herb is a common ingredient in tzatziki, which is usually eaten alongside hummus. 

This dip also managed to avoid being overly salty. It also paired almost too well with savory chips.

At the same time, the brine-y pickle flavor lent the dip a slightly sour overtone, which I surprisingly enjoyed.

I'm salivating just thinking about how this spread would taste smeared inside a turkey sandwich.

VERDICT:  This dill-pickle hummus has convinced me to embrace the mantra "don't knock it 'til you try it," and the snack section of my fridge will be eternally grateful.

The Bloody Mary salsa was packed with tomatoes, spice, and everything nice

I know there's no vodka in this Bloody Mary salsa, but this tasty, peppery dip transported me to a boozy brunch.

Spice-forward, tangy, and bursting with the sharp bite of horseradish, black pepper, and bitter celery salt, this product encompasses all of the flavors of its namesake cocktail. 

The only thing that separated this from an actual Bloody Mary mix was the texture, but it was so good that I could probably blend it to drink on its own.

It was undoubtedly a chunky salsa, with tomato bits of varying sizes swimming in a sea of peppers and flavorful juices.

It tasted so much more complex than many of the chain's other jarred salsas, and I'm shocked that most restaurants don't already serve a version of this on their menu. I genuinely wouldn't change a thing about it.

VERDICT: It looks like this item is seasonal but doesn't return every year. It was so good I hope it keeps coming back.

The gluten-free cauliflower crisps are an essential summer snack

I don't have gluten sensitivities, but I appreciate that Trader Joe's makes snacks that myself and my gluten-free friends can enjoy.

These crisps looked pretty underwhelming. With a slightly murky tan hue and the thickness of a wafer, they seemed like flat cookies — make sure to clearly mark these when you put them out unless you want some confused party guests.

Biting into these cauliflower crisps turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Like most gluten-free products, they were thicker than the standard chip due to the base of brown rice and cauliflower, but their texture was both crunchy and scrumptious.

They were sturdy enough to hold up to hummus and the Bloody Mary salsa without breaking or disintegrating, which is better than some of the regular chips I buy.

They also sported a neutral onion-garlic seasoning that would make them palatable with a bunch of different dips, yet tasty enough to eat on their own.

I definitely picked up on a cauliflower aftertaste, but it was so light that I grew accustomed to it after the second bite. Plus, the crisps were so well-salted that I didn't mind.

VERDICT: Even though I wish these came in a slightly bigger bag, these were tasty, gluten-free chips just about everyone can enjoy.

If you dislike coconut milk, don't be put off by the label that lists it as a key ingredient — I couldn't detect the slightest hint of it.

The dark-chocolate watermelon sticks are a unique summertime snack

I assumed these sticks were going to taste like a Jolly Rancher, but Trader Joe's instead opted for a jelly filling.

When I first sampled these, I audibly uttered, "Oh, that's different!"

As I ate more, I grew accustomed to the sensation of biting into the chocolate and tasting that sweet, fruity center.

The filling didn't taste like fresh watermelon, but I've come to learn this type of flavoring rarely does. In this case, it was more like a cross between whatever goes in the chain's chocolate-covered Powerberries and toaster pastries, with added watermelon juice.

When paired with the dark-chocolate exterior, these flavors made for an OK combination, but I think it would've been more satisfying with citrus or sweetly tart fruits like oranges and strawberries. 

The sticks are cute, but they're not as striking as they'd be if Trader Joe's made them half-moon-shaped mini watermelons. 

I also find that salty or spicy flavors pair better with the sunny sweetness of melons.

VERDICT: I didn't love these chocolaty watermelon pieces enough to buy them again, but they'd make a great addition to a snack table.

The pineapple barbecue sauce was delectably sweet and spicy  


As long as I live, I will loudly proclaim and defend my love for all things pineapple, and I'll continue by raving about how great this barbecue sauce is.

Tomato, molasses, pineapple, and other notable flavors come together to form a sauce that's equal parts tangy, peppery, and sweet.

I'd actually call it restaurant quality. It tasted quite similar to Trader Joe's standard barbecue sauce with a sweet touch from the pineapple. The main difference is the texture since some bits of crushed fruit were in the jar.

But this sauce was such a standout because it absorbed all of the natural-sugar flavors and the subtle kick of citrus without tasting fruity. It's the kind of addition that would make grilled dishes come alive.

If I owned a grill, I'd cover everything with it, but for now, my frozen fries and nuggets will have to suffice.

VERDICT: This item is absolutely worth buying for the summer. Even though I can't see myself wanting to use it all of the time, it's a fresh take on standard barbecue sauce.

These crispy jalapeño pieces would elevate just about any summer meal

After finally getting my hands on a can of these crispy jalapeños, I can totally see them becoming a contender for the chain's next Customer Choice Awards.

Falling somewhere between a ridged potato chip and nacho topping with a scent that's nearly identical to jalapeño-cheese bagels, these crispy bits have the "it" factor that would make them both the perfect snack and sandwich addition.

They're crunchy, salty, savory, and spicy, but not in an overwhelming way. I'd been eating them by the handful and found the burn pleasantly crept onto the roof of my mouth but quickly dissipated.

They reminded me of a cooler version of the onion strings you'd put on green-bean casserole with an added kick, so I'm hoping this product becomes a year-round staple.

