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Disneyland, located in California, has released breathtaking concept drawings for a new Avatar-themed land. The route of the water goes to Disneyland.

During its livestream event for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday, Disney unveiled the “inspirational artwork,” which features highly themed locations influenced by the multibillion-dollar film series directed by James Cameron.

The artwork depicts park visitors sailing across an open lake while passing a huge waterfall; nearby, mythical animals from the Pandora region are seen scuttling. The picture also shows some large rock work, which reflects the floating island-style design that debuted in 2017 alongside Disney World’s Pandora: The World of Avatar theme park at Animal Kingdom.


“We are excited about the stories our guests could experience at Walt’s original theme park destination after approval of DisneylandForward — including the chance to experience all-new Avatar adventures with a visit to Pandora,” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro stated in a blog post on the Disney Parks Blog.
“Avatar is the latest example of how we are looking to create new and innovative ways to bring our powerful stories to life. Over the past decade, we’ve delivered massive, immersive experiences at our destinations around the world, including new lands and attractions based on Star Wars, the Avengers, Pixar and more.”

As his team is ready to accelerate construction at its parks across the globe, D’Amaro went on, stating that the Avatar project “is just the beginning” and that “there are so many stories in our library yet to be explored”.

In September, the corporation declared that it would allocate $60 billion to its parks over the ensuing ten years, coinciding with the approval of its long-term DisneylandForward development plan, which was initially unveiled in 2021.

The concept image for DisneylandForward appears to include rides and attractions themed on Tangled, Frozen, and Black Panther, while nothing official has emerged from the plan.

Aside from that, Disney World and Disneyland will reopen their former Splash Mountain flume attractions later in 2024. This is because the company had previously announced that it would re-theme the rides to replace the controversial Song of the South aesthetics with imagery and characters from the 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog.

D’Amaro teased an Indiana Jones redesign of Animal Kingdom’s Dinosaur ride to Entertainment Weekly in November during the grand launch of Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen area.

“I think I actually played some music, didn’t I?” Jokingly, D’Amaro brought up his September Destination D23 presentation, during which he unveiled artwork that included an Indiana Jones-inspired temple erected in lieu of the current Dinosaur thrill coaster, all set to the famous John Williams score.

“We’ve got so many stories to tell, we have so many things we want to make even better in the theme parks. My plan is to continue to share that with the guests,”  he went on. “I know people are like, ‘My gosh, I can’t believe he’s saying this. Is he serious, is he not?’ The answer is, we are absolutely serious.”

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Sports

Caitlin Clark is keeping her collection of trophies growing.

The Iowa women’s basketball standout won her second consecutive Naismith National Player of the Year award, which was unveiled on Wednesday in Cleveland at Browns Stadium. She has smashed records left and right this year.

“It has been such a special year for women’s basketball, so to win this award is really special. But to be back here (at the Final Four) to be playing with my team, I couldn’t script it any better …. This is just as much yours as it is mine …. I’m just very grateful and thankful and I will see you Friday night.”

Clark became the eighth different Division I women’s collegiate basketball player to win the award in back-to-back seasons. 

Clark is expected to be selected as the first overall pick in this month’s WNBA draft.

The native of West Des Moines thus becomes one of the notable individuals who have done so, including Cheryl Miller (1984–1986), Dawn Staley (1991–1992), Chamique Holdsclaw (1998–99), Diana Taurasi (2003–04), Seimone Augustus (2005–06), Brittney Griner (2012–13), and Breanna Stewart (2014–16).

In the NCAA Tournament this year, Clark is averaging 32.3 points per game as she tries to guide Iowa to its first-ever national championship.

In the Final Four, Iowa will play No. 3 seed UConn on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

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Science

Three space businesses have been given the opportunity to develop the next generation moon buggy by NASA, but only one of the designs will be sent to space. NASA may select from among the tough vehicles being developed by Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab for astronauts to drive on the lunar surface as early as next year.

