2014. now turn you over to dana bash, filling in for wolf blitzer in "the situation room." thanks, jake. happening now, new years inferno. residents plunged from windows of an apartment building to escape a mysterious fire. liberal change. new york's mayor takes office, making promises that could reshape the city and influence democrats across the nation. and high times. large crowds line up in colorado for the first legal sale of recreational marijuana in the world. wolf blitzer is off. i am dana bash here in "the situation room." first this hour, fire consumes an apartment building in minneapolis, raging hours and forcing residents to escape from windows. at least 13 were hospitalized, 6 in critical condition. the cause of the blaze a mystery. cnn's ted rowlands is following this developing story for us.

ted? >> reporter: this fire was so hot, fire officials were able to get into the building only a few minutes, then had to retreat. at this hour, there are still people missing. the report of a fire and possible explosion came in at 8:16 a.m., within minutes, the three story building in minneapolis was engulfed in flames. the first floor is a grocery store. above, ten apartments. >> crews initially arrived on scene, reported flames shooting as far as 20 feet out windows on the second and third floor. >> reporter: officials don't know if they jumped, fell out or pushed out by the explosion. >> they did the best they could making entry on the first floor. got in as far as they could, until conditions were so poor and became very unsafe. we removed all the firefighters from the structure.

>> reporter: frigid weather made the difficult job of fighting the fire harder, temperatures with the wind chill were near 20 degrees below zero. the building is in a predomin t predominantly somali neighborhood. next door is a mosque, which prompted concerns of possibility of hate crime from local islamic society. at this point, there's no evidence of foul play. >> the whole area is significant to the community. our area has the mosque, has palmer's bar and the grocery store. what we're worried about are the victims. >> and dana, the fire chief had an update an hour ago, still no cause. also say it is too dangerous for them to go into the building to try to find unidentified people who according to family members on the scene, they say there are three people that are still missing according to community members there, telling the local affiliates, three people missing. fire officials can't get in there now, it is too dangerous.

>> what a horrible way to start the new year. ted, thank you for that report. now to new york where a democrat is running the city for the first time in 20 years. mayor bill de blasio was sworn in by former president clinton. the new mayor unapologetic about his progressive agenda, signaling changes that could effect the entire country. susan candiotti joins us from new york. hi, susan. >> hi, happy new year. >> reporter: as new york city goes, so goes the country? maybe, maybe not. a lot of liberals and progressive democrats will be watching closely because of de blasio social reform policies work, it may help the party on a national level. new york's pop u lous new mayor got to the ceremony the way millions of new yorkers get to work every day, on the subway. before emerging, even running into his predecessor, former

mayor michael bloomberg. signaling reversal of policies that saw business boom under bloomberg, some say at the expense of the abnormal and working class. >> when i said i would take dead aim at the tail of two cities, i meant it. >> reporter: citing liberal leaders of the past century, de blasio promising to even the economic playing field, including taxing those that make more than a half million a year to pay for universal pre-k and after school programs, telling the wealthy don't worry. >> see their taxes increase by an average of $973 a year. that's less than 3 bucks a day. about the cost of a small soy latte at your local starbucks. we do not ask more of the wealthy to punish success. we do it to create more success stories. >> reporter: with bloomberg at

times looking grim in apparent disdisagreement, other speakers attacked his administration. also invited on stage, a little girl who has become the face of one of more than 22,000 homeless children, a record in new york since the great depression. >> we live in a gilded age of inequality, with decrepid homeless shelters and housing developments, stand in neglected shadow of gleaming multi million dollar condos. >> reporter: some light moments. a son of a comptroller fidgeting. and green lighting actress susan sarandon. and bill clinton embracing his interracial family, a real modern family, and the promise to change the economic landscape. >> that we have to have a city of shared opportunities, shared prosperity, shared

responsibilities. >> reporter: and with that, a synchronized kiss to the crowd from the city's first democratic mayor in 20 years. a family that will live in gracy mansion, the first family to live there since the date of rudy giuliani. >> a lot of changes. thank you very much, susan. bring in veteran reporter hunter walker, national affairs reporter for talking points memo and senior political analyst from cnn, also editorial director of the national journal. want to start with you, hunter walker in new york. obviously this is a very different kind of leader that we're seeing to put it mildly in bill de blasio. want to play another clip not in susan's piece to give a sense of how different he is going to make things in new york city. >> we will reform a broken stop and frisk policy.

