News: Cover your kids' ears, grab the popcorn: It's debate time

Arizona Cardinals fans wear masks of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton during the NFL game between the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 17 in Glendale, Ariz. (Photo: Norm Hall, Getty Images)

In Vegas, odds are no one will be saying nice things about each other

Third presidential debates tend to be a snoozefest. Candidates don't want to risk an election-changing gaffe. But 2016 is so different. Different like "can we let our kids watch?" Heading into Wednesday night's final clash between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, Trump roared in with claims everyone everywhere is trying to "rig" the election, using "false" stories from women who accused him of sexual aggression. Clinton stayed behind the scene at home in New York as her staff dealt with a steady stream of embarrassing disclosures from leaked emails. Here's what Clinton needs to do to win the debate. And here's what Trump should do to make #TrumpWon trend. Here's your complete guide to the final debate.

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The last presidential debate on Wednesday could be an opportunity for Donald Trump to boost his flagging poll numbers. USA TODAY

No good __news out of Afghanistan or Iraq

August was the last time an American was killed in Afghanistan. That changed Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at a coalition base in Kabul, killing two Americans. One service member and one civilian died in the attack; the gunman also was killed. Elsewhere in the Middle East, an Iraqi general said as many as 6,000 Islamic State fighters are inside Mosul, as the massive operation to retake control of the embattled city entered its third day. The military operation to retake Iraq's second-largest city is expected to take weeks or months.

Sorry your bags are late. Here's some money.

The Transportation Department is throwing airline travelers a bone — if your baggage is late, you get a refund. Take a second to celebrate, now consider this: DOT still has to define "late." Lawmakers said refunds must be given if luggage arrives more than 12 hours after a domestic flight or 15 hours after an international flight, as part of a Federal Aviation Administration law adopted in July. The Transportation secretary could push those deadlines back if they seem infeasible. And the stakes are high. Airlines collected $3.8 billion in bag fees last year and reported mishandling 2.58 bags for every 1,000 passengers. Does that mean wearing the same undies for three days on vacation more acceptable if you get paid for it?

The Mars curse strikes again

Ground control to Schiaparelli lander ... The European spacecraft went silent a minute or so before its expected landing Wednesday on Mars. NASA's efforts to find signals from the lander have come up empty so far, but engineers hope the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter might be able to spot something. Roughly half of all Mars missions have failed over the past three decades. Only seven spacecrafts have successfully landed on Mars with their systems intact — all of them launched and operated by NASA (USA!). If we don't hear back from Schiaparelli, don't despair. The lander was primarily a test run for a 2020 launch of a European-Russian Mars rover, so Schiaparelli wasn't equipped with wheels or solar panels.

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Europe’s Schiaparelli lander, scheduled to settle into Mars Wednesday, went silent a minute or so before its expected landing time. USA TODAY

Shopping on Thanksgiving: Our hearts say 'no.' Our wallets say 'obviously'

After years of Black Friday’s start time creeping more into Thanksgiving, something of a revolt is unfolding. It’s a tug of war over Turkey Day between family time and the truly red-blooded American pastime of getting a killer deal. Now retailers are picking sides. Industry onlookers say the fate of Thanksgiving shopping comes down to the consumer: If there's a demand, a supply will occur. Shopping on Thanksgiving Day is going to become status quo, says retail professor Tom Arnold. “The next potential uprising might actually be Christmas Day.”

Extra bites:

Don't tell Samuel L. Jackson, but there are snakes on a Florida fast lane. A 6-foot snake slithered out from under a man's car hood as he was cruising down the highway.

What do Kylie Jenner and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai have in common? No, it isn't Tyga. They both made Time's annual list of the most influential teens. Joining them:
• Dancer Maddie Ziegler, 14
• CoverGirl's first cover boy James Charles, 17
• U.S. Olympians Laurie Hernandez, 16, Simone Biles, 19, and Katie Ledecky, 18
• The Obama daughters: Sasha, 15, and Malia, 18

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Sasha and Malia Obama grow up before our eyes

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Then-presidential hopeful Barack Obama waves to supporters at a rally in Des Moines with his wife Michelle and daughters Malia, left, and Sasha on Jan. 3, 2008. M. Spencer Green, AP

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Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, wave to the audience at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Aug. 25, 2008. Jae C. Hong, AP

