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This is the world in brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Donald Trump said the war in Iran was, quote, close to over, as Pakistan's army chief arrived in Tehran

to try to advance peace talks between Iran and America.

Field Marshal Assim Monir is close to Iran's leaders and Mr. Trump, who has called him,

quote, my favorite field marshal. Meanwhile, America's Treasury Department imposed sanctions

on more than two dozen individuals,

companies and vessels linked to Iran's oil trade.

Israel's security cabinet is set to meet on Wednesday to consider a ceasefire in Lebanon,

according to Reuters, a news agency. A senior official from

Hezbollah and Iran-backed militia said that diplomatic efforts could soon produce a truce.

Meanwhile, Israel's ground assault continued, as did Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel.

Mr. Trump threatened to fire Jerome Powell if he refused to resign as Fed Chair after his term

ends in May. Mr. Powell has said he will not leave the job until a Department of Justice investigation

into the renovation bill for the Fed's headquarters is dropped.

Mr Powell claims the probe is an attempt to pressure him into lowering interest rates.

The SMP 500 hit a record high as investors were buoyed by strong earnings,

...