both to protect dignity and rights of young men of color, and to give our brave police officers the partnership they need to continue their success. in driving down crime. >> so stopping the frisk policy. taxing, saying he wants to tax the wealthy to give to the poor. this is unabashed liberal policy he is putting forward. how do you think that's going to go over, now that he's actually the mayor? >> right, i went through his speech, used the word progressive six times in the copy there. he was sworn in on a bible once owned by fdr. there's no question that he's very much trying to brand himself as a new kind of progressive leader, and i think the implementation of this bar that he set for himself is the big question here. for example, his police

commissioner actually formerly worked for rudy giuliani. there's a distinction on stop and frisk. he doesn't want to end it completely, he wants to reform it. some may be dismayed when they find it won't completely end. as far as the tax plan, the goal is to have universal pre-k. one hitch is it requires approval from albany. andrew cuomo said he doesn't want to raise taxes, it is election year for him next year. it may be tough to get that approval. >> on that point, liberals all over the country are looking to bill de blasio as their hero now, the man in position to make their policies and their ideals become realities. it is not that easy for the reasons hunter talked about. >> it is a great plat formt as bill de blasio is showing on issues like greenhouse gases, obesity, but it is a nuts and bolts job. as hunter was saying, you

ultimately have to deliver. i find it wonderfully ironic there may be a snowstorm tomorrow. you have to remember john lindsey, great hope as a liberal republican, who was flattened and never recovered from inability to clear the streets. so there is -- and there are real constraints, not only albany, but a range of union contracts he has to negotiate. he has fiscal realities. it is still a big focus on pre-k is worth noting. hillary clinton, what is one domestic issue she's working on, 0 to 5 project, about early childhood. he may be kind of leading the way here. >> glad you brought up the clinton word, bill clinton took the stage, of course. part of the swearing in ceremony, and also gave a little speech, can't help himself, he is bill clinton. listen to what he said. >> i strongly endorse big de

blasio's core campaign commitment that we have to have a city of shared opportunities, shared prosperity, shared responsibilities. we are inter dependent. >> hello. ron, this is the man you covered, you know so well, conservative dlc democrat, enraged liberals bringing conservative democrats in, by triangulating. now he is endorsing progressive ideas? hillary, 2016? >> he raised taxes without a single republican vote, and his mantra was opportunity, responsibility, and community. and that was the way he brought that, the argument was essentially democratic ideas. there's no question the tone of de blasio campaign, the overt populism was something that clinton shied away from. the biggest argument, one of the

biggest arguments might be from the left, and argument she is not conducive or receptive to that line of argument, what fueled talk about elizabeth warren. >> absolutely. hunter, how much do you think you understand this relationship that isn't new, the reason bill clinton was there, bill de blasio was such part of hillary clinton's campaigns going to days running for senate. how much will that factor in, this relationship on the national stage? >> as you pointed out, bill de blasio was hillary clinton's campaign manager in 2000. also worked in president clinton's housing and urban development. it is a long standing relationship. they campaigned for him, hosted a fundraiser. going forward as ron was pointing out, bill de blasio could be an asset for hillary if flanked on the left by brian schweitzer or elizabeth warren. if his first term gets off to a successful start, she may be

calling on him. >> hunter, thank you very much. happy new year. we will be looking to new york a lot in the next year for sure. up next, while the president is on vacation, obamacare hits a new rough patch. we have white house reaction to an emergency supreme court ruling and popular tv sitcom star died. played uncle phil on "the fresh prince of bel air." i'll talk to a co-star that played the butler. >> madam, i went to boarding school. big green brush, curved to crush. 200% more volume. zero clumps. clump crusher from easy, breezy, beautiful covergirl. from easy, breezy, beautiful explaining my moderate to severe so there i was again, chronic plaque psoriasis to another new stylist. it was a total embarrassment. and not the kind of attention i wanted. so i had a serious talk with my dermatologist about my treatment options. this time, she prescribed humira-adalimumab.

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c explore what's new. for 575 calories or less on our lighter fare menu. enjoy fresh tossed. go fish. and try our new rosemary garlic chicken at olive garden. it is the first day for health coverage under obamacare. after the troubled online rollout, the white house predicts there may be more problems. the program hit with a major set

back new year's eve with emergency supreme court ruling delaying a mandate on birth control coverage. let's bring in senior white house correspondent jim acosta. is it a setback or politically something that they're happy to fight? >> i am not sure it is a fight they want to have, but a fight they have now, dana. one thing we can say, the white house is standing firm behind the contraception coverage mandate, in response to legal action taken by one of president obama's own supreme court picks. >> reporter: hours before sonia sotomayor watched the ball drop, she threw a curve ball to the white house. his first pick to the supreme court, she halted a mandate in obamacare that requires nonprofits to provide contraception coverage for employees. >> they're saying the affordable care act infringes on their religious liberty, forcing them to buy birth control that conflicts with their religion. and that's where it begins and

ends for a lot of religious groups. >> reporter: the president has defended that mandate as essential to women's health. >> we decided to follow judgment of the leading medical experts and make sure that free preventive care includes access to free contraceptive care. >> reporter: a white house official says we defer to department of justice on litigation matters but remain confident our final rules strike the balance between contraceptive care and religious objections. the controversy is another distraction for the president, who is on vacation as obamacare hits a new milestone. starting today, coverage kicks in for more than 2 million americans enrolled under obamacare, and thanks to the law, insurers can no longer discriminate against consumers with pre-existing conditions. the message in this video from the president's political group. >> i have been waiting a long time for january 1st, 2014. >> reporter: but one

administration official tells cnn they have no way of determining who has paid for coverage and the white house has yet to reveal who exactly is signing up. >> the current makeup of the 2.1 million that have enrolled, we don't know if they're younger or older folks. if they're older folks, numbers related to how you pay for the law are going to be busted. >> as for the battle over contraception, obama administration has until friday to respond to sotomayor's order and there are more legal fights to come over the issue as the supreme court is already expected to sort out the birth control mandate and obamacare later this year. >> thank you very much. happy new year. >> happy new year. talk more about the supreme court delay of obamacare and contraception ruling with archbishop joseph kurts of louisville kentucky, on the phone, president of u.s. conference of catholic bishops. thank you for joining us this new year's day. you wrote this appeal to president obama. what's the acceptable alternative in your view?

