welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is tom donkin. our top stories: violent protests after president trump's recognition ofjerusalem as israel's capital, the un security council prepares its response. intense late—night negotiations in london in an effort to break the deadlock in brexit negotiations. we'll be live in downing street with the latest. us senator al franken is stepping down after allegations of sexual misconduct and pressure from his democratic colleagues. 200,000 thousand people evacuated as wildfires continue to rage across california. and the culinary treasure that's now a cultural one as well. pizza makers of naples get key heritage status. hello.

the white house has warned that it would be counterproductive if the palestinians withdrew from a planned meeting with the us vice president in the wake of washington's policy shift onjerusalem. international concern has continued, along with protests in the occupied west bank and the gaza strip. palestinians clashed with israeli security forces, about 30 palestinians were injured. but, israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, reiterated his praise for donald trump's decision. 0ur middle east editor, jeremy bowen, reports. over the years, palestinians have burned many american flags. the question is whether something fresh is happening. whether this old conflict has entered a new stage.

volleys of tear gas were directed at palestinian demonstrators by israeli security forces in towns around jerusalem. many palestinians have serious doubts about whether these street clashes change anything. jerusalem, though, is as special for palestinians as it is for israelis. and trump's decision to ignore palestinian claims to the city has caused real anger. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, isjubilant. he posted this video, saying, these are great days in zionism's history. but these are not great days for israel's foreign relations. many countries feel they have a stake injerusalem. turkey's president erdogan, on a visit to greece,

said the us and israel were trampling over international law, rejecting a un resolution. mahmoud abbas, the palestinian president, on the right, travelled to jordan for emergency talks with king abdullah, whose warnings of danger ahead were ignored by president trump. afterwards, president abbas said america no longer had a political role in the middle east. in gaza, ismail haniyeh, the leader of hamas, called for drastic action. "it's time", he said, "for a third palestinian uprising. another intifada." uprisings carried a heavy price and didn't get them independence. an intifada is a dangerous option which many palestinians don't want to repeat. but their anger is real. this was a demonstration tonight in a palestinian refugee camp injordan. and they have international support. the americans are preparing a new peace plan.

it will need something very special to succeed. it's important to realise that there is no peace process, and there hasn't been for a few years. but back when they used to have serious peace talks, the negotiators steered well clear of the issue of the future ofjerusalem. that's because all sides realise that it can unleash some really powerful and potentially destructive forces. they treated it as a politically radioactive issue. it was tense tonight at damascus gate in the old city. sometimes injerusalem nationalism and religious difference are overwhelming. perhaps it's too much to hope for a peace deal. jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. you can get much more analysis on our website, including a look at whyjerusalem is so important to many religions, including christianity,

islam and judaism. just go to bbc.com/news. intense negotiations are continuing through the night to try to break the deadlock over the irish border in brexit negotiations. the british prime minister, theresa may, has spoken to the irish government, the european commission and her key allies at westminster, the democratic unionists. the dup rejected a proposal put forward on the issue of the irish border, earlier this week. let's get more from our reporter, sarah corker, who's in downing street. sarah, it's calm where you are, but there is every indication, whispers that we're hearing, it could be a very busy day in british politics? yes. as you mentioned there, there's been intense talks and phone calls through the night but both sides remain tightlipped. this of course follows several days of negotiations between london, brussels, belfast and dublin and there's nothing official yet but there are some positive signs. the bbc understands

that if a deal kambiri chedjou, plans are in place for the prime minister, theresa may, to fly to brussels later this morning to sign on the dotted line. the background to all of this is they need to reach an agreement on the irish border ahead of a deadline on sunday. earlier this week the dup, theresa may's vital allies in westminster, rejected an agreement. the main sticking point, what happens to the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland after brexit. it's understood there's been some additional wording added to try and reassure the dup. there's been some new lines coming out on social media through the night and into the early hours. gavyn barwell, the number 10 chief of staff, he tweeted, home for three hours sleep and then back to work, so that would suggest still more talks ahead in the morning. a european commission spokesperson tweeted, we are making

progress but not fully there yet, adding, tonight more than ever, stay tuned. but a dup source of more caution, instead saying they are still working. but perhaps fuelling this speculation, donald tusk, the president of the european council, he will be making a statement later this morning giving an update on brexit negotiations. so nothing confirmed yet but things appear to be moving in the right direction. thank you very much, sarah. yes, brexit negotiations running 24/7 at the moment. thanks forjoining us. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. a judge in argentina has asked for the arrest of the former president, cristina fernandez de kirchner. he said she had deliberately hidden evidence of iranian involvement, in the deadly bombing of a jewish cultural centre in buenos aires more than two decades ago. the polish prime minister, beata sidwa, has resigned, despite easily surviving an opposition no—confidence motion. she'd lost the support of her party leader

and it's understood that the finance minister, mateusz morawiecki, has been nominated to take over. russia says it's mission accomplished in its fight against the so—called islamic state in syria. the military claimed there were no more settlements under the groups control following heavy bombing over the past month. however, in a speech, the british foreign secretary, borisjohnson, warned that is was re—assembling itself outside syria and iraq. germany's social democrats have voted overwhelmingly in favour of holding talks with chancellor merkel‘s party, about resuming the coalition that ended with september's election. the party leader, martin schulz, had initially ruled this out. the two sides are far apart on key issues, from migration to eurozone reform. the us democratic senator, al franken, is stepping down after a number of women accused him of sexual harassment. nearly 30 senior democrats had urged him to resign. mr franken insisted he'd done nothing to bring dishonour

to the senate. i will be resigning as member of the united states senate. i of all people am aware that there is some irony in the fact that i am leaving, while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault seats in the oval office. and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the senate with the full support of his party. for more on this we can speak with eric and, political expert and author of the work the gop civil war. —— eric ham. author of the work the gop civil war. -- eric ham. did our franking resign or was he forced out by his

party? i think alf rankin was certainly forced out by the party, especially by the number of democratic women who coalesced around this course to actually remove him from the senate because of these troubling and escalating allegations —— our franking. of these troubling and escalating allegations —— ourfranking. i think it became too much for him, particularly in light of what we're seeing in the race that is taking place next week in alabama. i think they saw the writing on the wall and it was time for them to take a stand and you saw how effectively democrats in the house were able to remove the dean of the congress, congressmenjohn conyers, remove the dean of the congress, congressmen john conyers, so remove the dean of the congress, congressmenjohn conyers, so they thought given what took place in the house, it only stood to reason that al franken should also leave. we heard a bit of his resignation speech four, he made reference to the republican party and the claims within that party, is it difficult for the democrats to use sexual harassment as a partisan issue?”

guess we'll find out the issue, a nswer to guess we'll find out the issue, answer to that next week when we see the results from alabama but i do believe right now in the short—term it remains to be seen but i think democrats are looking long—term, they're looking to next year's midterm elections are so right now what they're doing is try to get their house in order because they're going to begin playing in the mid—term elections beginning in january 2018. what they want to do is be on the side of women, we know women make up the majority of the electorate so i think this gives them the opportunity to see the moral high ground from the republicans and so i think they took advantage of it. obviously this plays into the alabama election, what's happening with mr moore? this has ramifications for that? we know

that the president and the gop is doubling down for mr moore, we know the republican national committee has stepped up their funding to the candidate for the senate in alabama, and we do know that president trump will be in pensacola, florida, which is actually only 20 miles away from the border of alabama so they share the border of alabama so they share the same media market so he's going to be in pensacola, florida, tomorrow, giving a campaign style rally, which many believe will be donein rally, which many believe will be done in an effort to try to bolster roy moore's efforts to win that seat next week. so i think when you look at what's taking place with their support of an alleged paedophile, i think democrats believe that going into next yea r‘s think democrats believe that going into next year's elections, this will give them a leg up, particularly when you look at many generic polls right now showing that democrats are actually beating republicans for the house of representatives. this could be i think the vehicle that could elevate

them to take control of the house of representatives from republicans next year. eric, thanks for your time, eric ham in washington for us. raging wildfires fanned by strong winds have forced an estimated 200,000 people to flee their homes in southern california. several new wildfires have broken out, reportedly threatening lives and damaging property. firefighting planes have been diverted to one of the latest blazes in san diego county, where hundreds of people have been evacuated. california's governor has declared a state of emergency. marcy pablosjoins me now from hidden meadows, california. marcy, i understand you're able to stay at home for the moment, but i imagine you're at the mercy of which way these winds are blowing? that's exactly right. right now we are about five miles away from the frontline of the flames. what are you hearing? are you being

