George Floyd protests, Strawberry moon, Trump visits Maine: 5 things to know Friday

Editors, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Vatican official to hold George Floyd prayer service in Rome

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the highest-ranking American at the Vatican, will lead a prayer service in Rome Friday to pray for "peaceful coexistence" following the death of George Floyd and protests that erupted across the U.S. Farrell, an Irish-born naturalized U.S. citizen, is the prefect of the Vatican's family and laity office. Pope Francis this week decried Floyd's death and the "sin of racism" while denouncing violence as "self-destructive and self-defeating." He has appealed for national reconciliation and peace. The prayer service will come a day after hundreds of family members, activists and other mourners attended a memorial service to salute and grieve Floyd — recalled as a gentle soul and commanding presence — and demand justice for a life cut short by "evil."

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Trump heads to Maine despite concerns of unrest

President Donald Trump will visit Maine Friday, the latest stop on his tour of companies producing medical equipment needed to battle the coronavirus pandemic. Trump's trip to Maine, his first since he became president, comes as states have begun to gradually reopen amid the pandemic that shuttered the U.S. economy. But some lawmakers are against the visit. Citing security concerns, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, urged Trump not to travel to her state and warned that a presidential visit could create "unrest" as protests have erupted in cities across the country over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Economy unexpectedly gains 2.5M jobs as economy reopens businesses

The economy unexpectedly gained 2.5 million jobs in May after record losses the prior month as Americans returned to work as states began allowing businesses shuttered by the coronavirus to reopen. The unemployment rate fell to 13.3% from 14.7%.

Universal Orlando to reopen

After closing for more than two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, theme parks are getting ready to open up again. On Friday, Universal Orlando will be one of the biggest theme parks in the country to reopen. But the reopened theme park will look very different for visitors and employees. Upon arrival, valet parking will not be available, and cars will park one or two spaces apart. Visitors will receive a temperature check, and no one with a temperature above 100.4 degrees will be allowed to enter. Employees will also receive temperature checks.

In the sky: Strawberry moon (for all), penumbral lunar eclipse (for some)

Moonwatchers will have a special year in 2020, with 13 full moons to brighten the night sky, including the Strawberry moon Friday evening. The moon gets its name from the wild strawberries that ripen at this time of year in eastern North America, according to Accuweather. The moon will appear slightly darker due to a penumbral lunar eclipse visible in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa. Not as spectacular – or noticeable – as a total lunar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse is a rather subtle phenomenon that occurs when the full moon moves through the outer part of Earth’s shadow (known as the penumbra). Catch the Strawberry moon rising at around sunset looking east.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Floyd protests, Strawberry moon: 5 things to know Friday