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Liberia

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

Capital

Monrovia

Head of State

President Joseph Boakai

Head of Government

President Joseph Boakai

A fire broke out on deck nine of the World Legacy, a Liberia-registered cruise ship, on Friday. Photo: Facebook/MPA.SG

Singapore

Smoke, panic, fear: guests recall escape from burning Singapore-bound ship

An Indonesian crew member of the World Legacy died in the blaze, which was extinguished by Singapore’s marine firefighters.

20 Feb 2026 - 4:04PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese solar panels rewire Africa for the future at record pace as costs fall

25 Sep 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

United States

US sanctions shipping network for smuggling Iran oil

3 Sep 2025 - 2:10AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Liberian president not offended by ‘good English’ gaffe, ‘honoured’ to meet Trump

Trump praised President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday for his English-speaking skills, apparently unaware that English is the official language of Liberia.

13 Jul 2025 - 12:00AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump receives Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in the Oval Office. Photo: Daniel Torok/White House/dpa

Middle East

Rescuers save 4 more survivors from Houthi-struck ship in Red Sea

The ship Eternity C was the second Greek bulk carrier sunk this week by the Iran-aligned rebels.

11 Jul 2025 - 7:23AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump marvels at Liberian president’s ‘good English’. It’s his nation’s official language

The awkward exchange adds to a pattern of Trump’s unusual compliments to foreign leaders.

10 Jul 2025 - 1:37PM

Middle East

Ship attacked by Houthis sinks in Red Sea, 10 of 25 mostly Filipino crew rescued

Rescuers search for missing crew from Red Sea attack as US alleges Yemen rebels ‘kidnapped’ them.

10 Jul 2025 - 5:02PM

The Liberian-flagged bulker, Eternity C, sinking after being attacked in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. Photo: Houthis’ media centre via EPA

Middle East

Ship attacked in Red Sea after Houthis claim earlier bulk carrier sinking

Liberian-flagged cargo ship hit Monday, marking the second assault on a vessel in about 24 hours.

8 Jul 2025 - 3:41PM

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Wilson, 16, may become US’ youngest male Olympic runner after stunning 400 metres

Heading to Games with US 4x400 metres relay squad, he makes his case to run by breaking under-18 world record.

20 Jul 2024 - 4:59PM

United States

US’ Tim Weah suffers racist abuse after red card in Copa America loss to Panama

Weah, who is Black, was sent off in the 18th minute after punching a Panama player and the United States went onto lose, leaving their qualification hopes in jeopardy.

28 Jun 2024 - 1:00PM

Tim Weah was subjected to racist abuse online after he received a red card as the United States lost to Panama. Photo: AFP

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

Middle East

Video shows Houthis attack cargo ship with sea drone seemingly disguised as a fishing boat

New footage circulating on social media appears to show the moments leading up to last week’s attack on the M/V Tutor in the Red Sea.

18 Jun 2024 - 4:57PM

China-Africa relations

Does China’s oil-for-infrastructure lending model in Africa need a rethink?

Chinese resource-backed loans were a lifeline for African economies but fluctuating commodity prices exposed a hidden danger.

20 May 2024 - 4:46PMvideocam

The ‘Angola model’ that saw Chinese lenders step in to fund the country’s reconstruction after decades of civil war worked well until oil prices soared in 2014, making it hard to service the debt. Photo: Reuters

American cinema

How accurate is 2024 film Civil War in its depiction of photojournalism?

Photographer Carolyn Cole, who won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography, offers her thoughts on what Alex Garland’s movie Civil War gets right and wrong about photojournalism.

26 Apr 2024 - 4:44AMvideocam

Kirsten Dunst in a still from Civil War. Photo: TNS

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong man arrested for alleged rape at Causeway Bay hotel

Man accused of raping 19-year-old woman at Regal Hongkong Hotel on Yee Wo Street

25 Apr 2024 - 8:15PM

China-Africa relations

Critical minerals for EV batteries help to drive China-Africa trade growth

Two-way trade between China and Africa has defied expectations, growing despite economic challenges.