The next step for the three teams is to begin a 12-month “feasibility phase,” which will end with a preliminary design assessment. Following that, the three businesses will compete for a demonstration task order in a subsequent competitive request for proposals, NASA officials clarified during a news conference on Wednesday.

A final recipient will be chosen at that time. The selected firm will be in charge of designing the lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) as well as launching and landing it on the moon before the Artemis V mission, which is not expected to happen until at least 2029.

Although Intuitive Machines said in a statement that it had been given a $30 million contract, NASA declined to provide the exact amount of the awards. Over the next thirteen years, the combined potential value of all the work orders comes to $4.6 billion.

While NASA stipulated that the rover would need to have an amazing 10-year life span and be able to carry two suited people, the three teams are also keeping details like range and battery technology under wraps.

A team led by Intuitive Machines consists of AVL, Boeing, Michelin, and Northrop Grumman; the “Lunar Dawn” team, led by Lunar Outpost, consists of Lockheed Martin, General Motors, Goodyear, and MDA Space. Odyssey Space Research and Axiom Space join Astrolab.

Under the agency’s ambitious Artemis program, which aims to someday create a permanent human presence on the moon, the prizes are the most recent to be given to private enterprise. Astronauts will require a means of transportation to fully explore the surface, though, and it must be able to endure the hostile lunar south pole climate, which is characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations and protracted darkness.

“Think of it as a hybrid of the Apollo-style lunar rover that was driven by our astronauts and an uncrewed mobile science platform,” stated Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

According to NASA’s principal exploration scientist Jacob Bleacher, astronauts will be able to carry scientific equipment, gather samples from the surface, and travel farther than they could on foot with the help of the vehicles. The LTV will be remotely operated by humans when astronauts are not on the moon, allowing it to continue exploring the area and even greet fresh crews of astronauts when they arrive.

“With NASA’s Artemis campaign, we are building up the capabilities needed to establish a longer-term exploration and presence of the moon,” he stated. “Where it will go, there are no roads. Its mobility will fundamentally change our view of the moon.”

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Technology

Motorola plans to add a new model to its Edge series in an attempt to build on its success from the previous year. Along with a sizable 4,500mAh battery, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro sports a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC.

As a follow-up to last year’s highly successful Edge and Edge+, the Edge 50 Pro is making an appearance on Motorola’s Indian website today. It will probably be released in the US with a more straightforward moniker.

A successful 2023 should be built upon by the corporation, as the Edge 50 Pro is expected to carry a multitude of high-quality hardware elements. With its arrival at the end of the previous year, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 gives a boost to devices in the mid-to high-end segment. This phone is expected to sport this chip.

For the Edge 50 Pro, at least from a CPU standpoint, the upgraded SoC will enable support for the Ultra HDR standard. This isn’t mentioned by Motorola on their launch page, but theoretically it might happen. Additionally, Android 14 and all of its generative AI features ought to be available out of the box for the Edge 50 Pro.

A 6.7-inch pOLED display with Super HD 1220p resolution is something the business does highlight about the Edge 50 Pro. A welcome standard these days, the display’s 144Hz capability will be achieved.

In addition, the Edge 50 Pro is expected to include 512GB of internal storage and up to 12GB of RAM. With Motorola’s TurboPower charging, the phone’s 4,500mAh battery cell will provide quite a long battery life.

If you utilize the exclusive 125W charging brick and cable, the OEM states that the Edge 50 Pro may be fully charged in 18 minutes. Additionally, the phone will support 50W wireless charging. The best thing about that is that Motorola supplies a really unusual 50W wireless charging stand.

The Edge 50 Pro’s design is well-executed. The profile blends into the phone’s rear panel, and the camera bump on the back protrudes just a little. As a result, four lenses are available, providing views different than a standard focal length, such as telephoto and ultrawide.

Depending on the color you select, the remaining portion of the back has a textured design. Moonlight Pearl, Black Beauty, and Luxe Lavender will be available from Motorola. Both Lavender and Pearl acquire distinct textures; the former is strikingly comparable to the Motorola Razr (2023).

