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Putin illegally proclaims annexation of four Ukrainian regions

The move recommits Russia to its war in Ukraine despite military setbacks and escalates its confrontation with the West, which has promised more weapons and money to help Kyiv reclaim its territories.

By Ellen Francis, Louisa Loveluck, Adela Suliman and Erin Cunningham

In Zaporizhzhia, Russia controlled a referendum but not hearts or minds

By Louisa Loveluck and Serhii Korolchuk

Russians rebel as Putin drafts more people in battle for Ukraine

By Sarah Cahlan, Samuel Oakford, Imogen Piper, Mary Ilyushina, Ruby Mellen and Natalia Abbakumova

HURRICANE IAN

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) shares updates on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts on Sept. 30. (The Washington Post)

Storm intensifies as it moves to Carolinas

By Jason Samenow and Kelly Kasulis Cho23 minutes ago

Live

MORE COVERAGE

Storm survivors recount narrow escapes, harrowing rescues, floodwater fish

By Tim Craig

Tracker: Where Ian struck and where it’s headed next

By Dylan Moriarty, Adrian Blanco, Lauren Tierney, Hannah Dormido and Laris Karklis1 hour ago

The 7 Morning Briefing

7 things to know today: Hurricane Ian; Putin’s plan; student debt fight; Tua Tagovailoa; ALS drug; and more

Read or listen 3 minutes

Judge overrules special master, says Trump lawyers need not clarify claims on seized files

Special master Raymond Dearie had told Donald Trump’s lawyers to address in court whether documents were planted or declassified.

By Perry Stein

POST POLITICS NOW

OPINIONS

Alexei Navalny: This is what a post-Putin Russia should look like

Opinion by Alexei Navalny

The West should hunker down against Putin’s latest aggression

Opinion by David Ignatius

A harsh ad hitting Herschel Walker shows a way forward for Democrats

Opinion by Paul Waldman and Greg Sargent

What Trump capitalized on in 2016

Opinion by Hugh Hewitt

The hidden lesson from Mississippi’s welfare fraud scandal

Opinion by the Editorial Board

Thousands were released from prison during covid. The results are shocking.

Opinion by Molly Gill

Cartoon

Putin isn’t winning hearts and minds

Opinion by Ann Telnaes

A look at the world leaders who have cozied up to MBS

Opinion by Mili Mitra

Listen: Hurricane Ian’s historic destruction in Florida

Track covid: Daily new U.S. cases fell 14% in the past week

Carolyn Hax: The dreary chore of having to ask the spouse to do chores

Cook: Roast pork tenderloin, apples and shallots for a fall feast

They got a puppy — and a nearly 200 percent loan

A growing chorus of state legislatures are taking action to outlaw high-interest loans and leasing arrangements from brick-and-mortar and online pet stores.

By Kimberly Kindy

FDA approves first drug for ALS in 5 years despite scientists’ doubts

The newly approved therapy is designed to protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The decision highlights the tension between the desperation of patients and the standards typically used for drug approvals.

By Laurie McGinley

Well+BeingNews and advice to live well every day

Meditation for people who think they can’t meditate

Being aware that your mind wanders, that you’re tired, that you can’t sit still, that your mind is racing — that’s the point of meditation.

By Tara Parker-Pope

Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa exits field on stretcher with head injury

By Mark Maske

The ‘fastest-growing sport’ has a new investor: LeBron James

By Des Bieler

LATEST HEADLINES

Navy kicker Daniel Davies continues to lean on memory of older brother

11 minutes ago

Florida’s insurance woes could make Ian’s economic wrath even worse

29 minutes ago

Family says nursing home fatally poisoned woman with juice, cleaner mix-up

59 minutes ago

They dyed a waterfall for a gender reveal. An investigation followed.

1 hour ago

As counterfeits rise, sneaker authenticators sniff out real from fake

1 hour ago

Antiabortion activist’s message lands with a thud in blue College Park

1 hour ago

Analysis

Suicides are spiking among young men

1 hour ago

Analysis

Supreme Court to hear high-stakes challenge to Clean Water Act

1 hour ago

Happening Now

Washington Post LiveBegins at 9 a.m. ET

Post journalists discuss the latest in Ukraine and Russia

Topics include: Russian reaction to President Putin’s military mobilization call-up, the massive number of Russians fleeing the country and the annexation referendum.

Upcoming live Events

Reader Q&A

Need advice? Join columnist Carolyn Hax’s weekly chat (Sept. 30 | 12 p.m. ET)

Friday, September 30, at 12 p.m. EDT

Reader Q&A

Chat with Jennifer Rubin about her columns, politics, policy and more

Friday, September 30, at 12 p.m. EDT

Washington Post Live

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman on his mission into space and future of space travel

Monday, October 3, at 11 a.m. EDT

Washington Post Live

Stevens and Amer on going inside the war rooms of the Lincoln Project

Tuesday, October 4, at 2 p.m. EDT

Don’t Miss

America is obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. ‘Blonde’ is about Norma Jeane.

By Ashley Fetters Maloy

Journey inside Pakistan’s flood zone reveals how poorest were hit hardest

By Susannah George

An AI that creates images from prompts worries researchers. And now anyone can use it.

By Nitasha Tiku

What it takes to install an EV charger — and when it’s just not possible

By Rachel Kurzius

Advice

Carolyn Hax: Does racism explain why they were left off the guest list?

Friday, September 30

Ask Damon: I’m terrible at keeping in touch with friends. Is something wrong with me?

Friday, September 30

Miss Manners: Some dinner party guests were only invited for dessert

Friday, September 30

Ask Amy: I’m ready to leave my band. When do I tell the other members?

Friday, September 30

For YouRecommended Stories

Well+BeingNews and advice to live well every day

(George Wylesol for The Washington Post)

Why it feels good to do hard things

By Richard Sima

Love snack bars and energy drinks? Ultra-processed foods like these are linked to chronic diseases and death.

By Anahad O’Connor

4 emotional workouts to help you feel empowered and promote resilience

By Juli Fraga

Women said coronavirus shots affect periods. New study shows they’re right.

By Amanda Morris

Your workouts can shape your cells in ways that can be passed to later generations

By Gretchen Reynolds

IAN: More coverage

A hurricane hunter shot video as he flew into the center of Ian

By Jonathan Edwards

Florida CEO urged staff to work through Ian. Then she took it back.

By Andrea Salcedo

Millions were told to leave before Ian. Some calculated it was better to stay.

By Reis Thebault and Jared Leone

Maps show how millions of people have moved into Hurricane Ian’s path

By Simon Ducroquet, Brady Dennis and John Muyskens

Climate & Environment

These ‘nuclear bros’ say they know how to solve climate change: ⚛️

The surge in atom activism comes as countries again reassess their attitudes toward the power source, in the face of climate change and war.

By Shannon Osaka

The Climate 202Analysis

In a first, U.S. appoints a diplomat for plants and animals

By Dino Grandoni and Vanessa Montalbano

Nord Stream spill could be biggest methane leak ever but not catastrophic

By Meg Kelly, Ellen Francis and Michael Birnbaum

The aspiring ‘coral factory’ restoring reefs wrecked by climate change

By Allyson Chiu

He’s worked to boost U.S. climate resilience. Amid Ian, here’s how he thinks we’re doing.

By Allyson Chiu

World

Blast targets education center in Shiite area of Kabul, kills at least 20

Nearly every Friday, there are attacks on places of worship and other institutions in Afghanistan as the Islamic State group wages war on Taliban authorities.

By Haq Nawaz Khan