'Colin from Accounts' is a messy, funny as hell rom-com
You'd be forgiven for assuming that Colin from Accounts, an Australian comedy series, is about
2023-07-06 22:37
Disney governing district in Florida axes diversity and inclusion programmes as DeSantis row with company rages
Diversity, equity and inclusion programs were abolished Tuesday from Walt Disney World's governing district, now controlled by appointees of governor Ron DeSantis, in an echo of the Florida governor's agenda which has championed curtailing such programs in higher education and elsewhere. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said in a statement that its diversity, equity and inclusion committee would be eliminated, as would any job duties connected to it. Also axed were initiatives left over from when the district was controlled by Disney supporters, which awarded contracts based on goals of achieving racial or gender parity. Glenton Gilzean, the district's new administrator who is African American and a former head of the Central Florida Urban League, called such initiatives “illegal and simply un-American”. Gilzean has been a fellow or member at two conservative institutions, the James Madison Institute and the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network, as well as a DeSantis appointee to the Florida Commission on Ethics. “Our district will no longer participate in any attempt to divide us by race or advance the notion that we are not created equal," Mr Gilzean said in a statement. "As the former head of the Central Florida Urban League, a civil rights organization, I can say definitively that our community thrives only when we work together despite our differences.” An email was sent seeking comment from Disney World. Last spring, Mr DeSantis, who is running for the GOP presidential nomination, signed into law a measure that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs. Mr DeSantis also has championed Florida's so-called “Stop WOKE” law, which bars businesses, colleges and K-12 schools from giving training on certain racial concepts, such as the theory that people of a particular race are inherently racist, privileged or oppressed. A federal judge last November blocked the law’s enforcement in colleges, universities and businesses, calling it "positively dystopian.” The creation of the district, then known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build a theme park resort near Orlando in the 1960s. Having a separate government allowed the company to provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its sprawling property. The district was controlled by Disney supporters for more than five decades. The DeSantis appointees took control of the renamed district earlier this year following a yearlong feud between the company and Mr DeSantis. The fight began last year after Disney, beset by significant pressure internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” As punishment, Mr DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by Republican lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels. Disney sued Mr DeSantis and his five board appointees in federal court, claiming the Florida governor violated the company’s free speech rights by taking the retaliatory action. Before the new board came in, Disney made agreements with previous oversight board members who were Disney supporters that stripped the new supervisors of their authority over design and development. The DeSantis-appointed members of the governing district have sued Disney in state court in a second lawsuit stemming from the district’s takeover, seeking to invalidate those agreements. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP Read More Florida father tried to remove ‘Arthur’ book from schools because it could ‘damage souls’ DeSantis says DC jury would ‘convict a ham sandwich’ if it was Republican Republican National Committee boosts polling and fundraising thresholds to qualify for 2nd debate Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide
2023-08-03 14:11
Belgium media guide
Notes on the media in Belgium and links to broadcasters and newspapers.
2023-08-21 23:54
Pharrell Unveils His Vision for Louis Vuitton on Paris’ Oldest Bridge
Pharrell Williams’ first Louis Vuitton show was a star-studded spectacle in Paris that included a performance by Jay-Z,
2023-06-21 23:11
Turnberry: What’s it like to play at Trump’s famous golf course?
