>> good afternoon, welcome to al jazeera america. i'm morgan radford live from new york city. here are the stories we're following for you right now. the storm has passed, but dangerously cold temperatures are threatening the northeast. and secretary of state john kerry said there is progress in his mideast mission. and in the florida every grades a mission comes to an end. >> u.s. secretary of state john kerry said there is progress towards peace in the middle east. at least to talk about it. kerry said he's optimistic that

talks can happen, and is now trying to encourage talks between israelis and the palestinians. he's in jerusalem now after spending the day with the palestinians' president. also in jerusalem is our nick schifrin, who was at the talks in ramalah today where he joins us live. nick, we understand that kerry came out this morning and said's making progress. but what exactly is on the table this time around? >> reporter: all kerry is trying to do in his words to create a framework for the guidelines of talks. he's not trying to solve mideast peace this weekend but he wants to get them to gray on what they're going talk about in the future. he has met with them 40 times in the last year and still that's all he can say today. nonetheless, he continues to diplomacy and continues to get baby steps towards some kind of

an agreement. what has been interesting in the last week or so is a sticking point in particular has come up. the israelis have become to demand that the palestinians accept them as a jewish state. that's new. israel did not demand egypt or jordan to do that when they signed peace treaties. but israel said for them to be a peaceful partner then they have to say that we're a jewish state. palestine said if we accept you as a jewish state then we are saying that we're accepting your narrative of about the land that is ours. and the palestinians are being force told accept the israeli narrative, it's that fear that john kerry reported today in ramalah earlier today. >> there are narrative issues, difficult, complicated years of mistrust that have been built up.

all of which has to be worked through and undone. >> so if the palestinians are being asked to accept israel's demands about a jewish state the israelis are being asked to accept palestinian demand to stop building the settlements. israel said that it can build settlements anywhere in palestinian territory because it captured that territory in 1967. palestinians say how can you expect us to build a viable contiguous states. john kerry acknowledged that the two sides are far apart but remains optimistic. >> we're working with great intensity, with serious purpose, with a commitment to try to resolve this conflict that has gone on for many years too long. which presents us now with the

possibility of trying to find a framework agreement which would layout the end game. and layout the framework for the major issues to guide the negotiations from this point forward. >> and that end game is what kerry is going to be talking about not only today in his meetings, tomorrow in his meetings, but next week he's back here for the 11th time in the last 12 months clearly still a lot to do. >> nick, earlier you mentioned these baby steps towards progress. but the middle east has been a pretty tumultuous place even in the last 48 hours. what does this agreement possibly mean for the rest of the region in terms of stability? >> reporter: yeah, you said it. the last 48 hours have been very volatile. if you go to the north in lebanon there have been car bombs in the last few days and the last few weeks. in iraq one of the cities that

the u.s. fought so hard to capture al-qaeda now captured. what people say is each of those problems, each of those hot spots are individual and you have to tackle them individually. but if you make some progress in the middle between israel and the palestinian, then that fuels the fires and lebanon, egypt, iraq, throughout the region, you can take a little bit away from that. they say this is not a silver bullet if you solve the israeli-palestinian issue, but the conflict in the entire region might reduce. >> nick schifrin live from jerusalem. we appreciate you being with us. meanwhile funerals are being held for victims of two car bombings in lebanon. al-qaeda linked group today claimed responsibility. the bomb is just one of many in sectarian fighting in that area

and comes a week after the bombing of finance minister mohammed chataha. al jazeera explains more from bay root. >> reporter: the bomb went off near shops in a mainly shia area has been targeted over recent months. but for mohammed the attack targeted lebanon's unity. >> in prince the shia are not being targeted. there was an attack against sunnies a few months ago.

>> some believe it was in retaliation for hezbollah fighting along side forces of syria's forces of bashar al-assad. many believe the armed group should withdraw its forces from syria to spare lebanon, but some disagree. >> if heads didn't go to fight in syria the extremists would have come here and we would have seen ten car bombs a day. already some terrorists have come to lebanon. >> reporter: the war in syria has spread beyond it's borders. the battle is here, too, and it's only getting worse. lebanon stability is at serious risk. the lack for political consensus has made lebanon a battleground. it is part of a proxy war some say that has engulfed the middle east. >> what is happening in the

region iran supports hezbollah and the shia. this rivalry makes it open to terrorism. >> the frequency of attacks like these have raised concerns here. this one was in the shia district. the target of a former minister was in a sunni area. it is mainly civilian who is are getting killed in a conflict where borders are becoming blurred. al jazeera, beirut. >> also in lebanon the suspected leader of an al-qaeda rebel group has died in custody. he went into kidney failure while receiving medical treatment. he was a saudi arabia national and was on his country's most wanted terrorist list. >> turn to go south sudan where

