Axios

California and Texas are among the six states where the majority of the nation's record 14 million unauthorized immigrants live, though more are moving to other states, a new Pew study finds.

The big picture: The states have consistently had the most unauthorized immigrants since at least 1980, but they are no longer the only draw as unauthorized immigrants have moved to other states amid economic transformation and new networks.

The Trump administration has asked Israel to reduce "non-urgent" military action in Lebanon to bolster the Lebanese government's decision to start the process of disarming Hezbollah, two sources with direct knowledge tell Axios.

Why it matters: The Lebanese cabinet's unprecedented decision to prepare to disarm Hezbollah came at the urging of the U.S., but many in the region doubt the government will be able to carry it out. The Trump administration thinks reciprocal steps by Israel would give Beirut more space and credibility to follow through.

The number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. rose to a record 14 million in 2023, sparked by migration from countries other than Mexico, a new Pew Research Center analysis says.

Why it matters: The report sheds light on the massive jump in unauthorized immigrants during the first two years of the Biden presidency, a historic rise that fueled the backlash that aided Donald Trump's return to the White House.

U.S. and European officials released a joint statement on Thursday that outlined some details of a trade deal — including reduced tariffs on autos that will take effect once Europe eliminates its own tariffs on U.S. goods.

Why it matters: It is the only official text of the agreement since President Trump announced the deal in Scotland late last month.

A U.S. Navy sailor was convicted Wednesday of espionage and five other charges related to selling military secrets while on active duty to a Chinese intelligence officer who recruited him via social media, the Department of Justice announced.

The big picture: The jury accepted prosecutors' allegations that Jinchao Wei, 25, was paid $12,000 over 18 months for selling "Navy secrets" while working as a machinist's mate on the amphibious assault ship, the USS Essex, at Naval Base San Diego, California, in 2023, per a DOJ statement.

The Trump administration announced fresh sanctions on International Criminal Court officials on Wednesday and accused the ICC of being a "national security threat" and "instrument for lawfare" against the U.S. and Israel.

The big picture: The intergovernmental organization and international tribunal, in a statement, called the latest U.S. sanctions that affect two judges and two prosecutors "a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution."

MAGA is pushing the Trump administration to explain why an Israeli official who was arrested in an undercover child sex sting in Nevada was allowed to leave the U.S. after posting bail.

Why it matters: The outrage marks the latest fissure between Israel and MAGA, which already faces a generational divide over how much the U.S. should support Israel amid the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Azerbaijan is seeking closer national-security and technology ties to the U.S. on the heels of a peace declaration brokered by the Trump administration.

Why it matters: Azerbaijan is sandwiched between Russia and Iran, two of the sharpest thorns in Washington's side. It's also a major oil and gas exporter with a well-equipped military.

Few videos in recent memory have spread as quickly and generated as much bewilderment among defense types as those capturing the collision of Chinese vessels as they harassed boats in the South China Sea.

Why it matters: The mid-August incident, documented and amplified by the Philippines, is emblematic of Beijing's naval buildup and extraterritorial aggression.

The White House insists Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky will soon meet for peace talks. The Kremlin seems far less certain.

Why it matters: Putin has shown no interest in sitting down with Zelensky through 3.5 years of war. President Trump claims that's now changed, and that a presidential meeting is the key to unlocking peace.

The Trump administration is "very happy" with the current China tariffs agreement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday.

Why it matters: Bessent's comments on Fox News indicate a thawing of previously icy relations with China's ruling Communist Party ahead of the trade truce between the world's largest economies expiring on Nov. 10.

The "entire" U.S.-Mexico border wall will be painted black at the request of President Trump to deter illegal immigrant crossings, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday.

What they're saying: "There will be more added to it as far as technology, cameras, sensors — we're also going to be painting it black," Noem said during a briefing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.