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Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he was focusing on outlining his election pitch to help people with disabilities instead of dwelling on his encounter with a care worker in Cork. Mr Harris spoke to Charlotte Fallon, a disability worker with St Joseph’s Foundation, after a clip of an exchange between them on Friday went viral. RTE footage posted to the social media site X shows Mr Harris on a canvass in Kanturk when Ms Fallon tells the Taoiseach carers “were ignored” and the Government has “done nothing for us”. Mr Harris responds by saying: “No, not at all”, and “that’s not true”, several times before shaking her hand. When asked whether he thought the clip would overshadow the Fine Gael campaign, Mr Harris said people would vote for the best plan on offer. “I hope people like to see humility in politics and if you get something wrong, you come out and you own it,” he said. “I’m human, I make mistakes,” Simon Harris said. “But you know what I do when I make a mistake? I own it. “There’s been far too many occasions during general elections in this country and abroad where something goes wrong on the campaign trail and people dilly dally and debate for days. “You know what? I put my hands up. “I got it completely wrong. I was wrong, simple as. Spoke to Charlotte. “But much more importantly to me now, in my engagement with Charlotte and my engagement with people right across this country, it’s what I’m going to do for people with disabilities.” Asked about the encounter, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that Ms Fallon had spoken “truth to power”. “The unfortunate thing is, in this case, power didn’t want to hear the truth, and that’s hugely, hugely problematic. “You hear all sorts of things out on the campaign trail, and I think a wise leader, a person who would wish to be taoiseach, listens and accepts that when somebody is telling you that your policies are hurting, hurting them, hurting the people that they represent and work for – you should hear that lesson. “If you’re not hearing that lesson, you’re not going to change your approach and in that meeting that happened in Kanturk, I think people just got a glimpse of actually what it would mean for Fine Gael to be back in government with Fianna Fail, because that’s their approach. “They don’t listen, they don’t respond, and they seem to think, astonishingly, that people ought to be grateful for their efforts, rather than hearing, reflecting and changing.”
Disney ’s recent decision to pull a transgender storyline from one of its upcoming movies appears to be its latest attempt to avoid generating political controversy after the company became the center of a debate over “wokeism” last year. The company, run by Bob Iger , has found itself in the midst of several “culture wars” over the last few years after pledging to “further strengthen our commitment to diversity and inclusion everywhere” in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Disney chose to make its theme parks more inclusive, such as adopting more gender-neutral greetings, and has made a conscious effort to include more diverse characters, for example, introducing its first biracial gay character in Strange World . Iger was the one who pushed the blockbuster superhero film Black Panther forward – a movie with an almost entirely Black cast that has been renowned for its cultural impact. But the company’s desire to move-away from subjects often embroiled in political cultural wars seemed evident in Iger’s statement to investors last year. “Our primary mission needs to be to entertain,” Iger said. “It should not be agenda-driven.” After a messy lawsuit with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and a recent $15 million settlement with President-elect Donald Trump , the company seems to be reeling it in again. This past week, Disney said its transgender athlete storyline in the upcoming series Win or Lose would be scrapped. “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience,” Disney said in a statement to The Independent . “We recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.” That decision was made over the summer, according to the New York Times . But the news of it arrives soon after ABC, a flagship property of Disney, agreed to give Trump $15m for his presidential library, on top of $1m in legal fees, rather than dispute a defamation lawsuit in court. Trump accused host George Stephanopoulos of defaming him for saying he raped E. Jean Carroll. A jury found the president-elect liable for sexual abuse, not rape. First Amendment supporters criticized the company and Iger, who signed off on it, for giving into Trump’s pursuits. But lawyers for the company reportedly felt it was too risky to fight. That fight would’ve been another legal battle against a well-known politician. Last year, Disney sued DeSantis for infringing on their First Amendment rights by using his political power for retaliation. The company openly opposed DeSantis’s Parental Rights in Education Act for being anti-LGBT+. In return, DeSantis responded angrily and the Florida State Legislature repealed the law that gave Disney special governance. Although the case garnered national attention, the two ultimately settled this year. On top of legal battles, Disney has also battled public opinion over its choice to become more inclusive and diverse. Conservatives have bashed the company for indoctrinating children by pushing LGBT-friendly characters and storylines. Online, a movement began to boycott the company. America First Legal Foundation, a conservative law firm founded by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, even sued Disney for its diversity promotion.
