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Quote of the Day

"I don’t look at the internet unless I’m looking at nice vases or pots"

— Olivia Colman does not read the reviews, but she does spend a lot of time online shopping. Wicker baskets included?

A cyclist rides beneath political advertisements in Tel Aviv, Israel.

It’s Election Day

Nope, This Is Not About the Midterms

What’s going on: As the US prepares for a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term, Israelis are heading to the polls to do the same — but for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Voters will elect members of the 120-seat Knesset, the country’s parliament, and whichever party gets the majority decides the prime minister. For more than 18 years, the far-right Likud Party and Netanyahu have maintained power amid scandal after scandal (see: Netanyahu’s six-year corruption trial and charges of alleged war crimes). But that could change. These are the first elections since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks and the war in Gaza — and opposition leaders want Netanyahu out for failing to prevent Oct 7. With polls showing a tight race, it could be weeks before there’s a majority coalition and a new PM.

The bigger picture: Experts say this is one of the most important elections in Israel's history. More than 50,000 Israelis living abroad were expected to fly in and vote (there’s no absentee voting in Israel). The stakes are also high for the US. Earlier this month, Trump broke with a longstanding tradition of not endorsing a candidate in a foreign election and backed Netanyahu. A new PM could reshape how the US works with Israel in Middle East relations, including the Iran war and the redevelopment of Gaza, which has been absent from campaigns. Still, analysts say Israel’s policies toward Palestinians are unlikely to change regardless of who is PM. Right now, Netanyahu’s main challenger is the Yashar Party led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military general. It wouldn’t be the first time that Netanyahu has faced such a tight race — in 1996, he won by one percentage point. Even if he loses, he could still maintain influence in a US-backed unity government.

Related: What Brazil and Serbia’s Elections Mean for Israel-US Relations (The Guardian)

The News in 6

🗞️ The Archdiocese of New York reached an $800 million settlement with 1,300 survivors who say they were sexually abused by clergy. It’s the second-largest settlement involving a Catholic archdiocese in the US.

🗞️ The Trump administration brought its third case against ex-FBI Director James Comey, according to documents unsealed on Monday. On the same day, a federal judge ruled that the Justice Department wrongfully fired his daughter Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor, in July 2025.

🗞️ Anthropic unveiled its public IPO filing on Monday, revealing a loss of $80.7 billion so far this year — but no share price. The company could make the largest stock debut in history next month, with an offering estimated at more than $2 trillion.

🗞️ While the US birth rate is dropping overall, it’s rising for women between the ages of 30 and 45. One reason: Kids are expensive, so people are waiting until they can afford them.

🗞️ Two Catholic bishops said their meeting with President Donald Trump was “exploited” for “partisan political purpose” after the White House released photos of them praying together.

🗞️ Thanks to El Niño, meteorologists say this winter could be one of the stormiest in US history, with flooding, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and snowstorms, depending on where you’re located.

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In Our Rotation

If your car insurance bill makes you sigh, this free tool checks if you’re overpaying — and could save you $600+ a year. You’re welcome.*

Want a calmer scalp, shinier hair, and visible growth? Try this award-winning rosemary scalp oil formulated by a medical doctor for her own perimenopausal shedding. Get 15% off with SKIMM15.*

Keep scrolling... more recs below

The Name Game

A Tale of Two Dan Sullivans

What’s going on: The 2020 election and the 62 election-related lawsuits that followed should've prepared us for this moment, but a lawsuit filed before the election? That’s unprecedented territory. The Justice Department is preemptively suing Alaska election officials to block certification if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan doesn’t win. The reason for the suit? There’s another Dan Sullivan on the ballot. The lawsuit claims Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired schoolteacher, is purposely running to take votes from the incumbent, a claim he denies. Senate Democrats and attorneys for Democratic candidate Mary Peltola urged a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, calling it part of a “nationwide attack on free elections.” What’s that about preparation being the key to success?

Can they really do that?: Yes, and President Donald Trump wants credit for this one. “I’m the one who said to do it,” the president said Friday, putting his influence over the DOJ under a microscope. Attorney General Todd Blanche (who represented the president in his 2020 election interference case) insisted his department acted independently of the White House. If successful, the suit would allow the government to investigate whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan were actually intended for Sen. Dan Sullivan. But the DOJ didn’t clarify how it would prove voter confusion. Alaska uses a ranked choice system, and state election officials already moved to differentiate the two men on the ballot — listing Dan S. Sullivan as the “incumbent” and a “registered Republican,” while Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. carries no party affiliation. Somewhere in Florida, a 2000 punch-card ballot is feeling nostalgic.

