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AdvertisementSouth China SeaChinaDiplomacyChinese coastguard rescues Filipino sailors near Scarborough ShoalPLA Navy also deploys plane as search continues for missing crew from capsized vessel
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMP2Shi JiangtaoPublished: 2:44pm, 23 Jan 2026The Chinese navy and coastguard said on Friday that they rescued 17 Filipino crew members from a Singaporean-flagged cargo ship that had capsized near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.According to the China Coast Guard (CCG), the Maritime Search and Rescue Centre in Sansha, Hainan province, received a distress report at around 1.30am on Friday.
The vessel appeared to be in trouble about 55 nautical miles northwest of Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China. The centre sent two coastguard vessels immediately to conduct rescue operations.
AdvertisementThe ship had 21 Filipino crew members on board and by midday, 17 had been recovered. Fourteen were reported stable, two had died, and one rema..

UAE recorded its coldest morning this winter as temperatures dropped to 0.2°C today early morning/Representative Image The UAE experienced one of its coldest mornings of the winter season today, with temperatures dropping sharply across several parts of the country. The lowest temperature recorded this morning was 0.2°C in Jebel Jais, as the nation continues to feel the impact of a winter cold spell.The National Centre of Meteorology confirmed that the 0.2°C reading was recorded at 5.45 am. Authorities had earlier warned that a cold spell would affect the UAE during the second half of January, and recent conditions indicate the country is now experiencing its coldest days of the season.Several other locations across the UAE also saw notably low temperatures early this morning. Mebreh Mountain recorded 3.1°C at 5.15 am, followed by Jabal Al Rahba at 3.2°C at 6.45 am. Raknah reported a temperature of 4°C at 7.15 am, while Hafeet Mountain recorded 6.7°C at 5.30 am.Residents heading out in..

Dubai Crash Leaves Indian Biker With Dh400,000 Hospital Bill And No Insurance An Indian expatriate in Dubai is confronting an overwhelming hospital bill of nearly Dh400,000 (approximately Rs 1 crore) after a serious motorbike accident on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) left him with multiple fractures and ongoing surgical needs. The situation raises broader questions about road safety, healthcare costs and insurance coverage in the UAE.What happened on Dubai's E311On the early morning of January 18, 2026, 36-year-old Avinash Sequeira, a freelance events professional and member of the Ducati Owners Club, was on a routine weekend ride with friends when the accident occurred near Liwan, close to his home. After swapping bikes, due to a radiator leak on his own motorcycle, Avinash was heading home at around 50 km/h when the bike lost traction on a gentle curve, causing him to crash.He sustained multiple fractures to both legs and his right hip, according to medical reports. Pass..

AdvertisementHong Kong propertyBusinessHong Kong tests student housing land sales as office market slowdown curbs tendersGovernment invites interest in three sites for student hostels, signalling a shift from office sites to education-focused development
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPPeggy YePublished: 2:00pm, 22 Jan 2026Hong Kong is testing purpose-built student housing as an alternative land-sale model, as weak demand for commercial sites pushes the government to explore uses that can still attract investor interest.The Development Bureau on Tuesday invited expressions of interest (EOI) for student hostel development on three commercially zoned sites in Kai Tak, Siu Lek Yuen in Sha Tin, and Tung Chung East, marking the first time the government had proposed selling land through open tender with use restricted exclusively to student accommodation.
The move comes after the government effectively halted commercial land sales due to high office vacancy rates and ample exist..

JD Vance and Usha Vance Expecting Fourth Child: A Look at Their Family Journey Today the spotlight is on Usha Vance and US Vice President JD Vance, as the couple joyfully announced recently that they are expecting their fourth child, a baby boy due in July 2026. The news that has captivated media and social feeds worldwide and we can't help but go down their relationship journey, from law school beginnings to life in the political spotlight.JD Vance and Usha Vance's announcement that broke the Internet
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance shared the pregnancy news in a heartfelt post across social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, expressing excitement about welcoming their fourth child and gratitude for the support of military medical staff and their team. The couple, who already have three children (sons Ewan and Vivek and daughter Mirabel), said that they are thrilled and looking forward to late-July arrival.Taking to her X handle, ea..

Sharjah unveils major employment plan for 2026, with 2,000 government jobs / image: file In a move that has sparked excitement across the emirate, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has officially approved the hiring of 1,000 Emirati men and women into government positions. This isn't just a small hiring spree; it brings the total number of job opportunities announced under the Sharjah 2026 budget to a staggering 2,000 positions.Specifically designed to accommodate newly graduated degree holders, this initiative spans all cities and regions of the emirate. The message from the leadership is clear: no graduate will be left behind. By focusing on the youth, Sharjah is ensuring that its next generation of professionals has a direct path into the workforce, supporting the wider national goal of a stable and prosperous community.Sharjah’s 2026 jobs surge: What’s happening?If you are a job seeker, you won't have to wait long. The Sharjah Depart..

AdvertisementUS-Asean relationsThis Week in AsiaPoliticsWhy Southeast Asia is wary of Trump’s ‘pay-to-play’ global peace boardNations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say
Reading Time:4 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPKolette LimandAidan JonesPublished: 2:30pm, 21 Jan 2026Southeast Asian countries invited to join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” should think carefully before entering what looks like a “more exclusive version” of the United Nations Security Council with the US president in ultimate control, analysts caution.Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are among about 60 countries that have reportedly received invitations, alongside South Korea and India.The initiative, presented by Trump as a new international body to promote global stability, was initially authorised by the United Nations Security Council to help oversee the Gaza peace plan and post-war reconstruction. But dra..

AdvertisementSouth KoreaAsiaEast AsiaSouth Korea’s ex-PM Han gets 23 years in prison for insurrection tied to martial lawA ‌judge said Han Duck-soo failed ⁠to hold a lawful cabinet meeting needed for ‌martial law under South Korean ‌rules
Reading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMPReutersPublished: 2:26pm, 21 Jan 2026Updated: 2:43pm, 21 Jan 2026A ‌South Korean ‍court on Wednesday sentenced former prime minister ⁠Han Duck-soo to ‍23 years in prison ‍for charges including ‌engaging in key action ‍of insurrection concerning ‍ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived ‌declaration of martial law ‍in December 2024.
The Seoul Central ‍District Court found Han guilty on the charge because ‌he was considered instrumental in setting ‍up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that worked to facilitate the martial law ‌declaration, ⁠a judge said.
Han, 76, is the first former cabinet minister to be handed a ruling by ‌a lower court on criminal charges directly related to martial ‌law.
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Love, Luxury and Obsession: Netflix’s 2026 Arabic Shows Are About to Take Over Your Screen Netflix has just unveiled its much-anticipated Arabic-language entertainment slate for 2026, sending fans across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) into a frenzy. The streamer’s new roster spans drama, reality TV, romance, horror and psychological thrillers, marking another bold push into regional storytelling that blends local flavor with global appeal. This comes as part of Netflix’s strategy to nurture original content from diverse voices while expanding its international footprint.The lineup includes returning favourites like Love Is Blind, Habibi and Dubai Bling, fresh original films such as From the Ashes: The Pit and Love in Slow Motion and new series including Chasing Shadows and Obsess. With several star casts and genre-hopping offerings, 2026 is shaping up to be Netflix’s most ambitious year yet for Arabic productions.Reality TV reloaded: Love Is Blind, Habibi returns for season 2
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