Disney announced at D23 that the Imagination! pavilion at EPCOT is getting a refurbishment that will reunite Dreamfinder with Figment; specifics are still to be released and more details are expected soon.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened at Magic Kingdom after a nearly 16-month refurbishment, but on opening day guests were evacuated and the ride temporarily closed after a cast member deployed a fire extinguisher in the loading area; the cause is not yet known and Disney World has not commented. The refurbishment included new track and trains, refreshed animatronics, a Rainbow Caverns scene, and a lowered height requirement.
Disney Imagineering has revealed updates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom, featuring refreshed scenery and painted structures in the Tumbleweed town area, renewed Rain Maker effects, updated figures and a cast of returning wildlife, plus enhanced Rainbow Caverns with phosphorescent pools and glowing bat effects. On-ride photos and an official POV video accompany the reopening, highlighting a brighter, more detailed reimagining of the classic attraction.
After a year-long refurbishment, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens at Magic Kingdom on May 3 with a transformed Rainbow Caverns, refreshed Audio-Animatronics, new trains, restored effects, and a lowered 38-inch height requirement; opening-day crowds caused long waits (around two hours) and limited Lightning Lane availability as testing concluded the prior day.
Conservatives call for pausing and refocusing the Palace of Westminster refurbishment amid rising costs—potentially £39–£40bn and 61 years—arguing the plan risks mission creep. They want safety-focused, essential work with stronger oversight, and point to two decant options (moving MPs/Peers or Lords only) to be decided by mid-2030s with initial works capped at £3bn.
Disney hints at significant updates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom, including a new opening scene featuring the Rainbow Caverns and potential new effects like dynamite explosions and falling boulders, suggesting a possible scene similar to Disneyland's version. The ride is currently closed for refurbishment with no confirmed reopening date.
The Earth sculpture has been restored and returned to Mission: SPACE at EPCOT after undergoing refurbishment as part of the ongoing updates to the attraction's Planetary Plaza, which also includes tracks from the NASA Perseverance Rover and a refreshed Jupiter. The Mission: SPACE simulator offers two intensities, Green and Orange, providing guests with missions around Earth and to Mars, respectively.
Ontario announced a C$2-billion refurbishment of the aging Pickering nuclear power station near Toronto to extend its life by 30 years, aiming to meet the province's projected surge in electricity demand driven by clean technologies. The project is expected to create 11,000 jobs during construction and 6,400 jobs after completion, with the plant set to produce 2,000 megawatts of electricity. While nuclear energy is a key part of Canada's emissions reduction plan, environmental groups emphasize the need to consider other non-emitting sources for future projects.
The British Museum in London is searching for a new director to restore trust in the institution after a curator looted around 1,500 items from its storerooms, handle restitution claims, and raise $1.27 billion for a major refurbishment. The museum is seeking someone with a vision for its future and the ability to address the various challenges it faces as one of the world's most visited museums.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon will close for its annual multi-month refurbishment on November 6, 2023, coinciding with the reopening of Blizzard Beach on the same day. Typhoon Lagoon operates on an alternating schedule with Blizzard Beach and offers popular attractions such as Crush 'n' Gusher and Miss Adventure Falls. Blizzard Beach will remain open while Typhoon Lagoon undergoes maintenance.
Newegg has launched its Trade-In Program, allowing customers to trade in their old graphics cards for a trade-in credit towards a new one. The estimated trade-in values range from $30 to $561, depending on the card. Newegg refurbishes the traded-in GPUs and resells them with a 30-day warranty. The program aims to reduce electronic waste and offers convenience for customers, although higher payouts may be available elsewhere.
Sony has launched the "Aibo Foster Parent" program, allowing owners whose basic plans have been canceled to donate their Aibo robot dogs. Sony will refurbish the donated units and donate them to medical facilities, foster homes, and other organizations, aiming to provide emotional support and reduce e-waste. The program charges a fee for service and some donated units may be used as parts for other Aibo robots. Aibo robot dogs have various capabilities and can serve as emotional support devices, making them suitable for facilities that don't allow real animals.
Sony has launched the "Aibo Foster Parent" program, allowing owners whose basic plans have been canceled to donate their Aibo robot dogs. Sony will refurbish the donated units and donate them to medical facilities, foster homes, and other organizations, aiming to provide emotional support and reduce e-waste. The program charges a fee for service and some donated units may be used as parts for other Aibo robots. Aibo robot dogs have various capabilities and can serve as emotional support devices, making them suitable for facilities that don't allow real animals.
Sony has launched the "Aibo Foster Parent" program, allowing owners whose basic plans have been canceled to donate their Aibo robot dogs. Sony will refurbish the donated units and donate them to medical facilities, foster homes, and other organizations, aiming to provide emotional support and reduce e-waste. The program charges a fee for service and some donated units may be used as parts for other Aibo robots. Aibo robot dogs have various capabilities and can serve as emotional support devices, making them suitable for facilities that don't allow real animals.
Italy's famous "Path of Love" in the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site has reopened after more than 10 years of closure due to a landslide in 2012. To combat overtourism, access to the trail is now only available through guided tours. The first section has reopened for a summer preview, with the full trail set to reopen in July 2024. Visitors are reminded to be respectful of the local culture and heritage to preserve the landscape for future generations.