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5 things you need to know this weekend


Taiwan and China meet for the first time in 66 years

For the first time since Taiwan broke away from China in 1949,both presidents met on Saturday in Singapore. Taiwan has operated independently for decades, but Beijing claims Taiwan is a rebel province that will eventually be returned to the mainland, even if force is required. The meeting between China's Xi Jinping and Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou is billed as the start of a new era of cooperation and trust, but this weekend raises questions about whether Beijing is attempting to influence the upcoming elections on the self-ruled island.

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China and Taiwan to hold historic talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks with his Taiwanese counterpart Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore on Nov. 7, 2015, first time since 1949.
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Donald Trump's 'SNL' gig met with protests

The online civil rights organization ColorOfChange.org petitioned NBC to scrap Donald Trump's appearance on Saturday Night Live, angry about the Republican presidential candidate's references to Mexicans as rapists and criminals. This week, activists gathered in front of NBC headquarters in New York to push for a new guest host. Another group says it will pay $5,000 to anyone who will shout out during the live broadcast that Trump is a racist. This will mark Trump's second time hosting the show. Sounds like Hillary Clinton will be watching:

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Will Hillary Clinton watch Donald Trump on 'SNL'?
As Donald Trump's upcoming appearance on 'Saturday Night Live' sparked protests, Hillary Clinton appeared on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' to promote her campaign. The Democratic front runner couldn't help but comment on the Donald's latest gig.
VPC

'Home Alone': Still a scream 25 years later

It's been 25 years since Home Alone scored big at the box office. Still, America loves watching young Macaulay Culkin single-handedly fight off dimwitted burglars while his family is clueless on Christmas vacation. To celebrate the 1990 holiday hit film, Home Alone will return to select theaters for two nights: Nov. 8 and 11 and will be screened in HD at concert halls across the country where symphony orchestras will perform John Williams' Academy Award-nominated score in sync with the film.

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'Home Alone': The famous scream
Macaulay Culkin feels the shaving lotion burn in an image that would come to represent 'Home Alone,' now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

One year to go! Election Day is Nov. 8, 2016

We've got a year left of debates, attack ads and polls until Election Day 2016. Will Hillary Clinton be ensnared by the FBI investigation into her emails? Will Donald Trump be the first person in a half-century to win the White House without ever holding office? The buzz goes on and on. Check out our candidate match game to see who aligns with your views or — if you're already over 2016 — relive some earlier elections instead. Keep in touch with how candidates are doing on Facebook, and stay in the know about all things politics with our newsletter. Let the countdown begin!

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One year to go: Five questions that will shape the race
As we enter the final year of the 2016 presidential race, what are the key questions that will shape the elections and what should we be looking for

Priceless JFK license plates go up for auction

It is hard to believe the license plates from President John F. Kennedy's fatal limousine ride sat for years in the kitchen junk drawer — but they did. Now they are up for auction. The starting bid is $40,000 , but collectors will decide how much they eventually sell for — probably six figures — when the auction begins Saturday morning.

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Priceless JFK license plates found in kitchen drawer
These bright yellow plates were on the car in which President Kennedy was assassinated. Now you can buy them, if the price is right.
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The weekend essentials:

Giving those eyes of yours a weekend break? Listen to the top stories:

Ready for some football? Here's the college football TV schedule and Paste BN Sports' picks for Week 9 of the NFL.

Need a break? Try playing some of our games.

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