10 Things to Know for Today: 12-02

12/2/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Owens-Medal-Auction

    FILE -- In this Aug. 14, 1936, file photo, Jesse Owens competes in one of the heats of the 200-meter run at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. One of the four Olympic gold medals won by Owens at the 1936 Berlin Games is for sale in an online auction that runs from through Dec. 7. (AP Photo/File)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

    1. OFFICIALS PROBE DEADLY NYC COMMUTER TRAIN DERAILMENT

    Investigators looking into the Metro-North wreck will examine factors ranging from excessive speed to mechanical problems.

    2. ADMINISTRATION SAYS WORST GLITCHES GONE FROM HEALTH CARE WEBSITE

    The online portal will face a new test on Dec. 23 when consumers rush to meet deadline for Jan. 1 coverage.

    3. WHICH DILEMMA RETAILERS ARE FACING AFTER BLACK FRIDAY

    Despite rising numbers of people who went to stores this weekend, shoppers spent almost 3% less than last year.

    4. THAI PRIME MINISTER SAYS SHE WON’T RESIGN

    Violence continues in Bangkok as government leader rejects demonstrators’ demands.

    5. WHAT JESSE OWENS’ OLYMPIC MEDAL REVEALS

    The black athlete’s gold trophy from the Berlin Olympics, up for auction this week, recalls American segregation and Nazi propaganda about Aryan supremacism.

    6. WHY VENEZUELA’S INFLUENCE IS WANING

    Faced with an economic crisis, Hugo Chavez’s successor is unable to be as generous with foreign aid.

    7. A PRICE JUMP FOR ‘12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS’ GIFT TROVE

    You would shell out over $114,000 to buy all 364 items in the traditional holiday carol--6.9% more than last year.

    8. ALOHA STATE’S GAY WEDDINGS BEGIN

    Mass ceremonies in Waikiki are among the planned nuptials on the first day gays could get married in Hawaii.

    9. TRAGIC END FOR HOLLYWOOD RACING HERO

    Investigators say speed was a factor in the death of ‘Fast & Furious’ star Paul Walker, killed in a fiery one-car crash in L.A.

    10. SHAKEUP IN AP’S TOP 25 POLL

    Auburn jumps to the third slot in the college football rankings after the Tigers upset Alabama; Florida State claims the top spot, Ohio State takes second.