told to stay put or are you being told to stay put or are you being told to stay put or are you being told to gab your things and get ready to leave? well, there have been alerts that have come through countywide on our phones warning us to be prepared. there hasn't been anything explicit about us in our area just yet but we're about three miles away now from the line of evacuation so we're waiting to see which way the fire storm moves. at this point we are just south of it and it seems to be moving south south—west. there's one small mountain itch between our home and where the fire currently is.” saw some pictures you on social media, the smoke and the flames you can basically see from your window? 0ur can basically see from your window? our home is on the top of a mountain crest so we can our home is on the top of a mountain crest so we can see over our home is on the top of a mountain crest so we can see over the freeway, which has just crest so we can see over the freeway, which hasjust been backed up, it's not been moving at all for the last couple of hours, and where the last couple of hours, and where the fire is burning and as it burns,

in which direction. so we do have oui’ in which direction. so we do have our most important materials ready, oui’ our most important materials ready, ouranimals, our our most important materials ready, our animals, our passports just our most important materials ready, our animals, our passportsjust in case we have to take off, there's only one road up to our home so in order to get out if anything happened to that road we'd be stuck so happened to that road we'd be stuck so we're ready to go. marcy, stay safe and thanks forjoining us and giving us that at date from california. thank you. -- that update. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the incredible story of one baby abandoned in china and reunited with her family after more than 20 years. john lennon was shot at the entrance to the dakota building, in the centre of new york. there's been a crowd here standing in more or less silent vigil. and the flowers have been piling up. the 14th ceasefire of this war ended at the walls of the old city of dubrovnik.

this morning, witnesses said shells were landing every 20 seconds. people are celebrating the passing of a man they hold responsible for hundreds of deaths and oppression. elsewhere, people have been gathering to mourn his passing. imelda marcos, the widow of the former president of the philippines, has gone on trial in manila. she's facing seven charges of tax evasion. she pleaded not guilty. the prince and princess of wales are to separate. a statement from buckingham palace said the decision had been reached amicably. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: there have been violent protests after president trump's recognition ofjerusalem as israel's capital as the un security council prepares its response. late—night negotiations in london in an effort to break the deadlock

in brexit negotiations. more now on our top story: eight countries have pressed for an emergency meeting of the un security council — to discuss the issue ofjerusalem. among them — britain and france. former french diplomat and acts the notes —— expert in diplomacyjoins us. notes —— expert in diplomacyjoins us. it is unlikely donald trump will act on any recommendations because in doing what he's done, he's violated un recommendations already. it looks like if you put america first, you have to put the un down the waste basket sadly. what will come out of these talks? it is very

important for the international community outside of the us to send a strong message that the un had set the rules about jerusalem, a strong message that the un had set the rules aboutjerusalem, about the 2- the rules aboutjerusalem, about the 2— state solution. and it's a very important message for europeans, paris and london, to send that message to the capitals in arab countries. it's absolutely necessary. i think useful at this point to remember the president of the iraq warand point to remember the president of the iraq war and the famous colin powell motto, if you break it, you own it. well, the us broke iraq and essentially europe suffered from the

consequences. let's put the us to the side at one moment because president abbas says the us now long —— no longer has a political role in the middle east. is there is a chart -- is the middle east. is there is a chart --isa the middle east. is there is a chart —— is a chance to countries like france to step in? president macron has said he is keen to become a diplomatic player. could he step in and become the new international peace broker? well, i think in lots of cases, there are challenges and opportunities and this is an opportunity for president macron but also i think for europe and the uk to really put all their weight in negotiations. and suddenly look much more credible as an intermediary then the us now is, unfortunately.

interesting to watch. thank you very much, jean—francois boittin, a former french diplomat. it has the makings of a moving feature film — but the story of kati and the broken bridge is all too true. her chinese parents went into hiding to defy the country's one—child policy and give birth to her — their second child. but, they were forced to abandon her and she was eventually adopted by a us couple. kati's parents left a note with their baby urging the adoptive parents to meet them at hung—jo's broken bridge. and kati's father returned there every year hoping for news. what happened next is revealed in a bbc news documentary — here's jane 0'brien. a meeting at the broken bridge, a fitting place to reunite a broken family torn apart by china's 0ne—child policy. the rendezvous was planned by kati's birth parents,

who are forced to abandon theirjust after she was born. i don't get super emotional and those type of situations, but my birth mother, i think she was sad in a lot of ways. she held me for about half an hour. a day later, kati visits her parents at home and they chat for the first time with her adoptive family in the us. thank you very much for taking care of kati. it must be very painful for you. this is where the story began. kati's father shows her the place where they left her. he really just wanted

my forgiveness. it was really interesting. i understand for him why he needed forgiveness, but for me i did not feel like they needed to forgive them for anything. from my perspective, i understand their situation as much as i think i can. they were stuck. they were stuck in a system that was so broken. it is hard to say goodbye, but back in michigan, and other new chapter was beginning in kati's life as she begins for the final year of university. no matter how much you know about your adoption, why you are given up, how you feel about it or how much it hurts, no matter what