Canadian men win RAN Sevens tournament, qualify for World Rugby Challenger Series
B.C. Premier Eby says Canada will negotiate from 'position of strength' on U.S. tariffsJK Rowling has led a feminist backlash over claims made by former Scottish First Minister Nichola Sturgeon over her infamous gender self-ID law. Rowling was responding to comments by Sturgeon after she refused to accept that the backlash to the bill had been driven by normal people and had instead been concocted by “forces” who “muscled in” on the trans debate. The Harry Potter author accused the former First Minister of “rewriting history” and attempting to find something she classed as a “worthy adversary” rather than admitting the bill was opposed by ordinary people. During recent media rounds, Sturgeon has surprised many with her comments claiming that there was no “massive public opposition” to the law until it passed. At the time, many saw it as one of the most controversial plans in a generation, leading to an eventual SNP rebellion. Last week, Sturgeon told the Guardian: “There were forces that muscled into that debate who, I think, you know, had a bigger agenda in terms of rights more generally.” Several Scottish women’s groups have urged Sturgeon to name “the forces” that she believes are responsible with Rowling saying: “Her ego requires her signature Bill to have been opposed by something she considers a worthy adversary, rather than members of the public who don’t want cross-dressing men running rape crisis centres.” The author suggested that somebody should buy Sturgeon a copy of “The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht” for Christmas, a series of essays on the subject to which Rowling contributed. Susan Smith, Co-Director of For Women Scotland told The Herald: “No doubt, Ms Sturgeon would prefer to believe she was thwarted by well-funded ‘shadowy forces’ rather than determined ordinary women risking their all, but her words have the potential to do a good deal of reputational damage to groups like FWS. “If Ms Sturgeon has any decency or honesty, she will spell out what she means. If she has any introspection, she should acknowledge that her own hubris also played a part.” Sturgeon’s self-ID law would have allowed any Scot over the age of 16 to change their legal sex by signing a declaration, but the bill was eventually blocked by the UK government and was never signed into law. The letter, signed by groups such as For Women Scotland, Scottish Feminist Network and Scottish Lesbians said: “If you believe that there are groups or individuals with an agenda to ‘push back rights generally’ who are ‘muscling in’ on Scottish politics, you have a duty to state who or what you believe they are, and how you believe they are operating in Scotland, as precisely as possible. “Then, the influence of any such groups or individuals can be properly investigated and challenged, as necessary.” Ms Sturgeon also claimed that a debate over equal marriage would be “much more toxic, divisive and unpleasant” in the age of culture wars and identity politics. She said: “We consulted on the legislation for longer than we consulted on anything else and right up until the point of the legislation passing, I don’t think it was the case that there was massive public opposition. “But things became so toxic and opposition became so entrenched and – this is not the case for everybody who opposed that legislation – but there were forces that muscled into that debate who, I think, you know, had a bigger agenda in terms of rights more generally.” The Express has contacted Ms Sturgeon for comment.By LISA MASCARO and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations , including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s bid to lead the Justice Department . Related Articles National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process National Politics | Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release on Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” Gaetz wrote in one post on Monday. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Here’s a look at some of the committee’s key findings: ‘Sex-for-money arrangements,’ drug-fueled parties and trips The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use.” He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the “transactional nature” of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman’s request that he send her money, “claiming she only gave him a ‘drive by.’” Women interviewed by the committee said there was a “general expectation of sex,” the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that “99 percent of the time” that when she hung out with Gaetz “there was sex involved.” However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so “some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature,” the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their “rendezvous,” the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled “on several occasions” with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she has a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does “$400 per meet.” Greenberg replied: “He understands the deal,” along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asks if they are old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him “really cute.” “Well, he’s down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard,” Greenberg replied. ‘Substantial evidence’ indicates that Gaetz had sex with underage girl, the committee said The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with “multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid.” The committee pointed to “credible testimony” from the now-woman herself as well as “multiple individuals” who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, “which she understood to be payment for sex,” according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was “certain” of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There’s no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn’t tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he didn’t how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Gaetz said evidence would ‘exonerate’ him but provided none of it In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. “Gaetz pointed to evidence that would ‘exonerate’ him yet failed to produce any such materials,” the committee said. Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed.” The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as “nosey” and a “weaponization” of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 get-away with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt “to” the destination, but declined to share his return “from” the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would “welcome” the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would “no longer” voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation “frivolous,” adding: “Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.” The report said that while Gaetz’s obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress “act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.” Justice Department didn’t cooperate with the committee The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn’t disclose information about investigations that don’t result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, but after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the report. “To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses,” the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn’t want to “relive their experience,” the committee said. “They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ’s lack of action on their prior testimony,” the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women’s statements. The agency’s lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee’s probe, lawmakers said.
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