India, Nov. 29 -- Barbados is set to become the world's newest republic as the Caribbean island will cut ties with the British monarchy this week and replace its head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, with her current representative, Governor General Sandra Mason. In October, Barbados elected Mason to become its first president, one year after Prime Minister Mia Mottley declared that the country will "fully" leave its colonial past. Ceremonies on Monday evening and Tuesday will include military parades and celebrations with Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, looking on. The dawn of a new era has fuelled debate among the population of 285,000 over Britain's centuries of influence, including more than 200 years of slavery until 1834, and Barbados finally becoming independent in 1966. Royal officials have said little about the end of British rule in Barbados, which was a key centre in the slave trade.P13...