The World in Brief from The Economist

Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 492 people, including women and children, and wounded 1,645 more, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Also, China’s central bank unveiled a stimulus package and an interest-rate cut that it hopes will help the country’s lackluster economy reach this year’s 5% GDP growth target.

Hundreds killed in Lebanon; California sues ExxonMobil, and more

Israel warned residents of several villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate, as it stepped up its attacks there. Also, China’s central bank cut an important short-term policy rate and injected more liquidity into its banking system.

Hizbullah’s deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem, declared an “open-ended battle of reckoning” against Israel during a funeral for a Hizbullah commander killed by Israeli air strikes on Friday.

Hizbullah declares “battle of reckoning”; Marxist MP wins in Sri Lanka, and more

Donald Trump said that it was “too late” for a second televised debate, even though Kamala Harris earlier accepted an invitation from CNN, a broadcaster.

An arms depot in the Tver region of Russia, about 300 miles (480km) from the Ukrainian border, was set on fire by Ukrainian drones.

An arms depot in the Tver region of Russia, about 300 miles (480km) from the Ukrainian border, was set on fire by Ukrainian drones.