the circumstance, i don't think it is good to suppress those feelings that might be hard to deal with. and you can see the whole of kati's story on our world: the return. that's on bbc news across the weekend — and you can see it online at the bbc website. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov has told the us secretary of state, rex tillerson that american military exercises and aggressive rhetoric are causing an escalation in tension on the korean peninsula. the two met on the sidelines at a conference in vienna — mr lavrov also complained about us pressure on russian media and diplomats. mr tillerson earlier said the main obstacle to better ties was russia's intervention in ukraine. there's been another big surge in the value of the digital currency bitcoin, ahead of the launch this weekend of a new bitcoin futures market.

the currency — which exists largely online — has been trading above 15—thousand dollars for the first time. but there are some warnings that it's overvalued and might be heading for a fall. the art of making pizza — the neapolitan way — which has been handed down for generations has joined a prestigious list of cultural treasures. the custom — which includes hurling the dough into the air — has secured coveted world heritage status from unesco. james reynolds has a taste of the excitement. you might not think that pizza here in naples you might not think that pizza here in naples needs unesco protection, there is plenty of people queueing up. but it's now part of the world's intangible heritage. i will show you how it is done. eugenio is the pizza maker. and unesco has decided what he is doing here is unique to naples. it may be copied across the world, but it started here first.

sei felice, no? molto felice. he is very happy. obviously a leading question. and then just have a look here at what happens to the world's intangible heritage. it goes into the oven for about two minutes. it may be intangible, but in the end you can eat it. it looks delicious. for football fans this man needs no introduction — he helped lead his side to the spanish league title and scored two goals as real madrid retained their champions league title, so it's hardly a surprise that cristiano ronaldo has been named as world footballer of the year. he claimed a record equalling fifth ballon d'0r, matching the number of wins by his equally great rival, the barcelona and argentina striker lionel messi. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter — i'm @tomdonkinbbc.

hello there. right now we are more concerned about snow and ice rather than the strength of the wind. but for a while on thursday we had a gust of 90mph in the far north of scotland, all due of course to storm caroline. the centre of that storm is heading away from scotland and over towards scandinavia. but around that area of low pressure we've still got very windy weather right now. very quickly we're drawing down some much colder air, rapidly down across the whole of the country. so we've had some snow already. there will be more of that and some icy conditions continuing into friday. keep up to date with any travel

disruption on bbc local radio. snow not unusual across northern scotland at this time of year. there will be more snow piling up. blizzards in the hills as well. probably largely dry and sunny and frosty into the central belt. more snow showers for northern ireland getting blown over the irish sea into north—west england and the north—west midland and wales. it's here we could see most of the disruption into the morning. a wintry mix in the south—west of england. but for many eastern parts of england, friday could be largely dry and quite sunny as well. those wintry showers, mostly of snow inland, continuing in roughly in the same sort of area through the day, perhaps moving further into the midlands. the totals could be 5—10 centimetres here and there, perhaps more than that in the north—west of scotland. these are the temperatures. because it will be windy there will be a significant windchill. so will feel a bit colder. a real change from what we've seen earlier this week. winds gradually ease off a little overnight, but wintry showers, mostly snow inland, continue,

perhaps lacking some potency, but nevertheless icy conditions and a covering of snow in many northern and western parts of the uk. the frost more widely and quite severe in the countryside and over higher ground. won't be quite as windy on saturday. there will still be wintry showers around, but not as heavy. probably turning more to rain in the south—west with damp is beginning to rise a little. elsewhere it is a cold day. coming into that cold air, more problems on sunday, with this weather system here. a lot of uncertainty about the position of that weather system. but there is the potential for some significant snowfall across parts of wales, england and northern ireland. very cold in that wet weather and to the north. mild and windy in the south—west. this is bbc news. the headlines: at least 31 palestinians were injured in violent protests, following president trump's recognition of jerusalem as israel's capital. the white house has warned the palestinian government against cancelling a meeting with us vice president mike pence, who is due to visit the region later this month.

intense negotiations are continuing through the night to try to break the deadlock over the irish border issue in brexit negotiations. the british prime minister, theresa may, has spoken to the irish government, the european commission and her key allies at westminster. the us democrat al franken says he will resign from the senate over a string of sexual harassment allegations. mr franken said he'd been shocked by the accounts of his behaviour given by several women. these are the latest headlines from bbc news. now on bbc news, thursday in parliament.