weekdays at 5pm et / 2pm pt only on al jazeera america welcome to al jazeera america, i'm del walters. these are the stories we are following for you. it is cold out there. extreme winter weather hitting most of the country. the president wanting congress to renew long-term unemployment benefits. and locking down sochi, as the games get closer, the security gets tighter. record cold temperatures and punishing wind chills are effecting millions of americans today as that deep freeze now reaches into the far south.

diane eastabrook in is chicago, but we begin with jonathan betz. i understand the weather already having a major impact on the commute. >> yeah, without question because it is so cold dell. this storm system is not bringing a lot of snow or ice, just these frigid cold temperatures. in new york city it is hovering around zero degrees. you add in the wind chill, and it feels like 20 to 25 below zero. not since 1896 has it been this cold in new york city. a record because of this be iter cold air moving through early today. amtrak canceling dozens of trains today because of the cold weather actually had several trains stranded in northern illinois because of the snow the system brought up there. close to 500 passengers had to sleep in the trains overnight, because the trains could not move because of all of the though on the tracks.

earlier today, amtrak brought in buses and bussed those people to chicago. close to 2400 flights canceled across the united states today. jet blue made the unusual move of canceling many of its flights for 17 hours to basically reset its system. it affected airports in new york city and boston. it blamed a combination of the bad weather, cold temperatures, and the fact that airline rules changed over the weekend requiring pilots to get more sleep. but it is one of many airlines suffering with these cold, cold temperatures. it makes it difficult for the tarmac workers to get out and fuel the plains. it is slowing everything down across the northeast. >> diane eastabrook is in maywood, illinois, a suburb of chicago, and not only cold there, but also dangerous.

>> it is very dangerous, dell. it is about 8 degrees below zero today, which is a little below yesterday when we hit a low of 16 below with wind chills of around 50 below. so far here in the chicago area, they this treated less than a dozen people for weather-related injuries. we have seen four fatalities in the area, from heart attacks, those related to people out shovelling snow. what could be the big problem here is people getting injured in traffic accidents. a lot of people are returning to work today. we heard yesterday of fender-benders, and showing up in emergency rooms, and we may see a lot more of that today. schools are out. many of the highways are still

bad in northwest indiana. there are a couple of major interstates that are closed. we are hoping to get some relief around noon today. and we should be up in the teens tomorrow. dell? >> diane thing you very much. and there is a good chance wherever you are, you are battling freezing weather, bursting pipes, and your car probably won't start as well. how long will this continue? >> at least another day or so. we are looking at the core of the cold air now beginning to push to the east, factoring in that wind feels like it is 20, 25, 30 below. but will is the core of the cold air, still over minneapolis, and chicago, 12 in memphis. low to the north, high to the south, and that's where you get that gusty wind. the bitter cold wind will last

all day today and tonight. toronto and cleveland down below zero, but when you factor in the wind it feels like it is 17 below in new york, 20 below in albany, and it doesn't take long to feel the exposed effects on your skin. the lows by tomorrow morning, maybe not quite as cold but still down into the teens with that breeze. eventually we'll see these numbers climb. >> dave warren thank you very much. president obama expected to speak shortedly at the white house. a new bill would extent unemployment benefits for about three months while lawmakers fission your out way to offset the cost. libby do democrats have enough republicans to back this bill? >> well, dell, six republicans have voted yes.

that could push republicans over the top. if all republicans are accounted for and made it back to washington despite the weather. they needed to get 60 because this is a procedural vote, and when they take it to final vote they just need a simple majority. and that shouldn't be a problem. the white house is trying to woo senators and get them to vote for it. republicans have pushed back for two reasons, some said this emergency long-term assistance have no longer needed, others want to make sure that it is paid for. and mitch mcconnell made a last ditch effort to push back. >> yes, we should work on solutions to support those who are out of work through no fault of their own, but there is

literally no excuse to pass unemployment insurance legislation without also finding ways to create good, stable, high-paying jobs and also trying to find the money to pay for it. >> at the last minute, mitch mcconnell put forth a proposal, he said republicans might support this if the delay the obamacare affordable care act, individual mandate for a year. and of course we know that's a non-starter. >> people are unemployed, can't find a job. it's a tough deal. listen to this picture, mr. president, no one can in anyway dispute my facts. for every dollar spent on this

we get a dollar back. >> so we'll know in a few moments, dell. >> libby has been white house weighed in on this argument? >> definitely. making calls and the president used his address over the weekend to push for this issue. president obama will be talking about unemployment insurance benefits later on this morning from the white house, and he'll be joined by americans who either benefited from the program or are suffering right now because they are no longer receiving those long-term benefits. even if this clears the senate, dell, it has a high bar to clear. if republicans have said unless we see how this will be paid for, we won't support it. >> libby thank you very much. and as we mentioned president obama is expected to speak at 11:40 today. standing with him will be one of those who have already lost their benefits.

