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This is the World and brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Hours before America's government was due to shut down,

enough Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a spending bill

that extends funding through September.

On Thursday, Chuck Schumer, the Democrats' leader in the upper chamber, surprised many in his

party by announcing that he would vote for the bill, arguing that a government shut down

would cede more control to Donald Trump. Mr. Trump called talks between Vladimir Putin

and Steve Wiccoff, America's envoy to the Middle East, quote, good and productive. Mr. Wickev met Russia's

president in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire proposal for the war in Ukraine. Earlier, a Kremlin spokesperson said Russia had

a, quote, number of questions about the idea of a 30-day truce. Ukraine's president,

Vladimir Zelensky, said Russia was deliberately slowing down negotiations.

In a joint statement, G7 countries, including America, offered, quote, unwavering support to Ukraine

and threatened Russia with more sanctions if, quote, a ceasefire is not agreed.

After a meeting in Quebec, Canada's foreign minister said that all G7 foreign ministers, quote,

agree with the American proposal for a ceasefire. But the group emphasised the need for assurances

...