20 Apr 2024 - 10:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Chinese state firm agrees US$400 million loan for Niger junta in return for oil

Use of resources to repay loans is a popular model for China, but critics warn these deals are unfair and ‘mortgage the future of countries’.

18 Apr 2024 - 9:53AMvideocam

China has invested heavily in Niger’s oil infrastructure, including the building of pipelines. Photo: AFP

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Standard Chinese script unified China, yet we can’t make a universal plug?

Why power plugs and sockets are not standardised worldwide is anyone’s guess. China’s First Emperor was all about standardisation – he introduced the universal Chinese writing system used to this day.

31 Mar 2024 - 8:15AM

China-Africa relations

Niger courts China and Russia just days after severing US military ties

Beijing positions itself to grow its oil and mining interests after a major diplomatic shift in the African nation.

29 Mar 2024 - 4:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Africa is key in China’s bid to de-risk its iron ore supply

In a bid to break its reliance on Australia and Brazil for iron ore, China is diversifying further afield.

16 Mar 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

A celebration as Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) launches the project to upgrade the Kingho Railway and Port. The iron ore mine connected with the upgrade has an estimated 13.7 billion tonnes of iron ore. Photo: Leone Rock Metal Group

Malaysia

Malaysia to amend citizenship law, give equal rights to foreign-born children

The amendment will allow foreign-born children to Malaysian mothers and their non-Malaysian spouse to automatically get citizenship, ending years of struggle for many.

14 Mar 2024 - 3:25PM

Under the current law, only Malaysian men who marry non-citizens and have a child abroad can pass their citizenship to their children. Photo: Shutterstock

Israel-Gaza war

2 Filipinos, 1 Vietnamese among crew killed in Houthi missile attack in Red Sea

Greek-owned vessel True Confidence is drifting and ablaze after a strike by the Iran-backed Yemen rebels.

7 Mar 2024 - 6:30PM

Middle East

Red Sea data cables cut as Yemen’s Houthis hit ship with missile

Three cables under the Red Sea that provide global internet and telecommunications have been cut. Meanwhile, a Houthi missile hit a container ship in the Gulf of Aden, but caused no injuries.

5 Mar 2024 - 4:31PM

China-Africa relations

Sierra Leone leader’s visit to China shines light on Xi’s challenge to West

As the Chinese leader met President Bio in Beijing, the pair pledged to ‘safeguard’ African interests on the global stage.

2 Mar 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the West African leader’s state visit to China this week. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong puts shipping industry on greener course

City push for regional green fuel bunkering centre will offer incentives to vessel owners and industry to be more environmentally friendly.

2 Mar 2024 - 6:30AM

Vessels pass Hong Kong’s Tsing Ma Bridge. The city aims to establish a regional green fuel bunkering centre to make shipping more environmentally friendly. Photo: Martin Chan

AIIB

Opinion | Is the AIIB afraid to hear the true impact of its investments in Asia?

Despite the perception of multilateral development banks as forces of good with do-no-harm mandates, the evidence shows they do actually cause harm. The AIIB was the first such bank to include an oversight mechanism in its founding documents, but it is nearly impossible for people affected to access it.

17 Feb 2024 - 7:20PM

Asean

Opinion | Amid Red Sea clashes, India and Asean must work to secure the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean stability and security are vital for Southeast Asia, to defend against pirates and secure oil cargo and trade. Amid US-China rivalry, India is Asean’s natural security partner.

27 Jan 2024 - 4:30PM

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Liberia

Smoke, panic, fear: guests recall escape from burning Singapore-bound ship

An Indonesian crew member of the World Legacy died in the blaze, which was extinguished by Singapore’s marine firefighters.

Chinese solar panels rewire Africa for the future at record pace as costs fall

US sanctions shipping network for smuggling Iran oil

Liberian president not offended by ‘good English’ gaffe, ‘honoured’ to meet Trump

Trump praised President Joseph Boakai on Wednesday for his English-speaking skills, apparently unaware that English is the official language of Liberia.

Rescuers save 4 more survivors from Houthi-struck ship in Red Sea

The ship Eternity C was the second Greek bulk carrier sunk this week by the Iran-aligned rebels.

