Watch: Fire damages roof of Rio’s Olympic velodrome A blaze at the velodrome within Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park was swiftly managed on 8 April, according to fire officials. No threat of the flames spreading to adjacent areas was reported, and no individuals sustained injuries during the incident. The state’s military fire department deployed 80 personnel and 20 vehicles to address the situation, confirming that the event concluded without harm to anyone. Olympic Venue Details Constructed for the 2016 Rio Games, the velodrome operates under the city’s municipal authority. It serves as the home to the Olympic Museum, which showcases historical displays and artifacts from the Games, including the ceremonial torch and medals. In 2017, the structure faced two separate fires, resulting in minimal structural damage. BBC Correspondents in Action As Venezuela navigates political challenges, BBC reporter Norberto Paredes is stationed in Caracas, documenting the release of political prisoners by the government. In Havana, Will Grant captures public sentiment as Cubans rally in response to energy crises linked to US sanctions. Meanwhile, Quentin Sommerville journeys to Culiacán, northern Sinaloa, to report on escalating violence following a recent explosion. “President Donald Trump has declared the US will ‘run’ Venezuela following strikes on the nation and the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro,” stated the BBC’s Analysis Editor Ros Atkins, examining the implications of US military actions. The same editor also analyzed the “active pursuit” of an oil tanker by the Coast Guard near Venezuela’s shores. Additionally, Ros Atkins highlighted critical questions arising from the US’s intervention, emphasizing the shifting dynamics in the region. Regional Updates Will Grant, the BBC’s Cuba Correspondent, emphasized the enduring diplomatic connections between the two countries. In Mexico City, local authorities reported that a crash on 9 December left the victim unhurt. Separately, 158 juvenile tortoises bred in captivity were set free on Floreana Island in the Galápagos. Scientists noted the rare sight of a phantom jellyfish in the South Atlantic, adding to the year’s marine discoveries. World Cup Preparation As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans in Panama, Haiti, Curacao, and Scotland celebrated their nations’ qualification. Meanwhile, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Will Grant described the emotional climate among residents after a surge in street violence. The Venezuelan opposition leader, who had been in hiding for months, made her first public appearance in 11 months before the interview, discussing her escape from the country. Security Operations Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known by his alias “El Mencho,” was killed during a security operation targeting his arrest. This incident underscores ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in Mexico. The BBC’s international correspondent also reported on a special mission in Colombia’s drug-producing regions, aimed at dismantling covert cocaine production sites deep within the jungle.

RSPCA Confirms Over 250 Dogs Rescued from Single Home The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) disclosed that more than 250 poodle-cross dogs were found living in one household. The discovery, made at an unspecified location in the UK, highlighted “rapidly escalating conditions” driven by challenging family situations, the charity stated. A striking photo of the dogs crowded into a living room sparked debate online, with many doubting its authenticity. The RSPCA clarified the image was genuine, not generated by artificial intelligence. Rising Trends in Multi-Animal Incidents The charity noted a 70% surge in multi-animal cases in England and Wales since 2021, citing 4,200 such incidents involving at least 10 animals in the past year. Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham, which received some of the rescued dogs, described the animals as arriving with “extremely matted fur” and visible signs of discomfort. Staff shared on social media that “fearful reactions” required handlers to transport dogs from their enclosures to outdoor spaces. “This image captures the true essence of many multi-animal cases,” said RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst. “Frontline officers are encountering situations with 10, 20, or even 100 animals increasingly often. While some may struggle to believe the scale, the photo is real—it reflects the stark reality of overbreeding and deteriorating conditions.” The RSPCA emphasized that the owners had contacted them due to “overwhelmed circumstances,” though they could not disclose further details. A prosecution was deemed unsuitable given the owners’ “extremely vulnerable state.” The charity linked these cases to factors such as mental health challenges, the cost of living crisis, and poor breeding practices. Poodle-cross dogs, commonly called “doodles,” have become one of the most popular crossbreeds in recent years. A 2025 Dogs Trust survey placed them among the top three crossbreeds owned. Separately, in November, the RSPCA rescued 80 dogs, primarily chihuahuas, pomeranians, and cross-breeds, from a Bedfordshire home. Of the 250 dogs in the recent rescue, 87 were taken to RSPCA centers in Hertfordshire, Surrey, Norfolk, and Nottinghamshire for rehoming. Currently, two dogs—Stevie, who is blind and deaf, and Sandy, her companion—await adoption at the Southridge Animal Centre. The RSPCA described the situation as a result of “well-intentioned owners” facing increasing pressures, leading to uncontrolled breeding and harsh living conditions.