people are fleeing the city of bor. aid agencies estimate fighting between the government and those loyal to its former vice president has caused 60,000 people to flee. bor has been in the middle of the fighting since december. meeting tomorrow in ethiopia for reconciliation talks. i spoke with hilda johnson who is head of the united nations' in south sudan. she said first is to get the two sides to agree on ending the violence. >> in the place where the talks take place, that will mean that we have development that could lead to such a scenario. that is the main point. it is to halt and stop the

violence because other words it can slide down and get out of control. nobody wants that. and that's why the talks are now happening. >> now at least ten people are dead according to the indian government after a building collapsed in southern india. the collapse happened at a construction site, rescuers are trying to reach a dozen more who are trapped in the rubble. criminal complaints have been issued at the construction company and the contractors of the building site. record temperatures are putting the country in a deep freeze. al jazeera's erica ferrari has more. >> reporter: the winter storm that dumped up to two feet in some parts of the northeast is gone, but the oh mounds of snow and arctic temperatures remain. millions of americans are

cleaning up, bundling up, and bracing for what is expected to be some of the coldest weather in years. >> it's a nightmare out there. it's really cold and the winds are just brutal. >> i have eight layers on underneath this. >> reporter: but the bitter cold temperatures say it's no laughing matter. frost bite and hyperthermia are a very real threat. conditions have left 15 people dead, and new york mayor, just days on the job, has asked people who see homeless to call the emergency line. >> it is deceptively cold, and if you city out too long it will feel bad and it will be dangerous. >> reporter: on icy roads it's difficult to get around. air travel is getting back to normal after 10,000 flights were

canceled. >> our flight is tonight, but it's delayed because of the cold weather. so we'll stay at the airport, and we will wait for good weather to come back. >> reporter: the national weather service warned it's only getting worse. in chicago the mercury is expected to plum net the negatives. >> for more on the big chill our meteorologist eboni deon join us to tell us about the weather in the northeast and all over the country. >> meteorologist: yes, all over the country will feel that deep winter blast. we could see anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow. that will stretch from missouri, illinois, indiana and michigan. winds will be picking up, but that's going to really drive that feel-like temperature all the way down to possibly minus

60 degrees in spots. the low temperatures are going to fall in the teens and 20s. so if you have any plans to get out in this, which is not a good idea especially across the dakotas into minnesota, you may want to keep in mind that you need that car kit with you. jumper cables a most, extra clothes in the event you break down, food and water have that on hand as well. it's been a cold day even in parts of the deep south. in atlanta we stay below average. and typically this time of year we would make it in the 40s. this is the wind chill, what it feels like outside on your skin. at 12:00 noon in sunday in fargo it could feel as cold a as minus 65 degrees. frost bite and hyperthermia will be a major concern here. we do have a good church of the upper midwest that will be under

wind chill advisories through tuesday mornings. this will be with us through the next couple of days. this is not going to be a quick-hitting system, unfortunately. we'll watch the frontal boundary from the great lakes down to the midwest. it will fall across kansas, missouri, all looking upwards of 12 inches of snow before it's all said and done. in miami monday night into tuesday, temperatures will fall in the 40s but feeling possibly like the 30s in spots. morgan? >> thank you so much. when we come back the debate over benefits for the unemploy unemployed. >> reporter: in air boat ride through the swamps has become is a anonymous through the everglades. but it's phasing out. we'll tell you why.

>> three years after the nucular disaster, the hidden truth about the ongoing cleanup efforts and how the fallout could effect the safety of americans >> are dangerous amounts of radioactive water, leaking into the pacific eververyday? >> join america tonight's michael okwu for an exclusive four part series, as we return to fukushima only on al jazeera america

>> scholars and writers, policy makers and cultural icons >> don't miss the best of "talk to al jazeera" revealing... >> he said he was gonna fight for the public option, he didn't do it... >> personal.... >> from the time i was about nine, i knew i was different in ways other than just my face... >> shocking... >> being babtist...they always talk about don't judge other people.. but they judge everybody... >> the conversations people are talking about >> forget the democrat party and forget the reublican party, they're all one party... >> talk to al jazeea on al jazeera america.

>> former first lady barbara bush has been released from the hospital. doctors say he's doing great. the 88-year-old was discharged this morning from the hospital where she was treated since monday for respiratory issues. she said she can't wait to get home to her husband and her little dog. president obama will take up the issue of healthcare issues t issues. just a week ago, 1.3 million americans ran out of long term unemployment benefits. >> instead of punishing families who can least afford it republicans should make it their new year resolution to do the right thing and restore this for their constituents right now. >> the senate is expected to take up the measure next week, and earlier i poke with boris

epstein, a former aide to the mccain-palin campaign, and i asked him about expanding the program instead of expending it. >> i agree it should be an extension for three months but there needs to be a solution to the underlying problem, jobs need to be created. the notion that the economy is improving, and you're seeing unemployment dip so it's not meeting what he's saying there, hey, let's give people more unemployment benefits. that's like saying that the employment is better. >> has this shown how far this country has swung right in the fast few months. in the past this would not have been difficult especially when the unemployment rate had been this high for this long. >> let's not forget a lot of these folks had unemployment for two years and we're calling for another extension.