>> dana, thank you so much. and happy new year to you. we are asking for a temporary delay, and as you well know, the administration has in many different cases with the affordable care act made exceptions and delays where there were burdens and hardships. dana, you know that the catholic hospitals, social service agencies, schools, we have been in the leadership in providing care for people most in need, especially the poor, and the potential for crippling fines or for being asked to in a sense go against principles which we serve are alternatives that are going to hurt the poor. our efforts really are to ask the administration to give that relief so that we might be able

to avoid crippling fines and continue to provide service. >> you know their argument is that this is a crucial part of preventive care for women's health. >> yes. and of course, what we're talking about is very specific area, and that is the mandates are not so much about access to services or procedures we ourselves may think morally objectionable, rather, they're part of the requirement, they're forcing in a sense our agencies and entities to provide for what we consider morally objectionable. the little sisters of the poor would be a great example. as you know, they were provided relief, at least until this coming friday, and they're providing for the poorest of people, but in a way that's consistent with our catholic principles. >> there are taxes that the church has to pay already in the u.s. that fund things that

churches are morally opposed to, war, scientific advancements. are you picking and choosing? >> not really, here we are not talking about taxes, we're talking here about being forced to provide a service, to provide a procedure. i won't call it a service because it is a procedure that we would find morally objectionable. and here religious liberty has time honored protection for us not to go against our moral convictions as we care for people. so i don't see issues related to taxation. hear we are talking about little sisters of the poor and others doing very good work to the poorest of people being asked to actually trigger services that they would be giving to current employees. >> and this decision to hold off penalizing groups, including

catholics, is temporary. final decision up to the courts. if they do not rule in your favor, how will you handle that? >> of course we're very optimistic. you probably followed the temporary injunctions, and while they don't necessarily tell you what the final verdict will be, there's usually good indication that there's merit. we will not do anything that's morally objectionable. that's the first thing. secondly, following the lead of our holy father, pope francis, we do not want people we're serving throughout the united states to suffer because in some fashion we have to restrict our levels of service. so we will continue to go forward and actually we're optimistic that we will be vinld indicated in our efforts for what i would call reasonable and robust religious -- >> we will see this as something

that will change the next couple days and we will stay on this story. archbishop joseph kurtz, we appreciate it. >> thanks, dana. the actor that played ung he will phil in fresh prince. we will talk about the man that played the butler jeffrey. and colorado's historic day. we go live to a pot shot on a day you can legally buy recreational pot. female announcer: get beautyrest, posturepedic,

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prohibition is over, the sentiment for many in colorado today as recreational marijuana hits the shelves the first time in our nation's history. cnn's casey wian at a pot store in denver. casey, what are the crowds like on day one? >> reporter: they have been very happy, very persistent. people have been lining up outside this store since 2:00 in the morning local time. new year's day. imagine that. this business when it was a medical marijuana facility averaged about 70 customers a day. so far 300 and the day isn't over. logan and chris ee robinson lined up at 2:00 in the morning new year's day, six hours before recreational marijuana sales began in colorado. why was it important to be here so early and be first in line? >> because we're pioneers. >> reporter: hundreds waited in the snow to get their preferred

strain of pot. and the first legal deal was done. colorado residents aged 21 and over can purchase up to one ounce, out of staters can buy a quarter ounce. >> i am excited. i been dreaming about this since i started smoking. >> reporter: there are other rules for taking marijuana out of state, consumption in public and main concern for law enforcement, no driving stoned. >> if someone is drinking and driving, driving too fast or aggressively, if you're under the influence of marijuana, you're likely to be slow. but frankly, we have had medical marijuana in colorado for about 13 years. we are used to people that are driving and consuming marijuana. >> reporter: for retailers, the problem is demand exceeding supply and possibility of shortages and higher prices. here it is already going for $50 for an eighth ounce.

a nice problem to have. >> far exceeded my expectations. exciting day. great to see the smiling faces. >> reporter: wondering why they're smiling. dana, i learned a new word. i am familiar with bar tenders. you see these folks are called budtenders, they're helping consumers decide which strain of marijuana best meets their needs. >> i can see we're going to have a lot of new words. selfies is 2013. budtenders, 2014. i can see it already. casey, thank you very much. for many business owners in colorado, today has been a long time coming. they fought hard to get pot legalized. let's find out how it is going for the co-owner of the store where we saw casey wian. joining me now, from the dispensary in denver. how is day one going? >> it has been absolutely amazing. there are more people here than we ever expected.

