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Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV prays for peace as US-Russia summit over Ukraine war gets under way
Pope Leo XIV prayed for a peaceful end to the 'increasingly deafening violence' of wars around the world as he celebrated a Catholic feast day on the same day as a high-stakes US-Russia summit over the war in Ukraine. History's first American pope did not mention the meeting on Friday in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But he has constantly called for dialogue and an end to the conflict, including in conversations with Mr Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. On Friday Leo recalled that the August 15 feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary was declared a dogma by Pope Pius XII at the height of the Second World War. 'He (Pius) hoped that human lives would never again be destroyed by wars,' Leo said. 'How relevant are these words today? Unfortunately, even today, we feel powerless in the face of the spread of increasingly deafening violence, insensitive to any movement of humanity.' The pope prayed for hope for a peaceful future. 'We must not resign ourselves to the prevalence of the logic of armed conflict,' he said. Leo was not the only religious leader offering prayers for peace. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, prayed for a successful outcome of the US-Russia summit during a visit to the Turkish island of Gokceada, home to an ethnic Greek community and his birthplace. 'Enlighten the leaders who will meet tomorrow in Alaska, that they may bring peace to the world, end these murderous wars, stop the shedding of blood, let reason prevail, and let justice and mutual respect reign throughout the world,' he said on Thursday. 'There is room here for everyone. We need not kill one another to make space.' The 85-year-old was visiting the island for the August 15 celebration of the Virgin Mary, which is also an important date in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Leo spoke from the main piazza of Castel Gandolfo, the hill town south of Rome that is home to a papal estate and gardens. He has spent a chunk of the summer at the estate, extending now for the second time his holiday to take advantage of the quiet and relatively cooler calm of the property overlooking Lake Alban. It was here that Leo met with Mr Zelensky for the second time on July 9. Leo had spoken by telephone with Mr Putin on June 4 and, according to the Vatican, 'urged Russia to make a gesture that would promote peace, emphasising the importance of dialogue for establishing positive contacts between the parties and seeking solutions to the conflict'. Upon arrival in Castel Gandolfo earlier this week, Leo told reporters that he hoped the Trump-Putin summit would produce at least a ceasefire, saying the war had gone on for too long with too many dead, and no end in sight. Leo, who marks his 100th day as pope on Saturday, will spend the long weekend here, breaking on Sunday to have lunch with the poor people of the Albano diocese. He is scheduled to return to the Vatican on Tuesday, closing out a six-week holiday period punctuated by spells back at the Vatican, most significantly to preside over the one million-strong Holy Year celebration for young people earlier this month.
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500 futures rise as investors await retail data after rate-cut bets cool
US stock futures were mixed on Friday as Wall Street tempered its rate-cut hopes and awaited July's retail sales report. Traders were also awaiting Friday's meeting between President Trump and Vladimir Putin, looking for clues on how the outcome could steer markets. Futures attached to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) rose around 0.6%, with the index's first record since December in sight again. Futures attached to the benchmark S&P 500 (ES=F) rose 0.1%, and futures attached to the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) fell below the flatline. Major Dow component UnitedHealth (UNH) stock soared on Friday before the bell after a regulatory filing showed Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) bought 5 million shares in the company. Intel (INTC) shares also jumped premarket Friday on news that the US government is considering taking a stake in the company. President Trump met with Intel's CEO on Monday after calling on him to resign the previous week. And Applied Materials (AMAT) stock sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Stocks wobbled on Thursday, ending a two-day rally sparked by investor confidence that an interest rate cut in September was nearly certain. Doubts about a significant cut at the Fed's next policy meeting crept in after July's Producer Price Index (PPI) came in hotter than expected. On Friday, Wall Street will be watching the release of retail sales data. The results will offer clues as to whether Trump's tariffs are impacting consumer spending habits. The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey will also provide a glimpse of Americans' evolving views on the tariffs and the overall economy. Retail sales climb less than expected in July Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday. That was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected. An even narrower slice of retail sales called the 'control group' — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected Retail sales had rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs. Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary) Earnings: No notable earnings. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: 'Striking while the iron is hot' Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Reuters reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth stock soars as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company. A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday. Reuters reports: Read more here. Retail sales climb less than expected in July Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday. That was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected. An even narrower slice of retail sales called the 'control group' — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected Retail sales had rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs. Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday. That was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected. An even narrower slice of retail sales called the 'control group' — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected Retail sales had rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs. Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary) Earnings: No notable earnings. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: 'Striking while the iron is hot' Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary) Earnings: No notable earnings. Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: 'Striking while the iron is hot' Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Reuters reports: Read more here. Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks. Reuters reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth stock soars as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company. A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday. Reuters reports: Read more here. UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company. A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday. Reuters reports: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