More than 20,000 students have been told they were given maintenance loans and grants in error and now face demands to immediately pay the money back. The students, who are all studying weekend courses, received letters from the Student Loans Company (SLC) or their university saying their courses had never been eligible for maintenance loans or childcare grants. One letter, from the SLC and seen by the BBC, says the student's university provided incorrect information and "unfortunately, they didn't tell us you only attended on the weekend". It states that any "over-payment" will have to be repaid. The BBC understands courses at 15 universities and colleges including London Met, Bath Spa, Leeds Trinity, Southampton Solent and Oxford Brookes are affected. The courses each had in-person teaching at weekends, and some also had online learning during the week. Students had signed up for these courses and taken out loans for maintenance and, in some cases, grants for childcare. In a joint statement issued via Universities UK, the institutions involved told the BBC the issue stemmed from an "abrupt" decision by the government and that they were considering a legal challenge. However, the Department for Education said students had been let down by "incompetence or abuse of the system". Maintenance loans are paid to students in instalments to cover living costs, such as accommodation and food. Loans are means-tested, based on household income. And whereas student tuition loans, to cover course costs, are paid directly to universities, maintenance loans are paid directly to the student. Students start repayments on both after they finish their degree and earn above a threshold. Some of the affected students also received childcare grants, which for eligible students do not have to be paid back. In an unknown number of cases the degrees are being delivered under a franchise deal, where the university awarding the degree has a contract with a smaller organisation to deliver the course. The SLC told students to ask for extra help if the repayment would cause "financial difficulties" and that universities might be able to offer help or support. The president of the National Union of Students, Amira Campbell, said students were "devastated". "They're worried, they're not sleeping, they don't know where they're going to find the money," she said. Khawaja Ahsan has just completed the first year of a BSc cyber security degree at the University of West London, which is advertised as having a Saturday intensive option for students who are working. As well as a maintenance loan, Ahsan has received some childcare support for his three children as a grant, bringing the total to £14,335, which he may now have to repay. "I feel betrayed and massively let down," he said, adding that he and his wife worked part-time and did not have the money to repay a lump sum. Students over the age of 25 are assessed for maintenance loans on the basis of their own income and can also apply for some additional grants. The maximum maintenance loan for a full-time student living at home in England this year is £10,473. Campbell said many of the students caught up in the changes were working during the week in order to get "bigger and better jobs in their future". She described many of them as being from a working-class background, unable to find large sums of money at short notice. Late on Wednesday, a handful of the students got a reprieve, with the SLC backing down and reinstating their right to receive payments. The students in question are studying for a four-year BSc in acupuncture, which as well as weekend teaching includes 25 days of hands-on experience in a clinic each year. Two weeks ago, the students, some about to take final exams, were told they would have to find a lump sum to repay loans immediately. Speaking before the college won the argument with the SLC, one woman repeatedly broke down in tears, asking not to be named because of the uncertainty. She was facing a demand to repay £37,000 while supporting herself through her studies in a minimum-wage job. "The stress of it is making me ill, to be honest. I don't have that money." Almost all the 22,000 other students are still grappling with how to pay back tens of thousands of pounds. According to the NUS, many students have been given a deadline by their university of mid-April to decide whether to stay on their course. Some universities are trying to add teaching during the week or transfer students to similar courses with weekday modules, so that students can continue to be eligible for loans in future. This does not change the expectation that loans already taken out will have to be repaid by students, after the decision to clarify that the courses were not eligible. "These students need reassurance that they don't need to suddenly take out major loans or find the funds from anywhere in order to pay back these funds immediately," said Campbell. A statement issued by Universities UK on behalf of the institutions caught up in the row said they were "extremely concerned" that thousands of maintenance loan payments to students had been "abruptly blocked". They said they were now urgently seeking clarification from the government and many were taking legal advice, adding that the main focus was supporting students. However, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "This is not students' fault. Too many organisations have let their students down, through either incompetence or abuse of the system. "Universities must take immediate action to support students who will face financial difficulties as a result." The government argues some of the institutions could not implement clear guidance while others had "used this loophole as another opportunity to abuse public money". None of the individual institutions approached by the BBC would comment. A spokesperson for SLC said: "A small number of Higher Education providers have incorrectly categorised courses that are distance learning. The Department for Education has requested that providers work with