Best of all, these pieces seemed to go with everything. I sprinkled a few on top of a barbecue-chicken sandwich and was blown away by how well they enhanced the savory flavors.

They'd likely taste great crumbled on tacos, nachos, or inside a burger, but they're also just as yummy straight out of the can.

VERDICT: If you're a fan of crispy onion strings and aren't afraid of a little heat, you'll love these crispy jalapeño pieces.

Between their crispy potato-chip texture and a piquant jalapeño flavor, these will make an appearance in many of my meals and snack bowls this summer. 

The Southern peach-crisp ice cream was simply irresistible

I don't write expletives in my reviews, but I'll admit that I uttered one — in the best way possible — when I first sampled this peach-crisp ice cream.

It was one of the best store-bought ice creams I've ever tried.

Every bite was full of decadent, milky sweet-cream flavor. The peach presence was subtle enough that it was like receiving a pleasant surprise on top of the dessert I was already enjoying.

The same goes for the oat chunks — I definitely had to hunt for them, but when I did find them, it was like hitting the lottery since they tasted like mini, soft-baked oatmeal cookies with cinnamon and brown-sugar undertones.

Plus, this ice cream was so smooth that it tasted as if an individual person churned it themselves.

If you told me I could only eat one ice cream for the rest of the year and gave me this option, I'd be peachy keen.

VERDICT: I've enjoyed a lot of good sweets in my day, but I don't remember the last time my taste buds were this happy.

No frozen treat is complete without one of Trader Joe's organic sugar cones

When I was a kid, I always asked for ice cream in a cup for more bang for my buck and less mess, but the older I get, the more I appreciate what the right cone can bring to the table.

This sugar cone was the perfect vehicle for enjoying my Trader Joe's ice cream. It was sturdy enough to keep everything intact without losing its crunch and was a lightly sweet complement to the frozen treat. 

It was also just the right size — I comfortably fit a decent scoop onto the cone without any ice cream spilling out of the sides.

VERDICT: If you're going to Trader Joe's to buy ice cream, you might as well pick up some cones. I'd keep these on hand to enjoy with cool treats and avoid sticky dishes all summer long.

These dill-pickle-flavored chips seemed unnecessary 

As the "pickle friend" in my group, even I'll admit that sometimes we need to just let pickles be pickles. Every food under the sun doesn't need to be infused with dill, and these chips are proof of that.  

Even though they had all of the right elements — the perfect crunch, plenty of seasoning, and ample salt — something about eating them felt wrong.

They tasted exactly like a dill pickle but also left a lingering aftertaste in my mouth that I wasn't particularly thrilled about.

This isn't as noticeable when I eat regular pickles since they're usually dredged in a liquid brine, but coming from a dry potato chip made it unpleasant.

I don't understand why these were made — if I wanted a crunchy snack that tasted like a pickle, I'd just eat one. And if I wanted a bite-sized variety, I could easily get those too.

You could argue that chips are more suitable for dipping, but the dill flavor was so strong that the only thing I'd pair these with is the pickle hummus — which admittedly did make both components taste really good.

That said, I'm certainly not going to sink these into my caramelized-onion dip anytime soon.

VERDICT: Sorry to my fellow pickle fans, but I thought these chips were a disappointment. 

Trader Joe's ravioli deliciously blended sweet corn and creamy burrata

With the flavors of fresh corn and lightly sweet burrata all wrapped up in pillowy pockets, this ravioli captures the essence of the perfect summer pasta.

The corn added a pleasant pop of fresh flavor, and the burrata boasted a creamy, mildly buttery taste. This was the most visibly plump Trader Joe's ravioli I've ever sampled, which is probably due to each pasta's pocket-like shape. Plus, every piece held up through the cooking process. 

I couldn't really taste the basil that was advertised on the bag, but I was willing to overlook that since the ravioli was fine without it and I topped my dish with fresh pieces of the herb anyway.

VERDICT: Thanks to the irresistibly tasty burrata and sweet-corn filling, this option might just dethrone Trader Joe's lemon variety as my favorite ravioli.

It's perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something filling yet light. It will forever receive recognition as a summer staple in my home.

Trader Joe's old-fashioned potato salad is one of the best store-bought potato salads I've tried

I normally loathe store-bought potato salad, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

The potato pieces were cooked just right and held up well under the dressing. It had a bit of a drier mouthfeel (which is sort of expected for something sitting on the shelf), but for the most part, I'd describe the overall texture of this stuff as quite creamy, but not at all mushy.

The big sell for me was that it wasn't overly mayonnaise-y, a common pitfall of most store-bought potato salads. Instead, Trader Joe's did a nice job salting this just enough to be enticing. The addition of green scallions and finely chopped hard-boiled eggs also offered more flavor beyond just salt.

The dish had a slight vinegar taste, and this salad would've been near-perfect for me had it included actual bits of pickle or relish. Even without it, this potato salad still made for an adequate starchy side dish.

VERDICT: No matter what, homemade will always be the best when it comes to potato salad. Still, I really enjoyed this and will definitely be buying it again next time I'm in the mood for barbecue.

Kids are likely to love Enchanted Jangle, but it was way too sugary for me 

Like the other Jangles from Trader Joe's, this bag features a hodgepodge of various crunchy and chewy textured mini treats.