i feel for them and republicans do, as well. the problem is that the president has no credibility left. when he goes out with this awful obama roll out, so his message does not resonate at all. the country is turning right, and it will continue to do so up through the midterm election where the americans will do well in the house and senate, and it's not turning to the tea party, rand paul, it'. >> the studies show the longer you're out of job, it's harder to find a job. >> giving folks benefits saying we'll give you another three months of payment does not solve of issue, either. the solution has to be a real creation of jobs. that's comes from lowering of taxes, and helping some businesses to grow and high more people. that's the only way to do it. we're looking at a year where

both sides are looking forward to the election in november. the country is sick of gridlock in washington. so it would be bad for republicans just to carry their talking points, threaten to shut down the government. >> they played a significant role in that gridlock in 2013. >> they did, and it was negative for republicans. it really hurt their brand and hurt their chance it is they had any chances for the white house in 2016. >> skimming the wants in an air boat had become almost synonymous with the florida everglades national park but those days are numbered. >> reporter: those who live here in

>> making up a dwindling community of more than a thousand of gladesmen. his family owns a commercial air boat tour couple. >> you're out here in mother nature. you're not stuck in an office. i get to bring them to my backyard. >> reporter: the first commercial air boat tour company in the everglades. it was established in 1945 two years before the government established the everglades national park. the only one of three tour boat companies in the park. >> it's what we've done for many years 2347 but this way of life is about to face drastic changes due to new rules by everglades national park 2014 will be the last year people will be able to enjoy skimming the waters for

pleasure. old timers will be able to continue, but one to two thousand people will have to dock their air boats permanent. >> i i think it's unfair. that's my opinion and the opinion of a lot of people out here. you're taking away livelihoods and our freedom. >> reporter: the spokesman for the everglades national park say that it impacts vegetation, nesting and foraging areas. curve "tareas, it will restore the water

>> whether or in the there is a business to pass on, they don't know. the government has not offered them a price and they have not come to terms. >> i'll fight as long as possible. >> these rules are part of the everglades restoration project. in the coming months park officials will release new details on air boating, camping, hiking and other ways people the wet glands the next time you're having trouble falling asleep why don't you try counting lottery numbers instead of sheep. that's what steve did when he woke up in the middle of the night and realized he had forgotten to check his lottery ticket. good thing he did, because it turns out he was one of the mega million jackpot winners. and now he's $324 million

richer. the lottery said one of the first things did he was to call his office and leave this message. i'm really sorry, boss, i hit the jackpot, i don't think i'm going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever. go steve. when we come back, an update of our top stories and a rock-n-roll has lost one of its pioneering voices. phil everly coming up next on al jazeera. live news at the top of every hour >> here are the headlines at this hour breaking news... sports... business... weather... live news...every hour, on the hour only on al jazeera america

[♪ music ] >> good afternoon to you and welcome back to al jazeera america. i'm morgan radford live from new york city. here are today's top headlines. the northeast prepares for a deep freeze following the season's first big snowstorm. the record-breaking temperatures are lower than they've been in 20 years. and u.s. secretary of state john kerry is back in jerusalem

after meeting with the palestinian president. kerry said there is progress but there is a way to go to establish a framework for peace talks. kerry is scheduled to go to saudi arabia come. one of the most iconic voices in rock music has now fallen silent. phil everly, one of the two legendary everly brothers has >> i'm dreaming my wa life away.

>> reporter: the siblings help usher in the era of rock-n-roll. it all started with their first hit, "bye bye love" ♪ bye bye love ♪ hello lonely innocenceiness ♪ i think i'm going to cry >> they put 19 hits on the charts between 1957 and 1962 ♪ wake up ♪ little suzy, wake up >> reporter: familiar themes of love and angst help a generation trying to find it's own voice. ♪ when i feel blew blue ♪ the night ♪ and i need you ♪ to hold me tight but as singer paul simon wrote in "rolling stone" said their impact exceeds their fame. ♪ here he comes ♪ that's kathy's clown

>> the brothers cast a long shadow on simon and many other performers who came after them. the beatles once described themselves as the english everlys, and they say that they owed these guys everything. they started it all. the brothers had a major falling out in 1973 but came together for reunion concerts. ♪ don't leave me lonely >> reporter: even though phil battled lung disease he never lost his beautiful voice. >> they were elected to the rock-n-roll hall of fame in 1986. i'm morgan radford live from new york city. for more information go to www.aljazeera.com. thanks for watching. ♪ wake up ♪ little suzy ♪ wake up ♪ we

hello and welcome. i'm phil torres to talk about innovations that can change lives. we're going to explore hardware and humanity in a unique way. this is a show about science by scientists. let's check out our team of hard-core nerds. tonight she's on the front lines of a devastating wildfire as a drone takes command of the skies over yosemite. crystal is a molecular neuroscience. she goes to the streets of seattle and santa cruz for a look at how science might stop crime before it happens. lindsay is an ex-cia operator. tonight she shows us how