Souvenir Hunting

And All I Got Was This T-Shirt

What's going on: Typical travel souvenirs used to be limited to kitschy magnets and tees saying, “Someone who loves me went to the Grand Canyon, and all I got was this T-shirt.” Now, they might look more like Korean skincare, silk pajamas from luxury hotels, and customized Brazilian flip-flops. (Or if you’re a tourist traveling to the US, a Trader Joe’s tote bag.) A new Skyscanner survey found that 43% of travelers have taken a trip in the last year for something they can’t “add to cart” — a trend Skyscanner dubs “merch tourism” or “pilgra-merch.” The idea is to get something unique that your friends and followers can’t buy on Amazon. “People want to go away from that and focus on hyper-local, hyper-exclusive items they can only get at a certain destination,” a Skyscanner director told USA TODAY.

Merch or it didn’t happen: That custom tee or one-of-a-kind bracelet signals that you’re well-traveled. After all, with TikTok and Instagram, you’re not just showing off to the people you know IRL; you’re displaying your taste to followers, potential followers, and the algorithm. Brands are getting in on the trend, with some partnering with luxury hotels to offer location-specific merch targeted to travelers (think: cashmere cardigans, fancy candles, and even a $2,316 backgammon board). Chanel reimagined the iconic “I Heart NY” shirt on its runway — and in doing so made the much-cheaper, less-sequined versions cool again, too. The best part about this trend: Small purchases like a baseball cap or tote bag count. After all, if you go on vacation and nobody knows about it, did it really happen?

Related: Women Are Traveling To Freeze Their Eggs at a More Affordable Price (Condé Nast Traveler)

Skimm Tested

Our editors have been hard at work testing the products you’ve seen all over your social feeds. Check out the latest:

Eight Sleep’s Pod 6. Meet the cooling mattress cover that helped a Skimm editor get her first good night's sleep in years.*

Timeline Mitopure Resurfacing Exfoliator. Can this gentle and lightweight product improve skin texture in just three weeks? The results are in.*

Tawkify Matchmaking Service. One editor traded swiping for a professional matchmaker and gave us all the details.

Quick Hits

🥣 Leftovers are great, but one food safety expert wants you to follow some rules. Turns out, it’s OK to keep reheating the same soup for dinner — just don’t leave it sitting on the counter.

👀 Quiet quitting happens in relationships, too. Feeling like you're roommates with your partner is just one of the signs of a “quiet divorce.”

🫐 As if we needed another reason to eat blueberries: There’s evidence they can help you run faster. No promises they’ll make it more enjoyable, though.

💍 Adam Brody has some regrets over his “very pedestrian” proposal to Leighton Meester. Noah Roklov would never.

🎨 A “color walk” is the perfect way to add whimsy to your next neighborhood stroll. Time to paint the town red (or at least spot all the red things).

📦 Since we’re entering the holiday season, here’s how to properly store your decorations after you’re done using them. Your future self will thank you.

Skimm This

Give us your best skimm:

A sloth costume from Chicago's Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade

Here's your chance to make us laugh (in 20 words or fewer) and get a shoutout in the Daily Skimm. Send us your best skimm of this photo. We'll pick our top three, you'll vote for your favorite on Thursday, and we'll announce the winner in Friday's email.

This week: Halloween is almost here, and this costume from Chicago's Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade has us in a hold.

Submit Your Skimm

On Our Calendar

Tuesday, October 27

🍿 The One About Matthew Perry comes out

The Friends star gets the documentary treatment three years after his death. This Netflix three-part series follows his life, rise to fame, and battle with addiction, in his own words and those of the people closest to him.

✨ Jennifer Lawrence’s new beauty brand drops

Most details are still under wraps, but what we do know: It’s “biodesigned haircare” called Mes°. Bring on the lab-grade bouncy hair.

📚 A Court of Splintered Harmony in bookstores

ACOTAR fans, it’s finally here: The sixth book in Sarah J. Maas’s romantasy series drops today. This one centers on Koschei the Deathless’s potential return. No spoilers, but here’s the first official quote.

Psst... See what else is happening this week so you never miss a moment.

What’s In Our Carts: Skincare Edition

At Skimm Shopping, we're seeing an inordinate amount of skincare products cross our desks right now. In an oversaturated market, we’ve pinpointed a few high-performing products we genuinely stand by:

The best-smelling body wash, hands down
A peptide-packed moisturizer with the most decadent texture
A lightweight body serum that doesn’t stick to your clothes
The vitamin C version of our holy grail eye patches (they’re the best for brightening)

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In Our Rotation

If you're sick of swiping culture, try a matchmaking service. (Our editor had great things to say about it, in case you need more convincing.)

Some little, giftable bag charms to bring outsized amounts of joy.

Psst… love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

KNOW IT ALL

Dictionary.com has unveiled its word of the year. It is:

A. Maxxing

B. Odyssey

C. Allyship

Ease into your day with Typeshift, the word-building game. Start playing.

Blair deserved better