Unlike the other Jangles, however, this one seemed like it was engineered by a child who was given free rein to throw whatever goodies they liked into a massive jar and call it a day. To be fair, that's my bad for not taking the cue from the unicorn on the bag.

It contains strawberry-flavored mini marshmallows, pink confection chips, chocolate-covered pretzel nuggets, and — interestingly — lemon-yogurt-dipped animal cookies. It is as ridiculously sweet as you can imagine, but if you know what you're getting into, it shouldn't be shocking.

There are also regular pretzel lattices in the mix, which seem like some last attempt to add some salt (maybe an adult stepped into the room during the creation process), but the mix is still too sweet for me. In this case, the pretzels are kind of like the people who showed up late to the party without the invite.

VERDICT: Although I don't see myself buying this Jangle again, I can see it being a hit for kids. I'd also recommend this to anyone with a serious sweet tooth looking for something colorful and fun to put on display.

Trader Joe's strawberry-and-vanilla yogurt pretzels are another worthy sweet-and-salty combo to add to your snack rotation

Each pretzel is covered on all sides in a pretty pink-and-white yogurt coating that tasted like it had real strawberry infused into it. It was delicately sweet with a twinge of fruitiness that was well balanced by the salt of the pretzel.

This treat reminded me of dipping french fries into a strawberry milkshake. 

I was especially big on the fact that they were miniature. It added to the cuteness factor and made it so I could enjoy a few of them at a time, and there was still plenty in the bag to go around for days.

VERDICT: In my opinion, these are a welcome addition to the lineup of seasonal dipped pretzels but they're not as tasty as the ginger ones Trader Joe's has had in the spring.

These s'mores clusters are good enough to make me not want to buy regular candy bars

These lumpy mounds attempt to harness the totality of the camping snack into bite-sized candy-bar form, without the mess.

A bag contains around 12 silver-dollar-sized pieces, each consisting of a layer of graham cracker topped with a mini marshmallow, enrobed in deliciously smooth milk chocolate. 

The milk-chocolate layer was thick, smooth, and sweet. In my humble opinion, the chocolate seemed better quality than typical candy bars and more like what you might find at a theme-park candy shop. The graham cracker was just the right thickness to make its appearance known with a slight crunch and tasty honey flavor. 

One note for the dessert purists — because the marshmallows are small, they get buried a bit, so if you're looking for a true s'more flavor experience, this isn't quite that.

VERDICT: Treats like these are the reason I'm a Trader Joe's loyalist for life. I'll be mourning when they disappear come fall. I'd also love to see a dark-chocolate version someday. 

The chain's tres-leches cake earned high marks for its convenience, but the frosting left something to be desired

Picture vanilla pudding in cake form, and you have Trader Joe's take on tres leches.

Like most versions of this dessert, the texture was so spongy and so soft under the milks that it pretty much dissolved immediately when it touched my tongue.

Each bite brought an omnipresent vanilla sweetness that I couldn't help but keep going back to, even though it tasted a bit artificial. It sort of felt like eating vanilla custard with cake pieces in it.

Overall, for a frozen cake, it's really quite yummy. The convenience really won me over. I love baking tres leches, but it can be a lot of work. With this, I simply let this thaw in my fridge for several hours and it was ready to eat.

The frosting, however, was a letdown. It tasted like an unsweetened, whipped buttercream without any flavoring, in my opinion. Thankfully, it's nothing a bit of fruit cannot improve. I didn't have any fruit on hand when I tried this, but if I did, this would have been a home run.

VERDICT: As someone who enjoys baking tres leches but doesn't always want to go to the trouble of making an entire cake (let alone buying three milks), I really appreciate this cake.

For all its flaws, it really is quite superb for a frozen cake. I'll definitely be picking up one more box for the summer.

Trader Joe's scrumptious cheddar-jalapeño pull-apart bread is a standout in the bakery section

I was so excited to try this that I actually skipped reading the instructions that state to warm it in the oven before taking a bite. It was still tasty. 

Once fully heated, this bread reminded me of a better version of the cheesy bread I add to every pizza-delivery order. It was super soft with a slightly doughy, almost bagel-like chew without being too dense. It tasted plenty cheesy and mildly spicy thanks to the jalapeño rings baked directly into it. 

Basically, this bread is the stuff of dreams. I dipped it into cream cheese to balance out the heat, but I'd serve it with something like the chain's elote dip if I wanted to kick up the heat.

Really, my only complaint is that the package isn't resealable.

VERDICT: I would absolutely buy this again.

Trader Joe's frozen corn ribs bring a tasty vegan barbecue main without having to bust out the grill

Trader Joe's corn ribs are like regular corn on the cob that's been cut into smaller sections for easier eating, so there is still a cob in the center.

These curved corn sticks created a pool of what seemed to be vegan butter on my baking sheet by the time they finished heating in the oven. Still, this didn't translate to a greasy taste. In fact, these were actually quite tasty. 

The reddish-brown seasoning offered a salty taste with a very faint hint of cumin-like flavor, but overall, it wasn't very strong. I squeezed some lime over my corn ribs to brighten things up a bit. These would also benefit significantly from being slathered in another sauce, like elote dip.