Trump marvels at Liberian president’s ‘good English’. It’s his nation’s official language

The awkward exchange adds to a pattern of Trump’s unusual compliments to foreign leaders.

Ship attacked by Houthis sinks in Red Sea, 10 of 25 mostly Filipino crew rescued

Rescuers search for missing crew from Red Sea attack as US alleges Yemen rebels ‘kidnapped’ them.

Ship attacked in Red Sea after Houthis claim earlier bulk carrier sinking

Liberian-flagged cargo ship hit Monday, marking the second assault on a vessel in about 24 hours.

Wilson, 16, may become US’ youngest male Olympic runner after stunning 400 metres

Heading to Games with US 4x400 metres relay squad, he makes his case to run by breaking under-18 world record.

US’ Tim Weah suffers racist abuse after red card in Copa America loss to Panama

Weah, who is Black, was sent off in the 18th minute after punching a Panama player and the United States went onto lose, leaving their qualification hopes in jeopardy.

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.

Video shows Houthis attack cargo ship with sea drone seemingly disguised as a fishing boat

New footage circulating on social media appears to show the moments leading up to last week’s attack on the M/V Tutor in the Red Sea.

Does China’s oil-for-infrastructure lending model in Africa need a rethink?

Chinese resource-backed loans were a lifeline for African economies but fluctuating commodity prices exposed a hidden danger.

How accurate is 2024 film Civil War in its depiction of photojournalism?

Photographer Carolyn Cole, who won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography, offers her thoughts on what Alex Garland’s movie Civil War gets right and wrong about photojournalism.

Hong Kong man arrested for alleged rape at Causeway Bay hotel

Man accused of raping 19-year-old woman at Regal Hongkong Hotel on Yee Wo Street

Critical minerals for EV batteries help to drive China-Africa trade growth

Two-way trade between China and Africa has defied expectations, growing despite economic challenges.

Chinese state firm agrees US$400 million loan for Niger junta in return for oil

Use of resources to repay loans is a popular model for China, but critics warn these deals are unfair and ‘mortgage the future of countries’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Reflections | Standard Chinese script unified China, yet we can’t make a universal plug?

Why power plugs and sockets are not standardised worldwide is anyone’s guess. China’s First Emperor was all about standardisation – he introduced the universal Chinese writing system used to this day.

Niger courts China and Russia just days after severing US military ties

Beijing positions itself to grow its oil and mining interests after a major diplomatic shift in the African nation.

Africa is key in China’s bid to de-risk its iron ore supply

In a bid to break its reliance on Australia and Brazil for iron ore, China is diversifying further afield.

Malaysia to amend citizenship law, give equal rights to foreign-born children

The amendment will allow foreign-born children to Malaysian mothers and their non-Malaysian spouse to automatically get citizenship, ending years of struggle for many.

2 Filipinos, 1 Vietnamese among crew killed in Houthi missile attack in Red Sea

Greek-owned vessel True Confidence is drifting and ablaze after a strike by the Iran-backed Yemen rebels.

Red Sea data cables cut as Yemen’s Houthis hit ship with missile

Three cables under the Red Sea that provide global internet and telecommunications have been cut. Meanwhile, a Houthi missile hit a container ship in the Gulf of Aden, but caused no injuries.

Sierra Leone leader’s visit to China shines light on Xi’s challenge to West

As the Chinese leader met President Bio in Beijing, the pair pledged to ‘safeguard’ African interests on the global stage.

Editorial | Hong Kong puts shipping industry on greener course

City push for regional green fuel bunkering centre will offer incentives to vessel owners and industry to be more environmentally friendly.

Opinion | Is the AIIB afraid to hear the true impact of its investments in Asia?

Opinion | Amid Red Sea clashes, India and Asean must work to secure the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean stability and security are vital for Southeast Asia, to defend against pirates and secure oil cargo and trade. Amid US-China rivalry, India is Asean’s natural security partner.

Reflections | Standard Chinese script unified China, yet we can’t make a universal plug?