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

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Anne Hathaway fans have defended the Devil Wears Prada star after a viral video purported to show her skipping over Priyanka Chopra Jonas to greet Zendaya at Bulgari’s fashion event in Italy. Hathway, Zendaya, and Chopra Jonas all arrived at the Palazzo Ducale in Venice, Italy, on 16 May to celebrate the launch of Bulgari’s new jewellery collection. The three stars – who are also Bulgari ambassadors – posed for photos together, each wearing dazzling Bulgari necklaces. In a TikTok video shared by Harper’s Bazaar France, the Princess Diaries star is seen walking in front of photographers to greet the Euphoria actor. Chopra Jonas, who is standing beside Zendaya, watches and smiles as the two exchange cheek kisses. The three brand ambassadors appear to compliment each other’s stunning gowns before snapping pictures with Bulgari CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin. Despite the pleasantries, many viewers assumed Hathaway had snubbed Chopra Jonas in favour of Zendaya at the fashion event. As some people claimed Hathaway “ignored” the Citadel star, others chimed in to defend the Ocean’s 8 actor. “Why didn’t she greet Priyanka lol,” commented one TikTok user. “She totally ignored her,” another said. “Priyanka waited for her hug,” a third person wrote. However, many users in the comments explained that Zendaya arrived late to the fashion event and Hathaway had already said hello to Chopra Jonas. @bazaarfrance #zendaya #priyankachopra #annehathaway #bulgari #bulgarihighjewelry #tiktokfashion ♬ Summer day - TimTaj “She didn’t ignore her. Zendaya arrived later than they did,” said one person. “There’s another post of the three of them. They all look fine,” wrote someone else. “Guys. Priyanka Chopra and Anne Hathaway already greeted each other earlier,” another TikToker said. “Please don’t throw hate towards Anne Hathaway.” Hathaway attended the launch of Bulgari’s Mediterranea High Jewellery collection wearing a gold and silver ombre high-slit gown from Atelier Versace. The sparkling gown, which she paired with a pink bejeweled joker from Bulgari’s collection, featured an attached hood. Zendaya arrived wearing a black custom Richard Quinn gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves. She styled her hair in a slicked-back bun and accessorised the look with a silver snake necklace from Bulgari. Meanwhile, Chopra Jonas opted for a pink cropped long-sleeve bodice and floor-length skirt, along with a matching pink necklace. This isn’t the first time fans have defended Anne Hathaway after she was accused of being “rude” on the red carpet. Earlier this month, a resurfaced interview showed the Ella Enchanted star declining a journalist’s inquiry about a conversation she had with Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The interview, which took place at ELLE magazine’s Women in Hollywood event last October, came after Hathaway sat next to Wintour at the Michael Kors New York Fashion Week show. When asked whether she and Wintour had ever spoken about the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada – in which Meryl Streep plays Miranda Priestly, a character modelled after Wintour – Hathaway confirmed they had. However, when the reporter pushed for information about what the legendary Vogue editor has “shared”, Hathaway replied: “Why would I tell you?” before laughing loudly. The interviewer said: “Because I’m a fan and I need to know.” “No, but you weren’t there,” Hathaway said, shaking her head slightly. The interviewer said they “respected” Hathaway’s decision not to divulge her and Wintour’s interaction, and the actor thanked her. Read More Anne Hathaway defended after ‘rude’ red carpet interview goes viral Anne Hathaway isn’t a ‘mean girl’ for that red carpet interview – trust me, I know Fans condemn ‘scary’ photoshopped images showing Zendaya and Selena Gomez on Met Gala red carpet Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

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