The slightly curved shape and the fact that the kernels sit on a "bone" really did make each bite of this feel like I was eating the vegetarian version of a rib, which was pretty neat. I wish these existed years ago when I was still not eating meat.

In all, this is a satisfying vegan barbecue food, but I'm not sure if it's for me. I say this as someone with the privilege of living in an apartment complex with a communal grill space. For someone living somewhere where this kind of food isn't accessible, I can see these being a game changer.

VERDICT: I don't think I'd buy these again for myself — I prefer regular corn on the cob, and the portion size in the bag seemed a bit small — but I still think these ribs are neat to try. 

If you want a chewy, fruity snack, look no further than these Beach Day! gummy candies 

Despite the gummy name, these weren't like bendable gelatinous worms or bears in the movie concession stand. I think they're more like actual fruit snacks, pleasantly chewy and easy to bite into. 

Each morsel had a fruit-juice-style sweetness that was slightly tart on the finish. To me, the prevailing flavor was peach, with a few gummies offering a vague lime flavor. Either way, they're quite yummy, and the shapes are absolutely adorable.

VERDICT: These are an essential for road trips. 

This Mediterranean-style salad kit could work as a side, but there's nothing really special about it

I expected this salad to resemble a classic Greek salad, but it tasted more like a fancy slaw.

In place of typical leafy greens were sturdy leaves of finely chopped romaine and radicchio. The salad also contains shredded broccoli and toasted flatbread sticks, which made it a win for crunch factor, and a tasty classic red-wine vinaigrette that's neither too tangy nor sweet.

For the most part, I thought this was fine, but nothing to write home about. Some of the dried tomato bits were too dry, in my opinion, resulting in some awkwardly brittle pieces. The feta crumbles practically vanished once everything was tossed together, and there were so few chickpeas they almost seemed like they weren't supposed to be there.

As my experience is with most Trader Joe's salad kits, I think it also could've used a lot more dressing. Like, at least two packets.

On the plus side, this held up well for hours and didn't get soggy — probably because there was so little dressing. Overall, It's not bad if you're looking for something green to sneak as a side into your weeknight meals.

VERDICT: I probably won't go out of my way to get this for lunch, but I might pick it up if I needed a last-minute side for pasta.

The peaches-and-cream spread is made to be stuffed inside a summery French toast

When I opened the container of Trader Joe's peaches-and-cream spread, I saw no obvious peach chunks. When I tried it, the fruity component was very noticeable, and there was a slight tang the moment the spread hit my palate.

I thought this tasted like a denser, slightly sweeter, spreadable peach yogurt. It's decently tasty, but if you're not a huge fan of peaches, this might be too much without another strong flavor to pair it with.

I spread it on regular wheat bread, but I imagine it would be great on French toast with lots of cinnamon and fresh peaches.

VERDICT: Though I probably wouldn't buy this again, I'd recommend it to anyone who loves peaches.

The Out of this World ice pops had strong fruity, citrus-y flavors

The level of pucker in these patriotic-colored ice pops sent me into another dimension. OK, maybe that's dramatic. But I thought these were much more tart than sweet.

The red layer of the ice pop was strawberry-flavored, but to me, it seemed closer to raspberry or cherry. The center layer was a similar-tasting icy blueberry puree, and the bottom white layer was an intensely sour cold lemon-juice concentrate.

Though I prefer an ice pop with a touch of creamy sweetness, these were still pretty decent.

I also loved that the color of each icy layer was at the center of the flavor above it. For example, the red strawberry layer had a blueberry core.

Best of all, each pop is just the right size for a light snack. I think the picture on the box is pretty much to scale. 

VERDICT: I can't see myself buying another box, but I'd recommend these to anyone wanting a light, frozen treat.

The passion-fruit granola would bring a tasty, tropical flair to summertime breakfasts

This item was delicious. The granola had just the right level of passion-fruit-like sweetness to give me that tropical, fruity vibe without tasting like perfume or fruity lotion (which, for me, is a common problem with passion-fruit-flavored products).

This flavor worked surprisingly well when paired with the oat clusters. The sour notes tasted sweet against the nuttiness.

The granola mixture also contained freeze-dried raspberries, which offered a soft bite that dissolved into a bright, tart flavor. 

I intended to sample just a few tiny pieces but ended up pouring some into a ramekin for snacking.

VERDICT: I'm planning to grab another bag before the summer ends. It's tasty enough to eat as a snack, but I'm positive it would be amazing on top of an açaí bowl or plain yogurt.

The strawberry-and-jalapeño crisps were a vacation for my taste buds

Some people will undoubtedly find these crackers odd. Honestly, I understand — this snack is essentially a spicy cookie masquerading as a cracker. But I loved it.

The lively jalapeño worked wonderfully with the dry, sweet strawberry bits, with a quick-hitting medium heat that warmed the sides of my mouth and built with each successive bite. It was like the feeling of a hot summer day outdoors captured inside a single cracker.

I enjoyed these plain, but I'd also have them with plain goat cheese or Brie to bring out even more sweet notes.

VERDICT: This is the only cracker I'll be buying this summer.

Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.

This story was originally published in June 2021 and most recently updated on June 13, 2024.

