Official figures show local economic growth slowed to 1.8 percent in the third quarter from a year ago. The reading was lower than market estimates of at least three percent. But as Anne Chan reports, the government remains confident of continued growth in the remainder of the year:

An economist says local growth was dragged down by sluggish consumption. Samuel Tse from DBS Bank said Hong Kong's strong dollar was driving locals to shop across the border and was restraining the spending power of tourists. He spoke to Anne Chan:

Two benchmarks measuring economic activity on the mainland each rose above the key 50-point mark last month, outperforming market expectations. The official purchasing managers' index for manufacturing, and the one for non-manufacturing, edged into the top half of the index to indicate growth. Raymond Yeung reports:

Snooker superstar Ronnie O’Sullivan has become a Hong Kong resident through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. This was announced by the Immigration Department. As Damon Pang reports, the world number five says he loves Hong Kong:

Worker representatives say the labour minister has pledged to take steps to stop the exploitation of migrant employees. Mainlanders seeking work in Hong Kong under various labour importation schemes must apply through authorised agents, which reportedly charge them exorbitant fees. Elvis Yu reports:

Health chief Lo Chung-mau says a third medical school that is being planned in Hong Kong could be modelled on the American system and focus on admitting students with bachelors degrees. Frank Yung reports:

Researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology say they have developed a new AI medical model that answers questions like the AI chatbot, ChatGPT. The chatbot is one of four new AI models unveiled by the university which can diagnose up to 30 types of cancers and diseases. Professor Chen Hao, who led the project, told Kelly Yu that the "MedDr" model can generate reports and provide initial diagnoses based on medical images:

Up to 20 students a year are to be given scholarships for postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge. The initiative has been launched by the British institution along with City University. Frank Yung reports:

A Chinese aircraft manufacturer says it has opened an office in Hong Kong - the second outside the mainland after one in Singapore. The move by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is seen as a way for the firm to expand its reach overseas. Anne Chan reports:

Thousands of trick or treaters around town threw parties on Thursday night celebrating Halloween. In Tsim Sha Tsui, light shows featured pandas in spooky outfits at the Cultural Centre and Clock Tower, while the Space Museum was transformed into a giant pumpkin. Revellers also flocked to Lan Kwai Fong, dressed as zombies and other characters. Damon Pang spoke to some of them:

Ahead of the festivities, representatives of the bar trade said they hoped for a 10 percent boost in sales, much like what was seen during last week's Wine and Dine Festival. Allan Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, said business was brisk in the popular bar district. He told Ben Tse that Halloween brought out the largest crowds he had seen in years:

China has conducted its first dual aircraft carrier formation exercise in the South China Sea. As Aaron Tam reports, state media said the naval drills involved the Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers.

North Korea says it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile as a warning to countries that threaten its security. The United States joined South Korea and Japan on Thursday to condemn the test. Seoul imposed new sanctions against its northern neighbour, targeting materials that are needed to make solid-fuel missiles. Natale Ching reports:

Beijing says it is "concerned" over the situation on the Korean peninsula and called for a political resolution. Pyongyang's latest missile launch is its first weapons test since being accused of sending North Korean soldiers to Russia. RTHK's correspondent in Seoul, Frank Smith, told Azam Khan that the test-firing was a breakthrough in military capabilities for the North:

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are both campaigning in Arizona and Nevada, two of seven crucial battleground states where the race for the White House will be decided. The two presidential candidates have announced their plans to hold final rallies on Monday night, ahead of Election Day in the United States next Tuesday. Harris will close the election by addressing supporters in Pennsylvania, while Trump will make his final campaign appearance in Michigan. Simon Marks reports from Washington:

The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories has urged the UN to classify the Palestinian crisis as genocide. It is the second time in two days that Francesca Albanese has called on states to help stop the "complete destruction" of Gaza, while reaffirming "reasonable grounds" that Israel has been committing acts of genocide in the Palestinian enclave. Jamie Clarke reports:

The death toll from the flash floods in Spain has risen to at least 158 with scores more missing as the country enters a period of national mourning. The extent of the damage has raised questions over how one of the world's most developed nations failed to respond adequately to the disaster. RTHK's Europe correspondent Peter Anderson told Janice Lo that the death toll is expected to rise further:

Dense smog continues to cause serious problems for residents in Pakistan’s Lahore. The government of Punjab province, of which Lahore is the capital city, introduced mandatory mask-wearing this week after the city’s air quality index topped the global pollution charts. Even though that number has since come down, the severity of the smog is still causing issues for workers, especially those who work outdoors. Jamie Clarke reports:

Now to football and there will be more Premier League action this weekend with Newcastle kicking things off against Arsenal. RTHK's football correspondent, Tim Bredbury, has a preview of this weekend's match-ups:

A unique ‘flipping’ ship from the 1960s is set to be saved from the scrap heap. Half ship, half submarine, the vessel is capable of rotating from horizontal to vertical, looking like its sinking, and then back again. Its new owner is set to refit it with state of the art technology. Jamie Clarke has details: