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Here's today's free edition. This is the World and Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Hamas said it had submitted remarks in reply to a proposed ceasefire with Israel,

suggesting that it was close to accepting the American sponsored

plan.

Mediators Qatar and Egypt confirmed that they had received the Palestinian group's response.

Earlier Anthony Blinkin, America's Secretary of State, said that reports that Hamas had blocked

the deal were a hopeful sign.

Mr. Blinkin is on his eighth trip to the Middle East since October 7th.

Israel is unlikely to accept any arrangement that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza.

Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, was convicted of three felony counts of relying on federal forms to purchase a gun. In 2018, Hunter, who has admitted to struggling with addiction,

had falsely claimed that he did not have a drug problem.

The charges carry a maximum of 25 years in prison. As a first-time offender, he may not receive jail time.

Britain's Conservative Party launched its election manifesto,

promising to cut 17.2 billion pounds or 21.9 billion dollars a year in taxes by 2030.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said he would scrap the main rate of national insurance

for self-employed people and cut it for employees by 2P. The economist's election forecast suggests the opposition

...