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As the conflict drags on, Iranians are attempting to maintain a semblance of ordinary life in the face of constant explosions and airstrikes. The days following Nowruz, the Persian New Year, are usually a time of renewal and celebration, but this year, the atmosphere is tense."More and more, people are starting to normalise this war", said Farhad, a photography editor in Tehran. "It's difficult, but we're adapting and trying to return to our daily lives as much as possible. There's no alternative. We're tired. We just want peace."Despite the challenges, some Iranians are finding ways to cope. Aylar, a 39-year-old human rights worker, paid for an expensive VPN to circumvent the internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities so she could stay in touch with relatives abroad. She also made time for a coffee date with friends, highlighting the complexity of life during conflict.The humanitarian toll is significant, with Iran's official death toll frozen at around 1,500, but the real figure may be more than 3,000, according to the Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency. Many more have been injured, and the psychological impact is profound.As the situation continues to unfold, uncertainty and division within Iranian society are palpable. While most Iranians oppose the war, some have welcomed it as a potential catalyst for change. The future remains uncertain, with concerns that the conflict could become a recurring reality.

Martin Dohrn, a veteran wildlife photographer, has created a joyous film that explores the fascinating world of bees in his urban Bristol garden. The documentary, 'My Garden of a Thousand Bees', features over 60 species of bees and showcases their unique characteristics and behaviors.Dohrn's enthusiasm for bees is palpable as he shares his experiences with the audience. He notes that bees live in a 'completely different dimension' and that his approach to filmmaking is 'time-stretching', resulting in breathtaking detail and a soundtrack that immerses the viewer in the world of bees.The film features a range of bee species, including the wool carder bee, the ashy mining bee, and the red-tailed mason bee. Each species is showcased in its natural habitat, highlighting their unique characteristics and behaviors. Dohrn's interactions with the bees are both fascinating and heartwarming, particularly his bond with a leafcutter bee named Nicky.The film's themes of companionship and appreciation for nature are woven throughout the narrative, making it a delightful and educational watch. Dohrn's passion for bees is infectious, and the film encourages viewers to appreciate the importance of these vital pollinators.The documentary also touches on the decline of bee populations worldwide, with Dohrn noting that 'all over the world, bees are declining'. However, the film's focus is on the beauty and wonder of bees, rather than the doom and gloom of their decline.The film's message is clear: let's appreciate and protect these incredible creatures. As Dohrn says, 'It's changed my view of bees. It's changed my view of the world.''My Garden of a Thousand Bees' is available to watch on BBC Four and iPlayer.

Photographer Peter van Agtmael captured a striking image during his first trip to Iraq 20 years ago, which has become a defining moment in his career. The photograph shows a dejected soldier sitting in a domestic living room, highlighting the incongruity of war in everyday life.Van Agtmael, who was 25 at the time, had been embedded with the US military for six weeks. He wanted to move beyond traditional war photography, which often focuses on violence and horror, and explore the human side of conflict. This image, he says, crystallized his understanding of the US military's role in the Middle East and the absurdity of war.The photograph shows a soldier in a mundane setting, which could be anywhere in the world. Van Agtmael notes that this juxtaposition of war and domesticity reveals the complexity of human nature and the proximity of war to everyday life. He believes that war is part of the human soul and that it's essential to acknowledge this reality.Van Agtmael's experience in Iraq was formative, and he reflects on the failures of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He questions the effectiveness of externally created regime change and the long-term impact of military interventions.As a war photographer, van Agtmael has grappled with the moral complexities of his work. He believes that thoughtful documentation of human violence can have a moral impact, but also acknowledges the challenges of being a witness to extreme violence.Now a father, van Agtmael has shifted his focus away from war photography. He reflects on the changing nature of his work and the importance of finding new purpose in life.

The Museum of Youth Culture, located in Camden, London, is set to open on May 15. The museum's founders, led by Jon Swinstead, have amassed a 100,000-item archive that chronicles British youth subcultures from the mods and rockers to ravers and emo. The collection includes iconic items such as a Raleigh Chopper, an original Sony Walkman, and a punk mask with 'HATE' stenciled across it.The museum's concept was born out of Swinstead's passion for capturing British subcultures through photography, which began in his garden shed. The collection has since grown to include personalized school leavers' shirts, handbags, and customized shirts dedicated to two-tone bands. The museum aims to fill a void in the UK's cultural landscape, providing a space dedicated to the teen years and the subcultures that defined them.The museum will not only serve as a showcase for the collection but also as an event space, featuring a Rough Trade shop and a youth club. With a 20-year lease and support from the City Bridge Foundation and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the museum hopes to become a significant part of the UK's cultural landscape.

The Museum of Youth Culture in Camden has unveiled an exhibition that delves into the rich history of teenage subcultures through a stunning collection of photographs. Capturing the essence of youthful rebellion and self-expression, the exhibition provides a visual journey through the decades, highlighting the diverse and often provocative styles that have defined generations of young people. From punk to hip-hop, and from mod to goth, the photographs on display offer a poignant look at the ways in which young people have used fashion, music, and art to express themselves and challenge societal norms. The exhibition at Camden's Museum of Youth Culture serves as a celebration of the creativity and resilience of young people, and is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of youth culture and the power of photography to tell compelling stories.

In El Salvador, the Oriente Salvaje surf spot, known for its world-class breaks, Las Flores and Punta Mango, is facing significant threats from climate change. The local economy, heavily reliant on surf tourism, sputters to a halt due to intense tropical storms causing flooding and disrupting transport routes.To mitigate these risks, Rodrigo Barraza, a local surfer, teamed up with Save the Waves, an international surfing nonprofit organization. They took out a parametric insurance policy for Oriente Salvaje, which can be used to support recovery from climate change impacts. This policy is triggered when damaging conditions cross a predetermined threshold, such as wind speed or rainfall level.The project aims to provide rapid support for the local community, which includes hotels, restaurants, surf shops, fishers, and drone experts. A survey of 50 local businesses showed that, on average, 70% of their income was dependent on surf tourism. Several informal operators, such as surf photographers, guides, and boat drivers, are especially vulnerable to changeable weather.The payout will be triggered once weather conditions reach an extreme associated with observable income loss. It will be distributed to anywhere between a few hundred and several thousand beneficiaries in the region. The size of the payout is still being determined, as well as which insurer it will be, but Save the Waves hopes to have a pilot running by June.The pioneering program has not been hurdle-free. Angelo Picardo, Save the Waves' local coordinator, says: "El Salvador is a developing country and we don't have an insurance culture – people don't even have health insurance – so there's a lot of work you have to do on the ground to bring people on board."Another challenge has been funding the premiums without burdening local businesses. Save the Waves is in talks with the Salvadorian government, which since 2019 has been channelling millions from loans into a nationwide surf tourism initiative.This type of insurance is bound to spread as more communities and ecosystems experience weather extremes. However, Swenja Surminski, an international expert on innovative insurance for ecosystems, warns that "parametric solutions must be combined with broader resilience and adaptation strategies".