it is the second deadly attack on the capital this month, and follows a strike on the city on new year's day. tiktok says it will "go dark" in america on sunday unless the government acts to stop a legal ban coming into effect. on friday, the supreme court upheld legislation banning the video—sharing app unless its chinese owners sell it to an american company. now on bbc news, the travel show. iceland is wild. you can admire and feel the huge power of nature in every corner of this island.

my name is roma wells. i'm a writer who loves to travel. words have always been my compass for navigating my travel adventures. so, i'm here to capture the wild wonders of this wintry world. over seven times more tourists visit iceland than people who live here. and most of them base their trip in the capital city, reykjavik. but on this trip, i'm heading off the beaten track to explore the far north of the island. these borderlands of the arctic circle get far less tourists, but are no less spectacular and offer an insight into a wilder and perhaps more authentic side of iceland. join me as i try to capture the land of fire and ice in both words and pictures. nature brings us things that we could never have imagined, and i love capturing those.

meet the extraordinary marine life that call these icy waters home. it's such a humbling feeling to cross paths with these giants. and find out why, historically, knitting is so much more than a cosy pastime here in the north. honestly, i mean, icelandic people just survive here because of the sheep. so, join me here in northern iceland as i set out to discover what life is like at the edge of the arctic. my adventure begins in the town of husavik in the north of iceland.

it's famed for its colourful buildings and quaint harbour. but don't let this quiet demeanour fool you. this is a gateway to some breathtaking experiences, and it's earned the nickname as the whale—watching capital of europe. iceland is one of only three countries that allow commercial whale hunting, but there are strict controls on numbers and types of whales that can be caught here each year... ..though tourist demand for whale watching is strong and, over the past few decades, companies like north sailing here in husavik have been converting fishing boats into those that can take tourists out to sea. captain husky, hey! hello! nice to meet you. great to see you. i mean, here in skjalfandi bay, we have a lot of humpback whales and they are fantastic. i've been told there's a 97% chance of seeing a whale on any trip you take here. depending on what time of year you visit, you can see all sorts of different species.

i just think whales are such magnificent creatures. they combine so much size and power with so much elegance and grace. they have one of the longest migrations on the planet. and their tails are as unique as a fingerprint. what i'm finding different about this whale—watching trip is this... silence. you can hear the breathing of the whale as it goes down and comes up and takes in the air. you can actually hear it. whereas, you know, with an engine, you hear less. exactly. ten years ago, opal was converted from a diesel to an electric hybrid engine, which it relies on, along with the wind in her sails. see what you mean about it gets tougher! yep. that's a good work—out. you can stop and take a breath if you need. no! let's keep going. i'm committed now.

roma laughs after a few hours on the water and no sighting of any whales, i'm starting to think i might be joining the unlucky few who don't see any whales on their trip to husavik. but was my luck about to change? so, the captain has heard that there's a couple of humpbacks possibly across the bay. now, i really hope we get to see them. it is freezing cold and the water is starting to get a little bit rougher here. on the surface, ten o'clock. roma gasps humpbacks can grow up to 60ft long and weigh up to a0 tonnes. males sing unique songs to attract a mate, and these can be heard up to 20 miles

away and can last for hours. ah, so we have just spotted a humpback over here. now, it'sjust phenomenal, even to catch just a glimpse of these majestic creatures. it just. .. you feel the awe flooding your body. it's...it's mesmerising. roma laughs i mean, the moment you see it coming out of the water, it's this sudden enchantment. we weren't sure if we were going to see the fluke, but we managed to see it in the end. it raised out of the water and it flicked, and then it dove back down, and it's just absolutely mesmerising. i'm freezing cold, but it's warmed my whole body up, just seeing it. it's a phenomenal feeling.

# bittersweet photograph # in fading light i made you laugh # i know # i know...# driving here, it's very dynamic, it's changing all the time, so i never get tired of driving. every turn you go, something is changing. it's always new. with my feet firmly back on dry land, i'm teaming up with photographer and adventurer gunnar gunnarsson for the next part of my trip through northern iceland. we're travelling in his 4x4, aptly nicknamed the lava jeep. i love the crazy weather, the mountains. i love the perspective that you get when you can see something out there and itjust makes your mind wonder, what volcano is it there? how does it look like? we're heading to lake myvatn, created by a volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago that dramatically changed the landscape of this area. # i don't need a reason # take me away

# i don't need a reason... gunnar, what on earth is this? so, we are in one of the most geothermally active areas of iceland here. here, all you have to do is stick a pipe in the ground... mm—hm. ..you have a natural hot...hot shower. imean... call this the never—ending shower. icelanders have found a way to utilise the power of nature. they use nearly 100% of renewable energy, and sometimes that has quirky results, especially here in the north. so, today we're going to try something that's very unique to iceland... 0k. ..and that is very local. you see, we're walking here through the steam and we're actually going to be seeing food made here in this area. here? yes. we are meeting thorhallur, who has an interesting method to cook bread for her guests at the nearby vogafjos farm resort. so, we have done this for years... yeah? ..baking bread, and all farmers around myvatn have been baking bread in the ground, underground. oh, my goodness. so, nature is the oven? this is amazing.

