Saudi Arabia’s mall-joggersLack of exercise spaces and soaring heat drive trend in Gulf kingdomAFP, RIYADHThe shops have not yet opened, but the air-conditioned concourse of a Riyadh shopping mall is crowded anyway — a haven for walkers and joggers grateful for somewhere cool to exercise. Saudi women exercise in a mall in Riyadh on Oct. 15. Long popular in the US, another car-centric country with an obesity problem, mall-walking is increasingly becoming a Saudi sport. Long popular in the US, another car-centric country with an obesity problem, mall-walking is increasingly becoming a Saudi sport. The contained environment also guarantees people can exercise even in less-than-ideal weather, like spring sandstorms or winter rains, says Saudi nutritionist Laila al-Rifai, a member of Kalous’s group.

EDITORIAL: The ugly truth Chao affair revealsWhile the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) are busy arranging a “marriage,” another hot topic concerns an extramarital affair. On Monday evening, a media outlet reported that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chao Tian-lin (趙天麟) and a Chinese woman surnamed Zhang (張) were allegedly involved in an extramarital affair. Chao later admitted that the extramarital affair happened years ago and issued a public apology, saying that he would not seek re-election in January’s legislative election. The affair has shown that Chinese war and infiltration have already started and are disguised under different forms. To own up to his mistake, Chao should reassure the public by offering a detailed explanation of the relationship, so that allegations of undermining national security could be put to rest.

KMT and TPP to enter talks soonSOLE OPTION: As there is no time left for polling, a primary or both, the KMT and TPP have eyed party-to-party negotiations as the only way toward cooperationStaff writer, with CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced that it would enter into “party-to-party negotiations” with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) over possible collaboration for the Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections, after deciding there is no longer enough time to hold polls or a primary to decide on a joint presidential candidate. This indicates that cooperation between Ko and Hou could be crucial if the DPP is to be defeated. Asked yesterday to comment on the standoff between the KMT and TPP, Hou said with the Nov. 24 deadline for presidential candidate registration looming, neither conducting polls, as proposed by the TPP, nor a primary, as the KMT has insisted on, could be completed in time. A KMT source, who asked not to be identified, said that the party has no preconditions for party-to-party negotiations and is open to discussing collaboration. The idea of holding “party-to-party negotiations” to discuss collaboration for the Jan. 13 elections and a governing coalition was first proposed by Ko during a meeting with KMT chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) earlier this month.

ECB holds interest rates for first time in over a yearBloombergThe European Central Bank (ECB) left interest rates unchanged for the first time in more than a year as it gauges whether an unprecedented series of hikes will succeed in subduing inflation. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde speaks at a rates decision news conference in Athens, Greece yesterday. Italian bonds, which have been a major beneficiary of ECB debt-buying programs, outperformed as Lagarde said changes to the 1.7 trillion euro (US$1.8 trillion) pandemic-era Public Sector Purchase Program (PEPP) initiative weren’t discussed this week. ECB officials aren’t offering many clues, with several focusing instead on other policy levers like PEPP. On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada kept rates unchanged for a second straight time, while leaving open the possibility of more tightening.

New Zealand in good headspace after visit with Dalai Lama on their day offReutersA first World Cup loss to hosts India has done little to dampen spirits in the New Zealand camp, with players soaking up the delights of Dharamsala and reveling in a visit to the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama, center, arrives to attend a long life prayer offered to him by his students and devotees at a temple in McLeod Ganj, India, yesterday. Photo: AFPWith the town also the base of the Tibetan government-in-exile, New Zealand players jumped at the chance to meet the organization’s spiritual leader. “This morning most of the group went to meet the Dalai Lama in person at his residence, which was amazing,” batsman Will Young said. New Zealand players celebrate after taking the wicket of India’s Suryakumar Yadav during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match in Dharamsala, India, on Sunday.

US senators reintroduce bill to boost Taiwan tiesTHIRD TRY: Marco Rubio and Jeff Merkley said the bill ‘is more important than ever,’ as ‘Taiwan’s democracy is critical to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region’Staff writer, with CNA, WASHINGTONTwo US senators have reintroduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act, which they said is aimed at updating and bolstering US policy to support Taiwan amid China’s military and diplomatic aggression. Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Jeff Merkley on Tuesday introduced the act for the third time, after previous attempts in to get the legislation through Congress stalled. US Senator Jeff Merkley speaks during a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington on Oct. 4. Photo: Bloomberg“This bipartisan bill is more important than ever, as it reinforces our nation’s commitment to our democratic ally Taiwan, and strengthens our bilateral ties,” Rubio said in a joint news release with Merkley. The United States’ support for Taiwan’s democracy plays a crucial role in defending that peace,” Merkley said.

Securities account balance falls as confidence slipsBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterThe nation’s securities account balance, a gauge of retail investors’ confidence in local equities, fell to the lowest level in five months last month, as the TAIEX continued to consolidate and stock trading momentum slowed, the central bank said on Tuesday. The securities account balance declined to NT$3.25 trillion (US$100.5 billion) from NT$3.35 trillion in the previous month, data compiled by the central bank showed. A man walks past an electronic stock board at a securities firm in Taipei in an undated photograph. The TAIEX averaged 17,072 points in July, but fell to 16,648 in August and dropped further to 16,570 last month, central bank data showed. The securities account balance decreased by NT$203.9 billion in the past two months and foreign institutional investors net sold NT$188.9 billion of local shares over the same period.