• Culdesac Tempe is a car-free neighborhood offering apartments and amenities near Phoenix.
• Residents use walking, biking, and public transit with a complimentary mobility package.
• Phoenix plans to expand its public transportation, making car-free living more feasible.

I'm 28 years old and still don't have my driver's license. Frankly, cars scare me, and getting behind the wheel is a responsibility I still can't confidently accept.

Luckily, I live in NYC, where a car-free lifestyle is attainable. There are plenty of ways to get around without a license, from efficient public transportation systems to walkable neighborhoods and ride-share apps.

But I don't want to live in the Big Apple forever. For years, I've dreaded learning to drive before eventually moving elsewhere in the US.

The anxiety ate away at me until a recent trip to Arizona, where I visited a car-free neighborhood in Tempe called Culdesac.

A walkable neighborhood in a city suburb

Culdesac opened in 2023 and currently has 172 units and 200 residents, a company representative told Business Insider.

The 17-acre block 10 miles from Phoenix has shaded courtyards, apartments, a restaurant, and amenities, including a two-story fitness center, oversize games, and a weekly night market with vendors.

Culdesac also has 11 micro-retailers on-site, including a market, a laundromat, a medical spa, an art studio, a plant shop, and a thrift store.

Getting around without a car

Culdesac has visitor parking, but residents are not allowed to park a car within 0.25 miles of the block.

Some residents, like Culdesac CEO and cofounder Ryan Johnson, don't even own a car.

Others, like 24-year-old Brad Biehl, who moved in earlier this year, park their vehicles elsewhere in Tempe.

"It's a road trip machine because I never use it to get around town," Biehl said of his car. "Walking is pretty much my primary mode of transportation, biking is a secondary mode, and public transit is the third mode."

Biehl expressed that while the block is walkable, surrounding streets are not. Another Culdesac resident previously told BI that this can make living without a car difficult.

But Culdesac makes navigating streets built for cars a little easier. Residents get a mobility package worth almost $3,000 a year, including a Valley Metro pass for public transportation and discounted rides with apps like Lyft and the self-driving taxi service Waymo, according to the company's website.

Culdesac has a stop on the Valley Metro's light-rail system that connects Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe. The block also has on-site Bird Scooters, 1,000 bike parking spots, and car rental services by day.

Biehl said weekly errands like grocery shopping are easy to do with the mobility package.

"Every other week, I go to a big grocery store, either by a ride share or, if I have the time, I walk," Biehl said. "Then I walk or bike to Trader Joe's for smaller things each week."

Biehl said stores like Sprouts, Fry's, Safeway, Trader Joe's, and Target are easily accessible by bike, light rail, or a roughly 30-minute walk.

A car-free future

With plans to eventually have 1,000 residents, 760 units, and more local shops, Culdesac is still growing — and so is the area's public transportation system.

BI previously reported that Phoenix plans to expand the light-rail system, bus services, bike lanes, and crosswalks by 2050, making it easier for Culdesac residents to get to and around the state capital.

Visiting Culdesac and learning about the area's public transportation systems made me realize that a car-free lifestyle in the US is possible outside mega-cities like New York.

Perhaps if I move to this Arizona neighborhood, I may never have to get my driver's license.

• Rep. Lauren Boebert's son, Tyler Boebert, has hired an attorney for his Colorado criminal case.
• The teen previously told a judge he was having trouble affording a lawyer. 
• Tyler Boebert faces multiples charges in connection to car break-ins and thefts in Colorado. 

Lauren Boebert's teenage son, Tyler Boebert, has finally hired an attorney for his Colorado criminal theft case after months without any representation.

Dressed in a dark-colored suit and tie, the 18-year-old son of the high-profile Republican congresswoman appeared in the Garfield County Courthouse Thursday with his newly hired attorney, William Trent Palmer.

Tyler Boebert had been without an attorney during his last two court appearances, first telling the judge that he was having trouble affording a lawyer.

The teen informed Ninth Judicial District Judge John Neiley during an April 11 appearance, "We are working to hire an attorney, but it's just been kind of hard with the prices, but we are working on it."

At an appearance on May 9, he told Neiley that he only sent in the paperwork to sign up for a public defender days earlier, drawing disappointment from the judge.

"I wish you'd turned in that application a little sooner," Neiley told Tyler Boebert at the time.

But Tyler Boebert did not go with a public defender, after all.

Palmer runs his own private practice based in Carbondale, Colorado.

On Thursday, Palmer asked the judge to continue Boebert's case until July 25.

The judge checked with Boebert if that date worked for him and the teenager confirmed it did.

"We're going to continue the case then so that you and Mr. Palmer can have some discussions and then continued discussions with the DA as well," Neiley said.

Palmer did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider on Thursday.

The courthouse clerk told BI that Palmer officially entered his appearance into Tyler Boebert's case on May 26.

Public records show Palmer works at the law firm WTP LAW.

"Through experience, WTP | LAW has developed adept strategies to defend even the most serious allegations, including drugs and weapons charges, burglary and theft, domestic violence related offenses, and others," the firm's website says.

Boebert was arrested by the Rifle Police Department in February in connection to a string of car break-ins and property thefts in Rifle, Colorado. He faces more than a dozen charges, including several felony charges for criminal possession of ID documents.