When fruit grower Ali Capper woke to news that war had broken out in Iran, she says she "felt quite sick" anticipating the repurcussions for the UK farming industry. Farmers and growers in peak planting season are grappling with spiralling costs as the conflict pushes up the price of fuel and fertiliser. News of a two-week ceasefire aimed at resolving the conflict comes too late for this growing season, says Ali, who represents British apple and pear growers. "Sadly, even if it all ends tomorrow, the costs are baked in now." New figures suggest inflation – the rate at which prices rise – for farm running costs is more than 7% higher this March, compared with last March. The data from independent consultants The Andersons Centre is the first estimate of the overall impact on the agricultural sector since the conflict began suggests The Andersons Centre, which provides analysis and research for organisations across the farming sector and has also done a study for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, is warning of another "cost of farming squeeze". Farmers have told the National Farmers Union they can't absorb the extra costs and food prices will likely have to rise as a result. On her farm in Suckley, Worcestershire, Ali says her fertiliser costs have gone up by 40%, red diesel she uses for her tractors has gone up 100% and transport costs are up by about 20%. A third of the world's fertiliser usually passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked during the conflict and consequently prices have shot up in recent weeks. Red diesel, a fuel used by farmers in off-road vehicles, machinery and heating has seen its price pushed up by the soaring cost of brent crude – the global benchmark for oil prices. This all feeds into the cost of food production. Even if the conflict ends within the next two weeks, the Food and Drink Federation expects UK food inflation to reach at least 9% before the end of the year. Ali is also anticipating rises in the cost of plant protection products and packaging. "We will have to pass this on," she says, adding it was up to the supermarkets she sells to how much they put prices up to customers. She says the apple and pear sector was already hit by a 30% increase in the cost of production across 2022 and 2023, after Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. "It was really brutal and, I have to say, when I woke up to the news that it had started again, in Iran, I did feel quite sick," she says. She recalls how many farmers went out of business, or became loss-making, during the Ukraine-Russia conflict. "We can't go there again. There's no flex in the system." Potato farmer Ben Savidge says if the price of red diesel stays high planting will cost around £5 more per tonne that before the Iran conflict. "[Red diesel] was 65-70p a litre back in December," he says. But his last two loads cost him between 96 and £1.05p a litre. For now he's having to absorb the extra cost for planting his potatoes on his farm in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, which will end up as chips, as he agreed a contract with his customers at the start of this year. But he hopes that the good relationship he has with them will allow him to negotiate better prices as his margins have been so eroded. "Last year we had an awfully dry summer which impacted yields drastically so now with our energy prices being hit like they have, it just feels like one thing after another." But he says he will continue to plant and "just hope that it falls our way at the end". Patrick Crehan buys fuel on behalf of a 3,500 member consortium, who are mainly agricultural farmers. Before the conflict, he was paying around 70p a litre. Just before the ceasefire, he was paying around 130p a litre, though that has fallen back a little since Wednesday. He says he's heard from farmers who no longer think they'll make any money from their crop. "We have had some examples where they would rather not plant the crop and save the money, because they know it's going to be so expensive to put the crop in and manage it over the course of this year," he says. Patrick points out that though the majority of farmers are still planting their crops "thinking, well we're just going to have to suck it up as we always do", he forecasts that "it's highly unlikely they're going to see a return", as the cost of fertiliser, energy and fuel have seen such significant increases. His firm, AF Group, buys around 120 million litres of fuel a year, from various fuel distributors dotted across the UK, in one of the biggest operations of its kind in the UK. Though he says there is no shortage of available fuel, Patrick "has no happy words at the moment" to describe the current situation for the farming industry. "I would describe it as busy, and difficult, and testing… the level of increases that we're witnessing, we just haven't seen them before," he told the BBC.

