the headlines: the biden administration says it did all it could to minimise civilian deaths during a raid in which the leader of islamic state group blew himself up. mr biden said he'd authorised an assault by special forces rather than an air strike because the is chief surrounded himself with civilians. the winter olympics are getting underway in beijing, with the opening ceremony in just a few hours' time. but the run—up to the games has been fraught with controversy. many countries have announced a diplomatic boycott of the event, citing human rights abuses by the chinese authorities. four seniorfigures at downing street have resigned putting renewed pressure on the british prime minister, borisjohnson. they include his chief of staff, head of communications and head of policy. several members of parliament from his own party have publicly called for the prime minister to resign. northern ireland's first

minister, paul givan, of the democratic unionist party, has resigned, over the implimentation of the northern ireland protocol. that's the mechanism governing the flow of goods between great britain and northern ireland, and was negotiated as part of the brexit deal. products crossing the irish sea into northern ireland, are subject to new checks on entry, and this was meant to avoid the need for checks on goods reaching the irish republic. but unionists argue this effectively creates a border between northern ireland and the rest of the uk. here's our ireland correspondent, emma vardy. political paralysis returns to stormont — something the dup have been threatening since last year. today, as the first minister stepped down, it was delivered. our institutions are being tested once again and the delicate balance created by the belfast and st andrews agreements has been impacted by the agreement made by the united kingdom government

and the european union, which created the northern ireland protocol. it means the power—sharing executive in northern ireland will cease to function. decision—making affecting thousands of people's lives on hold. for some time this storm has been on the horizon. the new border checks on goods which cross the irish sea represent for unionist parties a deep betrayal and a threat to their position in the uk. last night, the dup ordered civil servants to stop carrying out these checks but there's disagreement over whether that order is lawful. well, ideally businesses, we don't want any checks on goods coming from great britain into northern ireland and we really want minimal administration as well. what we are calling for is both the eu and uk to come down and negotiate it out. we just hope that basically there is no rash reactions to this from either side. this kind of political crisis is not new in northern ireland. when something similar happened in 2017, there was no government for three years.

this time different departments will continue to function, but what they can do will be limited. for example, northern ireland's budget now can't be approved, meaning planning ahead for many public services will be on hold. what will happen with the remaining covid restrictions is unclear, and a planned apology to victims of historical abuse is also now likely to be postponed. it's very clear that there are catastrophic impacts in terms of the dup�*s action today and there are many, many casualties, as a result of their political opportunism. not least the victims of historical institutional abuse. this is being seen as a tactical move by the dup in the run—up to the may elections. the orange order, which has significant influence, has been collecting tens of thousands of signatures from people opposing the northern ireland protocol, and it's voters like this the dup wants to keep on side. and that election the party has in its sights may now happen even earlier. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast.

now on bbc news, it's time for the travel show with lucy hedges. coming up on this week's programme: facing herfears — we follow an anxious traveller as she heads abroad for the first time in almost two years. it was that first view of the sea, and i was like, "i can do this, i made it. "this is going to be ok, this is going to be good." we've got tech that's designed to take the stress out of your overseas adventures. i've rounded up a bunch of gadgets that will be sure to guide you to a state of zen. we find out what bangkok's taxi drivers did when their customers disappeared. and we meet the people helping passengers with their paperwork. we're here to reassure them, to guide them and to make sure that they have everything to hand.

hi. it's london, it's january, and the weather's, shall we say, cold. so what many of us desperately want is some much—needed sunshine. i think it's fair to say that travelling right now is more than a little complicated, with a seemingly never—ending list of rules and regulations. so, if you're someone who battles from anxiety at the best of times, can you really contemplate a trip overseas? well, we've been to meet someone who's done exactly that. in 2012, kimberly davis suffered a life—threatening infection following a routine operation. i ended up spending several months in the hospital, needing a major surgery and being what i was told later on just hours away from death.