exactly. it's like a chest of treasure coming out. it is! delicious treasure. so, we should maybejust open and see how it is. oh, wow! pretty good. that looks good, thorhallur. well done. i don't know, do you smell...? i smell it. yeah. oh, i do, yeah. so, this is the bread that we just collected at the farm earlier. we have icelandic butter. mm. it's delicious. and it's got a real kind of ca key, earthy texture. you can sort of taste the fact that it's been in the earth, this bread. and you can see what i mean that it's almost like bread and cake. like, the bread is so soft, it's sojuicy. moist. it has a little sweetness to it. so, this is icelandic trout from lake myvatn and it's smoked in a... so, this is very sustainable. people use everything. so, it's smoked in

icelandic sheep tongue. is it now?! it's actually a very traditional way of doing it, so... nice, huh? there's a real smoky texture to that. mm. what is this surreal place that we're in? so, this area is called hverir. it means hot springs. it does feel like another planet. yeah, definitely. it really does. yeah, it really does. so, i think we should take some photos of that, maybe try to get some detail shots, think about the colours here. if you go up to the hot spring now, it's going to be super nice. yeah. that was nice. roma laughs and then walk towards me now, yeah. really nice. here we go. see some of the details. beautiful. look at that. and i think these isolation shots can be really good of the colours. and then we'll get to the... that's a nice portrait of you here. ha—ha, the cheesy grin! and then i'll show you... i like this a lot. i think this is really nice. leaning in.

mother nature is volatile and these landscapes are full of risks. accidents have been on the rise as tourists search for the perfect picture, which has led authorities to establish a set of guidelines to keep people safe whilst travelling here. so, in iceland, we have something called the icelandic pledge. so, respectful in the way that you take your photos. for example, you take pictures worth dying for, but you don't die for them. ah—ha. sound logic! yeah, exactly. one very good way not to die for your photos is to use your drone. there is research to do before flying your drone in iceland, but stick to the rules and you can get some amazing results. so, we have the volcanic crater here. snow stripes! it's crazy. it almost looks like a black and white photograph, honestly. really does. this is actually a photo that i kind of wanted to get for a really long time. if you want to go a bit higher... go straight up? so, there's a shutter button here for the camera. so, take a picture. nice.

it's incredible. just everywhere you look... yes. ..is astounding, isn't it? i mean, you can see the pictures on social media, but it's just not the same. you can't smell the bread baking in the earth, or hear the bubbling mud pots, or experience the mist drifting like dragon's breath. it truly is a place that has to be felt and immersed in with all of your senses. the story of iceland has been recorded in sagas — oral histories that were written down in mediaeval times, which icelanders have used to connect you are watching bbc news and pray breaking _ you are watching bbc news and pray breaking news. _ you are watching bbc news and pray breaking news. at - you are watching bbc news and pray breaking news. at least - you are watching bbc news and pray breaking news. at least 30j pray breaking news. at least 30 people — pray breaking news. at least 30 pe0ple are _ pray breaking news. at least 30 people are reported _ pray breaking news. at least 30 people are reported to - pray breaking news. at least 30 people are reported to have - people are reported to have been — people are reported to have been injured _ people are reported to have been injured after— people are reported to have been injured after a - people are reported to have been injured after a ski - people are reported to have been injured after a ski lifti been injured after a ski lift accident _ been injured after a ski lift accident in _ been injured after a ski lift accident in northern-

this is a new ski resort of aston where the accident is reported to have happened. it is in the pyrenees close to the french border. let's speak to our correspondent he was in spain monitoring the story. guy, tell us what you know. well, we do not know a great deal at the moment, but we do note this happened in the ski resort of astun in the north of spain. one of the ski runs where a piece seems to have come loose, holding up the ski lift there. that caused the ski lift there. that caused the ski lift to drop very suddenly and around 30 people, at least 30 people were injured when that happen. we are told by the local authorities that at least nine of those who are injured are very seriously hurt and there are another eight who are badly hurt we are told.

helicopters have been arriving at that area, are quite a remote area. those are coming from local towns and cities to bring in medical personnel and also to take those who have been hurt to nearby hospitals such as a hospital in a local town. ., , such as a hospital in a local town. . , ,., , town. there have been reports as well that — town. there have been reports as well that some _ town. there have been reports as well that some people - as well that some people remained trapped.- as well that some people remained trapped. yes, we have heard that _ remained trapped. yes, we have heard that because _ remained trapped. yes, we have heard that because this - remained trapped. yes, we have heard that because this piece . heard that because this piece seems to have come loose, this technical piece on the chairlift causing this accident happen, there were people who were trapped up on the chairlift and they were not able to come down. the rescue services who have been on the site have also... notjust treating those who have been injured, but also helping people who are trapped up on the chairlift itself. i think what they are hoping is that all of those people who are trapped will be rescued soon

and will have been bought down to safety. and will have been bought down to safe . , ., ., to safety. tell us more about this ski resort. _ to safety. tell us more about this ski resort. the _ to safety. tell us more about this ski resort. the french i this ski resort. the french pyrenees are not far away, the peer union mountains straddle the border. peer union mountains straddle the border-— the border. yes, it is a nebular— the border. yes, it is a popular area _ the border. yes, it is a popular area for - the border. yes, it is a | popular area for spanish the border. yes, it is a - popular area for spanish years to go to particularly at this season. and astun is very well known by local spanish skiers but it is also a popular place for people of other nationalities example french will come over and ski there. it is right by the french border. it is a very popular place for skiers and it is seen as a pleasant resort. it is relatively close to spanish cities like saragossa and hacker. it is also relatively close to france. it makes it quite unattractive placed two

people in spain and france. weight what have the authorities decided to do about this particular place in astun? the ski run where this happened was immediately closed down and the local authorities there have said that they are following this very closely and coordinating a rescue and emergency response. that obviously is ongoing, we have also heard from the prime ministerfrom madrid. he says he is following things very closely and he has sent a message of support to the local authorities and the rescue authorities and the rescue authorities there and the families of all of those who have been affected.- families of all of those who have been affected. there will have been affected. there will have to be _ have been affected. there will have to be some _ have been affected. there will have to be some sort - have been affected. there will have to be some sort of- have to be some sort of investigation of course. what is the procedure for that, do you know? it is the procedure for that, do you know?— is the procedure for that, do ou know? , , ., , you know? it is very early. the rescue operation _ you know? it is very early. the rescue operation is _ you know? it is very early. the rescue operation is still - you know? it is very early. the rescue operation is still going l rescue operation is still going on, but you would imagine that as soon as everyone involved in

this is safe and people you have been injured and taken to hospital and treated, that an investigation will begin. there have been some photos on social media identifying what some people say is the piece which came loose, this wheel which came loose, this wheel which came loose, this wheel which came loose holding up the chairlift. obviously, the local authorities will have to look at issues like that and any other technical issues to try and work out what happened when so many people were using this chairlift. obviously, this creates a worry for other users and other skiers.— and other skiers. what have conditions _ and other skiers. what have conditions been _ and other skiers. what have conditions been like - and other skiers. what have conditions been like in - and other skiers. what have conditions been like in this. conditions been like in this resort? because in some winters they have struggled for snow, but it does look as if these conditions will have attracted a lot of people this weekend. yes, the conditions have been very good. even here in madrid,

we have had a cold snap recently and across much of the country that has been the case. low temperatures, quite a lot of snow, so certainly at the moment the conditions for skiers have been very good. quite a lot of decent snow up there and i think that has attracted many other people to the resort because obviously a lot of skiers are watching the conditions to decide whether they go and ski in a resort and they go and ski in a resort and the conditions have been very good. the conditions have been very aood. ., ., ., ~ i. good. for the moment, thank you very much- _ good. for the moment, thank you very much- just — good. for the moment, thank you very much. just to _ good. for the moment, thank you very much. just to recap, - good. for the moment, thank you very much. just to recap, at - very much. just to recap, at least nine people are said to be in a serious condition amongst 30 who have been hurt after a chairlift accident in the ski resort of astun in north—eastern spain. this is close to the french border. some 80 people, we have read have remained trapped and they

were stuck on that chairlift. an eyewitness has said that it looked as if a cable had come off and the chairs bounced and looked as if a cable had come off and the chairs bounced and the people were thrown off. the the people were thrown off. the cause of the failure is not yet cause of the failure is not yet known, of course, because it is known, of course, because it is still a rescue operation. still a rescue operation. helicopters and ambulances have helicopters and ambulances have been ferrying injured people to been ferrying injured people to nearby hospitals. we will keep nearby hospitals. we will keep an eye on that situation and an eye on that situation and bring you more details when we bring you more details when we know them. know them. more on the middle east now more on the middle east now gaza had come where the ceasefire is due to where the ceasefire is due to begin shortly. it will take begin shortly. it will take effect from 8:30am on sunday effect from 8:30am on sunday which is 630 in the morning in which is 630 in the morning in israel and gaza. after israel and gaza. after discussions the israeli cabinet discussions the israeli cabinet gave the green light on the gave the green light on the ceasefire. the first hostages ceasefire. the first hostages are due to be released on are due to be released on sunday in this initial phase of sunday in this initial phase of the agreement. nicky schiller the agreement. nicky schiller

is looking at those hostages in is looking at those hostages in gaza who are going to be freed in the next few days. exchange for palestinian prisoners in israeli jails. with the first of those hostages are said to be released on sunday, a list of names has been published on a number of israeli media sites. they include the bibas family including one—year—old kfir and his five—year—old brother. they are the youngest of those held. they were taken in a kibbutz with their mother. their father was also captured separately. kfirwas their father was also captured separately. kfir was just nine months old at the time. now, her mass has said that they were previously killed in a israeli air strike. this is

emily, a british israeli citizen he was taken from her

has october 2023. his daughter has told the bbc that the family do not know if her father is still alive. now, we should say, we do not know the condition