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Then-senator Barack Obama and his daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, arrive at a rally at JFK Stadium in Springfield, Mo., on Nov. 01, 2008. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images

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Then president-elect Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, wave at an election night rally in Chicago on Nov 4, 2008. Jae C. Hong, AP

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President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama make their way through the Honolulu Zoo with daughters Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, on Jan. 3, 2009. Getty Images

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The President with First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, hosts a luau on the South Lawn of the White House for members of Congress and their families on June 25, 2009. Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP

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President Obama poses for a portrait with his family in the Green Room of the White House on Sept. 1, 2009. Annie Leibovitz via Bloomberg

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Malia and Sasha attend the first White House Dance Series in the East Room of the White House on Sept. 7, 2010, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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President Obama, along with Malia and Sasha, sing "Happy Birthday" to first lady Michelle Obama as they arrive to take part in a community service project at Stuart Hobson Middle School in Washington on Jan. 17, 2011. Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

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First lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by her daughters, Malia and Sasha in 2011, meets former South African president Nelson Mandela in Houghton, South Africa. Nelson Mandel Foundation

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President Obama shops at Kramerbooks with daughters Sasha and Malia in Washington in November 2011. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Sasha and Malia join their parents on stage in Chicago during election night on Nov. 6, 2012. Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

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President Barack Obama walks with daughters Sasha, right, and Malia, left, to the Oval Office, on Nov. 21, 2012, after a ceremony giving a "presidential pardon," to a turkey in the Rose Garden. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

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Sasha and Malia Obama react as they flip the switch to light the National Christmas Tree on Dec. 6, 2012, in Washington. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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President Obama, Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha greet Christmas elves as they attend the Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum on Dec. 9, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Pool

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President Obama takes the oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, as Michelle Obama holds the Bible as daughters Malia and Sasha look on. Getty Images

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President Obama waves as he walks with his daughters Malia, left, and Sasha at St. John's Church on Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C. Jacquelyn Martin, AP

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Sasha and Malia Obama, daughters have some selfie fun during the Inaugural Parade for their father President Obama on Jan. 21, 2013. Joe Klamar, AFP/Getty Images

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No matter how tall they get the Obama girls the First Family appear to remain close-knit. President Barack Obama, arrives at Aldergrove International Airport with, from left, daughter Malia, first lady Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha on June 17, 2013, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Evan Vucci, AP

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Sasha, left, and Malia Obama, go casual during a visit to the Wicklow Mountains National Park in Ireland, on June 18, 2013. Artur Widak, AFP/Getty Images

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Sasha, left, and Malia Obama, walk to their car after they disembarked from Air Force One at the Tegel airport in Berlin Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Obama arrived for a two-day official visit to Germany. Fashion trend setters since they arrived in Washington...one new item in the girls wardrobe can set off a retail bonanza. Markus Schreiber, AP

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First Lady Michelle Obama, embraces her daughter Sasha,

Michelle Obama, embraces her daughter Sasha, as daughter Malia, looks on upon arrival to visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany, June 19, 2013. Jens Meyer, AP

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

President Barack Obama, the First Lady Michelle and their daughters Malia, left, and Sasha walk across Lafayette Park to Saint John's Episcopal Chuch for Sunday services on Oct. 27, 2013 in Washington, DC. MANDEL NGAN, AFP/Getty Images

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The First Family take in the scene in College Park, MD, prior to the Maryland Terrapins against Oregon State Beavers at Comcast Center. Mitch Stringer, Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

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Honestly, a certain solemnity should be held during the pardoning of a turkey's life! The girls strike the appropriate demeanor in 2013 during the pardoning ceremony. National Turkey Federation Chairman John Burkel, left, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, keeps the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey still as President Obama pardons "Popcorn" with his daughters Sasha Obama, 12, and Malia Obama, 15 on Nov. 27, 2013. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama,

President Obama, his wife Michelle, daughters Sasha and Malia, applaud after lighting the National Christmas Tree, Dec. 2013 at a ceremony across from the White House. Charles Dharapak, AP

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Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, right, get into the holiday spirit along with daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, during TNT's 'Christmas in Washington' program which benefits the Children's National Health System, in Washington, on Dec. 15, 2013. Martin H. Simon / POOL, EPA

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Little kids can steal the show even from he First Family!

