The World in Brief from The Economist

The Trump administration said it would ask for a significant rise in defence spending in its budget request to Congress for the 2027 fiscal year

Iran hit a second American plane, according to reports citing American officials; America’s economy added 178,000 jobs in March, much more than expected.

Donald Trump warned that America would destroy Iran’s “bridges next, then electric power plants”. Also, Mr Trump sacked Pam Bondi, America’s attorney-general.

America’s main oil benchmark rose to its highest level since mid-2022 on Thursday after Donald Trump warned in a televised address that he would hit Iran “extremely hard”.

Oil prices rise; Trump unveils new tariffs on pharmaceuticalsAmerica’s main oil benchmark rose to its highest level since mid-2022 on Thursday after Donald Trump warned in a televised address that he would hit Iran “extremely hard”; Mr Trump unveiled tariffs of up to 100% on some branded drugs, targeting pharmaceutical companies that have not lowered prices or increased manufacturing in America.

In a televised address, Donald Trump said “we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly” in Iran. Also, Mr Trump’s speech did little to soothe oil prices or stockmarkets.

In a prime-time address, Donald Trump said “we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly” in Iran.

Donald Trump told Reuters, a news agency, he no longer cared about Iran’s enriched uranium, despite previously arguing the war was about stopping a nuclear threat; American stocks rose as investors became more hopeful of a ceasefire between America and Iran.

Donald Trump said America could end its war against Iran in two or three weeks, whether “we have a deal or not”. Also, Asian and European stocks surged in response to the comments from America and Iran.