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Courts moved to protect food benefits during the U.S. shutdown, global markets tumbled on tech losses, and China unveiled a new aircraft carrier signaling its expanding military reach.

Today’s edition breaks down how each story could reshape politics, markets, and security.

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A federal judge ordered the administration to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, rejecting a proposal to deliver only partial payments during the ongoing government shutdown.

The ruling immediately affects more than 42 million Americans and forces the Agriculture Department to release billions in aid funds despite limited appropriations.

State agencies had warned that partial payments could crash benefit systems, cause hunger spikes, and leave millions of households without enough food before Thanksgiving.

Administration officials argued that existing cash reserves must be preserved to sustain other critical operations, but the court held that Congress had already directed the program’s funding through law.

The Justice Department has filed an appeal, saying the judiciary overstepped its constitutional role by compelling spending.

The dispute could set a key precedent for whether entitlement programs continue during future shutdowns without new appropriations.

Why it matters: the decision underscores how legal rulings can override executive caution and raises new questions about balancing fiscal responsibility with protecting essential benefits.

China formally commissioned its new Fujian aircraft carrier, marking a major milestone in the country’s push to modernize its navy.

The 80,000-ton vessel is China’s first to use electromagnetic catapults for launching jets, giving it capabilities that rival U.S. carriers.

The ceremony, held in Hainan, featured senior Communist Party and military officials, signaling the project’s importance to national strategy.

The Fujian expands China’s capacity to project power beyond its immediate coastline and into contested waters of the South China Sea and western Pacific.

Defense analysts say it will take several years for full integration, but even partial deployment boosts Beijing’s regional leverage and surveillance reach.

Japan, the Philippines, and other neighbors are deepening cooperation with the U.S. and reinforcing maritime patrols in response to the launch.

Why it matters: the Fujian’s debut cements China’s shift from regional defense to global naval presence and escalates long-term competition with U.S. and allied fleets in the Indo-Pacific.

Global markets slumped this week as investors pulled back from technology shares, sending the Nasdaq and Asia’s chip-heavy indexes sharply lower.

The retreat followed renewed concerns over stretched AI valuations and mixed economic signals during the government shutdown, which has delayed key data releases.

In Europe, the STOXX 600 index slid after uneven earnings reports and weaker travel demand hit sentiment.

Oil prices also softened, heading for a second weekly loss as supply growth outpaced consumption forecasts.

Bond yields eased as traders sought safer assets, while the dollar stabilized after weeks of gains.

Market analysts say the pullback reflects fragile confidence rather than a structural downturn.

Investors are relying on corporate guidance and high-frequency indicators to gauge conditions in the absence of official reports.

Why it matters: the turbulence underscores the market’s dependence on timely data and shows how quickly sentiment can shift when uncertainty over fiscal policy and growth collides with elevated valuations.

Trump met Orban at the White House to discuss Russian oil dependence and economic cooperation.

The visit marked the first high-level contact between the two since January and drew attention to Hungary’s warming ties with Moscow.

Both leaders framed the talks as an opportunity to deepen trade while maintaining “sovereign” foreign policies.

A German general warned that Russia could mount a limited strike on NATO territory “at any time.”

The statement reflected Berlin’s growing unease over military buildup along the alliance’s eastern border.

Officials say the remarks highlight the need to expand deterrence and accelerate ammunition production across Europe.

Climate diplomats are bracing for a possible U.S. absence from next year’s COP30 summit in Brazil.

They fear Washington may still exert influence behind the scenes even without formal participation.

The uncertainty complicates global efforts to finalize new emission and financing targets ahead of 2030 deadlines.

Indonesia plans to invest $22 billion in agricultural processing over the next five years.

The project aims to create eight million jobs and reduce reliance on raw commodity exports.

Officials say it’s part of a broader push to modernize rural economies and stabilize food prices.

Nigeria’s outbreak of Lassa fever has killed 176 people this year across 21 states.

Health agencies are stepping up surveillance and laboratory capacity as new cases emerge.

The World Health Organization says better public awareness and sanitation remain key to controlling the disease.

A major carrier warned of weakening U.S. demand for transatlantic flights, sending European airline shares sharply lower.

Executives blamed soft corporate travel and shifting leisure patterns following a busy summer.

Analysts say the downturn could pressure fares and slow expansion plans through early 2026.

Crude prices rebounded slightly Friday but are still heading for a second consecutive weekly loss.