turning now to russia, the city of sochi is on lockdown. russia started stringent security forces today. the 60-mile security zone has been dubbed the ring of steal. and one athlete who won't be at those winter games is american gold medalist lindsey vonn. she cited on going complications with her knee. in south sudan the talks are underway to stop weeks of unrest in that country. negotiators are meeting in neighboring ethiopia. the struggle for power has brought the country to the brink

of civil war. south sudan is the world's newest country. we want to go back to libby casey now. >> the vote just wrapped up, dell, that's right. 60 votes needed. that's what it got. 60-37. three senators unaccounted for. but the 60-vote was the threshold. six republicans joined with democrats to support it. it was a nail biter. it was very unclear if democrats would get enough republicans to join with them. it looks like they have. >> libby thanks. the standoff over falujah is intensifying. the u.s. says they will help with missiles but not with

troops. andy gallagher reports. >> reporter: for now the streets are deserted. but help may soon be on its way from the u.s. government who promised to speed up deliveries of military equipment. >> we're looking to provide an additional shipment of hell fire missiles as early as this spring. >> reporter: and on the edge of the city controlled in part by the islamic state of iraq, the iraqi army are edging closer with soldiers and equipment, backed up by sunni tribes loyal to their cause. >> translator: the time measures that we take today are cause of the situation in ambar, to avoid violence in bagdad, god willing we are here at the service of the people, and we vow to protect the homeland. >> reporter: but a coalition of al-qaeda-linked fighters says anyone who tries to help the government and its allies will

be punished. >> translator: the revolutionaries have resolved to punish the tribesman who support the sectarian government forces and decide to join the council. the revolutionaries will also be responsible for foiling the filthy scheme run by the government. >> translator: the supplies are expected to be shipped this afternoon. we are negotiating with security forces and tribal forces over safety issues. we have loaded the supplies and got them ready for shipment in one to two days. it's difficult to approach the city. iraq's prime minister has urged the tribal leaders to help

drive out the al-qaeda-linked fighters. united nations confirming violent clashes in iraq have killed 9,000 people last year alone. and the first batch of syrian chemical weapons is now been transported out of syria. they will eventually be put on a u.s. navy ship and then destroyed at sea. al jazeera continues to demand the release of its journalists being held in egypt. al jazeera continues to maintain that the allegations are false. all three are being held separately in a prison outside of cairo. peter greste seen here is an award winning correspondent who has recorded extensively across africa. mohamed fahmy has worked for cnn, the "new york times" and the red cross. he will be questioned again

tomorrow. and baher mohamed has been working with al jazeera as a producer for most of last year. again, we maintain those charges are false. coming up on al jazeera america, transporting oil on the rails can be dangerous and deadly, but now something is being done to change it.

there has been a ruling concerning chick's tough new gun law. federal judge ruling a city wide ban on the sale of firearms is unconstitutional. the judge issue that ruling on monday. over the weekend two people died including a teenager. last year chicago had the highest homicide rate anywhere in the country. wall street seems to be back in the buying mood again. the dow right now is up, 118

points after a rather sluggish start to the new year. that bitter cold being felt is driving up the price of natural gas. futures are higher by 1.5%. several gas pipeline suppliers are warning of tight suppliies s consumers turn up their thermostats. it government says that jpmorgan turned a blind eye while handling this man's accounts. it still faces other charges related to the madoff case. several reports say bonuses for the big three employees will jump about $18,000. that's an all time high for

ford. last year its workers received bonuses that averaged more than $8,000. tanker cars like these on the rails are become more and more common. and the increased traffic is causing problems. >> reporter: the transport of oil by rail jumped more than 44% in the summer months of 2014, compared to a year earlier, according to the association of american railroads. u.s. railways now transport nearly 10% of america's crude oil output or around 800,000 barrels per day and all of that extra traffic has increased the likelihood of rail accidents. in july a 74-car freight train carrying crude oil derailed in the quebec town. the resulting explosion killed almost 50 people and destroyed 30 billings. in november a 90-car freight