there are so many excited people taking part in this. i mean, we knew it was going to be a big deal, but we had no idea that there would be so many people out here. absolutely amazing. >> are you sold out? >> no, we're not going to sell out. what's going to happen, we're going to run out of time. state law is midnight that we have to close, but the city of denver asks us to close at 7:00 p.m. so we'll be closed at 7:00 p.m. we're not going to run out of product, going to run out of time today. >> because this is so new. i have to ask, how does one start doing this? what is the process like to start a business, the first business to sell recreational pot legally? >> in order to be a recreational store, you had to be a medical marijuana center in good standing, so we just started the application process on day one to be a recreational center. and for us, at the end of the

day, we are really a retail marijuana center. there's no change doing that, we're good at that. we just had to comply with new packaging requirements, new verbiage on the product, and just really gear up for large crowds today. it is business as usual, just a lot of business today. >> the laws seem to be murky in many ways on the federal level and maybe less so on the state level. how difficult is it as store owner to make sure you comply with the new law? >> it's a group effort. i don't do it all on my own. we have legal counsel we work with. we source outside groups for a lot of it. it is a lot to comply with. and we're happy to comply with it. we're absolutely thrilled the federal government is allowing this experiment to happen in colorado, and just couldn't be more pleased that we get to be a part of it.

the city of denver has been amazing to work with. the state has hit every deadline to make the licenses happen today. and truly it is the will of the people of colorado, voted amendment 64 in, to see how happy everyone is to see it implemented is just out of this world. >> i'm just curious, have you been surprised by the type of person walking through your door all day today, has it been kind of what we would expect, the college stoner or grandma and grandpa walking in, i don't expect you walking in here. >> there is no stereotype about it. there are people that are 21, and i have seen people that are 75 years old come through the door today. it's a big mix from all walks of life. i really think when people get the opportunity to choose a form of recreation, a lot of people in colorado said they would like to choose cannabis.

that's what we're seeing today. >> the last question i have for you, this is just a law within colorado, washington state will happen later this year. how do you deal with that? are there people coming in across state lines and are you able to sell pot to people coming in from some of the border states and even states from further outside colorado? >> absolutely. i have seen people from a dozen different states come in today. they are limited to seven grams or a quarter ounce purchase. but that's not stopping them. they're still coming in. they should not cross state lines. that is the law and that is the rule. and the states around us are not friendly to cannabis consumption, so we're strongly encouraging everyone who is from out of state to not take back home with them. >> even though you can buy pot legally, you can't smoke it in public, right? you have to go home and smoke it in the privacy of your own home. >> correct.

there is no public consumption. people make their purchases a lot like a liquor store, public consumption is not allowed with liquor, and consumption on site is not allowed in our establishments either. so people make their purchase and walk out the door. i have heard there are some hotels in town that are friendly to cannabis use, but don't ask me where those are, i don't know. i just heard people from out of state staying in some places. >> i won't put you on the spot there. i do actually have another question about this, because it is so new. like a retail pioneer. when you go in, think of buying liquor in a liquor store, there are sort of rules, but one of the rules is not generally that you're limited in the amount that you can buy. you are there. how do you as a retailer determine whether or not the person buying is buying too much or not enough and do you say wait a minute, i saw you an hour ago, you're back in here buying

more? >> certainly. well, every person that comes in has to be carded, number one, to establish they're over 21 years of age. and the second to establish their residency. colorado residents can purchase an ounce or 28 grams. so we have to make that distinction. our point of sale system, we can make that distinction right when they come in the door. at the point of sale, the person serving them, casey referred to them as bud tenders, a dog ran by me here. the bud tenders know that they're residents or nonresidents at that time. so we're very careful to follow the rules. that's part of the whole protocol and we just comply with the rules. >> tim, i would expect nothing less than dogs walking around, random things in a place like that. >> that never happens, really doesn't happen. i have never seen a door here

before. the door is open because we have security and they're checking ids and a dog ran in off the street. that's not typical. >> thank you very much. happy new year. good luck in your new endeavor. >> happy new year to you, too. thanks for having us on. appreciate it. up next, a diplomat is killed from a blast in his own home. police believe it may have been from a safe that was rigged to explode. plus, a new year probably means a new set of financial concerns. we talk to a personal finance expert about how to manage your money in 2014. the actor that played uncle phil in "the fresh prince of bel air" has passed away. we will talk about his signature role as the man that played the butler, geoffrey. and the dusty basement at 1406 35th street.