and that changes you as a person. that changes you. there's a lot of anxiety that comes with life now that used to never be there before. so, when covid arrived in the uk, news of another invisible and deadly threat had a significant impact on her. when the pandemic first started, like many people, i was very nervous and i hunkered down in my flat, and that went fine for a while, but after about a year, the solitude started taking its toll and i started finding that my mental health started going down and down and down and ifound myself starting to cry a lot more, and really feeling that i needed to get out. but at the same time i was really nervous about going and taking that leap. dr nihara krause is a consultant clinical psychologist who's seen mental health issues increase

dramatically since the start of the pandemic. with the pandemic we've had to face an invisible threat, and one of the things that happens with that is that our sense of safety, which is a basic human need, is threatened. luckily for kimberly, help was at hand. seeing how her mental health was deteriorating, a concerned close friend offered to take her on a holiday to france. after initially pushing back, kimberly finally gave in, and agreed to go. so, i have literally gone from being in my house for almost two years to getting on a plane and going to france. i'm very nervous and i've had a lot of panic attacks this week about it, but it's just gotten to a point if i stay in the flat i'm not going to be ok. we'll see. wish me luck! bye! when people are anxious, they tend to avoid the thing they're anxious of, and a very effective form of treatment is to try and learn to face

your fear bit by bit, one step at a time. for kim, just the journey alone was a huge step forward. getting on the plane, getting to france was a nightmare for me. it was so stressful, it was so, so stressful and i thought at many points along the journey, "i can't do this." it was that first view of the sea, and i was like, "i can do this. "i made it, i made it, this is going to be ok, "this is going to be good." it's gorgeous and i'm very excited to be going into the water. as you can see, i'm the only person here wearing a mask here i go into the water! yay! how good does that feel, to feel the sand beneath my feet? ohhh, the sea on my feet, it's just the best! this is amazing. oh my god, it's so amazing.

i've got a great spot here right in front of the water, there's my toes wiggling. i'm trying to stay away from people. ok, that's freaking me out, don't get so close. i started feeling all that fear and anxiety kind of rushing back. there's just too many people here now and there's too many children, and nobody�*s wearing a mask, and i'm getting panicky. so, i can't seem to find a place on the beach that's far enough away from people so i'm going. this location and this view has made a huge difference already. by day three, i started feeling brave enough to go out on some little adventures. it was so great to do the little things, the little things you don't even probably think twice about normally on a holiday. gelato by the sea, i mean, come on, you can't beat this. i went on a bus tour and got to see the sights. just had the most glorious

facial, massage, hair treatment, and i feel amazing! i wound up doing three hours in the spa! i needed it. i started going to restaurants again. this is the best pasta i've ever eaten in my entire life, and i don't know if that's because i haven't been out of my house in so long, or whether this really is the best pasta i've ever eaten in my whole life, but oh my god! i'm coming back here every day. i'm used to all the smells and sensations of being in my flat for almost two years, so when i travelled out for the first time, i started noticing that all of my senses were completely heightened. just the most tiny things, like touching a rock or smelling a flower, or smelling perfumes. here i've been shopping for fragrances.

everything was the best, every single thing that i had was the best. it is outrageous. i had this moment where i walked out of the hotel room and i sat there walking towards the elevator and thinking, "something's missing, i've forgot something...what is it, what is it, what is it?" and then i realised i've forgotten my mask. and initially i went running back, panicking, "oh, no, iforgot my mask, i forgot my mask, oh, "my god, i'm in the hallway without my mask, "what am i going to do, what am i going to do?" but then i had this moment once i got back in the room where i went, i forgot my mask. that means i forgot to be anxious for a moment, and that must be some sort of sign that there's been progress, and that was really exciting and wonderful to experience. there's nobody around here.

actually, actually i can take my mask off. oh my god, it's unheard of! it feels weird! i don't actually want to go back! but it's been really nice to have all these experiences and to remember what it's like to live. it's nice to be able to breathe fresh air, look at the sunrise, look at the sunset. i haven't seen these things in two years so it's been really miraculous to be able to re—experience them again and i had forgotten how much i missed them. so, this is the end for me here but the new beginning of something else and i'm looking forward to restarting again in london.

the holiday was really rejuvenating. it was life changing. it was critical for my mental health, and i'm starting to slowly reincorporate myself into life that i was missing so much, i missed everybody. so i think that this trip has really saved me. i know that there's a lot of people out there who, like me, have a lot of anxiety or really nervous about going out. do whatever you can to take a baby step where you feel comfortable, but you push your boundaries just the tiniest little bit, because the pay—off, the reward is really going to ultimately be worth it and it's going to save you. believe me, if i can do it, absolutely anybody can do it. so if you're watching at home, please go out of your house. i beg you.

