10.1.2022

Ukraine Advances, Kabul Blast, and Disneyland of Graveyards

Good morning. It's Saturday, Oct. 1, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the latest tit-for-tat in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a bomb explosion at an education center in Afghanistan, and much more. Have feedback? We'd like to hear it. Let us know at [email protected].

First time reading? Sign up here.

ONE BIG HEADLINE

Russia Annexes, Ukraine Advances

Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday signed decrees to annex 15% of Ukraine, specifically the partially occupied eastern and southern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The move is viewed as the biggest annexation in Europe since World War II. See our previous write-up here.

The declaration came as Ukrainian forces have reportedly encircled thousands of Russian troops near the eastern Ukrainian city of Lyman, a strategic railway hub in the Donetsk region. The encirclement could pave the way for Ukraine to recapture Russian-seized areas in Luhansk and Donetsk, observers say. Ukraine also formally applied for a fast-track accession to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in response to the annexation. Ukraine's desire to join the alliance has been seen as a pretext for Russia's invasion.

Separately, Russian strikes overnight Thursday killed at least 25 civilians and injured at least 50 others in the Ukrainian province of Zaporizhzhia. See a map of the latest on Russia's invasion of Ukraine here.

QUICK HITS

Ian arrives as Category 1 hurricane in South Carolina.

Ian made landfall Friday near Georgetown, South Carolina, between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and damaging at least four piers along the state's northern coast (see photos). It later downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone and is expected to continue to weaken as it heads toward North Carolina and Virginia this weekend.

Suicide bomber strikes education center in Kabul, Afghanistan.

At least 19 people are dead and 27 injured, including teenagers who were taking practice university entrance exams, after a bomb detonated in the mostly Shiite Hazara neighborhood of Dashti Barchi in western Kabul. Hazaras are an ethnic and religious minority historically targeted by Sunni militant groups.

Eurozone inflation reaches record high of 10% in September.

The inflation rate for the 19-member bloc is up from 9.1% in August, which was already the highest level in the eurozone's 23-year history and is the 11th consecutive increase as food and energy prices continue to rise. Energy prices rose 40.8% year-over-year, while prices for food, alcohol, and tobacco rose 11.8%.

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson formally sworn in.

Jackson, 52, took her oath Friday during a formal investiture ceremony ahead of the court's new term starting Monday. Jackson was confirmed in April and officially took her seat in June upon the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer. She is the first Black woman to serve on America's highest court.

NASA's Juno spacecraft shares new images of Jupiter's moon Europa.

Juno has been studying Jupiter since 2016 and just flew within 219 miles of the ice-encrusted surface of Europa. The latest images (see here) are the closest look at Europa since Jan. 3, 2000, when NASA’s Galileo came within 218 miles. Europa is the sixth largest moon in the solar system, slightly smaller than Earth's.

Trevor Noah is stepping down as host of "The Daily Show."

Noah, a 38-year-old standup comedian from South Africa, took the helm of the late-night show in 2015 after Jon Stewart's exit. Noah's achievements include winning a Primetime Emmy Award, hosting two Grammy Awards ceremonies, and headlining this year's White House correspondent's dinner.

In partnership with Sundays

DROOL-WORTHY DOG FOOD

A new breed of dog food beat traditional kibbles 39-0 in a third party taste test. What's your pup waiting for?

Sundays is no regular dog food. Their recipes stick to a short list of human-grade meats, fruits, and vegetables to ensure dogs are fed to a higher standard. And unlike other fresh foods, Sundays needs no fridge, no prep, no cleanup, and no hassle. Just pour into a bowl and watch your pup devour it. And every batch is made and air-dried in the US for over 11 hours, so these tasty jerky-style pieces retain maximum nutrition to help your dog look and feel their best (while loving what they eat).

It's time to try the Sundays challenge: let your pup decide between Sundays and your current dog food in a taste-off. We're pretty sure we know who's going to win, so take 50% off your first order with code: 1440FALL.

Please support our sponsors!

HUMANKIND

John Cena sets world record for granting 650 wishes through Make-A-Wish. (More)

Soccer captain invites waterboy with Down syndrome to celebrate team win. (More)

Ten-year-old Andres Valencia creates art that sells for more than $100K. (More)

OB-GYN helps deliver a baby as Hurricane Fiona reaches Puerto Rico. (More)

Good Samaritan surprises 100-year-old veteran with Disneyland trip. (More, w/video)

Meet the 86-year-old woman who has fostered 189 children over 40 years. (More)

Need a hug? Visit the nicest place on the internet, where strangers around the world offer virtual embraces. (More)

From our partners: The new Business Casual is here. CUTS has perfected workleisure apparel by creating wardrobe staples that work for the office (even if the office is your couch) and going out alike—with comfortable materials and flawless fits. CUTS long sleeve tees are beloved by most of the 1440 team, and 1440 readers can enjoy an exclusive 15% OFF your first order through our links today.

HUMANKIND(NESS)

Today, we're sharing a story from reader Claudia O. in Miami, Florida.

"My youngest daughter had a summer internship, and has been saving some money by living with friends instead of in a dorm. A few weeks ago, I received one of those dreaded texts from her saying, 'Mom, can you talk right now?'... She told me that she had gotten an Airbnb credit ... and could use it for me to be able to attend her graduation next year ... In parallel, my older daughter who just moved to the same town as my youngest one, rented a room with a bed and a folding sofa-bed so that I could come over. I’ll be able and proud to attend my youngest graduation AND to visit them every now and then, thanks to the enduring kindness of my two girls."

What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us.

ETCETERA

Bookkeeping

> Virus kills more than 100,000 cattle and sickens 2 million more in India.

> Toymaker Lego sees revenue grow 17% to $3.5B in the first half of 2022.

> More than 1,600 items from Betty White's estate fetch $4M at auction, exceeding estimates. See some of the items here.

Browse

> America's biggest, baddest corn mazes.
> Photographer captures the ocean's extravagant bursts.

> California home's interior is an incredible work of art (via Twitter).

> Men's cross-country runners sport mustaches in viral headshots.

> Behold, a pumpkin spice latte-inspired ring.

Listen

> Are you having a midlife crisis?

Watch

> Who's really using up the water in the American west?
> What different US presidents have served at state dinners.

Long Read

> Divine comedy: How two best friends and comedians turned to the priesthood.

> Inside the Disneyland of graveyards: a star-studded cemetery in Los Angeles corporatizing mourning in America.

Best of the Week: McDonald's Happy Meals for adults.

Historybook: Yosemite National Park is established (1890); Bonnie Parker, half of the infamous crime duo Bonnie and Clyde, born (1910); President Jimmy Carter born (1924); Actress Dame Julie Andrews born (1935); Walt Disney World opens (1971); 58 killed, 869 injured in mass shooting in Las Vegas (2017).

"Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it."

- Julie Andrews

Why 1440? The printing press was invented in the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history. Guess what else? There are 1,440 minutes in a day and every one is precious. That’s why we scour hundreds of sources every day to provide a concise, comprehensive, and objective view of what's happening in the world. Reader feedback is a gift—shoot us a note at [email protected].

Interested in advertising to smart readers like you? Apply here!

Don't miss out on the daily email read by over 3.8 million intellectually curious readers.