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stories coming in "the situation room." at least one person is dead and a dozen others injured after a double car bombing exploded outside somalia capital in mowing deesh u. it is a popular spot. several senior members of the government were there at the time of the attack. it is not known who is responsible. former first lady barbara bush has been hospitalized in houston for a respiratory related issue. this according to a spokesman. the family has been visiting, including husband former president george h.w. bush. she's 88 years old. a palestinian diplomat dead

from explosion in his house in prague, czech republic. they say it occurred when he opened an old safe that apparently contained an explosive security device. his wife taken to a hospital after inhaling smoke but their son was not hurt. and we might be seeing a lot more of toronto's rob ford in 2014. spokesman for the embattled mayor says ford will officially file paperwork for re-election bid tomorrow morning. ford had colorful moments in 2013, including admitting to smoking crack in what he says was a drunken stooper. by any standard, 2013 was great for wall street. the dow-jones average gained 25%. the s&p 500 was up nearly 30%. overall, the stock market, best year gains since 1995. joining me now, personal finance columnist, terry savage. crystal ball. is it time to get into the market for people not in and for

people who are in, time to sell? >> dana, i think it is not too late. what the stock market is trying to tell us is that we've all been way too gloomy. we had good reason to be gloomy. as we sat here last year at this time remember we were debating whether congress would get us over the fiscal cliff, that was new year's holiday. eight weeks later, the sequester. then the government shutdown in the fall. there were a lot of reasons to look at the economy and look at the government and think it is going to be terrible. instead we had great stock market gain. i think the problem is we have all gotten used to bad economic news that we can't recognize the good news when we see it. this should be a year of continued good economic news because the economy is growing, seen it pick up in third quarter and in the fourth. that's what the stock market was telling you. the fed pulled its punches, said we will cut back a little bit, but not really taking money out of the economy, they're still putting money in.

the stock market has reacted with all-time highs. i think it is reasonable to assume it will go higher in the year ahead. >> brace the good news. got that. >> absolutely. don't be pessimistic. >> how about interest rates, how may they impact consumers, a good year or bad year to buy or sell a home, for example. >> this is interesting. we're already seeing interest rates move up slightly, ten year treasuries up a bit. rates could go even higher, but in a contrary way that could be good for the economy. number one, it makes banks more willing to lend because they'll see profits in their loans. i think it will have a lot of consumers think gee, i better buy my home now before mortgage rates go even higher, so it could bring a pick up in housing. that brings up a lot of retail spending, all of which is good for the economy, so you know, even if we have mortgage rates at 4.5 or 5% again and maybe even over 5%, it is not the

worst thing, we lived with worse. it will be a sign of growth. i am not too worried about them, but if you're going to get a mortgage, this would be the time to do it. >> leave viewers with news to use. what should they do first week in 2014, pick one thing. >> you have a terrific moment to get organized. look at outstanding bills, don't wait until they come in january. go online, check your credit card and balances, check your 401(k) plan at work. maybe it is time to move more money in on a regular basis into the stock market. grab hold of your finances. do something very positive this year. all those that have been given up on, i can't find a job, the economy is moving. go out, look for a job again, go out, take some courses at your community college. expect a better year because i really think we're going to have one. >> terry savage, good advice for us all. happy new year. thanks for the optimism. >> happy new year. up next, he is best known as the beloved uncle phil.

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a sad day for television fans. actor james avery, best known for his role as uncle phil on the hit sitcom, "the fresh prince of bel air," died of complications from heart surgery. he was 68 years old. in the show, avery was known for giving tough love to a young will smith and trading hilarious insults with the family butler, geoffrey. >> i'm sorry, it is just it has been so peaceful since will was

in philly. boarding school is not so bad, is it, geoffrey, geoffrey went to boarding school. tell her, geoffrey. >> madam, i went to boarding school. and then i went to therapy. >> who asked you, get my lunch. >> man has a tape worm. >> joining me, the actor that played geoffrey, joseph marcel. first of all, so sorry for your loss. wanted to tell you even in the studio, coming into the segment, everybody was singing the song from "the fresh prince of bel air." for kids growing up in the '90s, uncle phil was their tv dad, even for people a little younger, watching nick at night. the same thing. you knew the real james avery. what was he like? >> oh, he was a wonderful man.

the gentle giant. compassionate, a wonderful friend, a true, loyal friend, and he has touched my life so well, and i will never forget him. he ought to be celebrated. he was a the "fresh prince of bel air" was the next show that portrayed wealthy african-americans on tv. did you have discussions with james avery about that? and how did you and he feel about the show's impact broadly on society? >> stuffs important to him that people understood that the striving of the african-american ought to have been shown on television, and this was the moment. he was happy with it, and he strove to present an uncle phil that everybody wishes was their uncle, but very good at what he did. he was a marvelous man and a truly wonderful actor.

what he has done for television, for african-americans on television is unsurpassable really. >> "the fresh prince of bel air came to be because, in real life, will smith, now a mega-superstar in the movies and a rapper, fell on hard times. he was bankrupt, a rapper already, and nbc the network came to him and said, you want to have a tv show based on your life? talk about that, and how that was a dynamic on the set with james avery? >> yes, that is the story, i believe. the idea of the poor boy making good is an idea that appeals to everybody. everybody can empathize with it. i have traveled the world. last year i was in austria, germany, turkey, romania, denmark, and people still talked

about "the fresh prince of bel air." they were so pleased to see me. most people want to know what i sound like as a real person. but for us -- for us the seven of us, it was a magic, magic moment in our lives. and will smith was such an excellent leader, that we loved each other. we got on very very well. and today is a day where we celebrated life of one of our special ones, yes. >> well, we certainly do, and we really appreciate you joining us from london. look everybody knows you sound exactly the same in real life as you do on the tv. >> a little grayer, but yes. >> thank you for honoring and remembering your friend. we appreciate it. thank you, dubai's fireworks show is officially the biggest of all time. we'll meet is the american behind this record-setting spectacular. she keeps you on your toes.

