Axios

Secretary of State Tony Blinken says in a report to Congress Friday it is not possible to verify whether Israel has used U.S.-made weapons in Gaza in a manner that violates international law.

Why it matters: Blinken says in the report, which Axios obtained an unclassified copy of, that the U.S. received "credible and reliable" assurances from Israel that allow the U.S. to continue providing military assistance.

Russian forces on Friday launched a new ground assault on Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, which has been hotly contested throughout the war.

Why it matters: The new offensive ratchets up pressure on Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, and comes as Russia has intensified its attacks on eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.

Amid growing U.S. concerns about the humanitarian situation in Rafah, the Israeli security cabinet approved last night the "expansion of the area of ​​operation" of the Israel Defense Forces in the southern Gaza city, according to three sources with knowledge of the details.

The big picture: President Biden said this week that if Israel invades Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, the U.S. will stop supplying it with artillery shells, bombs for fighter jets and other offensive weapons.

Israel has secured a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest's final on Saturday, despite protests over its participation in the competition.

Why it matters: As demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war have shaken college campuses across the U.S. and around the world, protests at the singing competition shine a global spotlight on the unpopularity of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.

Three Travis Heights Elementary students have created a project to help their peers understand why they wear hijabs — and have even secured funding to spread their message throughout their school.

Why it matters: Travis Heights has a large population of Afghan students who wear hijabs, and the project by the fourth graders aims to spread understanding and inclusivity at their campus.

President Biden has become increasingly critical of Israel — and some of his campaign's biggest pro-Israel donors are becoming more critical of him.

Why it matters: Whether he is aiding or criticizing Israel, every move Biden makes has potential negative political consequences.

The Sun has been emitting "strong" solar flares of high-energy radiation, raising the possibility of communications disruptions but also that the Northern Lights could be seen across parts of the U.S. from Friday evening.

The big picture: That's according to NOAA, which issued a "very rare" Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch — the first such alert in 19 years.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to submit to Congress as soon as Friday a highly critical report about Israel's conduct in Gaza that stops short of concluding it has violated the terms for its use of U.S. weapons, three U.S. officials said.

Why it matters: The report assessing whether Israel complied with international law and restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza sparked the most contentious internal debate in the State Department since the Oct. 7 attack, U.S. officials said.

Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation aimed at stopping President Biden from withholding weapons shipments to Israel.

Why it matters: The administration's move to block the arms sales has drawn backlash from pro-Israel lawmakers in both parties.

The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency announced Thursday that Israelis had twice set fire to the perimeter of the agency's headquarters in East Jerusalem.

Why it matters: Although there were no casualties among UN staff, the fires resulted in "extensive damage" to the compound's outdoor areas, Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency wrote on X.

Sunday is Mother's Day, a day to celebrate moms and also grandmas — or grams, nans and abuelas.

The big picture: While "Grandma" still reigns supreme in many families, other names are becoming more mainstream, according to a BabyCenter poll conducted for Axios.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Thursday to President Biden's threat to suspend military aid if Israel invades Rafah, declaring in a video: "If Israel needs to stand alone, it will stand alone."

Why it matters: Netanyahu's defiance in the face of Biden's "red line" will further exacerbate tensions between the Israeli government and the White House over the war in Gaza.

Luis A. Miranda Jr., a longtime political strategist who has devoted much of his life to building Latino political power, put decades worth of lessons and anecdotes into a book out this week.

Why it matters: Those lessons could be key for politicians trying to woo the estimated 36.2 million Latinos eligible to vote in this year's U.S. elections — a record high.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights could reframe how governments across Latin America and the Caribbean — and perhaps beyond — deal with climate change and its effects on people.

Why it matters: A case before the court is unfolding as experts issue warnings about how little time remains for countries, corporations and people to reduce emissions and curb global warming.

American Swifties are headed across the pond to see Taylor Swift's European leg of her smash-hit Eras Tour, which kicks off in Paris on Thursday.

Why it matters: Swift's tour was credited with boosting local economies across the U.S. last year. Many European cities are anticipating the same boom.

The body representing University of Southern California faculty voted Wednesday to censure the university's president and provost over their handling pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

The big picture: The move comes after USC canceled its valedictorian's commencement speech and later scrapped its main commencement ceremony following the arrest of nearly 100 people on campus during a pro-Palestinian protest.