Disney to close Star Wars hotel that opened in Florida last year

By Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co will shutter its immersive Star Wars-themed luxury hotel in Orlando this September, less than two years after it opened, as the media giant cuts costs throughout its entertainment and parks businesses. Disney announced the closing of the two-night “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” hotel and experience…

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Australia’s Westpac Says Won’t Stick To Home Loan Guideline As Interest Rates Surge

By Byron Kaye and Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia’s Westpac Banking Corp said it will refinance loans for some borrowers who don’t meet an industry standard that assesses their ability to repay, putting pressure on the bank regulator to relax guidelines after a year of interest rate hikes. The country’s No. 2 mortgage provider has…

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Australia’s Westpac says won’t stick to home loan guideline as interest rates surge

By Byron Kaye and Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia’s Westpac Banking Corp said it will refinance loans for some borrowers who don’t meet an industry standard that assesses their ability to repay, putting pressure on the bank regulator to relax guidelines after a year of interest rate hikes. The country’s No. 2 mortgage provider has…

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Russia strikes Zelenskiy’s hometown, woman badly wounded – Ukraine

By Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) – Russia launched a new wave of overnight air strikes on Ukraine early on Friday, setting ablaze several buildings in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s hometown and seriously wounding a 64-year-old woman, Kyiv said. Moscow has stepped up its campaign of long-range attacks in the last month, shifting from a winter tactic…

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Thailand’s Move Forward says coalition partners need not support amending royal insult law

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s progressive Move Forward party on Friday said potential coalition partners need not support its controversial stance on amending the royal insult law, as it seeks to win the backing of other parties to form a government. Move Forward, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, won the most…

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As world leaders meet, Ukraine urges allies to be bolder on Russia sanctions

By Matthias Williams, Olena Harmash and John O’Donnell LONDON/KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine wants its allies to be bolder in imposing sanctions on Russia, including by targeting banks that provide financial services to serving soldiers, a senior adviser told Reuters. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, who advises President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, also urged allies not to fear…

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