What are the 10 biggest news stories from today?

Here are ten of the most significant news stories shaping global headlines today, Monday, October 26, 2026:

1. China’s Communist Party Begins Fifth Plenum in Beijing

The ruling Chinese Communist Party officially opened its secretive, four-day Fifth Plenum in Beijing. Running through Thursday, this closed-door gathering of the Central Committee is highly anticipated by global analysts, who view it as the last major party gathering before a leadership reshuffle in 2027. The sessions are reportedly focusing heavily on the "sustained advancement of full and rigorous party self-governance" and reinforcing ideological alignment under President Xi Jinping.

2. Early Voting Begins in Highly Contested New Zealand Election

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that the country's upcoming national election on November 7 will center heavily on economic recovery, as early voting officially commenced today. With voters frustrated by high inflation and a sluggish economy, Luxon’s National Party and the opposition Labour Party, led by Chris Hipkins, are offering contrasting strategies in a tight race that polls suggest is too close to call.

3. Post-Election Tension in Brazil as Flavio Bolsonaro Refuses to Concede

Following a chaotic voting process on Sunday that required Supreme Court-mandated extensions in several districts, Flavio Bolsonaro has refused to concede defeat in Brazil's presidential election. Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a victory by nearly 4.4 million votes, but disputes over poll-closing delays due to severe weather and transportation issues have fueled post-election legal friction.

4. Qatari Mediators in Tehran to Ease Geopolitical and Oil Market Tensions

International oil prices eased, with Brent crude dipping to around $115 per barrel after reaching a six-month high last week. The drop follows reports that Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran on Sunday as part of an active diplomatic push to lower geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ensure the continued reopening and stable operation of the Strait of Hormuz.

5. Venezuela Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Returns Home

Prominent Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned to Venezuela. After spending nearly a year outside the country due to safety concerns and intense political pressure, Machado announced her return on social media, signaling a potential shift or escalation in Venezuela's domestic political landscape.

6. Ukraine Disputes Musk's Starlink Claims; Zelenskyy Pushes for Peace Talks

Ukrainian defense officials have strongly disputed claims by Elon Musk that their military violated Starlink’s terms by using it for offensive drone strikes, clarifying that system restrictions prevent such high-speed usage. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a trilateral meeting between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow is being planned for November to restart stalled peace negotiations.

7. TIME Publishes Historic Trump Cover Story Ahead of US Midterms

The October 26, 2026 issue of TIME Magazine features a major cover story titled "Trump's Way," marking a historic 56th cover appearance for Donald Trump. The White House interview covers a wide range of issues—including regional conflicts, AI, the Federal Reserve, and the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. This comes as Trump's administration defends a legal block on certifying Alaska's Senate results, even as a new poll shows Trump’s approval rating at a low of 31%.

8. India Prepares for Cyclone Landfall Over the Bay of Bengal

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. Indian meteorological authorities have issued extreme weather warnings for coastal regions, prompting the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh to step up emergency prep and brace for extremely heavy rainfall.

9. Colombian Military Strike Kills 10 ELN Guerrilla Members

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that a targeted military offensive successfully eliminated at least ten members of the National Liberation Army (ELN). The strike took place in a rural region of Colombia and reportedly killed two of the guerrilla group's key leaders, marking a significant blow to the rebel organization amidst ongoing regional security operations.

10. Kimi Antonelli Closes in on F1 Championship with US Grand Prix Win

In sports, Mercedes’ breakout star Kimi Antonelli took a major step toward securing the Formula 1 World Championship after delivering a dominant performance at the United States Grand Prix. The victory stretches Antonelli's lead in the driver's standings as the F1 season nears its final races.