Representatives of local youth organizations recently condemned excessive alcohol consumption and the many brawls that take place during and after parties especially amongst the nation’s youths. Youth Counselor Dwight Samuel deemed it regrettable that youths can’t co trol themselves. He also disapproved of the videos that are shotmof fights and which go viral on social media. “I urged the youths in particular to have fun but to refrain from acting macho because they will regret it after many years,” said Samuel who urged parents to have a serious talk with their children. The youth counselors urged revelers and in particular the youths to choose their friends wisely especially if they plan on going to parties with them. Anouskha Plet urged young girls not to lose control while partying. “Keep an eye out and do not accept drinks from strangers,” said Plet who added that the drinks could be laced with a rape drug. Plet also issued a warning to the people who resort to using drinks that are laced with a rape drug to stop it because “you could bring yourself in serious trouble.” Plet and Samuel also urged drivers who are intoxicated to steer clear from the driver’s seat and toilet somebody else drive them to their destinations. “Do not take any risks.”

Police Commissioner Bryan Isaacs recently announced that there has been a slight drop in the number of various crimes. There has been a huge drop in thefts, break-ins and robberies. The number of murders and manslaughters has also gone down in 2024. Commissioner Isaacs emphasized the tireless efforts of the Police Force Suriname (KPS) and thanked all of the police officers who are committed to getting the job done even under difficult circumstances in order to protect  and serve the people of the republic of Suriname. The Cold Case Unit has also done a great job in 2024 as it solved 14 cases and arrested 16 suspects. 7 suspects who were identified are still at large.In 2024 the police investigated 22,928 cases, handed in 5,935 files and arrested 4,337. The commissioner made it clear that the police force will also keep up the good work in 2025. 

While many people are still celebrating the new year farmers are dealing with a lot of stress because the water level has dropped drastically these past few days thereby making it very difficult to pump water to their fields. The farmers assembled on Tuesday morning to discuss the water issue. They made it clear that they urgently need water for their crops. The farmers were told that the Wakay pumps are offline which is why there is no water. They disapproved of the fact that the Ministry of Agriculture, Stock Breeding and Fisheries (LVV) has not addressed the situation. Nobody from the ministry is reportedly willing to talk. The farmers explained that the people who operate the Wakay pumps but home to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve which is why the pumps are offline. They slept on their fields to pump water. “We can’t party because we are facing huge problems”

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty almost 20-years after the last capital punishment was carried out. Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law a bill on Tuesday which will commute sentences of around 60 prisoners on death row to jail time. The last execution was carried out almost two-decades ago in 2005, partly because at one point no one was willing to take up the job of state executioner. President Mnangagwa faced the death penalty himself in the 1960s during Zimbabwe’s war of independence. Amnesty International hailed the new law on Tuesday. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the human rights organisation labelled the move as great progress for the country, and a major milestone in ending “cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment”. They also described it as a “beacon of hope for the abolitionist movement in the region”. (Euronews)

NEW ORLEANS – It was the early hours of New Year’s Day and Bourbon Street, in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, was bustling. Revellers were spilling out from bars and clubs in the neon-lit street, having rung in 2025, when a white pickup truck ploughed into a large crowd, killing 10 and injuring dozens. Whit Davis and his friends were in a bar in Bourbon Street when the attack unfolded. “People started running and getting under tables like it was an active shooter drill,” he told the BBC. Jim and Nicole Mowrer watched the truck slam through a barrier as it sped down Bourbon Street. The pair hid in an alcove and heard gunshots ring out as police ran towards the suspect.

A hotel worker nearby told the BBC’s US partner CBS news he had been closing down for the night when he heard the commotion outside. “When we looked out the window we noticed there was a lot of bodies lying on the ground,” he said. “The truck was speeding away.” “I immediately ran downstairs to see if there were some people I can help out. “There were some people we put into the hotel for assistance and it was just you know… the scene was just horrific.”

The truck crashed further up the street before the driver began shooting at officers, the police said. Two officers were shot but are in a “stable” condition, officials said. The FBI confirmed the driver of the truck was dead. The police held Whit Davis and his friends in the bar while the scene was secured.

“When we were finally allowed to leave, we were walking past dead and injured bodies all over the street,” Mr Davis said. “Everyone was just completely in shock.” When Nicole and Jim Mowrer left the alcove they had hidden in, they saw “several people who had been hit”. The pair tried to help them but realised they were dead. (BBC)