BETHESDA, Md. – November 03, 2026 -- The Luxury Collection has launched a limited-edition advent calendar for $218, with 24 drawers that each hold a chocolate inspired by one of the brand's hotel destinations.

Artist, designer and the brand's Epicurean Global Explorer Laila Gohar created the calendar. Joana Avillez illustrated it, and Casa Bosques made the chocolates.

Munich – November 03, 2026 -- Germans are the most likely in Europe to say that "cute" no longer just means "cute-looking." A new Sanrio-commissioned study finds that 50.8% of German respondents see the word's meaning shifting, the highest share of any of the five countries surveyed.

Paris – October 24, 2026 -- Construction is underway on a Lion King water ride at Disneyland Paris, the centerpiece of the first-ever immersive world themed to Walt Disney Animation Studios' 1994 film. It will sit inside Disney Adventure World.

The ride starts beneath a 120-foot Pride Rock

Guests will enter the caves under the 120-foot-high Pride Rock and set off on a musical journey through the Pride Lands. Along the way they will hear classic songs from the film and pass through memorable scenes, including Simba's final confrontation with Scar.

Honda Center – October 24, 2026 -- Disney used its Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23 2024 to unveil nearly 50 announcements, including four new cruise ships, a Tiana's Bayou Adventure opening date of November 15, 2024, and new lands and rides across its parks. Many of the projects will start appearing over the next five years.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro said all of it is in active development: "Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving."

Walt Disney World – October 21, 2026 -- Magic Kingdom's villain-themed expansion now has an official name, Villains Land, and two headline attractions: a Maleficent coaster and a Magic Mirror dark ride. Disney revealed the details during the Disney Experiences showcase, Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

Paris – October 21, 2026 -- Apple's second Designers of Tomorrow exhibition, created with Design Miami, opens today at Hôtel de Maisons in Paris, showing four original works built around the theme of presence.

Taipei – October 19, 2026 -- JUBILEE Biomedical's JUBI Plasma cold plasma skincare device has won the Brands & Retail category at the 2026 COSMETIC 360 Awards in Paris. The Taiwanese company says one mode, running below 40°C, targets nine skincare areas.

Houston – October 13, 2026 -- Visual Comfort & Co. is launching the first lighting collection from Paris-based designer Verena Brausch, with four product families covering chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, and table lamps. The collection debuts at Fall High Point Market.

Graz – October 07, 2026 -- XPENG's Next-Gen AI Flagship SUV G9L has completed its first production trial at Magna's vehicle facility in Graz, Austria, becoming the fourth XPENG model built in Europe alongside the G6, G9 and P7+.

The pre-production G9L will drive 1,324 kilometers from Graz to Paris before its global launch

The journey, undertaken ahead of the vehicle's global premiere at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, is designed to test the SUV's charging capability, safety systems and driving performance under real-world conditions.

Cologne – October 07, 2026 -- Segway unveiled two new e-scooters, the ZT3 MAX and MAX G3 Pro, at simultaneous launch events in Cologne and Paris, alongside a new standard for verifying advertised range claims.

Segway targets two common rider complaints with new models

The ZT3 MAX is built for mixed terrain and urban roads, using a new Intelligent Combined Braking System (ICBS) for more stable stopping on uneven surfaces. The MAX G3 Pro targets longer daily commutes with a high-capacity battery and built-in fast charging.