National and International News-Wednesday, Oct. 18th

TOKYO (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is urging the swift and effective implementation of sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear test. In Tokyo for meetings with Japanese leaders, Rice also says the U-S has no desire to escalate the crisis and reaffirmed a U-S defense pledge.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - If it continues at this pace, the death toll of U-S troops in October could become the worst month for coalition forces since January 2005 when 107 troops died. Nine more deaths yesterday bring the October toll to 67. Five Iraqis were killed by a roadside bomb today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Social Security recipients are expected to get a smaller cost of living increase for next year. The announcement is expected this morning. On the plus side, less of the gain will be eaten up by rising Medicare premiums.

WASHINGTON (AP) - U-S foreign relations have Americans worried. A new survey by Public Agenda, a nonpartisan public policy institute, found nearly 80 percent worry that U-S foreign policy is making the world increasingly dangerous for Americans.

NEW YORK (AP) - The St. Louis Cardinals can close out the New York Mets if they win game six of the National League Championship Series today in New York. The Cardinals took a three-games-to-two lead in the best-of-seven series yesterday with a 4-to-2 win.