Motorola’s website does not list prices, but visitors can sign up to get updates when they become available. Regarding the US launch, Motorola has not yet announced when it will release this gadget there; however, it is expected to have a new name and slightly different specifications when it does.

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Business

Pre-launch reservations for BMW India’s all-electric performance sedan, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive, are now being accepted. Luxurious electric car fans and connoisseurs can reserve their own piece of this limited-edition marvel beginning at 12:30 on April 4, 2024.

Using the special web platform, potential owners can take a 360-degree look at the outside and inside of the vehicle before visiting the booking page. With a first-come, first-served delivery policy beginning in May 2024, enthusiasts can acquire their i5 M60 xDrive with ease thanks to this flawless digital experience.

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is more than simply a car; it represents BMW’s dedication to balancing performance and sustainability. This car combines the thrilling features of the BMW M series with the cutting-edge, environmentally conscious spirit of the BMW i series, resulting in an output of 600 horsepower that is equally outstanding as its green credentials.

The President of BMW Group India, Vikram Pawah, believes that the i5 M60 xDrive would completely change the Indian market for electric luxury vehicles. BMW has a well-established position in this market thanks to its varied lineup, which includes the MINI SE, i7, iX, i4, and iX1. This legacy will be strengthened with the arrival of the i5 M60 xDrive, which provides an unmatched combination of style, technology, and dynamic performance.

A marvel of precision engineering, the first-ever BMW i5 M60 xDrive is built to provide extreme action and excitement. It also has an impressive WLTP range of up to 516 kilometers, which makes it both efficient and thrilling.

In order to improve the buying experience, BMW Financial Services India provides clients with the option to use the BMW 360 Finance plan at the time of booking, which gives obtaining this electric masterpiece even more flexibility and simplicity.

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Sports

The week before the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Justin Thomas made the shocking announcement on Wednesday that he had split with one of the top caddies in the game, Jim “Bones” Mackay.

Who will be on Thomas’ bag for the season’s first major, which takes place at Augusta National Golf Club from April 11–14, remains unknown.

Thomas posted on social media, saying, “While incredibly difficult for me to say, Bones and I have parted ways,”  “I’m going to be forever thankful for him joining me on the bag in 2021. The things we’ve been able to accomplish together — the PGA Championship in 2022, the Presidents Cup, the Ryder Cups were all unforgettable experiences. His wisdom on and off the course has been a blessing during a tough stretch of my career and he was there every step of the way.”

“I know there are great things coming for both of us down the road. I wish him the best of luck and will always count him and his family amongst my friends.”

Mackay, who catered for Phil Mickelson from 1992 to 2017, helped the golfer win five of his six major championships. When Thomas wasn’t playing, Mackay was an NBC Sports pundit.

At the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in July 2020, Mackay pounced at the chance to take Thomas’ bag when his regular caddy, Jimmy Johnson, wasn’t feeling well. September 2021 marked Mackay’s full-time hire with Thomas.

At the 2022 PGA Championship held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mackay assisted Thomas in winning his second major championship. However, Thomas, who was a contentious captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup in Rome and missed the FedEx Cup playoffs in 2023, has had a difficult two seasons.

Prior to missing the cut at the Players Championship and Genesis Invitational, two prestigious events this year, Thomas had three consecutive top-12 results, giving the impression that he was turning the corner. He is ranked 169th in putting (-.674) but fifth in approach strokes gained (.795).

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Business

  • offered in a single, fully functional version
  • Delivery will start later this month.

The Skoda Superb has finally returned to India and is currently priced at Rs. 54 lakh (ex-showroom). This sedan is available from the manufacturer in a single fully loaded configuration with a single powertrain choice. Customers can reserve a Superb online or by visiting the Skoda-authorized showroom that is closest to them. Notably, later this month, the deliveries will start.