History is a malleable thing, and Turnberry must be the only world class golf course with two origin stories. There’s the astounding links which was founded in 1906 and hosted four Open championships, including the iconic “Duel in the Sun” between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977, and there’s Trump Turnberry: a beacon of lavish luxury sitting proud along the landscape, sitting shiny and bold on the edge of Scotland’s wild west coast. Let’s address the orange elephant in the room now before we go on: Trump’s name is everywhere. When they bought the place in 2014, the Trump Group set about turning the place into a haven for golfers, celebrities and tourists alike, in search of links golf perfection and top-end customer experience. They’ve managed to do exactly that, but Trump was never going to be a silent owner. That’s hardly his style after all, and there is no doubt that the name alone will deter some from coming. He must be fully aware that his politics and personal reputation will make people think twice about the place, as deeply impressive as it is, and he clearly doesn’t care one iota. What was clear and obvious, though, is that since purchasing the place, the elemental landscape is unmoved, the two outstanding courses here are deeply impressive, and truly transcendent golfing experiences are ready to be had here. I sampled the newly-launched Ailsa membership during my stay on this breezy, sun-kissed patch of Scotland, and it was clear not only that the golfing facilities and the hotel are some the finest in the world, but that the Ailsa course is as close to the perfect links golf course as I have had the pleasure of playing. It has an interesting past, this place. The enormous Turnberry hotel was designed by James Miller in 1906 to fit alongside the new railway and was used during both wars to house the military. It sits high on the hill, guiding players home along the back nine holes of the main Ailsa course and second track the King Robert the Bruce. The sheer scale of the place is impressive in itself. The Trump group transformed the building with opulent touches since purchasing it back in 2014 and added a grand ballroom which regularly hosts wedding ceremonies and adds even more size to the building. We walked by intriguing whisky tasting areas and lavish ceremonial suites on the way up to our quarters, which both came with palatial bathrooms with golden fittings and beautiful views out towards the coast from the generous rooms. There are a couple of excellent dining options for golfers looking to find comfort after coming off the course, as you’d expect. The Duel in the Sun restaurant in the clubhouse was refurbished in 2016 and offers smart, but relaxed surroundings for post-round debriefs overlooking the 18th holes of both the King Robert the Bruce and the Ailsa – the latter having played host to the most dramatic finishes to the Opens of 1977 and 2009, where Stewart Cink clinched victory from veteran Tom Watson and denied him the fairy-tale finish. The plusher 1906 restaurant is found in the hotel, with views catching the last light of the day looking down the hill to the coast. Named after the year the hotel was opened, the menu offers refined, locally inspired cuisine, and a really excellent wine list – a hearty glass of Gigondas always goes down well, but never more so than after a long round of golf, looking out as the sun sets over Scotland’s stunning west coast. Ailsa Club members also have access to the exceptional spa facilities, including a 65-foot heated infinity pool with views of Ailsa Craig and complete with men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas – which proved perfect for getting out of the wind after our windy, damp round on the first day - as well as a gym decked out with top of the range equipment. There was also a trip to the stables to meet the horses, which can be taken out for a gallop on Turnberry beach and treks around the estate, or hired out for riding lessons. The extracurricular offers include clay shooting, paddle boarding and kayaking, too. Golf, though, is king. There are three courses to choose from here: the famous Ailsa, the championship King Robert the Bruce and the 9-hole Arran. Almost anywhere else in the world the King Robert the Bruce course would be a standout all on its own, which will test players of all abilities and provide some of the best views in Scottish golf. A battering, bludgeoning wind added a little spice to our game here, with great ‘risk and reward’ holes right along the edge of the land. The Arran is also a gem of a links track and kept in fantastic condition, and the golf academy is kitted out with a state-of-the-art fitting centre and a driving range with yet more picturesque views out to the land’s edge. There’s no doubt that the famous Ailsa is the jewel in the crown, though, tying all the opulence around it together and grounding it in links golf perfection. The course was altered in 2016 and the influence of the American owners translates in subtle ways - despite the hot weather in the weeks before our visit, the course had been extensively watered, ensuring a lush feel and springy fairways that still allowed for plenty of roll out off the tee. It was my first time playing the course, so I was unable to compare the major changes made in 2016 by course designer