Indian official urges business partnershipsCOLLABORATION: India, with a huge market, pluralistic democracy and longstanding credible partnerships, meets businesses’ needs, Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav saidBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterIndia is a favorable destination for Taiwanese manufacturers with a huge market, many young and skilled talent, a pluralistic society with strong rule of law, and credible long-term partnerships, India Taipei Association (ITA) Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav said yesterday. The delegation comprises key figures from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Electronic Industries Association of India. Photo: Lee I-chia, Taipei TimesSingh is the highest-ranking Indian official that has visited Taiwan this year. India Taipei Association Director-General Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav speaks at a luncheon held by the association in Taipei on Tuesday. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh speaks at a luncheon held by the India Taipei Association in Taipei on Tuesday.

EDITORIAL: Cooperating to limit ChinaAmid the global turbulence of the Israel-Palestine conflict and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US on Friday released a report showing that China increased warplane incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone by 79 percent from last year, indicating that Beijing might create unrest in the Asia-Pacific region. China has for a long time used military and political pressure to pursue its goal of taking over Taiwan. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have raised concern that China might use the opportunity to take action against Taiwan. If the Chinese military causes a major incident — even accidentally — it might spark a military conflict in the region, which has a long history of territorial and sovereignty disputes. Events in Ukraine and the Middle East might embolden China as it oppresses its neighbors and intensifies its international activities.

Ko Wen-je asks China for new framework for talksBy Yimou Lee / Reuters, TAIPEIChina should propose a new framework for engagement with Taiwan and explain what Beijing has to offer Taiwan, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday. China has stepped up military and political pressure with Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections scheduled for January. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks at a news conference at Regent Hotel in Taipei yesterday. It’s their obligations, not mine,” Ko said when asked about how he planned to restart talks with China, which have been frozen since the DPP government took office in 2016. Beijing should define what “one China” means — whether it is political, or economic, he said.

The New Taipei City mayor in an interview with the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times), China Times and United Daily News on Monday suggested compromising by giving equal weighting to each method. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi presents a sample primary ballot during an interview with the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) on Monday. Ko held a news conference in the afternoon to respond to the proposal, in which he blasted the rushed timeline. Hou’s office said that Hou and KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) are to hold a news conference at 5pm to respond. "For the KMT-TPP alliance to be completed and achieve a transition of power, the names of both individuals [his and Ko's] must be on the same ballot," Hou said.

Toyota lobbies India to cut hybrid vehicle taxes: letterReuters, NEW DELHIJapan’s Toyota Motor Corp is lobbying the Indian government to cut taxes on hybrid vehicles by as much as one-fifth, saying they are far less polluting than gasoline-only cars, but do not get commensurate policy treatment, a company letter shows. India taxes EVs at just 5 percent, while the levy on hybrids is as high as 43 percent, just below the 48 percent imposed on gasoline-only cars. Models pose at the unveiling of Toyota’s new hybrid Urban Cruiser Hyryder in New Delhi on July 1 last year. Toyota has begun developing EVs while also championing hydrogen-powered vehiclefs, saying a “multi-pathway” approach is needed to solve the climate crisis. In its letter, Toyota also asks India to bring hybrid vehicles under a government incentive program that offers discounts to buyers, a scheme now available only for EVs.

Beijing pressures businesspeopleBy Huang Wei-ping 黃惟冰In response to requests from businesspeople, the Straits Exchange Foundation arranged an investment event in Kinmen County. Li, who had most of his assets in Hong Kong, started to off-load his major property investments in China, a move that triggered a series of discussions in Beijing. How does Beijing interpret the moves of Taiwanese businesspeople who have been trying to bring their investments back to Taiwan? They want to diversify their risk, but Beijing has prevented them from doing so. Even so, Beijing dealt with the matter bluntly, preventing locals from benefiting and stopping Taiwanese businesspeople from investing in Kinmen.

Kohli hits 95 as unbeaten India beat NZ at World CupAFP, DHARAMSALA, IndiaVirat Kohli on Sunday hit 95 to lead India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand and a fifth win in five matches at the World Cup, although the superstar batsman just missed equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 one-day international centuries. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami returned figures of 5-54 to help bowl out New Zealand for 273, a total India overhauled with 12 balls to spare in Dharamsala. India’s Virat Kohli plays a shot during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand in Dharamsala, India, on Sunday. He backed himself to do the job,” India captain Rohit Sharma said of his star batsman after the win. I have experienced it before in first class cricket in Karori Park in Wellington when the fog came in,” he said.

EDITORIAL: No need to fear a ‘polycrisis’ — yetThe past few years have served as a lesson to expect the unexpected. Even before Hamas’ attack, the idea of a “polycrisis” was beginning to gain traction. As tempting as it is to view global conflict as an inevitable collective, a flare-up in one place does not necessitate a total conflagration. In global politics, Beijing wishes to present itself as a great power alternative to the US. As the “polycrisis” feels more salient than ever, it is important to remember that no crisis is inevitable with the right preparation and balance.