Barbados declared a republic, drops link to British thronePresident of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason, stands after being sworn in at the presidential inauguration ceremony on Monday in Bridgetown, Barbados. BRIDGETOWN: Fireworks filled the sky over Barbados on Tuesday as the Caribbean island nation declared itself the world's newest republic, lowering Queen Elizabeth's flag as it severed colonial-era ties to the British throne to the sound of jubilant gun salutes. "Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage," Dame Sandra Mason said in her inauguration speech as the first president of the country, recognizing the "complex, fractured and turbulent world" it would need to navigate. For young activists such as Firhaana Bulbulia, founder of the Barbados Muslim Association, British colonialism and slavery lie behind the island's modern inequalities. Charles' visit to Barbados was clouded at the last minute by another race row over alleged comments about his grandson.

Source: Bangkok Post November 30, 2021 12:46 UTC