Little elves can steal the show even from he First Family! President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha (R) and Malia (L), pose for photographs alongside children dressed as elves, who are or were patients at Children's National Medical Center on Dec. 15, 2013. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, center, her daughters

First Lady Michelle Obama, center, her daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, second from left, are accompanied by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, third from right, watch students demonstrating remote control mechanical robots at the Beijing Normal School, a school that prepares students to attend universities abroad in Beijing, China on March 21, 2014. Andy Wong, AP

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First Lady Michelle Obama with her daughters Malia

Michelle Obama with her daughters Malia and Sasha visit Museum of Terracotta Warriors, on March 24, during a visit to the historic excavation site in Xi'an, China. Feng Li, Getty Images

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Sasha, left, and Malia Obama, walk across the tarmac with First lady Michelle Obama, before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Aug. 30, 2014. The first family traveled to Westchester County, NY., to attend the wedding ceremony of White House chef Sam Kass and MSNBC host Alex Wagner. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Sasha, left, and Malia made the __news recently when Elizabeth Lauten communications director for U.S. Rep. Steve Fincher, R-Tenn., made controversial comments about their demeanor and appearance as they listen to their father pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House on Nov. 2014. Michael Reynolds, EPA

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President Barack Obama, joined by his daughters Malia,

President Obama, joined by his daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, center, speaks at the White House, during the presidential turkey pardon ceremony, an annual Thanksgiving tradition. Elizabeth Lauten, wrote that the girls should have shown more class. Lauten later resigned and apologized for the comments on her Facebook page that had drawn harsh criticism. It is a long-held tradition that the children of the Presidents are off-limits to intense scrutiny. Jacquelyn Martin, AP

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First lady Michelle Obama, left, watches as her daughter Malia adjusts the collar for her sister Sasha, right, as they walk out to welcome the Official White House Christmas Tree ceremony at the White House on Nov. 28, 2014. This year's White House Christmas Tree, is a White Fir grown by Chris Botek, Christmas Tree Farmer from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Penn., his father Francis Botek is third from left. Dogs Bo Obama, left, and Sunny Obama also participated. Susan Walsh, AP

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President Barack Obama and daughters Sasha, center, and Malia purchase books at Politics and Prose bookstore for "Small Business Saturday" on Nov. 29, 2014 in Washington, DC. Retailers have begun to promote "Small Business Saturday" to encourage shopping at independent stores amid the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Dennis Brack Pool, Getty Images

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President Obama, left, first lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama attend TNT 'Christmas in Washington 2014' at the National Building Museum on Dec. 14, 2014. Kevin Mazur, WireImage

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President Obama, right, and his daughters from center to right, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama, join host Dwayne Johnson, from left, and performer Christina Perri, on the stage singing the Christmas carol during the taping of the annual 2014 Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington on Dec. 14, 2014. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

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Malia Obama participates in a literacy service project at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, D.C., in celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, on Jan. 19, 2015. Pool photo by Martin H. Simon

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Malia Obama and her father arrive on Air Force One

Malia Obama and the president arrive on Air Force One at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., on March 7, 2015. Butch Dill, AP

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Malia Obama, left, and Sasha Obama arrive for an event marking the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on March 7, 2015. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Malia, left, and Sasha Obama arrive for activities

Malia, left, and Sasha Obama arrive for events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. on March 7. Erik S. Lesser, EPA

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Sasha Obama, left, walks with her father from Marine One back to the White House on March 7, 2015. Michelle Obama, her mother Marian Robinson and Malia Obama follow. The Obamas were returning from Selma, Ala. Pool photo by Dennis Brack

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Malia Obama, left, waves to her cousin Princeton forward Leslie Robinson as she walks to her seat with her father. Princeton played Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round of the NCAA tournament on March 21, 2015, in College Park, Md. Patrick Semansky, AP

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Malia Obama, left, sits with her cousin Avery Robinson and father Barack Obama at the Green Bay vs. Princeton women's college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, March 21, 2015, in College Park, Md. President Obama's niece Leslie Robinson plays for Princeton. Pool photo by MIchael Reynolds

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Malia Obama smiles as she serves food during a lunch at the United States and Nato military base in Aviano, Italy June 19, 2015. Andreas Solaro, AFP/Getty Images

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Sasha Obama, center and a friend check out former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, left, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on March 2015. The US President Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama, hosted thousands of people during the annual celebration for Easter. Olivier Douliery, Pool via EPA