The sedan’s design highlights include the chrome-encircled radiator grille that is distinctive to Skoda, lower air dams on the front bumper, LED headlamps, LED fog lamps with cornering capabilities, LED taillamps with crystal elements, and rear fog lights. Newly designed 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels support the vehicle. The model’s silhouette, nevertheless, remains unchanged.

It has a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with mobile connectivity, heated and cooled front seats, a driver seat massage function, a leather-wrapped gear knob, and three-zone climate control, among other features. It also comes with a 12-speaker Canton audio system, a virtual cockpit, and roll-up sun visors for the windscreen and rear windows. It is outfitted with nine airbags, a 360-degree camera, active TPMS, electronic parking brake with auto hold, hill brake assist, hill hold control, and ABS for further safety.

A 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, TSI petrol engine that produces 187 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque powers the Skoda Superb. The power generated is transferred to the front wheels using an automated DSG gearbox with seven speeds.

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Business

Today is the Taisor’s launch day for Toyota. It signifies Toyota’s return to the sub-4 metre SUV/crossover market following the 2022 withdrawal of the Urban Cruiser, which was based on the Maruti Vitara Brezza. Similar to the Urban Cruiser, Maruti will have redesigned the Taisor.

Based on the Maruti Fronx, the forthcoming Toyota-branded subcompact crossover is most likely going to take cues from its cousin Maruti for most of its design, according to the most recent teaser image issued by the Japanese automaker. A brief preview of what to anticipate from the rebranded Fronx is given here.

Toyota Taisor: Anticipated external design

Many visual elements regarding the Taisor are revealed in the teaser that was released a few days ago. For example, the Fronx appears to have been directly inspired by the front grille with honeycomb mesh grille. The modern LED DRLs and the dual-LED projector headlights that flank the front grille also look good. The Fronx’s front and back bumpers, bonnet scoop, tailboard form and profile are all the same.

The taillights with the connected LED strip in the middle give the vehicle a somewhat different appearance. Toyota is likely to provide a variety of alloy wheel styles. In general, Taisor and Taisor will nearly be identical twins.

Toyota Taisor: Anticipated features & interiors

Given that Maruti is the one building it, Taisor is most likely to have the same feature set and interior design as Fronx. This features a head-up display, 360-degree camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 9-inch infotainment system with Arkamys music system, wireless phone charging, and automated climate management. Taisor’s safety kit will come with six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ESP as standard equipment, hill-hold assist control, and all three-point seat belts.

Toyota Taisor: Anticipated power figures

Similar to Fronx, Taisor is anticipated to include a 1.2-liter normally aspirated and a 1-liter turbocharged petrol option. The 1.2-liter engine, which generates 89 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque and is paired with an AMT and a 5-speed manual gearbox, will remain the mainstay. The Taisor manual should yield about 21.79 kmpl and the AMT 22.89 kmpl, according to the Fronx ARAI estimates.

The 1.0-liter Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine is an option for those looking for a little extra performance. This mill has a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic torque converter with paddle shifters, and it produces 99 horsepower and 147.6 Nm. The mileage for the automatic should be 20.01 km/l and the manual should be around 21.5 km/l.

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Business

  • With two engine options and six variations available
  • Today is the start of the nationwide booking period.

Introduction

With starting costs of Rs 7.73 lakh, Toyota India has introduced the Urban Cruiser Taisor, a crossover based on the Maruti Fronx, to the Indian market. It is the sixth product in India to come from the joint venture between Toyota and Maruti Suzuki. The same is now being booked, and delivery will start in May 2024.

Highlights in design

Since the Taisor is based on the Fronx, its front and back profiles have been modified yet its size and silhouette remain the same. Its unique visual components include a revamped alloy wheel design, updated LED DRLs, adjusted bumpers, and a remodelled front grille.

Cabin and amenities

The Toyota Taisor’s interior boasts new seat coverings and a modern design. The crossover boasts an abundance of goodies, including a huge infotainment screen with wireless smartphone connectivity, a head-up display, ambient lighting, steering-mounted controls, automated climate control, a semi-digital instrument cluster, and a wireless charger.

