The new tweak to the galleries was done to increase speed. Though the close link does not seem to work the little red x on the top of browser still works. Many will note that the thumbnails will open in a new window. If using Firefox a good feature is to right click and open in new tab. Makes surfing the galleries a lot faster.

"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions."