DeSantis signs bill allowing Florida board to cancel Disney deals

By Joseph Ax and Dawn Chmielewski (Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill into law that gives a new board he controls the power to void development agreements its predecessor body signed with Disney – the latest episode in a feud between the conservative governor and the entertainment giant. Under the bill,…

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Sudanese say warring factions ignore their plight as hardships grow

By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir PORT SUDAN, Sudan (Reuters) -Heavy gunfire echoed around Khartoum on Friday as civilians trapped in the Sudanese capital said the army and rival paramilitary were fighting without regard to their plight. Battles since mid-April have killed hundreds and wounded thousands, disrupted aid supplies, sent 100,000 refugees fleeing abroad and…

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King Charles and royals greet well-wishers ahead of coronation

By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) -King Charles greeted excited crowds gathering for his coronation before hosting a reception for world leaders at Buckingham Palace on Friday ahead of what will be the biggest ceremonial event in Britain for 70 years. Charles, 74, and his wife Camilla will be crowned at London’s Westminster Abbey in a…

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Russia’s Wagner threatens to leave Bakhmut, Ukraine says mercenaries reinforcing

By Felix Light and Caleb Davis (Reuters) -Russia’s main mercenary group announced plans on Friday to withdraw from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, but Ukraine said the fighters were reinforcing positions to try to seize it before Russia marks World War Two Victory Day next week. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said his men…

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Russian theatre director accused of ‘justifying terrorism’ remanded in custody

MOSCOW (Reuters) – A prominent Russian theatre director was remanded in custody for two months on Friday after being accused of justifying terrorism with an award-winning play about Russian women who married Islamic State fighters, the state news agency TASS reported. Investigators opened a case this week against Yevgenia (Zhenya) Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk,…

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Florida legislature approves bill allowing board to cancel Disney deals

(Reuters) – Florida’s Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will allow a tourism board appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to cancel development agreements its predecessor body signed, the latest salvo against the Walt Disney Co from the conservative leader. Under the bill, which now goes to DeSantis for signing into law, the Central Florida…

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Biden says Republicans manufacturing a crisis over debt limit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden sharply criticized ‘MAGA’ Republicans for their refusal to vote in a higher federal debt ceiling, signaling that there would be little compromise from the White House at a key May 9 meeting with congressional leaders. Republicans are “divided” on the debt ceiling, Biden said, speaking ahead of a meeting…

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