More than 100,000 American workers are on strike or preparing to strike as a tightening labour market signals a comeback for organised labour after decades of decline. Also, France calls for an end to trade tensions with the US, and the demise of Italy's flagship carrier Alitalia heralds the birth of a new low-cost successor.

After 75 years of service, Alitalia is closing down. Italy's national carrier had failed to turn a profit in over 20 years and struggled to adapt to low-cost competition. Also in the show: America's labour market recovery remains uneven as more women leave the workforce, and the global supply chain crunch leaves retailers worried about the holiday season.

Officials are scrambling to help clear supply chain backlogs, with two of the US's largest ports operating 24 hours per day as traffic jams of container ships wait offshore. Also, the IMF unveils a new mechanism for rich countries to lend or donate to poor nations, and Hollywood braces for the biggest crew strike since the 1940s.

The EU has unveiled a "toolbox" of measures to protect vulnerable families from the rising price of energy. Member states are being encouraged to offer tax breaks or energy cheques, but France says the plan doesn't go far enough to ensure energy independence. Also in the show: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva defends her record after being cleared of an ethics scandal at the World Bank, and shipping ports around the world are facing traffic jams.

As natural gas prices soar, French households are cutting back on heating. The European Commission is preparing to unveil a "toolbox" of measures designed to keep rising energy costs in check. Also, the US Congress approves a short-term hike in the debt ceiling and Apple is reportedly cutting back on its iPhone production amid the global shortage in computer chips.

Natural gas isn't the only commodity becoming more expensive. We take a look at what's driving the upsurge in global oil prices and how it's affecting consumers. Also, the International Monetary Fund is standing behind its embattled managing director and French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to unveil a massive new investment plan.

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva is under fire amid accusations that she and other World Bank officials manipulated data in favor of China during her tenure as chief executive of the World Bank. Tesla tries to build support for its controversial Berlin Giga Factory, and Facebook says it will "nudge" teens away from harmful content.

After weeks of political wrangling, the US Senate has approved a bill to extend government borrowing through early December by raising the debt ceiling by about half a trillion dollars. The bipartisan deal prevents the US from defaulting on its credit obligations on October 18, though another cliff edge will come on December 3. Plus, a private airline in Ukraine has introduced a new design for its cabin crew uniform, ditching high heels and skirts in favour of trainers and trousers.

US lawmakers have reached a temporary truce on the debt ceiling, thereby avoiding the threat of a default in the coming weeks. But the deal to raise the government's borrowing limit through early December doesn't resolve their key differences over spending plans. Also in the show: Ireland agrees to sign onto a global corporate tax deal, ditching its own low rates.

In the US, Republican senators have said they would support a short-term lifting of the government's borrowing limit, in order to avoid a damaging default on October 18. In response, the White House said on Wednesday that no formal offer had yet been made. Spokesperson Jen Psaki urged senators not to "kick the can down the road" with a temporary solution. Also today, Russia's President Vladimir Putin could increase gas supplies to Europe to alleviate a spike in prices.