well, it's fair to say that travelling anywhere right now could be fairly stressful and not the best start or end to your holidays. increasingly, many people are exploring alternative modes to flying such as by train and by car. less paperwork, queues and delays but chances are it's a much longerjourney. so no matter how you like to get around, things just aren't that simple. so i've rounded up a bunch of gadgets that will be sure to guide you to a state of zen. ok, so the first gadget doesn't even require you to get up from the bed. i definitely needed this. it's the vive flow billed as immersive vr glasses for on—the—go wellness. fair warning, it comes with a bit of a price tag. they look like a pair of futuristic, sci—fi

inspired goggles and that's what i quite like about them. so, you can use your android phone to navigate your way around, and also access all the applications available. it is pretty relaxing, i must say. so, these things are clearly designed to be used on the go. now, i've got to admit, i'm not massively into meditation, but i can really see how they can put you into a nice state of relaxation. i love that they're super portable as well, so they take up only a bit of your bag rather than all of it. so, all in all, a brilliant travel companion. next up and not quite as dear, is the muse s, a brain—sensing headband to help you meditate and improve your sleep. the sensors include eeg to monitor brain activity, ppg for heart rate monitoring, and pulse oximetry for blood oxygen saturation. the app helps you position it correctly. all the colours filled means the sensors are in the correct place.

the soundscape goes louder if your mind starts to wander, so the quieter it is, the better you are doing. it is a bit of a faff to set up, a little bit tricky, and i feel that by the time you get this thing to work, you will need some guided meditation. but once you finish the session, you get your own calm report — and i'm happy to say that i achieved one second. now for something to tackle your weary body. i've got my hands on the theragun mini. it is a portable message device that uses percussive movements with three levels of intensity. ok, so it's got a dedicated app — what gadget these days doesn't? — and it's got options to travel, so you've got jet—lag and travel. so, i'm going to tap the travel option. so, it's going to guide me through a four—minute whole—body routine. i'm going to ease myself in. so, it's telling me to sweep back and forth on my right shin. mmm. it is quite quiet. i'm going to turn it up to the highest setting and see

how it feels. wow, that is vibrating my bones! so, the great thing about this is it is nice and portable, you can easily chuck it into your hand luggage or your hand bag. it is pretty quiet, so if you are using it in public, you know, you can relax without annoying people around you. it lasts for around 150 minutes on single charge — that's more than enough time to be used over the duration of a holiday. now, if i was going to use something like this, i'd probably use itjust before a flight, so maybe relax my muscles a little bit, or perhaps more importantly, after a flight, when i am feeling a bit tense or if i need a boost of energy and just want to be woken up, this thing will pummel my muscles and bring me back to life. last but not least, i have beurer�*s mg 280 yoga & stretch mat. it comes with four preset programmes and three intensity levels. air chambers in the mat inflate and mould your body into yoga stretches. i need that stretch. so, i'm going to go for relax and i think a little bit

of heat too. stretch those muscles. ok, so it is currently putting me into a twist position and i definitely feel like i am being twisted. so this is not your traditional yoga mat and it is quite bulky, so it isn't going to fit into your standard suitcase, and you definitely can't roll this thing out in the middle of an airport lounge but, you know, after you've been on a long flight, you're feeling crooked, you know you've got to quarantine for ten days, no access to massages or any kind of spa treatments whatsoever, you canjust come to your room, roll this out and get that stretching yoga experience inside your room. now, london's eurostar terminal is usually one of europe's busiest railway hubs. that was until covid struck.

but now, as passengers slowly return, they need more than just a ticket and passport to board the trains to france or belgium. so, we went to meet the team who are helping to take at least some of the stress out of that journey. myself and the team are here to help these customers every step of the way. hello, madam, you ok? are you together? 0k. before, we used to have customers that were prepared and excited but now, it seems like customers are very nervous and anxious about travelling. thank you. have a lovely trip, madam. pleasure. we are here at the station, making sure, and i've been giving them clear information about what to expect for the next step of theirjourney. so, is it working? it's not opening. we do have issues with customers arriving with not android phones, for example. so, when they do have this kind of nokia small phone, they won't be able to use

the qr codes, and we've been really, like, flexible to use our own device. we are here to reassure them, to guide them and make sure that they have everything to hand. you've got it. that's fine. you're going to make it. just have your ticket for me, please. it is a different way of travelling now. it is not about any more like, "i just need my passport and my ticket to travel". it is more, "do i have the right documents? "have i done the right covid tests?" how are you? i'm all right. you are good? you are welcome. you take care. no worries, bye—bye. everyone is on board. we managed even to have people who were struggling, so we had the last—minute few of them jumping on board

