The Central Bank of Barbados says the island’s economy faces an uncertain year. The bank was reporting on the country’s output in 2009 which declined by 5.3%.
The key tourism industry suffered, with receipts down by US$85 million. The deficit, a major worry for international financial institutions, grew but inflation declined.
“The projections for the Barbadian economy in 2010 are clouded by uncertainty about the pace and robustness of the recovery in the North American and European markets ….,” the bank said.
Flight diverted after threat
A flight from Amsterdam to Aruba was diverted to Ireland yesterday after a passenger made a bomb threat during the flight. The Dutch carrier ArkeFly said its flight 361 was diverted to Shannon Airport.
There the passenger, a 44-year-old national of the Netherlands, was handed over to authorities.
ArkeFly said there were 224 passengers aboard the flight.
Arrests over gun imports
The authorities in Jamaica have arrested two men and a woman they say helped smuggle 12 high-powered weapons and 700 rounds of ammunition from New York.
Police Inspector Jubert Llewellyn told the Associated Press that the items arrived inside an air compressor tank.
He said a telescopic lens and 28 magazines were also among the items seized at a warehouse on Monday.