University of Alaska dorms to host up to 750 Russian delegates in town for Trump-Putin summit
The University of Alaska Anchorage is expecting hundreds of Russian delegates who are in the city for the summit between President Trump and President Vladimir Putin to stay in student dorms. 'There may be up to 750 people staying on campus between the U.S. and Russian delegations,' vice chancellor Ryan Buchholdt said in an email to the Alaskan newspaper, Anchorage Daily News. The school can house around 12,000 people. This week marks the start of the school calendar for those returning from the summer break. The summit is going to be held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, about a 10-minute drive from Anchorage, reports Alaska's News Source. The meeting will mark the first time Trump and Putin have met in person since 2018. 'In addition to the dorms, we do have the Alaska Airlines Center [a sports arena that has a 5,000-seat capacity] that has been set up with beds, meeting most of the need, mostly from the Russian delegation side,' Buchholdt also told Alaska's News Source. University police are working closely with state and federal law agencies to monitor security, Buchholdt added. 'Our main concern is making sure anyone who is staying on campus, whether they are from the United States or Russia or any other locality, is safe,' Buchholdt said, 'and is able to do the mission that they're here to do and go back home safely.' On Thursday, some of the delegates had already arrived as of Thursday afternoon, according to university spokesperson Katie Bender. Flight tracking data showed that at least one flight from Moscow had touched down in Anchorage that afternoon. 'The delegations are in separate locations. For security purposes, we are not able to share where the delegations are located,' Bender added. Alyeska resort, located about 40 miles south of Anchorage, informed local press that they were fully booked for the weekend, and the website of the local hotel, Captain Cook, was also fully booked. The hotel site showed one remaining room in a hostel, at a staggeringly raised price of $150 a night on Friday. Town mayor Suzanne LaFrance explained that finding accommodation at the height of the tourist season is hard enough as it is, let alone with a significant political event taking center stage. 'I know that people are looking at creative solutions. I don't have any specific details about that [housing delegations in UOA], but I know that the university is engaged in those conversations, and I'm optimistic that we'll come up with some options for folks,' she said to Alaska's News Source. At the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, news and camera crews were seen rolling in on Thursday morning. Locals watched on as officials gathered in the vicinity. 'It's kind of a big deal, I mean, do we all want World War III?' one man told Alaska's News Source. The two leaders will hold peace talks regarding the future of Russia and Ukraine, amid a deadly war that has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides. Earlier on Thursday, Putin praised Trump's 'energetic and sincere efforts to stop' the war in Ukraine. More than a million Russian troops have been killed or injured since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, reports the British Ministry of Defense. Meanwhile, Ukrainian personnel fatalities and casualties have amounted to around 400,000, says the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Ahead of the summit, Trump vowed that Putin was 'not going to mess around with me,' as he hopes to secure a ceasefire deal. The Independent contacted the university, along with the Anchorage tourism board, for comment.
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kay Adams interviews Broncos stars at training camp
With the NFL's eyes on the Denver Broncos going into the 2025 season, FanDuel's Kay Adams, host of the Up and Adams show, spoke with the four Broncos who will hopefully play a crucial role in the success of the team: quarterback Bo Nix, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, cornerback Pat Surtain and head coach Sean Payton. Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton At the outset of the interview, Adams called Sutton and Nix "one of the best duos in the league." One of the reasons they are the one of the top quarterback-receiver duos is their chemistry. "It's a lot smoother Year 2," said Nix. "I know a lot more of what's going on, the huddle operation is much smoother, much better. Just a little bit more confident and still growing every day." Sutton was asked about his confidence in Bo Nix, and he gave an interesting response. "I think I underestimated how smart he is," said Sutton. "I kept saying that he was a smart individual, both on and off the field, but he's very mature and knowledgeable beyond his years." One of the biggest challenges, likely for the better, is when these two offensive stars face off against the best cornerback in the NFL, Pat Surtain, who is coming off winning Defensive Player of the Year. "He's the best in the game for a reason," said Nix. "I still feel like we got to attack him and give him some practice opportunities, give him looks, and that's the only way he's going to continue to get better. I tell him all the time, he's got to go back-to-back, he's got to be the best one again this year." Watch the full 17-minute, wide-ranging video below. Sean Payton Believe it or not, head coach Sean Payton is three wins away from passing one of his coaching mentors, Bill Parcells, for 15th on the all-time wins list. "We talk all the time," said Payton of his relationship with Parcells. "When I call Bill, and we talk football, we immediately go back into, he's the head coach and I'm the entry-level assistant, and I feel like I'm talking to my father." One of Payton's favorite sayings going into the 2025 offseason was that the Broncos had to find a "Joker" on offense. What does a "Joker" look like? "It is a running back or a tight end with elite, rare receiving skills," said Payton. "Travis Kelce is a Joker. (George) Kittle's a Joker." Adams interrupted, "RJ Harvey?" "Potentially," said Payton. "He hasn't earned his Joker wings yet." You can watch the full 18-minute interview below. Pat Surtain Adams also got to sit down with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain to get his take on an already dominant Broncos defense. "I can see the energy has shifted," said Surtain. "Just going from last year to this year, we got some new additions, key additions, great young guys." Besides Surtain, there are a number of other standouts on the Denver defense. But who stands out to Surtain? "Ja'Quan McMillian," said Surtain. "I mean, he's lights out. He makes plays left and right. It's a pleasure to guard and play with him because I just see his growth from being a rookie to where he's at now. It's a pleasure to watch him go work and go to action." You can watch the entire 13-minute sit-down with Adams and Surtain below. These four men are going to be essential if the Broncos are going to make noise in the NFL this fall. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Kay Adams talks to Nix, Sutton, Payton and Surtain
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exchange-Traded Funds Higher, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Friday Ahead of Key Inflation Data
The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.2% and the actively trad
