Via slashdot is the softpedia First Look: The GIMP 2.5.0 - Introduces cool new features and redesigned interface!
Unfortunately some of the article is a bit thin.... IE: the new GEGL interface I'm sure is awesome, but what is GEGL again? Ah, some sort of generic graphical library.... Some new tool improvements are cool, but I don't see a "redesigned interface", or at least not radically so. The Gimp layout and "odd" window interface (which is pretty easy to get used to truth be told) still looks like it's there.
Anyway, it's great to see development continuing, much as I have turned into a Photoshop-guy, the GIMP definitely has it's place and is definitely needed to be out there!