5 things you need to know this weekend
Tensions rise as Spain, Catalonia head for showdown over independence
Cabinet meetings are underway Saturday as Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his government are widely expected to unveil specific measures to halt Catalonia’s independence bid. The move to take over semi-autonomous regions, which has never been used since democracy was restored after Gen. Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, will likely further inflame tensions between Spain and Catalan pro-independence activists after the region's Oct. 1 independence referendum. On Friday, bank customers in Catalonia were withdrawing money from financial institutions in symbolic amounts closest to 155 euros, a reference to the constitutional article that allows the government to revoke some of Catalonia’s autonomous powers.
As North Korea crisis looms, Japan heads to the polls
While he looked to be on the outs months ago, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is poised to win a landslide victory Sunday as Japan heads to the polls for the country's parliamentary elections. Abe faced sinking popularity due to a corruption scandal in his Cabinet and seemed vulnerable to the rise of a charismatic political opponent, the current governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. But all that was before the recent North Korea crisis, which has led to more Japanese supporting Abe's calls for a more robust military.
Look up: Orionid meteor shower set to put on a show
Keep your eyes to the sky this weekend: You'll be able to see one of the year's best space shows — the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. The dazzling display, which features fragments of Halley's Comet, should be visible Saturday night, and the best viewing will be between midnight and dawn. Though the meteors will emanate from the eastern horizon, they will streak across the entire sky, visible from anywhere on Earth, NASA said. From a dark site, you might see a maximum of about 10 to 15 meteors per hour. Two extra bonuses: Because it's just days after the new moon, there will be little natural light pollution for the shower to compete with. And the weather, especially across the eastern and southwestern U.S., will be clear and mild.
NFL Week 7: Familiar faces meet after in Super Bowl rematch
28-3 will forever be a part of NFL lore, thanks to last year's remarkable comeback in Super Bowl LI by the New England Patriots against the Atlanta Falcons. Eight months after that memorable championship, the two teams meet for a rematch in New England. Elsewhere, the Packers try to move on without Aaron Rodgers and the Cardinals and Rams meet in London. Who will win these pivotal matchups? Our experts make their picks. For more NFL news, subscribe to Paste BN Sports' 4th & Monday newsletter.
Beware: A busy weekend for fall foliage gazing on the highway
We all love looking at the leaves as trees change color and the weather grows cold, but if you're doing your gazing at fall foliage on the road, you should keep your eyes peeled to the highway, instead. That's the message Blue Ridge Parkway staff have for visitors as the link between from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park gears up for what is usually its busiest weekend. There have already been several accidents on the scenic, winding, fall color-draped parkway this month. So enjoy the autumn sites, but do so safely.
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