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This is the world in brief from The Economist.

Our top stories. America is reportedly sending more than 2,000 Marines and at least one

additional warship to the Middle East. Earlier, the Trump administration warned that Friday would be the,

quote, heaviest day of strikes in Iran. Pete Hetzeth, America's war secretary, claimed that Iran's

new leader had been wounded and was probably, quote, disfigured. A federal judge rejected subpoenas that America's Department of Justice served to the Federal Reserve over its criminal investigation into Jerome Powell.

The judge said the government had insufficient proof that the central bank's chair had committed a crime,

but that there was, quote, amount of evidence

that the probe is an attempt to, quote, pressure Mr Powell into lowering interest rates or

resigning. The price of Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, rose above $103 a barrel,

the highest amount in almost four years.

Oil prices continue to rise despite Mr. Trump, temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil

in a bid to stabilize energy markets.

Meanwhile, stock markets slid.

The SMP 500 closed 0.6% lower, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell by nearly

1%. Cuba's government held talks with the Trump administration, according to the country's

president. Miguel Diaz-Cannell told a press conference that discussions were aimed at, quote, seeking solutions

...