Axios

The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner weekend is back and busier than ever this year, with new outlets, companies and political powerbrokers looking to make further inroads in Washington.

Why it matters: The dinner hasn't seen this much momentum since the Obama era.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wreaking havoc on Israel's standing with Americans as the Iran war supercharges a deterioration in relations with the U.S.

Why it matters: Israel's polling collapse among younger Americans is hitting Congress, too. Lawmakers who started out staunchly pro-Israel are becoming increasingly vocal critics.

The House GOP revolt on FISA Friday wasn't just a setback for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) — it was a rare defeat for President Trump with his own party.

Why it matters: Trump usually delivers House Republicans on big votes. This time he couldn't — exposing the limits of his influence and leaving Johnson exposed.

U.S. State Department officials met in Havana with Cuban apparatchiks —including the grandson of aging strongman Raul Castro— to urge democratic and economic freedoms and warn of the risks of not heeding their advice, Axios has learned.

• The U.S. delegation also offered to help restore internet services by setting up Starlink satellite services.

Why it matters: The meeting last Friday itself marks a diplomatic breakthrough because it's the first time a U.S. government plane has touched down since President Obama visited a decade ago in an effort for rapprochement.

The blockage to energy supplies through the Persian Gulf appears to have ended. If it holds, it takes a massive weight off the world economy.

Why it matters: The possibility of a prolonged disruption to the supply of crude oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities looks to be off the table.

An effort to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through April 30 passed the Senate on Friday by voice vote.

Why it matters: The vote sends the measure to President Trump for his signature, giving Congress two more weeks to try to figure out a way to pass a longer renewal.

A pair of senators in the potential 2028 presidential class have opened up a commanding lead in the money game, according to their first quarterly FEC filings.

Why it matters: It's an early head start in the money game if they decide to run.

The U.S. and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war, with one element under discussion being that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium, according to two U.S. officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks.

Why it matters: There has been steady progress in the talks this week, though significant gaps remain. A deal on these terms would bring the war to a close, while potentially generating backlash from Iran hawks.

The House voted overnight to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for two weeks after a bloc of 20 Republicans derailed a longer-term renewal.

Why it matters: The revolt is a significant setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and the White House, who both pushed for a clean long-term extension of the surveillance authority.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is scheduled to walk into the West Wing on Friday for a meeting with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — a breakthrough in his effort to resolve the company's bitter AI fight with the Pentagon.

Why it matters: The Trump administration recognizes the power of Anthropic's new Claude model, Mythos, and its highly sophisticated — and potentially dangerous — ability to breach cybersecurity defenses.