The acclaimed wildlife cameraman and photographer Doug Allan has died while trekking in Nepal. Allan, 74, was principal cameraman on a number of BBC programmes including The Blue Planet, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet, and spent much of his career working alongside Sir David Attenborough. He won eight Emmy Awards for his work and was made an OBE for services to broadcast media and environmental awareness in 2024. Allan's management company said he had died "immersed in nature and surrounded by friends". In a statement, Jo Sarsby Management described him as a "true pioneer of wildlife filmmaking" who had captured "some of the most breathtaking and intimate images" of the natural world. They added: "Doug leaves behind a visual legacy that few could ever match. His work brought audiences closer to the wonders of our planet, inspiring awe, understanding and deep respect for the planet. "When we think of Doug, we will always remember his unforgettable kindness and his extraordinary talent. He was a true gentleman and he will be profoundly missed. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues across the wildlife filmmaking industry and the many people around the world who admired his work." Born in 1951, in Dunfermline, Fife, Allan became interested in snorkelling and diving after watching Jacques Cousteau's film, The Silent World, a 1956 documentary which was one of the first to use underwater filming. After graduating with a degree in marine biology from the University of Stirling, he took on a number of diving jobs. His big break came when he was taken on as a research diver with the British Antarctic Survey, stationed at Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands. He was later awarded the Polar Medal, an honour he would win twice, for his work. In 1981, a chance meeting with Attenborough led to Allan working on the documentary series Living Planet, part of which was filmed in the Antarctic. He began specialising in filming in some of the planet's most extreme environments. In 2017, he told BBC Scotland he had spent about 620 days of his life searching for and recording polar bears. He described how on one occasion a polar bear came looking for him. "For a brief second, I thought there was someone with a squeegee mop cleaning the outside of the window. I turned around, and it was the bear's wet nose rubbing against the window." In another close encounter, while filming underwater a hungry walrus mistook him for a seal and took hold of his legs. Allan frightened it away by hitting it on the head with his camera. Allan later became a campaigner on environmental issues and, earlier this year, urged the Scottish government to back an "ecocide" bill designed to penalise companies that caused severe or ­widespread damage to the natural environment. Allan won eight Emmy Awards, five Bafta's and was made an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society throughout his career. Bafta Scotland awarded him the Outstanding Contribution to Craft prize in 2017 in recognition of his work.

‘Cold as ice’: Serial killer admits to eight murders in case that haunted Long Island for years A Suffolk County courtroom witnessed the resolution of a long-standing mystery on Wednesday, as Rex Heuermann, a towering 62-year-old man in a black suit and blue tie, faced the judge and confessed to the brutal slayings of eight women. The architect, who was linked to the crimes through DNA evidence tied to a pizza box, stood motionless during his testimony, affirming each question with a simple “Yes” as he recounted the methodical way he strangled and bound his victims before discarding their remains on Long Island’s secluded shores. Heuermann’s guilty plea marked the end of a decade-long pursuit by investigators who had struggled to connect the murders to a suspect. Families of the victims, many of whom had endured years of uncertainty, gathered in the courtroom, some wiping away tears as they listened to the man who had haunted their lives. “The case became a frequent topic of discussion, with no stigma attached to it,” said Sandra Symon, a high school classmate of Heuermann, reflecting on how the community had speculated about the killer’s identity. “A lot of people would talk about it – it was not taboo.” Sandra Symon, a high school classmate of Heuermann, told the BBC. The breakthrough came in 2023, when police arrested Heuermann in a deteriorated house in Massapequa Park, the quiet suburb where he grew up. Investigators had tracked him down using DNA found on a pizza box, which connected him to the gruesome crimes. Initially charged with seven murders, he now admitted to an eighth killing in 1996, adding to the tally of victims whose bodies were discovered in 2010 along Gilgo Beach. Heuermann’s victims, all believed to have been sex workers at the time of their deaths, were reportedly lured through Craigslist advertisements. In court, he provided minimal new information, reiterating the same modus operandi: luring women with promises of money, murdering them, and dismembering their bodies before leaving them on the beach. When asked about the killing method, he simply replied, “Strangulation,” and affirmed his guilt with a terse “Guilty.” “There wasn’t a hint of remorse in his expression,” said John Ray, an attorney for the victims’ families. “He was as cold as ice.” Heuermann’s guilty plea brought closure to the families, though the emotional weight of the verdict lingered. The judge will formally announce his sentence on 17 June, including multiple life terms. His ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter observed the proceedings from the back of the room, the latter clutching tissues, while the media and true crime enthusiasts flocked to the house where the killer once lived. Massapequa Park, a small village with 18,000 residents, is known for its American flags and well-kept homes. But one structure has always drawn attention: a weathered red house with green-lined windows. Joe, a neighbor who moved into the area in 1995, described it as an out-of-place eyesore. “It doesn’t blend in, but what can you do?” he said. “You don’t think much of it.” Despite the town’s efforts to move on, the case remains etched in memory. “It’s not headlines anymore,” Joe added, noting how quickly society forgets such tragedies. “American society has a short memory for things.” As the community continues its daily routines, the legacy of Heuermann’s crimes lingers, a stark reminder of the darkness that can emerge from among us.

