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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

Taipei is opening a representative office in Phoenix, where the semiconductor giant TSMC is investing US$165 billion in multiple plants on a 900 acre site. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

Days after Xi-Trump summit, top Taiwan diplomat opens de facto consulate in US

No Washington stop planned during the three-day visit to Arizona’s semiconductor corridor, sources said.

6 hours agovideocam

US-China relations

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

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

The latest Houthi attacks come after the sinking last week of the MV Tutor bulk carrier in the Red Sea, following a drone boat strike.

24 Jun 2024 - 1:34PM

Smoke rises after an explosion on the MV Tutor in the Red Sea on June 12. Photo: Houthi Media Centre via Reuters

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

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

Israeli soldiers gather near the Israeli-Gaza border in southern Israel before they enter the Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

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

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

Travel influencers Fernanda (right) and Vicente take a break in Spiti Valley, in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, during their six-year motorbike trip. The couple open up about Fernanda’s gang rape in India and other experiences during their trip, including being interrogated by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

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

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

The Rubymar in the Black Sea in 2022. The ship came under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen on Sunday. File photo: Reuters

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

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

Chronic fatigue is characterised by at least six months of severe exhaustion not helped by bed rest. Credit: Shutterstock

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

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

The Parlacen vote is the latest setback for Taiwan in a long diplomatic tussle with Beijing. Photo: AP

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

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

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Belize

Days after Xi-Trump summit, top Taiwan diplomat opens de facto consulate in US

No Washington stop planned during the three-day visit to Arizona’s semiconductor corridor, sources said.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

Deadly Hurricane Beryl churns towards Mexico after hammering Jamaica

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

The latest Houthi attacks come after the sinking last week of the MV Tutor bulk carrier in the Red Sea, following a drone boat strike.

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.

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