Axios

President Trump signaled on Friday that after the breakdown in negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should escalate the war to "get rid" of Hamas.

Why it matters: The crisis in the negotiations comes as the humanitarian situation grows increasingly catastrophic, with more and more reports from the UN and other agencies of Palestinians dying of starvation.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is introducing a bill that would amend decades-old requirements for immigrants seeking permanent status — another long-shot proposal amid the Trump administration's immigration raids.

The big picture: Congress has not passed a major immigration overhaul since 1986, resulting in residency requirements that are now over 50 years old.

The Trump administration on Thursday night strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in September.

Why it matters: Macron's announcement could push other European countries, including the U.K., to take a similar step in the coming weeks.

Senior Israeli and Syrian ministers met in Paris for four hours on Thursday under the auspices of President Trump's special envoy Tom Barrack and discussed de-escalation of tensions between the countries.

Why it matters: The meeting that was brokered by the Trump administration was the most high-level official engagement between Israel and Syria in more than 25 years.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday that Hamas' latest response in Gaza talks "shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire," and warned the U.S. is now considering "alternative options" for bringing the hostages home.

Why it matters: The breakdown of negotiations came as Witkoff arrived in Italy for talks on Gaza with Qatari and Israeli officials. Witkoff hoped to then travel to Doha to seal the deal for a 60-day ceasefire this week.

This year may turn out to be historic for investors, requiring high levels of discipline to avoid chasing unreasonable valuations, the CEO of Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC said Thursday.

Why it matters: GIC is one of the world's largest investors, with more than $800 billion under management, so its cautious view at a time of surging markets globally is noteworthy.

President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. is "unconstitutional," a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

Why it matters: The 2-1 ruling upholds a nationwide pause on enforcement of the policy, which is likely headed for the Supreme Court.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) agreed to support former Rep. Mike Waltz's nomination to be ambassador to the UN after securing an agreement with the State Department to release $75 million in foreign aid for Haiti and Nigeria.

Why it matters: Waltz will now likely be confirmed by the full Senate.

A UN court's finding that countries face climate obligations under international law will find its way into climate litigation in multiple venues — as well as diplomatic and policy battles.

Why it matters: It's also a win for the nations most vulnerable to climate change, including the Pacific island nation Vanuatu, which spearheaded the push for a decision.

The stock market barely moved off the trade deal with Japan this week, as market sources said that's the new investor playbook for tariff headlines: Ignore them unless it's about China.

Why it matters: The stock market, which is up 27% since the April 8 lows, has already priced in trade deals.

The Trump administration's new AI Action Plan, which offers the industry much of what it says it needs to compete with China, also contains a time bomb for tech companies — an attempt to dictate how chatbots deal with contentious political issues.

The big picture: Trump's move could spark a broader wave of efforts by governments around the world to require AI systems to toe political lines, setting up endless conflicts between tech firms and rulers eager to promote agendas and quash dissent.

The State Department is launching an investigation into Harvard's ability to sponsor exchange visas, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday.

The big picture: It's a part of the Trump administration efforts to bar Harvard from hosting international students.