With minutes before a self-imposed deadline – and an unprecedented threat to wipe out Iran's "civilisation" – US President Donald Trump announced that a two-week ceasefire had been agreed to halt the war. The mediators, Pakistan, are due to host American and Iranian negotiators for talks in Islamabad, possibly as early as Friday. Many issues remain unresolved, starting with the basis of negotiations. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US had received a 10-point proposal from Iran which he described as "a workable basis on which to negotiate". Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also mentioned the US 15-point proposal Trump's chief negotiators have said could end the conflict. Neither set of proposals has been formally unveiled – even though reported versions of both have been leaked and published and appear to be oceans apart when it comes to what each side expects to happen. Adding to the confusion is the White House's angry insistence that the Iranian plan being discussed in the media is not the "working framework" received by US officials. "A lot of details are not very clear," Anwar Gargash, senior diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, told the BBC. "There are different statements coming out of Iran, from Washington and from the Pakistani mediator," he said. "So, we need to reconcile the details of these statements and understand exactly what the way forward is." What are some of the central issues at stake? The accusation that Iran was racing to develop a nuclear weapon was always cited as Washington's primary reason to go to war – despite long-standing denials by Tehran. Publicly at least, American officials appear to believe that enough damage has been done since the 12-day war of last year and the current US-Israeli military attacks that it would take a long time for Iran to rebuild any kind of threatening nuclear programme. Questions, however, remain about the fate of an estimated 440kg (970lbs) of highly enriched uranium still in Iran's possession. The uranium, which Trump frequently refers to as "dust" is thought to be buried under the rubble of Iran's Nuclear Technology/Research Centre at Isfahan, following last year's devastating attacks on the site. "Their dust is deeply buried and watched 24/7," US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters on Wednesday. "There will be no Iranian nuclear weapons. Period. Full stop." Iran says any future deal must accept its right to enrich uranium for civilian use, under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Oman, which was mediating between the two sides just before the outbreak of war, said a viable deal was on the table. Will the US agree to allow any form of enrichment? President Trump's 15-point plan reportedly included several key demands: that Iran dismantle all major nuclear facilities, end all uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, transfer enriched stockpiles out of the country and accept intrusive international inspections. But when asked directly about it, Pete Hegseth said only that Iran would "never have a nuclear weapon or the capability to get a path to one". A slightly different response. Again, the 15-point plan is emphatic. Iran should suspend ballistic missile development, stop production of long-range missiles and end drone transfers and military exports to proxies and allies around the Middle East. Part of Washington's justification for going to war was that Iran's advanced missile programme had provided the country with a protective umbrella under which its nuclear programme could continue. The Pentagon believes much of that umbrella now lies in ruins. Gen Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, says 80% of Iran's missile facilities have been destroyed, along with 80% of Iran's air defence systems and 90% of its weapons factories. Iran has previously rejected discussing limits on their ballistic missile programme. Circumstances have now changed and it remains to be seen if Tehran is ready to accept curbs on missile and drone programmes as part of a long-term agreement with the US. One of Iran's biggest achievements, apart from the fact that the regime of the Islamic Republic still stands, has been its newfound ability to place a stranglehold on shipping passing through one of the world's most important waterways. Iran's apparent willingness to re-open the Strait now suggests that some of the pressures that have mounted on the global economy over the past month may start to ease. Foreign Minister Araghchi says safe passage will be possible for the next two weeks, in co-ordination with Iran's armed forces and with what he calls "due consideration of technical limitations". Since the current war started, Iran has indicated it wants to impose new rules for traffic moving through the Strait. Some media reports have suggested that Tehran's plan includes the right to demand transit fees to the tune of $2m (£1.5m) per ship, with the proceeds shared between Iran and Oman – the two countries which