Trump's TikTok ban, Hurricane Isaias, NHL's return: 5 things to know this weekend

Trump may sign order this weekend to ban TikTok from operating in the US

Escalating tensions with Beijing, President Donald Trump threatened Friday to ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. over concerns about the social media platform's ties with China. Trump said he could use emergency economic powers or an executive order to ban the Chinese-owned company from the U.S. as soon as Saturday. Trump's threat comes as the administration is investigating whether the app's parent company, ByteDance, is harvesting the data of millions of American users. The president has benefited from social media platforms, but he has also chastised those companies, accusing their executives of squelching conservative voices on their platforms. The announcement also comes weeks after Trump critics used TikTok to inflate expectations for turnout expected at the president's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a major embarrassment for the president's campaign. 

• Change in ownership? Microsoft in talks to acquire TikTok, reports say
• Ban TikTok? Trump campaign pushes Facebook ads asking if he should block the app
• Cybersecurity concerns cited: U.S. Navy banned TikTok from government-issued smartphones

Hurricane Isaias moves toward the Bahamas and Florida

In an advisory released early Saturday morning, the National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Isaias is forecast to move near or over the Central Bahamas Saturday morning, near or over the Northwestern Bahamas Saturday and near the east coast of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon through Sunday. The east coast of Florida is in the forecast path of the storm and some models show the eye coming ashore or brushing the coast, according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network. Strong winds and heavy rain, along with dangerous beach conditions, are possible along the coast over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, Melbourne. It is worth noting earlier forecasts that Isaias could become a Category 2 hurricane Saturday have been revised. Winds are now forecast to reach 90 mph by the time it approaches Florida, which is Category 1 strength.

• Hurricane Isaias: How did the storm get its name, and how do you pronounce it?
• Photo gallery: 2020 Atlantic hurricane season through satellite images
• Hurricane Hanna: Generator fumes kill 4 family members in hurricane-ravaged Texas

Major chains' mask mandates go into effect

Target and Gap brand stores, including Old Navy and Banana Republic, will start requiring masks Saturday. McDonald's will also require customers to wear masks or face coverings when entering its 14,000 restaurants nationwide starting Saturday. Retailers requiring masks isn't new – especially in areas with local orders – but few businesses have embraced mandates until recently. Shoppers have been required to wear masks to enter Costco and Apple stores across the nation since early May.

• See the full list: These store require masks to enter
• Fact check:What's true and what's false about face masks?
• Target tirade: Arizona woman who destroyed mask display in viral video says she regrets behavior

Retirement of Key player in Trump impeachment trial becomes official

The retirement of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key figure in the impeachment of President Donald Trump, becomes official Saturday. In a statement July 8, a day after he submitted his retirement request, Vindman cited "bullying, intimidation and retaliation" from the White House for his decision to retire, according to a statement from his lawyer David Pressman. Vindman, an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, will retire at the lower rank of lieutenant colonel, according to the Army, after a hold-up on his assignment as colonel that some viewed as retaliation for his impeachment testimony.

• Hold lifted: Sen. Duckworth will no longer block military promotions after Pentagon confirms Vindman's would-have-been promotion
• Trump impeachment trial: Vindman testified for 10 hours
• 'He did exactly what we teach them to do, from cradle to grave': Ex-Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly defends Vindman, the media

Cup contenders take the ice: NHL begins postseason tournament

The quest for the Stanley Cup resumes Saturday as the NHL sets up shop with a 24-team tournament in secure hubs in Toronto (Eastern Conference) and Edmonton (Western Conference). A best-of-five qualification-round matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers will kick off the restarted season at noon ET Saturday and the first day will feature five games. Playoff predictions are difficult enough in normal years. This year is even harder because of all the variables as the league plays amid the coronavirus pandemic. There are eight additional teams, one additional round, no fans in the arenas and 4½ months of rust to shake off, all while trying to keep COVID-19 from disrupting the tournament. Here is our best effort to sort through the unusual circumstances and try to predict winners. 

• NHL restart: The biggest questions as the season resumes in two hub cities amid pandemic
• Power rankings: With 24 teams left in field, here are the Stanley Cup favorites
• Photo gallery: Finalists for all the top NHL awards
• Unleash the Kraken: Seattle, NHL's 32nd team, unveils name and logo