The New York Times debuted its famous election needle on Tuesday night, more than a day after the union that represents the tech workers responsible for keeping the needle working went on strike. “We have a needle,” Times chief political analyst Nate Cohn posted on X. Whether the needle would appear at all remained in question over the last week as the Times Tech Guild, which represents roughly 600 engineers and product managers on the paper‘s business side, got close to—and eventually went on—a strike. Cohn wrote earlier on Tuesday that, if the needle didn‘t hold up to internal testing, it wouldn’t appear on election night. Its debut coincided with a Business Insider report that dozens of guild members crossed the picket line on Tuesday and came into work. The guild claimed to the outlet that those who broke ranks were either afraid for their jobs, on work visas, or were already anti-union. The guild and Times management have been in negotiations for more than two years, with reported asks ranging from scented products in break rooms to mandatory trigger warnings before discussing news events. The guild maintains its three primary issues include pay increases, extensions of remote work, and “just cause” protections for job security.
Some Google searchers apparently had no idea that Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
Election Day seems to have called some members of the American electorate out of hibernation. Google Trends showed spiking search interest in the United States for the query “Did Joe Biden drop out?” over the past two days, surging to an even higher peak on Tuesday as voters took to the polls to pick between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The vice president replaced President Biden as the Democratic nominee in July after his disastrous debate performance versus Trump. Biden posted a letter to Americans on July 21 announcing his decision to withdraw from the race. “I believe it is in the best interest on my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” Biden said. On X, the evidence of these oblivious Americans—amid the nation’s highly divisive political atmosphere—became fodder for jokes.
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Skincare professionals and dermatologists have used red light therapy for in-office aesthetic treatments for years thanks to its clinically approved and FDA-cleared benefits. LED light therapy has been shown to address several skincare concerns, from targeting fine lines and combatting redness to helping heal acne and fading scars.
In the past, at-home red light therapy treatments have been bulky and not exactly user-friendly, but thanks to innovative beauty tech brands like SolaWave, you can reap the benefits of LED light therapy without booking an appointment with a derm. Solawave is a leader in the growing aesthetic LED light therapy space, known for its 4-in-1 Light Therapy Wand. A laundry list of celebs with envy-inducing complexions like Sydney Sweeney, Nicole Kidman, Megan Fox, and even Pedro Pascal have reportedly used the brand’s rejuvenating devices.
Solawave 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy Facial Wand Kit
SolaWave’s compact 4-in-1 Facial Wand is the brand’s hero product for a good reason—it’s a quadruple threat. The multifunctional skincare tool is engineered with five LEDs that emit 660nm of red light on the bar to address redness, fine lines, and sagging skin, along with microcurrent technology, heat, and vibration to help lift, sculpt, and de-puff. Grab the celeb-loved tool while it’s half off.
If you‘re hoping to get a jumpstart on your Black Friday shopping and beat the rush, you’re in luck. SolaWave has kicked off its Black Friday sale early this year, giving you extra time to score major savings on its LED light therapy tech and skincare kits.
SolaWave is offering buy one, get one free its LED light therapy kits, including its cult-favorite 4-in-1 Facial Wand set right now, which uses red light, vibration, heat, and microcurrent therapies to tighten, lift, and smooth the skin. Each kit includes one of SolaWave‘s light therapy devices and a light-enhancing topical skincare formula to amplify the device’s benefits. Treat yourself to a pre-holiday glow-up and gift the other one (you can mix and match!) to another skincare lover on your holiday-to-shop-for list.
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‘Not an Easy Thing to Do’: Republican Gov. Casts Vote for Kamala Harris
Vermont’s Republican governor cast his ballot for Democrat Kamala Harris. Christinne Muschi/Reuters
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, cast his vote for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris rather than his party-mate Donald Trump. Scott had kept quiet on his presidential pick in the weeks leading up to the election, but as he exited his voting precinct in Berlin, Vermont, on election day, he opened up to reporters. “I did some soul searching and thought about a lot of different things… and came to the conclusion that I had to put country over party,” he said. However, he didn’t take the decision lightly—it’s “not an easy thing to do, being a Republican sitting governor and voting against your party’s nominee,” he said. Scott made headlines in 2020 when he voted for Joe Biden over Trump, and he said his decision in this election is largely similar. “I didn’t endorse Joe Biden four years ago, I voted for him,” Scott said. “I’m not endorsing Kamala Harris this time. I’m voting for her. This is more of a vote against Donald Trump.” Scott has been an outspoken critic of Trump—in September, he called him “a manipulator, a con artist.”