Martin Ebert to what came before. But turning the par-4 ninth hole in the shadow of the famous Turnberry lighthouse into a par-3 makes for an incredibly dramatic experience. It has to rank among the best par-3s anywhere in the world: hitting over craggy cliff face is daunting enough from the yellow and white tees, but playing off the championship tees with a 240-yard carry to the green with the waves below is an entirely different level - if the wind gets up from back there, you may as well throw your ball in the water and save yourself the effort. Another major change comes a short while later at the 11th. Previously, the hole saw players aim inland, but now the green is located right next to the land’s edge on yet another stunning, stand-out hole that brings an end to a remarkable stretch right along the coast. Golfers talk about the “framing” of certain holes, with the surroundings often more important than the hole itself when it comes to creating impact. Turnberry has to be one of the best framed courses in the world. There’s the lighthouse and the Ailsa Craig peeking over the humps and hollows on most holes, and of course the Firth of Clyde skirting alongside too. Tough though they are, there’s still something in both courses for the mid to higher handicappers. Of course, they’ll reward better ball strikers and those better able to read subtle breaks on the greens. But having played brutal links courses along this same coastline that beat me up good and proper, the Ailsa left me feeling confident and ready to play again straight away. It’s the kind of place you come off feeling grateful to have played, with an experience you never forget. What part of my experience of the course will live longest in the memory for players trying it for the first time? Something sensory, perhaps, like the salty air whipping off the ocean and stinging the nostrils, or the feel of the bouncy fairways under foot. The silhouette of the lighthouse framing signature hole after signature hole, maybe, or the enormous Scotland flag stood commandingly by the 18th green, blowing with the prevailing southerly wind which is the course’s biggest natural defence on restless days. For me, there’s a more easily defined memory I’ll cherish, and it’s the sight of my brother making a hole in one on the sixth hole right by the land’s edge, letting out a visceral howl of joy and disbelief, before taking off like a greyhound towards the green to pluck his ball from the cup: a magical moment caught in time which embodied the transcendent nature of this sensational golf course. It brought home that Turnberry’s Ailsa course has been there for over a century and will remain constant, even while the context of its surroundings and its history may change. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-23 17:27
Skeletons found in Pompeii ruins reveal deaths by earthquake, not just Vesuvius' ancient eruption
Archeologists in Pompeii have discovered two skeletons that they believe were men who died when a wall collapsed on them during the powerful earthquakes that accompanied the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79
2023-05-16 21:12
Biden to Host Australian Leader Albanese in October Visit to US
President Joe Biden will host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for an official visit to the US on
2023-08-10 12:13
Mike Lindell's lawyers in Dominion lawsuit seek to quit case over millions of dollars in unpaid legal fees
Attorneys representing conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell and his company MyPillow in a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems asked to withdraw from the case on Thursday after Lindell allegedly racked up millions in unpaid legal fees.
2023-10-06 04:55
Brazil to begin taxing sports betting, aiming to boost revenues
BRASILIA Brazil's government issued an executive order on Tuesday to initiate taxation on sports betting, in line with
2023-07-25 20:21
How to watch Wales vs. Croatia for free
TL;DR: The UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier between Wales and Croatia will take place at 7:45
2023-10-13 12:00
Charles III maintains royal tradition at Highland Games event
Britain's King Charles III on Saturday attended his first annual Highland Games in Braemar as monarch, a traditional highlight of his late mother Queen Elizabeth...
2023-09-02 23:28
Anderson and Vaughn homer, Clevinger sharp in return to lead White Sox past Guardians 7-2.
Tim Anderson homered for the first time in more than a year on a three-hit night, Mike Clevinger tossed five shutout innings in his return from the injured list and the Chicago White Sox topped the Cleveland Guardians 7-2
2023-07-30 10:54
You Might Like...
China's troubled property sector to face more debt defaults
DraftKings Boxing Promo GUARANTEES $200 on Lopez vs Taylor (Plus, Win an Extra $200+ in Five States!)
Late Hodnett try wins URC final for plucky Munster
High School Baseball Title Game Ends in Chaos on Dropped Third Strike Call
Marketmind: Q3 kicks off with China PMI in spotlight
Analysis-China moves to shut a lifeline for cash-strapped local governments
Isolated Putin and Kim posture over ‘sacred fight’ with West as they talk arms for Moscow’s war machine
UN Secretary General embraces calls for a new UN agency on AI in the face of 'potentially catastrophic and existential risks'
