Axios

The Biden administration is expected to soon release 500-lb. bombs that were part of a weapons shipment to Israel put on hold in April over U.S. concerns about the Israel Defense Forces' military operation in Rafah, one U.S. and one Israeli official told Axios.

The big picture: The move suggests the U.S. is now less concerned about Israel possibly using these bombs in Gaza and that the White House wants to decrease some of the tension between President Biden and Israel's supporters over his decision to withhold this specific shipment.

The core economic fact of the 2010s was that there were not enough jobs. The key to understanding the economy of the 2020s is that there aren't enough workers.

Why it matters: Labor shortages that first emerged in the pandemic aftermath are likely to stick around, a new report from the McKinsey Global Institute finds — along with the benefits it entails for workers, headaches it causes for employers, and strains on inflation and growth.

Strong rains across Mexico in the past week have brought much-needed relief to major cities where drought had become the norm.

Why it matters: Millions of Mexicans risked losing access to water this month due to historically low reservoir levels and failing infrastructure.

Rock art recently discovered in Venezuela is providing new clues about how early South American settlers spread out across the region.

Why it matters: It is the first rock art to be discovered in southern Venezuela, a country mired in crisis — and may even point to "a heretofore unknown culture," the lead researcher says.

UCLA and Arizona State University have teamed up on a new initiative that will help policymakers use U.S. census data to push for health, education, housing, and employment reforms affecting Latinos.

Why it matters: Data on Latinos is difficult to access in one location. The new initiative will help policy advocates and community leaders learn how to navigate droves of data to better advocate for Latino communities.

Latinos accounted for more than 70% of the overall growth of the U.S. population between 2022 and 2023 — driven mainly through high Hispanic birth rates, new U.S. Census estimates released Thursday show.

Why it matters: The Hispanic population is expanding at a much faster rate than the non-Latino population, and its growth comes as the far-right, racist "white replacement theory" gains traction among more Republicans.

Scientists unveiled Tuesday a humanoid robot face they created from lab-grown, self-healing human skin.

Why it matters: The researchers from the University of Tokyo, Japan, hope the breakthrough could one day prove "useful in the cosmetics industry and to help train plastic surgeons," per a statement announcing the breakthrough.

NASA picked SpaceX to develop and deliver a spacecraft that'll bring the International Space Station out of orbit after the operational life of the ISS ends in 2030, the space agency announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: The spacecraft, which NASA is calling the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, needs to guide the ISS safely back through Earth's atmosphere before its planned crash into the Pacific Ocean.

Ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández on Wednesday was sentenced to 45 years in a U.S. prison for his drug trafficking and weapons conviction.

The big picture: Hernández, once embraced by U.S. officials who leaned on him for efforts to stem northbound migration, is one of several leaders of Latin American countries who have faced accusations of corruption.

The U.S. and Israel resolved some of the problems that have slowed down U.S. weapons shipments to Israel but the delivery of bombs put on hold by President Biden before Israel invaded Rafah is still under review, U.S. and Israeli officials said.

Why it matters: The supply of U.S. weapons to Israel has become a significant source of tension between the Biden administration and the Israeli government after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Biden of withholding weapons from Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two weeks ago re-established working groups made up of members of Israel's defense establishment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the intelligence community to focus on Iran's nuclear program, three senior Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: Israel and the U.S. are concerned Iran will try to advance its nuclear technology, including weaponization efforts, in the weeks leading to the U.S. presidential elections, according to two Israeli and two U.S. officials.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's trial on espionage charges began in Russia on Wednesday, 15 months after his arrest.

Why it matters: Gershkovich is the first U.S. journalist that Russia has arrested and accused of espionage since the Cold War, though Russian authorities have not presented any evidence to back up their allegations.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's closed-door trial on espionage charges began on Wednesday in Russia.

Why it matters: Gershkovich, 32, is the first American journalist to stand trial in Russia on spying charges since the Cold War. Russian authorities have failed to publicly produce any evidence against him.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returned to his home country of Australia, a day after pleading guilty in a deal with U.S. authorities that saw him charged with one espionage offense and sentenced to time served.

Why it matters: Assange's guilty plea marked the culmination of a years-long legal battle that accumulated massive international intrigue — with some press freedom advocates viewing Assange as a hero while prosecutors saw him as a national security threat.