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David Thompson, prime minister of Barbados, dies at 48

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David Thompson, the prime minister of Barbados, has died of pancreatic cancer, the government announced. He was 48.

Thompson, who became prime minister in January 2008, died Saturday at his private residence in St. Philip, according to a government statement.

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Thompson had been ill since March and traveled to New York several times for treatment. He declined to discuss his condition until last month, when his doctor announced that Thompson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.

In an address to the nation last month, Thompson said he was reshuffling his Cabinet to pass many of his responsibilities to other ministers. He said he chose to speak by radio instead of going on camera so islanders would focus on his message, not his appearance.

Thompson’s deputy, Freundel Stuart, has been acting as prime minister.

-- Associated Press

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