Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the G20 Summit. (File Photo)Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a three-day visit, his first to the world's biggest crude oil exporter since 2016, Saudi state media reported on Tuesday. The visit will include a bilateral summit chaired by Saudi King Salman and attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. China is Saudi Arabia's biggest customer for crude oil, purchasing roughly a quarter of Saudi oil exports. Xi last visited Saudi Arabia in 2016, the year before Prince Mohammed became first in line to the throne, on a trip that also featured stops in Egypt and Saudi rival Iran.

Growth target for 2023 cutMANILA, Philippines — The economic team of the Marcos administration expects external headwinds to take a toll on overall growth next year amid still-elevated commodity prices and slowdown in major economies. During yesterday’s briefing by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), the economic team slashed its 2023 gross domestic product (GDP) growth target to six to seven percent from the previous 6.5 to eight percent goal set in July. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the global slowdown was factored into the adjustment. Nonetheless, GDP is seen picking up from 2024 to 2028 and register a 6.5 to eight percent growth, the original target of the DBCC. We’re hoping that the global oil prices will stabilize next year,” Edillon said.

An Egyptian watch merchant was arrested over deliberately smashing more than 200 urns and religious idols across multiple locations since April this year. The arrestee, a 38-year-old male, drove his car to various locations, including graveyards and temples, damaging over 210 urns and at least six religious idols. Officers believed the arrestee conducted the crime out of religious intention. Officers followed the car early Sunday and arrived at a temple in Shau Kei Wan. The officers subdued the suspect on the spot before he tried to break another religious idol.

The disrupted MTR services in Tseung Kwan O Line have gradually resumed after more than four hours of the suspension. Over 1,500 passengers were affected with two being sent to the hospital, including a pregnant woman. Around 800 passengers were guided by MTR staff to evacuate. Ng, a passenger on the train, was evacuated with his son, who was in a baby pram under the MTR staff's help. The incident was due to an equipment fault between the sixth and seventh compartments of the train, leading the emergency brake functioning to stop the train.

Biz groups oppose creation of Maharlika Wealth FundPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address as newly elected Congress leaders, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, react on Monday, July 25, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Business groups joined a clarion call to oppose the Marcos Jr. administration’s plan to create a sovereign wealth fund, owing to concerns of fiscal prudence, transparency and economic interventionism. Related Stories Does the P250-B Maharlika Wealth Fund make sense? These business groups likewise pointed out that the creation of the Maharlika will not be filling in any gaps, or “missing institutions” within the domestic economy. These business groups also noted that the Maharlika’s existence would usher in a period of economic intervention from the government.

EDITORIAL - Settle the Dengvaxia controversyIf uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continues to be tepid during this week’s three-day mass vaccination program, part of the reason has to be the lingering impact of the hysteria over the Dengvaxia controversy. Developed by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, Dengvaxia is the first dengue vaccine to be approved by global health authorities. By the end of 2016, the Philippines, Brazil and nine other countries had granted regulatory approval for Dengvaxia. Dengvaxia remains approved for use in countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Singapore and Thailand. A scientifically sound resolution of the Dengvaxia controversy may help ease vaccine hesitancy, which is being seen even in the COVID inoculation drive.

An MTR train on Tseung Kwan O Line suspended service due to its connecting couplings between carriage loosened this morning, with over 1,500 passengers evacuated. According to the announcement of MTR Corporation, a mechanical fault occurred when the involved train was preparing to enter the platform to Tseung Kwan O Station at around 8.57 am on Monday, causing the train to make an emergency stop. About 1,500 passengers on board were directed by MTR staff to walk along the tunnel from the emergency exit of the train to the Tseung Kwan O Station platform. "The train was not derailed, and the service is now gradually resuming as our staff fixing the failed train," Ng added. Free shuttle buses have been arranged at Tseung Kwan O Station for passengers.

