East Wing ballroom donations by corporate owners create awkward moments for news outlets

President Donald Trump's razing of the White House's East Wing to build a ballroom has meant for some awkward moments for news outlets. Comcast, the corporate owner of NBC News and MSNBC, is among the corporate and personal donors that funded the project. So is Amazon, whose founder Jeff Bezos is also the owner of The Washington Post. The Post editorialized in favor of Trump's renovation, but did not immediately disclose Bezos' involvement. Comcast's donation came under some heavy criticism by MSNBC personalities, including Rachel Maddow and Stephanie Ruhle. It's not the first time during the Trump administration that corporate owners acted in a way to make its journalists uncomfortable

Tariffs are Trump's favorite foreign policy tool. The Supreme Court could change how he uses them

WASHINGTON (AP) — For President Donald Trump, tariffs — or the threat of them — can bend nations to his will. The president has used them not only as the underpinning of his economic agenda, but as the cornerstone of his foreign policy in his second term. Next week, the Supreme Court hears arguments on whether Trump has overstepped federal law with many of his sweeping tariffs. If the court rules against him, it could limit or even take away the swift and blunt leverage that much of his foreign policy has relied on. Trump has increasingly expressed anxiety about the case on social media and in speeches.

Berkshire Hathaway's profits rise 17% as Warren Buffett prepares to step down as CEO

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company’s profits improved 17% thanks to a relatively mild hurricane season and more paper investment gains this year as Berkshire Hathaway continues to prepare for the legendary 95-year-old investor to relinquish the CEO title in January. But last month’s $9.7 billion investment in OxyChem won’t do much to diminish the $381.7 billion cash pile that Berkshire was sitting on at the end of September even though it is the biggest deal the company has made in years. The biggest thing on most investors’ minds right now is that Buffett Vice Chair Greg Abel is set to succeed Buffett as CEO in January although Buffett will remain chairman

A Vermont cycling apparel company is trying to survive Trump's tariffs. Will the Supreme Court help?

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A small company in Vermont that specializes in women's cycling apparel is at the center of the fight over President Donald Trump's contentious tariff policy. Terry Precision Cycling is challenging Trump's tariffs at the Supreme Court. The company has been hit hard by increased costs due to tariffs on imports from countries like China. These tariffs have forced them to raise prices and hurt their ability to compete. Terry Precision Cycling, along with other small businesses, argues that the tariffs exceed presidential power. The case could redefine the limits of presidential authority and has significant implications for the global economy.

Uncertainty over federal food aid deepens as the shutdown fight reaches a crisis point

WASHINGTON (AP) — The twin crises at the heart of the government shutdown fight in Washington are coming to a head. The federal food assistance program is facing delays and uncertainty. Meanwhile, millions of Americans are set to see a dramatic rise in health insurance bills. The Trump administration’s plans to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have been halted by federal judges. But a delay in payouts will still likely leave millions of people short on their grocery bills. The shutdown is the second longest in history and entered its second month on Saturday, yet there's little urgency in Washington to end it.

Furloughed federal workers face delays getting unemployment pay during shutdown

Thousands of furloughed federal workers are trying to navigate the unemployment system, in a sharp increase that is still a fraction of the 670,000 furloughed during the shutdown. About 26,000 federal workers filed initial claims from Sept. 28 through Oct. 18. The unemployment process presents those workers with some challenges. It generally takes two to three weeks to receive payments once approved in normal times. And now, the Labor Department has warned of delays. Recipients receive different amounts state by state. If they receive back pay as expected when the shutdown ends, they will need to repay the unemployment money.

Carbon capture pipelines have struggled to advance. A project in Nebraska found success

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A large-scale carbon capture pipeline began operating in the Midwest in September, succeeding where others have so far fallen short. Tallgrass' Trailblazer Pipeline will carry carbon dioxide emissions from 12 ethanol plants in Nebraska and Iowa for permanent burial underground in Wyoming. Other projects, such as one proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, have struggled to get fully approved. Observers says Tallgrass had a couple advantages, such as converting an existing natural gas line and negotiating with an advocacy group that has opposed other pipelines to establish an investment fund for communities along the route.

Italian police seize $1.5B in assets from Campari's controlling shareholder amid tax fraud probe

MILAN (AP) — Italian tax police have seized assets worth 1.29 billion euros from a Luxembourg-based holding company's shares in Campari Group. This move is part of a fraud investigation. A judge in Monza approved the seizure as police look into tax evasion allegations. The investigation began after a merger where Lagfin absorbed its Italian subsidiary. Lagfin stated the investigation is linked to a tax dispute from two years ago and doesn't involve Campari Group. Lagfin insists it has always followed laws and will defend itself. Campari Group didn't immediately comment. Lagfin holds over 80% of Campari’s voting rights.

Canadian PM Carney says he told Ontario's premier not to run anti-tariff ad that upset Trump

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he told Ontario's premier not to run an anti-tariff ad that angered U.S. President Donald Trump. The ad, which aired in the U.S., criticized Trump's tariffs using a speech by former President Ronald Reagan. Trump ended trade talks with Canada and announced plans to increase tariffs on Canadian imports by 10%. Carney apologized to Trump at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, acknowledging the president was offended. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a Conservative, pulled the ad last Monday but allowed it to air during the first two games of the World Series.