Pieter Mulier named creative director of Versace

MILAN (AP) – Belgian fashion designer Pieter Mulier has been named the new creative director of the Milan fashion house Versace starting July 1, according to an announcement on Thursday from the Prada Group, which owns Versace.

Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Sandra Mosqueda watched with an amused smile as her 2-year-old son, Atreus, began sweeping the floor with a miniature mop. Atreus is part of the inaugural class of infants and toddlers receiving free preschool in a citywide program in San Antonio, Texas. It’s something his mother doesn’t take for granted.

Ravioli filled with red beets is the colorful pasta dish of Olympic host Cortina

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) – Every corner of Italy has its own culinary traditions, from carbonara in Rome to tortellini in Bologna. Winter Olympics co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo’s signature dish is the colorful, stuffed pasta known as casunziei.

Not just pups this time: 'Puppy Bowl' embraces older dogs

NEW YORK (AP) – This year, the Puppy Bowl isn’t just about puppies. Older dogs are getting some attention, too. There will be a halftime showdown between Team Oldies and Team Goldies, offering a showcase for senior dogs as a reminder that they also need adoption and love. “Everyone wants the puppy and, unfortunately, the reality of puppyhood is it’s tough.”

Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet

If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what’s local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don’t travel as far. It doesn’t get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden. At this time of year, many backyards across the country are still covered in snow.

Edmunds puts sedans Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla to the test

There is a lot of talk about affordability in 2026, and it can certainly apply to new vehicles. Many of the latest SUVs and electric vehicles are simply too expensive for people. Buying used is an option, but that means you’ll lose out on getting a full warranty and, of course, that new-car smell. Thankfully, a few automakers still offer inexpensive new sedans priced under $25,000.

Italy gets creative as it works to make art accessible for blind people

ROME (AP) – On a recent weeknight, long after the swarms of tourists had left Rome’s Colosseum, a small group of people walked around outside the darkened amphitheater, pausing every so often to take in a new aspect of its history, art or architecture with every sense but sight.

Coworkers of different generations mentor each other

NEW YORK (AP) – Barbara Goldberg brings a stack of newspapers to the office every day. The CEO of a Florida public relations firm scours stories for developments relevant to her clients while relishing holding the pages in her hand. “I want to touch it, feel it, turn the page and see the photos,” Goldberg said.

Children with disabilities find joy through horse therapy in Taiwan

TAOYUAN, Taiwan (AP) – The young woman smiles widely as she prepares to get on the horse for her weekly ride. She laughs as the horse takes its first steps. “The first time she got on a horse, she was happy,” said Hector Chen of their initial visit. His daughter, Chen You-ching, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy more than 16 years ago.