The Educational Bureau requires secondary and primary schools and kindergartens that offer local curriculum to fly flags at half-staff on Tuesday, the day of the memorial service for the passing former president of Chinese Jiang Zemin. Graduation or prize-giving ceremonies can still be conducted, according to the letter to schools from the Bureau. The Bureau suggests schools make planning in advance and arrange for teachers and students to watch the memorial service, which will be broadcast live. International schools, other private schools and kindergartens that are equipped with flagpoles are also required to fly flags at half-mast. It will also arrange livestream of the memorial service at various hospitals.

Winston, La Salle not on same page about playing availabilityMANILA, Philippines — Schonny Winston and the La Salle Green Archers have released contrasting statements regarding the two-and-through guard's health status heading into their do-or-die Final Four clash against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Sunday. Thank you La Salle ????. According to Pumaren, La Salle will be releasing a statement on the matter soon. I think in due time, La Salle will come out with a statement regarding that," he said. La Salle ends their UAAP Season 85 campaign at fifth place with a 7-7 slate.

Migrant worker department prepares to take over OFW-related responsibilitiesAn overseas Filipino worker has her temperature taken prior to checking in at the counters of the NAIA-1 departure area yesterday(May 29, 2021). MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Migrant Workers said it is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs as the new department prepares to carry out legal assistance programs once its 2023 budget approved. The department was not included in the current budget year and is using exisitng funding allocated to existing agencies that deal with migrant worker concerns. The 42 Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) will be turned into Migrant Workers Offices once the department is fully constituted in 2023. To prepare labor attaches for the transition, the department is hosting a strategic planning workshop next week, from December 12 to 15.

Semeru, the tallest mountain on Java, erupted last year killing more than 50 people and displacing thousands. A damaged bridge was covered in volcanic ash. With 142 volcanoes, Indonesia has the world’s largest population living close range to volcanoes, with 8.6 million people within 10 km of one. The deadly late-November quake that hit in West Java was 5.6 magnitude but at a shallow depth. READ: Indonesia raises volcano warning to highest after Semeru erupts, evacuation underwayInquirer calls for support for the victims of Taal volcano eruption Responding to appeals for help, the Inquirer is extending its relief to the families affected by the recent eruption of Taal volcano.

The ex-vice president of the Hong Kong Softball Association (HKSA) fainted and passed away during a game this morning in Ho Man Tin. Rescuers received a report at around 9 am that 58-year-old Wong Woon-man suddenly fell into a coma when he was playing as a batter in a match with a Japanese softball team at the stadium of the association. Others launched first aid until Wong was sent to the hospital by ambulance. HKSA confirmed Wong’s death in a post on Facebook and expressed sincere condolences to his family and teammates. Wong served as the former vice president of the HKSA and a Hong Kong Team member.

JERUSALEM — A Palestinian car thief rammed through a checkpoint on the way to Israel’s main airport on Sunday, police said, setting off a security alert until he was caught after what authorities said was poor navigation on his part, not an attempted attack. As in the earlier incident, the suspect was believed to have taken a wrong turn off the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, Israeli officials said. Tensions are high amid a surge in street attacks in Israel and military raids in the West Bank. The violence has contributed to the rise of far-rightists likely to play significant roles in the incoming Israeli government. RELATED STORIESIsrael, Palestinians agree truce from Sunday eveningPalestinians clash with Israeli police at Jerusalem holy site, scores injuredRead Next

Four suspension ropes of a lift at an industrial building in Kwai Chung were snapped last week, with no one injured. Authorities found that the cause of the incident was the lift car got stuck, leading to the ropes breaking. The EMSD's preliminary findings revealed that the lift car was stuck in the liftway. As the drive sheave was still revolving, four suspension ropes of the lift were finally broken. The safety gear was activated to hold the lift car at about 8/F.

Loreto “Kaka” Llamas Jr., a former provincial board member of Sorsogon province, died last Friday. He is survived by his wife Flora and daughters KB, Kata and Karla. ADVERTISEMENTWake will be on Dec. 6-9 at Arlington Memorial Chapels, G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. His remains will be flown on Dec. 10 to Sorsogon City where another wake will be held on Dec. 11-13. TSBRead Next