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it's now in the guinness book of world records as the biggers fireworks display in history. last night in dubai, close to half a million fireworks were shot off, many from the world's tallest building in a dazzling display that broke the record in the first minute. the mark was set in the middle east, the fireworks were an american production. joining me now is phil grucci. first of all, congratulations for putting on the record-breaking display. i have to ask you, you're a guy from long island. how did a guy from long island end of breaking the record for fireworks in dubai?

>> it's a pretty amazing story, isn't it? we're very proud of that. we were invited back in 2008, actually to open the palm, and the atlantis the palm. that was so successful back then. at that point that was the largest fireworks display ever produced. when they wanted to produce this program this time and break the world's record, the current world record, they invited us back. they want assemble the team again, let's try it again. >> what kind of research goes into making sure that you're going to put on this kind of display, but technically making sure you're going to break the guinness book of world records? >> well, it's a -- that's a good question, because it's very easy to roll that off your tongue breaking the world record, but it's a tall order to do so. we were asking to come up with a design concept that would more

both a megaprogram, a program that's never been seen before, and also the size and scale to break the world record. so when you do that, you have to do something that's realistic and obtainable, so that you can assure you're going to break the world record, and something that's unique and different from something that's never been seen before. so we produced the palm program back in 2008 with a grand opening, and it was only a natural transition to add the world. well, the challenge here is the world is almost twice the size of the palm. that would then assure we could gain the world record if we were successfully able to produce both programs. >> the world's tallest building is in dubai. you were even able to pull off setting off fireworks from that building. how did you do that? >> well, that was in addition to the world record. we were committed to produce the pyrotech nexts in british

khalifa. that was also an honor of ours. that had a unique set the challenges working on the world's tallest building and produced product that had to attach toed side of that building. last night was a result of many, many many days and months of preparation, but it was beautiful. really, really enjoyed it. >> let me ask you, your great-great-grandfather started in pyrotechniques back in italy. >> that's correct. >> if he's looking down on you and the record, what do you think he's saying? >> i think all four generation before she are saying the same thing on how proud they are that our family has been able to stay together and now we're in the sixth generation with my daughter, my son, our nephews and nieces, cousins that are out there last night to produce the program. i think they're proud we've been able to hold it together and truly produce things as

magnificent as lasts night was. >> quite a family business and absolutely beautiful. happy new year, and congratulations, phil grucci. >> thank you, dana. happy new year's to you as well. happening now -- first freeze, as new year's winds down, more than 70 million americans are in the bull's-eye of a fierce winter storm. putin's promise, the russian president visits victims and vows to wipe out terrorists just weeks before the olympics. 2014 trends will dish on what's in and what's out, who's hot and who's not. wolf blitzer is off. i'm dana bash, you're in "the situation room." it's going to field like a cold, bitter new year's hangover. some 70 million americans could get socked with snow and dangerously low temperatures in the coming hours, just as

they're heading home or back to work after the holiday. alexandra steele is in our severe weather center. >> hi, dana. the cold air is coming as well as the snow. we could see a food foot for some people. the cold air in place, no question about it. in boston, highs on friday will only be a 12. new york city 16, so temperatures are going to drop about 20 to 25 degrees from where they are now, and certainly well below average, but it's the overnight temperatures that will really be so dramatic with this. boston, straight air temperature dropping below zero for the first time in three years, this is extreme arctic air. new york city at 8, well below average. the winds will be fer orb. so here it comes. area of low pressure phases together, the cold air in place, a snow maker for the northeast. thursday, friday is the time line on it. here's thursday morning. all of new york state for the most part, vermont,

massachusetts, the cape and islands, connecticut as well. as we head into friday, a second wave. so we'll make it easier to deal with than just in one fell swoop. it moves out by friday afternoon. then these ferocious winds kick in. how much will you see in the northeast? boston as a city is the biggest winner. 6 to 12 inches. 12 inches from albany points west, so pretty brutal drive, certainly impacting people trying to get home. pittsburgh, 2 to 4. buffalo another 6 to 8 for them. dana? >> alexandra, thanks. now new threats by north korea's unpredictable and dangerous leader. kim jong-un is warning of an all-out nuclear war with the united states. he's also made his first reference in public to the shocking execution of his own uncle. brian todd joins us now. what are you trying to learn in this very veiled society.

