China's National Bureau of Statistics has released a new raft of data on the health of the Chinese economy, the world's second largest. Annual GDP growth in the third quarter reached 4.9%, beating analysts' expectations. The authorities' efforts to support growth are bearing fruit, although retail sales remain low and the property sector continues to struggle. Also in this edition, Chinese President Xi Jinping defends his signature Belt and Road Initiative and oil prices surge after a blast kills hundreds at a hospital in Gaza.

Representatives from over 130 countries are gathering in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum this Tuesday. The Chinese initiative, launched in 2013 to boost infrastructure investments around the world, has attracted a lot of attention over the past decade. We take a look at the project's pros and cons and how it's evolved over the years. Also in this edition, Chinese real estate group Country Garden nears defaulting on its debt. Plus, Goldman Sachs's CEO says he's giving up his DJ side gig.

Following Hamas's attack on Israel, the US and Qatar have agreed to temporarily prevent Iran from tapping the $6 billion fund that was transferred to it as part of last month's prisoner swap deal. We take a closer look. In the EU, member states are to vote on the use of glyphosate, a controversial herbicide that was authorised back in 2017. Plus, UK regulators approve Microsoft's revised offer to buy "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, meaning the $69 billion deal can now go ahead.

Speaking during a meeting in Marrakech, the International Monetary Fund's managing director said the war between Israel and Hamas was a "new cloud" that was "darkening" the global economic outlook. Kristalina Georgieva said her organisation was monitoring the situation "very closely", although it was too soon to say what specific economic impact the conflict may have. It comes after the IMF released its World Economic Outlook earlier this week, already showing weak global growth.

Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, as well as X, formerly known as Twitter, have responded to a letter from EU Commissioner Thierry Breton urging caution over an increase in disinformation and illegal content. Both social media giants have said they've taken action on social media posts that violate EU law. Also in this edition: Argentinian presidential candidates play the blame game on currency devaluation and US auto workers escalate their strike.

As the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank take place this week in Marrakech, FRANCE 24's Charles Pellegrin speaks to the World Bank's Senior Managing Director Axel Van Trotsenburg about the urgent need to increase climate financing, calls for reform of the institution and the potential impact of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The future of EU development funds to Palestinians could be in jeopardy in the wake of Hamas's attack on Israel. The bloc's foreign ministers are meeting this Tuesday to review €691 million in aid. FRANCE 24's Catherine Viette takes a closer look at this economic lifeline for the Palestinian Territories. Also in this edition, we look at how the explosion in violence in the Middle East is affecting oil and stock markets.

KPMG's CEO outlook for 2023, seen as a temperature check for business leaders around the world, shows geopolitics bolting to the number one concern. The survey also found that an overwhelming majority of CEOs are likely to reward employees for returning to the office after the pandemic. FRANCE 24 spoke to KPMG's Global Head of Clients and Markets, Regina Mayor, who said companies would maintain a "hybrid" system and "look for more carrots" to incite workers back to the office.

The Belgian intelligence service has confirmed a report by the Financial Times saying it was looking into potential espionage at the main European logistics centre for Chinese tech giant Alibaba. The warehouse mostly handles goods shipped to European customers from the company's e-commerce site Ali Express. Intelligence officials said the concerns were linked to legislation that obliges Chinese companies to share data with authorities in Beijing.

Some 75,000 medical workers have walked off the job in the United States, asking for better pay and a solution to understaffing. Negotiations between union negotiators and medical consortium Kaiser Permanente were suspended after a marathon round of contract talks. FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet reports from the picket line in Los Angeles. Also in this edition, we hear the opening arguments from the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried. Plus, Amazon and Microsoft face antitrust issues in the UK.