Disney gambles future on playing catch-up with Netflix

Disney theme Park on Tuesday decided to lay-off 28,000 people in the United States as the coronavirus pandemic hits its parks and resorts business. Around 67 percent employees who are losing their jobs are part-timers, Disney says.

Crowds flock to Taipei's annual Christmas Land lights festival, featuring Disney-themed 3D mapping projections and colourful lighting installations. Taiwan is one of the few places in the world that has not imposed lockdowns during the pandemic. Now in its 10th year, Christmas Land is Taiwan's largest Christmas lights festival, attracting more than 6 million visitors last year.

Disney's shares have rallied after the company reported better than expected results for its latest quarter. Sales came in at €16.2 billion, down 22 percent from the previous year, amid a continuing hit from the pandemic. But its streaming business Disney+ is continuing to grow as people stay home for longer, offsetting losses made at its theme parks that have suffered months of shutdown. Plus, as dining out is not an option for many couples this Valentine's Day, a handful of hotels in Brussels are offering quality time and fancy dinners for two – in guest rooms.

"Black Widow" star Scarlett Johansson has sued Disney over its streaming release of the film, which she claimed deprived her of potential earnings and breached her contract. Disney say she pocketed $20 million to date.

Disney's earnings jumped above pre-pandemic levels in its latest financial results, boosted by the return of visitors to the company's theme parks. The streaming service Disney+ also added almost 12 million subscribers in the last three months of 2021, more than expected, thanks to popular additions including the Beatles documentary "Get Back". Also today, we look ahead to French President Emmanuel Macron's announcements on nuclear power, which is becoming a major issue in April's presidential election.

We look at reaction to how Republican lawmakers in Florida may have just made an expensive mistake by revoking Disney's special status, as retribution for the company's opposition to the state's "Don’t say gay" bill. The papers are also discussing the situation in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol and what the coming weeks could mean for the war. Finally, The New York Times reports on how shaved heads "have people buzzing".

Disney's upcoming animated adventure film "Strange World" will go straight to Disney+ in France, while it will debut on the big screen elsewhere. The entertainment giant is protesting against the country's strict rules that require theatrically-released films to wait 17 months before going to streaming platforms. But first, European lawmakers take a step closer to meeting the bloc's target of making all new cars emissions-free by 2035, by endorsing a proposed ban on new fuel-powered cars.

The East German regime nurtured an educated and well-read society — but literature was heavily censored. A look at the bookshelves of the GDR.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is on the defensive after Trian Partners, which holds a $900 million stake in the company, published a report critical of his management and asked shareholders for a boardroom seat.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill giving him control of Walt Disney World's self-governing district. A five-member board will now be appointed to oversee the government services provided in the state's Disney properties. DeSantis is taking aim at Disney over the company's opposition to the state's "Don't Say Gay" law. The move also comes ahead of an expected announcement of his 2024 presidential run.

Disney lays off Marvel Entertainment's chairman amid cost-cutting drive. Disney has laid off Isaac ("Ike") Perlmutter, the head of Marvel Entertainment, as part of its cost-cutting plans. The company began cutting 7,000 jobs this week in an effort to reduce $5.5 billion in costs.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has criticised Florida governor and Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis as being "anti-business" and "anti-Florida". The comments are part of an ongoing feud between the entertainment giant and DeSantis that started when Disney voiced its opposition to a state law banning education on LGBT issues in schools.