The latest news on the U.S. Economy, Global Economy, U.N. & U.S., Iran, Counterterrorism, Iraq, Bolivia, Baseball: World Series Begins, and Select Op-eds.

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U.S. economy. Economic crisis could spread quietly "If the turmoil on Wall Street winds up crippling the economy, as many experts fear, the impact won't just be felt in headline-grabbing bank failures or dramatic swings in the Dow. It could be felt in quieter, less sensational fashion, too." Some Cut Back on Prescription Drugs in Sour Economy "As people around the country respond to financial and economic hard times by juggling the cost of necessities like groceries and housing, drugs are sometimes having to wait." Under water and sinking deeper "Long before she filed for bankruptcy, Ann Neukomm was 'under water' -- she owed more on her mortgage than her house was worth -- a situation more and more Americans are finding themselves in. As the financial crisis hits Main Street America, nearly one in six U.S. homeowners are finding themselves in the same position."

Global economy. World leaders to meet on economy in Washington "World leaders will meet Nov. 15 in Washington to address the global financial crisis - the first in a series of summits to mitigate what economists predict could be a long and deep downturn." U.N.: Rebuild global economy through green investment "The United Nations called for a refocusing of the world's economy towards investments in clean technologies and natural infrastructures such as forests in a Green New Deal that could revive the stumbling global economy, combat climate change, and cut poverty." France's Sarkozy emerging as leading figure "This week Mr. Sarkozy worked with President Bush to set up a series of meetings to reform the global economy, and he's now off to Asia to broach the idea of bringing India and China together with G-8 nations in a 'Bretton Woods II' framework of economic rules." U.K. recession likely, says Brown "The global financial slowdown was likely to send the British economy into a recession as well, he told MPs during weekly questioning in Parliament."

U.N. & U.S. U.N. secretary-general says he sees U.S. swinging to multilateralism but doesn't specify candidate "He said the United Nations needs a 'strong partnership' with the United States to meet world development and peacekeeping goals."

Iran. Iran proposal: Preemptive strike against Israeli targets "Senior Tehran officials are recommending a preemptive strike against Israel to prevent an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear reactors, a senior Islamic Republic official told foreign diplomats two weeks ago in London." ANALYSIS / Iran's threats are not based on any proven capability "Even though the senior Iranian official was speaking to a closed forum, it would not be at all surprising if his words were actually intended for an Israeli audience. Alongside the public diplomatic struggle -- and Israel's secret military preparations -- against the Iranian nuclear projects, there is also a war of threats and oratory going on between the two nations."

Counterterrorism. 2 British Antiterror Experts Say U.S. Takes Wrong Path "Two prominent British counterterrorism figures have criticized the United States for what they described as its overly militaristic approach to fighting terrorism and warned of a further erosion of civil liberties."

Iraq. Iraqi Cabinet Urges Further Negotiation on Draft Accord "The Iraqi cabinet called Tuesday for reopening negotiations over a draft agreement to keep U.S. forces in this country beyond 2008, but U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates immediately expressed 'great reluctance' about more talks." U.S. gives warning on Iraq troop pact "The U.S. defense secretary has said that 'pretty dramatic' consequences would follow if an accord governing the presence of U.S. soldiers in Iraq falls through." Cleric in Iran issues fatwa against U.S.-Iraqi pact "An influential Iraqi cleric living in Iran on Wednesday issued a religious decree -- a fatwa -- blasting the U.S.-Iraqi security pact that would keep American troops in Iraq for three more years and warned Iraqi leaders not to back the deal."

Bolivia. Bolivia set for constitution vote "Bolivia's Congress has approved holding a referendum on a new constitution that President Evo Morales says will empower the country's indigenous majority."

Baseball: World Series begins. Kazmir vs. Hamels in World Series game 1 tonight "The World Series begins tonight. Cole Hamels will start the opener for the Phillies against Scott Kazmir. Hamels is 3-0 with a 1.23 in the postseason, including a pair of wins in the NLCS against the Dodgers. Kazmir also has started three playoff games this year, going 1-and-0 with a 4.02 earned run average."

Commentary. A Critical Stage in Iraq (David Ignatius, Washington Post) "Iraq hasn't gotten much attention recently in the American presidential campaign, thanks to the reduction in violence there, but U.S. policymakers are increasingly worried about what's ahead."