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Low Hock Meng, a 71-year-old Malaysian veteran trekker, set out alone in Nepal to explore the Tamang trail, Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda. He became one of 55 Malaysians reported missing in the country.
Low Hock Meng, the only one among the 55 Malaysians reported missing in Nepal who has returned home so far, recalls his harrowing survival
It was a detour that saved his life. Malaysian Low Hock Meng, a 71-year-old veteran trekker, had set off on his own in Nepal.
He wanted to explore the Tamang trail, Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda.
Along his journey, he made the decision to visit the Nagathali viewpoint for a glimpse of Tibet on August 25.
Low then made his way down towards Thuman en route to Lingling in Nepal’s Bagmati province on August 26.

The U.S. Embassy in Fiji stated that hackers associated with China invaded the network of a regional organization in Suva, the capital of Fiji, between July and August 2026 and continued to maintain access rights for several days. The embassy has informed the Fiji government and affected organizations and provided technical advice. The Fiji government has yet to respond.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sanctioned Paraguay’s Minister of Communications and Technology Billiat and Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Fonseca in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law on the grounds that they stubbornly support maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Sanctions include freezing assets, banning transactions, not issuing visas, etc., and are effective from October 12. Taiwanese officials and a U.S. State Department spokesman criticized the move, saying China was interfering in other countries' internal affairs. Previously, Taiwan had just celebrated its National Day, and relevant officials had visited Taiwan or met with Taiwan’s foreign minister. Maritime units in many places in China issued navigation warnings and conducted military drills during the Double Ten Festival.

Hong Yingjie, secretary-general of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, said that Taiwan welcomes Japan's possible revision of the three security documents and the discussion of possessing nuclear submarines to cope with the regional security environment, and will deepen exchanges and cooperation with Japan in areas such as regional security and defense resilience. He also pointed out that the 7th Taiwan-Japan Maritime Affairs Cooperation Dialogue is under preparation and will be held by the Japanese side in Japan.

The Japan-Taiwan Parliamentary Federation, the largest cross-party pro-Taiwan group in the Japanese Diet, is led by Chairman Keiji Furuya to visit Taiwan to participate in the National Double Tenth Day. The 34 members of the delegation will meet with the President, the Legislative Yuan and other political dignitaries. Hong Yingjie pointed out that this visit reflects the importance that the Japanese Congress attaches to Taiwan-Japan relations and thanks Japan for its long-term support to Taiwan. He also reported on Taiwan's assistance to Japan's Kumamoto earthquake, which raised more than NT$300 million, and looked forward to deepening cooperation between the two sides in the field of disaster prevention and reduction. Regarding the Shuri Castle restoration ceremony, Hong Yingjie said that he would continue to follow up and learn more.

In response to China's sanctions on officials from Taiwan's friendly countries Paraguay and Belize, U.S. State Department spokesperson Piggott expressed opposition on behalf of the United States, condemned Beijing's use of coercion and aggression, and emphasized that the United States supports its friends and partners, including Taiwan.

The French navy intercepted the Benin-flagged oil tanker "DF Peak" near Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean on the 12th. The ship was accused of being a member of Russia's "shadow fleet" to circumvent Western sanctions. French President Macron reiterated that he would continue to crack down on such illegal smuggling.