Free Republic

Forget about Disney princesses. Mickey Mouse might have just proved who’s the real king of Florida. The Walt Disney Co. used a legal clause that name checks King Charles III to apparently thwart Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempt to strip the company of its self-governance power in the state. For nearly a year, state legislators, encouraged by DeSantis, have sought to exert more control over the company’s Florida-based theme parks by passing a bill that would dissolve Disney’s special tax district. DeSantis also wanted to rename the area the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and plant a new board of...

Britain’s republican movement has revealed it plans to mount a campaign for a referendum on the future of the monarchy when the Queen dies. Republic has been nervous of appearing callous over the Queen’s mortality, because it sees the popularity of the Queen as crucial to public support for the institution. But on the eve of the Queen’s 90th birthday, Republic’s chief executive, Graham Smith, suggested that, when it happens, the Queen’s death will mark a turning point in public attitudes. “The Queen’s birthday reminds us that support for the monarchy is bound up with support for the Queen,” he...

It might be the happiest place on earth, but your wallet won't be feeling any happier after splashing out even more to 'experience the magic' of Disney. The cost of going to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World just got more expensive. Although Disney won't specify the reasons behind the increase, the Florida parks are home to the company's new high-tech wristband-based ticketing and ride reservation system, called MyMagic+ which cost the company $1.5 billion. ......................................................... Disney World has raised the one-day ticket price to the Magic Kingdom by $4 so that it now costs $99 before taxes for...

Britain has sunk into a pit of debt which is five times deeper than previously feared, with the country now owing the equivalent of £200,000 per household. Instead of the £1 trillion reading normally presented as the nation's debt, the UK is in the red by closer to £5 trillion... a broader set of ONS figures taking in Government liabilities show unfunded public service pension obligations could add another £1.2 trillion and liabilities in unfunded state pension schemes a further £1.35 trillion. The sum is almost four times the size of the UK's total gross domestic product in 2009...a more...