According to an arrest affidavit, the teen is one of four people accused of breaking into four cars in the city of Rifle, Colorado, and stealing wallets to make purchases at businesses including McDonald's, Starbucks, and gas stations.

At the time of his arrest, Lauren Boebert said in a statement to BI that her son should be "held accountable for poor decisions just like any other citizen."

The congresswoman has not shown up for her son's court appearances, but she did support former President Donald Trump at his recent criminal hush-money trial in New York City.

• While working on an Army base in Vicenza, Italy, I got to visit many of the country's hot spots.
• I'd love to return to places like Vicenza, Verona, Florence, and Cinque Terre.
• However, I'm not in a rush to return to Venice or Pisa.

While working on the US Army base in Vicenza, Italy, I had the unique opportunity to visit many of the country's most popular destinations.

After getting a real taste of Italy's varied landscapes and experiences — from swimming in the Blue Grotto to hiking through Cinque Terra — I'm not surprised that Italy is such a popular travel destination. In fact, the country saw record tourism numbers in 2023.

Still, Italy has 20 regions and many cities to explore. To help you narrow down your options when planning your dream trip, here are the four places I'd return to and the two I'd skip next time.

• Walmart's 4,600 US stores are supported by a network of 42 regional distribution centers.
• Of those 42, there's "some level of automation" at 15 of them, CFO John David Rainey said.
• When a DC is automated, Rainey said it sees as much as a 4X leap in efficiency.

Walmart's store fleet is staggeringly huge, and the operation to support it is similarly massive.

The retailer's 4,600 stores are supported by a network of 42 regional distribution centers — sprawling warehouses of up to 1.5 million square feet that typically employ around 1,000 workers, according to logistics consultancy MWPVL.

Of those 42 DCs, Walmart CFO John David Rainey said the company has 15 that now have "some level of automation," serving about 1,700 stores.

Speaking at the Evercore ISI Consumer and Retail Conference on Wednesday, Rainey revealed an utterly bonkers statistic when one of these facilities is fully dialed up.

"When we automate one of these DCs, we see roughly twice the throughput with half the head count. And so, the math on this is very, very compelling," he said.

Twice as much stuff with half as many staff is a fourfold increase in efficiency — compelling math indeed.

And more revenue per employee translates to higher profit margins.

"They're planning to add $130 billion of sales over the next five years on a flat head count," Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe told Business Insider. "AI and automation are going to be absolutely critical to their evolution."

As Walmart's distribution center and fulfillment center capacity increases, it's starting to exceed the inventory Walmart actually owns, Rainey said.

"It gives us the opportunity to use that space for our third-party providers," the CFO said. "A very exciting part of what's changed in our business over the recent quarters is the number of 3P sellers that are availing themselves of Walmart fulfillment services."

A day earlier, at Oppenheimer's e-commerce conference, Walmart US CEO John Furner indicated how these lower costs feed into an e-commerce flywheel that is gaining momentum for the company.

"The cost of picking is coming down, the density of last-mile delivery has improved, so therefore, the cost per unit continues to fall," Furner said. "You put all that together, and we see a much better path than what we saw a few years ago."

• Some student-loan borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will get lower payments in July.
• In the meantime, some of them are being placed on forbearance as the Education Department calculates new payments.
• Payments will be paused and interest will not accrue for impacted borrowers during this period.

Some student-loan borrowers are set to get cheaper bills next month — but the Education Department is still working on those new calculations.

Last summer, President Joe Biden's Education Department launched the SAVE plan — a new student-loan repayment plan intended to make payments more affordable for borrowers with a shorter timeline to loan forgiveness than prior income-driven repayment plans.

The department already started rolling out some of SAVE's provisions ahead of schedule, including loan forgiveness for borrowers with original balances of $12,000 or less who made as few as 10 years of qualifying payments. Beginning in July, a host of new provisions are expected to be implemented.

One of those provisions will allow borrowers with undergraduate student loans to have their payments capped at 5% of their discretionary income, which is down from the current 10% cap.

However, as The New York Times first reported, the Education Department is still working through those new calculations and is placing impacted borrowers on administrative forbearance — during which they are not required to make payments and interest will not accrue — as it works toward implementing this new part of SAVE.

Education Department spokesperson Vanessa Harmoush confirmed the forbearances, telling Business Insider that as the department finalizes the new SAVE payments, "some borrowers may be placed in a brief processing forbearance to ensure they can access the full benefits of the SAVE Plan and that their new payment amounts are accurate."

"While borrowers are in this specific forbearance, no payment is required, their interest rate will be set to 0%, and they will receive credit toward IDR forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)," she said.

A department spokesperson added that the department "has already sent servicers the information they need for hundreds of thousands of borrowers, some of which should see updated billing statements for July," and that 4.6 million borrowers who have $0 payments under SAVE will not need to enter forbearance.

Given that borrowers typically receive bills for their student-loan payments a few weeks before the due date, this forbearance period will ensure that borrowers do not make a larger payment than necessary before the Education Department has time to calculate the new amounts.

Aside from SAVE's implementation, the student-loan servicing industry is undergoing a series of changes that are impacting borrowers' user experience. For example, the Education Department is transitioning the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program away from servicer MOHELA and is instead splitting up PSLF accounts among other servicers to be overseen by Federal Student Aid.

