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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..