Our daily journey around the world

🇷🇺 A Russian missile touted as the “world’s deadliest weapon” apparently failed a recent test. According to satellite images, a Russian test of its Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month resulted in a 200-foot-wide crater and extensive damage to the surrounding area, indicating the missile unexpectedly detonated on the ground or shortly after launch. The Sarmat, which is Russia’s most modern ICBM, has been referred to by the country’s lawmakers in recent threats against Western nations, including the US.

💥 Hezbollah says Israel is dropping leaflets in Lebanon with a “very dangerous” barcode. Yesterday, Hezbollah’s media office issued a public warning over leaflets allegedly dropped by Israel into eastern Lebanon containing a barcode that, if scanned, will “withdraw all information” from any device. Israel’s military hasn’t publicly commented on the accusation.

🇨🇳 China rolled out a major stimulus package aimed at boosting its economy. Top financial officials unveiled a series of new measures yesterday designed to pull China’s ~$18 trillion economy out of a recent slump marked by significant issues with its real-estate industry. The stimulus measures include interest rate cuts, more cash for banks, increased incentives for Chinese residents to buy homes, and plans to consider a stock stabilization fund. Following the stimulus announcement, China’s benchmark CSI 300 stock index posted its biggest daily gain since July 2020.