The Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News and Analysis

OxyContin maker pleads guilty, agrees to $8.3 billion settlement

The Justice Department said in a news release that its resolution of the case “includes the largest penalties ever levied against a pharmaceutical manufacturer.”

By Meryl Kornfield and Christopher Rowland1 hour ago

Senate Democrats block slimmed-down relief bill as Capitol Hill rancor worsens

Senate GOP leaders largely oppose a giant new spending bill that the administration has been negotiating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

By Erica Werner and Seung Min Kim52 minutes ago

Fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor was ‘not a race thing,’ officer says in first public interview

Breonna Taylor would be alive today if police had given her and her boyfriend less time to respond before breaking down their door in a raid, a Louisville police officer said.

By Marisa Iati1 hour ago

Election 2020

The Women's March has given women the occasion to express their disapproval with the president. (Evelyn Hockstein for The Post)

Perspective

Trump keeps begging women to like him. They keep saying no.

The president’s wheedling and whining isn’t working.

By Monica Hesse

U.S. agencies mount effort to prevent Russian interference, even as Trump downplays threat

Caught off guard in 2016, federal and local officials as well as tech leaders in Silicon Valley say they are determined to prevent a repeat of 2016.

By Ellen Nakashima and Craig Timberg

Biden foreign policy begins with telling the world: ‘America’s back’

Some of President Trump's policies would immediately be reversed, he pledged if elected. Others will have to wait for policy reviews within a new administration.

By Karen DeYoung

Analysis

Trump’s campaign is laser-focused on appealing to Trump

The president’s reelection effort is centered on the same bubble in which he has been living since 2017.

By Philip Bump

LIVE ELECTION UPDATESAccess to these updates is free

3:16PM

Harris says Biden doesn’t ‘talk about other people’s kids,' amid GOP attacks on former vice president’s son

3:14PM

How ballot tracking works — and can help

Opinions

Why Trump’s endgame is to rage at Lesley Stahl

Opinion by Greg Sargent

Trump will end his presidency as he began it: Whining

Opinion by George F. Will

These people told us in 2016 why they voted for Trump. Here’s how they’re voting in 2020.

Adding justices to the Supreme Court would destroy it

Opinion by Kathleen Parker

Why Senate Republicans deserve to lose many seats

Opinion by Jennifer Rubin

As local media outlets disappear, bad actors are stepping into the void

Opinion by the Editorial Board

Coronavirus

Unprecedented vaccine trials on track to begin showing results

In anticipation of the data, independent advisers to the FDA are set to meet Thursday to lay the groundwork for deciding whether specific vaccines are safe and effective.

By Carolyn Y. Johnson1 hour ago

CDC expands definition of who is a ‘close contact’ of an individual with covid-19

By Lena H. Sun36 minutes ago

LIVE CORONAVIRUS UPDATESAccess to these updates is free

3:15PM

N.J. governor and first lady to quarantine after senior staffer tests positive

2:27PM

Boston schools to return to remote learning as city’s infection rate rises

Businesses in the city center of Galway are shuttered Oct. 20. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Ireland is the first European country to reimpose a lockdown amid a coronavirus resurgence

The six-week lockdown could result in 150,000 people losing their jobs, the deputy prime minister said.

By Karla Adam

Scientists around the world are turning to feces to track coronavirus outbreaks

By Miriam Berger

FBI: ‘Nothing to add’ to Ratcliffe remarks about Hunter Biden, Russian disinformation

The agency sent the letter in response to a demand from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) after Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe disputed the idea that Russia orchestrated the discovery of a computer that may have belonged to Joe Biden’s son.

By Devlin Barrett

Suspect in killing of Houston police sergeant is in U.S. illegally, ICE says

By Arelis R. Hernández and Nick Miroff

Study finds no crime increase in ‘sanctuary’ cities, despite Trump claims

By Nick Miroff

Tesla is putting ‘self-driving’ in the hands of drivers amid criticism the tech is not ready

Some safety advocates are also skeptical of whether the rest of the world is ready for cars that drive themselves.

By Faiz Siddiqui1 hour ago

Guide to the Pandemic

Places with highest daily reported cases per capitaSeven-day average of daily new reported cases per 100,000 residents

Road to Recovery

Turkey farmers fear that, this year, they’ve bred too many big birds

By Laura Reiley

For a normal college experience during the pandemic, these students hopped continents

By Susan Svrluga

One potential pandemic upside: Performance reviews are getting simpler

By Jena McGregor

Your Life at Home

Binational playmaking takes exuberant, revealing form in the Russian-American ‘Flash Acts’

By Peter Marks

Is the government doing enough to protect air travelers?

By Christopher Elliott

Planting bulbs offers a bit of hope for better things to come. Even this year.

