DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A top Iranian security official traveled Tuesday to Oman, the Mideast sultanate now mediating talks between Tehran and the United States over the Islamic Republic’ nuclear program aimed at halting a possible American strike.

Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country’s Supreme National Security Council, likely will carry Iran’s response to the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.

Larijani is due to meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the chief intermediary in the talks, and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. IRNA described the talks as “important,” without elaborating on what message Larijani will carry. It said he flew out of Tehran for Muscat on Tuesday morning.

Iran and the U.S. held new nuclear talks last week in Oman. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking Sunday to diplomats at a summit in Tehran, signaled that Iran would stick to its position that it must be able to enrich uranium — a major point of contention with U.S. President Donald Trump, who bombed Iranian atomic sites in June during the 12-day Iran-Israel war. That war disrupted earlier rounds of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to travel to Washington this week, with Iran expected to be the major subject of discussion, his office said.

The U.S. has moved the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, ships and warplanes to the Middle East to pressure Iran into an agreement and have the firepower necessary to strike the Islamic Republic should Trump choose to do so. Already, U.S. forces shot down a drone they said got too close to the Lincoln and came to the aid of a U.S.-flagged ship that Iranian forces tried to stop in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Maritime Administration issued a new warning Monday to American vessels in the strait to “remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial sea without compromising navigational safety.” The strait, through which a fifth of all oil traded passes, is in Iranian and Omani territorial waters. Those traveling into the Persian Gulf must pass through Iranian waters.

Emergency services were called to Hesleden Road near Blackhall Colliery at 7.20am on Tuesday (February 10).

Cleveland Police say a biker crashed with a car, and has been taken to hospital.

A force spokesperson said: “Police were called at 7.20am today to a collision in which a motorcycle collided with a car near Hesleden.

“The motorcyclist has been taken to hospital as a precaution.”

The North East Ambulance Service has been contacted for more information.

The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival will run from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, and take place in local venues including Band on the Wall, YES and, for the first time – the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.

The four-day event will bring a mix of established names and rising talent to the city region.

Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, Yard Act, Kelly Lee Owens, Lynks and Wesley Joseph are among the artists set to perform, alongside a host of DJ sets from the likes of Beth Ditto, Nick Grimshaw, Steve Lamacq and Lambrini Girls.

Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, said the shift towards smaller venues reflects the station’s commitment to supporting the foundations of the UK’s music scene.

She said: “Independent grassroots venues are vital to the UK’s music ecosystem and at 6 Music, we’re proud to support what they do.

“So, it makes sense for the next evolution of the 6 Music Festival to take place in these special spaces.”

BBC 6 Radio Music Festival line-up (Image: BBC Radio 6)

Nick Grimshaw, who will appear both on air and at the Indie Forever club night, added that such venues remain “vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow and truly flourish. I can’t wait!”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham welcomed the festival’s return and he praised its focus on the region’s independent spirit.

He said: “Greater Manchester’s music scene has always been driven by its grassroots venues and independent spirit.

“They’re vital to nurturing new talent and keeping our cultural life vibrant.

“It’s fantastic to see the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival celebrating those spaces and shining a spotlight on the creativity that continues to flourish right across our city region.”

6 MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026 LINEUP

Weds 25th March – BBC Introducing

• TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Adbi at Band on the Wall from 7pm

 Thursday 26th March

• Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
• Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm

 Friday 27th March

• Bloc Party + The Horrors at Band on the Wall from 7pm
• Yard Act + Sorry at YES from 7pm
• Indie Forever club night with Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto + Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam + Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls at YES from midnight

 Saturday 28th March

• Courtney Barnett + Jacob Alon at Band on the Wall from 7pm
• Lynks + Tiberius b at YES from 7pm
• 6 Music Festival and FaT OuT present Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS at Eccles Town Hall Ballroom from 3pm
• Homobloc presents 6 Music’s Festival’s Closing Party with Olof Dreijer at YES from 11.30pm

Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from www.bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival at 10am on Thursday, February 12

A woman couldn’t believe her eyes after reading her dog’s DNA test results – as she explains how she adopted him as a beagle whippet mix when he was just six-month-old

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A woman was left stunned after discovering an “unexpected” truth about her beloved pooch 18 years following his adoption. She revealed how she welcomed her Beagle-Whippet cross, called Elliot, into her family when he was merely six months old – and has cherished every moment with him.