The Education Department is also working toward implementing its new student-loan forgiveness plan after the Supreme Court struck the first one down last summer, and it is continuing to carry out its one-time account adjustments for borrowers on PSLF and income-driven repayment plans, expected to be completed in September.

• Season four of "The Boys" features the return of the octopus named Ambrosius, voiced by an A-lister.
• Star Chace Crawford told Business Insider that he had "no idea" who would be voicing the sea creature. 
• Showrunner Eric Kripke said he specifically wanted "the most British, Oscar-winningest, classiest actor."

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for season four of "The Boys."

"The Boys" star Chace Crawford never knows what kinds of antics his character, The Deep, will be involved in — but having an octopus lover voiced by Tilda Swinton certainly wasn't on his bingo card for season four.

"I kind of take it as I open the scripts, right?" Crawford told Business Insider in a recent interview ahead of the season four premiere on Thursday. "I had no idea that it was going to be Tilda Swinton."

Last season, The Deep encountered a female octopus named Ambrosius while attending Herogasm. The supe, who can breathe underwater and communicate with sea creatures, ended up taking the octopus home with him and continuing to have sexual relations with her — to the disgust of his wife, Cassandra (Katy Breier).

The season four premiere of "The Boys," released Thursday on Prime Video, reveals that The Deep is now divorced and dealing with allegations from Cassandra's biography, "In 2 Deep: My Journey 2 Freedom."

In an interview, The Deep denies having sexual relations with an octopus, and he later tells Vought employee Ashley Barrett (Colby Minifie) that the sea creature has been "taken care of."

But instead of getting rid of Ambrosius, The Deep stashes her away in a tank in his closet, carrying out a secret relationship with her.

"Once we decided that The Deep and Ambrosius were going to have this intense affair and we were going to be able to hear her, we just were like, we need the most British, Oscar-winningest, classiest actor we can possibly find for that part," showrunner Eric Kripke told BI. "There's four of them in the world, and Tilda Swinton is one of them."

"The Boys" team didn't have a personal connection to the Academy Award winner but reached out to her reps, and she was game to voice the eight-armed sea creature.

"She came into the booth for one long session, and I was there, and it was really a pinch-me moment watching this world-class, highest caliber actress say the most ridiculous shit as Ambrosius," Kripke said.

After four seasons of playing The Deep, Crawford said that he's still impressed by the creativity and attention to detail the show's VFX team puts into crafting its creatures.

"I'm always doing little things like in the air, pushing off tentacles and stuff, and then to see them add that in and make it come to life…" Crawford said as Kripke chimed in to point out that Ambrosius also has a tiny figurine of The Deep in her tank to keep her entertained.

"The guys are brilliant. And even the Timothy thing, I had no idea what that was going to be and they make it look so good," Crawford said, referencing The Deep's other octopus companion from season three. "So, it's always fun for me to see what's next."

The first three episodes of season four of "The Boys" are now streaming on Prime Video, followed by a new episode each week, ending with the season finale on July 18.

• This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

Hey there! It's always sunny at Business Insider when "Welcome to Wrexham" star Rob McElhenney is around. Check out our cover story on the actor-turned-entrepreneur.

In today's big story, we're looking at the drama between Tesla shareholders over Elon Musk's bumper pay package that gets decided on today.

What's on deck:

• Markets: Blackstone's growing its NYC HQ.
• Tech: Inside the downfall of Tesla rival Fisker.
• Business: Remember travel agents? They're so back.

But first, pay that man his money.

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The big story

Show Elon the money

One of the world's richest men is fighting over how much he gets paid.

As funny as that sounds, the battle over Elon Musk's pay package is no joke.

Tesla's annual shareholder meeting this afternoon will announce the result of the investor vote on Musk's compensation plan (which was once valued at around $55 billion), but Musk is already claiming an early victory. Business Insider's Grace Kay has the full rundown on what's at stake and how it could play out.

On one side sits large investment firms that feel the package is a tad too rich for their blood. They also point to Musk's chummy relationship with some Tesla board members (like his brother) for why the package shouldn't get approved.

And they're not alone. A Delaware judge voided the plan in January, deeming it an "unfair price."

On the other side are Musk fans, of which there are many. Retail investors hold roughly 44% of Tesla's shares, the highest mark among the 10 largest companies in the S&P 500.

From their perspective, the pitch is simple: Trust in Musk. The billionaire is a lightning rod for controversy, but he's turned Tesla's stock into a rocket ship — 2024 aside — making them rich. And for many shareholders, that's all that matters.

The lead-up to today's results hasn't been pretty.

Earlier this year, Musk gave investors an ultimatum. Meet his comp demands, or he'll prefer to build AI and robotics products "outside of Tesla."

Plenty scoffed at the idea he'd take his ball and go home, leaving Tesla high and dry. But Tesla's board chair hinted it's not an empty threat.

To that point, Musk recently diverted a $500 million shipment of Nvidia chips from Tesla to X. Musk, for his part, said the chips were rerouted because Tesla didn't have space for them.

The episode points to a common criticism of Musk: He has too many jobs. One longtime Tesla investor said the EV maker is "kind of the bottom of the pecking pole of Elon's companies."

Musk has spun that to his advantage, suggesting his business empire is a "Muskonomy" that Tesla benefits from being a part of.