By Adrian Higgins

Full coverage and resources

Asked and answered: What to know about coronavirus

FAQ: What to know about masks and covid-19

Sign up to get our Coronavirus Updates newsletter

Don’t Miss

Rudy Giuliani’s compromising scene in the ‘Borat’ sequel is another hit for Trump’s personal attorney

By Sonia Rao22 minutes ago

Perspective

Why ‘moderation’ is the worst weight-loss advice ever

By Tamar Haspel

Voraciously

Torn between pandemic safety and environmental concerns, restaurants stick with disposable serveware

By Kristen Hartke

The latest celebrity cause: Defending the honor of Chris Pratt

By Emily Yahr

Trending

Blair Guild/The Washington Post

Obama hits the campaign trail for Biden

Former president Barack Obama is campaigning for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Oct. 21 in swing state Pennsylvania.

Today’s Print Stories

Get the headlines from today's paper, and click on each one to read the story.

e-Replica Edition

Browse the paper on your computer or tablet, just as it appears in the print edition.

Share news tips with us confidentially

The Post offers several ways to securely send information and documents to journalists.

Washington Post Apps

Experience The Washington Post on your tablet and phone.

Politics

The FixAnalysis

It’s probably too late for Senate GOP to gain distance from Trump

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) does not want a pre-election stimulus deal that would highlight GOP divisions.

By James Hohmann

Analysis: Why Senate Republicans would rather approve a Supreme Court nominee than stimulus

A person carries a flag in support of President Trump across the street from residents waiting at an early-voting polling location in Toledo on Oct. 6. (Bloomberg News)

Shouting matches, partisan rallies, guns at polling places: Tensions run high at early-voting sites

Dozens of allegations of possible voter intimidation and improper campaigning have marked the early days of voting.

By Joshua Partlow

North Carolina’s mail-in ballot deadline extension upheld in federal court

By Ann E. Marimow

In N.C., voters find Cunningham’s infidelity shocking — but not enough to change their vote

By Rachael Bade and Pam Kelley

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez played ‘Among Us’ with video gamers in a bid to get out the vote

By Noah Smith

Schumer says he had a ‘serious talk’ with Feinstein after backlash to her role in Barrett hearings

By Paul Kane

Voters’ GuideQ&A

How to avoid misinformation on social media during the election

By Heather Kelly

National polling average

Biden is leading (+10) the national polling average.

Biden

53%

Trump

43%

Average of national polls since Oct. 4 that meet Washington Post standards for transparency and quality. Includes polls by CNN, Economist-YouGov, Fox, PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist, Pew, Post-ABC, NBC-WSJ and SurveyMonkey-Tableau.

How the average works

World

Pope Francis has long expressed an interest in outreach to the church’s LGBT followers, but his remarks have often stressed general understanding and welcoming — rather than substantive policies. (Reuters)

Pope calls for civil union laws for same-sex couples

The pontiff’s remarks came in a new documentary and were quoted by the Catholic News Agency. They represent his clearest stance to date on a contentious issue inside the Catholic Church.

By Chico Harlan and Michelle Boorstein

Nigerian protesters say security forces fired on them amid growing global outrage

Several people died and dozens were wounded after Nigerian security forces opened fire at a protest against police brutality Tuesday night in Lagos, witnesses and human rights groups said.

By Danielle Paquette

France mourns slain teacher as government mobilizes against Muslim groups

Some have questioned whether the government is going too far with its crackdown — conducting raids, threatening deportations and targeting organizations with tenuous connections to Paty’s beheading.

By James McAuley1 hour ago

Dozens of artifacts vandalized in three Berlin museums

Police said they are investigating attacks that took place this month.

By Loveday Morris and Luisa Beck

The pandemic nearly broke this Kenyan mom of five. Then she found ‘Blessing.’

Hyrine Mita found a new light in her life where she least expected it: a garbage dump.

By Max Bearak and Rael Ombuor

National

The parents of 545 children separated at the border still haven’t been found

Hundreds of migrant children are scattered across the country, living in foster care or with relatives, during a pandemic that has all but halted the legal effort to locate their parents.

By Teo Armus

Texas woman died of covid-19 on a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas

By Ian Duncan

This is what fuels the West’s wildfires

Scorching heat, a thirsty atmosphere and relentless winds: How the North Complex Fire spread so far, so fast.

By Sarah Kaplan, John Muyskens, Chris Alcantara and Andrew Freedman

Northern California faces days of ‘critical’ fire risk, with more deliberate power shut-offs

A Rhode Island man is in a coma after a moped crash involving police. His family wants answers.

The incident, which is being investigated by the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, has rocked the state this week.

By Timothy Bella

U of Michigan hit with emergency stay-at-home order amid coronavirus spike. But the football team will play on.

Athletics are exempt from the order, so the University of Michigan's football team will keep preparing to host rival Michigan State on Oct. 31 for the team’s first home game.

