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.
Disney's Blizzard Beach, one of the two water parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, remains closed indefinitely for refurbishment. Progress is being made with several areas being replaced, and it is expected to reopen sometime in early 2024. In the meantime, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is open for guests.
Satellite images confirm the refurbishment of an abandoned military garrison in the Belarusian village of Tsel, sparking rumors that it could be used to settle fighters from the mercenary group Wagner. The rectangular objects seen in the images resemble field tents and could potentially accommodate up to 15,000 troops. While some speculate that the camp is being prepared for Wagner members, experts believe it may be for Russian soldiers undergoing training in Belarus. The construction at Tsel could also be a distraction from the construction of hardened facilities for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
Belgium's Defense Ministry has approved a new aid package for Ukraine, which includes the provision of M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) decommissioned by an undisclosed European army. The first batch of 40 to 50 units will be refurbished by Belgian company John Cockerill and delivered to Ukraine. The restoration process will take at least a year, but some vehicles may be delivered in 2023. The aid package is worth over 11 million euros and is in line with Belgium's approach of providing military aid based on Ukraine's concrete requests.
The Indiana Jones Adventure ride at Disneyland Park is set to reopen on March 17 after a months-long refurbishment. Fans speculated if any new additions from the upcoming fifth Indiana Jones movie would be added to the ride, but Disney has not announced any such changes. The ride, which opened in 1995, takes guests on a fast-paced adventure through the Temple of the Forbidden Eye to find a coveted treasure while avoiding looking into the eyes of Mara, an ancient deity.