Less than two miles from the executive residence, the vice president will watch the vote tally from her alma mater Howard University. Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
President Joe Biden will not join the festivities at Kamala Harris’ election watch party, the Washington Examiner reported Tuesday. “The president and First Lady will watch election results in the White House residence with longtime aides and senior White House staff,” a White House official told the outlet. Meanwhile, less than two miles from the executive residence, the vice president is watching the vote tally from her alma mater, Howard University. Biden played a limited role campaigning for Harris, particularly in the final weeks of the 2024 presidential race. And while neither the president nor Harris have publicly acknowledged a rift, Biden stole attention from on the vice president’s closing message to voters after calling Trump supporters “garbage” just before she addressed supporters on Oct. 29.
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Shapewear has come a long, long way in the past few years, with premium brands launching more inclusive sizing and colorways as well as sexier styles. But never before have we seen customizable shapewear. Knix, a leader in innovative shapewear that is not only flattering but also body-positive and impressively comfortable to wear, recently debuted a game-changing personalized shapewear collection designed to work with your curves—not against them. The new shapewear line is designed with the brand’s patented PerfectCut technology, which allows you to literally tailor the shapewear to fit your body like a bespoke garment. Each of the shapewear items in this collection is designed with velvet perforations, allowing you to trim the item to your exact liking.
The collection includes a range of shapewear garments, from high-rise bodysuits to leakproof briefs; Knix has created an industry-disrupting category that allows you to smooth, shape, and adjust your shapewear without going to a tailor. It’s the ultimate way to maximize your wardrobe’s versatility without investing in a handful of new items.
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RFK Jr. Thanks Wife Cheryl Hines for Sticking With Him on Election Day
Speaking to Trump campaign supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida on Election Day, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly thanked his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, for staying with him through both his failed independent presidential campaign and the revelations about his alleged “digital affair” with reporter Olivia Nuzzi. With Hines by his side, Kennedy expressed his gratitude for “the most supportive person in this room who has sustained me throughout this campaign, my wife, Cheryl Hines.” Hines responded by echoing his message of thanks and adding, “Ooh, it has been a journey!” In addition to the scandal surrounding Nuzzi, Hines was aggressively trolled on social media after her husband decided to end his own campaign and endorse Donald Trump. Now, Kennedy is poised to become a major player in a potential Trump second term with the former president saying he is open to implementing his extreme ideas like banning vaccines and removing fluoride from the water supply.
Sabrina Carpenter reached more voters than any other artist this year through the non-profit organization HeadCount, according to Variety. On the singer’s “Short n’ Sweet” tour, she used giveaways and sweepstakes to connect her fans to voter information, and ultimately reached 183,000 potential voters and helped register 27,000 new ones. The “Espresso” singer’s stats broke Ariana Grande’s 2019 record for voter engagement through the platform by nearly double, after Grande partnered with HeadCount on her “Sweetener World Tour.” HeadCount has reached 300,000 voters by partnering with musicians like Carpenter, Grande, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and more, according to a press release reviewed by Variety. Most of those reached have been Gen Z and millennial potential voters. The news comes after Taylor Swift made an impact in the 2024 election with her Instagram post endorsingKamala Harris and directing fans to vote.gov, which nearly 350,000 people visited from her unique URL by the following day.
Ballot processing in Philadelphia Rachel Wisniewski/REUTERS
Donald Trump‘s unsurprising and baseless claim that “cheating” has occurred in the Democratic stronghold of Philadelphia quickly got debunked by the city’s police department. “A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia. Law Enforcement coming!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon. Minutes later, though, Trump’s message was called out as entirely wrong. In a statement to CNN reporter Holmes Lybrand, the city’s police department said it had no idea what Trump was talking about, and that it didn’t know of any issues that necessitated its intervention. Seth Bluestein, Philadelphia’s Republican City Commissioner, also debunked Trump. “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation. It is yet another example of disinformation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure,” he wrote on X. Turnout in the city, according to Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman Robert Brady, “is extremely high.”