By Tim Elfrink

She said she had to breastfeed during virtual class. Her professor’s reply shocked her.

Marcella Mares was flooded with responses from women who have faced similar situations.

By Soo Youn

A Miami cop wore a Trump mask to vote, inflaming Democrats: ‘This is city funded voter intimidation’

The outfit put Miami police officer Daniel Ubeda in the position of campaigning both while on duty and also within a polling location.

By Katie Shepherd

D.C., Md. & Va.

Md. man accused of threat to kill Biden and Harris faces federal charge

James Dale Reed, 42, left a letter on the doorstep of a Frederick home that displayed Biden-Harris signs, prosecutors said. The letter also threatened supporters of the Democratic presidential ticket.

By Emily Davies

Montgomery weighs added restrictions as coronavirus infections tick upward

The seven-day average in new cases recently has exceeded 10 new infections per 100,000 residents.

By Rebecca Tan53 minutes ago

Planet Word, D.C.’s newest museum, is set to open Oct. 22 in the historic Franklin School building downtown. (Bill O’Leary/The Post)

Museum Review

Planet Word, a new museum devoted to language, is a high-tech, feel-good experience

By Philip Kennicott

Md.’s most powerful Black politician targets nation’s biggest police protections

By Ovetta Wiggins

Cook shifts Luria-Taylor race to ‘leans Democratic’ as poll shows her with edge

By Patricia Sullivan and Meagan Flynn

Capital Weather Gang

D.C.-area forecast: Partly sunny and warm through Saturday, perhaps a few showers this weekend

The only blip in the forecast? The chance of a few showers late Saturday into early Sunday.

By Dan Stillman

Known coronavirus deaths and cases

Going Out Guide

Planet Word, a high-tech museum dedicated to the love of language, opens in D.C.

Delayed due to the pandemic, the new museum features lots of video and interactive displays.

By Peggy McGlone

At Mosaic Theater, a playwright asks: How do you mourn a man you barely knew?

Playwright-performer Psalmayene 24 explores his relationship with his late father in his work in progress ‘Dear Mapel.’

By Thomas Floyd

Diner-in-chief: How the Bidens might eat and entertain in and out of the White House

The Bidens could bring "positive energy" to the D.C. dining scene if they take the White House, says one restaurateur.

By Emily Heil and Tom Sietsema

Real Estate

Ardmore Springdale: An older Prince George’s community gets new energy

To sell a unique property, you’ll have to create the right marketing plan

New moderately priced apartments in D.C.'s Edgewood

Business & Technology

Hospital Puc de Campinas in Brazil will test a vaccine. (Leandro Ferreira/Fotoarena/Sipa USA)

The Finance 202Analysis

Economy won’t bounce back until 2022 even with good vaccine rollout, new report finds

By Tory Newmyer

Road to RecoveryPerspective

Lucky enough to have a pension? The Fed’s low interest rates mean it may no longer guarantee a secure retirement.

The central bank’s efforts to keep the economy afloat are undermining the long-term future of the U.S. pension system.

By Allan Sloan

The Justice Dept. is suing Google — but it’s the government’s power to police big tech that’s on trial

The lawsuit will put to the test whether century-old federal antitrust rules are sufficiently powerful to keep the country's technology giants in check.

By Tony Romm

Five takeaways from the lawsuit

Market Watch

Last Updated: Today at 3:52 p.m. ET

Dow 28,255.68

Today -0.19%

S&P 3,442.06

Today -0.03%

NASDAQ 11,506.08

Today -0.09%

Netflix new subscriber signups plummeted over the summer, halting pandemic-fueled growth

By Steven Zeitchik

Health & Science

Weather Channel bets on immersive reality with simulations of local weather forecasts

By Matthew Cappucci1 hour ago

Hurricane Epsilon shatters record after rapidly intensifying southeast of Bermuda

By Matthew Cappucci1 hour ago

Impossible Foods beefs up plant-based milk investment

By Laura Reiley

NASA spacecraft touches an asteroid 200 million miles from Earth in agency’s first attempt to retrieve samples

By Christian Davenport

Sports

The New York Giants earned their first win of the season on Sunday with a 20-19 triumph over quarterback Kyle Allen and the Washington Football Team. (Toni L. Sandys/The Post)

Analysis

A five-win season gets NFL coaches fired. This year, it might get one a playoff berth.

Welcome to the 2020 NFC East, possibly the worst division in NFL history.

By Scott Allen and Neil Greenberg

World SeriesPerspective

As Kershaw tries to pitch his way to October glory, you can’t look away

Star-crossed Clayton Kershaw, October's most mesmerizing figure, guided the Los Angeles Dodgers to a win in Game 1 of the World Series by mastering the Tampa Bay Rays.

By Barry Svrluga