Gearbox and engine

The Maruti Fronx and Toyota Taisor have the same powertrain mechanically. It has a 1.0-turbo petrol engine that generates 99bhp/148Nm and a 1.2-liter NA petrol engine that makes 88bhp/113Nm. While the turbocharged petrol engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic torque converter unit, the 1.2 can be mated to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed AMT. A company-fitted CNG kit option is also available with some versions.

Over the Fronx pricing

Surprisingly, the price difference between the Fronx and the Taisor for the 1.0-liter turbo type is only Rs. 1000, while there is a price differential of up to Rs. 25000 for the 1.2-liter engine models across the table.

competition

Maruti Fronx, Maruti Brezza, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, and the soon-to-be Mahindra XUV300 are competitors of the Taisor.

  • Prices of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor (ex-showroom)
  • Rs. 7.73 lakh gets you a Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 E MT.

Rs. 8.71 lakh gets you a Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 E MT CNG.

Rs. 8.59 lakh buys the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 S MT.

Rs. 9.12 lakh gets you a Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 S AMT.

Rs. 8.99 lakh gets you a Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 S+ MT.

Rs. 9.52 lakh gets you a Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 S+ AMT.

Rs. 10.55 lakh buys the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 G MT.

Rs. 11.95 lakh for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 E MT

Rs. 11.47 lakh for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 V MT

Rs. 12.87 lakh for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 V AT

Rs. 11.63 lakh for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 V MT DT

Rs. 13.03 lakh for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 V AT DT

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Business

On March 11, the considerably sportier Creta N-line version of the well-liked small SUV was introduced in India. Those who want to drive something sporty and entertaining are the target market for Creta N-line. Among the many improvements offered by the N-line are improved performance, updated styling, and an all new interior. For the SUV, Hyundai India has unveiled its second TVC.

The 48-second TVC (television video commercial) opens with different camera perspectives of a Hyundai building and the sound of an emergency alarm. The basement is where the Creta N-line appears, finished in a gorgeous shade of Thunder Blue with an abyss black roof. Titan Grey, Abyss Black, and Atlas White are additional colour choices. It is also possible to choose any of these colour options with a black roof.

The SUV’s front has been completely redesigned, with the grille situated significantly lower. The vehicle’s grille now sports an N-line badge. To give the car a considerably sportier appearance, the grille and bumper have been completely redone.

The TVC emphasises the Creta N-line’s rapid acceleration and athletic nature. It displays the SUV in its second shade, the stunning Titan Grey. In the TVC, the SUV’s side profile is also featured. The car now has 18-inch N-line-specific alloy wheels with red accents throughout. Everything on the side is the same, rest of it.

The only minor modifications to the rear are a stylish spoiler, dual exhaust tips, a revised bumper, and red highlights. The TVC emphasises the car’s performance in addition to showcasing its look. It depicts two Creta N-line racers competing in street racing.

The car’s interior has undergone significant modification, but this is not highlighted in the TVC. The Creta N-line has an all-black motif with red inlays on the gear knob, steering wheel, and leatherette seats instead of the standard grey theme. Additionally, a much sportier-looking steering wheel with leather wrapping has been installed.

A 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 163 horsepower and 253 nm of torque powers the Creta N-line. A 6-speed manual or a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) will be the transmission options available for this engine option. Customers can select the model that best meets their requirements.

There have been other upgrades outside the engine and appearance.

Rivals of the Creta N-line include the Volkswagen Taigun GT, Skoda Kushaq, and Kia Seltos X-Line, each of which has a sportier variant. The costs of the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Harrier, and MG Hector are among the competing models that are comparable to the sportier Creta.

Hyundai has introduced the N8 and N10 as the two Creta N-line models. The features of the N8 are comparable to those of the SX version of the ordinary Creta. Likewise, the top of the line SX(O) model of the ordinary Creta is replicated by the N10. The fully loaded N-10 trim starts at Rs. 19.34 lakhs, while the N8 starts at Rs. 16.82 lakhs ex-showroom.

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