Suspicious letters to election offices, Zelenskyy asks EU for more aid, tech sell-off, iPhone Duo, Alberta vote
Investigators trace suspicious mailings to election offices, including Minnesota's; Zelenskyy asks EU leaders for about 70 billion euros; the Nasdaq drops 2.1% in a tech sell-off; Apple's foldable iPhone Duo backs up to January; and Alberta votes Monday on a path toward separation.
A mailing addressed to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, containing a threatening letter and unidentified white powder, was intercepted Friday by the state Department of Administration before it reached the office; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is testing it. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's Minnesota office also received a letter with a suspicious substance; her office said no one was in immediate danger. The FBI and Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings to election and congressional offices nationwide, including in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Ohio, Wisconsin, Idaho and Florida. Wisconsin officials said tests showed the powder in their letter was not hazardous. Secretary of State Steve Simon said threats against election workers 'are unacceptable' and that his office 'will not be deterred.'
At the second day of an EU summit in Brussels on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for about 70 billion euros in extra support for next year, saying the war will cost 155 billion euros in 2027. Leaders made no firm commitment but asked the European Commission to present options to close the funding gap. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed the estimate but said the EU would not cover it alone.
Zelenskyy saysThe money is 'realistic' and will help 'hold Russia back'; he says Vladimir Putin does not want peace talks 'in any form' and that the U.S.-Russia diesel deal puts more money in Putin's pocket.
President Trump saysZelenskyy is 'more difficult to deal with' than Putin and 'doesn't want to settle' the war; he called Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries a 'disgrace,' saying they raise world oil prices.
The S&P 500 fell 84.62 points, or 1.1%, to 7,659.44 on Friday. The Nasdaq dropped 572.99 points, or 2.1%, to 26,140.03, and the Dow lost 175.28 points, or 0.3%, to 52,002.41. Chipmakers led the decline as investors questioned how long the AI infrastructure boom will last and as bond yields rose. Energy stocks gained with oil prices elevated.
Apple opened preorders Friday for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, starting at $1,999 for 256GB. Launch day is October 23, but within about 30 minutes Apple's U.S. online store showed a January 25 shipping estimate for new orders in every configuration.
Albertans vote Monday, Oct. 19, on whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on separation. The ballot also has nine other questions on immigration and the Constitution. It is not a direct independence vote. Prime Minister Mark Carney rallied about 5,000 people in Calgary on Thursday urging a vote to stay. Premier Danielle Smith, who called the vote, says she supports staying in Canada.
Federalists sayCarney says a vote against Canada is 'a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep division and great uncertainty,' while acknowledging Albertans' frustrations 'are real.'
Separation supporters sayLet Alberta Decide co-chair Tanya Clemens says the vote could give Alberta leverage in negotiations with Ottawa and calls Carney's agreements with Smith 'pinky promises.'
Premier Smith says'Canada can still work. We just need to make some changes'; she backs the nine other questions to seek more provincial autonomy.
