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S&P/TSX composite up on shorter Christmas Eve session, U.S. markets also riseJudge says lawsuit over former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr.'s jail death can proceedJudge says lawsuit over former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr.’s jail death can proceed

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The recent protest led by Srinagar Member of Parliament Syed Ruhullah Mehdi for the rationalization of reservation policies in Jammu and Kashmir was nothing short of unprecedented. In an age where power-driven politics often overshadows value-driven politics, Ruhullah Mehdi’s move to stand in solidarity with the protesting youth, even at the cost of defying his party line, is a bold departure from the norm. This protest broke new ground in several ways. It was extraordinary to see a sitting MP from the ruling National Conference, Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, rise above party politics and actively join the demonstrators. In a political culture where allegiance to the party often trumps personal conviction, this was a breath of fresh air. His decision to stand with the students is emblematic of a new kind of leadership—one that values principles over power. Second, the protest saw an unprecedented show of unity among political leaders. Representatives from various parties, including opposition leaders like Waheed Parra, Sheikh Khurshid, Iltija Mufti, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the students, lending their voices to the cause. This crossing of party lines to address a pressing public issue is a rarity at the time often mired in divisive politics. Third, the protest marked the return of peaceful demonstrations in Kashmir, a sight that had become scarce in recent years. The protest achieved more than just mobilizing people. It brought the issue of reservation to the forefront of political discourse. The demonstrators demanded a rollback of the new reservation policy to its previous status quo, forcing the government to address their grievances. At the same time, the protest also acted as a wake-up call for the government that they can’t leave this issue unaddressed for long. The same Chief Minister, who earlier stated that their government would not operate at the pleasure of agendas set on social media, was compelled to tweet on the same platform to quell the tsunami of anger after Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced on Twitter that he would protest against his own Chief Minister over the rationalization of reservation. Another remarkable aspect of this protest was its demonstration of intra-party democracy. Mehdi’s dissatisfaction with his government’s inaction on the reservation issue led him to take a stand, even while remaining within the party. This rare display of accountability within party ranks is something the public should aspire to see more of. It is a reminder that political leaders are answerable not just to their parties but also to the people they represent. In response to the protest, a five-member delegation met with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and secured an assurance that a sub-committee would review the reservation policy over the next six months. However, this promise is far from a definitive success. For one, the assurance lacks immediate action. If the Chief Minister was genuinely committed to addressing the issue, he could have halted all ongoing recruitments under the contentious policy until the review was completed. Moreover, six months is a long time, and the delay raises concerns about whether the review will yield any meaningful results. The has been persistent contradiction about the reservation issue among the National conference leaders. While CM assured that cabinate sub-committee woud review the new reservation policy, his minister Javid Rana went on to say that nobody can touch ST-1 and ST-2. Few days ago Education Minister Sakina Yatoo also abstained from commenting on the reservation issue for fear of matter being sub-judice. These contradictions reflect about the confusion with which government is fraught with about reservation issue. These contradictions need to be addressed There is also the looming possibility of judicial intervention. If the courts deliver a verdict on the matter during this six-month period, it could complicate the situation further. The protesting students, therefore, view the Chief Minister’s assurance as merely a starting point in what is likely to be a prolonged struggle. The path to rationalizing reservation policies is fraught with obstacles. While government appears toothless in its ability to conduct a comprehensive review, the judiciary’s role in this matter is limited. Courts can validate or invalidate policies, but they cannot step into the shoes of the legislature to devise new reservation frameworks. And finally, there is little hope for intervention from the central government or the Lieutenant Governor, given their role in increasing the reservation quota earlier this year. Expecting them to reverse their own decision seems unlikely. One of the most critical aspects of this protest is the need to maintain unity. While the demonstrators raised legitimate concerns about the reservation policy, it is essential to ensure that these protests do not create rifts between communities—whether reserved and unreserved, or between regions like Kashmir and Pir Panjal. The right-thinking members of society must work to counter divisive narratives, particularly on social media, where some individuals exploit sensitive issues for personal gain. Unity is paramount, and any rationalization of reservation policies achieved at the cost of societal harmony would be a pyrrhic victory. While the Gupkar protest was significant, it is only the beginning. The verbal assurance of the Chief Minister is insufficient to resolve the issue. The protesters, too, have a long journey ahead. To achieve the desired results, indeed this was the first protest the students did, but I do not think this is not going to be the last. That being said, the government must act decisively and transparently, either by admitting its inability to address the problem because of the fact they are working in a Union Territory or by taking concrete steps toward reform.

