Ron DeSantis's war with Disney just cost Florida $1bn

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May 22, 2023 View online 1/ 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 DeSantisescalated 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 at its Disney World campus. "I hope we're able to," he said. 2/ Dianne Feinstein's office confirms health issues are broader than previously known Health of top Democrat has been major subject of concern 3/ 8-year-old migrant dies in US custody at border The girl is the second migrant child to die in US custody during the Biden administration 4/ Jamaal Bowman says Marjorie Taylor Greene used racial 'bullhorn' after Capitol exchange Jamaal Bowman and Marjorie Taylor Greene were engaged in a heated back-and-forth about Rep George Santos 5/ 'Citi Bike Karen' claims viral video of fight with Black man was taken out of context Hospital worker says she has no 'ill will' towards men in video THE BIG QUESTION Why hasn't America helped Afghans who fought alongside the US military? The collapse of Afghanistan's government at the hands of the Taliban forced thousands of the nation's people to flee their homeland, including many of those who served as translators and other aides to US forces.   But in the more than a year and a half since the US military withdrawal from the country, America has failed to offer immigration assistance to most Afghans who helped its troops.   According to the International Rescue Committee, the US has admitted just 76,000 Afghans as part of Operation Allies Welcome so far. Why? Read the full story £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Watch / Biden pledges 'shared and unwavering commitment' to stand with Ukraine at G7 summit NUMBER OF THE DAY 56,628 – The number of Instagram users who reported outages on the social media site on Sunday after it suffered several hours of malfunctions, according to Down Detector. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY "Jordan was screaming for help. We keep criminalising people with mental illness. They don't need abuse, they need help." – Reverend Al Sharpton delivers a powerful eulogy at the funeral of Jordan Neely, the New Yorker who died after being put in a chokehold by another passenger on the subway. Read more We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE George Santos accused of scamming fellow GOP candidates in fraud scheme Ted Cruz wants to investigate Bud Light for working with Dylan Mulvaney: 'Melting down over a trans woman' Alleged Bosnian war criminal busted living secretly in Boston after 25 years Articles available exclusively to subscribers Portia Jones - Will Gabon become Africa's new ecotourism hotspot? OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Climate Weekly Written by Louise Boyle Join now Simon Calder's Travel Week Twice a week Written by Simon Calder Join now Climate News Weekly Written by Louise Boyle Join now Simon Calder's Travel Week Twice a week Written by Simon Calder Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.