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Belize

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Belize. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Belmopan

Head of State

King Charles III

Head of Government

Prime Minister John Briceño

A planned US “stopover” by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te comes as relations are tense between Beijing and Washington and as Taipei grapples with Donald Trump’s tariffs. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

William Lai could visit New York and Texas on his way to South America, sources say, at a time when US-China relations are already tense.

15 Jul 2025 - 5:04PMvideocam

Natural disasters

Deadly Hurricane Beryl churns towards Mexico after hammering Jamaica

4 Jul 2024 - 4:44PM

Middle East

Yemen Houthis claim attacks on 2 ships in Red Sea and Indian Ocean

24 Jun 2024 - 1:34PM

Middle East

Cargo ship sinks in Red Sea days after Houthi drone boat attack

The Greek-owned MV Tutor was struck by a waterborne explosive device on June 12 and had been taking on water.

20 Jun 2024 - 8:26AM

The MV Tutor after an attack by a Houthi exploding boat in the Red Sea on June 12. Photo: Houthis Media Centre via EPA-EFE

Fame and celebrity

The day Teresa Teng died in Thailand – what the butler saw

Teresa Teng’s untimely death in 1995 sparked many a conspiracy theory. A former employee of the Chiang Mai hotel where the singer lived and died recalls what happened on that fateful day 29 years ago.

5 May 2024 - 7:45AM

Israel-Gaza war

Colombia to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war

President Gustavo Petro described Israel’s siege of Gaza as ‘genocide’. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being ‘antisemitic and full of hate’.

2 May 2024 - 3:20PM

China’s Communist Party

China reveals it executed scientist for spying in 2016

Programme broadcast on state television discloses new details, punishments from espionage crimes that rocked the country.

15 Apr 2024 - 5:01PM

Huang Yu’s case featured in a government-produced documentary aired on state television. Photo: CCTV

Get to Know

Meet Fani Willis, the DA who doesn’t fear The Donald and prefers vodka to wine

Willis’ first day in office coincided with the news that Trump asked Georgia’s state secretary to ‘find votes’, but she was nearly pulled from the case due to an improper romantic relationship

8 Apr 2024 - 5:55PM

Asia travel

Travel influencer couple on horror India gang rape and Taliban interrogation

Travel influencers Fernanda and Vicente open up about Fernanda being gang-raped in India earlier in March and their Taliban interrogation while on an epic six-year motorbike trip.

19 Mar 2024 - 3:26PM

Middle East

Red Sea faces ‘environmental disaster’ as sunk cargo ship spills oil, fertiliser

A vibrant fishing industry, coral reefs and desalination plants supplying millions with drinking water are at risk after fertiliser and oil spilled into the Red Sea by the sinking of a cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

3 Mar 2024 - 12:57PMvideocam

The Belize-flagged and UK-owned cargo ship Rubymar, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis, sunk after being attacked in the Red Sea. Photo: Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

Middle East

Red Sea shipping crisis stokes further inflation fears after Houthi attack

Freight rates were just stabilising but the missile attack against a Belize-flagged ship could further disrupt global trade and hurt consumers.

21 Feb 2024 - 8:23PMvideocam

Houthi supporters attend a rally in Sanaa against the US-led airstrikes on Yemen and in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on February 9. Photo: AP

Middle East

Attacks on ships and US drones show Houthis can still fight despite US-led strikes

This week, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels seriously damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.

21 Feb 2024 - 1:09PM

Middle East

Crew abandon cargo ship after Houthi missile attack

Yemen’s Houthis targeted the Rubymar cargo ship and it is now at risk of sinking, the group’s military spokesperson said.

19 Feb 2024 - 4:34PM

Donald Trump

Fani Willis hits back at misconduct claims that threaten future of Trump case

A witness says the DA started dating lawyer Nathan Wade before she hired him for the Georgia election interference case, contradicting their accounts.

16 Feb 2024 - 7:25AMvideocam

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in Atlanta on Thursday. Photo: TNS

Belt and Road Initiative

Chinese foreign minister vows to help Jamaica play bigger role on world stage

Message from Wang Yi comes as he meets Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on last stop of six-nation tour.

