Barbados set to remove Queen as head of state

Barbados has announced that it intends to remove Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and will become a republic.

Following a statement by the Caribbean island nation's government which said: "The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind," it said that it aims to complete the process in time for the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain, in November 2021.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley further followed that by writing a speech saying that Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state.

The speech read: "This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving."

Buckingham Palace said that it was a matter for the government and people of Barbados.

A source at Buckingham Palace said that the idea "was not out of the blue" and "has been publicly talked about by many."

The statement was part of the Throne Speech, which outlines the government's policies and programmes ahead of the new session of parliament. While it is read out by the governor-general, it is written by the country's prime minister.

The speech also quoted a warning from Errol Barrow, Barbados's first prime minister after it gained independence, who said that the country should not "loiter on colonial premises".

His is not the only voice in Barbados that has been suggesting a move away from the monarchy. A constitutional review commission recommended republican status for Barbados in 1998.

Ms Mottley's predecessor in Freundel Stuart also argued for a "move from a monarchical system to a republican form of government in the very near future".

Barbados would not be the first former British colony in the Caribbean to become a republic after Guyana took that step in 1970, less than four years after gaining independence from Britain.

Trinidad and Tobago followed suit in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.

All three stayed within the Commonwealth, a loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies, along with some countries that have no historical ties to Britain.

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Barbados' Mottley bats for Caribbean countries facing 'unfair' international designations that raise risk profile

Almost a year after her rip-roaring speech to the international community at COP26 in Glasgow on the need for more climate-financing to protect vulnerable states like those in the Caribbean, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley was in the global spotlight once again, this time calling out what she believes are onerous financial rules being imposed by the U.S. and other industrialized nations that make Caribbean markets uncompetitive.

Bartlett announces inaugural Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee innovation competition for creative entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Tourism, through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), has announced an exciting new addition to their 6th annual Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival: The Coffee Innovation Competition. This online contest will bring together creative innovators from across the island, stimulate the local economy, and promote interest in the country’s world-famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.

Bartlett outlines framework for tourism development in Jamaica

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has identified sustainability of the national economy as key to his vision for tourism in the immediate future. As a step in that direction, the Ministry of Tourism has embarked on the creation of a tourism strategy for Jamaica in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and stakeholders from a wide cross-section of industries and government agencies.

The first in a series of strategy development workshops being staged in resort destinations was held on Friday (June 2) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James. Mr. Bartlett related that his vision was “to make tourism inclusive and the driver of the economy of Jamaica, but most importantly, to make it the centre of community enrichment and human development.”

Bartlett participating in African Tourism Investment Summit

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Batonbearers in West Midlands confirmed to ‘Take It On’ and carry Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton

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BCA celebrates 57th Independence in grand style

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Beijing suffering worst sandstorm in a decade

The Chinese capital of Beijing was covered in thick dust on Monday as it experienced what its weather bureau has called the worst sandstorm in a decade.

The storm caused an unprecedented spike in air pollution measurements - with pollution levels in some districts at 160 times the recommended limit. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or grounded as the sky was covered by an apocalyptic-looking orange haze.

The sand is being brought in by strong winds from Mongolia. In that country (Mongolia) the severe sandstorms have reportedly caused six deaths and left dozens missing. Media outlet reported that at least 12 provinces in the country, including the capital, had been affected, and the weather was likely to continue before improving at night.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) currently sets safe levels of air quality based on the concentration of polluting particles called particulate matter (PM) found in the air. According to news wire AFP quoting the Global Times, the PM 10 pollution in six central districts reached "over 8,100 micrograms per cubic metre" on Monday.

The WHO considers levels between 0-54 as "good" and 55-154" as "moderate" levels of PM 10. AFP added that schools had been told to cancel outdoor events, and those with respiratory diseases advised to stay indoors.

Beijing was historically hit by sandstorms on a much more regular basis, but pollution reduction projects - including prohibitions on new coal-fired power plants, restrictions on the number of cars on the road and reforestation - have significantly improved air quality in the city. Sandstorms like the one seen this week, caused by wind, are harder to control.

Beijing, though, and surrounding regions have suffered from high levels of pollution in recent weeks, with one Greenpeace activist telling AFP that it was a result of intense industrial activities. These, he said, exacerbated sandstorm conditions, which were the "result of extreme weather conditions and desertification".

Belgian commitment to partnership supports a new frontier of Europe-US space research

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Bengals DB Hamlin remains in ICU following on-field collapse

American football star, Damar Hamlin, who had a heart attack during an NFL game is still in intensive care in a critical condition, his team has said.

The Defensive Back (DB), 24, collapsed on the field and was given CPR for about 10 minutes after he was injured after making a tackle during a match against the Cincinnati Bengals. He collided with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in the incident on Monday night.

Bermuda bracing itself for Hurricane Fiona onslaught

Residents began boarding up properties as Bermuda braced for the arrival of Hurricane Fiona, a large and powerful storm that reports say has killed at least six people during its rampage across the northern Caribbean.

The hurricane was expected to reach the island by Friday. The closest point of approach to the island is expected to be around 100 miles to the west-northwest at 5:00 am, but forecasters say the island can also expect 12 to 18 hours of tropical-storm conditions as Fiona passes before heading towards Nova Scotia.

Best of Barbados takes over Panama

Barbados is the talk of the town in Panama after a sweet cultural showcase entitled ‘A Cultural Fiesta: From Barbados to Panama.’

This event celebrated the longstanding relationship between the two countries and was hosted on March 30, 2023, as a collaboration between Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mission in Panama.

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After two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, travellers are planning to have lots of fun for New Years.

This New Years’ season is already breaking many records when it comes to hotel bookings. Many popular hotels in many popular city destinations are charging record room nights and are already overbooked. Resorts around the world are in party mood and sold out as well.

Bharat Jain - the Mumbai beggar who’s made millions

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Bharat can be seen begging on the streets of Mumbai, receiving money from unsuspecting citizens. Due to financial instability, Bharat was unable to pursue formal education and resorted to begging in order to get money.

Bill and Melinda Gates divorce after 27 years of marriage

Bill and Melinda Gates say they are getting divorced after 27 years of marriage, with the pair writing on Twitter: "We no longer believe we can grow together as a couple.

"After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage." The two met in the late 1980s, when Melinda joined Bill's Microsoft firm, and they have three children and jointly run the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation organisation which has spent billions fighting causes such as infectious diseases and encouraging vaccinations in children.

The Gates' - along with investor Warren Buffett - are behind the Giving Pledge, which calls on billionaires to commit to giving away the majority of their wealth to good causes. Bill Gates is the fourth wealthiest person in the world, according to Forbes, and is worth $124 billion.

He made his money through the firm he co-founded in the 1970s, Microsoft, the world's biggest software company. The pair both posted the statement announcing their divorce on Twitter.

"Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives," it read. "We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in the next phase of our lives.

"We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life."

Bill set to fine teachers thousands for teaching anything that contradicts religion

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