>> you get glimpses here and there, but you pick up whatever you can. those were the two things, the threat and that kim jon u.n. has recently exhibited unpredictable, dangerous behavior. he began the new year by signaling to the u.s. it's within range of his ability to strike. el called the u.s. and south korea war maniacs. he said they're girding for nuclear war with his country, and north korea's menacing young leader delivers this warning for america -- >> translator: should another war break out on this land it will result in a deadly nuke lab ka at that time troir. >> what are western intelligence agencies interpreting in that rhetoric? >> what they're seeing is north korea once again is blaming the u.s. and its allyings for the high level of tensions on the korea peninsula rather than noirnian actions themselves. they've been threatening that

they did already hit the u.s. >> reporter: this is the first public speech since the execution, and his first personal comments. without mentioning the uncle by name, kim called him a group of counter-revolutionary faxalists and said their removal unified north korea. but it signified huge upheaval. >> the violence and publicity behind this may cause -- will cause great fear among the elite north korea for the near future. the nebs time kim jong-un starts to move, the general or the family member, the party lead who are sees it coming may strike back first. >> that may have been the case south korean officials and media said recently that he had control of lucrative fishing grounds. he said kim wanted to take them back, and a gun battle broke out between forces loyal to the

uncle and soldiers. kim juan enraged when soldiers were killed and moved against his uncle, all signifying the dangerous unpredictable of the new leader. in his speech, he said there should be improved relationses between north and south korea, but analysts say north korea will launch another prove investigation. it's not a matter of if, but when. >> that really is an important factor that makes this different. south korea's new leader is different than her predecessor. >> absolutely. analysts say the new president is of more likely to retaliate. two reasons -- she's the daughter of a south korean president who the north tried to assassinate twice. she also knows that her predecessor came in under intense criticism after two incidents.

that president didn't retaliate them. she is now under enormous pressure to strike back in north korea provokes at all. so it's on if anything happens itches absolutely. you can't underestimate that kind of internal pressure. thank you, brian. and in russia, a surprise move by president vladimir putin, as he faces growing fears about a terror attack during the upcoming winter olympics. he's promises to fight for complete annihilation of terrorists. jill, that's a high bar. >> it is, but he's said it before. today he unexpectedly flew to vo

volgograd. a somber day for president putin, laying red roses where a suicide bomber blew himself up, one of two attacks in just 24 hours that killed 34 people. then to the hospital to visit some of the 64 injured. >> translator: the abomination of this crime or crimes that were committed here? volgograd does not nine further commentary. no matter the motivations, there's no justification for committing crimes against civilians. >> reporter: he's promising to beef up security and cryorussia. there's been no claim of responsibility yet, but suicide bombings are it is hallmarked of the chechen terrorist dubbed russia's osama bin laden. in march, 2010, his female

suicide bombers attached the moscow metro at rush hour. chechnya, once a war zone, has largely been pacified, but the terrorists have simply mod to neighboring zachic stan. >> clearly at the games, the opportunity to do an attack will be much, much tiger. if they do an attack outside of sochi, is it any less significant? i would argue it's not. >> reporter: a warring trend, young russians radical iced. russian media reporting that the suspect in the volgograd bombing, is a medic, who reportedly became a muslim in 2012 and moved for dagestan.

he parents followed him there, but he disappeared. they recorded a video, his mother saying -- pavel, i'm appealing to you, please come home. we'll do anything, please come home, but pavel answered in his own video posted on a terrorist website. >> i came here so that allah would be pleased with me. these attacks could undermine support for putin and home and shake international confidence to protect the games. still ahead, it's been more than a week since the ship got suck in thick ice off the coast of and argument ka. are the 74 people on board anywhere close to being rescued? pope francis made headlines

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unisom sleeptabs help you fall asleep 33% faster and wake refreshed. unisom. a stressful day deserves a restful night. talk about a holiday bummer. for over a week, 74 passengers and crew members have been stuck on a russian research ship off antarctica, hoping anyday teal be rescued. sunlen ser fatti has been following the story. they seems to be making the best of it. >> they have, but the mission -- but it's much more complex than

first told, that's not the end. they'll have two more legs in the long trip home. >> 3, 2, 1 -- [ cheering ] >> today replaced by an urgent one to re could you. >> 100% certain we'll be helicoptered out, which would be another add to ourian venture. >> reporter: the wheels are in motion for a complex rescue mission. cnn has learned even after this helicopter lift, research respect from the deck of the ship, 12 at a time, their journey will not be over, the researchers already carried back to a chinese ship, then board a barge taking them to another icebreaker, before they can finally go home. >> brill dwrant! >> reporter: sources say the two rescue boats will have to be close together in open water.