21 Jan 2024 - 7:15PMvideocam

Wang Yi with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Kingston, the last stop on a six-nation tour for the Chinese foreign minister. Photo: X/AndrewHolnessJM

American cinema

Profile | Why Jeffrey Wright sees something of himself in American Fiction role

Jeffrey Wright is known for his ability to play a wide range of characters. His latest, a frustrated black writer in American Fiction, required less metamorphosis than any role ever has in his career.

23 Dec 2023 - 4:41AM

Wellness

Tired, exhausted? You could have chronic fatigue syndrome – what to know

Once called ‘yuppie flu’ and also termed myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME, chronic fatigue syndrome’s incidence may have been underreported, a US government report suggests.

14 Dec 2023 - 7:15PM

US-China relations

US and Taiwan to keep pressing for Taipei’s inclusion in World Health Assembly

US State Department says discussion, which included Taiwan and US officials, focused on support for Taiwan’s expanded participation in multilateral organisations.

14 Dec 2023 - 5:59AM

The US State Department said on Wednesday that Taiwan and the US would redouble efforts to win Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly and other multilateral organisations. Photo: Reuters

King Charles III

King Charles arrives in Kenya as calls for colonial apology grow

Buckingham Palace said the monarch is expected to tackle ‘the more painful aspects’ of Britain’s historic relationship with the African nation, which will soon celebrate 60 years of independence.

31 Oct 2023 - 5:19AMvideocam

Taiwan

Taiwan withdraws from Parlacen after vote in favour of Beijing

Regional body votes to expel Taipei as a permanent observer after more than two decades, with Beijing to take its place.

22 Aug 2023 - 9:00PMvideocam

China’s military

PLA drills around Taiwan after William Lai’s US trip seen as ‘more restrained’

Analysts say they did not match the size and scale of the drills that followed Tsai Ing-wen’s meetings with US officials in April and last August.

21 Aug 2023 - 10:44PMvideocam

Taiwan

Guatemala urged to ditch Taiwan after new president’s election

Bernardo Arevalo, who was elected on an anti-corruption platform, has said he does not want to cut ties with Taipei, but does want more trade with mainland.

21 Aug 2023 - 9:40PM

Bernardo Arevalo, and his running mate Karin Herrera celebrate their victor in the Guatemalan presidential election. Photo: AFP

Taiwan

Taiwanese presidential hopeful William Lai to stop in US during Paraguay trip

The DPP candidate will transit through New York and San Francisco when he travels to attend inauguration in South American ally country, but denies he will make controversial stops in Washington and Virginia headquarters of de facto US embassy.

2 Aug 2023 - 7:46PMvideocam

Taiwan

Taiwan may be about to lose more diplomatic ground to Beijing in Central America

Nicaragua has proposed that the regional parliament, Parlacen, cancel Taipei’s permanent observer status.

23 Jul 2023 - 12:16PMvideocam

Taiwan

Beijing protests to US over visit by Taiwanese presidential contender

The foreign ministry said there would be a ‘strong and resolute’ response if Lai, the current front runner, stops over in the US en route to Paraguay.

18 Jul 2023 - 3:39AMvideocam

Taiwan

Why Taiwan is watching to see who becomes Guatemala’s next president

Centre-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo, who will be facing former first lady Sandra Torres in the August 20 run-off, has promised closer ties with Beijing.

6 Jul 2023 - 11:39PMvideocam

Taiwan

Beijing’s trade deals tempt Taipei’s allies in Latin America – but not Pacific

China and Honduras sealed their diplomatic relationship by signing a series of economic agreements and moves towards a free-trade pact.

18 Jun 2023 - 8:00PMvideocam

King Charles III

Britain marks coronation of King Charles in rainy London

At 74, King Charles is the oldest person to ascend to the throne in British history.

7 May 2023 - 3:31PM

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Belize

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

William Lai could visit New York and Texas on his way to South America, sources say, at a time when US-China relations are already tense.

Deadly Hurricane Beryl churns towards Mexico after hammering Jamaica

Yemen Houthis claim attacks on 2 ships in Red Sea and Indian Ocean

Cargo ship sinks in Red Sea days after Houthi drone boat attack

The Greek-owned MV Tutor was struck by a waterborne explosive device on June 12 and had been taking on water.

The day Teresa Teng died in Thailand – what the butler saw

Teresa Teng’s untimely death in 1995 sparked many a conspiracy theory. A former employee of the Chiang Mai hotel where the singer lived and died recalls what happened on that fateful day 29 years ago.