Yet as the years passed, she always had a hunch he was mixed with something different – but never got around to DNA testing him until recently. She posted on Reddit: “I was told ‘Beagle mix’ or ‘Whippet’ back when I adopted him at six months. But he’s 18 now and has been the best pup ever, so I just needed to know what he was.”

Following sharing snaps of the senior dog, users joked about how he resembles “Ed from The Lion King,” whilst others likened him to a “Chupacabra.”

The owner responded: “Definitely. Actually, his right ‘elbow’ was broken when animal control found him.

“Luckily, a rescue got him, and he had surgery to fuse the joint, so from a very young age he’s had a limp, which has affected how he developed. Not how fast he was. Damn, he could run! Still tries if he smells McDonald’s.”

She was flabbergasted when examining Elliot’s DNA findings, which showed him to be 42.1% Miniature Pinscher, 36.9% Small Poodle, 13.1% American Eskimo Dog, and 7.9% Supermutt.

Reacting to this revelation, one user commented: “So glad you decided to do this! I just tested my 14-year-old girl – I didn’t think I could stand it not knowing. Best decision ever!

“The German Shepherd was pretty obvious, but I expected a lot more Pit Bull considering I got him from the shelter.

“I was really curious because he has these golden eyes, and I was like, ‘Where on earth did that come from! ?’”.

“I don’t really see a lot of Dutch Shepherds around here, so that was pretty surprising!”.

“I’m thinking he might have been semi-intentionally bred and dumped on the res, because he definitely seems to have some abandonment issues.”

Another person commented: “My boy is starting to get older, and I was like, I’m gonna regret it forever if I don’t get this done. And it was more interesting than I thought!”.

A third said: “18 years! ! Amazing. What a sweet-looking dog – I just love the little triangle-shaped head as a puppy!”.

Someone else wrote: “Aww, sweet ole boy. My Mini Pin mix loved to run. Fast as he could go, always full tilt – clocked him off the bike at 17 mph, not bad for 15 lbs. It is said they used Italian Greyhound in them when making the breed.

“18 is a really good, long life. Hope he has a few more in him – make him a record breaker.”

A final commenter added: “Elliot looks like a grandfather. I love him so much.”

Olympic ice describes the uniform ice surface specified for international competitions, including the Winter Olympics.

Skilled technicians are responsible for making and maintaining the ice and they are are known as ‘ice masters’.

The team is tasked with ensuring the surface is optimal for the athletes to compete on in sports such as curling, ice skating and ice hockey.

The ice hockey arena in Milan-Cortina was built from scratch for the men’s and women’s matches following delays, concerns and last-minute building works.

But how do they make the ice for the rink?

It all starts with five centimetres of insulation laid down on the concrete floor. A vapour barrier is placed on top of the insulation, before engineers lay mats containing glycol on top to keep the ice cold.

Boards and glass walls are then placed around the rink and then roughly two inches of water is added above the mat – this is when the ice sheets are created.

The surface is painted white and sealed, with ice hockey markings and logos added.

Finally, the rink is topped with three to four centimetres of water to create the playing field. Temperatures are kept between -5 and -4C.

Resurfacing machines, colloquially known as Zambonis, are sent out regularly to shave away ice and form a new smooth layer.

Ice master Mark Messer, who is overseeing the long track speed skating said the hardest part is “working with a new system for such a high profile event, with little time for preparation”.

He added that although ice has been made on temporary settings, it has not been done on this scale for an Olympic Games.

Milan-Cortina will be the first time a temporary venue has been used for long track speed skating at a Winters.

Firefighters from Scarborough and Filey responded to the incident in Raincliffe Woods, Scarborough at 8.49pm on Monday (February 9).

A service spokesperson confirmed that most of the vehicle’s occupants were out prior to fire crews arrival.

They added: “However, one casualty was being prepared for extraction from the vehicle but self extricated after a medical assessment.

“Crews provided scene safety.

“The incident was left in the hands of paramedics and police.”