Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stanley Cup Finals, TikTok and WeChat ban: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors, USA TODAY
·4 min read

Remembering Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Washington and the nation are reacting this weekend to the death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a legal pioneer for gender equality who became the second woman ever to serve on the nation’s highest court. On the political side, a possible battle in the Republican-led Senate looms to name a successor in the short span before the highly contentious November 3 presidential election pitting Republican incumbent Donald Trump against Democrat Joe Biden. A protest is already planned Saturday at the Kentucky home of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who asserted shortly after Ginsburg's passing that he intended to bring a Trump nominee to the Senate floor for a vote. Ginsburg was 87.

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US to ban TikTok, WeChat banned from App Store for national security

The U.S. will ban the downloads of Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat on Sunday, with a total ban on the use of the latter, citing national security and data privacy concerns. While TikTok will remain functional for now if it's been downloaded, a total ban on the use of TikTok will follow on Nov. 12. However, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Friday that access to that app past that day may be possible if certain safeguards are put into place. The government order raises questions about California tech giant Oracle's recent deal to take over U.S. operations of TikTok, a requirement by the Trump administration for the app to continue operating in the U.S.

Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning look to lift Lord Stanley's Cup

Two NHL teams from the Sun Belt will face off in Edmonton, Alberta, as the Stanley Cup Final gets underway Saturday night (7:30 ET, NBC). The Tampa Bay Lightning, shocked in last season's playoffs, have rolled through his postseason. The Dallas Stars are a bit of a surprise, led by interim coach Rick Bowness and backup goalie Anton Khudobin. The deep Lightning are favored, but the Stars have knocked off other skilled teams along the way. "It will be great hockey this series," said Bowness, who was an assistant to Lightning coach Jon Cooper for five seasons. "You got two very good hockey teams going at it."

Primetime Emmy Awards take place virtually

The Television Academy will be honoring the best in television on Sunday at the Emmy Awards (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC), and TV’s biggest night will look very different thanks to COVID-19. There'll be no gushy pre-show with red carpet fashions, and host Jimmy Kimmel will be largely alone in Los Angeles' Staples Center, surrounded by a small crew but no nominees or audience. Instead, 125 award hopefuls will appear live from their homes in 20 cities – including London, Toronto and Tel Aviv – using laptops, cameras, ring lights and microphones. "Special appearances" by Oprah Winfrey, Gabrielle Union, Lin Manuel Miranda and Count von Count, among others, are on tap.

Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the Jewish New Year

For some, Rosh Hashanah is called the “birthday of the world." It marks the start of the Jewish New Year, and is filled with shared meals and prayer among loved ones. The celebration also begins the Jewish High Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur — and a time when Jews focus their attention on repentance and reflection of action. This year, Rosh Hashanah ends on Sunday. It’s the start of the Jewish month of Tishrei, or Tishri, which falls in September or October, according to the Gregorian calendar.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stanley Cup Finals: 5 things to know this weekend