border the Strait of Hormuz). For the Gulf states that ship their precious hydrocarbons through the Strait, this is a non-starter. "This is totally unacceptable," Anwar Gargash told the BBC, calling it a dangerous precedent for other vital chokepoints around the world. "I think this is going to be extremely dangerous. And I don't think at the end of the day it will fly." Donald Trump does not appear to have ruled out the idea that Tehran could charge tolls, even apparently suggesting to ABC News that the US and Iran could run the Strait as a joint venture. Administration officials insist that since the US depends very little on oil from the Gulf, other countries should take the lead in resolving the Hormuz issue. Last week, the UK chaired talks involving more than 40 countries on how to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, with all participants agreeing that the war had to end first. With a two-week window of opportunity now open, those discussions may gain momentum. "We will continue to work with the shipping, insurance and energy sectors," UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in

Only days ago, Islamic Republic hardliners running the city of Tehran put up a gigantic banner at one of the busiest intersections in the Iranian capital. "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed," it declared. This was meant to signal an edict from Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since being named leader last month. But that banner may now have to be taken down after Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait as requested by Pakistan, which has been mediating between the US and Iran. That is despite Iran repeatedly saying it would not agree to a temporary ceasefire and that it wanted a permanent end to the US and Israeli war on Iran. The hardliners are not happy. They have been emboldened by Iran's ability to close the Strait and cause havoc to countries in the Gulf with missiles and drones – maintaining that Iran should have continued the war as it had the upper hand against the US and Israel. Reports from Tehran said they set fire to US and Israeli flags after the announcement of the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday. A group of men from the Basij volunteer militia, which is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marched to the foreign ministry in the middle of the night to oppose the decision. A few hours later, the editor of the hardline newspaper Kayhan wrote that agreeing to the ceasefire was "a gift to the enemy", allowing it to restock and continue the war. The decision to accept the request from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his army chief was made by the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) – Iran's country's highest decision-making body under the supreme leader, which is headed by moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian. The SNSC declared that safe passage would be possible through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of two weeks in return for a ceasefire from the US and Israel, while Washington and Tehran engaged in talks. Reports say China played a significant role in convincing Iran, its close ally, to agree to Pakistan's request. Iran has suffered a great deal of destruction in the 40-day war. More than 3,000 people have been killed, human rights activists say, and US President Donald Trump had threatened further deaths and destruction on an even greater scale. Even among the hardliners, it was becoming clear that a way out had to be found before Iran's critical infrastructure was further destroyed. Only hours before the announcement of the ceasefire, the hardline Chief Justice, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, told Iranian state TV that Iran was seeking an end to the war while still maintaining an upper hand. He was broadly repeating what the country's former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a moderate, had written a few days earlier in an article in the US publication Foreign Affairs. The SNSC has portrayed the ceasefire agreement as a victory for Iran, calling on regime supporters to remain united. According to Iranian media, the Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, is to lead the Iranian delegation in talks with the US in Islamabad, directly negotiating with US Vice President JD Vance. This is another departure from the hardline script. Direct negotiations with the US had always been banned by the former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike on his home at the outset of the war. This direct contact appears to have been sanctioned by the new leader, who is his son. Despite the ceasefire, Iran and the US remain far from a lasting peace. The war could resume if the talks break down. That is a prospect some Iranians who supported the war, seeing it as a way to remove what they consider a vile regime, may be hoping for. For many others, the ceasefire offers much needed relief from the death and destruction around them.