Things to Know for today

photo Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves a Venezuelan flag as he greets supporters at the Miraflores presidential palace balcony in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Chavez won re-election and a new endorsement of his socialist project Sunday, surviving his closest race yet after a bitter campaign against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (times in EDT):

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. VENEZUELA-ELECTION

2. NOBEL PRIZES NOT QUITE AS RICH

The awards will be announced this week, starting at 5:30 a.m., but the purse has been reduced by 20 percent to 8 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million), due to turmoil on financial markets. NOBEL-MEDICINE

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. PRIVATE SPACE

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." PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

5. 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. BORDER SHOOTING

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. PENN STATE ABUSE

7. 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. CALIFORNIA GASOLINE PRICES

8. 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. CHICAGO MARATHON

9. 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. NEW ZEALAND-THE HOBBIT PREMIER

10. 'TAKEN 2' TWICE AS POPULAR AS ORIGINAL

Critics may not like Liam Neeson's action sequel. But it led the U.S. weekend box office with $50 million, boosting sagging Hollywood revenues. BOX OFFICE

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