Biden urges automakers, union to make 'a fair agreement'
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Portuguese PM António Costa offers to resign over lithium deal probe
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Disney cancels $1bn Florida theme park extension amid war with DeSantis
The Walt Disney Company has pulled the plug on a $1bn office complex in Orlando, following a warning from Disney leadership that billions of dollars in projects were on the line after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis escalated his feud with the company. The development scheduled for construction in the Orlando area was set to bring 2,000 jobs to the region, with 1,000 employees expected to be relocated from southern California. In an email to employees on 18 May, Disney’s theme park and consumer products chair Josh D’Amaro pointed to “changing business conditions” for the cancellation of the 60-acre Lake Nona Town Center project, according to The New York Times, which first reported the move. “I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business,” he added, noting that the company has still planned $17bn in projects over the next decade its Disney World campus. “I hope we’re able to,” he said. For years, Florida legislators and the governor’s office enjoyed a close relationship with the state’s largest taxpayers, among the state’s largest employers, which has wielded enormous political influence while bringing in billions of dollars to the state each year. Now, the company and DeSantis allies are suing one another, following a year-long feud over opposition to what opponents have called Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law that boiled over into political and legal battles that could shape the company’s business in the state. Moments after board appointed by Mr DeSantis voted to strip the company’s control of its Florida park, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against the governor and state officials alleging a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” for “expressing a political viewpoint.” The lawsuit follows the governor’s state takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, now the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, made up of conservative activists and DeSantis loyalists, a move that followed Florida Republicans’ punitive measures against the company after its public opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Days later, the board voted to sue Disney in state court. In March, Disney slammed the governor’s “anti-business” approach to the company, which Mr DeSantis has accused of advancing a “woke agenda” while his administration targets LGBT+ people and their families with sweeping laws to control public school education, healthcare access and speech. The governor dissolved a decades-old municipal district that allowed Disney to control its own land use, zoning rules and public services, without putting a tax burden on Florida residents. In effect, Disney taxed itself to foot the district’s bill for its municipal needs. “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people, and pay more taxes, or not?” Disney CEO Bob Iger said on a conference call with analysts last week. A statement from Disney said the company has decided to pull out of the new campus construction “given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions.” The “Parental Rights in Education Act” – what opponents have called “Don’t Say Gay” – prohibits instruction of “sexual orientation or gender identity” from kindergarten through the third grade and any such discussion “that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students” in other grades. The governor recently expanded the law to explicitly extend such restrictions to all grades. Critics have warned that the broadly written law threatens to freeze classroom speech involving LGBT+ people and issues, from civil rights history lessons to discussion of LGBT+ students, school staff and their families. Following passage of the Florida law, lawmakers across the US and in Congress have introduced similar legislation, including more than two dozen measures in current legislative sessions. Read More DeSantis v Disney: Why Florida’s governor is at war with the Mouse ‘We will not be erased’: Critics slam Ron DeSantis for unprecedented bills attacking LGBTQ+ people Penguin Random House sues Florida school district over ‘unconstitutional’ book bans Florida teacher under investigation for showing Disney movie with LGBT+ character speaks out
2023-05-19 03:45
Which school did Rex Heuermann attend? Gilgo Beach murders suspect almost killed classmate during high school play
Rex Heuermann was arrested as a suspect in the murders of three escorts, whose bodies were found on an isolated Long Island beach in 2010
2023-07-23 14:54
Global rules leave crypto firms with no place to hide, says G20 watchdog
By Huw Jones LONDON Globally agreed rules leave crypto firms with no option but to introduce basic safeguards
2023-07-17 15:29
Vegas Golden Knights championship parade expected to rival New Year's Eve on Strip, planners say
Vegas Golden Knights fans are expected to jam the Las Vegas Strip for a Stanley Cup victory parade and a rally in front of their home arena to mark the team’s first-ever NHL championship
2023-06-17 23:28
Some Black men lose faith in Biden, Democrats in 2024
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw WASHINGTON Bahta Mekonnen, a 28-year-old U.S. Army captain from the key voting
2023-08-02 10:20
Palestinian leader Abbas ends China trip after backing Beijing's crackdown on Muslim minorities
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has wrapped up a trip to China, after seeking economic aid and voicing support for Beijing's repressive policies toward its Muslim minorities
2023-06-16 18:18
What is the Piqui's Law? Angelina Jolie slams biased judge in custody battle with Brad Pitt
Angelina Jolie believes the judge in her custody case is biased towards Brad Pitt and wants the Piqui's Law to be enacted as soon as possible
2023-10-05 21:26
Tristan Tate threatens to boycott 'James Bond' if non-White actors play iconic detective role
This comes just days after Tristan Tate called Zendaya a 'frog'
2023-06-25 16:53
No. 21 Notre Dame harasses Caleb Williams and hands No. 10 USC first loss in 48-20 drubbing
Xavier Watts intercepted Caleb Williams twice and returned a fumble for a touchdown as No. 21 Notre Dame harassed the Heisman Trophy winner and handed No. 10 Southern California its first loss in a 48-20 victory
2023-10-15 11:47
'Same pout, different day': Internet has a field day over Kim Kardashian's 'signature' mirror-selfie pose
Kim Kardashian recently denied undergoing plastic surgery, claiming, 'I’ve never filled my cheeks. I’ve never filled my lips'
2023-08-29 10:55
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