Ample supply from U.S. producers and slower global demand have weighed on sentiment.

Analysts say upcoming OPEC decisions could determine whether prices stabilize or slip further into winter.

Tech losses drove global equities lower, extending a week of volatility across major markets.

Investors are reassessing growth expectations for AI-linked companies and trimming exposure to riskier assets.

With key U.S. data delayed by the shutdown, traders have turned to corporate earnings for direction.

European indexes finished mixed as media and travel stocks fell while auto and banking sectors gained.

Traders said divergent earnings reports are creating sharp intraday swings.

The uneven performance highlights how Europe’s economy remains split between resilient manufacturing and weaker consumer sectors.

A WHO report called for urgent funding to accelerate access to next-generation tuberculosis vaccines.

Officials warned that low-income countries risk being left behind without new investment mechanisms.

The organization urged governments to commit to advance-purchase agreements to avoid repeating COVID-era inequities.

An Atlas V launch was scrubbed again Thursday night due to a vent-valve malfunction.

The rocket, carrying a Viasat communications satellite, will undergo further checks before a new launch window opens.

Engineers say the repeated delays underscore the difficulty of maintaining reliability for aging rocket platforms.

The FDA approved expanded use of Caplyta to treat major depressive disorder, widening the competition among mental-health drugs.

The approval adds a new option for patients who do not respond to existing therapies.

Industry analysts expect the move to intensify pricing and marketing battles in the U.S. antidepressant market.

Denver’s defense held Las Vegas to seven points in a gritty 10–7 victory on Thursday Night Football.

The Broncos forced three turnovers and controlled the clock with a run-heavy attack.

The win keeps Denver atop the AFC West while deepening the Raiders’ midseason slump.

Luka Dončić powered the Lakers past San Antonio 118–116 with 35 points and 13 assists.

The Lakers nearly squandered a double-digit lead before a late defensive stop sealed the win.

Los Angeles extended its streak to five games as it climbs the Western Conference standings.

Tampa Bay’s offense erupted for six goals in a 6–3 victory over Vegas at T-Mobile Arena.

The Lightning scored four times in the second period, showcasing renewed chemistry on their top line.

The win snapped a two-game skid and kept Tampa Bay above .500 entering a home stretch next week.

Carol Burnett donated her career awards to UCLA and established a scholarship for performing-arts students.

The 92-year-old entertainer said she wanted to support future generations of actors who face growing financial barriers.

University officials called the gift a cornerstone of its new performing-arts endowment campaign.

Zootopia 2 is projected to open above $125 million over Thanksgiving weekend, signaling a strong return for Disney animation.

Early tracking suggests family audiences could push the film past original franchise records.

The release may also help revive the studio’s 2025 box office after several underperforming sequels.

Elizabeth Olsen reflected on fame, mortality, and her creative process during the Eternity premiere.

The actor’s candid comments about legacy and work-life balance went viral across social media.

Critics praised her new performance as one of her most introspective roles to date.

A court ruling requiring the federal government to pay full November SNAP benefits has turned food aid into the centerpiece of the ongoing shutdown.

The decision compels the administration to use available funds immediately, halting a plan to issue partial payments to 42 million low-income Americans.

The order followed urgent warnings from states about potential hunger spikes and technical breakdowns if benefits were reduced mid-month.

State agencies are now racing to reprogram distribution systems to handle full payments within days, a process typically completed weeks in advance.

Many rely on outdated infrastructure that could fail under compressed timelines, particularly in rural areas.

Retailers that accept food assistance are also watching closely, since delayed transfers would cut billions in grocery sales nationwide.

The legal dispute highlights broader questions about executive discretion during shutdowns.

Administration officials have argued that remaining funds must be conserved to keep critical operations running, citing a need to stay “liquid” as the impasse drags on.

Plaintiffs counter that Congress already authorized SNAP funding and that withholding benefits violates statutory duty.

The case underscores how courts can compel spending even when federal appropriations are frozen.

The political fallout could shape future budget negotiations.

Lawmakers face mounting pressure to prevent essential programs from becoming leverage in fiscal standoffs.

If payments are distributed smoothly, the ruling may reinforce SNAP’s status as a protected entitlement.

But if logistical failures emerge, it could strengthen calls for new legal guardrails around emergency spending authority and deepen partisan divides over the limits of executive power.

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—The Five Minute Daily Team