FIVE MINUTE DAILY

The U.S. government has reopened after a record 43-day shutdown, bringing relief to federal workers even as fiscal tensions linger.

The Mint has officially retired the penny, marking a shift toward digital payments and new rounding practices.

And at COP30, Indigenous groups and civil-society coalitions helped reshape the global climate agenda with calls for faster emissions cuts and stronger forest protections.

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President Donald Trump signed legislation ending the longest U.S. federal shutdown on record, restoring federal worker pay and reopening key agencies.

The standoff had disrupted air travel, food aid, loan processing, and data releases.
The reopening alleviates immediate strain, but the unresolved fiscal tensions could resurface in the next budget cycle. Read more

The U.S. Mint pressed the final circulating penny, ending more than two centuries of one-cent-coin production.

Each penny cost more to make than it was worth, making production financially inefficient.

The shift marks a significant moment in America’s transition toward digital payments and potential rounding norms. Read more

At COP30 in Brazil, Indigenous groups and civil-society coalitions pushed for faster emissions cuts and stronger forest protections.

Non-state actors played a far larger role than at previous summits.

The outcomes could influence global trade policy, green-investment flows, and long-term climate alignment. Read more

Australia’s bid to host the next major climate conference encountered opposition from Turkey and others citing equity and renewable-energy leadership concerns. Read more

China and Spain signed multiple agreements covering green-technology cooperation, education and cultural exchange — part of Beijing’s expanded outreach in Western Europe. Read more

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. dropped to near a 3½-year low amid the prolonged federal shutdown and inflation pressures. Read more

Major technology companies announced fresh rounds of job reductions as hiring cools and efficiency becomes a top priority. Read more

IEA data shows global oil-demand growth outperformed expectations in Q3, led by the U.S., China, and Nigeria. Read more

Indigenous groups at COP30 advanced demands for territory protection, forest finance, and direct representation. Read more

U.S. markets rose modestly as investors shifted focus to inflation and employment data. Read more

Ending penny production is expected to save the government tens of millions annually. Read more

Analysts warn that rising costs are increasing financial strain on income-sensitive consumers. Read more

COP30 introduced new frameworks addressing misinformation in climate policy. Read more

Despite strong growth in renewable deployment, 2025 emissions continued rising. Read more

Federal data releases resume as agencies reopen following the shutdown. Read more

Divisional games this week reshaped wild-card dynamics heading deeper into November. Read more

Underdog wins and unexpected upsets shook up early league standings. Read more

Teams received final group-stage assignments as planning accelerates for 2027 competition. Read more

Major platforms announced price hikes tied to rising production costs. Read more

New consumer-behavior data shows U.S. holiday shoppers spending more on concerts, travel, and dining than physical gifts this season. Read more

Artists linked to Amazon-frontier activism are gaining visibility in galleries. Read more

The United States Mint pressed its final circulating pennies on November 12, concluding more than 230 years of production.

With each penny costing more than triple its value to produce — about 3.69 cents each, according to the Mint’s 2024 report — the halt reflects both fiscal efficiency and the growing dominance of digital payments.

Retailers are preparing for a shift toward rounding practices and updated cash workflows.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond warns that as pennies phase out, businesses are likely to round cash transactions to the nearest 5 cents, which could cost consumers approximately $6 million annually.

These changes may disproportionately affect consumers who rely heavily on physical money—especially in communities where card or mobile payments are less accessible.

This transition raises broader questions about the future of coins, the pace of digitization, and whether the nickel might be next under review.

Retail-industry reporting notes that shops are already scrambling to adapt to cash-change shortages as penny production ends.

Meanwhile, legislative analysts highlight that bills introduced in Congress seek to suspend both penny and nickel production, maintaining coins only for numismatic purposes.

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—The Five Minute Daily Team