10 things you need to know today: November 4, 2014

1. Democrats brace for tough midterm results

As millions of Americans head to the polls for election day, most observers are expecting to see significant GOP gains in both the House and Senate. The Republicans have the wind to their backs thanks to the combination of an unpopular incumbent president, a favorable electoral map, and a host of issues that seemed to break their way. Republicans, who already control the House of Representatives, are also anticipating picking up more seats there thanks to the wave of anti-President Obama sentiment.

Christian Science Monitor

2. Pro-Russian separatist takes office in Donetsk

Ukrainian leaders have denounced his election as a sham, but Alexander Zakharchenko has been sworn in to lead the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. Zakharchenko, who pledged to "honestly serve the interests" of the separatist movement in eastern Ukraine, won the election on Sunday with nearly 80 percent of the vote. Western countries called the vote illegitimate and said they would not recognize the results.

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Reuters

3. African Union orders Burkina Faso's military to hand over power

The African Union said Burkina Faso's armed forces acted unconstitutionally when it assumed power in the wake of President Blaise Compaore resignation last week. The organization gave the military two weeks to transfer power to a civilian president and threatened sanctions if the tiny West African nation failed to comply. Lt. Col. Isaac Zida was installed as interim leader on Saturday after Compaore was ousted amid mass protests. Military leaders, including Zida, have said they will support the transitional civilian government.

BBC

4. Russians remove Apple statue after CEO Tim Cook announces he is gay

Just days after Apple CEO Tim Cook came out as gay, a memorial honoring the late Steve Jobs in Russia was torn down. A six-foot iPhone statue that adorned a college campus in St. Petersburg was dismantled because it contravened a Russian law designed to discourage "gay propaganda." The group of companies that erected the monument said it was taken down because Cook "publicly called for sodomy."

Los Angeles Times

5. U.S. auto sales rise in October

October turned out to be a good month for U.S. automakers. Monthly sales for the six largest car manufacturers were up six percent over last year even though General Motors missed analysts' expectations. The increase was driven by heightened demand for sport utility vehicles and crossovers. Fiat Chrysler, which saw its sales rise by more than 20 percent, had an exceptional month thanks to its pickup truck and Jeep SUV lines.

Reuters

6. Tom Magliozzi, co-host of NPR's Car Talk, dies

Tom Magliozzi, a co-host of the weekly National Public Radio show Car Talk, passed away at the age of 77 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Along with his brother Ray, Magliozzi captivated audiences as the pair chatted about car problems with their listeners. The duo, which became famous thanks to their unique blend of self-deprecating humor and helpful advice, was best known as "Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers."

NPR

7. Obama administration fines Kia and Hyundai for misleading emissions data

Car giants Kia and Hyundai have agreed to pay $300 million for underreporting greenhouse gas emissions from roughly 1.2 million of their vehicles. The settlement includes a $100 million fine and forfeiture of 4.75 million greenhouse-gas credits, which analysts estimate to be worth $200 million. Environmental Protection Agency officials noticed the discrepancy during a routine audit. The South Korean automakers had used the most favorable test results to extrapolate their pollution data as opposed to taking the average from multiple evaluations.

The Washington Post

8. Researchers tout breakthrough in fighting antibiotic-resistant infections

Scientists may have found a new method of dealing with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland have developed artificial nanoparticles called liposomes that can trick bacteria into bonding with them. "We have made an irresistible bait for bacterial toxins," said Eduard Babiychuk, one of the researchers. "The toxins are fatally attracted to the liposomes, and once they are attached, they can be eliminated easily without danger for the host cells."

CBS

9. Marysville high school reopens after shooting

Marysville-Pilchuck High School reopened on Monday, more than a week after a student killed three of his classmates and wounded two others before fatally shooting himself. Hundreds of supporters stood on the sidewalk and waved to the students as they made their way back to class. Even though full school days resume today, the cafeteria, the site of the shooting, will remain closed.

Fox

10. Crews find the body of the last Costa Concordia victim

It's taken three years, but the remains of the last victim of the Costa Concordia wreck have been found. Thirty-two people died in January of 2012 when the cruise ship crashed on the coast of Giglio, Italy with more than 4,000 passengers on board. Only 31 bodies were recovered until the cruise ship was towed back to the Italian port city of Genoa and crews began salvage operations. Workers found the body of Russel Rebello in one of the ship's cabins on the eighth deck, according to his brother.

NBC