Families of two men who were fatally stabbed inside a Florida prison are demanding answers after months of mystery surrounding the circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths. The families of Allec Garcia , 34, and Antron Griffin , 31, filed separate lawsuits on Monday against the GEO Group, which operates prisons across the U.S., including the South Bay Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility where the men were stabbed to death in separate incidents. The lawsuits accuse the GEO Group of negligence and failing to ad dress threats from other inmates, saying this led to the men’s wrongful deaths. Kimberly Wald, an attorney representing the families, told HuffPost in an interview that there are similarities between the two cases, though the men died in separate instances. According to state records, Griffin was serving four years for aggravated battery, and Garcia was serving eight years for battery. “They made some mistakes in their life, and they were doing what they needed to to serve their sentence, but they didn’t deserve to die,” Wald said. “The GEO Group, they’ve been paid over $400 million for this contract to operate this prison, and you have to keep the inmates safe. They’re human beings.” In a statement to HuffPost, the GEO Group said it is “committed to the safety, security, and well-being of those entrusted to our care.” “The facts and circumstances surrounding these two incidents are currently under investigation,” the statement read. “GEO is fully cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement officials who are reviewing these cases.” The Florida Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. According to its website, the GEO Group operates about 50 secure facilities nationwide, including several ICE immigrant detention centers, with more than 64,000 total beds. The company’s stock price has risen sharply since Donald Trump won a second term and said mass deportations are coming. In an earnings call, founder and executive chair George Zoley said the company is facing a unique opportunity . Wald described both Garcia and Griffin as close with their families and added that both men had told their relatives that other inmates were threatening them before their deaths. Griffin was fatally stabbed inside the prison on March 11, while Garcia was killed four months later on July 3, according to Wald and the lawsuits. Garcia’s mother said she did not find out about her son’s death until two days after the fact, NBC affiliate WPTV reported . “They called me on the 5th and [said] he had died on the 3rd,” she said Tuesday, according to the outlet. “I had no knowledge that my son had been dead for almost three days.” Wald told HuffPost that, unlike in a typical homicide investigation, authorities know that the men’s killer or killers are still inside the corrections facility. “It is a closed facility, and so we know whoever did this is there, and the fact that now we are here six months later, and the family has been told absolutely no information is absolutely baffling,” Wald said. According to the lawsuits, inmate killings are nothing new at South Bay. The filings cite the cases of other people who have died in the prison, some in fatal stabbings. Wald told HuffPost that she believes underpaid or undertrained staff at the prison bear some of the responsibility, based on her firm’s experience in other lawsuits against correctional facilities. “They should have had better training on how to see and recognize threats, of what to do when you see a prisoner being threatened, or how to do their rounds in a fashion that can be more efficient,” Wald said. She hopes any information that comes to light because of the lawsuits leads to change at the prison. “They were sons, they were brothers, they were friends, and the purpose of the justice system is for accountability and rehabilitation,” Wald said. “They were not sentenced to death, and that’s the punishment that they obtained, and that is not justice.” Related From Our PartnerMire aims to be more consistentManchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) revealed the club had informed the fans forum that changes to certain ticket policies will take effect immediately “and that this price will apply for kids and over-65s as well as adults”. The news comes as the club confirmed the cost of paying off former manager Erik ten Hag and his staff was £10.4million, while a release clause to bring in new head coach Ruben Amorim and his staff amounted to £11m. The figures were part of a longer version of the club’s first-quarter accounts which were released to the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. United and Everton fans are set to stage a protest against ticket prices ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday. Supporters are being asked to gather next to the trinity statue outside Old Trafford to support the Football Supporters’ Association’s ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign. As well as increasing prices generally, fans are unhappy about the removal of concession tickets for certain groups. An MUST statement read: “Suffice it to say that the idea that the fans must pay their ‘fair share’ for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement — and above all, the Glazers’ lack of investment over two decades — is offensive. “We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance. “We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the club before INEOS’ arrival. “Over the coming days MUST will be seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy. “United fans have sucked up a lot. We will not be silent on this and we need to be prepared to resist any attempts to further drive up ticket prices.” Supporters’ group The 1958 said along with United and Everton, both Liverpool and Manchester City supporters will also display an FSA banner ahead of their match on Sunday. “With 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs increasing ticket prices this season, FC58, Everton, Liverpool and City supporters will display the FSA banner to raise awareness that any future season ticket price increases, removal of concessions, and treating match-going supporters as an easy target to make quick revenues will not be tolerated,” the fans’ group said. “With the discussions around the rebuild or redevelopment of Old Trafford, we need to send a message to the club that we are laser focused on keeping football affordable and looking after our loyal, match-going fan base. “Manchester United have announced that they will be selling tickets to members for the remainder of the season at a minimum of £66 irrespective of if you are under 16, youth, OAP or disabled, which is a clear exploitation of the loyal fan base and their first move towards dynamic pricing.”