>> i'm looking forward to getting home. >> reporter: while they wait, they're doing what little they can to prepare, like stomping out an impromptu landing bad for the helicopter. in the meantime celebrating the end of 2013 from the bottom of the earth. with an original song. the lyrics poking a big of fun at how much attention they're thwarted expedition has attracted. ♪ >> reporter: their spirit even reaching times square. >> just a bit of champagne, i think. >> we don't want to tell tales, but there has been alcohol on the ship. >> it would be painstaking. just to give you an indication, dana, one flight there and back is 45 minutes. that one helicopter has to make

seven flights. just the first leg of this long mission will take many, many hours. >> i think it takes a certain kind of person to want to go to antarctica to begin with. so they have a certain spirit to begin with. pope francis grabbed the world's attention with the 34e7b8g of love and hope for everyone. what can we expect this year? erin mclaughlin takes a look. >> reporter: he's transformed the roman catholic church. there were symbolic gestures and some reforms inside the vatican. 2014 promises more change. >> it's largely been a matter of style and words and gestures, which have been electrifying people and piatting everybody, but now we'll start to see some

concrete changes. >> reporter: many hope the first pope will bring greater diversity to the body responsible for selecting the next pope. in february, francis is expected to appoint at least 14 new cardinal electors, and then new saints. two popes are to be canonized on the same day in april, john xxiii seen by many as a liberal reformer, and john paul ii seen as more conservative. >> there's been some tension. we can infer he's saying there's a continuity here, there isn't really a conflict or a tension, this is all part of the same tradition. >> reporter: francis will follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, in may he's expected to travel to the holy land with stops in israel, jordan and the palestinian territories, and possibly big news in october at the senate of bishops. they're expected to discuss whether it should be easier for divorced and remarried catholics

to take communion. >> the pope said last summer, this is a time of mercy, and we need to be merciful, which a lot of people took to mean he's considering making it easier for them to receive that sacrament. >> reporter: pope francis already has a lot going on in 2014. one of the his biggest challenges ahead, reforming the vatic vatican, his christmas message -- cut back on gossip and focus on service. erin mclaughlin, cnn, rome. move over ex hillary clinton we've been talking to a woman to watch in to 14. plus the party is over and so many trends are so yesterday. we'll have what american what will have americans buzzing in the new year. yeah, he's clean, boss. now listen to me, duck. i have an associate that met with, uh, an unfortunate accident.

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a new make yor for new york city. he was sworn in today. >> i got a big kick out of watching new yorkers fall in love with bill and his family. you know, with all respect to the television show, they're our real "modern family." jeanne moos has a closer look at the family with a style all their own. >> reporter: that's arm around son, son's arm around dad. husband hugging wife, dad

hugging daughter, a four-way group hug. immediate the deblass i don'ts. it sounds like a sitcom. >> i'm here with the most wonderful family in the world. >> reporter: they've been blowing synchronized kisses to the point that this biracial family has become almost a brand. not only biracial, but deblasio -- >> they have a dance identified as the smackdown. >> then the entire family did a weird gymnastic move that brought huge tears from the crowd. >> reporter: enough to make a comedian beg -- >> adopt me. >> now never has a hairdo been so overdone. no, sir, his son's hair. the fame of his afro snowballs. even president obama commented

on it, mentioning dante, who has the same hairdo that i said in 1978, though i have to confess mine was never that good. his sister pokes fun. >> in her enthusiasm, she just attempted to touch the hair. security was ready to intervene. >> jon stewart went from seeking adoption to adopting the afro. >> i mean, he's unbelievable. >> jeanne moos, cnn, northern. meanwhile, the predecessor, longtime mayo bloomberg is beginning a new chapter. here's cnn's christine romans. >> reporter: with the last wave, this multibillionaire is out of work for now. >> i'll be fulfilling a lifelong dream of enjoeing a -- >> reporter: it makes him the seventh richest man in the country and 13th richest in the world. it all started with a layoff, when solomon brothers let him go in 1981 with a $10 million

severens package, he started what would become bloomberg lp, the largest data provider on the globe, the company on track for a record profit in 2013. he stepped down in 2001 to campaign for mayor, financing that campaign himself. 74 million in 2001, $85 million in 2005, after a controversial change in term limits he pushed through -- >> so help me got. >> reporter: $108 million in 2009, the most expensiveself financed campaign in history. bloomberg ran new york city for 12 interesting years. from peat plaza to public smoking bans, to calorie counts to banning the big gulp. his no-nonsense approach made -- he took only a $1 salary, saving the city $2 --

>> my check used to be 93 cents and now they're 95 cents. >> he opted not to live in the mansion, took the subway to work. according to "new york times," he gave the city at least $650 millions for a wide variety. his foundation distributed $370 million in 2012 alone. he's given more than a billion to his alma mater, john hopkins university, and donated $2.8 billion to support causes from art to health. >> the thing that gives me most pleasure is knowing i'm making a difference. >> reporter: so what's next? >> i don't know, president, pope, naked cowboy. >> reporter: he's quashed rumors about the white housesh chaujing causes from gun control to immigration reform. business mogul, the business of being michael bloomberg is far from over. christine romans, cnn, new york.

coming up, a political star on the rise in the coming year. does she have an eye on running for the white house herself. so long, 2013. we'll look at trend in pop culture. what's in and what's owl. stick around for that.