Italy makes art accessible for visually impaired people
Italy is expanding efforts to make its cultural sites more accessible to people with disabilities. In Rome, blind visitors are now offered sensory-based tours of landmarks like the Colosseum according to AP. These tours use touch, sound and storytelling instead of sight.
AP reported, the push gained speed in 2021, when Italy linked EU recovery funds to accessibility reforms. Sites like Pompeii added braille signs, tactile models and audio guides. Museums in Florence also published detailed accessibility routes for visitors with special needs.
Experts sais to AP that inclusive tourism improves experiences for everyone and makes economic sense. Guides now encourage slower tours and creative interaction with art. Italy hopes the changes will help more people connect with its history in new ways.
Migrant boat crash kills 15
Greek coast guard boats and a helicopter searched the sea near the island of Chios on Wednesday. AP reported, the search followed a late-night collision between a patrol vessel and a migrant speedboat. At least 15 people were killed in the accident.
Officials said to AP, 24 migrants, including 11 children, were injured and taken to hospital. Two coast guard officers were also hurt. The bodies of 11 men and three women were pulled from the sea, while another woman later died in hospital.
The coast guard said the speedboat was traveling without navigation lights and ignored orders to stop. It changed direction and collided with the patrol boat before capsizing. Greece is a key entry point for migrants to Europe, and deadly accidents during sea crossings remain common.
Heavy snow hits Japan
Heavy snow has piled up in northern Japan over the past two weeks. Roads are blocked and daily life has been disrupted. Government officials said the snow has already caused dozens of deaths across the country.
According to the AP, 15 prefectures have been affected. Snow in the worst-hit areas has reached about two meters. At least 35 people have died and hundreds have been injured. Most deaths happened when people fell while clearing snow from their roofs. Niigata prefecture reported the highest number of deaths.
The heavy snowfall is linked to cold Arctic air staying over Japan. Authorities warned that rising temperatures could melt snow and trigger landslides and slippery roads. More heavy snow is expected this weekend in northern Japan. Officials urged people to take safety measures while removing snow.
Netanyahu urges US envoy to be skeptical of Iran in revived nuclear talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday amid efforts to revive diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme that Tehran was unlikely to honor any potential agreement, Reuters reported.
In a meeting with the U.S. envoy, Netanyahu "made clear his position that Iran has repeatedly proven that its promises cannot be trusted," a statement from his office said.
Two Israeli officials said the meeting was also attended by Israel's spy agency head David Barnea, Defense Minister Israel Katz and military commander Eyal Zamir, according to Reuters .