Trump pledges to bring back federal executions after Biden commutes death sentences for 37 inmates

Indian Embassy in Damascus has been open since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime amidst the political turbulence in Syria. The Indian embassy in Damascus has been in touch with all Indians currently in Syria. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the embassy remained fully functional during the ongoing political upheaval in Syria. Indian Embassy Assures Safety The MEA has assured that the embassy is actively working to assist Indian citizens in this hour of uncertainty. A spokesperson from the ministry said, “Our Embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus, Syria. The embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. The embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria.” This assurance has brought a feeling of security to Indians amidst the escalating crisis. Collapse Of Assad’s Regime Sparks Unrest The dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government has thrown Syria into chaos. The fall of the regime, once deemed impossible, was brought about by a rapid offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a militant group previously known as the Al-Nusra Front. This shift has left a power vacuum, with the political landscape in the country now fragile and uncertain. Now that the regime of Assad is collapsing, rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani , otherwise known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, has formed a transitional government. Nevertheless, serious questions have been brought about by HTS’s dark history of extremism concerning whether it can actually hold the country together and function amid such a fractured and war-ravaged landscape. Foreign players like Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Israel make it even more complicated in further pursuit of their strategic interests. The Indian government has stressed its commitment to closely watching the situation in Syria. Indian citizens have been cautioned to stay in touch with the embassy for support and information. ALSO READ | ‘End Of Assad’s Regime Is Historic For Middle East’: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

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The United States is expected to announce that it will send 1.25 billion dollars (£1 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine, US officials said on Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on January 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the Hawk air defence system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defence officials acknowledged that the US Defence Department may not be able to send all of the remaining 5.6 billion dollars (£4.5 billion) in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Mr Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many US and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he will not provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about 4.35 billion dollars (£3.46 billion). Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky decide it is time to negotiate. One senior defence official said that while the US will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until January 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about 1.2 billion dollars (£0.9 billion) remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the US will have provided more than 64 billion dollars (£50.8 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection

TORONTO - Broad-based gains led Canada’s main stock index to close higher in the shortened Christmas Eve trading session while U.S. stock markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index ended up 97.84 points at 24,846.82. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 390.08 points at 43,297.03. The S&P 500 index was up 65.97 points at 6,040.04, while the Nasdaq composite was up 266.24 points at 20,031.13. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.51 cents US compared with 69.47 cents US on Monday. The February crude oil contract was up 86 cents at US$70.10 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up 16 cents at US$3.50 per mmBTU. The February gold contract ended up US$7.30 at US$2,635.50 an ounce and the March copper contract was up two cents at US$4.11 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)None