But that empire came with some negative press this week. An extensive report from The Wall Street Journal made claims about Musk's interactions with female SpaceX employees, including an accusation of asking a direct report to have his babies.

SpaceX's chief operating officer, Gwynne Shotwell, said in a statement to the Journal: "The untruths, mischaracterizations, and revisionist history in your email paint a completely misleading narrative."

As for Tesla, plenty view Musk as too intertwined with the company not to meet his demands. Tesla's board chair said while the EV maker could exist without him, it needs him right now.

But a billionaire investor who backs the pay package was more direct: Without Musk, there is "no Tesla."

What do you think? Vote here on if you're for or against Musk's pay package.

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3 things in markets

1. Still no interest rate cuts, but there are some signs of hope. The Federal Reserve continued its pause of interest-rate hikes. But despite a cool May inflation report, the central bank has only penciled in one rate cut this year.
2. Blackstone stretches out in the Big Apple. The private-equity giant is finalizing a deal to expand its Manhattan headquarters by 30%. The extra space will be well used, as the firm has grown its headcount by roughly 50% in recent years.
3. The race to be the world's most valuable company is back on. Apple briefly passed Microsoft in market valuation terms on Wednesday as investor reaction to its WWDC event powered its shares higher. The two tech giants and AI darling Nvidia are now competing to become the first-ever $4 trillion company, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a research note.

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3 things in tech

1. Henrik Fisker's second automotive startup is on the brink of bankruptcy. Fisker was pitched as a Tesla rival, but workers say mismanagement and cutting corners led to compounding problems. BI spoke with 27 former and current staff who charted the startup's downfall.
2. Some investors backing venture firms are reneging on their deals. An increasing number of LPs like pension funds and family offices are defaulting on their positions with VCs they pledged to fund. And that's created an opportunity for one VC to buy up their stakes.
3. Meta's upper ranks are feeling the heat. The social media giant is looking to whittle down its hundreds of vice presidents, three people with knowledge of the company told BI, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks to streamline reporting structures.

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3 things in business

1. Travel agents are back. Gen Zers and millennials are traveling more than other generations, but they don't want to plan the trips themselves. Instead, they're turning to travel agents, and reviving the old-school industry.
2. Game over for Netflix's video game boss. The streaming giant just can't figure out what to do with video games, which might be why its leader Mike Verdu is moving on after three years at the helm. Details around his departure are murky, and it's unclear who will succeed him.
3. Adobe staff hit back. The software company upset many artists and designers recently by implying it would use their content to train AI models. While it sought to quell their concerns in a blog post, some of its workers have taken to Slack to complain about Adobe's poor response to the controversy and demand a better long-term communication plan.

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In other news

• Trump wants to make tipping more annoying for everyone.
• Artists are terrified Instagram is stealing their work. They're turning to hot platform Cara — but it's not a perfect solution.
• Elon Musk's legal problems: A list of all the biggest cases and investigations on the billionaire's docket.
• Starbucks is copying the fast-food value playbook with its new $5 and $6 breakfast combos.
• These are the best airlines right now, according to The Points Guy.
• You can get a great deal on an EV right now — if you know where to look.
• Joey Chestnut was kicked out of Nathan's eating contest after he endorsed plant-based hot dogs.
• Sorry, Android users. Green text bubbles aren't going away anytime soon.
• Larry Page's flying car company Pivotal loses a top executive.

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What's happening today

• Tesla is hosting its annual stockholder meeting.
• Microsoft President Brad Smith will testify on the company's "cybersecurity shortfalls."

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The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. George Glover, reporter, in London.

• Israeli soldiers used a trebuchet to throw incendiaries near the Lebanese border, a video appears to show.
• The Israeli military stated this was a local initiative, not a widespread tool, per local reporting.
• The move could be aimed at clearing dense vegetation hiding enemies amid ongoing border hostilities.

An unusual video apparently depicting Israeli soldiers launching fireballs near the Lebanese border using a trebuchet, a siege weapon used to attack castles and fortifications in ages past, began circulating on social media Thursday.

The Israeli military said in a statement on KAN News that the trebuchet was used as part of a "local initiative" and that it is "not a tool that has come into widespread use."

"The area on the Lebanese border is characterized by boulders, thickets, and dense thorn vegetation, which poses a challenge to the IDF forces deployed in defense," the statement said.

The trebuchet, a weapon used as early as the fourth century BC, is known for its use of a counterweight, unlike catapults that rely on tension, to fling heavy projectiles out to great distances, but since the invention of gunpowder, its use has become less common.

Other posts show a soldier firing a flaming arrow with a bow near the border with Lebanon. Business Insider has been unable to independently confirm the details of the footage, including when the videos were filmed.

Media outlets have speculated that the trebuchet's fiery ammunition was meant to burn down heavy foliage covering parts of Lebanon near the border as a way of exposing threats from Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia group.

Since hostilities were reignited at the border of Israel and Lebanon in October 2023, the Israeli military has also used drones and white phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, on the other hand, has been firing continuous barrages of rockets and other munitions toward northern Israel.

There are concerns that both Israel and Lebanon are at risk of experiencing wildfires due to the exchange of fire at the border and the use of incendiary weapons.