We are back!  This week, we run through the 16 biggest stories in U.S. politics from the last two weeks—what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next. Government shutdown hits second-longest ever — The funding lapse that began Oct 1 drags on with no clean offramp; core services strain and pressure mounts on leadership. SNAP pause warning — USDA signals November benefits won’t go out without new funding, raising the stakes for millions of households. Paying the troops workarounds — The White House explores ways to keep service members paid despite the shutdown; legal questions linger. Polling snapshot — The president’s approval ticks up slightly, even as voters assign more blame to congressional Republicans for the shutdown. “No Kings” protests — Large, largely peaceful nationwide demonstrations against perceived executive overreach showcase sustained grassroots energy. Israel–Gaza deal implementation — Cease-fire terms inch forward on hostages and aid, but the situation remains fragile; U.S. diplomacy stays front-and-center. Russia energy sanctions — New U.S. measures hit major oil firms, with allies and markets parsing carve-outs and enforcement. Tariff hike on Canada — A surprise 10% increase on Canadian goods escalates tensions with a key ally and fuels legal/authority debates. U.S.–China talks — Negotiators outline a “positive framework” (tariff pause + rare-earths understandings) for leaders to review. Domestic deployments in court — Appellate limits on National Guard/federal deployments (e.g., Portland) keep the federal-power fight alive. NYC mayor’s race — Early voting surges; polling shows Zohran Mamdani leading a high-profile three-way with Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. Virginia’s redistricting push — Democrats prep a special-session play to redraw the congressional map ahead of 2026. North Carolina map adopted — Mid-decade redraw expected to net the GOP an additional U.S. House seat; lawsuits filed immediately. House Dems probe alleged $230M DOJ “settlement” ask — Oversight seeks records on reports the president pushed DOJ for payment over past investigations. Arizona AG vs. House swearing-in delay — Lawsuit aims to compel seating of Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva, citing voter representation during the shutdown. White House ballroom construction — East Wing demolition for a ~90k-sq-ft ballroom sparks preservation, funding, and ethics scrutiny.