train detailed and exploded. 11 cars burnt to a crisp. and in late december a 110-car freight train in north dakota derailed near the town of castleton causing a massive fire bomb. all that oil by rail has overwhelmed smaller branch lines which are often not as well maintained as main rail lines. in addition the fleet of tankers is aging. but oil by rail is not only more hazardous to the public, it's more expensive than pipelines. so with the public's appetite for more pipelines in question, that extra supply has to be

moved somehow, and rail lines are picking up the slack. it is january 7th and that means it is christmas for millions of orthodox christians around the world. in georgia they participated in the traditional charity provision. in ukraine protesters still champs out, but took time out to light these candles last night. and in russia, russian president, vladimir putin attending a ceremony ahead of the winter games.

welcome back to al jazeera america. i'm del walters, these are your headlines this hour. tougher security measures in place for that month leading up to the olympics in sochi. russia starting a lockdown on the city today. visitors and drivers must have

special passes just to get around. unemployment benefits clearing an initial hurdle in the senate this morning. they passed a procedural vote to extend unemployment benefits for millions of americans. the final vote was 60-37. record cold temperatures affecting millions of americans today. the severe weather delays trains and flighting across several states. as the debate over frac-ing picks up speed, one city already has made up its mind. >> reporter: for environmentalists this is an abomination, partially concealed by a shady grove in western pennsylvania, the tanks and pipes defrac the marcelous shale. a drilling bonanza is underway.

however, will is a hollow amid the multiplying frac-ing wells. the city of pittsburgh. here frac-ing is banned and in 2011, the city passed its toxic trespass ordinance that asserted there was sufficient evidence that the chemicals used in frac-ing were harmful and the national and local government will be held liable for those found trespassing on the ecosystems within pittsburgh. doug shields introduced the legislation because there seemed no way for citizens to stand up to the lobbying cash of the oil companies. >> now i know what it is like to be a resource country. >> reporter: but frac-ing chemicals don't respect city

ordinances. frac-ing surrounding the city is changing the composition of the allegheny river that supplies pittsburgh with its drinking water. so will the city sue? >> you know how many times we get sued? we get sued every day. we get sued when people walk up the steps and trip when it rains. >> reporter: the state senator has introduced a bill to introduce a moratorium on frac-ing until further information is gathered. >> the governor, our own lock stock and barrel by the marcelous shale, and they are not about protecting the environment. >> reporter: but it hasn't stopped the municipalities surrounding the city from

collecting their drilling royalties. the state of pennsylvania says there have already been at least 100 cases of problems reported with frac-ing. we want to turn back now to one of our big stories today that being the freezing cold hitting most of the country. what is the latest? >> well, the relief will happen eventually, but right now it's still wind and cold air. the wind is a big problem today in the northeast. today the gusty wind is moving to the northeast. lake-effect snow and bitter cold wind chills. you see where the core of the cold area, though. 6 in philadelphia and new york, 7 in albany. many record-low temperatures set today, and that was the coldest morning. it may start to get a little warmer, but not before we dealing with wind chills 20 and 30 below. 34 below in cleveland, it does

not take long for you to get frostbite or feel the effects of the cold weather on your exposed skin. so certainly be careful. lows tomorrow morning? not quite as cold as today. not a big improvement, but maybe not quite as cold. radar, lake-effect snow, heavy snow over the same area, you see it goes up and depending on the area. the purple color off of the charts, off of the scale, 30 inches or more, and that's coming down today. so 30 inches or more in this area. temperatures will climb up to near 50 with maybe a little rain coming in. could be some rain here this weekend, saturday and sunday the temperatures are climbing back up above 50 degrees. so there is the relief from the

cold area. here is light snow the pacific northwest. that could bring in more snow to the northern plains over the next 48 hours. bitter cold wind chill across the southeast, and by tomorrow morning another cold morning. orlando at 38, but everywhere north of that teens and 20s. finally thursday up to 44, 60s saturday and sunday, but that is day four and five of the five-day forecast across the southeast. another cold morning, but tomorrow we start to see those temperatures climbing. dell. >> dave warren thank you very much. i'm del walters in new york. "inside story" is usually next, but not this time. we're going to take a break, and when we come back, we'll bring you the speech from the white house. again, that takes place at 11:40

today. we'll see you then.

this is al jazeera america. will 1.3 million people have their unemployment benefits restored? the senate back in session today to make the call. in danger of slipping backward, fighting in iran today unlike what we've seen in years.