10 things to know Monday

[October 08, 2012]  (AP) -- Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday:

1. HUGO CHAVEZ RE-ELECTED TO ANOTHER SIX YEARS

It was the Venezuelan president's closest race yet, and the victory gives him a freer hand to push for an even bigger state role in the economy.

2. SMALLER PURSE FOR NOBEL PRIZES

The prestige is as great as ever, but the cash award has been reduced by 20 percent to 8 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million), due to turmoil on financial markets.

3. HOW ASTRONAUTS GET DESSERT

SpaceX launched its unmanned Falcon rocket containing 1,000 pounds of cargo, including chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream for the space station crew.

4. OBAMA POKES FUN AT HIS OWN DEBATE PERFORMANCE

He marveled how Katy Perry, John Bon Jovi and other celebrities perform flawlessly night after night, adding: "I can't always say the same."

5. VAN DER SLOOT IMPREGNATES WOMAN FROM BEHIND BARS

The woman, who is more than three months along, became pregnant during an unsupervised visit to the imprisoned Dutch killer, a newspaper reports.

6. WHAT'S AHEAD FOR JERRY SANDUSKY

The convicted sex abuser, to be sentenced Tuesday, probably will be able to work a 30-hour week to make a few dollars in the prison where he'll likely live out his days.

7. FRIENDLY FIRE BEHIND BORDER PATROL DEATH

An agent apparently shot at his colleagues, thinking they were smugglers, and was killed when they returned fire, a union official explained.

8. WHERE GAS COSTS A RECORD $4.65 A GALLON

In California, average statewide gas prices jumped 16 cents over the weekend, making it most expensive fuel in the nation.

9. WHO SET A CHICAGO MARATHON RECORD

Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 4 minutes and 38 seconds, setting a course record and ending a nine-year run by Kenyans.

10. WHY A NEW ZEALAND CITY IS CHANGING ITS NAME

Wellington plans to unofficially rename itself "The Middle of Middle-earth" for three weeks before and after the premiere of "The Hobbit" trilogy.

[Associated Press]

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