Colombia to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war

President Gustavo Petro described Israel’s siege of Gaza as ‘genocide’. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being ‘antisemitic and full of hate’.

China reveals it executed scientist for spying in 2016

Programme broadcast on state television discloses new details, punishments from espionage crimes that rocked the country.

Meet Fani Willis, the DA who doesn’t fear The Donald and prefers vodka to wine

Willis’ first day in office coincided with the news that Trump asked Georgia’s state secretary to ‘find votes’, but she was nearly pulled from the case due to an improper romantic relationship

Travel influencer couple on horror India gang rape and Taliban interrogation

Travel influencers Fernanda and Vicente open up about Fernanda being gang-raped in India earlier in March and their Taliban interrogation while on an epic six-year motorbike trip.

Red Sea faces ‘environmental disaster’ as sunk cargo ship spills oil, fertiliser

A vibrant fishing industry, coral reefs and desalination plants supplying millions with drinking water are at risk after fertiliser and oil spilled into the Red Sea by the sinking of a cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Red Sea shipping crisis stokes further inflation fears after Houthi attack

Freight rates were just stabilising but the missile attack against a Belize-flagged ship could further disrupt global trade and hurt consumers.

Attacks on ships and US drones show Houthis can still fight despite US-led strikes

This week, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels seriously damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.

Crew abandon cargo ship after Houthi missile attack

Yemen’s Houthis targeted the Rubymar cargo ship and it is now at risk of sinking, the group’s military spokesperson said.

Fani Willis hits back at misconduct claims that threaten future of Trump case

A witness says the DA started dating lawyer Nathan Wade before she hired him for the Georgia election interference case, contradicting their accounts.

Chinese foreign minister vows to help Jamaica play bigger role on world stage

Message from Wang Yi comes as he meets Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on last stop of six-nation tour.

Profile | Why Jeffrey Wright sees something of himself in American Fiction role

Jeffrey Wright is known for his ability to play a wide range of characters. His latest, a frustrated black writer in American Fiction, required less metamorphosis than any role ever has in his career.

Tired, exhausted? You could have chronic fatigue syndrome – what to know

Once called ‘yuppie flu’ and also termed myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME, chronic fatigue syndrome’s incidence may have been underreported, a US government report suggests.

US and Taiwan to keep pressing for Taipei’s inclusion in World Health Assembly

US State Department says discussion, which included Taiwan and US officials, focused on support for Taiwan’s expanded participation in multilateral organisations.

King Charles arrives in Kenya as calls for colonial apology grow

Buckingham Palace said the monarch is expected to tackle ‘the more painful aspects’ of Britain’s historic relationship with the African nation, which will soon celebrate 60 years of independence.

Taiwan withdraws from Parlacen after vote in favour of Beijing

Regional body votes to expel Taipei as a permanent observer after more than two decades, with Beijing to take its place.

PLA drills around Taiwan after William Lai’s US trip seen as ‘more restrained’

Analysts say they did not match the size and scale of the drills that followed Tsai Ing-wen’s meetings with US officials in April and last August.

Guatemala urged to ditch Taiwan after new president’s election

Bernardo Arevalo, who was elected on an anti-corruption platform, has said he does not want to cut ties with Taipei, but does want more trade with mainland.

Taiwanese presidential hopeful William Lai to stop in US during Paraguay trip

The DPP candidate will transit through New York and San Francisco when he travels to attend inauguration in South American ally country, but denies he will make controversial stops in Washington and Virginia headquarters of de facto US embassy.

Taiwan may be about to lose more diplomatic ground to Beijing in Central America

Nicaragua has proposed that the regional parliament, Parlacen, cancel Taipei’s permanent observer status.

Beijing protests to US over visit by Taiwanese presidential contender

The foreign ministry said there would be a ‘strong and resolute’ response if Lai, the current front runner, stops over in the US en route to Paraguay.

Why Taiwan is watching to see who becomes Guatemala’s next president

Centre-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo, who will be facing former first lady Sandra Torres in the August 20 run-off, has promised closer ties with Beijing.

Beijing’s trade deals tempt Taipei’s allies in Latin America – but not Pacific

China and Honduras sealed their diplomatic relationship by signing a series of economic agreements and moves towards a free-trade pact.

Britain marks coronation of King Charles in rainy London

At 74, King Charles is the oldest person to ascend to the throne in British history.

Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing