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This is the World In Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

The Trump administration fast-tracked $8.6 billion in arms sales to America's allies in the Middle East, including the UAE, Israel and Qatar, invoking an emergency authorization, the State Department bypassed Congress which typically approve such sales.

Earlier, Donald Trump told Congress that hostilities with Iran have terminated ahead of a deadline that would have required lawmakers' permission to continue the war after 60 days of fighting.

Berkshire Hathaway reported first quarter operating profit of $11.4 billion, an 18% year-on-year increase.

Several parts of the sprawling conglomerate contributed to the higher earnings, including

its retail, manufacturing and insurance divisions. Its cash pile grew from $371 billion to $397

billion, its highest ever level. The result marks a strong start to Greg Abel's

tenure as boss, who took over from Warren Buffett in January. The Pentagon announced that it would

remove 5,000 troops from Germany after a spat between Mr. Trump and Friedrich Meerts. Germany's

Chancellor said on Monday that America was being humiliated by Iran's leaders.

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