As voters grapple with the possibility of a fresh wave of violence following Election Day, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) looked back on Jan. 6, 2021, in an interview on The Daily Beast Podcast. “I wasn’t prepared,” he said of that day’s insurrection. While rioters breached the Capitol, politicians and staffers inside were forced to decide seemingly between certifying the electoral vote and staying safe. As two of the Senate’s younger members, Booker said he and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) made a plan to stay behind in the Senate chambers to fight off any rioters. “Let’s just take the end, just in case people break through those doors and we have to fight them off,” he recalled telling Kelly. Once they left the chamber, Booker described running through tunnels beneath the Capitol while rioters “were screaming bloody murder.” He remembered seeing wounded Capitol police officers; five police officers died as a result of injuries they received that day. Once he’d found a secure location, “I turn on the TV,” Booker said. “And the first image I saw just feet from where I sit in the Senate chamber, was a Confederate flag.”
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The Lola Blanket Is The Softest, Most Luxurious Blanket I’ve Ever Owned
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Now that the temps are (finally!) beginning to dip, cozying up in a blanket on the couch in honor of cuffing season is non-negotiable. Whether I’m having a slow morning with coffee or settling in for movie night, I love nothing more than cocooning myself in a luxury blanket. Of course, as an interior design enthusiast, I appreciate how a chic throw can instantly elevate your living room sofa and signal the change of seasons.
Fall and winter are the perfect time to incorporate heavy knits and faux fur into your home decor lineup, so when Lola Blankets reached out to see if I’d like to try one of their throws, it was a no-brainer.
Lola Blanket
$109-$299
Lola Blankets proudly claims that they have the internet’s softest blankets and spoiler alert: I think they’re right. Each blanket is vegan, cruelty-free and made of the softest faux fur imaginable. It’s double-sided, so you can’t escape the coziness, and the ruching in the design is achieved with elastic, so there’s a slight stretch to it. They’re available in three sizes—the large is big enough for a queen-sized bed, the medium would be perfect for the sofa and there’s even a baby blanket.
I have the brand’s large-sized blanket that travels around my house, because the blanket is just that good. It stays on the bed for especially chilly nights. I move it to the sofa for extra cozy reading time, and it goes on my lap while I’m working. Even the dog will seek it out when she wants to take a nap. Everyone in my household is in love. And, for pet and children owners, Lola Blankets are shed-free, stain-resistant and machine washable (in cold water), so they’re easy to care for, too.
Pros:
Machine washable.
Stain resistant.
Double-sided.
Slightly stretchy—perfect for sharing with a partner or pet.
Doesn’t shed or pill.
Vegan and cruelty-free.
Available in three sizes.
Cons:
Hang-dry only.
Slightly expensive (but worth the price!).
These luxury blankets come in a variety of colors, ranging from warm neutrals to bold prints. I have one in cocoa butter, which is a mix of cream and light tan that looks equally gorgeous on my off-white sofa, as well as my bed. And while this specific colorway is sold out, Caramel N’ Cream is very similar! I’m so happy to have this blanket for the holiday season and beyond. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the internet’s softest blanket—it’s a worthwhile investment and you totally deserve it.
Donald Trump will spend Election Night hunkered down at his beloved Palm Beach golf resort with one of his top campaign backers, Elon Musk, The New York Timesreports. The former president is reportedly hosting multiple events at Mar-a-Lago throughout the night, with different tiers of exclusivity for his various guests. Some donors will join him for dinner, with others invited to attend a speech at the Palm Beach Convention Centre a little later in the evening. Given how close the vote promises to be, and the level of electoral disinformation already being spread online, some commentators have raised concerns over the prospects of Trump using Musk’s control of X, formerly Twitter, to create disruption and sow distrust as the count comes in. Over the past few weeks, Musk has repeatedly pushed false claims about the ongoing vote, such as releasing information on votes that were cast early to falsely imply Trump had a strong lead in key swing states like Pennsylvania, which otherwise remain too close to call.
In politics, it seems, timing is everything. After months at odds over Israel’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen the day of one of the most hotly contested U.S. presidential election in modern history to fire his Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant. “In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the defense minister,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday, quoted by the Financial Times. “Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, over the past few months this trust has cracked between me and the defense minister,” he added. The Israeli Prime Minister had previously attempted to fire Gallant in March 2023, just five months into the conflict, but was forced to reverse his decision after the move prompted protests on the streets of Jerusalem. Gallant has not yet publicly commented on his dismissal beyond a short post on social media, in which he said “the security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life.”
