On this Thursday morning, the credit rating agency Fitch says the U.S. should be worried about exposure to the European debt crisis. We look at whether Angie’s List is ready for an IPO, and why more American elderly are being pushed towards poverty. In Washington, John Dimsdale looks at the insider trading rules that apply — or don’t apply — to Congressmen.

On this Wednesday morning, the fear of contagion in Europe might finally be coming true. Economy 4.0’s David Brancaccio explains the current state of the manufacturing industry in the United States. Reporter Scott Tong takes a closer look at piracy in Somalia, and Nancy Marshall-Genzer reports on piracy as well — of the online variety.

On this Tuesday morning, news is breaking out of New York that that Occupy Wall Street protesters are being evicted from Zuccotti Park, the founding location of the Occupy movement. And we’ve heard of technocrats in Italy, but it looks like Flint, Mich. could also be going down that path.

On this Monday morning, the top story is Italy’s new prime minister — Mario Monti — who has begun to form a new government  to lead the country out of its economic crisis. The president appointed Monti to the post without an election this weekend after the resignation of Silvio Berlusconi.  Also on the show, a short history of Italy’s bouts with debt since the 1990s. And the Federal Trade Commission takes on Facebook’s privacy policy.

President Obama heads to Hawaii today for the APEC summit of 21 economies along the Pacific Rim. And Japan this morning said it would participate in talks to build a free trade zone among those nations. Nine countries are on board so far, including the United States. The Italian Senate has just passed the economic reform bill that Europe is demanding. Once it passes the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he’ll quit. An erroneous downgrade of French sovereign credit rating by Standard & Poor’s rating agency on Thursday was a very serious incident and will have to be investigated, the European Commission said on Friday.

Greece has a new prime minister-to-be. Lucas Papademos is a former Harvard University professor, and served as vice president of the European Central Bank. Papademos says he wants Greece to continue to use the euro and not get kicked out of the eurozone. But there are critics who say if Greece isn’t removed, the debt crisis will keep spreading. And in Italy, an economist named Mario Monti looks likely to head the next government there. The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell below 4 percent for just the second time in history. The foreclosure mess is getting worse. RealtyTrac said this morning more homes went into foreclosure last month.

Italy's borrowing rates climb over 7 percent, and it looks increasingly likely that a technocratic government might need to step in at the end of Silvio Berlusconi's leadership. Italy is also facing another crisis: a shortage of white truffles. A Senate panel looks at the best way to improve transportation infrastructure in the U.S., and the FCC will announce a deal to bring low-cost computers and Internet connections to low-income households.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may have just managed to hold on to power today after winning a key parliamentary vote. There were more jobs advertised in September than at any other time in the last 3 years — sign the job market could be getting better. Japanese car maker Toyota said profit fell by more than 18 percent in its last quarter. General Motors today rejected a plan for two Chinese companies to take over Swedish automaker Saab. GM is still a preferred shareholder in Saab. In Japan, the 92-year-old camera company Olympus admitted it has been covering up losses for decades.

The ANSA news agency is quoting Premier Silvio Berlusconi as rejecting speculation that he will resign, telling aides that any such rumors are "without foundation." Barnes and Noble is making what it's calling a very special announcement this morning. Analysts expect the company will launch a new version of its Nook e-reader to compete with the Kindle Fire — and, of course, the iPad. You know what's up? Warren Buffett's appetite for investment. His company Berkshire Hathaway invested $24 billion last quarter as markets wobbled. That was the most in at least 15 years.