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Sasha, left, and Malia Obama read fairy tales to children at the United States and Nato military base in Vicenza on June 19, 2015. Andreas Solaro, AFP/Getty Images

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Malia, right, and Sasha, exit #10 after joining their mum to visit British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha at Downing Street, in London, June 16, 2015. Matt Dunham, AP

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Malia Obama serves ice cream to children during a visit to soldiers and their families at the U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, northern Italy, June 19, 2015. Antonio Calanni, AP

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The Obama ladies arrive at Venice's airport, June 19, 2015. Michelle Obama, who is visiting Italy with her daughters on the second leg of a European trip, will be meeting with soldiers and their families at the U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza, thanking them for their service. Luigi Costantini, AP

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U.S. First lady Michelle Obama, her daughters Malia, right, and Sasha listen to U.S. artist Joan Jonas during a visit to the American pavilion at the Venice Biennale contemporary art show, in Venice, Italy, June 20, 2015. Andrea Merola, AP

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President Obama, with Malia on Jan. 4, 2015, as they return from a family vacation in Hawaii. Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

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Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama arrive at London Stansted Airport. Facundo Arrizabalaga, EPA

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Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha, center and Malia are welcomed on their arrival at Venice's Marco Polo airport on June 19, 2015. Andrea Merola, EPA

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U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha, center, and Malia arrive at the airport in Venice, Italy, June 21, 2015. Andrea Merola, EPA

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Malia Obama, left, and Sasha Obama arrive for an event marking the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. on March 7, 2015. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

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Sasha, right, and Malia walk through Corso Como in the centre of Milan, Italy, June 17, 2015. Matteo Bazzi, EPA

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Malia Obama, left, and Sasha Obama arrive for activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., March 7, 2015. Erik S. Lesser, EPA

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First Lady Michelle Obama, left, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia arrive to welcome Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington DC, on Sept. 22, 2015. Olivier Douliery, Pool via EPA

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President Barack Obama's daughters Malia Obama, left, and Sasha Obama, center, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.. Andrew Harnik, AP

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President Obama waves to the assembled press as he walks at the White House with his daughter, Malia, after his family's return from their two-week Hawaiian vacation on Jan. 3, 2016. Ron Sachs, POOL via EPA

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Nearly as tall as her dad Malia Obama arrives with the President, Aug. 23, 2015 following the first family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard. Pool via Getty Images

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First Lady, Michelle Obama, left, her mother, Marian Robinson and daughter Sasha smile upon arrival to Bariloche, Argentina, on March 24, 2016. Obama and his family arrived to Bariloche, a very important touristic destination of the country where they will stay for a few hours before returning to the United States. Analia Garelli, EPA

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President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia Obama walk during a visit to the Honolulu Zoo January 2, 2016, in Honolulu. Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

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Malia Obama attends a State Dinner at the White House on March 10, 2016. Hosted by President and First Lady Obama, the dinner is in honor of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and First Lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau of Canada. Pool, Getty Images

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Sasha Obama attends a State Dinner at the White House on March 10, 2016. Pool, Getty Images

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Malia Obama, left, and her sister Sasha Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama react to the first run scored during an exhibition game between the Cuban national baseball team and Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Devil Rays at the Estado Latinoamericano, March 22, 2016, in Havana, Cuba. This is the first time a sittng president has visited Cuba in 88 years. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Malia Obama, right gives the side eye as Cuban President Raul Castro, left, accompanies President Barack Obama his daughters to board their plane to fly to Argentina, in Havana on March 22, 2016. Adalberto Roque, AFP/Getty Images

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First Lady Michelle Obama, and her daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama take in the exhibition game between the Cuban national baseball team and Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Havana, Cuba. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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President Barack Obama, and family, daughters Sasha and Malia Obama, and first lady Michelle Obama, depart Roswell, N.M., Friday, June 17, 2016, after touring Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The President is touring several of the nation's national parks to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. AP Photo/Juan Labreche, AP Photo/Juan Labreche

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U.S. President Barack Obama with First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, walk through Ahwahnee Meadow after arriving on Marine One June 17, 2016 in Yosemite Vally, Calif. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images

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As President Barack Obama looks on, Sasha Obama, left, jokes with sister Malia Obama after the first family landed in the Marine One helicopter in a field near the Half Dome rock formation at Yosemite National Park in Calif., Friday, June 17, 2016. Jacquelyn Martin, AP

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