and train leaving on time, so this is fantastic. things change every single day. one day, they may seem prepared but then the next day, the rules have changed and that is because they are changing in requirements, the document. creating that trust between them and us is really important. it is really important. that is the key here. well, to finish things off this week, we are off to thailand, where travel was slowly beginning to open up again, which was mainly thanks to tourists being granted quarantine—free access via the newly launched thailand pass. but the spread of omicron meant that got suspended, crushing the hopes of many of the people working there in tourism — amongst them, bangkok taxi drivers. but one company has found another way to support its staff.

this is how bangkok used to be — bustling with tourists and taxis taking them to where they need to go. the year before covid hit, the thai capital welcomed 22.8 million tourists, making it the most visited city in 2019. now, there are taxi graveyards like this all over the city. though this one has been put to good use. on the days chan goes out, he struggles to find any

customers.

back at base, chan's boss

inspects neighbouring land to expand the taxi farm. currently, everything grown is consumed by the drivers, though it is open to passers—by to take a look. they want to open a coffee shop and a place to sell the extra produce. now the other drivers have become his friends and family and they will often share a meal together of chilli paste and vegetables picked from the rooftop.

well, i do hope things pick up really soon for those taxi drivers in bangkok. right, so that's all for this week. coming up next week: we are in the austrian ski resort of ischgl — ground zero for those first alpine covid cases almost two years ago — as the slopes reopen again. don't forget, you can catch up with more of our recent trips on bbc iplayer. we're on social media, too — just search for bbc travel show on facebook and instagram. but for now, from me and the rest of the team here in london, it's goodbye.

hello. we're seeing a real change in weather type at the moment, as a cold front is spreading its way across the uk, and that will be bringing us a colder and windier spell of weather into friday, with some wintry showers around, too. here's the cold air streaming in behind this cold front, which is working gradually south—eastwards. still bringing some rain, even some sleet and some snow on the back edge of that, too — particularly for the likes of the pennines, the peak district, and over the high ground of wales, as well. but mainly to the south of that, it's going to be falling as rain. but a cold morning friday morning across scotland, northern ireland and northern england. so, some icy stretches around

and wintry showers falling on that cold ground. so, do be prepared for some icy stretches on any untreated surfaces during friday morning. but some sunshine working in across parts of northern england, wales, and the southwest, and eventually that rain and sleetiness will clear away from the southeast, too. so, then, we're all in the clearer spells on friday — some sunshine, but also plenty of showers streaming in on that brisk wind. so, gusts will be about 30—110 mph, perhaps as high as 50 mph in the north—west. and wintry showers over the higher ground of scotland, northern ireland, and northern england in particular. temperatures between only about 4—9 celsius, and feeling colder when you add on the wind chill, as well. overnight friday night, we've got clearer skies, 1—2 wintry showers, some rain and hill snow working into the northwest later in the night. but under those clear skies, we'll be seeing quite a cold start to your weekend, with quite a widespread frost. so, heading on into saturday, then, after that cold start, the next weather front streams in from the atlantic — and you can see quite a long weather front here, the first area here bringing some wet and windy weather initially to the northwest of the uk on saturday, and this frontal system marks the divide

between milder air in the south and colder conditions towards the north. so, with the arrival of that wet and windy weather, there'll be some snow once again over the higher ground of scotland, patchy rain working slowly south into england and wales, but probably east anglia and the south—east remaining dry all day with temperatures around 10—11 celsius here, but turning colder with more snow showers packing in across the north. into sunday, and wintry showers once again across the northwest of the uk. early rain should clear away from parts of southern england to leave us all in sunnier skies, but feeling colder once again with that northwesterly breeze and highs around about 5—11 celsius on sunday. bye— bye.

welcome to bbc news. i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories: president biden gives details of how the head of the islamic state group was killed during a raid by us special forces in syria. he chose to blow himself up — notjust with a vest, but to blow up that third floor rather than face justice for the crimes he's committed, taking several members of his family with him. let the games begin — the opening ceremony for beijing's winter olympics takes place on friday, amid excitement and controversy. america says the kremlin has plans to broadcast fake images of the ukrainian army shooting russian sympathisers as a pretext for an invasion. and a rescue operation continues in northern morocco, after a 5—year—old boy fell into a well.