What are the most important events and topics in the news today?

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Most important events and topics in the news today - Monday, October 26, 2026:

1. U.S. Midterm Elections - Final 10 Days

The United States is 10 days from the November 3 midterm electionswith control of Congress hanging in the balance.

•Republicans are fighting to maintain control of both chambers of Congress, while Democrats see an opportunity to regain the House

•Approximately half of voters identify the cost of living as their most important election issue

•The election results could significantly affect President Donald Trump's ability to advance his legislative agenda during the remaining two years of his presidency

The AP reports President Donald Trump is trying to convince voters before the Nov. 3 midterm elections that the U.S. economy is rocketing upward, but voters say inflation remains a challenge.

2. Economy, Inflation and Energy Costs Dominating Campaign

Inflation, rising prices and energy costs are the top domestic topic:

•The last CPI report before Election Day showed inflation was 3.7% over the past 12 months.

•The inflationary pressures were compounded this year with the start of the Iran war.

•An October Reuters/Ipsos poll found that approximately 78% of Americans blame Trump's policies for rising prices that are outpacing their earnings.

•Heating oil prices have climbed above $6 per gallon nationally, compared with approximately $3.50 a year earlier, with some remote Alaska communities reaching approximately $10 per gallon. Democratic candidates are linking the higher costs to the administration's policies involving Iran.

•Interest on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is above 5%, having hit its highest levels since 2002. Yields on 10-year Treasuries were at 5.0%, but off a peak of 5.36% hit early in the month.

•GDP has been expanding at a bit more than 2% annually under Trump and the 4.2% unemployment rate has been a sign of the economy's health.

Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan and European Central Bank meetings this week are in focus, with markets assuming the US Federal Reserve will stand pat but imply an 80% chance it will pull the trigger in December. Analysts at Goldman Sachs said: "The Fed is set to skip raising rates at its October meeting but is likely to deliver a second hike in December".

3. Iran Conflict, Oil and Middle East

The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted global oil supplies.

•Disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to rising global energy costs.

•Brent oil slipped 1.0% to $115.48 today amid reports Qatari mediators were in Tehran on Sunday as part of an effort to de-escalate regional tensions in coordination with the United States.

•Brent futures jumped 6.2% last week to their highest weekly close since mid-2022 as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia stoked concerns over energy supplies.

•President Trump has indicated that he does not intend to order additional attacks on Iran before the midterm elections, according to Reuters. Headlines today noted: 'There Will Not Be A Strike Today': Trump Reflects On Potential Attacks On Iran As Midterms Near.

•In other remarks, President Donald Trump has renewed discussion about possible American military intervention in Cuba, suggesting U.S. warships returning from operations involving Iran could make a stop in Cuba.

4. Brazil Presidential Election

In a major international result from Sunday:

•Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's October 25 presidential runoff against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Reuters reported, citing the country's electoral authority.

•The result gives Lula a fourth non-consecutive term. The Associated Press independently reported Lula's reelection.

5. Global Markets and Corporate Earnings

•Share markets got off to a cautious start on Monday as oil eased from six-month highs ahead of a week packed with central bank meetings and company earnings that will further test investor confidence in the AI boom.

•Japan's Nikkei dipped 0.8%, after losing 4.0% last week, while South Korea fell 0.4%.

•Earnings highlights will include the hyperscalers Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon, among one-third of S&P 500 companies reporting. Consensus on Microsoft is for $90.6 billion of revenue.

•Brazil's markets were awaiting reaction as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won an unprecedented fourth term on Sunday.

6. Other World Headlines in October

October's broader world news headlines include:

•Finland's foreign minister criticizing US oil purchases from Russia as 'not a good idea'. On October 13, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen publicly criticized the United States for continuing to purchase oil from Russia.

•A passenger train derailment in central Pakistan that killed at least four people on October 13 near Multan.

•A Russian strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine, that destroyed residential homes on October 11.

Other topics trending today include Bulgarians heading to polls to elect a new president and Apple's first foldable iPhone hitting stores worldwide.

Citations (5)

1elkgrovelagunanews.comNews and media
Today’s Top Stories in the US, October 24, 2026
Backs: “Most important events and topics in the news today - Monday, October 26, 2026: 1. U.S. Midterm Elections - Final 10 Days”
2ap.orgNews and mediaquality 0.69
FACT FOCUS: When it comes to Trump's economy, these are the numbers that matter before Nov. 3 | The Associated Press
Backs: “The election results could significantly affect President Donald Trump's ability to advance his legislative agenda during the remaining two years of his presidency. The AP reports President Donald Trump is trying to convince voters before the Nov.”
3kwsn.comNot yet classified
Asian shares make cautious start, Brent eases from six-month high
Backs: “Interest on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is above 5%, having hit its highest levels since 2002.”
4dailyjunkfood.comNot yet classified
Lula Defeats Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s October 25 Runoff | Daily Junk Food
Backs: “warships returning from operations involving Iran could make a stop in Cuba. 4. Brazil Presidential Election. In a major international result from Sunday: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's October 25 presidential runoff against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Reuters reported, citing the country's electoral authority.”
5headlinefinds.comNot yet classified
World News Headlines: Key Stories from October 2026
Backs: “Brazil's markets were awaiting reaction as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won an unprecedented fourth term on Sunday. 6. Other World Headlines in October. October's broader world news headlines include:”