Election Eve, German Unrest, and a Halloween Hand Model

Good morning. It's Monday, Nov. 2. Voters head to the polls tomorrow in the most expensive election in US history. First time reading? Join millions of insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.

Also in today's Digest: violent protests in Germany (Need To Know), NASA crew members emerge from simulated Mars isolation (Sci. & Tech.), Rep. Haley Stevens (D, MI-11) endorses Mike Rogers (R) for governor (Pol. & World Affairs), Heidi Klum, the giant gory hand model (Etc.), and much more. 

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 Need To Know 

Election Eve

Voters in the US head to the polls tomorrow, with record numbers of early ballots cast and record spending projected to reach $11.6B, outpacing every other midterm in US history and even narrowly eclipsing the 2024 election cycle.

Republicans lead overall ad spending at $5.2B compared with Democrats’ $4.8B, with individual megadonors driving the totals. Elon Musk gave around $450M to conservative groups and causes, more than double the $186.2M combined donations from two of the top Democratic contributors, George Soros and Michael Bloomberg. Texas’ Senate race accounts for over $573M of the funds, putting it on track to become the most expensive nonpresidential contest ever. Research shows a $2M TV ad advantage can net a Senate candidate roughly 10,000 votes, which could be crucial in a tight race (what was the closest election in Senate history?).

Once vote counting concludes, federal candidates cannot pocket unspent funds for personal use. Legal options include settling campaign debts, funding party committees, or saving for future runs. 

German Protests Turn Violent

Over 100,000 people joined protests across 34 German cities over the weekend. The Gen Z-led marches began as peaceful demonstrations, but some took violent turns, leaving more than 100 police officers injured. More than 50 people were arrested. 

Youth group Gen Z Regelt, translated as “Gen Z Takes Charge,” organized Saturday’s gatherings to demand increased funding for education, housing, and climate protection. Protesters also spoke out against mandatory military service, a measure German officials may reinstate if voluntary recruitment fails to expand the armed forces to 260,000 active personnel by 2035. In several major cities, demonstrations descended into scenes reminiscent of the riots in France and Albania (see photos). Some participants in Hamburg lit fireworks and set barricades on fire. Rioters also damaged 17 stores in Frankfurt and attacked police with Molotov cocktails (watch clips of the looting and vandalism here). 

In neighboring France, protests against high living costs and poor school conditions continued for a third straight weekend. 

NYC Marathon Turns 50

Roughly 60,000 competitors from more than 140 countries turned out for the New York City Marathon yesterday—marking the five-borough race’s 50th anniversary, its largest field yet, and the first route change in 15 years. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won his first-ever marathon in the men’s race (2:06:01); Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s race (2:24:36). See photos here.

The 26.2-mile race (why the .2?) changed course for the first time since 2011 this year, with runners seeing two fewer turns in the Bronx to accommodate local access to a supermarket and laundromat. Among the most notoriously difficult moments for runners are the Queensboro Bridge at mile 15 and the so-called Fifth Avenue grind at mile 24. Celebrity runners included actress Jennifer Connelly.

The first NYC marathon in 1970 involved several rounds around Manhattan's Central Park, with the race expanding to involve all five boroughs in 1976. See how the various World Marathon Majors stack up here.

 In The Know 

Science & Technology

> Four NASA crew members, who lived inside a 3D-printed habitat at the Johnson Space Center to simulate a mission to Mars, emerge from isolation after 378 days (More) | Can we actually send humans to Mars? (More via YouTube)

> MIT engineers have developed nanoparticles that can carry a customized dose of cancer antigens in mice, paving the way for the creation of personalized vaccines to treat individual patients’ tumors (More) 

> Adding crushed shells to beach sand can reduce water acidity and help protect shell-making animals like clams and oysters from the effects of ocean acidification, new research finds (More) | What is ocean acidification? (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -1.8%, Dow -1.1%, Nasdaq -2.9%) amid tech sell-off, after earnings misses reported by Amazon and Alphabet (More) | Apple reports fourth-quarter earnings today (More)

> Bitcoin prices fall around 2% following $6.3B hack on Binance—the largest of its kind to date; FBI blames North Korea as Binance resumes customer withdrawals, covers over 90% of losses (More) | Cryptocurrency 101 (More)

> OPEC+ members agree to hold oil production levels steady in December, discuss quotas in 2027 (More) 

Politics & World Affairs

> Rep. Haley Stevens (D, MI-11) endorses Mike Rogers (R) for governor after bitter primary race against Abdul El-Sayed (More) | Federal judge tosses Justice Department's suit to block certification of Alaska's Senate election (More) 

> Russia is reportedly nearly finished with a radar complex in Kaliningrad that could be capable of spying on most of Europe (More) | See updates on the war between Russia and Ukraine (More)

> Private jet crashes into trailer in a neighborhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board and erupting into a fireball (More)

The Ballot Box

Tomorrow's elections could reshape the balance of power in Congress. But how much do you really know about the institution voters are helping choose? Explore the questions below and learn more about midterm elections here.

> Why no term limits? Presidents are limited to two terms, but members of Congress can keep running for reelection. Why?

> How divided is Congress? Lawmakers have grown further apart ideologically over the past 50 years. See how the divide has changed.

> Why is it so hard to pass a law? Congress has enormous power, but getting things done isn't easy. Dive into the history and inner workings of the legislative branch. 

Before you vote: Check registration | Find your polling place | View your ballot

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Historybook: Marie Antoinette born (1755); Nobel Prize-winning playwright George Bernard Shaw dies (1950); First president of South Vietnam Ngô Đình Diệm assassinated (1963); Indian actor and "King of Bollywood" Shah Rukh Khan born (1965); President Ronald Reagan signs legislation establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday (1983).